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Engaging youth in animal science

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BROOKINGS, S.D. — Expanding animal science opportunities for youth, South Dakota 4-H introduces a new companion animal project area for members.

“This provides an opportunity for 4-Hers to exhibit and learn about animals not currently covered by other project areas,” explained Nathan Skadsen, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor for Minnehaha County.

The companion animal project area is open to any pet which relies on humans for its care. Youth can exhibit turtles, ferrets, beta fish, snakes, hedgehogs, hamsters – you name it.

“This project makes animal science accessible to 4-H members who do not have access to land for livestock or a cat, dog or rabbit – it really opens up animal science opportunities to all members,” Skadsen said.

Unique to other 4-H animal project areas, pets exhibited within the new companion animal project area are judged on their health, well-being and environment provided to them, versus specific breed standards. Members are judged on their overall knowledge of the animal and how to care for it.

“This project area provides a framework which helps youth develop public speaking and showmanship skills. If they are passionate about their pet, this project area gives them a venue to share knowledge and information,” Skadsen said.

Clover Creations 4-H leader, Nickie McMillin echoes Skadsen’s comments. Her 14-year-old son, Cian, showed his bearded dragon, Apollo, during the 2016 Sioux Empire Fair as part of a companion animal pilot project. “This was an amazing process for him. Cian is very reserved. Public speaking is not his forte, but when he was presenting on his bearded dragon, his speaking skills were phenomenal. He engaged his audience, spoke clearly, had great eye-contact – it was an outstanding experience for him,” McMillin said.

Before purchasing Apollo, Cian did a lot of research. “I really love lizards and have always been into reptiles. When I did the research, I fell in love with bearded dragons because of their soft spikes and the different colors on their skin,” Cian said.

Although he has shown cats in the past through 4-H, Cian says showing Apollo and educating the audience about her was a unique experience he enjoyed.

“I liked showing Apollo and telling the audience about her living area and why she has spikes and why she is called a bearded dragon,” explained the West Central Middle School student. “I also enjoyed actually getting to show people that exotic pets are not dangerous. You just need to love them and they will love you back.”

His mom added that the experience clearly gave Cian’s esteem a boost.

“He busted his butt to learn about his bearded dragon. He was so knowledgeable and it showed. The smiles on his face that day were genuine. And, after his demonstration, shaking hands with people who came up to talk with him afterward, I have never seen him like that before,” McMillin said.

A 4-H alumnus and professional mental health counselor at Southeast Technical Institute, McMillin served on the committee that developed the project area. She sees the new project area as yet another way to fulfill the 4-H Motto, “To Make the Best Better.”

“4-H offers a different level of comradery and competition than experiences my kids receive in school or athletics,” McMillin explained. “In 4-H, you don’t compete against other people, you compete against yourself and try to make yourself better. I love that.”

More details
Pets exhibited in the companion animal project area will not be housed on the fairgrounds. Members are free to take them home following showmanship. In some cases, youth may decide not to bring their pet with them and may instead opt to bring a poster board presentation.

For more information, contact your local SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor. Visit iGrow.org for a complete contact list of field staff.

— SDSU Extension

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Maple Syrup Festival set for March 25

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BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — It’s that time of year for the Annual Maple Syrup Festival and this year it will be even bigger as the Northwest Ohio Woodland & Wildlife Family Festival joins the event on March 25. The fun begins at the Williams County Fairgrounds in Montpelier, Ohio. Bring your family and friends to see a sugar shack in operation, enjoy pancakes with real maple syrup, and numerous additional educational events.

Events start at 8 a.m. and continue until noon in the Gillette Building with pancakes and sausage prepared by the Williams County Fair Foundation and Williams County Pork Producers topped with “real” maple syrup provided by the Northwest Ohio Maple Syrup Producers. Breakfast will be served starting at 7:30 a.m. and there will be two serving lines to better serve those attending. Handicap parking will be available at the Gillette Building. Both the east and west entrances will be open.

Horse-drawn wagons (weather permitting) and tractor-drawn wagons will be on hand for rides across the covered bridge to the sugar shack. The sugar shack is complete with a stainless evaporator, holding tank and filtering unit. See the tree tapping process of gathering the sap and the boiling process in the evaporator until the sap becomes syrup.

