04 Jun 2012

USDA's MyPlate Celebrates Its First Anniversary

By USDA Communications
MyPlate Serves as Reminder to Help Consumers Make Healthy Food Choices

BOSTON, May 30, 2012 -- Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today joined local officials, educators, and students to highlight the first anniversary of the MyPlate food icon and announced a month of nutrition events and promotions to mark the occasion. In June 2011, First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled MyPlate, the federal government's primary food group symbol, to serve as a reminder to help consumers make healthy food choices consistent with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. MyPlate is a new generation icon with the intent to prompt consumers to think about building a healthy plate at meal times and to seek more information to help them do that by going to www.ChooseMyPlate.gov.

"A year ago First Lady Michelle Obama and I joined together to launch MyPlate and to encourage people to think about their food choices in order to lead healthier lifestyles," said Merrigan. "Today we celebrate the great strides we are making from our local schools to the dinner table as Americans embrace MyPlate and find practical ways to apply it to their daily lives."

USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) estimates that about 90 percent of nutrition professionals are familiar with MyPlate and are using the resources and messages that support MyPlate in client counseling. Since it was released, there have been over 7 million downloads of MyPlate graphics and other materials. CNPP and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) have distributed educational tools to those who have requested materials including schools, churches and youth groups, gym and fitness centers, clubs, and others. Currently, over 6,000 Community Partners have joined along with 90 National Strategic Partners all committed to promoting the recommendations found in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). In the first quarter of this year, there were 34 million page views at the ChooseMyPlate.gov website and over 700,000 registered users of the MyPlate SuperTracker, the web based tool to gauge one's diet and physical activity.

Development of MyPlate came as a result of a 2010 report of the White House Childhood Obesity Task Force. The report challenged USDA to design a new generation symbol as a cue to inspire consumers to choose healthier foods at mealtimes - something simpler and more direct than the Food Pyramid.

The MyPlate icon shows a plate with the five food groups on a placemat that is suggestive of proportions; i.e., to make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Integral to its design is the incorporation of the ChooseMyPlate.gov website address where consumers can apply the recommendations of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans in a personal way. The ChooseMyPlate website provides the public, particularly school children, with the practical 'how-tos' to put the Guidelines recommendations of getting more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods into action in their own lives.

During the month of June, CNPP will be celebrating the first anniversary of MyPlate with special blog postings on its website, daily Tweets on healthy eating, recipes, partner images, a resource for having healthy celebrations, and MyPlate Happy Birthday coloring pages for kids, among other user-friendly resources. In addition, the quarterly MyPlate message for May through June will be "Drink Water Instead of Sugary Drinks" to highlight that thirst quenching water can be "dressed up" with a squeeze of lemon, lime or orange as a great way to round out a healthy plate.

USDA has been in the food guidance business for well over 100 years dating back to 1894 with the publication of food buying guides and graphic images representing the Basic Seven in the 1940's, the Basic Four during the 1950s through the 70s, the Food Guide Pyramid in the 1980s and 1990s, and MyPyramid in 2005. However, never, until the launch of MyPlate in June 2011, has USDA taken a more pro-active, comprehensive approach to reaching all consumers - kids, parents, and educators --with practical ways to apply the Dietary Guidelines wherever they learn, play, shop and prepare foods. Public acceptance over the last 12 months of the MyPlate food icon suggests that USDA's new vision for healthy eating will be a popular and useful image for years to come.

CALL TO ACTION:

If you haven't already done so, now is the time to incorporate the MyPlate messages into your life. For more information on MyPlate resources and to join the MyPlate First Year Birthday Celebration, go to www.choosemyplate.gov/celebrate.html.

#

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).

#
04 Jun 2012

National Experts Help Iowans Manage Risks at July 23-24 Economic Summit

By Heather Lilienthal

$20,000 AN ACRE FARMLAND, WILD SWING IN GRAIN MARKETS; WHAT'S NEXT? NATIONAL EXPERTS HELP IOWANS MANAGE RISKS AT JULY 23-24 ECONOMIC SUMMIT

 

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - May 29, 2012 - A $20,000-an-acre sale of farmland in northwest Iowa grabbed the attention of media nationwide, but what will be the real consequences for farmers squeezed by high sale and rental prices once their promising grain crops come out of the field this fall? The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), Iowa's largest grassroots farm organization, is bringing national experts to the Iowa State Center Scheman Building July 23-24 to help farmers manage the incredible economic risks involved in farming today.

