HSE, Education & Agriculture initial target for job cuts

2,000 public sector jobs to go on voluntary basis

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform says the government is seeking voluntary redundancies in the public sector beginning with staff in the Health Service Executive (HSE), Education and Agriculture.

The Cabinet will discuss the proposals this morning which would see 2,000 public sector jobs lost on a voluntary basis.

If these plans are approved staff will be offered 3 weeks pay for each year of service on top of their statutory redundancies.

That is the same package that was offered to workers as part of the HSE redundancy scheme in 2010.

The government has already reduced public sector numbers by around 30,000 since 2008.

And it is hoping to shed the workforce through this targeted scheme by another 4,000 before 2015.

Croke Park talks continue

Meanwhile negotiations are continuing for a new Croke Park agreement.

The Taoiseach is warning that the government will introduce legislation to force pay cuts on workers if unions fail to agree to cuts of €1 billion under a new deal.

Minister Howlin says staff will be offered the same terms that HSE staff were offered in a previous scheme.

Speaking on his way into the Cabinet meeting this morning Public Expenditure Minister Howlin said this is the first time the government has looked for voluntary redundancies on a targeted basis.

Original Article Here

Agriculture's image problem: 4000 jobs a year, and 700 graduates

By MICHELLE MEEHAN

The agriculture industry has an image problem.

That’s the belief of Professor Jim Pratley from Charles Sturt University, who is undertaking a review into agricultural education for the NSW Government.

Professor Pratley, who was at Tocal College yesterday for a NSW agriculture teachers conference, said a huge gap existed between the number of graduate-level positions and the number of students completing tertiary courses.

“In the university sector, the job market is about 4000 a year and we’re producing something under 700 graduates, it’s about a 6 to 1 ratio at the moment, it’s a huge gap,” he said.

“Our supply of people into the workforce after [they have completed] training has seen a 40 per cent decline in the last decade.”

In the past 20 years Professor Pratley said first business and then the IT sectors took a large chuck of prospective students from the industry, while well paying mining and medical-related opportunities continued to appear as more attractive career options.

“One of the problems is that we’ve had trouble getting the message through that there are great opportunities in agriculture,” he said.

“The salary levels now are in the top five for university graduates.

“But agriculture has not been seen as sexy, it’s been seen as old world, it’s been seen as long hours, lots of stress.

“It hasn’t been seen for what it is, which is a high tech, really modern industry.” 

Agronomy - the science of soil management and crop production - has been the hardest hit area, with one university-qualified agronomist for every 10 jobs available.

Professor Pratley said the undersupply of labour opened up the door for “snake oil salesmen” to push their products on farmers.

“There’s a lot of products out on the market that have no effect at all and farmers are paying millions and millions of dollars for those and we’re struggling to have enough experts to be able to say ‘don’t use this, it doesn’t work’,” he said.

“We’re into the evidence free zone, a bit like some of the claims for nutrition and medical products you see.

“It’s happening in agriculture and it’s at a peak now, so we really have to get rid of it.”

The state government announced the terms of reference for its independent review into agricultural education and training in July last year, with a report and recommendations due by the end of June.

The review is designed to identify whether the education and training in NSW is appropriate for the future needs of the agriculture industry, as well as highlighting measures to promote the sector to students as an attractive career choice.

Original Article Here

GETTING MONEY FOR THE SMALL-SCALE FARM

By Keenan Bishop

How many times have you said to yourself, “If I only had a……..” or “If only the government wanted to help us little guys…..”? That’s how the KSU website for the Small Scale Farm Grant Program starts out. Sounds interesting huh?

According to Mac Stone, Director of the KSU Center for Sustainability of Farms and Families, the time has come. Now there is a grant opportunity for small-scale farms to secure funds for that critical piece of equipment, or for that marketing infrastructure to help you grow your business.

The Small Scale Farm Grant Program is administered through the Kentucky State University College of Agriculture, Food Science, and Sustainable Systems’ Center for Sustainability of Farms and Families. Mac advises those interested in applying to take some time to answer the questions with sufficient detail so the Grant Review Committee may thoroughly assess your application.

The Guidelines and application are available at http://www.kysu.edu/NR/rdonlyres/3FE0BC1D-D7CD-4ABA-ACDC-638D8C921F67/0/CSFFApplication.pdf

What can you use the money for?

