http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/farmers/ en-us Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:22:44 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418049/posts Agriculture: Already buffeted by rising food prices due to biofuels, consumers face a bigger hike if climate-change legislation is passed. Farming costs will rise, and it may be more profitable to plant trees than crops. If the cap-and-trade provisions of the Waxman-Markey bill become law, you can wave goodbye to those amber waves of grain as America's heartland falls victim to a perverse set of incentives and a process called "afforestation." Soybeans and wheat will give way to elms and oaks. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack wants a review of what amounts to an agricultural impact study of HR 2454, which... Townhall.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418049/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:22:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411647/posts When the new West is won, will there be cowboys? In light of what her neighbors are up to, Double O Ranch owner Vicki Olson isn’t so sure. “I guess the point that I keep hammering at is that if they succeed, that means all of us third- and fourth-generation ranchers are gone,” Olson said. She is the average Montana rancher, 56 going on 70, working a spread gouged from the pebbly soil by her grandparents 100 years ago. Her neighbor, the nonprofit American Prairie Foundation, is methodically acquiring ranches and crafting a 3.5-million-acre wildlife reserve out of private property... The Gazette http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411647/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 14:40:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402480/posts California: While Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger worries about rising seas, his state sinks below the waves. Don't mess with Texas, they say. But California and the nation could follow its lead. Last Wednesday, Gov. Schwarzenegger released a new report based on research compiled by the California Energy Commission claiming that by 2100 San Francisco Bay would be more bay than San Francisco, with Fisherman's Wharf and Treasure Island under the rising waters of climate change. His show-and-tell, which included a new Google Earth application the commission spent $150,000 to help develop, goes a long way toward explaining the once-Golden State's slide... Investors.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402480/posts#comment Tue, 8 Dec 2009 01:10:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2393611/posts It's no secret that many times the federal government can spend your tax dollars in ways that might leave you scratching your head or even make you angry. But wait until you hear what I-Team Investigator Stephen Stock dug up and who is getting your money now. William Roderick Kent was 87-years-old when he died. He now rests in a mausoleum at Woodlawn Park Cemetery North along Miami's 8th Street. Kent lived in a nice home in Coconut Grove. He owned property throughout South Florida, including a place in multi-story building in Coral Gables. So why -- even two years... CBS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2393611/posts#comment Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:21:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2390912/posts AGRICULTURE — Help struggling California farmers I am writing to encourage people in Arizona to attend an event Friday in support of California farmers who are struggling this year. Their water supply has been cut off due to radical environmental regulations and the Delta smelt, an endangered fish. This is important for all Americans to understand because this area supplies produce for our food supply. I have been to the Web site www.farmwater.org and seen the photos of people standing in line for food to receive carrots from China. This is disturbing on so many levels to me and I... East Valley Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2390912/posts#comment Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:38:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2384869/posts A new policy dictating the selection of prepared food vendors at the Santa Monica Farmers' Market is drawing fire from Main Street merchants who are concerned that there won't be enough preference given to local restaurants. Santa Monica Daily Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2384869/posts#comment Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:38:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2380422/posts PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Nov. 6, 2009 – Civil affairs members of the provincial reconstruction team hosted an Afghan-led agricultural training event in the Bermel district here. Afghan farmers gather around a garden while working a practical exercise during an agricultural training class in Bermel, Afghanistan, Nov. 1, 2009. Civil affairs members of the provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan’s Paktika province hosted efforts in an Afghan-led agricultural training event. U.S. Army photo by Cpl. David Ferris  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The training offered instruction and discussion on agricultural topics for seven Bermel area farmers. “Most of the people in... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2380422/posts#comment Fri, 6 Nov 2009 23:23:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2379112/posts Crops Headed For A Tough Harvest by: Jim Delaney November 03, 2009 Although it appears the prospects for the producers of porcine products have prettied, yes, lipstick included, that cannot be said for all of the ‘ole MacDonald’s in the country. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported recently that due to a late planting season and a cooler and wetter fall than normal, only 20% of the corn crop is out of the fields vs. an average of 58% during the years of 2004-2008. “It’s getting scarier. The longer we go, the more mold keeps growing and the more ears... Seeking Alpha http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2379112/posts#comment Thu, 5 Nov 2009 14:19:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2367659/posts NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Good news for men who farm U.S. fields. Regular exposure to pesticides used commonly on the farm does not appear to increase the risk of heart attack. As part of the Agricultural Health Study, between 1993 and 1997, researchers asked more than 54,000 male farmers what pesticides they used regularly, how much time they spent using tractors and other farm equipment, and whether they raised poultry or other livestock. Dr. Jane A. Hoppin, of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and colleagues surveyed roughly 32,000 of these men... Reuters on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2367659/posts#comment Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:32:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2360862/posts In Texas and across the Southwest, Hispanic farmers have been fighting the Agriculture Department for close to a decade. The farmers say the department's Farm Services Agency discriminated against them — denying or delaying loans, and refusing to investigate when they cried foul. The government settled a similar complaint brought by African-American farmers for $1 billion. And while the claims of discrimination and other factors are almost identical, the Hispanic farmers have gotten nothing. ..."I would go and apply, and it would take about two to three weeks," says Obregon. "Then they would turn me down, say it was a... NPR http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2360862/posts#comment Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:35:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2358098/posts Finally acknowledging that there is a significant government-created crisis in the San Joaquin Valley, the Interior Department convened a public hearing Sept. 30, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein has announced she has asked her staff to begin assembling a major piece of legislation to address the water crisis facing the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has issued a "memorandum of understanding" that will keep representatives from six federal agencies talking to various interest groups in California. The problem is that it will take months to make such decisions and years for results to be apparent. The crisis is... appeal-democrat.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2358098/posts#comment Fri, 9 Oct 2009 03:22:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2356320/posts The Texas Department of Transportation is pulling the last plug on the Trans-Texas Corridor, Gov. Rick Perry's embattled plan to build a toll-road network across the state. The agency said earlier this year it was scaling down the project and dropping the name "Trans-Texas Corridor." Now, transportation officials say it's fully dead. Transportation Commissioner Bill Meadows told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram of the decision in a report posted online Tuesday. The news comes a day after Perry's Republican primary opponent, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, secured the coveted endorsement of the powerful Texas Farm Bureau — a vocal opponent of the... The Dallas Morning News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2356320/posts#comment Tue, 6 Oct 2009 23:39:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2353899/posts The federal government must compensate two regional water authorities for water diverted to preserve the environment, a federal appeals court ruled this week in a landmark decision that could open the floodgates for agencies who contend the government is taking water from them for fish. After a 16-year legal battle, the 2-1 decision came down as California is coping with a drought and new environmental rules that are cutting into the water supplies of farmers and cities across the state. The ruling appears to create an opening for San Joaquin Valley farm districts that are lashing out at environmental regulations... Contra Costa Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2353899/posts#comment Sat, 3 Oct 2009 02:21:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2353777/posts LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Oct. 2, 2009 – The Kansas National Guard agribusiness development team here, along with local and provincial officials, participated in a ceremony to introduce a profitable crop to area farmers at the Laghman Agricultural Research and Development Center in Mehtar Lam district, Sept. 29. Mohammad Ismail Dowlatizai, director of agriculture for Afghanistan’s Laghman province, speaks to local farmers and provincial representatives about the benefits of growing saffron, Sept. 29, 2009. An agribusiness development team from the Kansas National Guard is working with farmers in Laghman province, Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Saffron,... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2353777/posts#comment Fri, 2 Oct 2009 22:43:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2349049/posts Environmentalism: Sen. Dianne Feinstein votes to deny water to California's drought-stricken San Joaquin Valley. Farmers, families and food are being held hostage to an endangered fish called the delta smelt. (snip) The Senate rejected the amendment by a largely party-line 61-36 margin, with Feinstein opposing the restoration of water deliveries to farmers. The California senator claimed she was blindsided by the amendment to the bill she was managing in the Senate, bizarrely comparing the move to a "Pearl Harbor." "No one from California has called, written or indicated they wanted this on the calendar," Feinstein protested. Investor's Business Daily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2349049/posts#comment Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:04:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2348521/posts Delta smelts: Preferred over humans. Environmentalism: Sen. Dianne Feinstein votes to deny water to California's drought-stricken San Joaquin Valley. Farmers, families and food are being held hostage to an endangered fish called the delta smelt.There was