In the beginning of April, Congress voted down a bill that would have had a tremendous affect on the agriculture community of Whitman County.
The bill, proposed by President Obama, would have put a revenue cap on eligibility for government subsidies for farmers.
Any farmer who received more than $500,000 in revenue would be ineligible for direct payment from the government.
Direct payments are payments that are paid to farmers for their production costs, said Mike Mandere, the county executive director for the Whitman County Farm Service Agency, part of the Department of Agriculture.
With a growing budget deficit in the government, direct payments are becoming more and more controversial, Mandere said.
“There is an argument that we should only pay when crop prices are down,” he said.
There are about $5 billion in direct payments nationwide each year, with about $15 million in Whitman County alone, Mandere said. On any given year, about 95 to 97 percent of the approximately 1,700 farms within Whitman County are receiving some sort of government subsidy.
A report released by the Environmental Working Group stated that Washington State was 22nd nationally in direct payments nationally in 2007, with about $168,436,777 being spent statewide.
Another report by EWG said that direct payment amounts have stayed consistent over the last ten years, varying little.
This would completely change if President Obama had passed the bill.
Some of these farmers are reluctant to take government money.
“We would love not to have subsidies,” said David Weitz, the manager at the Steve and Kevin Mader Farm in Pullman. “We don’t want to have to take a check from the government, we would like to do our own thing.”
“There is such a high input to agriculture, with fuel, fertilizer and everything, that money is extremely useful,” Mandere said. “I would hate to see these payments go away.”
Sometimes subsidies are not needed, but more often than not they are, Weitz said.
“In the good years it makes sense not to have them,” he said. “But the problem is in the bad years they are the only thing that keep a guy farming. The good years don’t always carry over into the bad years. I would say that in a five-year period, three out of five years is bad. Then you have one mediocre year and one good year. Subsidies are highest when sales are at their worst, it goes hand in hand.”
Weitz said that a political world market has created the need for government subsidies.
“If we could have free marketing and take our crops and deal with them as we can, we wouldn’t need the checks,” he said. “But there are limits on where we can and cannot sell and that means we kind of need help out.”
The current test for eligibility is income, rather than revenue, Mandere said.
“Revenue is different than income,” he said. “Revenue is just what the farmer brought in. It doesn’t take into account the fuel, fertilizer and seed cost that can be very expensive. Income is what the farmer made minus the cost, it is the more appropriate test.”
The current test was put in place in June of 2008, Mandere said. There are three portions of the test in place now, one is if the farm income exceeds $750,000, another is if the person makes more than $1 million in non-farm income and one has to do with a conservation project, he said.
The Conservation Reserve Project was started in order to give farmers an option other than farming with their land. Farmers have an opportunity to take their land out of production for 10 to 15 years and let it sit in order to reduce erosion and allow for the growth of wildlife, Mandere said.
“There is a lot of support from both the Democrats and Republicans,” he said. “It is an interesting program and a hot topic among the agricultural community.”
There are about 1 million acres of farmland in Whitman County and about 200,000 of those is engaged in contracts with CRPs. That is approximately 20 percent. There is a law that each county is not permitted to exceed 25 percent of their farmland in CRPs, Mandere said.
The actual portion of the USDA budget that goes to direct payments is very small, about 5 percent, he said. Another 15 or 20 percent goes to conservation payments. The majority of the budget goes towards urban uses like free lunches for kids in school and food stamps.
“The Farm Bill is rapidly losing the farm,” he said.
As for local food prices, a change in subsidy prices would only affect the larger corporations, not local produce providers, said Scott Metzger, the produce manager at the Moscow food co-op.
One report, from the Farm Service Agency, showed a portion of the subsidies that were given out in Whitman County in 2008. Of the portion that had already been counted and filed wheat subsidies were the highest portion of government spending, earning about $772,708 countywide. Barley was second with $139,518. General aid, for deficiencies or farm problems was about $61, 745 and other grains brought in about $28,621.
“Farm subsidies affect farm behavior of local agriculture,” said Steve Kobs, the manager at the Moscow food co-op. “Production decisions would be affected not retail prices.”
Mandere emphasized, however, that not only farmers were benefiting from farm subsidy payments.
“We see the benefits in the grocery store,” he said. “The philosophy is to keep a cheap and plentiful supply. The government provides these programs to keep farms in business to keep the price of food down.”
“This is an interesting topic to delve into,” Mandere said. “It is part of our history back from the New Deal with President Roosevelt.”
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Public Records Response
Ms. Alzola,
This responds to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request dated April 9, 2009 and assigned control number 80-002-2009-000287.
In response to your request, we located and are releasing, in full, “a list of farms in Whitman County, Washington that received payments and the amounts for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008.” Please note: You are receiving a list of all producer types. An electronic copy will be sent by Federal Express
The cost of processing your request is $24.69 (A Fee Letter will be included in your Federal Express package). Because this amount is equal to or less than $25.00, your fee has been waived because the cost of collecting this amount would be greater than the amount collected, pursuant to USDA regulations at Title 7, CFR, Appendix A, to Subpart A, § 6(a)(4).
Please contact the Management Services Division (MSD) Kansas City FOIA (KC FOIA) Team if you have any questions concerning your FOIA/PA request. You can reach FOIA Specialist Barbara Clark at 816-926-2636, FOIA Specialist Amber Ross at 816-926-6371 or the entire MSD KC FOIA Team at the group email address RA.mokansasc2.fsakcfoia@one.
Sincerely,
John W. Underwood
FSA Privacy Act Officer / FSA PII Officer
Chief, Information Management SectionMonday, April 20, 2009
Questions for Bill Morlin
1. How do you find topics for your investigations?
2. How do you get people to talk to you?
3. What does your new company do?
4. With the decline of newspapers, where do you think investigative journalism is heading?
5. How often do you use public record requests?
6. What has been your favorite story to work on?
7. How do you deal with negative response to your stories or investigations?
2. How do you get people to talk to you?
3. What does your new company do?
4. With the decline of newspapers, where do you think investigative journalism is heading?
5. How often do you use public record requests?
6. What has been your favorite story to work on?
7. How do you deal with negative response to your stories or investigations?
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Document Story Proposal
The Obama administration attempted to end direct farm payments to farms that receive over $500,000 in gross sales. I requested public record information on those farms in Whitman county that have received subsidies in the past three years, as well as their reported income for those years. I want to talk about the affect that this bill would have on the economy of Pullman, and the rest of the Palouse.
Public Records Requests Take 3
Ms. Alzola,
Management Services Division (MSD) has received your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request dated April 9, 2009 and assigned it control number: 80-002-2009-000287. Please use this control number in all future communication involving this request.
You have requested:”a list of farms in Whitman County, Washington that received payments and the amounts for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008.”
Your request is being handled under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552 (http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/
We process requests on a first-in, first-out basis. The actual processing time will depend upon the complexity of the request and whether or not it involves sensitive or voluminous records, or extensive searches and/or consultations. We also process requests on a multi-track basis. This means that simple requests, requiring minimal effort to respond, are processed in one track, and more voluminous and complex requests are processed in another track. We have placed your request in the Normal track.
If you have questions concerning our process, please contact FOIA/PA Specialist Barbara Clark at 816-926-2636, FOIA/PA Specialist Amber R. Ross at 816-926-6371, or the entire MSD FOIA/PA Team at the group e-mail address RA.mokansasc2.fsakcfoia@one.
Sincerely,
John W. Underwood
FSA Privacy Act Officer / FSA PII Officer
Chief, Information Management Section
Public Records Requests Take 2
April 6, 2009
Mike Mandere
Service Center Office
Whitman County Farm Service Agency
805 S Vista Point Dr
Colfax, WA 99111-9565
Dear Mr. Mandere,
Pursuant to the state open records law, Wash. Rev. Code Ann. secs. 42.56.001 to 42.56.902, I write to request access to and a copy of the list of those farms within Whitman County that received subsidies from the government in 2008, 2007 and 2006. This should include the amount of money given to the farm as well as the income the farms claimed. If your agency does not maintain these public records, please let me know who does and include the proper custodian’s name and address.
I agree to pay any reasonable copying and postage fees of not more than $10. If the cost would be greater than this amount, please notify me. Please provide a receipt indicating the charges for each document.
As provided by the open records law, I would request your response within five (5) business days.
If you choose to deny this request, please provide a written explanation for the denial including a reference to the specific statutory exemption(s) upon which you rely. Also, please provide all segregable portions of otherwise exempt material.
Please be advised that I am prepared to pursue whatever legal remedy necessary to obtain access to the requested records. I would note that violation of the open records law can result in a fine of up to $100 for each day that I am denied access. Litigation costs, including reasonable attorney fees, may also be awarded.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Briana J Alzola
1555 NE Merman Dr.
Apt A11B
Pullman, WA 99163
Washington State University
503-724-8002
Hi Briana –
I have forwarded your FOIA request on to our FOIA officer for processing. You will be hearing from somebody on your request. If you have any questions let me know.
Thanks,
Mike
Mike,
Thank you so much. I was struggling to find the officer's contact information. I appreciate the help,
Briana AlzolaBriana –
I would be the appropriate point of contact for an initial request. I then take it to the FOIA processing folks for evaluation and/or processing.
