News Update
Nov. 13, 2008

Sustainable Ag Conference Feb. 10-12

A conference is scheduled for Feb. 10-12, 2009, at the Shilo Inn in Richland, Wash. to plan a sustainable future for farmers, ranchers and rural communities in the Pacific Northwest.

Participants will review their experiences with sustainability, highlight lessons learned, and craft a plan to sustain Pacific Northwest agriculture and rural communities.

“The plan will address the interests of decision makers in families, organizations, businesses, cooperatives, communities, higher education, government agencies and the media who influence the future of the region’s agriculture and natural resources,” said Don Nelson, Washington State University (WSU) Extension beef specialist and a member of the conference planning committee. “We hope everyone interested in rural sustainability will come.”

Graduates of the WSU Kellogg Foundation Integrated Farming Systems/Holistic Management Project (1995 and 1999) and special guests will share their experiences with sustainability, tell what they have learned and craft a plan for future actions. Youth — the leaders of the future — are invited to attend.

The conference is co-sponsored by WSU Extension, the WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources BIOAg Program, the Kittitas County Conservation District, the Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network, Rural Roots, Managing Change Northwest, NU View Evaluation & Learning, the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association and Solar $.

Contact Nelson at nelsond@wsu.edu or 509-335-2922; or Doug Warnock at dwarnock@charter.net or 509-525-3389 for more information. Early registration is encouraged.

FSIS Notice Covers Timing of Routine Raw Ground Beef Sampling for E. coli

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued Notice 80-08, which informs program personnel that they are to begin routine sampling of raw ground beef components — including raw beef patty components — other than trimmings for E. coli O157:H7 when they receive a sample request form with the MT54 project code.

FSIS personnel are to collect samples from slaughter establishments. When the automated import information system (AIIS) requests a sample of beef manufacturing trimmings or other specified raw ground beef component for E. coli O157:H7 testing, import personnel are to sample the product identified in AIIS, using the MT51 code on the sampling request form. This product is considered adulterated if it tests positive for E. coli O157:H7.

This notice is being issued as part of the agency’s risk-based sampling program for E. coli O157:H7. FSIS inspection program personnel already conduct routine sampling of beef manufacturing trimmings under FSIS Notice 18-07.

To view this notice visit www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/80-08.pdf.

USDA Provides $77 Million to Repair Farmland Damaged by Flood and Drought

USDA Secretary Ed Schafer today said that farmers and ranchers will receive $77 million in Emergency Conservation Program funds to repair farmland damaged by natural disasters in 2008.
Producers will be able to use the money to remove farmland debris, restore fences and repair conservation structures, which were damaged by floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, storms, wildfires, and to carry out emergency water conservation measures after severe drought.

“These funds will allow farmers and ranchers to repair the severe damage to conservation systems caused by disaster conditions from Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, as well as the 2008 Midwest Floods,” said Schafer. “USDA has always worked shoulder to shoulder with producers during a disaster, and we remain committed to help through the weeks and months of recovery.”

For land to be eligible, the natural disaster must create new conservation problems that:

• if untreated, will impair or endanger the land;
• materially affect the land’s productive capacity;
• represent unusual damage that, except for wind erosion, is not likely to recur frequently in the same area; and
• would be so costly to repair that federal assistance is or will be required to return the land to productive agricultural use.

All of the above conditions must be met for eligibility. Conservation problems that existed before the disaster are not eligible for cost-share assistance. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees determine land eligibility based on on-site inspections of damage, taking into account the type and extent of damage.

A detailed list of counties and associated specific disasters is on FSA’s web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/ecpcounties2.pdf. A national map with a visual depiction of the affected counties and disaster types is on the FSA web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/ecpmap2.pdf.

The remainder of ECP funds will be allocated as additional requests are processed. For further information on eligibility requirements as well as applications, producers may visit their local FSA office or online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.

— Release provided by USDA

— compiled by Tosha Powell, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.