Ron Sylvester

National Farmers Union Opposes Fast-Track Trade Authority

January 15, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

from the National Farmers Union

WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson voiced opposition Monday to a bill, introduced last week by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., that would allow trade agreements to move through Congress with limited debate and without amendments.

“We oppose fast-track negotiating authority for the president,” said Johnson. “Trade agreements must be a fair deal for all parties – farmers, workers, and consumers, both in the United States and abroad. Previous trade deals haven’t lived up to this standard, so Congress should have full opportunity to review and amend provisions of a trade agreement, consistent with the U.S. Constitution.”

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Michael Fields Agricultural Institute Offering Free Grant Advising Services in the Midwest

January 8, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

A Wisconsin-based non-profit sustainable agricultural policy and development group is offering free grant advising services to beginning farmers, limited resource farmers and socially disadvantaged farmers throughout the midwest – including Ohio.

The Michael Fields Agricultural Institute’s stated mission is to nurture the ecological, social and economic resiliency of food and farming systems through education, research, policy, and market development. According to materials OFU received from the group, they will work with all farmers but place a priority for no-cost services on serving the types of farmers listed above.

One timely grant opportunity noted by MFAI is the USDA Value Added Producer Grant.

If you aret hinking of applying to the Value-Added Producer Grant, MFAI has a Grants Advisor that is available at no charge to help you. Call now as that grant application is due February 24th and takes considerable thought to complete.

If you are considering any funding program or just want to know what’s out there, please get in touch with MFAI’s Grants Advisor, Deirdre Birmingham, deirdreb4@gmail.com or 608-219-4279. She is a farmer, too, and can speak from direct experience.

You are welcome to be on her email list so that you get funding program announcements for your state as well as federal programs. Just let her know.

Also visit MFAI’s Grant Advising Resources Page

NFU Submits Comments to EPA on 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard Targets

January 8, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

from the National Farmers Union

National Farmers Union submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today expressing deep concern with EPA’s proposed 2014 volumes for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). EPA’s proposal reduces overall volumes by 16 percent. This is the first time in the program’s history that EPA has reduced overall targets.

“EPA’s proposal is a big step backward in the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ending our reliance on foreign oil, and giving consumers a choice at the pump,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “The RFS is a principle driver of the cellulosic and advanced biofuels industry. This proposal would strand billions of dollars of investment in the next generation of biofuels and send those investment dollars overseas.”

“The ethanol industry supports nearly 400,000 jobs nationwide. If the current proposal is finalized, it will reduce farm income and damage rural economies,” Johnson continued. “EPA wrongly justified its action based on the so-called ‘blend wall.’ This is a creation of the oil industry in order to protect its market share. EPA needs to stand up to Big Oil and support an American-produced, environmentally responsible alternative.”

Under section 211(o) of the Clean Air Act, the EPA is required to set the renewable fuel targets for the following year.

Click Here to Read NFU’s Comments Submission to the EPA

Ohio EPA Under New Interim Leadership

January 8, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

Ohio Gov. John Kasich announced earlier this week that Scott Nally will be leaving his post as director of Ohio EPA and will be replaced on an interim basis by Craig Butler a senior policy advisor to the governor on environmental issues.

Butler is not a stranger to Ohio EPA. According to the Hannah Report, Butler is a career state employee who previously served in state EPA district director roles in central and southeast Ohio.

Kasich reported that Nally’s resigned to pursue other opportunities. Butler’s role as a senior advisor to Kasich had him frequently working across state agencies on energy, public utility and agricultural issues according to Hannah.

Reminder: OFU Convention Later This Month!

January 3, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

Happy New Year from Roger Wise

January 1, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

Roger Wise

This post is OFU President Roger Wise’s latest column for the Ohio Country Messenger – which will be hitting members’ snail mail soon … Happy 2014!

Reflections on Year’s End and Thoughts of 2014

This is the time of year to pause and ponder the plentiful blessings which upon us are bestowed. As the Christmas season envelopes us we are reminded that, as farmers, we are entrusted with the stewardship of some of the best resources anywhere on earth. The land, air and water are all intertwined in a manner that requires respect and that they individually be treated as components of the whole.