Mike
Control number 53-075-2009-000001
Briana J Alzola
1555 NE Merman Dr.
Apt A11B
Pullman, WA 99163
Dear Ms. Briana J Alzola
This is in response to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request (copy attached) dated April 8, 2009 to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Service Agency (FSA). FSA received a copy of your request on April 9, 2009 and assigned it control number 53-075-2009-000001. Please reference this number in any future communication with our office about your request.
We have determined that the records you are seeking may be maintained in another FSA office: MSD, Kansas City FOIA Office
Therefore, we are forwarding your request to this office for direct response.
You may expect to hear from this office shortly. If you do not, you may write or call:
MSD, Kansas City FOIA Office
Barbara Clark
9420 Troost – Mail Stop 8368
Kansas City, MO 64131-3055
(816) 926-6371
RA.mokansasc2.fsakcfoia@one.
If you have any questions about any of the issues discussed in this letter, you may contact Mike Mandere at 509-397-4301 (phone), by email at mike.mandere@wa.usda.gov or by mail at:
Michael T. Mandere
County Executive Director
Whitman County Farm Service Agency, USDA
805 Vista Point Drive
Colfax, WA 99111
Sincerely,
Michael T. Mandere
County Executive Director
USDA Whitman County Farm Service Agency
Public Records Requests Take 1
April 6, 2009
Public Disclosure Officer
Washington State Department of Agriculture
111 Washington Street S.E.
P.O. Box 42560 Olympia, WA 98504
Dear Officer,
Pursuant to the state open records law, Wash. Rev. Code Ann. secs. 42.56.001 to 42.56.902, I write to request access to and a copy of the list of those farms within Whitman County that received subsidies from the government in 2008, 2007 and 2006. This should include the amount of money given to the farm as well as the income the farms claimed. If your agency does not maintain these public records, please let me know who does and include the proper custodian’s name and address.
I agree to pay any reasonable copying and postage fees of not more than $10. If the cost would be greater than this amount, please notify me. Please provide a receipt indicating the charges for each document.
As provided by the open records law, I would request your response within five (5) business days.
If you choose to deny this request, please provide a written explanation for the denial including a reference to the specific statutory exemption(s) upon which you rely. Also, please provide all segregable portions of otherwise exempt material.
Please be advised that I am prepared to pursue whatever legal remedy necessary to obtain access to the requested records. I would note that violation of the open records law can result in a fine of up to $100 for each day that I am denied access. Litigation costs, including reasonable attorney fees, may also be awarded.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Briana J Alzola
1555 NE Merman Dr.
Apt A11B
Pullman, WA 99163
Washington State University
503-724-8002
Dear Ms. Alzola ~
I have reviewed your records request outlined below. The Washington State Department of Agriculture will pursue searching for identifiable records, but the Department believes the actual agency you will want to contact is the federal Farm Service Agency. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is one of the agencies within the United States Department of Agriculture and is responsible for payment of subsidies under the federal Farm Bill. The Washington State Department of Agriculture does not subsidize farmers. I have been advised by policy staff that the Washington State constitution does not allow state subsidies.
The Washington State office for FSA is located in Spokane at 316 West Boone Avenue, Suite #568, Spokane, WA 99201-2350. The name of the State Executive Director is Jack M. Silzel, the telephone number is 509/323/3000. The website address on file is http://www.fsa.usda.gov/wa.
While I do not know if it is relevant, there is another federal office named the USDA Risk Management Agency that deals with crop insurance. It is also located in Spokane.
It would be very much appreciated should the federal government provide you with the information to fulfill your request that you would write back to me and let me know. As I said, it is extremely unlikely that WSDA has any documents relative to your request, but staff will still have to search unless you modify your request or advise us that another agency has what you are looking for.
In the meantime, if I can be of further service or assistance to you, please feel free to contact me. In case you need it, my telephone number in Olympia is 360/902-1809. Also, if I do not hear back from you, you will receive additional correspondence from me within 5-days advising the results of the agency’s records search and when a final response will be provided you.
Sincerely,
Ms. Dannie M. McQueen
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Murrow Symposium
In journalism, the message itself is more important than how it is communicated, honoree Bob Schieffer told audiences at the 35th annual Edward R. Murrow Symposium Tuesday night.
“The most important thing is getting the story, and getting it right,” he said. “Journalism is not about technology, it is about technology of the individual reporter, it is about the courage of the individual reporter to go, find out the story and tell it to their listeners.”
Schieffer and fellow honoree Helen Thomas both spoke about the decline of newspapers and the importance to journalism to a functioning democracy.
“You cannot have a democracy without an informed people,” Schieffer said.
Both presenters talked about the move of journalism online and the emergence of new media and what it is doing to the industry.
“Unfortunately everyone with a laptop thinks they are a journalist,” Thomas said.
There are ethical standards that journalists must follow, and these new journalists do not necessarily follow them, she said.
“That is what sets professionals apart,” Thomas said.
Schieffer said that it was not the move online of journalism, but the lack of an editor to control the content.
Anything could be printed on the internet, he said.
“Some of them have no more credibility than the guy on the street corner with the sign that says ‘The End is Near,’” Scheiffer said. “He may be right, but you sure want to know where his information is coming from.”
Thomas, 88, worked as the White House correspondent for the United Press International for over 50 years. She started covering John F. Kennedy before he was elected and has covered every president since. She has traveled around the world, on multiple occasions, with presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton.
After watching a tribute to herself and hearing her accomplishments listed, Thomas was assisted to the microphone, where she could barely be seen.
“It is really hard to see your obituary,” she joked.
Thomas left UPI in 2000 to become a syndicated columnist for Hearst papers.
About this new role she said “I have to wake up each morning and say ‘who do I hate today?’”
Schieffer has spent the last 52 years as a reporter, 40 of those with CBS. He has covered every presidential campaign in that time, and been on the floor of every democratic and republican convention.
WSU president Elson Floyd said that Thomas and Schieffer exemplified the standards of journalism as they have uncompromised integrity, honesty, love for their nation and they get the information right.
“I am honored to be in your presence,” he told the honorees. Your intellect and commitment has made us better as a country. I stand in awe of what you have done for the spirit of journalism.”
In addition to the full candle lit tables filling the floor of Beasley Coliseum, there were a couple hundred people peppering the stands, consisting of students, faculty and staff, but also
“We came for Helen Thomas,” said
Among the students there was a mixed level of anticipation before the event started.
“I am just here for extra credit,” sophomore architecture major Candace
Another student, who helped plan the event, was looking forward to it completely.
“Bob is awesome and Helen Thomas is such an interesting person,” public relations student Sarah Ramppanen said.
For up and coming journalists in the audience, both speakers had a few messages.
When one man asked about being an online journalist, Schieffer told him to be careful.
“You must adhere to the standards that are traditional,” he said.
He warned the man that true reporters cannot assume they are right, but must check out everything.
“Credibility is everything,” Thomas said.
Their message reached out to a lot of people.
“Helen Thomas is so inspiring,” Stiller said. “She is proud of her job, and justifiably so.
Her husband, David Stiller, was also amazed by Thomas. “She embodies the elements that make up journalism,” he said. “She is dedicated and pragmatic. She gets the difficult truth and does a remarkable job.”
They said that they enjoyed both speakers, however.
“They both we extremely good,” Helen Stiller said. “He had a better sense of humor but it made a nice contrast.”
When giving his final advice to the people seated in the room, Schieffer told the audience the number one tool that every journalist needs is curiosity. Every good, and certainly great, journalist has this curiosity built into them he said.
Journalists also cannot be afraid to ask questions that may make them sound ‘dumb’ he said.
“Journalists need to have an inquiring mind and not mind asking the obvious questions.”
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Background on Helen Thomas and Bob Schieffer
Who is Helen Thomas?
Helen Thomas has served as the White House correspondent for United Press International for nearly 60 years, before leading in July of 2000 to become a columnist. Her coverage started when she began reporting on President-elect John F. Kennedy in 1960. Since then, she has spent time with presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton.
She had made great strides for woman in journalism, as she has boldly taken on this once male dominated profession. She was the first woman to ever end a press conference with the traditional "Thank you, Mr. President." She served as President of the Women's National Press Club in 1959-60 and was the first woman officer of the National Press Club. She was also the first woman president of the White House Correspondents Association in 1975-76. She was the first woman member, and became the first woman president of the Gridiron Club in 1993.
Thomas has written four bestselling books about her experiences at the white house, including one children's book.
Who is Bob Schieffer?
Bob Schieffer has spent the last 40 years as a reporter at CBS News, where he has been teh principal anchor since 1973. He has covered all four national beats in Washington, D.C. including teh White House, the Pentagon, the State Department Capitol Hill. He has also moderated three presidential debates.
Schieffer is the winner of seven Emmys and is a member of the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame.
Schieffer is the bestselling author of four books.
The school of journalism at his alma mater, Texas Christian University, is named in his honor.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Profile Story
Ten feet underground, there lives something thought extinct until recently. This semi-mythical creature can grow up to 3 feet in length, has a mouth without teeth that it uses to spit at attackers, comes out of its burrow late at night to graze and smells like lilies. It is known as the Driloleirus americanus, or the Giant Palouse Earthworm.
This worm lives in solidarity, without knowing that several feet above him there sits a man, hunched over a desk, fighting to save him.
