WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2011-The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must be built to meet the evolving needs of a 21st century agricultural economy, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Monday in presenting USDA’s Blueprint for Stronger Service, a plan that USDA says will help producers by streamlining the department’s operations and cutting costs.
[Video] Ag Secy Vilsack Discusses FSA Office Closures, other cost cutting measures
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced measures this morning to, in the agency’s words, “build a stronger service.”
Due to many factors, including lower funding and staffing levels reflected in recent budgets passed by Congress, USDA must address its administrative costs, including its facility, office and lab operations, USDA is taking steps to cut costs and create more efficiency with the resources they have. You can find out more at the USDA’s Blueprint for Stronger Service site.
January 30 brings new medical and self certification requirements for commercial driver’s licenses
COLUMBUS – Beginning January 30, 2012, new federal regulations require ALL Commercial Driver License (CDL) holders to self-certify their type of commercial driving. This will be done at the time of issuance or renewal of the CDL. The Ohio BMV will not begin accepting the self-certification forms until January 30, 2012.
Save the Date: OFU Legislative Day Set
Ohio Farmers Union Executive Director Linda Borton is asking members to mark March 21, 2012 on their calendars as OFU’s Legislative Day at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.
“As in the past, we will meet at 9 a.m. and set up teams for visits with representatives and senators,” Borton said.
More information will be available for members at the 2012 OFU Convention in late January and in upcoming editions of the Ohio Country Messenger.
Borton said a reception for OFU members and legislators is planned for the evening of March 21 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The planned site for the reception will be The Museum Gallery, formerly known as The Crypt, located in the lower level of the Capitol Building.
2012 Should See a Revamped Ohio Grain Indemnity Law
A successful farmer-funded Ohio Department of Agriculture program will see its first changes in more than a decade during the first half of 2012 according to the ODA official who administers it.
The Ohio Grain Indemnity Fund, which protects producers from losing everything in grain elevator failures, is on track for a legislative overhaul sometime in the first quarter of 2012 according to the fund’s administrator, David Simmons.
National Farmers Union All States Leadership Camp
Save the Date
Richard “Dick” Babb, Farmers Union Stalwart Dies at 84
Longtime Farmers Union friend, former OFU legislative director and current secretary/treasurer of Clinton County Farmers Union, Dick Babb passed away on Christmas Eve.
“Dick was a community spirited man, committed to family farmers who built a reputation as a totally fair minded friend of agriculture in his tenure as Ohio Farmers Union legislative director,” said Linda Borton, Ohio Farmers Union executive director.
NFU’s Washington Corner for January 2012
If you want to keep abreast of what the National Farmers Union is doing in Washington, D.C. to lobby on behalf of family farmers and consumers, their new monthly publication Washington Corner is a good way to get updated on a month to month basis.
Check out the January 2012 edition here.
Internship Opportunity with Ohio state government
Office of Export Assistance at Ohio Dept. of Development Looking for Intern
The Office of Export Assistance of The Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) is seeking an International Program Intern to work closely with the Global Agricultural Program Manager. The intern will promote and recruit companies to participate in event-based programs through the Food Export Association-Midwest.
Slayden named VP of membership for National Farmers Union
National Farmers Union is pleased to welcome Leigh Slayden to the Washington, D.C., office as the acting vice president of membership.
Slayden most recently served as the director of marketing and member services at the Association of Public Health Laboratories. Prior to that, Slayden spent more than 15 years serving in the membership department for organizations such as the American Diabetes Association, the American Chemical Society, and the American College of Physicians.
