27 Mar 2012

Increased Stress Puts More Teens at Risk

By Ginny Grimsley
Spot Early Signs of a Struggling Young Adult

Adolescence is difficult in the best of times. It's doubly stressful for kids today; they're experiencing the same worries and insecurities as adults in this troubled economy, and with far fewer coping skills. From families struggling with joblessness and foreclosure to increasing competition for college admissions to the normal fears associated with impending adulthood, they're particularly vulnerable.

"Teens who are overwhelmed by stress often are unable or unwilling to ask for help," says noted psychologist Dr. Gregory L. Jantz, (www.drgregoryjantz.com), author of When Your Teenager Becomes...The Stranger in Your House.

"But the longer they continue to flail and struggle emotionally, the greater the chance they'll develop more serious problems like clinical depression, generalized anxiety disorder, dependence on alcohol or drugs and, sadly, suicidal tendencies," Jantz says. "It's up to parents and other adults to recognize when a teen is struggling and intervene."

So how do you know when typical teen characteristics, such as moodiness, have moved beyond "normal?" Jantz offers these tips:

• Arguing is normal; constant anger is not. Sometimes teens argue just to argue. It allows them to let off steam, express their displeasure about life in general and test boundaries. The occasional dramatic meltdown is to be expected. But it's not normal for a teen to be angry and hostile all the time, constantly fighting and yelling.

• Withdrawal from parents is normal; pulling away from family and friends is not. Expect your teen to start pulling away from you - unless she wants something - and occasionally from their friends, as well. Sometimes, they just need to pull back for a few days, even from friends. But when they appear to isolate themselves for weeks, spending weekend after weekend alone in their room, they may be struggling with depression. Socializing with friends is one of the first things to go as depression sucks the joy out of life.

• Anxiety is normal; feeling constantly overwhelmed is not. Teens have a lot to be anxious about - the prospect of independence is both exhilarating and terrifying, so some worrying is to be expected. But a teen who seems to be, or says he is, struggling daily with stress needs help. Two types of kids are especially vulnerable to developing generalized anxiety disorder, a heightened, constant state of anxiety: The worker bee perfectionist who crams his schedule with activities, responsibilities and tasks, and the kids who worry so much over anything, they can't get anything done.

• Being upset for days after a bad experience is normal; more than two weeks is not. Teenagers tend to react dramatically when things go wrong - their boss chews them out, they fail a test, they get in an argument with their sweetheart. Adults know from experience that these things aren't the end of the world and all will be well again, but teens lack that perspective. It's normal for them to be in a bad mood about it for a few days, but to dwell on the problem for more than two weeks indicates they're struggling.

The most recent data available, which is about 3 years old, puts suicide as the third-leading cause of death for teens after unintentional injuries (such as car accidents) and homicide, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. More than 2 million teens attempt suicide each year.

"I suspect new data will put suicide as the second and possibly even the leading cause of death for that age group, because depression is the biggest risk factor," Jantz says. "We're seeing more teenagers suffering from depression in recent years because of the economy and overstimulation by technology."

Visit www.aplaceofhope.com for an online survey to see if you or your teen is showing signs of depression (click "Depression" and then "Depression Survey" in the drop-down menu)."

About Gregory L. Jantz, Ph.D.

Gregory Jantz has more than 25 years experience in mental health counseling and is the founder of The Center for Counseling and Health Resources, near Seattle, Wash. The Center, "a place for hope," provides comprehensive, coordinated care from a treatment team that addresses medical, physical, psychological, emotional, nutritional, fitness and spiritual factors involved in recovery. He is the best-selling author of more than 20 books on topics from depression to eating disorders.

27 Mar 2012

Simon-supported math bill approved by Senate committee

By Kara Beach

Statewide curriculum aims to increase college completion

 

SPRINGFIELD - March 27, 2012. Illinois middle and high schools could use a state recommended math curriculum come 2013, if a bill that passed a state Senate committee today with Lt. Governor Sheila Simon's support is adopted.

 

SB 3244, sponsored by Sen. Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign), authorizes the Illinois State Board of Education to design curriculum models that illustrate how to teach state standards in middle and high school math. Schools could opt to follow the state-recommended scope and sequence of study for math and math equivalent courses through a student's final year of high school, or continue to follow local curricula.

