‘Agriculture’ Archives
Author: deanfiihr Published: November 18th, 2011
The nation’s first Urban-Ag Academy was held in Iowa last weekend to help foster cooperation and understanding between agriculture and urban areas. Founded and hosted by State Rep. Helen Miller of Ft. Dodge, who also serves as Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee, the day long academy featured producers, educators, legislators, and leaders of Iowa’s agricultural sector.
“I am very pleased with the success of the inaugural Urban-Ag Academy program and the response from both non-rural legislators and agricultural interests. Both the legislators and the farmers and producers expressed great enthusiasm for learning from each other,” said Rep. Miller. “Their involvement as well as that of world-class educators from Iowa State University highlights the importance of such an effort to bring both urban and rural interests together. I firmly believe this is just the beginning for the Urban-Ag Academy.”
Dr. Michael Duffy, Professor, Dept. of Economics, ISU said of the Urban-Ag Academy initiative: “I think the idea of an Urban-Ag Academy is excellent. Too often the discussions are geared to trying to convince someone to accept your point of view. The Academy offers individuals the opportunities to hear from a variety of sources, question the discussion and conclusions of the speakers and then formulate their own position. This is not an us and them situation, it’s an us situation and we all have to try and understand the others point of view. The Academy provides the opportunity for a discussion not an indoctrination or confrontational position. I appreciate being a part of the Academy and I especially appreciate the time and effort to put the Academy together.”
Miller said the purpose of the Urban-Ag Academy is to bring urban and minority leaders and policy makers together; inform an ever-increasing number of urban legislators on ag issues; educate non-rural legislators on the often unseen effects on and potential benefits to their districts; and lay the groundwork for a national conference for non-rural policy makers nationwide.
John Baker, Attorney at Law and Administrator of the Beginning Farmer Center; collaborator on the Urban-Ag Academy project stated: “Over the years I have attended many conferences attended by legislators and without exception all the conferences were designed for advocacy. The Urban Ag Academy is the first in my experience that was designed by legislators for legislators and hosted by legislators. As a result it was well attended and informative. The speakers provided information on the opportunities in and contributions of agriculture to Iowa’s economy and social well-being. The Academy was structured to allow the opportunity legislators to ask the speakers questions. Hopefully, this will be the first in a series of meetings.”
Tags: Helen Miller, urban-ag acadmey
Category Agriculture, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: November 15th, 2011
After high winds damaged crops in North Iowa in September, President Barack Obama and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack have approved a disaster declaration for those areas.
Disaster assistance includes FSA emergency loans and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program. Farmers in Mitchell, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Floyd, Howard, and Worth are eligible for these loans and have eight months from the date of the Secretarial disaster declaration, November 9, 2011, to apply. SURE Program applications for 2011 crop losses will be accepted in 2012, when the 2011 farm revenue data required by statute becomes available.
Farmers who would like to apply or have any questions are encouraged to visit their local FSA offices.
Category Agriculture, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: November 9th, 2011
In an effort to foster cooperation and understanding between agriculture and urban areas, State Rep. Helen Miller of Ft. Dodge, who also serves as Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee, is hosting the first ever Urban-Ag Academy in Ankeny with leaders from across Iowa on Saturday, November 12th.
“As state legislatures become more urban and inclusive of more minority groups, it is time to create an environment for interactive problem-solving and the exchange of ideas. We can’t afford to continue the same urban vs. rural debate any longer, policy makers on both sides need to have an opportunity to reach outside their traditional audience and collaborate on solutions to mutual concerns,” said Miller.
Miller said the purpose of the Urban-Ag Academy is to bring urban and minority leaders and policy makers together; inform an ever-increasing number of urban legislators on ag issues; educate non-rural legislators on the often unseen effects on and potential benefits to their districts; and lay the groundwork for a national conference for non-rural policy makers nationwide.
“Both rural and urban districts stand to reap enormous benefits from increased understanding of the benefits of agriculture to urban economies and the issues faced by rural constituencies,” added Miller.
The Urban-Ag Academy will be held on Saturday, November 12 from 9-4pm in Ankeny. Participants in the Academy include ISU’s Dr. Michael Duffy, ISU Professor Mark Edelman, Sandy Ehrig from the Iowa Farm Bureau, Dr. Don Heck from Iowa Central Community College’s Biofuel Lab, and officials from the Iowa Dept. of Agriculture and US Dept. of Agriculture.
Tags: Iowa Agriculture, Iowa State University, Rep. Helen Miller, USDA
Category Agriculture, Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: November 7th, 2011
State Representative Dan Muhlbauer of Crawford County as Ranking Member of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Committee for the 2012 legislative session.
“As a life-long family farmer, Rep. Muhlbauer knows the critical role that agriculture plays in growing our economy and revitalizing rural communities. He is passionate about agriculture and making sure that rural Iowa isn’t left behind in the economic recovery,” said McCarthy.
In addition to serving as Ranking Member, Muhlbauer will also serve on Public Safety, Ways & Means, Veteran’s Affairs, and the Agriculture Committees.
“Ag and Natural Resources go hand in hand. This is why I feel this is a great position for me, because I am a lifelong farmer and I understand the importance of preserving our natural heritage,” Muhlbauer stated.
The 2012 legislative session starts on January 9th.
Tags: Dan Muhlbauer, Iowa Agriculture, Iowa Natural Resources
Category 2012 Session Information, Agriculture, Budget, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: February 20th, 2011
Members of the Iowa House Rural Caucus today said a plan by Governor Branstad to close 39 workforce offices unfairly targets rural Iowa.
“Governor Branstad’s plan to shut down workforce offices is a step in the wrong direction. With a growing economy and $900 million budget surplus, there is no reason to end critical job training and placement services for Iowans in rural communities,” said Rep. Andrew Wenthe, D-Hawkeye, who chairs the House Democrats Rural Caucus.
Governor Branstad’s plan to close 39 workforce offices was released today by Iowa Workforce Development Officials. It will eliminate job development & placement assistance, interviewing skills workshops, and claims assistance. The workforce centers also support local businesses and help them find skilled workers.
“Eliminating workforce offices in rural communities such as Oelwein, Estherville, New Hampton and 36 others will make it even harder for Iowans looking for a good-paying job to secure 21st century job skills and opportunities,” said Wenthe. “This short-sighted and irresponsible decision is a slap in the face to rural Iowa.”
The Rural Caucus was created by House Democrats last year to give Iowa’s rural economy a boost by focusing on rural job creation, meeting Iowa’s rural infrastructure needs, and guaranteeing adequate resources for rural schools. Wenthe was subsequently elected to lead a group of rural legislators representing areas outside metropolitan areas in Iowa.
Tags: Andrew Wenthe, Rural Caucus, Rural Iowa
Category Agriculture, Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