"Land prices and cash rents are the biggest points of exposure for almost every Iowa farmer; we've seen land prices and commodity prices double or triple in a relatively short period of time this year," says IFBF Director of Research and Commodity Services David Miller. "We want to help farmers understand the risks of a very strong farmland market and put those risks in proper perspective."

The IFBF Economic Summit features experts ranging from economist Danny Klinefelter of Texas A&M University and Jeff Plagge, president-elect of the American Bankers Association, to Iowa State University weather expert Elwynn Taylor, a panel of D.C. experts from the Senate and House Ag Committees and Daniel Mitchell of the Washington, D.C. 'think tank,' the CATO Institute.  For a complete listing of the panelists and schedule, click here http://www.iowafarmbureau.com/article.aspx?articleID=57826.         The price of the two-day summit is $50 for Iowa Farm Bureau members and $150 for non-members.  Information on the summit, lodging and online registration forms can be found online at www.iowafarmbureau.com. The registration deadline for the IFBF Economic Summit is approaching, so click or call soon to register.

-30 -

About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online Newsroom page at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

29 May 2012

ISU Scott County Extension & Outreach

By Amanda Heitz
18 May 2012

ISU Scott County Extension & Outreach

By Amanda Heitz
18 May 2012

Braley Op-Ed: Listening Closely to Improve the Farm Bill

By Jeff Giertz

By: Rep. Bruce Braley

The Farm Bill is arguably the single most important piece of federal legislation that affects Iowa jobs and the Iowa economy.  From renewable energy to conservation programs, from crop insurance to agricultural research and rural development, the Farm Bill has an enormous impact on our state.  There just isn't much that the Farm Bill doesn't touch here in Iowa.

Every five years, Congress has the opportunity to improve the Farm Bill so that it more effectively enables American farmers to provide for themselves and produce high quality, affordable food for Americans and people all over the world.  The current Farm Bill expires on September 30th of this year, meaning Congress is due to debate and pass a new bill this summer.

I've embarked on a series of Farm Bill listening sessions with the USDA's Iowa Rural Development Director, Bill Menner, in communities across eastern Iowa to listen to Iowans and get their feedback on what needs to be included in this important bill.  Maybe I've already seen you in Independence, Vinton, Marengo, Grinnell, Toledo, or Marshalltown.  Or maybe I'll see you soon in your area.

I've gotten a lot of good feedback from the sessions already.

I've heard a lot about the recent successes of Iowa's agriculture economy.  Even in the face of the economic downturn that began in 2009, U.S. farm exports have enjoyed double digit gains every year. American agricultural exports to China alone have increased by 50% since the last Farm Bill in 2008.   In 2011 agricultural trade resulted in a net positive balance of nearly $43 billion, and total exports are expected to exceed $136 billion in 2012.  So the next Farm Bill must ensure our farmers are able to continue working in the face of market fluctuations, to both safeguard our domestic food supply but also to sustain this growing international competitiveness.

Another frequent concern is the crop insurance program.  In 2011, devastating flooding on the Missouri River caused an estimated $207 million in losses for Iowa farmers in just six counties along the river. Cases like this highlight the importance of crop insurance in protecting farmers during unexpected catastrophes.  Maintaining and strengthening the crop insurance program is important to many, many Iowans.

Congress has a lot of work to do to create a bill that will benefit both producers and consumers by the September 30th deadline, but doing nothing is just not acceptable.  There's a lot of division and disagreement in Washington, but the Farm Bill isn't a political game.  Both parties in Congress should rally around farmers and agree on a Farm Bill framework that expands opportunities in the growing agriculture industry.

In the meantime, I hope to see you at my Farm Bill listening sessions in the near future.

# # #
18 May 2012

See for Yourself Participants Will See Checkoff in Action in 2012

By United Soybean Board
United Soybean Board announces participants for annual program
ST. LOUIS (May 16, 2012) - What happens to U.S. soybeans after farmers unload their trucks at local grain elevators or processors? A group of U.S. soybean farmers are about to find out. The United Soybean Board (USB)/soy checkoff has selected 10 farmer-participants for the 2012 See for Yourself program, which will give attendees a firsthand look at how and where their soybeans are being used both domestically and internationally. The program, which also offers farmer participants an opportunity to evaluate specific, checkoff-funded research and promotional activities, will be held August 5-11 in St. Louis and Guanajuato, Mexico.