Aquatic farmers and certified organic farmers can use the funds for equipment and operating expenses to produce and market their products. Farmers formally seeking organic certification with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture also qualify.

Any small scale farmer looking to improve the marketability of their agricultural products by some value-added process may qualify for funds. Funds cannot be used to purchase motorized vehicles or motorized equipment. You cannot pay yourself or your family for labor. Contract labor is allowable.

If approved, the grant will cover up to 100 percent of eligible expenses outlined in the application budget; but no more than $5,000 per year for individuals and no more than $15,000 per year for organizations.

Who is eligible for a CSFF grant?

Anyone meeting the following criteria is eligible to apply:

nA Kentucky farm that produces agricultural products for sale to the public and had gross agricultural sales greater than $1,000 and below $250,000 in 2011. This is a self-declaration, but the contract will have language stating it must be verifiable.

n A formal, non-governmental association including for-profit and not-for-profit corporations and cooperatives that serve Kentucky farms. Special considerations will be made for limited resource farmers (household income of less than $23,000/year), small acreage producers, female farmers, minority farmers, and the 53 “Appalachian” counties. Grantees must comply with all health, food safety and other federal, state and local laws. KSU employees and their immediate family members are not eligible.

Mac goes on to explain that if you are unsure of how to address your operation to complete the application, he can have someone assist you. There is no rush to apply as there are several rounds of application reviews. They can also assist you with obtaining funds from other government agencies if they are pertinent to your operation.

It is their intent to help as many as possible, so examine your operation closely to identify a key missing component that would improve efficiency, expand capacity or meet the specifications required to legally sell your product. The application and scoring mechanism is designed to help you with that critical element.

You may apply using the paper form (http://www.kysu.edu/NR/rdonlyres/3FE0BC1D-D7CD-4ABA-ACDC-638D8C921F67/0/CSFFApplication.pdf) or using the online form (http://www.kysu.edu/landGrant/CSFF/csffgrants_online_application.htm).

For help or information contact Mac at 502-597-6831 or by email at mac.stone@kysu.edu. Let him know if you would like someone to visit your farm or business to assist with identifying the best way to utilize the funds for improving your operation.

DIVISION OF CONSERVATION STATE COST SHARE

The Franklin County Conservation District is now accepting Kentucky Soil Erosion and Water Quality Cost Share Applications on a continuous basis. This continual sign-up is designed to make the program more “landowner friendly” and help address the needs of a landowner at any time during the year.

As landowners plan conservation projects with the assistance of their local conservation district, they will be able to apply for financial assistance for those projects without having to wait for a designated signup period.

Thousands of Kentucky landowners have received state assistance through the Kentucky Soil Erosion and Water Quality Cost Share Program. Known informally as State Cost Share, the program was created in 1994 and helps landowners implement best management practices to protect soil and water resources on their property.

Since the program’s inception, more than $129 million has been approved for use in implementing best management practices through more than 15,000 submitted applications. This money has assisted landowners in all of Kentucky’s 120 counties.

Many state cost share practices are offered through the State Cost Share Program. Some examples are: agriculture and animal waste control facilities, streambank stabilization, animal waste utilization, vegetative filter strips, integrated crop management, pesticide containment, sinkhole protection, pasture and hay land forage quality and heavy use area protection. A list of all practices is available at http://conservation.ky.gov/Pages/StateCostShare.aspx.

The Kentucky Soil Erosion and Water Quality Cost Share Program is funded through the Tobacco Settlement Funds and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. For the 2013 program year, $2.5 million will be available to landowners across the state.

For more information on the Kentucky Soil Erosion and Water Quality Cost Share Program, visit the Franklin County Conservation District located at 103 Lakeview Court. You may also call the district at 502/695-5203, Extension 3.

NEW PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE

We now have the new 2013 Beef IRM Calendars available. These are handy for beef cattle management since they have timely suggestions and recommendations for each month. The Equine Calendars of the same design will be in soon too.

The new IRS Farmer Tax Guides are in and available for those doing their farm taxes.

Original Article Here

Editor who played major role in agriculture sector

2013 Farming dominated Paddy O’Keeffe’s life so it was fitting that his memorial service was held in Cork Marts’ Corrin Event Centre this week.