Steven Paulson, of Lenore, Ida., has spent the last several years petitioning to get the Giant Palouse Earthworm on the endangered species. The process, which has of yet taken nearly five years, started with a graduate student from the University of Idaho discovered the worm in 2005 on Smoot Hill, about 10 miles south of Pullman.
Prior to this, the creature was thought to be extinct by many members of the Palouse. It was abundant at one time, but in the last 20 years or so it has become harder and harder to find. Before 2005 the last known discovery of the earthworm was in 1988 and before that it was 1970, Paulson said.
There are only a few known habitats of the Palouse Earthworm left, Paulson said. These locations are scattered throughout Pullman and Moscow, but the worm originally lived in a larger area.
"It's original habitat was the entire Palouse Prairie," Paulson said. "The official area is the Palouse bio-region. That is the scientific finding that we included in our petition to get it listed as an endangered species."
The listing process is a complicated one, said Tom Buckley, an external affairs officer at the Upper Columbia Fish and Wildlife office, a branch of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.
In this process, a concerned group, in this case it was Paulson (backed by environmental group Friends of the Clearwater, of which he is a boardmember, and the Palouse Prairie Foundation, of which he is a member), contacts Fish and Wildlife Services with a petition about the biological information about the species they are concerned about.
Fish and Wildlife then has 90 days to review this material, said Michelle Eames, a endangered species biologist at the Upper Columbia Fish and Wildlife office. The reviewing group does not do any other research, they just look over the petition and decide whether the material is substantial enough to investigate the matter further, she said.
In the case of the Giant Palouse Earthworm, the Paulson and backers threatened to sue when a decision was not released after the 90-day period.
Paulson was granted further review, but was denied "emergency listing" which would mean the group saw immediate need to move forward quickly with the evaluation, he said.
After granted evaluation, the committee at Fish and Wildlife Services moves on to a 12-month status review, in which they look at threat factors facing the endangered species, Eames said.
"There are five factors, such as elements affecting the habitat, commericial overuse of the area, disease and innadequacy of current habitat," Eames said.
There are then three conclusions that the committee can come to, Buckley said. The group can decide the species needs help, but that it is going to be put on hold because there are budget issues or species with a higher priority of saving, the warrant can go strait to a a proposal by FWS that the species be listed as endangered or threatened, or the warrant can be denied, he said.
If the proposal is listed, there are 60 days for the public to comment on their opinion of the status of the species. Informal meetings are also held in the area that the species is held in order to garner the public's opinion, Eames said.
"We have these meetings in the area around the communities where the species primarily lives because those are the people who are familiar with and concerned about the issue," Buckley said.
In the case of the Giant Palouse Earthworm, Paulson had to sue once again during this part of the process, in order to receive a response.
"We had to wait a whole year to go by, then we had to threaten to sue for their failure to issue a 12-month finding," Paulson said.
When a finding was issued, it said that the request was denied because of something that was "erroneous," he said. In the petition it listed that the Giant Palouse Earthworm lived in the Palouse bio-region, but that it had also been found once in Ellensburg, Wash., outside of this bio-region. The FWS said that because this information was incorrect, the entire petition was erroneous as well, Paulson said.
"They said that because the assumption of the habitat, which was described in scientific literature, was wrong, that the petition didn't have merit," Paulson said.
The earthworm advocates took this to court again, to challenge the decision, this last February.
The judge found in favor of FWS, saying that they had the right to decide what should be listed on the endangered species list, Paulson said.
Paulson has since spent all his free time rewriting the petition in order to try again, he said.
"Getting any species on the endangered species list is a tremendously expensive and time-consuming project," he said.
The first petition took him nearly a year and a half to complete, and he said the rewrite will take him nearly as long, as the process of getting an animal considered is dificult, "especially under the Bush and Reagan administrations," he said.
So far, President Obama has only made small changes to policy, but more may be in store, Buckley said.
Still, as he prepares to embark on a multi-year battle in order to save a creature he has never actually scene, Paulson remains dedicated to his cause.
"It is important to our area," he said.
This worm lives in solidarity, without knowing that several feet above him there sits a man, hunched over a desk, fighting to save him.
Steven Paulson, of Lenore, Ida., has spent the last several years petitioning to get the Giant Palouse Earthworm on the endangered species. The process, which has of yet taken nearly five years, started with a graduate student from the University of Idaho discovered the worm in 2005 on Smoot Hill, about 10 miles south of Pullman.
Prior to this, the creature was thought to be extinct by many members of the Palouse. It was abundant at one time, but in the last 20 years or so it has become harder and harder to find. Before 2005 the last known discovery of the earthworm was in 1988 and before that it was 1970, Paulson said.
There are only a few known habitats of the Palouse Earthworm left, Paulson said. These locations are scattered throughout Pullman and Moscow, but the worm originally lived in a larger area.
"It's original habitat was the entire Palouse Prairie," Paulson said. "The official area is the Palouse bio-region. That is the scientific finding that we included in our petition to get it listed as an endangered species."
The listing process is a complicated one, said Tom Buckley, an external affairs officer at the Upper Columbia Fish and Wildlife office, a branch of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.
In this process, a concerned group, in this case it was Paulson (backed by environmental group Friends of the Clearwater, of which he is a boardmember, and the Palouse Prairie Foundation, of which he is a member), contacts Fish and Wildlife Services with a petition about the biological information about the species they are concerned about.
Fish and Wildlife then has 90 days to review this material, said Michelle Eames, a endangered species biologist at the Upper Columbia Fish and Wildlife office. The reviewing group does not do any other research, they just look over the petition and decide whether the material is substantial enough to investigate the matter further, she said.
In the case of the Giant Palouse Earthworm, the Paulson and backers threatened to sue when a decision was not released after the 90-day period.
Paulson was granted further review, but was denied "emergency listing" which would mean the group saw immediate need to move forward quickly with the evaluation, he said.
After granted evaluation, the committee at Fish and Wildlife Services moves on to a 12-month status review, in which they look at threat factors facing the endangered species, Eames said.
"There are five factors, such as elements affecting the habitat, commericial overuse of the area, disease and innadequacy of current habitat," Eames said.
There are then three conclusions that the committee can come to, Buckley said. The group can decide the species needs help, but that it is going to be put on hold because there are budget issues or species with a higher priority of saving, the warrant can go strait to a a proposal by FWS that the species be listed as endangered or threatened, or the warrant can be denied, he said.
If the proposal is listed, there are 60 days for the public to comment on their opinion of the status of the species. Informal meetings are also held in the area that the species is held in order to garner the public's opinion, Eames said.
"We have these meetings in the area around the communities where the species primarily lives because those are the people who are familiar with and concerned about the issue," Buckley said.
In the case of the Giant Palouse Earthworm, Paulson had to sue once again during this part of the process, in order to receive a response.
"We had to wait a whole year to go by, then we had to threaten to sue for their failure to issue a 12-month finding," Paulson said.
When a finding was issued, it said that the request was denied because of something that was "erroneous," he said. In the petition it listed that the Giant Palouse Earthworm lived in the Palouse bio-region, but that it had also been found once in Ellensburg, Wash., outside of this bio-region. The FWS said that because this information was incorrect, the entire petition was erroneous as well, Paulson said.
"They said that because the assumption of the habitat, which was described in scientific literature, was wrong, that the petition didn't have merit," Paulson said.
The earthworm advocates took this to court again, to challenge the decision, this last February.
The judge found in favor of FWS, saying that they had the right to decide what should be listed on the endangered species list, Paulson said.
Paulson has since spent all his free time rewriting the petition in order to try again, he said.
"Getting any species on the endangered species list is a tremendously expensive and time-consuming project," he said.
The first petition took him nearly a year and a half to complete, and he said the rewrite will take him nearly as long, as the process of getting an animal considered is dificult, "especially under the Bush and Reagan administrations," he said.
So far, President Obama has only made small changes to policy, but more may be in store, Buckley said.
Still, as he prepares to embark on a multi-year battle in order to save a creature he has never actually scene, Paulson remains dedicated to his cause.
"It is important to our area," he said.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Current Events
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Profile Proposals
Person: Dave Skinner, the president of the Palouse Prairie Foundation
Why: The Palouse Prairie Foundation submitted paperwork to get the Palouse Earthworm declared an endangered creature. The claim was just turned out, but the group has said that they will try again to get this request granted.
Who else: I could also talk to the other members of the foundation, and people at the Department of Fish and Wildlife that helped with the proposal, or those who worked with Skinner during the fight.
Where: If I center the story around the earthworm, I feel that I could reach a broader audience, and go into a local paper, like the Evergreen. However, just the foundation profile would be for an agricultural magazine.
Who: Xianming Chen, a plant pathologist here in Pullman
Why: Chen was on a team of scientists who recently discovered a gene that will help create wheat that is resistant to stripe rust, which causes a large amount of crop loss in this area.
Who else: Other members of Chen's team, as well as members of the WSU faculty who may want to comment on this international discovery and the recognition that will come because of it.
Where: This story would be best in a newspaper that was geared toward academics. Agricultural based audiences may also enjoy it.
Who: Kenna Eaton, general manager of the Moscow Food Co-op
Why: This is a trend story. People are more and more interested in local and organic food. The co-op carries food that is produced locally. So in doing a 'day in the life' of Eaton may provide a better look into what this means to the consumer. Local and organic is more than just a sticker, what does it mean to local economies and to health?
