USDA has issued a reminder to farmers that they must have on file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification, also known as an AD-1026 form, in order to be eligible for support for crop insurance premiums. The 2014 Farm Bill requires farmers to be in compliance with these conservation standards for participation in commodity programs as well as crop insurance. The form is available at the FSA website and at your local Farm Service Agency office.
Reminder: COOL Webinar July 22 – It’s free, so sign up!
Country of Origin Labeling was passed by Congress in 2002 and it’s still under attack by the multinational meat packers and allied agribusinesses. Learn more about the law, who is behind trying to take away your right to know where your food comes from – and what you can do about it.
Click this link for all of the info and to register for this one-hour online program.
ODNR: CP42 – The Pollinator Habitat Program
The Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources wants farmers to know that they may enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program’s “Pollinator Habitat” practice which is also known as CP42.
CP42 focuses on providing nectar and pollen sources for a variety of important pollinator species, such as honeybees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Bee-pollinated plants account for $20 billion in annual U.S. agricultural production. Pollinator numbers, however, are declining because of several factors, including habitat loss.
CP42 calls for the planting of native flowering species that will bloom throughout the spring and summer. Planting species that flower at different times provides food and habitat for pollinators, and provides flowers from April to October.
According to ODNR, incentive and rental payments and cost-share assistance may be available for acres enrolled in CP42. For information contact your local FSA office or an ODNR Division of Wildlife private lands biologist.
NFU Works to Ensure Rural Americans Maintain Access to Broadcast TV
from the National Farmers Union
WASHINGTON – Doug Sombke, president of South Dakota Farmers Union, visited Capitol Hill last week to urge lawmakers to act on pending legislation that will ensure rural Americans maintain access to their local broadcast television stations.
“Broadcast television is a key tool for rural Americans to obtain local news, weather and market data and emergency broadcast alerts,” said Sombke, who also chairs the National Farmers Union Legislative Committee. “Discriminating against some customers just because they live in smaller markets is wrong.”
Specifically, Sombke met with Sen. John Thune, S.D.-R, and asked him to support the Senate Judiciary Committee version of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA), which was recently introduced by Chairman Patrick Leahy, Vt.-D, and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley, Iowa-R.
That bill, he said, was a “clean reauthorization without the special-interest add-ons that some cable and satellite companies are seeking.”
NFU’s Johnson Speaks Out in D.C. on Renewable Fuel Standard
from the National Farmers Union:
National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson spoke today at a briefing at the U.S. House of Representatives on the importance of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The briefing was hosted by Fuels America in cooperation with Reps. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, and Lee Terry, R-Neb.
“It is crucial that Congress not change the RFS and for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to improve the 2014 RFS targets in order to provide certainty for farmers and the ethanol industry,” said Johnson.
“EPA was originally going to finalize its 2014 Renewable Volume Obligation in June, but is now moving the date until September,” Johnson continued. “NFU has strongly encouraged EPA to fix its flawed proposal. EPA needs to begin to align itself with rural America. It will be difficult to build trust in the countryside if EPA does not greatly improve the 2014 RFS targets.”
“The RFS drives economic growth in rural America and supports around 300,000 direct jobs nationwide,” said Johnson. “A stable RFS will help to develop the next generation of biofuels and provide new market opportunities for farmers, while simultaneously providing significant climate, environmental and national security benefits.”
Other panelists included Brooke Coleman, executive director, Advanced Ethanol Council; Doug Bervin, vice president of corporate affairs, POET; Josh Nasser, legislative director, United Auto Workers; and Geoff Cooper, senior vice president, Renewable Fuels Association.
OFU to Present Farm Bill Implementation Forum
The Ohio Farmers Union, with partners POET Biorefining, First Federal Bank and Superior Energy Solutions will present a public forum on the choices faced by farmers due to new agricultural commodity programs under the 2014 Farm Bill.
While USDA has not opened up new programs for enrollment, OFU is bringing together a panel of experts who can speak to the changes being made as farmers move away from the direct payment system and into either the Price Loss Coverage program or the Agricultural Risk Coverage program. See our news release below for more information.
The forum will be held July 25, 1 p.m. at Bowling Green State University, Bowen-Thompson Student Union in the Grand Ball Room. Moderated by OFU President Joe Logan, there will be a panel presentation and time for questions and answers from those attending. The event is free and open to the public, however, pre-registration is requested to help in planning. You may pre-register with an email or telephone call to Linda Borton at lborton@ohfarmersunion.org or 800-321-3671.