 

Within four years of the bill's effective date, the state board and P-20 Council will measure the effectiveness of the statewide curriculum based on test scores and math remediation needs at colleges. The aim is to recommend a standard curriculum that is proven to boost college readiness and reduce the expensive and time-consuming remedial math needs at colleges and universities.

 

"Students learn locally, but they compete globally," Simon said. "Colleges and employers are telling us that too many of our students are not competing in math. Our goal is to recommend math content and teaching techniques that educators across the state, in all zip codes, can build on so that more of their students graduate from high school ready for college and careers."

 

In 2011, 42 percent of high school graduates met the math college readiness benchmark, according to ACT. More than one-third of recent high school graduates who transitioned as full-time community college freshmen between 2006-08 enrolled in at least one remedial math course (17,527 out of 48,328 students), according to the Illinois Community College Board. Students who enroll in remedial courses are more likely to drop out or graduate late.

 

Simon said the optional statewide curriculum moves away from simply requiring "seat time" to promoting use of that time wisely. It could be most helpful to teachers in districts that cannot afford curriculum directors or curriculum committees. It will also provide guidance to districts that otherwise rely on textbook manufacturers that claim their materials are aligned with state standards.

 

SB 3244 passed 10-0 and awaits a vote by the full Senate. Simon's written testimony can be found here.

 

###
27 Mar 2012

Summer Fairs Go Green with Soy-Based Products

By United Soybean Board
Soy checkoff partners with city, county and state fairsST. LOUIS (March 27, 2012) - With soy biodiesel powering trams and carnival rides, soy-based paint freshening up show barns and soy-based cleaning products getting the fairgrounds ready, 13 fairs will be a little greener this year with the help of the United Soybean Board (USB) and the soy checkoff.

"U.S. soy feeds the animals that provide the meat we eat, but soy does a lot more than that," says Geno Lowe, a soybean farmer from Hebron, Md., and USB farmer-director. "U.S. soy is increasingly popular as a 'green' ingredient in everything from biofuel to paint to cleaning products and more."

Lowe and his fellow USB farmer-directors selected the 13 fairs as part of a competitive application process. Through the Green Ribbon Fairs reimbursement program, now in its second year, the checkoff works with fairs across the country to promote the use of soy-based products such as biodiesel, paint, cleaners, hand sanitizers and more. The following fairs will use soy-based products and help educate fairgoers by participating in the 2012 Green Ribbon Fair Reimbursement Program:

•    Barton County Fair (Kan.)
•    Delaware County Fair (Iowa)
•    Dutchess County Fair (N.Y.)
•    Dyer County Fair (Tenn.)
•    Houghton County Fair (Mich.)
•    Indiana State Fair
•    Minnesota Fairs
•    North Carolina State Fair
•    Ohio State Fair
•    Saunders County Fair (Neb.)
•    South Dakota State Fair
•    State Fair of West Virginia
•    St. Mary's County Fair (Md.)

The 69 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

###

27 Mar 2012

Salvation Announces Emergency Disaster Training

By Holly Nomura
Quad Cities, USA - This Saturday at The Salvation Army Community Center in Davenport, a

class will be presented to prepare local volunteers for deployment during a disaster. The class,

called "An Introduction to Emergency Disaster Services," is open to all interested. Included in this

course are: jobs to be accomplished, command structure, and getting ready for deployment. This

is a hands-on, down-to-earth, no-nonsense class with the basics.

WHEN: Saturday, March 31, 2012, 9:00am - 3:00pm

WHERE: Davenport Salvation Army Community Center, 3400 W. Central Park Avenue, Davenport,

IA 52806

If you would like to attend or have any questions, please call Steve Garrington at 309-569-0660.

About The Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His

name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army

each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster

victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities

for underprivileged children. About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000

communities nationwide.
27 Mar 2012

Broadway at the Adler Theatre Announces 2012-2013 Season!

