Survey Indicates Ag Producers to Use New Cropping Practices and Technologies in 2013

Go to http://www.oemoffhighway.com/press_release/10862711/survey-indicates-ag-producers-to-use-new-cropping-practices-and-technologies-in-2013 this link to check out a story from AgConnect concerning new practices and technologies farmers will use in 2013.

Three Cornell University Officials Honored by Weed Science Society

This comes from the Weed Science Society of America:

This week the Weed Science Society of America honored nearly two dozen individuals for their outstanding contributions to the field of weed science.

The awards were presented during the organization's annual meeting, held this year in Baltimore, Md.

"These are true innovators from academia, government and private industry who are making a significant mark on our profession through their research, teaching, publishing and outreach," said Rodney Lym, president of WSSA and host of the award ceremonies.

Among the award winners were three from Cornell University. They are:

• Glenn J. Evans, Robin R. Bellinder and Russell R. Hahn who were honored for their published paper in Weed Technology: "An Evaluation of Two Novel Cultivation Tools." Evans is director of agricultural operations for the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva. Bellinder and Hahn work in research and extension at Cornell University.

The Weed Science Society of America, a nonprofit scientific society, was founded in 1956 to encourage and promote the development of knowledge concerning weeds and their impact on the environment.

Marcellus Man Tries His Hand at Sustainability

The Syracuse University Daily Orange has a story about a hobby farmer who is into many different parts of agriculture.

Read the http://dailyorange.com/2013/02/self-sustaining-newhouse-adjunct-strays-away-from-consumerism-builds-life-with-family-around-natural-elements story at this link.

Whey Local Event Saturday in Interlaken

Photo from Cornell University

<sup>Wine and cheese, cheese and wine.


What a magnificent pairing.

On the second Saturday of each month, Americana Vineyards on Cayuga Lake hosts a cheesemaker with the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail for the series titled "Whey Local."

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 9, visit the vineyard to sample cheese from Carm Hoffman of Sunset View Creamery. Hoffman also will talk about the creamery's cheese and the cheesemaking process.

The winery will create special pairings of cheese and wine and the cafe at the vineyard will create a dish featuring a Sunset View Creamery cheese.

Go to http://flcheesetrail.com/ this link to find out more about the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail.</sup>

  

Ag Secretary Vilsack's Column

Read the latest column by Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/02/08/secretarys-column-biofuels-hold-unlimited-opportunity-to-grow-the-rural-economy/ by clicking on this link.

Ag Trade Figures Out

See the latest on agricultural trade http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/foreign-agricultural-trade-of-the-united-states-%28fatus%29/latest-us-agricultural-trade-data.aspx by going to this link.

Comments Needed by April 8 on USDA Climate Change Plan

Information from the USDA:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has prepared it 2012 Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan that outlines how the department plans to save taxpayer dollars, reduce carbon emissions, cut waste and save energy.

 As part of this effort, this year USDA also has prepared a Climate Change Adaptation Plan that outlines how the department will address the impacts of climate change on its key mission areas such as agricultural production, food security, rural development, and forestry and natural resources conservation. The plan is available and open for a 60-day public comment period.

The USDA Climate Change Adaptation Plan includes input from 11 USDA agencies and offices.  It provides a detailed vulnerability assessment, reviews the elements of USDA’s mission that are at risk from climate change, and provides specific actions and steps being taken to build resilience to climate change.

The plan comes out before President Barack Obama’s effort to prepare the federal government for climate change.

The USDA expects to revise and update the plan in 2013 in response to comments received from the public.
All comments are due by April 8. The plan can be seen at http://www.dm.usda.gov/emd.
All comments are to be directed to William Hohenstein, director of USDA’s Climate Change Program Office, at ccpo@oce.usda.gov.

The plan provides a review of past performance, addresses challenges to achieving sustainability, discusses lessons learned, and outlines actions planned beyond 2012. The plan also highlights the following achievements within USDA:

• Purchase and generation of enough green power to meet 19.5 percent of the Department’s electricity use, thus improving the Department’s ranking to number seven on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s list of the largest Federal agency users of green power

• 12.1 percent reduction in indirect greenhouse gas emissions compared to the 2008 base year.

• 21.8 percent reduction in energy intensity compared to the 2003 base year.

• Implementation of the National Water Quality Initiative in priority watersheds to improve water quality and aquatic habitat in impaired streams.

• 97 percent increase in alternative fuel consumption (for fleet vehicles) compared to the 2005 base year.

• Acquisition of 75 percent of covered light duty and mid-sized alternative fuel vehicles.

• 18.9 percent reduction in potable water use compared to the 2007 base year.