Who else: The other members of the staff at the co-op as well as customers
Where: This would run in a local newspaper. Larger papers might pick it up, however, as it is a huge trend right now.
Why: The Palouse Prairie Foundation submitted paperwork to get the Palouse Earthworm declared an endangered creature. The claim was just turned out, but the group has said that they will try again to get this request granted.
Who else: I could also talk to the other members of the foundation, and people at the Department of Fish and Wildlife that helped with the proposal, or those who worked with Skinner during the fight.
Where: If I center the story around the earthworm, I feel that I could reach a broader audience, and go into a local paper, like the Evergreen. However, just the foundation profile would be for an agricultural magazine.
Who: Xianming Chen, a plant pathologist here in Pullman
Why: Chen was on a team of scientists who recently discovered a gene that will help create wheat that is resistant to stripe rust, which causes a large amount of crop loss in this area.
Who else: Other members of Chen's team, as well as members of the WSU faculty who may want to comment on this international discovery and the recognition that will come because of it.
Where: This story would be best in a newspaper that was geared toward academics. Agricultural based audiences may also enjoy it.
Who: Kenna Eaton, general manager of the Moscow Food Co-op
Why: This is a trend story. People are more and more interested in local and organic food. The co-op carries food that is produced locally. So in doing a 'day in the life' of Eaton may provide a better look into what this means to the consumer. Local and organic is more than just a sticker, what does it mean to local economies and to health?
Who else: The other members of the staff at the co-op as well as customers
Where: This would run in a local newspaper. Larger papers might pick it up, however, as it is a huge trend right now.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Media and War
The role of mass media is forever changing within the society in which we live. It is impossible to say, to any degree of certainty, what role media plays versus what role it should play. We can, however, examine media coverage of various events and determine whether they are filling a “watchdog” capacity, or critiquing the government and leaders of a society, or are filling in more as a support, supplying the propaganda and articles that create the society that people should believe in.
Which role should media play? In an ideal world, the media would be completely unbiased, and would simply report the facts. However, in any world where humans, and therefore feelings, are present it is impossible to keep all opinion out of any piece.
During war time, the role of media professionals is even more under suspicion. If journalists are too involved in supporting the war, they are criticized, but if they are questioning the government they are also challenged.
One of the best ways for journalists to make sure they are getting the full story, or at least the story they are meant to hear, is to work as an embedded journalist. Embedded journalists actually spend their time in the war zone and with the people that they are covering. A lot of time this still leads to stories that are affected by the people with which they are working. This can be difficult, but Lt. Col. Craig Whiteside with the U.S. Army said that a lot of these journalists and photographers can become close friends. He spoke fondly of one particular photographer. “He had more combat experience than I did,” Whiteside said. Not only that, but using only a generator from the local village, he was able to upload his pictures for the paper of the next day. Whiteside talked about how much this meant to journalistic coverage of the war. Embedded journalists are looking for the story that focuses on things that are going wrong, Whiteside said, and he would have journalists embedded with him that would find some sort of corruption and run with it, completely ignoring all the progress that was being made. He also talked about how the Army, and any group, worked to spin the stories in a way that would be the most beneficial to them. He also talked about how he doesn’t mind reading negative reports of action in Iraq, because the journalists are only reporting what they see, which, according to him, is far less than what is actually happening.
Coverage of war is especially important because they take place overseas, so all the information about what is happening must be garnered from war coverage presented by the media. It is impossible to know all of what is happening around the world, but many try to do so buy watching or reading the news. News programs from different countries, however, present different viewpoints.
It is interesting to watch the change in media coverage over the course of our current “War on Terror.” On September 11, 2001, when the terrorist first occurred, nearly all of the media coverage was of the mindset that justice must be served. Now, however, over seven years later, the attitude about the war has taken on a negative light, which is prevalent in popular media. For example, in an article entitled “Bush: U.S. feels ‘quiet, unyielding anger’" on September 12, 2001, author Ian Chrisopher McCaleb of CNN talked about President Bush’s odyssey, and the difficult day that he has had to endure along with the American people. Though the article has a somber air, as it is concerning a tragedy in our nation, it also has a somewhat optimistic air. It concerns what will happen next, and what President Bush is planning in order to reassure the people of the United States that this tragedy will not go unanswered. Years into the war, however, and CNN publishes the article “Obama: U.S. to withdraw most Iraqi troops by August 2010” written on February 27, 2009. This is different to start with, because it covers the speech of a different president, but also the tone of the article is different. There is still some hopefulness, but now it is not for justice but instead to the end of what was started years before. The author does present quotes from both the democratic and republican sides of the congress, but the quotes that he chose from John McCain as a Republican senator, helped to show even Republicans are looking forward to an end of the war, and the movements that are going to be made under the administration of Barack Obama. The real question to examine however is whether the media has propagated this sentiment in the people, or whether they are simply reporting what people want to see and hear.
In his article called “Metacoverage of Mediated Wars: How the Press Formed the Role of Media and of Military News Management in the Iraq Wars of 1991 and 2003” in the academic journal American Behavioral Scientist, Frank Esser compared the coverage of war to the coverage of political campaigns. He said that they are similar because “they are both mediated events and rely on media and public relations/publicity channels to mobilize support, generate interest, convey information, legitimize action, and communicate with the public.” This is interesting because it also nearly impossible to cover a political election season (which essentially turns into a war) without some sort of bias. Voters want to know about their own candidate, yes, but they also want to know about the faults of the other candidate. In many war situations, particularly in the beginning, people want to hear the good parts about their country, and the faults of the country they are fighting against.
Another change over the years is the type of journalism, which allows us more one-sided but more immediate access to news. The emergence of blogs has created a huge impact on the media community. It has created a world where anyone can essentially be a journalist and present the news that they wish people to see. Often these bloggers are looked down upon by traditional journalists, but in his article “News-the blogger war” for the Valley Advocate, Mark Roessler, talked about how bloggers can be just as influential as traditional media outlets. He says that both sides are losing out in this battle between them because “by trying to marginalize bloggers, traditional media have missed what could be the remedy for slumping sales and status. And by trying so hard to command respect as independent pioneers, many bloggers have argued themselves out of what they're really after: a job.”
Other countries also look at the media inside of our country, however, and talk about that. They cover events in our country different than we do, yes, but they also comment on our commentary. In an article called “Pentagon plans propaganda war” for the BBC, Tom Carver covers a story about “underhanded tactics” that George Bush and the American press will talk over the course of the war on terror. This article was written in 2002, when a lot of Americans were still reeling from the terrorist attacks. The article was not one that would have appeared in most American newspapers of the time, but it could, and most certainly has, appeared in a similar form today. In fact, it has. In an article for SalemNews.com entitled “War Reporting and Propaganda in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Tim King wrote that we are still being accused of propaganda. Now, however, news media is being accused of covering too much death and the bad side of the stories. So, instead of being charged with being too gullible, journalists are being blamed for being too critical. Not only is the role of media in war hard to define, but it is also constantly changing in the eyes of the public.
Which role should media play? In an ideal world, the media would be completely unbiased, and would simply report the facts. However, in any world where humans, and therefore feelings, are present it is impossible to keep all opinion out of any piece.
During war time, the role of media professionals is even more under suspicion. If journalists are too involved in supporting the war, they are criticized, but if they are questioning the government they are also challenged.
One of the best ways for journalists to make sure they are getting the full story, or at least the story they are meant to hear, is to work as an embedded journalist. Embedded journalists actually spend their time in the war zone and with the people that they are covering. A lot of time this still leads to stories that are affected by the people with which they are working. This can be difficult, but Lt. Col. Craig Whiteside with the U.S. Army said that a lot of these journalists and photographers can become close friends. He spoke fondly of one particular photographer. “He had more combat experience than I did,” Whiteside said. Not only that, but using only a generator from the local village, he was able to upload his pictures for the paper of the next day. Whiteside talked about how much this meant to journalistic coverage of the war. Embedded journalists are looking for the story that focuses on things that are going wrong, Whiteside said, and he would have journalists embedded with him that would find some sort of corruption and run with it, completely ignoring all the progress that was being made. He also talked about how the Army, and any group, worked to spin the stories in a way that would be the most beneficial to them. He also talked about how he doesn’t mind reading negative reports of action in Iraq, because the journalists are only reporting what they see, which, according to him, is far less than what is actually happening.
Coverage of war is especially important because they take place overseas, so all the information about what is happening must be garnered from war coverage presented by the media. It is impossible to know all of what is happening around the world, but many try to do so buy watching or reading the news. News programs from different countries, however, present different viewpoints.
It is interesting to watch the change in media coverage over the course of our current “War on Terror.” On September 11, 2001, when the terrorist first occurred, nearly all of the media coverage was of the mindset that justice must be served. Now, however, over seven years later, the attitude about the war has taken on a negative light, which is prevalent in popular media. For example, in an article entitled “Bush: U.S. feels ‘quiet, unyielding anger’" on September 12, 2001, author Ian Chrisopher McCaleb of CNN talked about President Bush’s odyssey, and the difficult day that he has had to endure along with the American people. Though the article has a somber air, as it is concerning a tragedy in our nation, it also has a somewhat optimistic air. It concerns what will happen next, and what President Bush is planning in order to reassure the people of the United States that this tragedy will not go unanswered. Years into the war, however, and CNN publishes the article “Obama: U.S. to withdraw most Iraqi troops by August 2010” written on February 27, 2009. This is different to start with, because it covers the speech of a different president, but also the tone of the article is different. There is still some hopefulness, but now it is not for justice but instead to the end of what was started years before. The author does present quotes from both the democratic and republican sides of the congress, but the quotes that he chose from John McCain as a Republican senator, helped to show even Republicans are looking forward to an end of the war, and the movements that are going to be made under the administration of Barack Obama. The real question to examine however is whether the media has propagated this sentiment in the people, or whether they are simply reporting what people want to see and hear.