This is also a time of year when we reflect on our mortality. Time passes by so quickly and we are powerless to slow its pace. The average age of farmers increases while the number of us decreases. In spite of tremendous medical advances, loved ones pass and we are helpless to do anything about it.

My point is not to just wax sentimental but to be mindful that in our society we cannot and do not exist as islands. We depend on health care to keep us as healthy as possible for as long as possible. We depend on public services such as police, fire, public health, infrastructure, public education and more; everyone benefits from them and they provide us a better quality of life. We should not allow them to be undermined or eliminated because of current dissatisfaction with those holding political power.

[Read more…]

Ohio Beef Checkoff Will No Doubt Double in Early 2014

December 26, 2013 By Ron Sylvester 1 Comment

Frank Phelps, left, and Elizabeth Harsh of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Assoc. at the December OFU board meeting.

Elizabeth Harsh and Frank Phelps of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Assoc. met with the Ohio Farmers Union full Board of Directors in early December to promote the upcoming vote to double the amount of Ohio’s state beef checkoff from $1 to $2.

Harsh, executive director of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Assoc. and Phelps, vice president of the organization said the additional $1 levied per head would remain in Ohio.

Both the Ohio and National Farmers Unions have standing policy stating that the organizations only supportive marketing checkoffs that are “voluntary at the time of delivery.”

While the discussion was cordial and OFU’s leadership and county presidents appreciated the duo’s visit, there was a great deal of skepticism as to the national and state beef checkoff programs’ efficacy, especially for independent, small producers.

Mardy Townsend, president of the Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake Counties Farmers Union and herself a grass-fed beef producer asked Harsh whether the checkoff money that stays in Ohio could be earmarked to specifically market Ohio-raised beef. Harsh said the Ohio Beef Council, which makes the checkoff spending decisions, does maintain a freezer beef directory to which family farmers may submit their contact or marketing information.

[Read more…]

Despite Farm Bill Delay Some Conservation Program Compliance Provisions Remain

December 21, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

… Noticed this from the state of Indiana Farm Service Agency, thought it should be passed along since it is relevant across all states:

Indiana leaders at the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are issuing an important reminder to program participants about conservation compliance. “Despite the expiration of many farm bill programs, the 1985 Conservation Compliance provisions remain intact,” stated FSA State Executive Director Julia A. Wickard.

[Read more…]

Reminder: OFU Scholarship Apps Must Be Postmarked by Dec. 31

December 21, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

If you have a young person pursuing higher education and want them to participate in the annual Ohio Farmers Union scholarship contests, applications must be postmarked by December 31, 2013. Student essays will be judged during the 80th Annual OFU Convention at the end of January and awards will be made at the convention.

For all the details, check out the scholarship applications below:

Ohio Senate Ag Will Wait Til Next Year – Nutrient Management Bill

December 20, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

Ohio Senate Bill 150, the measure which would enact a fertilizer application licensing process in Ohio similar to the pesticide applicators’ program hit a wall in late 2013 due to so-called ‘affirmative defense’ language in the bill.

Bill sponsors Senate Ag Chairman Cliff Hite and Sen. Bob Peterson put the measure on hold until 2014 while issues among stakeholders over the affirmative defense language is sorted out.

Under language in a recent version of the bill, a farmer’s filing of a voluntary nutrient management plan for his or her farm would qualify as an affirmative defense in court should that farm be sued relative to civil nuisance actions. An affirmative defense means that legally certain facts are established on their face by the existence of a nutrient management plan.

At the last hearing of SB 150 in the Senate Agriculture Committee, Peterson noted that one of the amendments for that day – which was eventually agreed to – would strip the affirmative defense language from the bill. He added that it is his intention for a different version of that language to go back into the bill after negotiations with stakeholders.

[Read more…]

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Reflections on Year’s End and Thoughts of 2014

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