A Health Care Law for Rural America
by Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
Two years ago last week, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act – the law that gives hard working, middle-class families the health security they deserve.
For too long, rural Americans have been getting the short end of the health care stick, with limited options, fewer doctors and nurses, and more expensive insurance. But the new law is building a stronger health system in rural communities – increasing payments to rural health care providers, strengthening Medicare, and training thousands of new primary care doctors who will serve in rural areas.
As the Affordable Care Act is giving our health system a much-needed overhaul, I want to explain how to take advantage of some of the most important changes.
Frack tax proposal one of several items discussed during OFU Legislative Day
The Ohio Farmers Union made contact with more than a dozen state legislators earlier this week during our 2012 Ohio Legislative Day in Columbus and discussed hot topics like the shale oil and gas boom in eastern Ohio, the Ohio Turnpike, restoration of funding for the Office of the Ohio Consumers Counsel, grain indemnity and Ohio’s renewable energy goals.
Ohio Farmers Union to hold info meeting on fracking in Windsor
Focus will be on waste water injection wells & the basics of hydro-fracking
WINDSOR – Two chapters of the Ohio Farmers Union are sponsoring an informational meeting for farmers, rural residents and other interested parties on the subject of shale gas and oil exploration and drilling and the injection wells in the area used for waste water disposal.
Joe Logan, agricultural policy director for the Ohio Environmental Council will present along with members of the Ohio Farmers Union. The meeting will be held March 26, 6:30 p.m. at the Windsor Community Center. The community center is located at 5430 Mayfield Road, Windsor, Ohio. For information, the public may call 440-272-5154 or 440-272-5174.
Ohio Farmers Union on Capitol Square in Columbus Today
Family Farmer group to talk to legislators on fracking, indemnity & other issues
Members and leadership of the Ohio Farmers Union will descend upon Ohio state legislator’s offices today to discuss a host of issues important to them and consumers.
Key meetings will be held with Sen. Cliff Hite, R-Findlay, chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Committee and Rep. Dave Hall, R-Ashland, chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
National Farmers Union completes 2012 convention
The following is a release from NFU and includes a summary of some of the important work completed during the 2012 convention last week. It was NFU’s 110th annual convention!
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NFU concluded its 110th Anniversary Convention last week after four days of speakers, breakout sessions, tours, and policy discussion. More than 500 Farmers Union members from across the country attended the event in La Vista, Neb.
“Convention is the most important even of the year for Farmers Union, because it is where our members determine our policy for the coming year,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Since we will be writing the farm bill under significant budgetary constraints this year, it is particularly important that we focus on our top priorities.”
Vilsack says Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food an opportunity for farmers & ranchers
Opportunity in local and regional food in America
by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
Two and a half years ago, I announced a new initiative here at USDA called Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food.
It’s the public face of our commitment to help farmers and ranchers of all sizes take advantage of new opportunities, meet the growing demand for local and regional food and succeed in America’s diverse marketplace.
Last week, USDA unveiled new tools showcasing what we’ve accomplished over the last few years as local food sales have expanded as a multi-billion dollar industry.
The Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass is an electronic document and interactive map you can access online.
It can help you navigate USDA resources that support local and regional food systems. It introduces farmers, ranchers, businesses and communities around the country that are tapping into these opportunities to improve incomes and create jobs. It is a jumping off point so you can join the national conversation about where our food comes from.
Free Webinars on Anaerobic Digesters to Examine Finances and Technology
Two educational webinars planned March 14, 2012 will examine finance issues and technology options for installing and maintaining anaerobic digester systems. The webinars, which are free of charge, are part of the Renewable Energy Education Field Day series–educational programs to provide farmers, ranchers, landowners and community leaders with information useful in deciding whether to implement a renewable energy technology in their operation.
Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass
WASHINGTON – Feb. 29, 2012- Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan unveiled the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF) Compass, an interactive web-based document and map highlighting USDA support for local and regional food projects and successful producer, business and community case studies. While hosting a live webinar to highlight USDA’s work over the past three years, the Secretaries emphasized how local and regional food systems across the country create additional economic opportunities for farmers, ranchers and food entrepreneurs, expand healthy food access and meet growing customer demand.
“USDA works every day to strengthen American agriculture, drive job growth and support farm-family income,” said Vilsack. “The KYF Compass highlights how USDA support for local and regional food systems has brought additional opportunities to our country’s farmers, ranchers, processors, distributors and food entrepreneurs. The stories and maps in the Compass underscore how diverse and innovative American agriculture can be.”
National Farmers Union says EPA decision puts E15 a step closer to consumer reality
WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an evaluation of the health effects data requirements for registration of E15:
“Today’s decision by EPA to accept the health effects information submitted by the Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy clears a major hurdle for E15. Now manufacturers who wish to register E15 may choose to rely on this data for completing their applications.
“We are one step closer to having E15 available for widespread distribution in the U.S. American consumers deserve a choice at the pump. According to Growth Energy, the average price of a gallon of E15 is 76 cents cheaper than a gallon of gasoline. E15 is a homegrown fuel that saves consumers money and helps wean us off of our addiction to foreign oil. Today’s decision is a win for rural America, a win for national security, and a win for the environment.”
