Filed under: News
Some US farms outsourced to Mexico
Martinez, now a legal employee of U.S.-owned VegPacker de Mexico, is exactly the kind of worker more American farm companies are seeking. Many have moved their fields to Mexico, where they can find qualified people, often with U.S. experience, who can’t be deported.
http://www.goshennews.com/nationalnews/local_story_148070555.html
Debate over immigration legislation far from over
Property-tax relief wasn’t the only weighty issue state lawmakers tackled last session, but it is one they ultimately resolved. The other big, contentious topic – what the state should do about illegal immigration – was left twisting in a whirlwind of politics and emotion. In the end, Republicans and Democrats failed to reach a compromise on legislation addressing the issue. Well, it’s coming back. The Legislative Council – a group of lawmakers that oversees the affairs of the General Assembly – formally punted illegal immigration back into political play last week by assigning the subject to a bipartisan, interim study committee.
http://www.news-tribune.net/politics/local_story_148100922.html?keyword=topstory
Filed under: News
This May, Indiana’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts will officially launch educational events across the state to build awareness that We All Live Downstream. The purpose of this statewide initiative is to further educate farmers and communities on how we all impact our waterways and how we can all provide solutions.
These events are part of the 2008 Clean Water Indiana grants to support local efforts for nutrient and sediment reduction. Eighty-two Districts received grants and will host 103 events featuring different practices that landowners can implement in their conservation efforts. Participants can expect to learn about conservation tillage; nutrient management, pasture and livestock management; buffers and cover crops; and other practices.
“I appreciate the hard work the Districts have dedicated to this effort,” said Indiana Agriculture Director Andy Miller. “I believe that with more than 100 events across the state, the Districts and local Hoosier have demonstrated their tremendous commitment to protect our Indiana waterways.”
The Indiana Corn Marketing Council and the Indiana Soybean Alliance are sponsoring many of field days across the state. The Indiana Corn Marketing Council and the Indiana Soybean Alliance are joining with the Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s Division of Soil Conservation (ISDA-DSC) and the State Soil Conservation Board to sponsor many of field days across the state. To find an event near you visit the ISDA website www.in.gov/isda and click on the link under “Features.”
“Innovative partnerships with organizations like the Corn Marketing Council and Soybean Alliance gives these programs greater reach and impact,” said Tammy Lawson, ISDA-DSC Director. “The 82 participating Districts leverage more financial resources – not at taxpayer expense – and that gets more conservation on the ground.”
Filed under: Uncategorized
By Andy Miller, Indiana Agriculture Director
Pick up any publication today and you will see alarming claims about corn-ethanol driving the world into famine. Two years ago, the same publications were heralding ethanol as the savior of America’s energy crisis. The truth is somewhere in between, and it is time for a calm, rational analysis of ethanol’s contributions and limitations.
The best way to begin a rational discussion is to address some of the biggest myths about ethanol.
Myth #1 — Ethanol is a perfect fuel and is the “silver bullet” the U.S. needs.
Ethanol is one part of our overall energy strategy to reduce dependence on foreign oil. Ethanol is on track to displace approximately 10 percent of U.S. fuel usage. That’s a big deal. At current crude prices, that means more than $35 billion staying in the United States instead of going to OPEC.
But, there is no “silver bullet” for our nation’s energy crisis. Ethanol does have some real issues, like transportation of the finished product and the impact on other corn-based industries. But the biggest challenge is addressing these issues with innovative ideas. Too many in the industry want to rationalize the issues away, looking instead through rose-colored glasses.
Myth #2 – Ethanol is driving a world famine and record food prices.
Ethanol is not driving a world famine. The world supply of corn is still greater than demand. That means we aren’t running out of corn. In fact, the United States ended the last crop year with almost 9 percent reserve in corn, which is only slightly lower than average. The corn-consuming industry had become accustomed to much higher reserves of 15-20 percent, which drove corn prices below production costs and the accusation that the U.S. was “flooding” the world market with cheap grain.
Undoubtedly, ethanol has contributed to tightened corn supplies and higher corn prices. But increases in corn price are only partly explained by ethanol and only account for a small increase in retail food prices. An objective analysis determined that ethanol merely contributed to a 0.25 percent increase in U.S. food prices. The bigger culprits in higher food and corn prices are increased demand for food from growing countries like China, the impact of higher fuel prices on food transportation and a weakened dollar.