The ‘Woodland’ events of the festival will include a portable sawmill demonstration, the ‘dos and don’ts’ of chainsaw and logging safety, NW Ohio Woodland Owners Association and the Loggers Chapter, samples of native hardwoods. John Mueller and Joe Puperi, Division of Forestry, will be available to answer all your tree and forestry questions!

The ‘Wildlife’ events will include two exhibits of pelts and animal mounts from local taxidermists, find out about trapping and the fur trade, see live raptors from Nature’s Nursery, learn about bees and beekeeping, see live reptiles, make rope the old-fashioned way, learn about wildlife and programs from the Division of Wildlife, Pheasants Forever, restoration and hunting of wild turkeys from the National Wild Turkey Federation, the ‘Worm’s World,’ talk with a State Park Naturalist about nature and find out the latest on invasive species in our area from Amy Stone.

There will also be representatives and educational displays from the following organizations: Williams County Master Gardeners, Montpelier Tree Commission, meet ‘Johnny Appleseed,’ what is a ‘CSA,’ leaf casting, nature photography, Schedel Gardens, the ‘Native Indian syrup story,’ Project Learning Tree, and displays from the Northwest Ohio Soil & Water Conservation District display, Maumee River Water Trail and Toledo Metroparks.

The Williams Soil & Water Conservation District will have tree seedlings for sale during their annual seedling sale.

The Northwest Ohio Maple Syrup Producers will have real maple syrup that can be purchased along with fresh-spun maple cotton candy, maple candy, and other maple products. Poppin’ George will have fresh popped ‘kettle corn’ to purchase.

So bring your family and friends to the Williams County Fairgrounds in Montpelier on March 25 for a fun-filled morning while enjoying “real” maple syrup, pancakes and sausage, plus loads of woodland and wildlife fun! There is no charge for the events or entry to the fairgrounds. There is a charge for the breakfast.

This event is being sponsored by the Northwest Ohio Maple Syrup Producers, Williams County Fair Foundation, Williams County Fair Board, Williams Soil and Water Conservation District, Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Northwestern Ohio, The Ohio State University Extension of Williams County, Williams County Pork Producers, and Superior Farm Supply.

If you would like more information, contact the Williams Soil and Water Conservation District at 419-636-9395 ext. 3 or 419-636-2349 ext. 3 or visit northwestohiomaplesyrupproducers.com.

— Williams Soil and Water Conservation District

Herman's Hermits at Clay County Fair

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SPENCER, Iowa — The Clay County Fair is excited to announce an evening of rock ‘n roll featuring Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone with special guests The Grass Roots and The Buckinghams in the U.S. Cellular Grandstand at the 2017 Clay County Fair on Sunday, September 10 at 7:30pm.

“Our goal each year in the U.S. Cellular Grandstand is to provide something for everyone,” said Fair Manager Jeremy Parsons.  “We know many of our fairgoers will enjoy this night of music as they step back in time to the 1960s.”

Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone sold over fifty-two million recordings.  Noone himself is a multi-talented entertainer, who has been delighting audiences nearly all his life.  At the age of fifteen, Noone achieved international fame as “Herman,” lead singer of the legendary pop band Herman’s Hermits. His classic hits include “I’m Into Something Good,” “Mrs. Brown, you’ve Got A Lovely Daughter,” “I’m Henry VIII, I Am,” “Silhouettes,” “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat,” “Wonderful World,” “Just A Little Bit Better,” “There’s A Kind of Hush,” “A Must To Avoid,” “Listen People,” “No Milk Today,” “The End of the World,” “Leaning On A Lamp Post,” and “Dandy”. In all, fourteen singles and seven albums went Gold.

One of the most beloved and respected Chicago bands ever to explode onto the national scene, The Buckinghams’ live concerts pack power into ’60s pop rock. Bringing back great memories with their chart-topping ’60s hits, including “Don’t You Care,” the soulful “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” and the national anthem of teenage love, “Hey Baby, They’re Playing Our Song.”

Since their formation, The Grass Roots have charted 29 singles – 13 of which went Gold, followed by 2 Gold albums and 1 Platinum album. In the entire history of rock n’ roll, only nine bands (including The Beatles) have charted more hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 than The Grass Roots. For almost 50 years, one of the most recognized groups on “Classic Rock” stations has continued to be The Grass Roots.

