News Update

“People have been complaining about school lunch for years,” said Procter, a registered dietitian. She noted complaints often focused on school lunch menus with too many high fat and fried foods, lack of age-appropriate portions, and less costly foods rather than nutrient-dense foods that could cost more, but contribute to health. “These are the first changes to the school lunch guidelines in many years and, in many districts, the difference is significant. In other places, voluntary improvement has been gradual over time, so students and parents see little change this year.”

Procter noted the 2012 changes to school lunch menus are research-based and intended to address specific nutrition and health issues, including:

• Age-appropriate portions for three groups: Kindergarten through eight-year-olds; nine to 12-year-olds, and high school students.
• Health-promoting foods, including lean proteins, low-fat dairy products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

She said the move toward standard portions helps youth meet nutritional requirements for health and become more familiar with a standard portion. Youth will be more able to choose an appropriate portion when at home or on their own, and place a cap on calories to learn to manage a healthy weight.

Expanding the variety of foods offered meets Department of Health and Human Services’ and the USDA’s 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, but does add to the cost, which is supported with additional funding, according to Proctor.

For more information and the full release, click here.

— Adapted from a release by the Kansas State University Extension.

Purdue Workshop to Tackle Issues Faced by Family Farms

A Purdue University workshop can help farmers who are part of a family business explore crucial management and relationship issues that families need to address for future successes.

The Center for Commercial Agriculture will offer “Farming into the Next Generation” Feb. 12-13.

Brent Gloy, the center’s director, said the two-day workshop is intended for farmers who are working together with other family members and for those who want to add more family members to the business.

“Running a family farming business together can be a challenging process for both the younger and older generations,” Gloy said. “This workshop will help families build stronger management teams and family relationships, and help them identify techniques and planning processes that can resolve conflict and position the farm business for success for another generation.”

Program instructors are Bernie Erven, professor emeritus of agricultural economics at Ohio State University, and Bob Milligan, senior consultant at Dairy Strategies LLC and professor emeritus at Cornell University.

“Our instructors are the two leading experts in the country on this topic and bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the workshop,” Gloy said. “Participants will leave better prepared to successfully farm into the next generation.”

For more information and the full release, click here.

— Adapted from a release by the Purdue University Extension.

Commercial Manure Applicator Training
Scheduled for Jan. 4, 2013

Commercial manure applicators can attend three hours of training Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, to meet commercial manure applicator certification requirements. Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will conduct Commercial Manure Applicator training from 9 a.m. to noon at 69 locations in Iowa and one location in Wisconsin. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. There is no fee for the workshop, but applicators must register by Dec. 28, 2012 with the ISU Extension county office where they plan to attend. A complete list of workshop locations can be found at http://www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/certification/macprogrampostcard.pdf.

Commercial manure applicators needing to recertify and those wanting to certify for the first time should attend.

All currently certified commercial manure applicator licenses will expire on March 1, 2013. Those wanting to renew must complete training requirements and submit forms and fees to the DNR prior to March 1, to avoid paying late fees.

Those unable to attend the program on Jan. 4 need to schedule time with their ISU Extension county office to watch the training DVD. Due to scheduling conflicts, many county extension offices will no longer accept walk-in appointments to watch these DVDs, but do offer scheduled dates and times to provide this training. There will not be a fee charged for scheduled training dates. Anyone requesting a non-scheduled reshow at the county extension office will be charged a $10 fee.

If attending the workshops or watching the three-hour DVD is not convenient, commercial applicators may contact their local DNR field office to schedule an appointment to take the certification exam. In addition to the commercial manure applicator training offered Jan. 4, ISU Extension and Outreach will offer seven dry/solid-manure workshops for commercial manure applicators in February 2013.

Information regarding these workshops and locations is also contained in the link to the brochure listed above. For more information about the commercial manure applicator certification program, contact an ISU Extension county office or click here.

— Adapted from a release by the Iowa State University Extension.

— Compiled by Kelli Fulkerson, intern, Angus Productions Inc.

 
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