Panelists include:
- Joe Shultz, Chief Economist, U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
- Jonathan McCracken, Legislative Agriculture Assistant, Office of Sen. Sherrod Brown
- Carl Zulauf, Professor, OSU Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics
- Terry Cosby, State Conservationist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Tony Logan, State Director, USDA Rural Development
- Steve Maurer, State Executive Director, USDA Farm Service Agency
Upcoming Webinar: How Multi-national corporations are attacking Country of Origin Labeling – And Your Right to Know Where Your Food Originates
Longtime National and Ohio Farmers Union ally, the Coalition for a Prosperous America is holding a webinar on July 22 titled, Country of Origin Labeling: How Multinational Agribusinesses are Attacking This Law .
Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA will discuss the importance of COOL and how the COOL legislation, if defeated, could affect the food on your table. Michael Stumo, CEO of CPA will moderate the event which is free. Follow this link to register for the webinar.
Along with information about COOL and its benefit for family farmers and consumers, webinar viewers will receive ideas about how they can work to preserve COOL.
The Coalition for a Prosperous America is a nonprofit organization representing the interests of 2.7 million households through our agricultural, manufacturing and labor members. Our board and our membership includes Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Conservatives and Liberals.
Joe Logan, president of the Ohio Farmers Union is a member of the CPA board executive committee and serves as co-chairman for agriculture. John Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union is a member of the CPA board.
OFU Members Alert: Changes Coming in Workers Comp – Action Requested
A Message from OFU President Joe Logan:
As the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) prepares to convert prospective premium payments from payments in arrears, it is more important than ever to make sure you are part of a group rating program to reduce your costs and gain needed claim representation.
The Ohio Farmers Union sponsors a group rating program for our members – and if you join our program, you have the potential to earn the maximum discount allowable by the BWC. This year we are also offering a new feature to our group participation: Unemployment Compensation assistance.
Please take a moment to complete the temporary authorization form linked below, so we can let you know if you are a candidate for our group and how much you could save. The evaluation is free and there is absolutely no obligation to join the group. You might just find that our group can save you a substantial amount on your premium!
I’m including the contact name of our dedicated group representative at Frank Gates, our group administrator. She can help you with any questions you may have.
CONTACT: Cathy Pletz, 614-793-5429, or cpletz@frankgates.com.
Thank you for your consideration,
Joe Logan, President
Hong Kong Market Reopens for U.S. Beef
From the USDA:
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the United States and Hong Kong have agreed on new terms and conditions that pave the way for expanded exports of U.S. beef and beef products to Hong Kong.
“This is great news for American ranchers and beef companies,” said Vilsack. “Hong Kong is already the fourth largest market for U.S. beef and beef product exports, with sales there reaching a historic high of $823 million in 2013. We look forward to expanded opportunities there for the U.S. beef industry now that all trade restrictions are lifted,” Vilsack said.
Under the new terms, Hong Kong will permit the import of the full range of U.S. beef and beef products, consistent with access prior to December 2003. The new terms become effective today, June17, 2014. Previously, only deboned beef from all cattle and certain bone-in beef from cattle less than 30 months of age could be shipped from the United States to Hong Kong. Earlier this year, Mexico, Uruguay, Ecuador and Sri Lanka also lifted their longstanding restrictions to provide full access for U.S. beef and beef products.
SB 150 – Nutrient Management Bill – Signed by Kasich
As Gov. John Kasich signs Sub. S.B. 150, the bill’s sponsors and ODA director look on. L-R standing: Sen. Bob Peterson, Sen. Cliff Hite, ODA Director David Daniels. Photo: Ron Sylvester, OFU.
Substitute S.B. 150 is the legislation which mandates Ohio Dept. of Agriculture certification for most farmers and others who apply chemical fertilizers. ODA officials have said that it will take until 2017 before most farmers in Ohio are affected by the new regulation. The bill was originated through work by Senators Cliff Hite and Bob Peterson as well as ODA, Ohio EPA and the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources in reaction to phosphorous overloads in the Lake Erie watershed and other waters in the state. OFU took a neutral stance on the bill after legislators removed manure from the state’s legal definition of “fertilizer” and as part of the definition of “agricultural pollution.”