In his article called “Metacoverage of Mediated Wars: How the Press Formed the Role of Media and of Military News Management in the Iraq Wars of 1991 and 2003” in the academic journal American Behavioral Scientist, Frank Esser compared the coverage of war to the coverage of political campaigns. He said that they are similar because “they are both mediated events and rely on media and public relations/publicity channels to mobilize support, generate interest, convey information, legitimize action, and communicate with the public.” This is interesting because it also nearly impossible to cover a political election season (which essentially turns into a war) without some sort of bias. Voters want to know about their own candidate, yes, but they also want to know about the faults of the other candidate. In many war situations, particularly in the beginning, people want to hear the good parts about their country, and the faults of the country they are fighting against.
Another change over the years is the type of journalism, which allows us more one-sided but more immediate access to news. The emergence of blogs has created a huge impact on the media community. It has created a world where anyone can essentially be a journalist and present the news that they wish people to see. Often these bloggers are looked down upon by traditional journalists, but in his article “News-the blogger war” for the Valley Advocate, Mark Roessler, talked about how bloggers can be just as influential as traditional media outlets. He says that both sides are losing out in this battle between them because “by trying to marginalize bloggers, traditional media have missed what could be the remedy for slumping sales and status. And by trying so hard to command respect as independent pioneers, many bloggers have argued themselves out of what they're really after: a job.”
Other countries also look at the media inside of our country, however, and talk about that. They cover events in our country different than we do, yes, but they also comment on our commentary. In an article called “Pentagon plans propaganda war” for the BBC, Tom Carver covers a story about “underhanded tactics” that George Bush and the American press will talk over the course of the war on terror. This article was written in 2002, when a lot of Americans were still reeling from the terrorist attacks. The article was not one that would have appeared in most American newspapers of the time, but it could, and most certainly has, appeared in a similar form today. In fact, it has. In an article for SalemNews.com entitled “War Reporting and Propaganda in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Tim King wrote that we are still being accused of propaganda. Now, however, news media is being accused of covering too much death and the bad side of the stories. So, instead of being charged with being too gullible, journalists are being blamed for being too critical. Not only is the role of media in war hard to define, but it is also constantly changing in the eyes of the public.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Current Events
Ney York Times: Testing May Help Verify Foods as Organic
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/science/03obmilk.html
New testing methods will ensure that consumers are actually getting the organic products, specifically milk, that they are paying for. It was recently discovered that some producers are subsitituting regular milk for organic, but still charging organic prices. These tests will eliminate this worldwide.
PilotOnline: Farm bill aims to end agricultural pollution
http://hamptonroads.com/2009/03/farm-bill-offers-millions-help-end-agricultural-pollution
A new farm bill is going to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay and to implement greener farming processes. Virginia alone received over $7 million.
Reuters: Subsidy debate weighs farmers v. children: Vilsack
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE5216AE20090302
Considerations are in play to make it so those farmers earning over $500,000 will no longer receive subsidies. The money will instead go to childrens nutrition programs.
The Star-ledger: N.J. open space groups oppose bill backing green energy for farms
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/nj_open_space_groups_oppose_bi.html
Farmers in New Jersey are striving to use more wind power on their farms. Open space activists, however, are pusing for alternatives to this method as the wind turbines will take up too much rom and will need to regulated strongly in order to work.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/science/03obmilk.html
New testing methods will ensure that consumers are actually getting the organic products, specifically milk, that they are paying for. It was recently discovered that some producers are subsitituting regular milk for organic, but still charging organic prices. These tests will eliminate this worldwide.
PilotOnline: Farm bill aims to end agricultural pollution
http://hamptonroads.com/2009/03/farm-bill-offers-millions-help-end-agricultural-pollution
A new farm bill is going to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay and to implement greener farming processes. Virginia alone received over $7 million.
Reuters: Subsidy debate weighs farmers v. children: Vilsack
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE5216AE20090302
Considerations are in play to make it so those farmers earning over $500,000 will no longer receive subsidies. The money will instead go to childrens nutrition programs.
The Star-ledger: N.J. open space groups oppose bill backing green energy for farms
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/nj_open_space_groups_oppose_bi.html
Farmers in New Jersey are striving to use more wind power on their farms. Open space activists, however, are pusing for alternatives to this method as the wind turbines will take up too much rom and will need to regulated strongly in order to work.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Legislative re-write
Cat/dog food tax could lower amount of feral cats
A tax on pet food would raise money to help provide spay and neuter surgeries to feral cats and pets of low-income families, according to a bill introduced to the Washington State Legislature.
Rick Hall, with the group Save Washington Pets, drafted a bill with his group and introduced it to the Legislature early this year.
Two identical copies of the bill were introduced, Bill 5329 in the Senate and its companion, Bill 1406 in the House of Representatives.
“The bill would pay veterinarians and animal hospitals to provide low cost spay and neuter services for cats and dogs of low-income pet owners, and for the spay/neuter of feral cats,” lead sponsor Sen. Craig Pridemore said. “It would be a voluntary program.”
Each surgery would cost between $10 and $15, Pridemore said. Without the bill, surgeries could cost twice as much, or more.
The bill would receive funding from a tax put on cat and dog food, Pridemore said.
This fee would be $57 per ton of cat or dog food.
“That is about 3 cents a pound, or about 1 cent a meal,” Pridemore said.
Before introducing the bills, Save Washington Pets contacted several legislators, animal shelters and other animal groups, Hall said.
“We have a good number of sponsors,” he said.
"I would love to decrease the number of animals who are euthanized every year and especially deal with the problem of feral cats, most of whom are dumped by unwanting families," Pridemore said.
The bill would receive funding from a tax put on cat and dog food, Pridemore said.
The bill has been garnering support both in and out of the Legislature.
“We are real happy with the increasing number of people who think it is a good idea,” Hall said. “We have over 50 organizations that have endorsed the bill.”
One of the supporters is Dr. Marty Becker, the contributing vet on ABC’s Good Morning America and a WSU Veterinary school graduate.
“It is a great idea,” he said. “We all have a chance to pay a little bit to fix a big problem.”
As for the fee, Becker said it would most likely not be a burden for most pet owners, and that most would likely want to help out.
“I don’t think it would be even noticeable,” said Becker, who was given the national title of Veterinarian of the Year in 2002. “I think most pet owners would gladly contribute. Most people do things in memory of their pets, so I think they would do things to thank the pets they already have.”
Despite its supporters, Pridemore is skeptical of the bill’s success in the Legislature itself.
“It is unlikely to pass because of the fee,” he said. “The anti-tax folks have raised such a stink about any tax or fees in recent years that even a modest one like this, directed against a clear problem, is very difficult to get votes for.”
The bill is currently being reviewed by the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Economic Development, Pridemore said, and leader Sen. Brian Hatfield may not hold a vote.
“If there isn’t an affirmative vote out of that committee in the next two years it will die in committee,” he said. “Right now, I am guessing that will happen.”
Hall said that Save Washington Pets is not giving up.
“We are hopeful because it is a compelling reason,” he said. “The funding source is challenging because of the current state of the budget and economy, but it is a modest fee. It is equitable and fair, and not burdensome. We are doing everything we can. It is truly a matter of life and death and not something that should want. We could be saving animals lives.”
Hall urged people that are interested in giving their support to visit the groups Web site at www.savewashingtonpets.com and to contact their local legislators to let them know that their support is wanted.
A tax on pet food would raise money to help provide spay and neuter surgeries to feral cats and pets of low-income families, according to a bill introduced to the Washington State Legislature.
Rick Hall, with the group Save Washington Pets, drafted a bill with his group and introduced it to the Legislature early this year.
Two identical copies of the bill were introduced, Bill 5329 in the Senate and its companion, Bill 1406 in the House of Representatives.
“The bill would pay veterinarians and animal hospitals to provide low cost spay and neuter services for cats and dogs of low-income pet owners, and for the spay/neuter of feral cats,” lead sponsor Sen. Craig Pridemore said. “It would be a voluntary program.”
Each surgery would cost between $10 and $15, Pridemore said. Without the bill, surgeries could cost twice as much, or more.
The bill would receive funding from a tax put on cat and dog food, Pridemore said.
This fee would be $57 per ton of cat or dog food.
“That is about 3 cents a pound, or about 1 cent a meal,” Pridemore said.
Before introducing the bills, Save Washington Pets contacted several legislators, animal shelters and other animal groups, Hall said.
“We have a good number of sponsors,” he said.
"I would love to decrease the number of animals who are euthanized every year and especially deal with the problem of feral cats, most of whom are dumped by unwanting families," Pridemore said.
The bill would receive funding from a tax put on cat and dog food, Pridemore said.
The bill has been garnering support both in and out of the Legislature.