Myth #3 -Ethanol is destroying the rainforest.
A group of university researchers have concluded that as the world needs more corn, it can only produce it by using more land, and that land will come only by tearing down the rain forest. This argument fails to recognize the impact of innovation on farming. For example, in the 1930s the United States had more land in corn production than today, but now we produce 6 times more corn on about 10 percent less land. Use of improved fertilizers and other genetic innovations has driven this change and will continue to do so. We don’t need hundreds or millions more acres of land to produce more corn. If anything, the current market pressure is accelerating the rate of innovation with some predicting a doubling of corn yields in the next 10 years.
Myth #4 – Ethanol is guzzling water.
It takes 3 gallons of water to produce a gallon of ethanol. It takes 44 gallons of water to refine one gallon of oil. Therefore, to produce a gallon of gas requires 14 times the amount of water that is needed to produce a gallon of ethanol.
A university researcher is now trying to make the argument that it actually takes 1,700 gallons of water to make a gallon of ethanol. However, he arrives at that number by allocating for point source water, or rainfall. His number incorporates the amount of rain that falls on a field of corn. Regardless of how the field is used, the rain will still fall. Through technology and innovation more than 95 percent of all corn is grown with no water other than rainfall.
Corn-ethanol is making a meaningful contribution to our country’s efforts to reduce dependence on foreign oil; without it our imports of refined gasoline would more than double. Ethanol is not without issues, including the assumption it’s a “silver bullet.” And ethanol’s success has driven cynics and naysayers to surface. But the most important thing for Hoosiers to remember is this. Corn-ethanol, as with all alternative energy, has been a major contributor to new economic vitality bringing more than $2 billion in new investment, hundreds of new jobs and millions in new farm income. Through innovation we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil and see continued economic growth from agriculture – and that is a fact.
Andy Miller is Indiana’s first Agriculture Director. He was raised on a hog and crop farm in Northeastern Indiana, graduated from Purdue University with a degree in agricultural economics and worked in the food industry before accepting a role in public service.
Filed under: News
Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) are now accepting nominations for the 2008 AgriVision Award. Lt. Gov. Skillman created the annual award in 2007 to honor an individual displaying a deep commitment and vision for Indiana agriculture. The award will be given to one Hoosier who has demonstrated exemplary leadership, maximized Indiana’s agricultural potential and secured our future as a world leader in agricultural production.
“Generations of Hoosiers have worked to make agriculture a critical component of Indiana’s economy and its heritage,” said Lt. Governor Becky Skillman. “This award is a way to say ‘thank you’ to one person each year who exemplifies the work of so many.”
Indiana’s first AgriVision Award was presented in August 2007 to Lawrence “Sonny” Beck, president of Beck’s Superior Hybrids in Atlanta, Ind. Individuals considered for the AgriVision Award came from all sectors of agriculture, ranging from bioenergy to livestock to trade. The selection committee looks for highly qualified individuals who have most reshaped and impacted Indiana agriculture through innovation, advances in technology or new business approaches.
The deadline for nominations is May 30, 2008. For more information on the award and nomination process, go to www.in.gov/isda.
Filed under: News
Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) are now accepting nominations for the 2008 AgriVision Award. Lt. Gov. Skillman created the annual award in 2007 to honor an individual displaying a deep commitment and vision for Indiana agriculture. The award will be given to one Hoosier who has demonstrated exemplary leadership, maximized Indiana’s agricultural potential and secured our future as a world leader in agricultural production.
“Generations of Hoosiers have worked to make agriculture a critical component of Indiana’s economy and its heritage,” said Lt. Governor Becky Skillman. “This award is a way to say ‘thank you’ to one person each year who exemplifies the work of so many.”
Indiana’s first AgriVision Award was presented in August 2007 to Lawrence “Sonny” Beck, president of Beck’s Superior Hybrids in Atlanta, Ind. Individuals considered for the AgriVision Award came from all sectors of agriculture, ranging from bioenergy to livestock to trade. The selection committee looks for highly qualified individuals who have most reshaped and impacted Indiana agriculture through innovation, advances in technology or new business approaches.