Tickets will go on sale Thursday, March 16 at 10:00am. Prices are $30 (general admission stage front standing), $25 (reserved Grandstand seating), and $20 (general admission bleacher seating). Tickets will be available online at www.claycountyfair.com, by phone at 515-244-2771, or in person at the Clay County Regional Events Center Box Office. There will be no additional fees applied to any of these purchase methods.

About the Clay County Fair
“Come Home” September 9-17, 2017 to Spencer, Iowa for our Centennial Celebration! “The World’s Greatest County Fair” since 1917, the Clay County Fair attracts more than 300,000 guests each September. “Come Home” for unique experiences including world-class Grandstand entertainment, award-winning fair food, daily livestock and horse shows, more that $150,000 in free entertainment, thousands of competitive exhibits, the thrilling GoldStar Amusements Midway, hundreds of commercial vendors, and the largest farm machinery display at any fair in the United States. Visit claycountyfair.com to plan your visit.

— Clay County Fair

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Enjoy Maple Weekends this month

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ALBANY — State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball today encouraged New Yorkers to take part in upcoming events marking the 22ndannual Maple Weekends.  This year, Maple Weekends take place March 18-19 and March 25-26 at 168 maple farms in 45 upstate counties. Over 400,000 visitors are expected to participate in Maple Weekends activities. New York’s maple producers rank second in the nation in the production of syrup, provide a boost to the agricultural economy and drive tourism across the State.

A searchable list of Maple Weekend events is at www.MapleWeekend.com. Most events will be held on Maple Weekends, but events will be taking place throughout the month.

The maple industry is a major contributor to the State’s agritourism economy. New York State ranks second in the country in maple syrup production, and had a record season in 2016 with the production of more than 700,000 gallons of maple syrup.  This was an increase of 18 percent and broke the previous year’s 70-year production record by over 100,000 gallons, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Maple Weekends and Events

Starting this month, maple farms across the State will open their doors to the public to offer tours and pancake breakfasts, sell delicious maple products and demonstrate the syrup-making process.  An unusual warm spell this winter has given farmers an early start on sap production.

Many producers have moved away from the traditional system of hanging buckets on trees in favor of modern methods of production using vacuum systems to increase the yield of sap per tree. Sap is then transported to the evaporators that reduce raw sap to syrup.  It can take 40 gallons of sap or more to make one gallon of pure syrup.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball will attend Maple Weekend celebrations on several farms across the State:

  • Friday, March 10 – 12 p.m. at Toad Hill Maple Farm, 139 Charles Old Road, Thurman (Warren County)
  • Saturday, March 25 – 11 a.m. at Yancey’s Sugarbush, 7981 Long Pond Road, Croghan (Lewis County)
  • Sunday, March 26 – 11 a.m.  at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School, 5275 State Route 31, Verona (Oneida County)

New York State Support of the Maple Industry

New York State continues to expand its support and promotion of the maple industry.  Producers of maple syrup are already exempt from the State’s food processing license.   The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets will now expand the exemption in the coming weeks, allowing producers of bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup to also make and sell their product.

This past fall, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul and Commissioner Ball participated in the Fall Maple Harvest and Tasting Tour in the North Country to spotlight the State’s maple producers and promote their products.  A special Maple Showcase and honorary Maple Trail were created in the North Country to extend the promotion of the industry year-round, beyond the traditional maple season in the spring.

Governor Cuomo’s Taste NY program has also proudly partnered with many New York State maple producers, offering their products at Taste NY stores, cafĂ©s and sampling events throughout the State since 2013. They are also featured at Taste NY sampling events annually, and at the popular Maple Producers booth in the Horticulture Building at the Great New York State Fair, where maple popcorn, ice cream and cotton candy are among the many products available.  The New York State Maple Producers Association’s Maple Center celebrated its most successful year at the New York State Fair in 2016 with record-breaking sales. Sales at the Maple Center increased by 15 percent from the previous year.

In addition, New York State’s Division of Tourism promotes maple sugaring and Maple Weekends across its many platforms, including the I LOVE NEW YORK social media channels and website at https://www.iloveny.com/things-to-do/nature/maple-sugaring/. Maple Weekends and New York’s sugar houses also have been featured in the State’s tourism guide.