“We are real happy with the increasing number of people who think it is a good idea,” Hall said. “We have over 50 organizations that have endorsed the bill.”
One of the supporters is Dr. Marty Becker, the contributing vet on ABC’s Good Morning America and a WSU Veterinary school graduate.
“It is a great idea,” he said. “We all have a chance to pay a little bit to fix a big problem.”
As for the fee, Becker said it would most likely not be a burden for most pet owners, and that most would likely want to help out.
“I don’t think it would be even noticeable,” said Becker, who was given the national title of Veterinarian of the Year in 2002. “I think most pet owners would gladly contribute. Most people do things in memory of their pets, so I think they would do things to thank the pets they already have.”
Despite its supporters, Pridemore is skeptical of the bill’s success in the Legislature itself.
“It is unlikely to pass because of the fee,” he said. “The anti-tax folks have raised such a stink about any tax or fees in recent years that even a modest one like this, directed against a clear problem, is very difficult to get votes for.”
The bill is currently being reviewed by the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Economic Development, Pridemore said, and leader Sen. Brian Hatfield may not hold a vote.
“If there isn’t an affirmative vote out of that committee in the next two years it will die in committee,” he said. “Right now, I am guessing that will happen.”
Hall said that Save Washington Pets is not giving up.
“We are hopeful because it is a compelling reason,” he said. “The funding source is challenging because of the current state of the budget and economy, but it is a modest fee. It is equitable and fair, and not burdensome. We are doing everything we can. It is truly a matter of life and death and not something that should want. We could be saving animals lives.”
Hall urged people that are interested in giving their support to visit the groups Web site at www.savewashingtonpets.com and to contact their local legislators to let them know that their support is wanted.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Questions for Lt. Col. Craig Whiteside
1. What do you think of embedded journalists? Do you think they are a help or a hindrance?
2. In your opinion, what role do the media play in war coverage: as supporters or opposers?
3. What role SHOULD they play?
4. Have you seen a lot of situations like the school where the money was not actually being spent? What can you do about it?
5. You seem to be ok to talk to the media, do you think a lot of your fellow soldiers are also willing? What are the pros and cons about talking to reporters?
2. In your opinion, what role do the media play in war coverage: as supporters or opposers?
3. What role SHOULD they play?
4. Have you seen a lot of situations like the school where the money was not actually being spent? What can you do about it?
5. You seem to be ok to talk to the media, do you think a lot of your fellow soldiers are also willing? What are the pros and cons about talking to reporters?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Current Events
Census of Agriculture shows growing diversity in U.S. farming
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/national/39673697.html
According to the results of the 2007 Census of Agriculture, that were recently released, nearly 300,000 farms have opened since 2002, and 30% more farm operators are now women. There are a lot more small farms, and large farms, but mid-sized operations are seeing a decrease. This census is conducted every five years.
Winter Wheat Worries
http://www.keprtv.com/news/39690857.html
The cold snap in December and low moisture levels may cause farmers in this area problems with their wheat. Farmers will not know until spring how much of an impact the winter will have had on their wheat. Last year sales were down 20% due to drought.
Greensource Launches Jeans Certified Organic for both Farm and Factory at Big Box Stores
http://www.prweb.com/releases/Global_Organic/Textile_Standard/prweb2086844.htm
Seatte-based company Greensource came out with a line of jeans that are certified organic. They are created with organic cotton, and also follow organic rules for dying and processing the textiles. These jeans are available online, at Walmart and Kmart.
Top Six Reasons to Eat Only Organic Fruits and Vegetables
http://www.naturalnews.com/025643.html
These are six reasons, with citations and backup information, to only eat organic fruits and vegetables.
Organic Products Recalled In Salmonella Outbreak
http://www.kirotv.com/health/18725536/detail.html
Many organic products such as Archer Farms Organic Cranberry Nut Trail Mix Bars and Organic Chocolate Chip Peanut Trail Mix Bars, Genisoy Organic Apple Cinnamon Bars and GloryBee Organic Dry Roasted Peanut Splits are being recalled due to the recent salmonella outbreak. Safeway has also had to send back a lot of its organic peanut butter, including some it sells at its nut kiosks in the stores.
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/national/39673697.html
According to the results of the 2007 Census of Agriculture, that were recently released, nearly 300,000 farms have opened since 2002, and 30% more farm operators are now women. There are a lot more small farms, and large farms, but mid-sized operations are seeing a decrease. This census is conducted every five years.
Winter Wheat Worries
http://www.keprtv.com/news/39690857.html
The cold snap in December and low moisture levels may cause farmers in this area problems with their wheat. Farmers will not know until spring how much of an impact the winter will have had on their wheat. Last year sales were down 20% due to drought.
Greensource Launches Jeans Certified Organic for both Farm and Factory at Big Box Stores
http://www.prweb.com/releases/Global_Organic/Textile_Standard/prweb2086844.htm
Seatte-based company Greensource came out with a line of jeans that are certified organic. They are created with organic cotton, and also follow organic rules for dying and processing the textiles. These jeans are available online, at Walmart and Kmart.
Top Six Reasons to Eat Only Organic Fruits and Vegetables
http://www.naturalnews.com/025643.html
These are six reasons, with citations and backup information, to only eat organic fruits and vegetables.
Organic Products Recalled In Salmonella Outbreak
http://www.kirotv.com/health/18725536/detail.html
Many organic products such as Archer Farms Organic Cranberry Nut Trail Mix Bars and Organic Chocolate Chip Peanut Trail Mix Bars, Genisoy Organic Apple Cinnamon Bars and GloryBee Organic Dry Roasted Peanut Splits are being recalled due to the recent salmonella outbreak. Safeway has also had to send back a lot of its organic peanut butter, including some it sells at its nut kiosks in the stores.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Legislative Story
Cat/dog food tax could lower amount feral cats
Overpopulation of domestic animals could change with the introduction of a bill to the Washington State Legislature, one activist said.
Rick Hall, with the group Save Washington Pets, drafted a bill with his group and introduced it to the Legislature early this year.
Two identical copies of the bill were introduced, Bill 5329 in the Senate and its companion, Bill 1406 in the House of Representatives.
“The bill would pay veterinarians and animal hospitals to provide low cost spay and neuter services for cats and dogs of low-income pet owners, and for the spay/neuter of feral cats,” lead sponsor Senator Craig Pridemore said. “It would be a voluntary program.”
Each surgery would cost between $10 and $15, Pridemore said. Without the bill, surgeries could cost twice as much, or more.
Before introducing the bills Save Washington Pets contacted several legislators, animal shelters and other animal groups, Hall said.
“We have a good number of sponsors,” he said.
"I would love to decrease the number of animals who are euthanized every year and especially deal with the problem of feral cats, most of whom are dumped by unwanting families," Pridemore said. The bills are titled ‘Creating the companion animal spay/neuter assistance program.’
The bill would receive funding from a tax put on cat and dog food, Pridemore said.
This fee would be $57 per ton of cat or dog food.
“That is about 3 cents a pound, or about 1 cent a meal,” Pridemore said.
The bill has been garnering support both in and out of the Legislature.
“We are real happy with there has been an increasing number of people who think it is a good idea,” Hall said. “We have over fifty organizations that have endorsed the bill.”
One of the supporters is Dr. Marty Becker, the contributing vet on ABC’s Good Morning America and a WSU Veterinary school graduate.
“It is a great idea,” he said. “We all have a chance to pay a little bit to fix a big problem.”
As for the fee, Becker said it would most likely not be a burden for most pet owners, and that most would likely want to help out.
“I don’t think it would be even noticeable,” said Becker, who was given the national title of Veterinarian of the Year in 2002. “I think most pet owners would gladly contribute. Most people do things in memory of their pets, so I think they would do things to thank the pets they already have.”
Despite its supporters, Pridemore is skeptical of the success in the Legislature itself.
“It is unlikely to pass because of the fee,” he said. “The anti-tax folks have raised such a stink about any tax or fees in recent years that even a modest one like this, directed against a clear problem, is very difficult to get votes for.”
The bill is currently being reviewed by the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Economic Development, Pridemore said, and leader Senator Brian Hatfield may not hold a vote.
“If there isn’t an affirmative vote out of that committee in the next two years it will die in committee,” he said. “Right now, I am guessing that will happen.”
Hall said that Save Washington Pets is not giving up.
“We are hopeful because it is a compelling reason,” he said. “The funding source is challenging because of the current state of the budget and economy, but it is a modest fee. It is equitable and fair, and not burdensome. We are doing everything we can. It is truly a matter of life and death and not something that should want. We could be saving animals lives.”