The former Irish Farmers Journal editor, who has died aged 89, was a major figure in the agriculture sector. He was involved in the establishment of FBD and organisations such as the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, the Irish Grassland Association and the Guild of Agricultural Journalists.

O’Keeffe was born in Fermoy, Co Cork. He studied agricultural science at UCD before becoming an agricultural instructor in Louth in 1946. A year later he began working as an adviser at Portrane hospital’s farms and was later promoted to agricultural superintendent.

‘Farmers Journal’ 

But it was not until 1951 that he entered the public consciousness with his appointment as editor of the Irish Farmers Journal. The newspaper had been established by Macra na Feirme some years earlier but there was little funding to develop it and circulation was just 2,000 copies. Meath farmer John Mooney bought it with the plan of establishing a farming newspaper that would be strong in technical capacity and supportive of farm development.

Ten years later, Mooney and O’Keeffe established the Agricultural Trust. This arose after Mooney was offered £100,000 for the newspaper by Lord Thompson, who was expanding his media empire in Britain.

To protect the newspaper’s future, Mooney decided it should be owned by a charitable trust, with profits used to develop the newspaper and support farming.

By the time O’Keeffe retired as editor in 1988, the weekly newspaper was selling 70,000 copies a week. He continued in the role of chief executive until 1993 and wrote a weekly column until his death. It was often a platform for his uncompromising views on issues such as the welfare state, environmentalists and what he described as “the Dublin media”.

O’Keeffe had a passion for science and progress and believed in the adage that knowledge was power. His energy was legendary and he was always seeking the next challenge.

Back when air travel was less bureaucratic, colleagues recalled that when he was running late for a flight he would ask his secretary to ring Aer Lingus and request that they delay the flight until he got there.

Long past retirement age O’Keeffe was still a familiar figure on the back of Farmers Journal courier Larry Nolan’s motorbike, as he hitched a lift to the train station or airport.

The newspaper’s writers were among the best-travelled journalists in Ireland during O’Keeffe’s editorship as he sent staff all over the world to report on best practice in areas such as dairying, tillage and beef. They included Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness, who said he had a generous spirit that encouraged and supported young people and gave them the leeway to develop their potential.

Establishment of FBD 

O’Keeffe was also the founding chairman of the Farmer Business Developments (FBD) insurance company more than 40 years ago. Its chairman, Michael Berkery, described O’Keeffe as “the outstanding man of 20th-century agriculture”. He said the idea behind FBD was to raise money from farmers to provide affordable insurance for the farming community. O’Keeffe oversaw the listing of FBD Holdings on the stock exchange in 1989 and retired as chairman in 1996.

In other roles, he served as chairman of the Agricultural Institute, a precursor to Teagasc, in the 1970s. He was also on the board of Bord na gCapall and a member of the RTÉ Authority.

He was intrinsically linked with Teagasc’s dairy facility at Moorepark in Cork, and in December Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney unveiled the new Paddy O’Keeffe Innovation Centre at Moorepark.

President Michael D Higgins expressed his sadness at O’ Keeffe’s death and said his dedication to the farming community would always be remembered.

O’Keeffe’s interest in scientific developments continued until the end and he requested that his body be donated to science.

O’Keeffe was predeceased by his first wife, Anne, and is survived by his second wife, Jane, his children, Margaret, Josephine, Elizabeth and Patrick, their spouses, his 12 grandchildren and sister, Joyce.

Original Article Here

Four attempts made to establish state agricultural school in Delhi

Talk about not taking “no” for an answer. Had area residents of Delhi given up about 100 years ago, there would never have been today’s State University College of Technology at Delhi. The people heard “no” three times from the state about seeking an agricultural school in their community, and very nearly a fourth time, but they never gave up and now have a good reason to celebrate the college’s centennial.

Elizabeth MacDonald can be credited for coming up with the specific idea of an agricultural school for Delhi. Her sister Amelia worked tirelessly to promote the idea. They grew up on the John T. MacDonald farm on Elk Creek Road, and grew troubled around the turn of the 20th century by how many young men and women were leaving the area for the cities. There was widespread concern across the nation that not enough food would be produced for the growing population.