By Adler Theatre
Broadway at the Adler Theatre Announces 2012-2013 Season!
The Broadway at the Adler Theatre 2012-2013 season, presented by Lujack Lexus, will feature a line-up of smash-hits including, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, WEST SIDE STORY, ROCK OF AGES, CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE, A CHORUS LINE and ELVIS LIVES!

Subscriptions for the upcoming season are now available for purchase at the Adler Theatre Box Office (136 E. 3rd St.), at AdlerTheatre.com, or by calling 563-326-8522.  Tickets for individual shows will go on sale at a later date.
Subscribers enjoy the following benefits:
  • Best seats in the house
  • No waiting in line
  • More discounts & advance notice on added shows
  • Lost ticket insurance - free
The times and dates for the productions are as follows:
Fiddler on the Roof, Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 7:00 PM
Cirque Dreams Holidaze, Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 7:00 PM
A Chorus Line, Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 7:30 PM
West Side Story, Monday, February 18, 2013 at 7:30 PM
Elvis Lives!, Friday, March 22, 2013 at 8:00 PM
Rock of Ages, Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 7:30 PM
For a synopsis of each performance, please visit AdlerTheatre.com.

Click here to subscribe online today!  Prices range from $130 to $320 depending on series package and seating choice.  Click here to download an order form.  Call 563-326-8522 or email boxoffice@riverctr.com for more information.
Straight No Chaser
Tuesday, April 17; 7:30 pm
Adler Theatre

On Sale Now
Find Tickets

27 Mar 2012

Collaboration on forest restoration projects key to sustainability

By Forest Service Press Office

Agency Chief testifies before House Committee on Agriculture

WASHINGTON, March 27, 2012 - In testimony on Capitol Hill today, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell emphasized the importance of collaboration in developing restoration projects on national forests and grasslands.

"The aim of these efforts is to move beyond the conflicts which have characterized forest policy in the past and toward a shared vision that allows environmentalists, forest industry, local communities, and other stakeholders to work collaboratively toward healthier forests and watersheds, safer communities and more vibrant local economies," Tidwell said.

Tidwell emphasized that such collaboration not only results in better projects, but will also create jobs.

His remarks were made before the House Committee on Agriculture's Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry.

"The Forest Service recognizes the need for a strong forest industry to help accomplish forest restoration work," Tidwell remarked.  "Forest industry involvement also lowers the cost of restoration to the taxpayer by providing markets for forest products."

Tidwell presented a list of programs already in place at the Forest Service that will enhance the restoration and management efforts on the nation's forests and grasslands:

- Implementation of the new forest Planning Rule that emphasizes restoration, public involvement, and sustainable management to provide benefits and services both today and for future generations.

- Investing in restoration projects with partners though the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program. These projects have demonstrated that collaboration among stakeholders can facilitate large landscape scale restoration, thereby improving forest health, reducing wildfire risk, restoring fire-adapted ecosystems, and increasing timber and biomass production from the national forests.

- The Watershed Condition Framework which provides a consistent and comprehensive approach for classifying the condition of the 15,000 watersheds that comprise the National Forests and Grasslands and for prioritizing restoration needs.

- Integrated Resource Restoration which allows the agency to align its budgeting to focus on landscape scale restoration projects across resource areas and, with partners, combine the restorative focus of several line items into a single item.

- The National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy which is a collaborative process with active involvement of all levels of government, non-governmental organizations and the public working for an all-lands solution to wildland fire management issues.

- The Forest Service bark beetle strategy which focuses management efforts on priority treatment areas to ensure human health and safety and to reduce hazardous fuel conditions on more than 17 million acres of National Forest System lands impacted by bark beetles.

- Use of stewardship contracting which allows the Forest Service to offset the value of the services received with the value of forest products removed. This authority is crucial to collaboratively restore landscapes at a reduced cost to the government.

- Expanding markets for forest products through the development of new markets for woody biomass utilization and green building materials by providing a reliable and predictable supply of biomass for potential investors. 

- Research using new technologies and cutting-edge science to help better understand impacts of forest disturbance on natural and cultural resources. 

- Use of a new objections process prior to a decision, rather than using an appeals process after a decision. The process tends to increase direct dialogue between the agency and stakeholders and often results in resolution of concerns before a decision is made.