The deadline for nominations is May 30, 2008. For more information on the award and nomination process, go to www.in.gov/isda.
Filed under: News
“On May 1, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced a USDA plan to purchase up to $50 million in pork products which will be donated to domestic food assistance programs. I applaud this resourceful thinking. At a time when pork producers are struggling to make a profit and low-income families are stressed with higher food and gas prices, this solution is beneficial to a wide range of our country’s citizens. At the state level, we are continuing to look for ways to help Indiana’s pork farmers weather this short-term downturn.”
Note: more information on USDA’s announcement can be found at http://www.usda.gov/.
Filed under: News
Indianapolis -The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is now accepting applications for the E85 Fueling Station Grant Program. Nearly $1 million in state money is available to assist in the installation of E85 pumps, and funds available have increased from a maximum of $5,000 to $20,000 per pump location. Cities and towns are now eligible to apply, as well as commercial refueling facilities, counties or townships.
“As we travel around the state, we hear from many people who want E85 pumps in their communities,” said Indiana Agriculture Director Andy Miller. “Now that cities, towns and retailers are eligible to apply for this E85 grant, I encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity.”
The E85 Fueling Station Grant Program is one of many bioenergy initiatives started under the leadership of Governor Mitch Daniels. E85 pumps have increased from zero in 2005 to more than 100 pumps across the state today. E85 is a fuel blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Ethanol raises the oxygen content of gasoline to help lessen air emissions. Only flex-fuel vehicles can operate on E85, but all vehicles can run on up to a 10 percent blend of ethanol and gasoline.
“Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance is supportive of the state’s initiatives for bioenergy and has helped multiple fuel retailers obtain grants for biofuels infrastructure,” said Kellie Walsh, Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance Executive Director. “We welcome the opportunity to reach out to more communities.”
In order to be eligible for funding, the grant application must be approved before the retailer begins work on the pump installation or conversion. Members of Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance or South Shore Clean Cities, Inc. can contact those organizations for assistance preparing a grant application. Further information on qualifications and an application can be found at www.in.gov/isda.
Filed under: News
Indianapolis – Lt. Governor Becky Skillman today welcomed the second Taiwanese food buyers delegation to travel to Indiana in two years. The Taiwanese delegation will be in the Indiana following the 2008 U.S. Food Export Showcase in Chicago. Indiana’s wine industry directly benefited from a similar visit two years ago when members of the delegation purchased Indiana wine for export following a reception of Indiana wines.
“International trade is important to growing Indiana’s agricultural economy,” said Lt. Governor Becky Skillman. ”In 2006, I led a food and agricultural trade mission to Taiwan. During that mission, we saw the direct results of our efforts to build ties with exporters. Indiana products were for sale on the shelves of Taiwanese shops. Our industries have clearly benefited from the partnership Indiana enjoys with Taiwan.”
This visit is the result of the Daniels Administration’s ongoing international trade initiatives and efforts to build ties with Taiwan, including Governor Daniels’ first Asian trade mission in 2005. Later international outreach efforts include hosting three food and agricultural buyers missions to Indiana and the Lt. Governor’s 2006 food and agricultural trade mission.
This year, the Taiwanese food buyers delegation will learn more about Indiana’s food and agriculture industry, meet with agribusiness officials and tour several important food and agricultural businesses. The delegation toured Fair Oaks Dairy yesterday as they traveled from Chicago to Indianapolis.
This morning, Lt. Governor Skillman welcomed the delegation at an 8:00 a.m. breakfast meeting. Immediately following the breakfast, the Director of the Agricultural Trade Office of the American Institute in Taiwan, Keith Schneller, gave a market overview of food and agricultural trade opportunities in Taiwan for Indiana businesses. The delegation then held informal business meetings with several Hoosier food and agribusinesses, including Indiana specialty grain producers and wineries. The Taiwanese delegates will conclude their day with a tour of Purdue University’s Food Science Laboratory.
Before leaving Indiana, the Taiwanese delegation will tour Caito Food Service on the morning of April 30. Caito Foods is a family-owned business headquartered in Indianapolis since 1966. Caito Foods distributes throughout the eastern United States more than 1,500 different types of conventionally- and organically-grown fresh products supplied from all over the world.