Amelia MacDonald sought support of the leading citizens of Delhi and elsewhere for the agricultural school. Education in high school in Delhi and the region was directing students away from farms. Although Amelia did face some opposition to her mission, she secured a donation for the site of the proposed school. In 1908 she met with trustees of what was a private school at the time, the Delaware Academy. The school was then found on the site of today’s SUNY Delhi campus.

In 1910, two leading citizens, Messrs. S.F. Adee and E.O. Harkness, lobbied for a bill to establish a state agricultural school in Delhi. Other state institutions of this type were being authorized by the state Legislature at the time. The bill was introduced that year. It passed the Assembly and Senate, but was vetoed by the governor.

Delhi had high hopes it might have an inside edge with then Gov. Charles Evans Hughes, because of his earlier connection to the village. Hughes had taught for a year at Delaware Academy while studying law in the office of a local judge.

One local newspaper commented, “The veto is a cake of ice to Delhi.” Another, the Delaware Gazette of June 22, 1910, said, “It is discouraging but an agricultural education is an important matter. It must be made possible.”

Bills were introduced again in 1911 and 1912, but the results were the same. New York was experiencing quite a turnover in governors, as during this time Horace White, John Alden Dix and William Sulzer succeeded Charles Evans Hughes.

Others might have given up by that point, but Sen. Clayton Wheeler of Hancock and Assemblyman John Telford of Margaretville entered the bill one more time in 1913.

As described by The Walton Reporter of May 31, 1913, “The bill had been construed to the ‘scrap heap’ with many others calling for appropriations and had been marked by the committee of efficiency and economy for veto, when a delegation of Delaware county men made up of Senator C.L. Wheeler, Assemblyman John W. Telford, Sheriff J.J. Farrell, County Clerk W.H. Maynard, School Superintendent E.O. Harkness, C.R. O’Connor and Dr. George L. Hubbell arranged for a meeting with the governor. One delegation of Delhi businessmen had already been to Albany and returned with not much hope. After presenting Delaware county’s claims they left him, having the promise of another meeting in the evening.”

“The governor (Sulzer) at this time sent for the bill. It was marked for the committee who had it in charge for veto. The governor reminded the Delaware county men that the appropriations had already gone beyond what he intended, but after listening to their arguments again said, ‘I will sign this bill, first, because I believe it is a good bill, and I want to do everything I can to promote agriculture in this state, and second, because of the high esteem in which I hold Senator Wheeler and Assemblyman Telford of your county.’”

The bill became law on May 24 and called for an appropriation of $50,000 to establish the school. Ten minutes after Gov. Sulzer signed the bill, it became known in Delhi. It was read to a large audience at the Opera House, once found on Kingston Street, and it received great applause.

The Delaware Republican reported, “Church bells were rung and steam whistles blown … to commence the celebration. The band gave a concert from the pagoda, the park being profusely decorated with Chinese lanterns, while many business places and residences were brightly lighted. A sky rocket gave the signal for boy scouts to light a bonfire on Youmans’ hill followed by a fine display of fireworks near the village hall.”

The work began to establish the new agricultural school, and it was Oct. 14, 1915, when Delhi opened its doors to nine students. Visit www.delhi.edu for details on its 100th anniversary celebration.

On Monday: Another area state institution prepared to close in 1973.

City Historian Mark Simonson’s column appears twice weekly. On Saturdays, his column focuses on the area during the Depression and before. His Monday columns address local history after the Depression. If you have feedback or ideas about the column, write to him at The Daily Star, or email him at simmark@stny.rr.com. His website is www.oneontahistorian.com. His columns can be found at www.thedailystar.com/marksimonson.

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Burley High School Gets New Agriculture Building

By Andrew Reed

Burley, Idaho ( KMVT-TV / KTWT-TV ) Burley High School received a large donation for a new agriculture building.

Zions Bank donated five-thousand dollars to the schools FFA club.

The construction will be funded by private donations and with the support of the Cassia School District.

"This building will supply many opportunities for our students. Our program right now is built heavily around plants science, horticulture greenhouse, and also the shop” said Lex Godfrey, Burley High School. 

Construction is set to begin once weather permits, at this time there is no expected completion date.

Original Article Here

NAAJ’s Excellence in Reporting on Agriculture Contest

Needing a little pat on the back for your newsroom’s work on issues related to agriculture and rural America? North American Agricultural Journalists are looking for your entires for the Excellence in Reporting on Agriculture.