State Agriculture Commissioner Ball said, “Maple Weekends let visitors see firsthand how our producers turn our first crop of the year into syrup, candy and so much more.  The maple industry has taken some really great steps to increase their outreach and their innovation is bringing new, creative maple products to marketplace.  I encourage everyone to visit a maple farm this year and experience the true delight of New York maple syrup.”

Empire State Development President, Commissioner and CEO Howard Zemsky said, “New York State is one of the nation’s top maple syrup producers and makes some of the world’s finest maple products. During Maple Weekends, I strongly encourage New Yorkers and visitors alike to sample some of these delicious products, and support our farmers and syrup producers.”

Helen Thomas, Executive Director of the New York State Maple Producers Association said, “Due to the mild weather, our members have already been making plenty of syrup for the tastings and goodies to eat that you will find at our sugarhouses. I’ve been personally taste testing and I can report it is delicious – the best ever!  Please come and enjoy a day with us and the maple trees.”

Stephen Childs, the New York State Maple Specialist with Cornell University, said, “I have been involved with Maple Weekends now for 22 years and they are the greatest family activity that allows the residents of New York to not only see who is making these great maple products and how it is done, but also to get a taste of everything maple.  The Cornell Maple Program has been very active in expanding the variety of maple products for residents to experience as well as providing a variety of recipes for new ways to use maple syrup at home.  Don’t miss this chance to visit a maple farm during Maple Weekends.” 

Keith Scheibel, agriculture teacher at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School said, “Maple Weekend is an awesome family opportunity to experience first-hand one of agriculture’s finest and purest crops: maple syrup.  Through statewide open houses, participants can view operations and taste the sweetness of nature’s first crop of the new season.”

Michele Ledoux, who works with maple researchers and producers through the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program and is executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County, said, “Maple Weekends are the ultimate maple tourism experience for families and individuals across the State. It provides the opportunity for maple producers to showcase their operations from the traditional horse-drawn bucket collection to ultramodern tubing and reverse osmosis systems. The culinary experience cannot be surpassed, offering a wide range of maple products to satisfy any taste. Research by Cornell’s NNY Maple Specialist Michael Farrell estimates the potential in the northern part of the State alone at $10 million. Come out and enjoy an experience like no other by visiting a maple producer near you.”

–New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets

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Preliminary approval for proposed merger

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PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis. — 1st Farm Credit Services, AgStar Financial Services and Badgerland Financial have received preliminary approval from the Farm Credit Administration for their proposed merger.

This preliminary approval allows the organizations to move forward with the merger process. As member-owned cooperatives, the next step for the three organizations is a stockholder vote on the proposed merger.

Stockholders can expect to receive a disclosure packet with the specific information about the proposed merger in the near future, and each organization plans to have informational meetings to answer questions in March. All three cooperatives remain committed to keeping members, clients and stockholders informed of the process leading up to, and following a stockholder vote.

The merger proposal must be approved by each organization’s voting stockholders. For this purpose, each organization has called a special meeting of stockholders to be held in early April. If the stockholders of the three cooperatives vote in favor of the proposed merger, the planned effective date of the merger will be July 1, 2017.

Rod Hebrink, the President and CEO for AgStar Financial Services since 2014, will lead the proposed merged organization. Before that, Hebrink served as AgStar’s Chief Financial Officer for nearly 30 years, providing broad organization leadership to numerous functions during his tenure.

The headquarters of the proposed merged organization will be in Sun Prairie, Wis. While geographically fairly central for the new organization, the proposed merged organization is committed to a decentralized operating structure. No local offices will close as a result of the merger.

The Board of Directors for the proposed merged organization will be comprised of 14 member elected directors and three outside appointed directors. If stockholders vote in favor of the merger, the new board will have equitable representation of board members in approximate proportion to the number of stockholders from each of the three areas.

As with all Farm Credit merger requests, the agency’s preliminary approval is subject to certain conditions, which will be described in detail for stockholders in the disclosure.

About 1st Farm Credit Services:
1st Farm Credit Services supports rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services today and tomorrow. The association serves 42 counties in the northern half of Illinois, through its 16 local offices, with agricultural loans, risk management products and various services such as crop insurance, loan and lease options, as well as agricultural real estate appraisals. It is a proud member of the nationwide Farm Credit System. To learn more, visit 1stfarmcredit.com.

