Will discuss introduction of the Plain Regulations Act

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) will hold his weekly press conference call with Iowa reporters this morning at 10:30am CST.

Braley will discuss the introduction of the Plain Regulations Act, a bill modeled after his successful Plain Writing Act signed into law by President Obama in 2010, which will require the federal government to write rules and regulations in clear, concise, easy-to-understand language.  Braley says the legislation would save small businesses time and money.

WHAT: Bruce Braley's weekly press call with Iowa reporters

WHEN:                 TODAY, Wednesday January 18^th, 2012

11:30am EST // 10:30am CST

CALL-IN:               866-704-2208

PASSCODE:         2414543#

"Fins and Feathers" Celebrates Storybook Illustrations

New Figge Exhibition Features Original Works from Children's Literature

(Davenport, IA) - Dive into a watercolor world where "fish is fish." Join a little turtle on a big adventure. Head into the woods with John James Audubon. Or come face-to-face with a beautiful blackbird. "Fins and Feathers: Children's Book Illustrations from The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art" opens at the Figge Art Museum on Saturday, January 21, 2012.  The family-friendly exhibition celebrates the artistic achievements of children's book artists with 43 original storybook illustrations from the late 1960s through today. Populated by an array of dazzling animals both real and imaginary, "Fins and Feathers" introduces viewers of all ages to memorable creatures from children's literature.

Focused entirely on images of friendly and comical animals, "Fins and Feathers" features works from the collection of 'The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Mass'. Established by artist and author Eric Carle in 2002, the museum is the first full-scale museum of its kind in America, devoted exclusively to original picture book art from American and international illustrators.

Included in the exhibition are works by Arnold Lobel, Ashley Bryan, John Par Miller, Eric Carle, Leo Lionni and John James Audubon. "Fins and Feathers" features daydreaming fish, stately egrets, day-tripping chickens, and one very mixed-up chameleon. By turns humorous and elegant, the illustrations sparkle with bright colors and even brighter original imagery. This family-friendly exhibition is the perfect attraction for children and children-at-heart.

In concert with "Fins and Feathers," the Figge is providing several other educational activities including a free family event sponsored by Wells Fargo and John Deere on February 4, and a workshop for aspiring children's book artists and authors on February 18.  For more information about "Fins and Feathers" and its related activities, visit www.figgeartmuseum.org or call the Figge at (563) 326-7804.

A portion of the proceeds from this exhibition to benefit the Genesis BirthCenter.

Exhibition Programs

Fins and Feathers Exhibition Reception and Art Talk
6 pm Thursday, February 2

The Luck of the Draw
1-4 pm Saturday, February 18
3-part program led by illustrator Cori Doerrfeld 

Free Community Event

Fins and Feathers Family Day
Noon-3 pm Saturday, February 4
Sponsored by Wells Fargo and John Deere

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Please join today's strike, and help protect the Internet.

Sincerely,

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Editors

Center for Rural Affairs Offers Farm Bill Help Line to Assist Producers

Lyons, NE - USDA's National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced  that the deadline for producer applications for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) has been extended to January 27, 2012.

While CSP is a continuous sign-up program and producers can apply to enroll at any time of the year, NRCS applies a cut-off date for applications to be considered during a particular fiscal year.  Once the cut-off date is past, producers may continue to apply for the program, but they will not be considered for entry until the spring of the following year, in this case spring of 2013. In order to enroll in 2012 applications must filed by January 27.

The Conservation Stewardship Program is a voluntary stewardship incentives program, administered by USDA's NRCS, designed to reward farmers, ranchers, and forestry producers to maintain existing conservation on working lands, as well as for the adoption of additional conservation measures that provide multiple environmental benefits that run beyond the farm or ranch. This program pays producers for clean water, better soil management, improved habitat, energy efficiency, and other natural resource benefits.

"We hope more farmers and ranchers will take advantage of this extension for the CSP application deadline. To meet this deadline, they just need to submit the basic application form to their local NRCS office," said Traci Bruckner, Assistant Director of Rural Policy at the Center for Rural Affairs.

CSP is one of the most popular conservation programs. In 2010 alone, nearly 21,000 applicants enrolled in CSP, putting additional conservation on 25.2 million acres, about the size of the state of Kentucky. Farmers and ranchers interested in applying should contact their local NRCS office as soon as possible to meet the deadline.

To sign up, producers should visit their NRCS local service center (http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?agency=nrcs).

Bruckner is encouraging farmers, ranchers and others to call the Center for Rural Affairs' Farm Bill Helpline with questions about the application process and to share their experiences, both positive and negative. "We know the previous sign-ups have yielded some great success stories for farmers and ranchers, but also some disappointments and frustrations."

"We want this program to work for all farmers and ranchers employing conservation-based farming systems, and firmly believe the CSP is a step in the right direction for policy to financially reward historical commitments to conservation, as well as encourage further adoption," Bruckner continued. "This is a far better approach than paying to clean-up problems."

Bruckner commented that it would be most useful for producers to have specific information available when they call, including a complete copy of their application materials, and more specifically the Conservation Measurement Tool responses and ranking information for their state or ranking area. The NRCS office will provide only a summary, unless specifically asked for a complete print out that includes their ranking information, the highest scores in their state or area, and how far down the ranking list NRCS was able to provide contracts before the money ran out for the last sign-up period.

"One of the main goals for our Farm Bill Helpline is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of programs such as the CSP," said Bruckner. "It is only with that information that we are able to push for any needed changes and improvements."

Producers can also receive guidance for applying for other conservation programs. "Through our helpline you will speak to someone who is knowledgeable about the program rules to help you understand how to participate in the program," Bruckner added. Producers can call (402) 687-2100 and ask for the Farm Bill Helpline or send an email to tracib@cfra.org.