You can’t give the excuse of your story not finding a home. There are six categories for contestants to choose from: news, spot news, features, columns/analysis, series and special projects. College students don’t have to worry about competing with the big dogs, there is a special category just for you.

The NAAJ is a professional, international group of editors and writers with a membership spanning the United States and Canada. Journalists eligible for membership are those who report or edit agricultural news for newspapers, magazines, wires and syndicated services and are independent of agricultural organizations and businesses. College students interested in a career in agricultural writing also are encouraged to join.

Most categories require you to be a NAAJ member. Those interested in joining can pay a $75 membership fee, but it must be received by January 28. Members may enter two entries per category and submit $10 per entry.

Members winning first-place vie for the Glenn Cunningham Ag Journalist of the Year Award. Winners will be recognized at NAAJ’s annual meeting banquet April 8 at the National Press Club in our nation’s capital.

Stories must be published in the 2012 calendar year and all entries must be received by the contest chair, David Hendee, no later than January 28.

Original Article Here

Budget boost allows UNR College of Agriculture to help local farmers, ranchers

The future is looking a little brighter for the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Agriculture.

UNR President Marc Johnson has announced the College of Agriculture, Biochemistry and Natural Resources will receive an additional $333,000 to its base budget, beginning July 1.

Members of Northern Nevada’s local food movement support the decision, which will allow the dean of the college to hire more faculty to conduct research and provide programs that will help farmers and ranchers.

But some stakeholders also fear it is a token gesture to divert attention from Johnson’s desire to sell off more of the university’s agricultural land in southeast Reno to developers, a move they say flies in the face of the land-grant university’s mission.

“This $333,000 for the College of Agriculture is wonderful, but unless it includes retaining (UNR’s) agricultural assets and water rights, I’m not quite sure how effective this funding will be,” Amber Sallaberry, general manager of the Great Basin Community Food Co-op, said.

Johnson has said the recent sale of the land to the Regional Transportation Commission will allow the agency to build a roadway that is crucial to easing traffic flow in the community.

The earlier sale of another parcel of UNR’s pastureland was needed for regional flood control, but Johnson has said the university has no intention of selling all the land and eliminating the Main Farm Station.

The extra money for the agriculture college comes from UNR’s sale of 165 acres of land that is part of the university’s 1,080-acre Main Station Field laboratory, located off Mill Street and South McCarran Boulevard.

Johnson received approval in November from the Nevada Board of Regents to sell the parcel for $7.4 million to the RTC, which plans to build the Southeast Connector roadway between Reno and Sparks.

That $7.4 million will go to pay down the bonded debt that remains on the Fire Science Academy UNR previously owned in Carlin, Nev., Johnson said. That will free up the fees UNR students have been paying on the fire academy debt to fund future improvements to their campus.

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Donation benefits animal science graduate students

WOOSTER, Ohio — A former faculty member of The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences has established a new fund to support graduate students.

Benefactor

Earle W. Klosterman established the Earle and Ann Klosterman Endowed Graduate Award with a $200,000 gift to Ohio State’s Department of Animal Sciences. The annual distribution from this award will help support departmental graduate students conducting research with beef cattle at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.

Klosterman is native of South Dakota. He earned a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University in 1942 and a doctorate from Cornell University in 1946.

His wife, Ann, obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a master’s degree from Cornell University. Ann taught home economics at Wooster High School and the Wayne County Vocational School for a total of 23 years.

Earle held faculty positions at South Dakota State University and North Dakota State University before joining the faculty of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and The Ohio State University in 1952, where he conducted beef cattle research until his retirement in 1980.

He served as associate chair of the Department of Animal Science from 1967 to 1980 and designed and oversaw the construction of the 400-head capacity OARDC Beef Center feedlot in 1968.

Original Article Here

Use technology for high yield, says agriculture expert

By Himanshu Nitnaware,

AURANGABAD: Farmers of the state need to make efficient use of modern technology to achieve maximum yield from available land. Efficient water and land management, along with technology, were the key for full-scale production in agriculture, said K P Gore, vice chancellor of Agriculture college, Parbhani, here on Sunday. 