About AgStar Financial Services:
AgStar Financial Services, ACA, headquartered in Mankato, Minn., employs more than 550 full-time team members. The company is part of the national Farm Credit System and has a public mission to serve 69 counties in Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. AgStar’s industry specialization, client segments and market delivery systems result in diversification nationwide. The company has expertise in the corn, soybean, swine, dairy and bio-energy industries. AgStar has developed successful programs in loans, leases, crop insurance, consulting and rural home mortgages. As a value-added financial services cooperative, AgStar allocates patronage dividends to its 15,400 stockholders. The company is also committed to giving back to rural residents, organizations and communities through AgStar’s Fund for Rural America. Visit AgStar.com for more information.

About Badgerland Financial:
Badgerland Financial, headquartered in Prairie du Sac, Wis., is a customer-owned financial cooperative proud to finance the growth of agriculture and rural America. Badgerland Financial is one of the region’s leading providers of credit, crop insurance, tax and accounting services to farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents. The company is committed to delivering on its vision to cultivate prosperity for agriculture and rural Wisconsin by serving member-owners through offices in 33 southern Wisconsin counties. To learn more, visit badgerlandfinancial.com.

— Badgerland Financial

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Good Farm Neighbors

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WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — When Kurt and Cynthia Moffitt returned to Warren County in 2006, they became the sixth generation to plant their roots on the Moffitt family farm located on the outskirts of Indianola, Iowa. As the new part-owners of the farm, Kurt and Cynthia knew they had a legacy to uphold.

“Relationships are critical,” said Cynthia. “When you have a relationship with your neighbors and friends, not just next door but around the community, that says a lot. Over several generations, our family farm’s reputation has been built on relationships and we are trying our best to maintain that.”

Kurt and Cynthia’s efforts to fulfill this goal did not go unnoticed. On Thursday, February 23rd, the Moffitts were recognized with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award. Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, presented the award to the Moffitt family, commending them for their dedication to their land, their livestock and their community.

Working Together

The Moffitt family farm is a joint-partnership between Kurt and his father, Maurice, and Kurt’s older brother, Damen. Maurice says he wasn’t always certain farming would be in his sons’ futures, but today he credits their success to the goals and responsibilities they share as a family.

While Kurt and Maurice primarily focus on raising their beef cattle and cow-calf herd, Damen dedicates his time to managing the corn and soybean cropland, some of which has been in the family for over 100 years.

Conservation is a key component of the Moffitt’s strategy to preserve their acres. In addition to implementing terraces, maintaining grassed waterways and practicing no-till, the Moffitt’s have also experimented with cover crops such as rye, oats and crimson clover.

“We are currently in our third year of cover crop trials,” explains Kurt. “We wanted to take advantage of additional grazing opportunities while also stopping soil erosion and building soil health to preserve what we have.”

Off the farm, the Moffitt family collectively contributes to their community through their involvement with the Warren County Fair, Farmers Chapel United Methodist Church and the Indianola Hope Foundation, an initiative that provides assistance to local families in need. The Moffitts are also members of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and the Iowa Farm Bureau.

As for the future of the Moffitt farm, Kurt and Damen have already recognized their children’s interest in carrying on the family tradition. According to the Moffitts, that’s why being a good farm neighbor and leading by example is such an important philosophy they try to live by as role models to the next generation.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award, presented by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Iowa Ag Radio Network in partnership with CSIF, is presented six times annually to an Iowa farm family who raises livestock. It’s given in honor of distinguished late WHO radio farm broadcaster, Gary Wergin, and recognizes families who take pride in being good neighbors and stewards of the land.

To nominate a deserving livestock farmer or farm family, contact Brian Waddingham at bwaddingham@supportfarmers.com or (515) 225-5531.

The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers was created over 10 years ago by farmers to help farmers raise livestock responsibly and successfully. It’s a joint partnership involving the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Poultry Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey Federation and Midwest Dairy Association.

— Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers

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Morrison teacher earns nat'l award

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OKLAHOMA CITY — The National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization (NAITCO), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Farm Credit announced that Amber Bales of Morrison is among eight general education teachers from around the country selected as winners of the National Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award for 2017.