a time when the San Joaquin Valley was the most productive agricultural region in the world. It was a large part of what made the Golden State golden.Now it's a place where farmers no longer farm, but instead line up at food banks to feed the families of those who once fed the rest of the country and a good chunk of the... IBD Editorials http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2348521/posts#comment Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:23:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2345484/posts Six Colorado dairies have filed for bankruptcy protection this year amid banking problems and low milk prices. Four of the banks had loans from Greeley-based New Frontier Bank, which collapsed in April... Bob Winter, a member of the Colorado Farm Bureau, says he believes more Colorado dairies are preparing to file for bankruptcy protection ap http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2345484/posts#comment Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:08:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2343543/posts “Turning the water off is not just bad politics, it’s an act of domestic terror.” - Former Fresno, California Mayor Alan Autry Forgive me if I am less than diplomatic here. I am not a fan at all of the radical environmental movement. I’m even less of a fan of radical, Big Government. Let’s cut to the chase here. The rabid environmentalists have destroyed the economy in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Not only have they destroyed the economy, they have destroyed the lives of tens of thousands of farmers, as well. According to the California Farm Water Coalition... TheCypressTimes.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2343543/posts#comment Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:38:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2343326/posts As FNC's Sean Hannity devoted his show Hannity on Thursday evening to the plight of California farmers who are suffering unemployment because the federal government is withholding water from their crops in favor of saving endangered fish, Hannity began the show, specially titled "The Valley That Hope Forgot," by interviewing comedian and former Democrat Paul Rodriguez, chairman of the California Latino Water Coalition. Rodriguez, who last year supported Barack Obama but famously turned GOP after Democrats refused to help him and other farmers obtain water for their crops, made a plea for help to President Obama on Hannity's show: Mr.... NewsBusters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2343326/posts#comment Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:49:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2343109/posts Here's a clip of the water shutdown to California farmers. Alan Autry calls it domestic terrorism. YouTube http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2343109/posts#comment Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:20:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2338117/posts The Old Farmer's Almanac has joined its competitor, the Farmer's Almanac, in predicting a cold 2009-2010 winter. For sunspot theory mavens and and global warming doubters, its on - - time to unpack the sweaters and toboggans. Backcountry Notes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2338117/posts#comment Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:22:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2335192/posts FARMERS in north India are selling their wives to survive, it has been revealed. Left without money due to failing crops, farmers in Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh, have reportedly sold their wives to money lenders for 4,000-12,000 rupees (€55-€170). The more beautiful the woman, the higher the price, it was claimed. The deals are allegedly being settled on a legal stamp paper under the heading Vivaha Anubandh (marriage contract). Most of the women are illiterate and cannot read the "contract". Irish Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2335192/posts#comment Wed, 9 Sep 2009 04:58:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2331751/posts According to Gunny G Online: “This astounding control will include the elimination of organic farming by eliminating manure, mandating GMO animal feed, imposing animal drugs, and ordering applications of petrochemical fertilizers and pesticides. Farmers, thus, will be locked not only into the industrialization of once normal and organic farms but into the forced purchase of industry’s products.” HR 2749 creates severe criminal and civil penalties, including prison terms of up to 10 years and/or fines of up to $100,000 for each violation. Does it include judicial review, Congressional oversight, a defined and limited set of penalties and punishments for a... Canada Free Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2331751/posts#comment Fri, 4 Sep 2009 02:09:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2331155/posts The agony of the San Joaquin Valley farmers continues. They’re losing their homes and life savings because the lunatics in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a heartless judge care more about a fish than human beings. The EPA has dammed off 90% of the Valley’s water supply because they want to protect the Delta Smelt. The Obama Administration simply doesn’t give a damn that they are killing these people. This can end today if California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stops wimping out, man’s up and acts decisively. If Schwarzenegger shows the fighting spirit that made him a champion body builder... The Collins Report http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2331155/posts#comment Thu, 3 Sep 2009 13:05:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2330711/posts California has a new endangered species on its hands in the San Joaquin Valley—farmers. Thanks to environmental regulations designed to protect the likes of the three-inch long delta smelt, one of America's premier agricultural regions is suffering in a drought made worse by federal regulations. WSJ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2330711/posts#comment Wed, 2 Sep 2009 21:23:07 GMT