Speaking at the inauguration of Maha-Agro, he said, "Reducing labour costs to maximize production needed to meet the increasing foodgrain demands of the country." 

The exhibit aimed to focus on modernizing the agriculture activities to achieve maximum production, said Vasant Deshmukh, co-organiser of Maha-Agro. 

Gore said that the production of grams had doubled in the last forty years in the Marathwada region, while the production of soyabean and rice wheat had increased three times and cotton, six times. 

He explained that around 40% of the production cost in agriculture was contributed by the cost of labour and the use of modern technology will help to reduce the production cost by 20%. "Traditional tools and their limitations are a major deterrent in obtaining the maximum agricultural yield," he added. 

"86% of the land is non-irrigated in the region which has received less than 25% rainfall in the last four years; and last year, it received less than even 50% rainfall," he informed. 

Gore said that around 15% of the water from rainfall was percolated, which could be increased to around 40% through water harvesting in major catchment areas. Around 5,000 hectares of land was being rendered useless due to soil erosion. He also said that subsidiary activities and parallel agricultural activities will help support agricultural production. 

Out of the labourers, around 70% of the female labours work on the fields. 

"Research is equally important for the farmers to study the soil quality, irrigation supply schemes and weather forecasts which would facilitate agricultural production. Implementation of modern technology, application of different strategies successfully tested by experts and organizing discussion forums to inspire farmers should be the need of the hour, "Gore said. 

The agriculture college has started 17 research centres, 34 research schemes for students and 24 central government schemes. "As many as 600 technology ideas, 20 instruments and various programmes for farmers have been conducted by the colleges," he added. 

Contradicting the use of modern equipment for agriculture, Congress district chief Keshavrao Autade said, "Farmers with small lands cannot afford to use modern equipment to improve their agricultural yield. It would make more sense to use traditional tools along with modern instruments for optimum utilization of resources." 

Autade said that land acquisition for development by government is a major concern among farmers who already have immense pressure to get maximum production from a small piece of agricultural land. 

K P Gore said that around 15% of the water from rainfall was percolated, which could be increased to around 40% through water harvesting in major catchment areas. Around 5,000 hectares of land was being rendered useless due to soil erosion.

Original Article Here

USDA’s First Ever Farm to School Grant Connects Schools to Local Agriculture

By : Sara Novak

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced a $4.5 million grant for the USDA’s first ever Farm to School Grant, designed to cultivate a larger connection between school cafeterias and local farms. The program includes 68 projects in 37 states under the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act. The projects will serve 3,700 schools and 1.75 million students, half from rural areas.

"When schools buy food from nearby producers, their purchasing power helps create local jobs and economic benefits, particularly in rural agricultural communities," Merrigan said in a statement reported on Obama Foodorama. "Evidence also suggests that when kids understand more about where food comes from and how it is produced, they are more likely to make healthy eating choices."

The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act

The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act provided the first non-inflationary increase to school lunch spending since 1973. The bill allocates $4.5 billion for school lunches, an increase of about 6 cents per child. It also takes some other crucial steps in the right direction including pushing the Department of Agriculture to establish science-based nutrition standards that are inline with the Dietary Guidelines for all Americans.

This new grant is one component of the USDA’s Know Your Farmer Know Your Food initiative launched in 2009. It's the USDA's commitment to building local food systems.

The projects are diverse but the theme is the same, serving more foods created closer to home.

Obama Foodorama reports:

Weld County School District 6 in Greeley, Colo., will expand kitchen facilities to serve local products year-round through processing and freezing techniques. Also, Des Moines Municipal Schools in New Mexico will receive grant funding to increase the types of products it buys from local vendors. Local cattle farmers already supply the school district with 100 percent locally produced beef; USDA grant funds will be used to develop relationships with local fruit and vegetable producers to serve a full meal using locally sourced products.

Original Article Here

Autumn Festival starts at Arid Agriculture University

The three-day Autumn Festival featuring colourful autumn flowers, fancy birds, animal and food carnival started at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) on Wednesday.

The festival aims to to attract people from all walks of life and promote beautiful, healthy environment of the twin cities. More than 100 varieties of chrysanthemum have been put on display to promote horticulture.

Flower arrangement and cut flower categories caught the attention of visitors soon after the start of the show that proved to be an attractive event for people from all age groups and walks of life. 

