Fw: WESTERN GROWERS FOUNDATION AWARDS $15K TO TEN CASCHOOLS

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From: Paul Simonds <psimonds@WGA.com>

Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2010 11:12:52 -0500

To: Paul Simonds<psimonds@WGA.com>

Subject: WESTERN GROWERS FOUNDATION AWARDS $15K TO TEN CASCHOOLS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        
CONTACT: Paul Simonds, Mgr. Communications

(949) 885-2257/ PSimonds@wga.com
Or

Wendy Fink-Weber, Dir. Communications

(949) 885-2256 / WFWeber@wga.com

 

WESTERN GROWERS FOUNDATION AWARDS $15K TO TEN CASCHOOLS

IRVINE, CA (July 1, 2010) – More California school children will have access to healthy snacks, nutrition education and information about where their food comes from thanks to the Western Growers Foundation (WGF). This week, the foundation awarded $15,000 in school garden grants, educator resources and drip irrigation kits (courtesy of John Deere Water) to ten California garden education programs.

Bi-annually, WGF awards $1,500 and other resources to California schools that submit applications.  These grants are made possible through funding provided by Monsanto Fund. For this second round of funding in 2010, WGF offered grants to both after school programs and schools, as a way to reach an even broader group of children throughout the state.

"We are committed to raising a garden in every school throughout California," said WGF Administrator Briana Lewis.  "We found, however, that there are many dedicated organizations and eager children participating in after school programs where a garden would provide life-long benefits."  

 WGF awarded grants to:
 
Boys and Girls Club of North San Mateo County South San Francisco
Fort Bragg Middle School, Fort Bragg
Horace Mann Elementary School, Oakland
Marie Curie Elementary School, San Diego
Melrose Math, Science and Technology Magnet Elementary School, Los Angeles
New City Public Schools, Long Beach
Raymond Cree Middle School, Palm Springs
San Jose State University& Notre Dame High School, San Jose
Smart Moves Education and Enrichment Program, Oakland
Tule Elk Park Child Development Center, San Francisco

WGF provides financial support to garden enhanced nutrition education programs.  These programs serve to connect students to the source of their food and to encourage the increased consumption of fruits and vegetables.  This is one remedy to the epidemic of childhood obesity. Current research provides strong evidence that garden-enhanced education increases academic achievement, improves test scores, and increases children's consumption of and preference for fruits and vegetables. These gardens become outdoor classrooms where teachers enrich the curriculum in more than a dozen subjects with hands-on, real world learning.

Western Growers is an 85-year-old agricultural trade association whose members from Arizona and California grow, pack and ship about half of the nation's fresh produce.

Western Growers members created WGF to give back to the residents of California and Arizona who have contributed to their success over the years.

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Fw: Lucas & House Republican Conferees Urge Senate Republicans toOppose Derivatives Provision in Dodd-Frank Bill

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From: House Republican Agriculture Committee <agrepublicanpress@politicalmediagroup.com>

Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2010 11:35:35 -0500

To: Tom Karst<TKarst@vancepublishing.com>

ReplyTo: "tamara.hinton@mail.house.gov" <tamara.hinton@mail.house.gov>

Subject: Lucas & House Republican Conferees Urge Senate Republicans to Oppose Derivatives Provision in Dodd-Frank Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 2, 2010 MEDIA CONTACT: Tamara Hinton, 202.225.0184 tamara.hinton@mail.house.gov Lucas & House Republican Conferees Urge Senate Republicans to Oppose Derivatives Provision in Dodd-Frank Bill Say it will drain capital from US businesses and hurt opportunities for job growth WASHINGTON – Today, Ranking Member Frank Lucas along with House Republican Conferees urged Senate Republicans to oppose the derivatives provision the Democrats added to H.R. 4173 in the middle of the night during the final conference meeting. As some press reports indicate, end users will face substantial costs related to this provision. In the letter to their Senate colleagues House Republican Conferees write: "One of the most serious errors is the provision directs the regulators to set margin requirements for the thousands of businesses across the country that use derivatives to manage their legitimate commercial risk. We write to urge you to oppose H.R. 4173 when the Senate considers the conference report. "It is important that financial regulatory reform does not unfairly hurt our U.S. businesses. If the derivatives language in H.R. 4173 is not changed our small businesses will not be able to use derivatives to manage risk. Additionally, these companies will have less capital to devote to hiring workers and expanding their operations." The letter continues to highlight the inaction of the Democrats to change the derivatives provision: "Recently, Senators Chris Dodd and Blanche Lincoln have claimed that regulators have no authority to impose margin on end users. They are mistaken. The legislation specifically directs regulators to set margin requirements for end users. "Additionally, Democrats had two opportunities this week to fix this language. On Tuesday, June 29, the conference committee had to meet in order to consider an amendment by Senator Dodd to change the funding mechanism for the bill. At this meeting, Senator Saxby Chambliss attempted to clarify this derivatives provision but was blocked by the Democratic conferees. And yesterday, during House consideration of the final conference report, Republicans offered a motion that would have sent the bill back to conference with instructions to remove the new margin requirements for U.S. companies. The Majority again blocked our efforts. "Democrat protestations to the contrary not-with-standing, their refusal to correct this language was the strongest message they could send to regulators. The Majority apparently intended for regulators to impose these provisions on end-users. Otherwise, they would have made these changes when they had the chance." ### Agriculture Committee Republican Press Office http://agriculture.house.gov/republicans

Forward email This email was sent to tkarst@thepacker.com by agrepublicanpress@politicalmediagroup.com. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. House Committee on Agriculture Republicans | 1305 Longworth House Office Building | Washington | DC | 20515

Red white and blue menu

From Michael Volpatt

Follow me on Twitter - http://twitter.com/mikey71171

4th of July Recipes: A Red, White, and Blue Menu - http://bit.ly/bGkfP9 On July 4th, the perfect party will have plenty of red, white, and blue. But don't stop with the decorations: Prepare a spread of tasty drinks and filling eats punctuated with our flag-flying colors. When the Independence Day menu is set, check out these tips for a festive party and, while you're at it, learn how to make 4th of July favors.

Wines to Pair with Your Favorite Grilled Foods - http://bit.ly/bofmbh Sure, beer and hot dogs make a great pair, but which tasty beverage will bring out the best flavors in your other grilled favorites? Keep the brewski in the cooler and leave the soda for the kids. Treat your palate to a tempting glass of wine at your next backyard barbecue. We've got ultimate wine educator Kevin Zraly's favorite picks for burgers, steaks, pizza, and much more. When the weather won't cooperate with an outdoor feast, take the bottle indoors to savor these inviting meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes.

New Smartphone App Alerts Consumers to Food and Product Recall Info, Allows Reporting of Questionable Items

New Smartphone App Alerts Consumers to Food and Product Recall Info, Allows Reporting of Questionable Items

WASHINGTON, July 2, 2010 – Popular technology will now help Americans verify what they eat is safe. The U.S. Government's Products Recall app for the Android smartphone is now available at the revamped USA.gov website, and the apps for Blackberry and iPhone are soon to follow.
"Alerting consumers quickly to food and product recall information through this technology can prevent untold illness and save lives," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Instead of trying to find recalls on many different websites at home, consumers who download this tool can use technology to make informed decisions even before they put a product in their grocery cart or open the package to prepare a meal for their family."
The app was unveiled by the General Services Administration as part of the new mobile app store on the updated USA.gov website. The new Mobile Apps store at USA.gov will collect all in one place the mobile applications developed throughout the federal government.
Using information from several agencies across the government, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Products Recall app for smartphones is a powerful tool that will help reduce foodborne illness and enhance the lives of Americans. It puts information about any recalled products – including foods – at consumers' fingertips.
The app allows consumers to view the most recent recall press releases and any pictures associated with those products. Consumers can get information of specific interest to them using a feature on the app that searches recalled products by product name or category.
The app's "report incident" feature allows consumers to connect directly with their government to report concerns of unsafe products. A "tips" option will feature rotating educational messages for consumers about a variety of products, such as highlighting safe food handling tips as popular cooking holidays approach.
"Our goal is to quickly inform the public and media when food products are recalled," said USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Jerold Mande. "This app puts the information directly in the hands of consumers, giving them the power to take action."
In addition to foods regulated by FSIS and FDA, the Products Recall app also includes recall information for drugs, cribs, strollers, child safety seats, tires, and other consumer products.

