Governor Culver Addresses Delegates, Answers Farmers' Questions

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Dec. 4, 2009 --Farm Bureau members from across Iowa gathered in downtown Des Moines December 2 and 3 to discuss innovations which can help farmers remain viable through these tough economic times.

Governor Culver visited with members at the start of the meeting and discussed the budget shortfall and possible impacts on a variety of state programs.  Culver is required to propose his new fiscal budget by January and Farm Bureau members let the Governor know that agriculture is already being negatively impacted during this economic downturn, noting that additional regulations and restrictions would compound the problem and break the backs of family farmers and other small businesses.  The Governor had declared the week of November 28 - December 5 as "Iowa Farm Bureau Week," in honor of the work done by IFBF supporting the people, progress and pride of Iowa.

Seed genetics which can boost the drought and pest-resistance of corn and soybeans were discussed during one of several forums for farmers during the IFBF meeting.  The executives of Syngenta, Pioneer Hi-Bred and Monsanto discussed new seed development of "stacked" corn seeds containing herbicide and corn pest resistances. The seed developers agreed that the time needed to get government approval for distribution has increased at least six-fold in the last five years, and farmers are waiting and needing that seed technology. The seed breeders also discussed the important role Iowa farmers will continue to play in developing drought, pest and disease-resistant strains to help meet the growing food demands of India and China. "We need to increase production, both globally and locally. They're not making more land," said Bill Niebur, Pioneer Hi-Bred vice president for crop genetics research and development.

Another popular forum was the discussion of electric power regulation, generation and distribution. Roger Tjarks, director of Heartland Power REC, Greg Watkins of the Iowa Office of Energy Dependence and Kenric Scheevel of Dairlyand Power Cooperative led a lively discussion with farmers. Since Iowa is now second in the nation in wind energy production, the subject of how to sustain or build on that success was a hot topic. "There will be a buildup of wind (energy generation) in two years, but wind energy is not cheap," said Tjarks. "As long as we can't get it out of here, we'll pay the price in Iowa."

The issue of renewable energy and technology is tantamount to overcoming economic obstacles that threaten the continuation of many good, Iowa family farmers.  IFBF President Craig Lang told members during his annual address that embracing innovation is the key to family farm survival.  "Iowa can be so much more than a commodity-driven economy. We shouldn't be satisfied with only food, fiber and energy from our soils.

We must reach into the creative minds of our farmers and universities to create a 'Living Economy'--- one that is renewed --- not mined and harvested from a shrinking global supply. Iowa's future is in capturing the renewable value of the sun, soil, and rain that falls freely from the sky," said Lang. "Combining these resources with a strong and growing livestock and poultry industry will add millions to rural communities, now in search for new revenue because of declining rural opportunities."

For more information about IFBF's 91st Annual Meeting, including a detailed list of award winners, photos and IFBF President Craig Lang's Annual Meeting address, visit www.iowafarmbureau.com.

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Celebrate the joy of the season!  Join us for Rivermont Collegiate's Annual Holiday Open House, to be held Saturday, December 12th from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.  The Rivermont Collegiate campus is home to the Historic Joseph Bettendorf Mansion, built on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi in 1915.  Featuring Italian marble, painted ceilings, and hand carved woodwork, the Mansion is listed on the National Historic Register.  The Annual Holiday Open House is a chance for the community to view the Mansion in all its splendor, beautifully decorated for the holidays!

Rivermont Collegiate is located at 1821 Sunset Drive in Bettendorf, directly off 18th Street behind K&K Hardware.  Drop in between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. for light refreshments and tours of this local gem!  This event is open to the public and dress is casual - please RSVP to Brittany Marietta at (563) 359-1366 ext. 301 or marietta@rvmt.org.  Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only private, independent, nonsectarian college-prep school for preschool through twelfth grade - visit us online at www.rivermontcollegiate.org!

Davenport Event is Part of Nationwide Week of Action to Call for Fair, Ambitious and Binding International Deal

Davenport, IA - Local activists representing 1Sky Iowa today gathered outside the office of Senator Grassley to urge him to support clean energy legislation and to ask President Obama to fight for a fair, ambitious, and binding international treaty on climate change when he attends the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark on Dec. 9.

