Farm Safety 4 Just Kids is celebrating 25 years this year. The organization, formed out of the tragic loss of 11-year-old Keith Algreen, who suffocated in a grain wagon on his family’s farm in Iowa. North Carolina’s East Duplin High School FFA has been affiliated with the program for about five years in an effort to educate children about farm safety. Ag teacher Joseph Murray explains how the program works:
East Duplin student Emily Craft says that the hands-on demonstrations are by far a favorite with the younger kids:
To learn more about Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, visit their website fs4jk dot org.
Don’t Bet on a New Farm Bill
Mike Conaway Congressman from Texas says Congress will struggle with the farm bill over the next few months, going on to explain that the many moving parts - both policy-wise and political - make it very challenging to craft and pass in a legislative session that’s shortened by a presidential election. When the current version expires at the end of September - the options are to let the farm law expire, pass a new one or extend the current program for a year. Conaway - who serves on the House Ag Committee - says legislators won’t let it expire. If they can’t get a five-year measure ready - he says the existing bill will be extended - probably for a year.
CRP General Sign-Up Extended
USDA Farm Service Agency Administrator Bruce Nelson says the deadline for the Conservation Reserve Program sign-up has been extended to Friday - April 13th. He says the decision is a result of strong interest in the program. Once the sign-up ends - FSA will evaluate offers based on cost and the Environmental Benefits Index. The EBI considers several variables including wildlife habitat, water quality protection, soil erosion reduction, air quality protection and other enduring benefits. The accepted offers will become effective on October 1st.
Best & Worst Grocery Stores Listed
The folks who run supermarkets spend a lot of time and money studying how to sell more groceries and household products. Now, Consumer Reports has conducted their own survey to determine how effective supermarkets are, and the results are published in an article titled “Best & Worst Supermarkets,” published in the May issue.
According to Consumer Reports, the stores with the five highest ratings were:
1. Wegmans
2. Trader Joe’s
3. Publix
4. Fareway Stores
5. Costco
Receiving the lowest ratings in Consumer Reports survey were:
1. Pathmark
2. Wal-Mart Supercenter
3. Shaw’s
4. A&P
5. Jewel-Osco
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