Bales, a third grade teacher at Morrison Elementary in Morrison, was the 2016 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year for the statewide Ag in the Classroom (AITC) program coordinated by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) and the Oklahoma State Dept. of Education.

In two decades of devoted teaching she has found many ways to promote agriculture through classroom lessons. Her students have germinated bean seeds to measure the sprouts, sampled purple vegetables and fruits to learn about anti-oxidants, designed an educational booth about buffalo for the county fair, and written agriculture haiku poems.

Her current agricultural focus includes organizing a food drive for the school each year and a separate food drive for a local homeless man.  In addition, she started a farmers market in her community and is in charge of watering fruit trees at the school.

The passion Bales feels for agriculture spurred her to attend numerous local and state AITC training sessions and conferences. In 2015, she was one of the Top 3 AITC Teachers of the Year and in 2016 won the highest honor as Teacher of the Year.

“Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom is thrilled to have another one of our outstanding educators receive the National Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture award,” said AITC coordinator Audrey Harmon. “Amber Bales brings agriculture into her classroom, her school, her community and now she will represent Oklahoma agriculture on the stage at the National Ag in the Classroom conference. We have great educators all across Oklahoma using the Ag in the Classroom curriculum and they are all making a difference in the lives of students and spreading the positive message of agriculture.”

The kindergarten-through-12th grade teachers honored by NAITCO won the award for the innovative ways they use agricultural concepts to teach core subject areas of reading, writing, math, science, social studies, STEM and more.

“We’re proud of these award-winning teachers who demonstrate so well how effective agriculture can be when used as a teaching tool,” said Dr. Victoria LeBeaux, the National Agriculture in the Classroom Program Leader for USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which provides federal leadership and annual funding for NAITC.

“These teachers exemplify how easily connections to agriculture can be made in classroom instruction,” said Chris Fleming, president of NAITCO. “We honor them for the strides they make in agricultural literacy in their classrooms every day.”

The eight teachers selected for the National Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award are:

  • Georgia elementary STEM resource teacher Marla Garnto whose students work with local poultry processor Perdue Farms on a ‘STEM Challenge’ in which students devise ways to improve efficiencies at the poultry plant.
  • Maine team teachers Stephanie Enaire and Morgan Kerr who use agricultural concepts, a school garden and a classroom embryology project to teach across the curriculum to foster in the minds of their fifth, sixth and seventh graders a love of the environment and an appreciation of the importance of agriculture.
  • Oklahoma third grade teacher Amber Bales who ties Oklahoma agriculture to her language arts, math, science and social studies instruction by putting a local twist on the story Stone Soup, involving her students in their school’s Farm to School program and planting cabbage and pea plants.
  • Tennessee science teacher Debra Steen who uses growing plants and rearing animals to teach her fourth and fifth graders all the life sciences, including germination, tropism, photosynthesis, animal genetics and more.
  • Utah elementary teacher Tiffany Porter who implemented a school-wide program involving a greenhouse, aquaponics system and weather station in which students design irrigation systems, determine the best plants to grow in these systems and the nutrients created from the aquaponics system, among other efforts.
  • Virginia first grade teacher Jessica Pittman who uses counting different types of seeds to teach math, a Virginia Ag shapes lesson to teach geometry, and an aeroponic growing system to teach science, among other subject areas.
  • Iowa high school science teacher DeEtta Andersen whose students in her biology and physical science classes develop biological buffers to clean a nearby water body, design wind turbines as part of an alternative energy unit and engineer starch-based plastics as alternatives to oil-based plastics.
  • Kansas high school biology, ecology and forensic crime science teacher Denise Scribner who uses a school wildlife learning site to educate students about 300 varieties of native and cultivated plants, and soil types and profiles. In addition, students in her forensic crime science class learn about the biogeochemical cycle by investigating a mystery involving contaminated soil at a farm.

They will be honored by at the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference “Show Me Agriculture,” to be held June 20-23 at the Sheraton Kansas City Crown Center in Kansas City, MO. NAITCO is a non-profit organization representing most of the 50 state Agriculture in the Classroom programs around the country. Its mission is to educate K-12 teachers and students about the importance of agriculture by providing them with web-based materials, workshops and awards programs that demonstrate how agriculture can be used to effectively teach core subject areas.