"President Obama can use his international prestige to be the driving force behind true progress on climate change," said Matt Denner, of 1Sky Iowa. "The rest of the world will follow if America leads and President Obama campaigned - and won - on a platform of domestic and international leadership to fight climate change. It is vital that Senator Grassley join him in these efforts."

The rally, which included the delivery of postcards to Senator Grassley from around the state, was one of over 30 1Sky events nationwide and one of four taking place across the state this week.  Many of the events highlighted art work made by activists in the 1Sky network who participated in over 200 "art gatherings" during November where participants created murals and other works of art that expressed the urgency of the climate crisis. The artwork was designed to push the Obama administration to take a strong stance in Copenhagen, where representatives of most world nations will gather starting on Dec. 7 to discuss an international treaty to stop the greenhouse gas pollution that causes global warming. A culminating event is scheduled to take place in front of the White House in Washington D.C. on Dec. 4 that will incorporate works of art from all over the country.

The Copenhagen conference is expected to run from December 7 to December 19. 1Sky and other groups dedicated to fighting climate change are calling for a fair, ambitious and binding treaty and warning that failure to generate an effective, working agreement soon could have disastrous consequences for the planet, which is already suffering from the effects of climate change.

Specifically 1Sky is calling on the Obama administration to:

- Push for stronger action on short term targets for greenhouse gas emission cuts than the 17 percent currently offered by the United States since 17 percent is simply not enough to stave off the worst effects of global warming

- Acknowledge a degree of U.S. responsibility for climate change by making financial investments in the transition

- Use the Copenhagen trip to pressure the U.S. Senate to build the political will to pass a strong bill in the Senate this spring.

"Unfortunately the planet cannot wait," said 1Sky Campaign Director Gillian Caldwell. "We need to see serious progress in Copenhagen and from the United States Senate over the next few months. The economic benefits to acting are very clear and the result of no action is also, unfortunately, very clear."

List of planned events in the Midwest:

Des Moines, Iowa; 12/1/2009 - Climate artwork will be on display at a climate rally in front of the Neal Smith Federal Building.

Ames, Iowa; 12/3/2009 - Climate artwork will be on display at a climate rally on the Iowa State University campus.

Indianapolis, Indiana; 12/2/2009 - Climate artwork will be on display at a climate rally stressing the importance of a strong international climate agreement.

Lansing, Michigan; 12/3/2009 - The event will draw upon Michigan State University students to pin messages to a climate banner being taken to Copenhagen the next day.

Minneapolis, Minnesota; 12/1/2009 - 1Sky and Sierra Club co-host a rally where passersby and attendees can sign a banner reading 'All Hands on Deck for Climate Action', which will be delivered to Senator Klobuchar before he goes to Copenhagen.

Kansas City, Missouri; 12/2/2009 - 1Sky and Green Drinks KC will co-host a climate rally and press conference including speakers from Eco-Talk Radio and the Kansas City Star.

St. Louis, Missouri; 12/4/2009 and 12/5/2009 - 1Sky and allies will host two climate art parties at local coffeehouses including action stations with phone calls and LTE-writing, speakers, and live music.

Fargo, North Dakota; 12/1/2009 - This event features an e-conference hosted by NDSU Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering calling on the world's farmers to convert their agricultural residues to biochar.

Omaha, Nebraska; 12/2/2009 - 1Sky will host a press conference outside of Dale Clark Library to discuss the implications on a global climate treaty on Nebraska.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota; 12/2/2009 - Attendees will gather at a press conference featuring local leaders talking about the importance of a strong climate agreement in Copenhagen.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin; 12/2/2009, 12/6/2009, 12/12/2009 - 1Sky will host events including a pancake breakfast to talk about Copenhagen, a 'Bon Voyage' press conference, and a climate crisis rally.

1Sky is a collaborative national campaign for strong federal action to tackle global climate change and invest in building the clean energy economy of the future. As one of the largest national campaigns in the country, 1Sky combines the force of 500 allied organizations, 178,000 committed climate advocates, 2,700 volunteer Climate Precinct Captains covering more than 390 congressional districts in 50 states, and a team of 52 including 41 organizers in 30 states working to mobilize constituent support.

For more information on 1Sky contact Alex Posorske at (301) 270-4550 x 230 or Alex@1sky.org