The soy checkoff selected 10 farmers who applied to take part in the fifth annual See for Yourself program. These farmer-participants will see their checkoff dollars in action by visiting a number of sites related to the national soy checkoff objectives to improve the value of U.S. soybean meal and oil, ensure the industry and soy customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and meet the needs of U.S. soy customers. The locations will also demonstrate USB's work to protect and support animal agriculture and increase public and private investment in transportation infrastructure.

Rick Stern, USB Audit & Evaluation program chair and a soybean farmer from Cream Ridge, N.J., believes the See for Yourself program helps inform farmers about the checkoff and allows them to evaluate and provide feedback on checkoff-funded programs. "There's no better way to show someone the value of their investment than to show them the results firsthand," Stern says.

For example, participants will learn about the use of soy biodiesel at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, tour a barge-loading facility and visit a laboratory to see soy research taking place, all before heading to the number one market for U.S. soybean meal - Mexico. While south of the U.S. border, participants will get a firsthand look at a large user of U.S. soy in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato.

The following U.S. soybean farmers will participate in the 2012 See for Yourself program:

•    Cory Atkins, Seaford, Del. •    Jonathan Miller, Island, Ky.
•    Timothy Clark, Lomira, Wis. •    Doug Singleteary, Bogota, Tenn.
•    Stephanie Essick, Dickens, Iowa •    Kristina Sutton, Potosi, Mo.
•    Andrew Fabin, Indiana, Pa. •    Craig Williams, Oaktown, Ind.
•    David Foster, Fort Scott, Kan. •    John Yeargin, Greenfield, Tenn

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

###

15 May 2012

Braley Hosts Farm Bill Listening Sessions in Independence, Vinton, Marengo, and Grinnell

By Jeff Giertz

Braley seeking feedback from Iowans as Congress takes up Farm Bill this year

Waterloo, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) traveled to Independence, Vinton, Marengo, and Grinnell today as part of a two day series of listening sessions focused on the upcoming Farm Bill.

Bill Menner, Iowa Rural Development state director for the US Department of Agriculture, joined Braley at the events.  Braley and Menner will travel to Toledo and Marshalltown on Monday, May 14th, to continue the series of Farm Bill listening sessions.

"The Farm Bill is the single most important piece of legislation this year that affects Iowa jobs and the Iowa economy," Braley said.  "From renewable energy to conservation programs, from crop insurance to agricultural research and rural development, the Farm Bill has a huge impact on our state.  It's my job to listen to Iowans and get their feedback on what needs to be included in this important bill.  I'm working to make the Farm Bill a job creator in Iowa."

 

The Farm Bill listening session events were free and open to the public.

The current Farm Bill expires on September 30th of this year.  If Congress fails to act by that date, existing agricultural programs will end and America's farm policy will revert to the programs outlined in the 1949 Farm Bill - legislation written more than 60 years ago.

Last month, the US Senate passed a draft Farm Bill out of the Agriculture Committee - a significant step forward toward getting a bill passed this year.  The US House has not yet seen significant action on a Farm Bill.

# # #
14 May 2012

IOWA FARM BUREAU APPLAUDS 2012 LEGISLATURE FOR PROTECTING PROPERTY TAXPAYERS, INCREASEING CONSERVATION FUNDING, AND AG PROTECTION PASSAGE

By Laurie Johns

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - May 10, 2012 - Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), the largest grassroots farm organization in the state, applauds Iowa lawmakers for measures passed this year which protect property owners, increase conservation funding and protect responsible Iowa livestock farmers from fraud.

Several measures passed in this legislative session that impact property taxes paid by landowners and homeowners.  IFBF applauds two legislative issues that directly impact property owners including a combined $27 million increase to the homestead property tax credit and ag land and family farm property tax credit, providing for direct property tax relief,"  said IFBF President Craig Hill, a Milo crop and livestock farmer.  Additionally, the legislature reinstated the statewide dollar cap to ensure that property tax contributions to the mental health system remain limited and controlled.  "These efforts, along with fully funding the legislature's K-12 education commitments, provide protections for property taxpayers and assure limited and controlled use of property tax dollars for these services."