For more information, contact Lisa Gaskalla at (352) 745-0246 or info@naitco.org

—Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry

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6th Annual Landscape & Garden Fair

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TAVARES, Fla. — Lake County’s 6th Annual Landscape & Garden Fair, a free, botanical-themed festival, will be held Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26 at the Lake County Extension Center’s Discovery Gardens, located at 1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares.

Sponsored by Lake County, The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension in Lake County and the Lake County Master Gardeners, the festival attracts thousands of guests to hear expert speakers present on a variety of topics, including butterflies, tropical shade and herb gardening.

Some notable programs this year include “All About Roses,” taught by rosarian and Sumter County Master Gardener Ed Bull, “Beautiful Bugs – Butterflies, Pollinators and Beneficials in the Garden,” led by Orange County Horticulture Agent Kelly Greer and “Landscaping with Native Plants,” hosted by Sumter County Master Gardener Steve Turnipseed.

For a complete schedule of speakers and classes, visit www.lakecountyfl.gov/gardenfair.

Additional family-friendly activities include the Children’s Passport, with stops at multiple gardens, the Maze Scavenger Hunt and special butterfly release. Visitors also have an opportunity to browse and purchase goods from vendors selling landscaping materials, native plants, fruit trees and more.

Discovery Gardens is nestled on over four acres behind the Lake County Extension Center and features 24 themed gardens, including a string of lush courtyards and five specially designed children’s gardens.

For more information about the 6th Annual Landscape & Garden Fair, call 352-343-4101 or visit www.lakecountyfl.gov/gardenfair.

—Lake County Florida

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SDPPC announces ambassadors

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The South Dakota Pork Producers Council awarded Jaclynn Knutson of Centerville, South Dakota and Krista Fuoss of Armour, South Dakota with a $1,000 scholarship. The South Dakota Pork Producers Council recognized these two students during the Master Pork Producers Banquet on Wednesday, January 11, 2017.

Jaclynn is the daughter of Jason & Alicia Knutson. She currently attends South Dakota State University (SDSU) in Brookings, SD, and is majoring in Animal Science with an Agricultural Business and Agricultural Marketing minor.

Agriculture has been one of Jaclynn’s #1 passions all her life. She is involved in her family’s operation by planting and harvesting crops – corn, beans, wheat, and alfalfa – caring for all livestock – pigs, cows, and sheep – and even managing a portion of the operation her and her sisters have purchased. She has been actively involved on her family’s pig operation since Jaclynn was a little girl, helping farrow to finish all pigs.

Before graduating from Viborg-Hurley High School in May of 2016, Jaclynn was involved in the National FFA Organization, 4-H, chorus, basketball, and pageantry. She is currently the 2016-2017 South Dakota State FFA Reporter.

In her spare time, Jaclynn enjoys being on the farm, showing sheep, hanging out with friends and family, and preparing for her future in production agriculture.

Krista is the son of Mark & Jen Fuoss. She currently attends South Dakota State University (SDSU) in Brookings, SD, and is majoring in Animal Science with a Chemistry and Animal Health minor.

Krista grew up on her family’s farm near Armour where she helped with her family’s cattle and pig operation as well as their wheat, corn and soybean crops. At SDSU, she strives to learn more about the animal industry as well as the health requirements and advancements being made.

In the past, Krista was involved with high school track, cheerleading, oral interpretation, band, choir, all-state choir, one act and three act plays, National Honor Society where she served as President her senior year, class president 2 years and class secretary 1 year. At SDSU, Krista has been involved in the Collegiate, 4H and Block and Bridal clubs.

At SDSU, Krista has worked as a research assistant in the Animal Science Department and will be conducting an Undergraduate Research project pertaining to swine this next year.

The South Dakota Youth Pork Ambassador Program is designed to provide youth with an opportunity to become actively involved in the pork industry. The program helps youth develop strong relationships with both pork producers and allied industry members. It is an opportunity to learn about pork production and the industry and to improve communication and leadership skills. The main goal of the Youth Pork Ambassador program is to promote the South Dakota Pork Producers Council and the swine industry at various events. The successful candidate will gain valuable experience and develop relationships that will last a lifetime.

