News Update
April 20, 2012
Angus Foundation Seeks Donations for Annual Silent Auction
Each year during the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), the Angus Foundation hosts a silent auction that features a variety of items available for Angus families and friends to bid on and purchase. The 2012 Angus Foundation Silent Auction will take place July 18-21 at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, home of the North American International Livestock Exposition, in Louisville, Ky. Proceeds from the silent auction benefit the Angus Foundation's youth, education and research programs.
The Angus Foundation is currently seeking donated items for the silent auction. Items that have been donated in the past include but are not limited to jewelry, clothing, prints and paintings, gift baskets, books, cattle supplies, bull semen and other Angus memorabilia. State junior and adult Angus associations, and individual Angus friends, farms and corporations, donate the items sold at the silent auction. The state association that donates the highest selling item to the silent auction will receive $100 for its state junior Angus association.
At the 2011 National Junior Angus Show in Harrisburg, Pa., the silent auction raised $9,488 for Angus youth, education and research.
"Every Angus youth, parent, grandparent or great-grandparent attending this year's NJAS will want to share in the fun and come by the silent auction to place their bids," says Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president. "Your charitable and frequent bidding during the show will be needed if your Angus Foundation is to reach its $10,000 goal. Unrestricted funds raised play an important role in our budget each year, so remember Angus friends, have fun participating in this year's silent auction, bid high and bid often with a charitable intent and generous Angus heart."
If you are interested in donating an item, please contact the Angus Foundation at 816-383-5100. Items will be accepted before the NJAS. If you are planning to attend the show, you can also bring your donated item by the silent auction area before July 18. Be sure to also stop by the silent auction and place your bid on the great items that are offered.
More information about the silent auction can be found at www.angusfoundation.org.
USDA Rural Development Celebrates Earth Day by Investing in Water Quality Improvement Projects Across the Country
As part of USDA's Earth Day celebration, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack April 20 announced support for projects that will improve water and wastewater services and benefit the environment across the country.
"It is critical that communities across the country have reliable, clean and abundant water," said Vilsack. "These water and wastewater projects demonstrate how USDA is helping provide critical services to rural communities that have the added benefit of protecting the environment. This Earth Day, USDA is commemorating 150 years of working with Americans to protect the land. In the years to come, we will help address the changing needs of agriculture and rural America — and find strategies for managing our public and working lands that promote a strong middle class today while preserving the environment for generations to come."
In all, 54 water and wastewater projects in 33 states will be funded. Earth Day is observed annually on April 22 to raise awareness about the role each person can play to protect vital natural resources and safeguard the environment. Since the first Earth Day celebration in 1970, the event has expanded to include participation by citizens and governments in more than 195 countries.
As part of today's announcement, USDA Rural Development is providing more than $150.8 million to improve water quality and provide a safe and healthy environment for rural Americans. In addition, nearly $22.5 million is being invested for technical assistance training through the Technical Assistance and Solid Waste Management programs.
Funding for each project is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the loan, grant, or loan/grant agreement. A complete list of water and wastewater award recipients is located here.
MU Extension Hosting Urban Farmsteading Program
University of Missouri (MU) is hosting a six-session Urban Farmsteading Program that will provide tools, tips and education on sustainable living practices. Class topics will include container gardening, food preservation methods, stretching your food dollars, tips to help you live on less and much more. Facilitator for the program will be Lynn Heins of the Washington County MU Extension Center.
The program is scheduled for Saturday mornings beginning April 21 through May 26 at Mineral Area College Arts & Sciences Building, Room 114, from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration is $50 and includes the 18-hour workshop, the Urban Farmsteading Resource Workbook, Resource CD and refreshments.
The registration deadline is today, with class size limited to 20. Enroll by calling the Washington County Extension Office at 573-438-2671 or emailing HambletonL@missouri.edu or EisenbeisL@missouri.edu.
iCEV Presents the Facts of Lean, Finely Textured Beef
CEV Multimedia Ltd. recently released the Lean, Finely Textured Beef video clip, a segment within iCEV's newly launched "Hot Topic" series, educating people on the facts of lean, finely textured beef (LFTB) and crushing myths associated with the "Pink Slime" controversy. The popular video clip can be viewed here.
The segment is one of many titles within iCEV's newly launched "Hot Topic" series, allowing subscribers a convenient way of staying up-to-date with the latest industry news with quick, educational video clips.
"The Hot Topic series is designed to spotlight experts from the industry and academia to present facts about the latest headlines in their area," said Megan O'Quinn, agricultural science brand manager at CEV.
The LFTB segment features Janeal Yancey, University of Arkansas, and Dale Woerner, Colorado State University, who dive into the controversy, explain the process of LFTB, and discuss the popular misconceptions of "Pink Slime."
iCEV will regularly feature current "Hot Topics" in agricultural sciences. Future "Hot Topics" titles will include:
Steroid Implants in Beef Cattle, featuring Daryl Tatum, Colorado State University, and Brad Johnson, Texas Tech University.
Antibiotic Use in Food Animals, featuring Frank Garry, Colorado State University.
The Food Industry, featuring Paul Heinrich, CEO of Encore Food Solutions
Muscle Growth Research, featuring Jessica Starkey, Texas Tech University.
Non-0157 H7 STEC, featuring John Sofos, Colorado State University
Food Safety, featuring Mindy Brashears, Texas Tech University, and Kendra Nightingale, Texas Tech University.
For more information on iCEV visit the
iCEV website at http://icevonline.com. To see the LFTB
video clip go to www.icevonline.com/april2012_week1.php
or watch it on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNG73DtoOJQ.
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