Hall urged people that are interested in giving their support to visit the groups website at www.savewashingtonpets.com and to contact their local legislators to let them know that their support is wanted.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Christopher Hitchens
After reading the first three chapters of Hitchens' book God is not great I am even more upset that I will be unable to attend his talk this week. He raises some incredibly interesting points. I enjoyed his thoughts on the power of religion to corrupt otherwise good people. Many religious people preach that religion is saving people from a life of sin, but the things that are done in the name of religion are some of the most terrible things that are done in this world. He asks his reader to consider a life without an afterlife in his first chapter. He questions whether or not if people thought this is the only life that they had that they would act better while they were living. One of the things about religion is that in many of them if you ask for forgiveness it can secure you a place in heaven, no matter the sins that you have committed. Hitchens says that if people do not have this idea of ultimate forgiveness later in their lives, then they will behave better during this life that they are currently living. He also tackles some of the things that people accuse atheists of. I love when he says that they still believe in music and literature. He says that he would rather read the works of Shakespeare or Tolstoy than the holy books. So it is not that atheists do not experience the wonder and awe that most associate with religion, but that they simply experience it differently than religious people. I thought that the first chapter of the book was more interesting, for me, than the second and third chapters. That is because there was a lot of background in these chapters and I have taken religion classes before so they were not as interesting. In fact, I was in a religion and politics class when Christopher Hitchens was scheduled to come the first time. Once again, I wish I could attend this talk.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Legislative Story Proposals
Story 1:
A cat and dog food tax bill has been proposed to the Washington State Legislature. This state, and are, has an overabundance of feral and homeless cats and dogs. The easiest way to cure this would be for more spay and neuter surgeries. However, most lower income people cannot afford to have these surgeries for their pets. So, this proposed tax is a way to help get the money to get the surgeries for these low income families, and also pets that are already on the streets. There a lot of people I can talk to about this, including the legislators that are presenting this bill, and also the Whitman County Human Society.
Story 2:
With all the proposed budget cuts by Governor Gregoire, one of the groups that has been suggested to be cut is the Pesticide Incident Review and Tracking Panel. It is a group that reviews laws regarding pesticides in order to keep them from infecting the public. They bring a lot of attention to different data, which keeps us safe. In any agricultural community such as Pullman this is very important. This group only gets about $10,000 in funding, so farmers are questioning whether or not it is worth it to shut down this panel and risk it.
Story 3:
The state of WA gets 360 suggestions for what they will do with their share of the economic stimulus plan recommended by president Obama. One of these places is an agricultural research center. What I would write about is what a new research area would mean to the University and to this area of the state. It would be hard to actually talk to legislators on this story, because it is a national decision, but I could talk to people here about how different things get chosen to be suggested to the national government.
A cat and dog food tax bill has been proposed to the Washington State Legislature. This state, and are, has an overabundance of feral and homeless cats and dogs. The easiest way to cure this would be for more spay and neuter surgeries. However, most lower income people cannot afford to have these surgeries for their pets. So, this proposed tax is a way to help get the money to get the surgeries for these low income families, and also pets that are already on the streets. There a lot of people I can talk to about this, including the legislators that are presenting this bill, and also the Whitman County Human Society.
Story 2:
With all the proposed budget cuts by Governor Gregoire, one of the groups that has been suggested to be cut is the Pesticide Incident Review and Tracking Panel. It is a group that reviews laws regarding pesticides in order to keep them from infecting the public. They bring a lot of attention to different data, which keeps us safe. In any agricultural community such as Pullman this is very important. This group only gets about $10,000 in funding, so farmers are questioning whether or not it is worth it to shut down this panel and risk it.
Story 3:
The state of WA gets 360 suggestions for what they will do with their share of the economic stimulus plan recommended by president Obama. One of these places is an agricultural research center. What I would write about is what a new research area would mean to the University and to this area of the state. It would be hard to actually talk to legislators on this story, because it is a national decision, but I could talk to people here about how different things get chosen to be suggested to the national government.
Revised Breaking News Story
As milk prices drop, dairy farmers struggle
Plummeting milk prices could cause dairies to shut their doors, though the dairy in Pullman are staying strong, for now.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture sets the price each month that dairy farmers will get paid for their manufacture-grade milk. With a lower demand, and milk being brought in from Europe, farmers are seeing this number continue to drop.
Knott Dairy, in Pullman, will be less affected than other national dairies, but not by much, said dairy director John Swain. Currently home to around 170 cows, university-owned Knott Dairy produces all the milk that goes to the creamery on campus, to create ice cream and the Cougar Gold cheese that has made the WSU creamery nationally famous.
The Knott Dairy is the only dairy within about 100 miles, said senior animal science and Spanish major Chris Blaschko, who works at the dairy. Also, since the dairy is here at the university, it is used mainly for education and experiments. Therefore it is not as influenced by national prices as much.
John Swain said that many dairies are closing right now as a result of two factors: record high costs of feed and record low prices for milk.
The price of milk has nearly been cut in half in the last few years, as it dropped from $19 to $10 since 2007, said Joe Harrison, a professor in the Livestock Nutrient Management Program and dairy specialist at WSU-Puyallup.
“Milk prices were good last year, so there was high-priced feed,” Swain said. “The prices are starting to come down, but there are a lot of high-price commodities in the inventory.”
In fact, it is estimated that some states are going to see a decline of more than 10 percent in the number of dairies that they have, said WSU extension economist Shannon Neibergs. While no states are protected, those with the most dairies will be the most affected.
“It is a really difficult time right now,” Harrison said.
Swain said that although the dairy business is constantly fluctuating, this is a new low.
“In this business there are peaks and valleys,” he said. “It is about supply and demand. The cow numbers are increasing, but with the economy the demand is down.”
He said that he hopes that none of the cows at Knott Dairy, but that he cannot predict what will happen. If the milk prices continue to drop, the dairy will be affected.
“Cows need to leave somewhere in the nation,” he said. “We hope it is not from us.”
The cows that are no longer being used at dairies will most likely be sent to slaughter, he said.
Knott Dairy itself is split into two parts, said Blaschko said.
One part is the student-run dairy, completely operated by student volunteers, and the other is owned by the university, she said.
Blaschko said that although the impact is not incredibly large for Knott Dairy, for other dairies, it is going to have a large effect.
“It is going to be huge,” Blaschko said. “It is going to be hard on a lot of farmers. They are going to have to be bought out because they can’t make money.”
This will end up having an effect on consumers, Blashko said.
“There will be less dairies producing milk, so the price of milk will go up,” Blaschko said.
While this problem is very clear at farms and dairies, it is not yet showing on supermarket shelves, Swain said. “It could be a while before students feel anything.”
Harrison said that shelf prices are much more static than the prices that farmers get paid.
“Store prices are inelastic; they don’t bounce around like at dairies,” he said. “There is still milk on the shelf for now.”
He also said that if milk prices are down for long term, consumers could see more changes in the price of all dairy products, including milk and cheese.
“These changes are happening, but they are not immediately passed on to the consumer,” said Harrison.
Plummeting milk prices could cause dairies to shut their doors, though the dairy in Pullman are staying strong, for now.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture sets the price each month that dairy farmers will get paid for their manufacture-grade milk. With a lower demand, and milk being brought in from Europe, farmers are seeing this number continue to drop.
Knott Dairy, in Pullman, will be less affected than other national dairies, but not by much, said dairy director John Swain. Currently home to around 170 cows, university-owned Knott Dairy produces all the milk that goes to the creamery on campus, to create ice cream and the Cougar Gold cheese that has made the WSU creamery nationally famous.
The Knott Dairy is the only dairy within about 100 miles, said senior animal science and Spanish major Chris Blaschko, who works at the dairy. Also, since the dairy is here at the university, it is used mainly for education and experiments. Therefore it is not as influenced by national prices as much.
John Swain said that many dairies are closing right now as a result of two factors: record high costs of feed and record low prices for milk.
The price of milk has nearly been cut in half in the last few years, as it dropped from $19 to $10 since 2007, said Joe Harrison, a professor in the Livestock Nutrient Management Program and dairy specialist at WSU-Puyallup.
“Milk prices were good last year, so there was high-priced feed,” Swain said. “The prices are starting to come down, but there are a lot of high-price commodities in the inventory.”
In fact, it is estimated that some states are going to see a decline of more than 10 percent in the number of dairies that they have, said WSU extension economist Shannon Neibergs. While no states are protected, those with the most dairies will be the most affected.
“It is a really difficult time right now,” Harrison said.
Swain said that although the dairy business is constantly fluctuating, this is a new low.
“In this business there are peaks and valleys,” he said. “It is about supply and demand. The cow numbers are increasing, but with the economy the demand is down.”
He said that he hopes that none of the cows at Knott Dairy, but that he cannot predict what will happen. If the milk prices continue to drop, the dairy will be affected.
“Cows need to leave somewhere in the nation,” he said. “We hope it is not from us.”
The cows that are no longer being used at dairies will most likely be sent to slaughter, he said.
Knott Dairy itself is split into two parts, said Blaschko said.
One part is the student-run dairy, completely operated by student volunteers, and the other is owned by the university, she said.
Blaschko said that although the impact is not incredibly large for Knott Dairy, for other dairies, it is going to have a large effect.
“It is going to be huge,” Blaschko said. “It is going to be hard on a lot of farmers. They are going to have to be bought out because they can’t make money.”
This will end up having an effect on consumers, Blashko said.
“There will be less dairies producing milk, so the price of milk will go up,” Blaschko said.
While this problem is very clear at farms and dairies, it is not yet showing on supermarket shelves, Swain said. “It could be a while before students feel anything.”
Harrison said that shelf prices are much more static than the prices that farmers get paid.
“Store prices are inelastic; they don’t bounce around like at dairies,” he said. “There is still milk on the shelf for now.”
He also said that if milk prices are down for long term, consumers could see more changes in the price of all dairy products, including milk and cheese.