Some of the duties as the Ambassador are that they are required to attend four events throughout the year. The required events are the South Dakota Pork Congress and Trade Show, Taste of Elegance, South Dakota State Fair and one Executive Board Meeting. The Ambassador will also be asked to assist at other promotions during their term. The Ambassador will begin the program at the 2017 South Dakota Pork Congress and Trade Show and finish the program at the 2018 South Dakota Pork Congress and Trade Show. If the Ambassador is not able to attend one of these events, other events may be substituted with the approval of the Executive Director.

The Ambassador with the assistance from SDPPC staff is asked to set up a booth promoting pork at their local county fair or other public event. The South Dakota Pork Producers Council staff will also assist the Ambassador in finding appropriate contacts for job shadowing opportunities.

The South Dakota Pork Producers Council (SDPPC) was created in 1954 to responsibly serve, support and enhance the success of the South Dakota pork production industry.  Along with managing industry issues and improving the image of the pork industry, the South Dakota Pork Producers Council works to insure a safe, wholesome product for the consumer’s confident consumption.

South Dakota’s pork producers have 170,000 sows and they produce 339,000 farrowings per year. South Dakota is ranked #11 in pork production and ranks #2 in pigs per sow. South Dakota ranks 9th nationally in number of pigs born in the state.  South Dakota’s pork industry contributes $2.1 billion overall economic impact of SD’s Swine Industry. Also, South Dakota pork industry contributes $17.4 million in total tax revenue. 

— South Dakota Pork Producers Council

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Bill Tew receives top honor

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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Fourth generation farmer and Cumberland County Agricultural Hall of Fame member William “Bill” Tew Jr. received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Feb. 10 during the 54th annual meeting of the Cumberland County Livestock Association, held at Cooperative Extension.

State Sen. Wesley Meredith and former Sen. Tony Rand presented the award to Tew, a Linden resident who is known throughout Cumberland County for being an advocate and voice for agriculture and rural communities.

Tew served as Cumberland County Farm Bureau Board member for 45 years and the N.C. Farm Bureau Board for 25 years. He also served on the N.C. Farm Bureau Land Use Advisory Committee for 11 years and the American Farm Bureau Forestry Advisory Committee for 3 years. He has received the Cumberland County Farm Bureau Outstanding Service to Agriculture Award and the Kiwanis International Distinguished Service Award.

In 1984, Tew served on the committee to explore the possibility of a building a livestock arena in Cumberland County. The Charlie Rose Agri-Expo Center was opened in 1988 and continues to serve as the home office for Cooperative Extension, Soil and Water Conservation District and the Farm Service Agency. A member of the Civic Center Commission for 14 years, Tew was instrumental in the formation of the Cumberland County Fair.

Tew served on the Cumberland County Joint Planning Board for two decades where he was instrumental in the initial zoning of the county in the late 1970s and helped develop the 2010 land-use plans for Falcon, Godwin, Hope Mills, Spring Lake, and Wade. In addition, Tew worked with Cumberland County Tax Administration for 38 years as a part-time property tax lister serving the Carver’s Creek township.

Tew has served on the USDA Farm Service Agency Community Committee for 15 years, served on the USDA Farm Service Agency County Committee for 35 years and served as chairman for 10 years. In 1997, when faced with the potential closing of the Farm Service Agency office in Cumberland County, Tew worked with local, state and federal lawmakers to ensure the office remained open.

In addition to local leadership, Tew has served at the state and national level. He has served on former Gov. Mike Easley’s Agriculture Advisory Committee in 2002 and former Gov. Beverly Perdue’s NC Agriculture and Forestry Awareness Study Commission in 2013. He was on U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre’s Agricultural Advisory Board for the 7th District and served on the Agricultural Advisory Board for Rep. Charlie Rose.

Tew’s service on other boards and committees include South River Electric Membership Corporation Board of Directors; Linden Community Development Club; Fayetteville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; Westarea Fire Department Board of Directors; Cumberland County Extension Advisory Council; 4-H Foundation; Tobacco Marketing Quota Review Committee and the Southeastern NC Agricultural Society. T

Tew is a life-long member of Sardis Presbyterian Church serving as a Deacon and a Ruling Elder. He has 17 years of Sunday School perfect attendance.  

— NC Cooperative Extension

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