- Improved efficiency of the National Environmental Policy Act process by learning from and sharing the lessons of successful implementation of streamlined NEPA analyses.

"Today, people understand that forests provide a broad range of values and benefits, including biodiversity, recreation, clean air and water, forest products, erosion control and soil renewal, and more. Our goal is to sustain and restore ecosystems that can deliver all the benefits that Americans want and need," Tidwell concluded.

The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Recreational activities on our lands contribute $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

 

#

27 Mar 2012

Three Illinois National Guardsmen launch product for Soldiers, babies

By Staff Sgt Kassidy Snyder

SPRINGFIELD, IL (03/27/2012)(readMedia)-- After multiple overseas deployments, three Illinois Army National Guardsmen came together to build a product that benefits both Soldiers and babies. Having no prior business experience, the Soldiers used educational resources to create the EasyGo dispenser.

"Being a Soldier and small business owner shows you the complexity and depth the Guard has to offer," said business co-founder Staff Sgt. Michael Pett of Chicago, with Recruiting and Retention Command. "Not only am I able to continue my service to the country, but can fulfill my dream of being a business owner."

The Soldiers signed up for a program through the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign called Illinois' Launch. Through the program, they attended small business workshops and seminars and made several connections to help them along the way, said Pett.

"We are not engineers, graphic designers, nor can we draw a family of stick figures between the three of us," said Staff Sgt. Blake Schroedter of Newton, with Troop A, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Pontiac. "We are a group of common guys, but visionaries who saw an issue and decided to fix it."

While deployed, Schroedter said he and other Soldiers had many frustrations with making an instant protein shake, a common source of nutrition for combat Soldiers. They tried cutting the tops off water bottles to make a funnel and used Ziploc bags and Tupperware for storage. What they needed was something portable and convenient to store, carry and dispense a pre-measured amount of protein powder.

After returning home from deployment, Schroedter along with Pett and Staff Sgt. Tony Genovese of Naperville, with Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Aurora developed a prototype that evolved into the EasyGo Dispenser product lines.

"The evolution of the prototype lasted over a year with countless hours of phone conferences with our director of manufacturing, ensuring we accomplished our goals," said Schroedter. "I am excited for the day when I am at an airport or gym and I see a complete stranger utilizing our product."

After the initial prototype for the protein powder was created, the Soldiers developed a second dispenser to accommodate baby formula powder.

"Currently there are no military programs that promote entrepreneurship for Guardsmen that we are aware of," said Genovese. "One of our major long-term business goals is to create a program designed to aid military personnel in ventures similar to ours."

The Department of Defense launched a few programs that help disabled veterans and families of the wounded and fallen start businesses, but nothing specific for Guardsmen.

The Soldiers boast a young start-up company that offers a product durable enough for Soldiers to use on missions during war and gentle enough for parents to use for their babies at home.. The product was launched March 11 in Chicago. The first shipment of EasyGo PRO and Baby dispensers is due to arrive in August. For more information please visit http://easygodispenser.com/.

27 Mar 2012

Picture book for immigrant women is now available

By M. McNeil
Explaining the need for mammograms and pap smears to immigrant women?who don't speak English?is a challenge for health care workers and those trying to help the immigrants assimilate into a new country.  Thanks to a "Stand Against Cancer" grant there is a new picture book designed to educate the women about the procedures.

A sneak preview of the book will be held Wednesday, March 28th at 9:30 at Church of Peace in Rock Island (1114 12th Street).

The list of attendees at the news event who will be available for interviews include author, Nora Steele, the Stand Against Cancer advocate for this area; Kathy Lemburg from the Rock Island County Health Department; 2 representatives from the Komen Quad Cities group; illustrator, Barbara Crede; Doug Tschopp from Augustana College; Church of Peace Pastor Michael Swartz, Black Hawk College teachers who are instructing the immigrants as well as the students who the book was written for.

WHO:  Immigrant women
WHAT:  Picture book explaining mammograms and pap smears
WHERE:  Church of Peace Rock Island?1114 12th Street
WHEN:  Wednesday, March 28th at 9:30 am.