While IFBF had several priority issues win bi-partisan approval in the 2012 legislative session, members are particularly pleased to see increased conservation and water quality cost-share funding for programs which are currently experiencing a backlog of unfunded projects.  "Farm Bureau members are pleased that lawmakers decided to increase state funding for incentive-based, voluntary conservation and water quality programs, including the Ag Drainage Well Closure program.  Farmers know a 'one size fits all' approach doesn't work when it comes to conservation measures, but they do know what works best on their land.  Conservation measures such as buffer strips, terracing and other soil-protection and water quality measures have helped Iowa farmers reduce erosion by more than 30 percent since 1982, but requests for cost-share dollars to implement them have been grossly underfunded," said Hill.   The increase in the Ag Drainage Well Closure program and Conservation Cost-Share program will translate into enhanced water quality and soil conservation in Iowa.

Another high priority issue for Iowa family farmers which won passage in the 2012 legislature was the Agriculture Protection Bill.  The bi-partisan House File (HF) 589 creates penalties for those who fraudulently gain access to a farm with the intent to cause harm.   "It's about misrepresentation of character," said Hill.  "Good farmers don't want to think that someone is sitting on the sidelines, watching bad things happen, just because they have some covert motive."   HF 589 creates new penalties for those who make false statements to gain access to a farm, or misrepresent themselves on an employment application to hide their intended misconduct or purpose.   It also penalizes organizations or persons who aid or abet someone who misrepresented facts to gain access to a crop or livestock farm.

Farm Bureau members will continue to work towards improving Iowa's infrastructure, an area which was not addressed by this year's legislature.  "Many of Iowa's roads and bridges are in need of significant structural improvements, and we continue to fall further behind every year.  Clearly, this problem will not go away without additional funding; that's why Farm Bureau members have identified a fuel tax increase as the most equitable, feasible funding method," said Hill.

-30-

About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online media room at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

14 May 2012

ISU Extension and Outreach Calendar

By Amanda Heitz
14 May 2012

Farmers Eye Growing U.S. Soy's Third-Largest Export Market

By Rick Martin
Checkoff helps mark 50th anniversary of Japan's oilseed industry

ST. LOUIS (May 10, 2012) - More than 75 million bushels of whole U.S. soybeans made their way to Japan last year, thanks to strong demand for quality soy. Next week, a delegation of U.S. soybean farmers representing the United Soybean Board (USB), the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) plan to honor the 50th anniversary of the Japan Oilseed Processors Association (JOPA). The organization has worked with U.S. soybean farmers to meet demand for U.S. soy in Japan.

Today's strong trade relations with Japan started in 1956, when a team of representatives of the Japanese soy industry visited the United States. Ever since, JOPA, which represents 20 Japanese oilseed processors, has been a key ally for the U.S. soy industry. Today, nearly 70 percent of Japanese soybean imports originate from the United States.

"Japan has grown to be one of our most valued customers," says Vanessa Kummer, USB chair and a soybean farmer from Colfax, N.D. "Because customers in Japan serve as one of our largest markets abroad, soy ranks as the top U.S. agricultural export and makes a large net contribution to the U.S. agricultural trade balance. The soy checkoff, along with my fellow farmers representing ASA and USSEC, mark this very symbolic milestone with our Japanese customers and remain committed to meeting their soy needs."

"Japan's oilseed processing sector has long been a trusted partner for American soybean farmers," says ASA First Vice President Danny Murphy, a soybean farmer from Canton, Miss. "The American Soybean Association opened its first overseas international market development office in Japan in 1956, and U.S. soy exports to Japan have grown to more than $1 billion annually today. We are honored to join our Japanese counterparts and colleagues in celebrating the accomplishments of the Japanese Oilseed Processors Association as it celebrates its 50th anniversary, and we look forward to continuing the Japanese-American partnership."

"Our partnership with the Japanese crushing industry, which is the third largest buyer of U.S. soybeans, is stronger than ever," says Roy Bardole, USSEC chairman and soybean farmer from Rippey, Iowa. "U.S. soy farmers take the relationship with JOPA very seriously. We are committed to do what we can to ensure another 50 successful years as their partner."

Prior to formal recognition marking JOPA's anniversary, the U.S. group plans to visit a soy processing plant and feed mill at a major port near Tokyo.

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

###

Pages

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.