Agriculture Industry Must Learn From Disappointing Outcome in Ohio

From Animal Agriculture Alliance

Agriculture Industry Must Learn From Disappointing Outcome in Ohio


July 1, 2010 - Ohio has represented an important and symbolic battleground for agriculture. Last fall, Ohioans overwhelmingly supported the creation of the Livestock Care Standards Board, a proactive effort meant to ensure the proper care of animals on the state's many farms.

Unfortunately, Ohio's agricultural leadership has succumbed to pressures from the Humane Society of the United States, a national animal rights group that has effectively undermined the authority of the newly-established board by imposing restrictions that mandate the way that producers can care for their animals.

HSUS agreed to withdraw its pending initiative from the ballot this fall after the producer organizations agreed to meet certain important stipulations - including the phasing out of scientifically-based housing systems that will affect many producers in the state. A moratorium will be placed on the installation of new conventional cage systems used for laying hens and gestation stalls for pregnant sows. In HSUS' most far-reaching deal yet, the demands also included the Governor's agreement to encourage increased penalties for cockfighting, "puppy mills," and humane euthanasia to the state legislature.

To be clear- the only group to benefit from this agreement is HSUS. Agriculture is the top industry in Ohio, contributing $79 billion to the state's economy each year. HSUS is an activist organization that thrives on conflict- it does not contribute to the economy or tax base of Ohio. HSUS' campaign has served only to fundraise and gain momentum for its vegan agenda.

Undoubtedly, the battle over the threatened ballot initiative would have been expensive and unpleasant- but it would have also sent a strong message to HSUS that the agriculture community is united and committed to protecting the rights of farmers and ranchers to produce a plentiful, affordable, and nutritious food supply while using science-based standards to ensure animal well-being.

Instead, consumers in Ohio will soon either be subjected to increased prices for locally-raised animal protein products or will rely on conventionally-produced foods imported from nearby states or elsewhere. Ohio's small and mid-sized family farms will be the ones most hurt by this agreement if they do not have the capital to invest in the conversion to alterative production systems.

This "compromise" is only the beginning. HSUS CEO Wayne Pacelle has indicated that the agreement is "not legally binding," meaning that while HSUS will not be pursuing a ballot initiative this fall, the future is still uncertain.

Farmers and ranchers should consider this a final wake-up call. HSUS will not rest until the entire animal agriculture industry in the United States is eradicated. The group's leaders have indicated time and time again of their true agenda - to systematically introduce legislation state-by-state that will drive producers out of business and make meat, milk, and eggs too expensive for the average American to enjoy.

No one understands animal care better than farmers and ranchers- which is why the majority of producers follow nationally-recognized animal welfare guidelines. The agriculture industry has evolved over the past 100 years to improve animal welfare and meet increased food demand. Reverting to 1950s style practices would not be beneficial to the animals nor the consumer.

HSUS is an extremist animal rights group that does not deserve a seat at the discussion table on issues of farm animal welfare. It is unfortunate that the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board will not be given the opportunity to fulfill its responsibility- to ensure livestock care and promote safe and local food production.

The Animal Agriculture Alliance, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, is a broad-based coalition of individual farmers, ranchers, producer organizations, suppliers, packer-processors, private industry scientists, veterinarians, and retailers. The Alliance's mission is to communicate the important role of animal agriculture to our nation's economy, productivity, vitality, and security and that animal well-being is central to producing safe, high-quality, affordable food and other products essential to our daily lives.