###
27 Mar 2012

Investment in Crime-fighting Program

By Grassley Press

Monday, March 26, 2012

 

Cantwell, Grassley Lead Bipartisan Senate Coalition Urging

Investment in Key Program to Fight Crime

Byrne JAG program provides critical assistance for local law enforcement fight

against gangs and meth but could face even larger budget cuts

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last Friday, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) led a bipartisan coalition of 42 senators in support of continued investment in a crucial tool for law enforcement in the fight against crime. The coalition, in a letter penned to Senate Appropriators, opposed any additional cuts to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) program, which helps states and communities across the country reduce crime, prevent juvenile delinquency, and reduce recidivism.

 

"As you well know, Byrne JAG is a cornerstone crime-fighting program that supports the federal government's crucial role in spurring innovation across the criminal justice system, as well as testing and replicating evidence-based practices nationwide," wrote the Senators in a letter to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. "Given the significant financial constraints the federal government has faced in recent years, funding for Byrne JAG has been reduced by nearly one-third over the past two fiscal years. Therefore, we ask that the Byrne JAG program be protected against further cuts in the Fiscal Year 2013 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill."

 

Byrne JAG funds have been used to keep vital law enforcement programs alive that go after criminal gangs and facilitate drug treatment during a time when budgets for law enforcement officials and prosecutors across the nation have been cut. These funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and criminal justice information systems. Investments in the program have been reduced by over one-third the past two fiscal years.

 

Even with lower funding levels, the program has played a major role in reducing crime. Nationally, from October 2008 through September 2011, recipients of Byrne JAG grants:

 

·         Disrupted over 5,000 drug trafficking organizations

·         Arrested 7,739 gang members on felony charges

·         And from July 2010 to July 2011 seized 2.3 million pounds of drugs

 

The Byrne JAG program is a partnership among federal, state, and local governments that tailors federal law enforcement grants to the needs of different communities. It supports a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and improve the criminal justice system that include : law enforcement programs; prosecution and court programs; prevention and education programs; corrections and community corrections programs; drug treatment programs; and planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs.

 

The procedure for allocating Byrne JAG grants is based on a formula of population and violent crime statistics, in combination with a minimum allocation to ensure that each state and territory receives an appropriate share of funding. Sixty percent of Byrne JAG funds are allocated to states which then provide it to innovative programs in local communities. The remaining 40 percent is provided directly to communities via a state-wide competitive grant process.

 

The letter to Senate Appropriators was signed by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Carl Levin (D-MI), Tom Udall (D-NM), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), John Kerry (D-MA), Max Baucus (D-MT),  Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), James Inhofe (R-OK), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jon Tester (D-MT), Scott Brown (R-MA), Jim Webb (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Joe Manchin (D-WV), John Hoeven (R-ND), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Herb Kohl (D-WI), Mark Begich (D-AK), David Vitter (R-LA), Kent Conrad (D-ND), Jack Reed (D-RI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

 

The complete text of the letter sent Friday follows.

 

March 23, 2012

 

The Honorable Barbara A. Mikulski

Chairwoman

Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

Senate Committee on Appropriations

142 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

 

The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison

Ranking Member

Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

Senate Committee on Appropriations

125 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

 

Dear Chairwoman Mikulski and Ranking Member Hutchison:

 

Thank you for your continued leadership in providing substantial federal support for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) Program over the years.  As you well know, Byrne JAG is a cornerstone crime-fighting program that supports the federal government's crucial role in spurring innovation across the criminal justice system, as well as testing and replicating evidence-based practices nationwide.

 

Given the significant financial constraints the federal government has faced in recent years, funding for Byrne JAG has been reduced by nearly one-third over the past two fiscal years.  These cuts will have a direct and serious impact in our states as successful public safety initiatives and cross-jurisdictional collaborations are forced to close or be scaled back.   Therefore, we ask that the Byrne JAG program be protected against further cuts in the Fiscal Year 2013 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.

 

One of the keys to the Byrne JAG program's continuing success is its flexibility: federal dollars can be used in a wide variety of capacities at the local level in the way most appropriate to address local community needs across the criminal justice spectrum, and allows localities to balance resources and react to urgent challenges or changing circumstances.