“These changes are happening, but they are not immediately passed on to the consumer,” said Harrison.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Current events
"Wheat ends week higher while other grains lowers" in AgWeek online magazine
http://www.agweek.com/articles/?id=2373&article_id=13466&property_id=41
A lot of grains are losing market value, and wheat was on the way down because of the current value of the U.S. dollar. Over the last few days, however, wheat has consistently been gaining back some of its market value.
"Peanut Product Recall Took Company Approval" in the New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/health/policy/03peanut.html?ref=health
The government had to get the company's permission before announcing another huge recall list. President obama has been criticizing the FDA for all the problems that have been occuring with the peanut recalls. He is calling for a more strict safety system.
"Organic growers call for more fertilizer oversight" in the San Jose Mercury News
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11612113
There are two known companies that are selling fertilizer that they say is organic but may actually have been mixed and created artificially.
"Agriculture Commisioner Asked to Step Down Over Salmonella Outbreak" online from WSB Atlanta news station
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/18627479/detail.html
The state agricultural commisioner of Georgia is being asked to take responisbility for the salmonella outbreak and step down after 40 years of service.
http://www.agweek.com/articles/?id=2373&article_id=13466&property_id=41
A lot of grains are losing market value, and wheat was on the way down because of the current value of the U.S. dollar. Over the last few days, however, wheat has consistently been gaining back some of its market value.
"Peanut Product Recall Took Company Approval" in the New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/health/policy/03peanut.html?ref=health
The government had to get the company's permission before announcing another huge recall list. President obama has been criticizing the FDA for all the problems that have been occuring with the peanut recalls. He is calling for a more strict safety system.
"Organic growers call for more fertilizer oversight" in the San Jose Mercury News
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11612113
There are two known companies that are selling fertilizer that they say is organic but may actually have been mixed and created artificially.
"Agriculture Commisioner Asked to Step Down Over Salmonella Outbreak" online from WSB Atlanta news station
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/18627479/detail.html
The state agricultural commisioner of Georgia is being asked to take responisbility for the salmonella outbreak and step down after 40 years of service.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Questions for Andrew Schneider
1. How do you get sources to sit down with you and answer your questions? Especially when you are asking what are classified as 'tough questions'?
2. You cover so many different things, how do you get your story ideas and how do you go about getting sources?
3. I notice you have written a lot of series, how do you keep each story fresh, interesting and newsworthy even though you are writing about the same topic?
4. When you are in the middle of huge investigative projects, that take several month, how do you still handle your day-to-day stories and keep them separate from the investigative projects you are working on?
5. How did you get to where you are in the journalism world? Do you have any advice for students just starting out?
6. Having won prestigious awards, do you feel like you are under more pressure when you are writing now?
7. You are always traveling around the country to do your stories, how have you balanced having a family with being a journalist?
2. You cover so many different things, how do you get your story ideas and how do you go about getting sources?
3. I notice you have written a lot of series, how do you keep each story fresh, interesting and newsworthy even though you are writing about the same topic?
4. When you are in the middle of huge investigative projects, that take several month, how do you still handle your day-to-day stories and keep them separate from the investigative projects you are working on?
5. How did you get to where you are in the journalism world? Do you have any advice for students just starting out?
6. Having won prestigious awards, do you feel like you are under more pressure when you are writing now?
7. You are always traveling around the country to do your stories, how have you balanced having a family with being a journalist?
News Story - As milk prices drop, dairy farmers struggle
Plummeting milk prices could cause dairies to shut their doors.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture sets the price each month that dairy farmers will get paid for their manufacture-grade milk. With a lower demand, and milk being brought in from Europe, farmers are seeing this number continue to drop.
Knott Dairy, in Pullman, will be less affected than other national dairies, but not by much, said dairy director John Swain. Currently home to around 170 cows, Knott Dairy produces all the milk that goes to the creamery on campus, to create ice cream and the Cougar Gold cheese WSU is famous for.
The Knott Dairy is the only dairy within about 100 miles, said senior animal science and Spanish major Chris Blaschko, who works at the dairy. Also, since the dairy is here at the university, it is used mainly for education and experiments. Therefore it is not as influenced by national prices as much.
John Swain said that many dairies are closing right now as a result of two factors: record high costs of feed and record low costs of milk.
“Milk prices were good last year, so there was high priced feed,” Swain said. “The prices are starting to come down, but there are a lot of high price commodities in the inventory.”
In fact, it is estimated that some states are going to see a decline of more than 10 percent in the number of dairies that they have, said WSU extension economist Shannon Neibergs.
“It is a really difficult time right now,” Harrison said.
Swain said that although the dairy business is constantly fluctuating, this is a new low.
“In this business there are peaks and valleys,” he said. “It is about supply and demand. The cow numbers are increasing but with the economy the demand is down.”
He said that he hopes that none of the cows at Knott Dairy, but he does not know what will happen.
“Cows need to leave somewhere in the nation,” he said. “We hope it is not from us.”
Knott Dairy itself is split into two parts, said Blaschko said.
One part is the student-run dairy, completely operated by student volunteers, and the other is owned by the university, she said.
Blaschko said that although the impact is not incredible large for Knott Dairy, for other dairies, it is going to have a large affect.
“It is going to be huge,” Blaschko said. “It is going to be hard on a lot of farmers; they are going to have to be bought out because they can’t make money.”
This will end up having an affect on consumers, Blashko said.
“There will be less dairies producing milk, so the price of milk will go up,” Blaschko said.
While this problem is very clear at farms and dairies, it is not yet showing on supermarket shelves, Swain said. “It could be a while before students feel anything.”
Harrison said that shelf prices are much more static than the prices that farmers get paid.
“Store prices are inelastic, they don’t bounce around like at dairies,” he said. “There is still milk on the shelf for now.”
He also said that if milk prices are down for long term, consumers could see more changes in the price of all dairy products, including milk and cheese.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Story Proposals
1. The Environmental Protection Agency has suggested a tax on cows, to help offset their contributions to greenhouse gasses. While no official proposal has been made, many farmers are worried that the gas will be become a reality. With taxes of up to $175 per cow, WSU could be affected greatly by this proposed tax. Not only that, but things like prices of beef and dairy would go up, affecting college students greatly. If the EPA did decide to put this tax into effect, it would affect people nationally. Some sources on this story would be members of the agricultural program, particularly the animal sciences program, here at WSU, and other local farms.
2. Peanut butter snacks are incredibly popular with students of all ages. Recently, it was discovered that salmonella was being caused by bad cases of peanut butter. Just when the problem was thought to be isolated, it turns out that the cause in many cases was in not just peanut butter, but in snacks that involve peanut butter. A recall has been called, and then expanded. This will affect many people in the area, because it affects the grocery stores in the area, as well as people who may have purchased the snacks. Six people have died since the outbreak began, and hundreds more have been sick. Local people I could talk to include the managers at grocery stores and health officials.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Beat Note
The beat I have chosen to follow is agriculture, which will include the local food and organic food movement that is currently sweeping the nation. In the news there has been more and more coverage of going green, and one of the main parts of this movement is buying more local and organic food. In fact, organic food stickers can be found almost anywhere, which could not be said just a few years ago. More people are giving more thought to the agriculture programs of their home areas than ever before. This topic is especially relevant in Pullman, and the rest of the Palouse, which is agriculturally based. So, although there are many things happening on a national scale that affects this ever changing field, there are also many things that are happening in the town of Pullman and surrounding areas. Organic food growth is one of the biggest issues in agriculture today. Organic food has been around for a long time but it was not until the 90s that it began to become popular in the mainstream.
However I will describe the agricultural beat to consider all stories on farming and agriculture in general, organic growers, regulations on crops and livestock and weather challenges that are facing local farmers. Also what could be included in this beat, which is happening in Pullman is the rise of things like food co-ops where normal people are put into contact with local farmers and are able to get fresh, local food directly to their kitchens. Another interesting things to include in this beat would be the purchase of fresh produce by grocery stores and how this has changed with a rising demand for organic and local food.
Like many things in this country, it will be interesting to see what changes come to the agricultural beat with a new administration. A new Secretary of Agriculture was recently elected, and with a new person brings change, no matter what else is true. Right now may seem like a slow season for agriculture, because the snow on the ground means that no farming can be achieved, but now is the time to focus on policy making and regulations, which is what this class is all about.
Story ideas:
1) Proposed cow gas tax by environmentalists. Real or fake?
2) Till-only farming. It is on the rise is this area: what is it and what does it mean?
3) The food co-op in Moscow recently wrote a 'strategic plan' which outlines some of their goals and rewrites how the co-op works and will function in the future. What changes are coming, and what does that mean to the area?
4) Community gardens: what do they mean to the communities in which they are functioning? Are more people using them, with the recession?
Recent Stories:
1) Biofuels: "Idaho Oilseed Conference Addresses Global to Local Issues" - Ag Weekly (Idaho)
2) 31% budget cuts for the Idaho department of agriculture: "Attrition, federal grants make up ISDA budget cut" - Capital Press: The West's Ag Website
3) Salmonella peanut butter scare: "Peanut Butter Probe Focuses on Georgia Plant" - Wall Street Journal
Possible Sources:
General Information about Pullman: City Supervisor John Sherman (509) 338-3212
Moscow co-op general manager: Kenna Eaton (208) 882-8537
Koppel Farms (community garden): koppelfarm@pullman.com
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