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Texas Agriculture Archive

March 19, 2004

'Fuel for America' new FFA competition

FFA students across the United States have the opportunity to tell consumers what agriculture means to them and the significant role it plays in the U.S. economy through Garst Seed Company's "Agriculture, the Fuel for America" Commercial Competition.

"Agriculture education today is so diverse, covering topics from food safety and traditional crop production to horticulture and ag communications," says Lori Thomas, marketing manager for Garst.

"Yet, many people are unaware of the broad scope of ag education or how much agriculture impacts other business sectors. In fact, more than 15 percent of the U.S. population is employed in farm or farm-related jobs," she added.

FFA chapters can participate in the free competition by sending in their "Agriculture, the Fuel for America" advertisements for judging. The advertisements can be produced as print, broadcast or television placements and are focused on educating urban America about the benefits agriculture provides. A winner from each advertising division will be announced in mid-October and awards will be issued at the 2004 National FFA Convention in Louisville, Ky. The grand prize will be $1,000 donations from Garst Seed Company to the winning chapters of each division as well as recognition at the National FFA Convention. Second and third place prizes of $750 and $500 respectively will also be given to recognize winners in each category of print, radio and television. An additional $500 will be awarded to the overall Best of Show entry.

Ag instructors can register their chapter by sending an email to askgarst@garstseedco.com. Entries must be postmarked by Oct.1, 2004 to qualify for judging.

All entries should be sent to the attention of Garst Seed Company, Attn: FFA Commercial Competition, c/o The Integer Group, 2633 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 50321. Entries will not be returned after the competition.

FB: Continue 'unbundling'
telephone service laws

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should maintain the rules that have produced today's emerging local telephone service competition, the American Farm Bureau Federation told the Bush administration.

AFBF urged the Bush administration and the FCC to continue to support existing "unbundling" laws that allow competing phone service providers to pay wholesale rates to access the nation's telephone networks.

"The need for competition remains strong because of the continuing lack of meaningful phone service alternatives in much of rural America," said AFBF President Bob Stallman. "Wireless coverage is still developing in many rural areas and completely unavailable in others. Cable transmission is also not yet viable in rural areas."

Stallman said several studies have confirmed that current policies, which allow wholesale access to telephone networks, have resulted in more competitive pricing, in addition to encouraging providers to offer local-long distance combination calling plans. "Consumers nationwide are now saving up to $10 billion annually on telephone service," Stallman said.

Farm Bureau also expressed concern regarding an FCC ruling last year that denied competing telecom providers access to Bell broadband facilities.

"Rural America still faces a serious 'digital divide' on broadband and the FCC's decision exacerbates this problem," Stallman said. "No part of the network should be placed 'off limits' to broadband providers unless the area is served adequately by competing broadband systems."

for the following Texas Farm Bureau scholarship contests:

TFB YF&R Scholarship Program,
TFB YF&R Scholarship for Enrolled College
Agricultural Students,
Dick Mitchell Scholarship,
and TFB Agriculture Research and Education Foundation Scholarship.

For details, contact your county Farm Bureau or visit the TFB website.

U.S. beef, poultry headed to Mexico

U.S. beef exports and imports may start moving again after a three-month suspension caused by a single "mad cow" case in Washington state.

In addition, Mexico will resume imports of some poultry products following a ban on those products when avian flu was discovered in Texas.

The United States and Mexico have agreed to a phased resumption of U.S. beef exports, starting initially with boxed boneless beef from animals less than 30 months of age.

"We have provided to Mexican officials extensive information as requested, and have hosted their technical teams to illustrate that our beef is indeed safe," Ag Secretary Ann Veneman said.

Also, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced it is reopening the comment period on the proposed rule to amend regulations on the importation of animals from countries that have had isolated cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

The proposed rule, which would include Canada, was first issued Oct. 31, before the report of a BSE cow in the United States. The initial comment period closed Jan. 5.

On the southern border, the first stage of the Mexican agreement will be a mirror image of the beef trade agreement between Canada and Mexico.

As far as poultry, shipments of chicken and turkey pastes and de-boned thighs from most U.S. states will be allowed into Mexico. Imports of all other turkey and chicken products are still banned.

Notable Quotables

"People have got to realize when they move out and live in the country, agriculture is part of the country."

—John Crumley, Montana rancher