 

Byrne JAG funds are used for law enforcement, prosecution and courts, prevention, drug treatment and enforcement, gang prevention, planning, evaluation, training, technology, and crime and victim witness programs.  Guided by statewide strategic planning, Byrne JAG funds are able to test and measure innovative methods for reducing crime, preventing juvenile delinquency, and reducing recidivism, while at the same time saving taxpayer dollars.

 

Sixty percent of Byrne JAG funds are provided to the states to pass through for innovative programming in local communities.  The remaining forty percent is provided to local communities directly.  In Fiscal Year 2011, over 1,300 local jurisdictions across the country were awarded direct grants, and many more were awarded funds passed through by the state criminal justice planning agencies.

 

As you move forward in deliberations over Fiscal Year 2013 appropriations, we ask that you continue Congress' commitment to the Byrne JAG Program.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

###

 


27 Mar 2012

A Safe and Abundant Food Supply

By by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

Chances are pretty good you've enjoyed at least one meal today before reading the words here in front of you.  Due in large measure to generations of hard-working farm families, Americans continue to benefit from a safe and abundant food supply.

Much has been said lately about the one percent vs. the 99 percent in America, usually in a political context.  But there's another one percent-99 percent divide in America that isn't making headlines or firing up social media users.

Did you know that one percent of Americans grow the food that feeds the other 99 percent?

U.S. food security is second-to-none.  And yet, food security is too often taken for granted.  With a shrinking pool of Americans linked to the land for their livelihood and way of life, it is important now more than ever to foster appreciation and educate younger generations how the food on their plates got there in the first place.

Too often, there's scant appreciation for those who devote their lives to helping erase hunger from our communities and the world.  The U.S. dairy farmer puts in 12-plus hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to tend to his herd.  And the American soybean farmer grows the commodity used to make soymilk for those who choose a dairy alternative in their morning cup of coffee.

In fact, American farmers have answered the call of their vocation by ramping up efficiency and embracing technological advancements to feed a growing world population.  Consider that today's modern combine can harvest more than 900 bushels of corn per hour.  That's 100 bushels every seven minutes. When my dad farmed in the 1930s, a farmer would harvest approximately 100 bushels of corn in a nine-hour workday.  Only 50 years ago, the U.S. farmer produced enough food to feed 26 people.  Today, each American farmer produces enough food for approximately 155 people.

Production agriculture continues to meet the demands of a growing world population for affordable food.  Advances in biotechnology help farmers increase crop yields and reduce chemical applications that improve environmental stewardship.

In the U.S. Senate, I have worked for rural America at the policymaking tables in Washington, D.C.  As Congress debates renewal of the farm and nutrition bill in Congress, I am working to strengthen America's commitment to a safe and abundant food supply in recognition of the one percent of Americans who grow our food.

The landscape has changed since passage of the last farm bill in 2008.  The 2012 bill must reflect demands to help shrink the budget deficit.  The looming national debt crisis requires savings and sacrifices from across-the board.  I'm working to make sure Congress trims the fat without cutting into the backbone of American agriculture.

The commodity program safety net was designed to help small- and medium-sized farmers weather downturns and stay in business when circumstances out of their control negatively impacted the market or destroyed their crops.  The largest operators should not be banking on Uncle Sam to help underwrite their efforts to get even bigger.  It creates an unfair burden on taxpayers and makes it even harder for beginning farmers to compete.  Already, the current system is contributing to upward pressure on land prices that squeeze beginning farmers out of the market.

My bipartisan proposal would install a hard cap of $250,000 per married couple on annual federal commodity program payments of any kind and close long-abused loopholes in the farm payment program that has allowed non-farmers to qualify for federal farm payments.  Not only is it important for the safety-net to be effective, it also needs to be defensible.  One of the best things Congress can do to make the farm program more defensible to those who may not understand the inherent risks with farming and the necessity of a farm safety net is make sure that non-farmers aren't receiving a farm payment.  That's good for farmers and taxpayers.

As Congress moves ahead on the next farm bill, Iowans can be sure I know and appreciate who grows the food.  I'm working for an effective safety net that looks out for both the family farmer and American taxpayer.

March 26, 2012

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