Around 40 participants took part in the flower arrangement and 25 in the cut flower categories from different colleges, schools and institutions, and also on individual level. Artistic arrangements were displayed in a beautiful manner under this section.

On the opening day of festival, a large number of people came to see more than 150 species of fancy birds.

The show was inaugurated by Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) Chairman Dr Manzoor Hussain. 

He said that lush green gardens and lawns blended with flowers not only add to the beauty of environment but also have a positive impact on the moods of people.

He also appreciated the efforts of PMAS-AAUR for organising the event to increase awareness among people regarding the significance of plants and flowers.

Earlier, PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Azim Malik said that Pakistan had a very fertile land, which was suitable for producing plants and flowers but little attention had been paid to this sector so far. He also appreciated the efforts of organisers for organising the event.

A student, Maryam Akbar, said it is a healthy activity and she was pleased to see hundreds of shades of chrysanthemum.

A panel of specialist judges had been invited to observe the performance and give results in all categories of the show.

Original Article Here

AMS teacher introduces students to agriculture

By Imari Scarbrough

Anson Middle School teacher Casey Howie is taking a hands-on approach when teaching the children in her class about agriculture. She has arranged for the children to interact with various animals, including chickens and rabbits. On Nov. 16 her stepfather, Todd Dennis, brought two horses from Mt. Pleasant for the children to meet.

By the end of the day, at least 112 children had the opportunity to pet and feed the horses while listening to Dennis instruct them on basic care for horses. “They’re excited to come to class, and that’s the whole point,” Howie said of the class as the children interacted with the horses. “When the kids are excited, I’m excited — it’s not even like a work day.”

Howie added that the children had known the horses would be coming and had been looking forward to it for a while.

Even some students who were initially afraid of the animals were soon at the front of the crowd stroking the horses. “One of the biggest things is getting the kids to not be afraid of animals,” Howie said. “I wasn’t expecting them to be afraid of a cute, cuddly bunny. I can understand the horses. But a lot of my students don’t even have pets at home.”

Howie’s efforts to teach her students about agriculture have included getting demonstrations from locals including Jeff Boothby, who spoke on chickens and eggs, Howie with her own rabbits, and Dennis, who brought two mares, Jolene and Bella, to the AMS parking lot. Hunter Medford, a 14-year-old homeschooler, assisted Dennis with showing the horses at AMS.

The children also watched “Buck,” a 2011 documentary about “horse whisperer” Buck Brannaman. Several children listed Buck as a hero and complimented Dennis by comparing him to their newfound hero.

Introducing the students to agriculture, especially in their community, is the whole point of Howie’s class. This is Howie’s first year of teaching, her first time in Anson County and the first time this particular curriculum has been taught at AMS, according to Howie.

Despite that, many of the children expressed an interest in creating a petition to stay in Howie’s class rather than transferring to another class later this school year. “I think I speak for all us us when I say Ms. Howie is the best teacher in the world,” student Tremelle Pratt said.

Original Article Here

Nebraska agriculture college dean retiring

CURTIS, Neb. (AP) — The dean of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture will be retiring and moving to Idaho.

Dr. Weldon Sleight (sleyet) says he'll be leaving the Curtis campus, in southwest Nebraska, at the end of December.

Sleight joined the school in 2006.

The college is part of the University of Nebraska system and offers four associates degrees for students interested in entering the agricultural industry upon graduation. It also has a transfer program for students wishing to pursue higher degrees at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln or other four-year colleges.

Original Article Here

Students battles it out on the tractors

NEW agriculture students at Duchy College Rosewarne got competitive this week as they tested their tractor-driving skills in the first ploughing match of the term.

Diploma and apprenticeship students got to drive two of the college's tractors, both fitted with different type ploughs – a New Holland T 5070 and a John Deere 6630.

Each student was assigned a plot and tried their hand at ploughing ready to be judged by lecturer Roger Talling.

Phil Pengelly, course manager, said: "During the course students have to undertake their tractor proficiency test so a ploughing match is a good way for them to improve their driving technique.

"It requires a lot of skill – you have to take your time, make careful alterations to the plough and drive steadily to gain clear furrow definition.

"There were quite a few novices in the group but they all had a go and enjoyed it."

Ian Rowe, from Truro, said: "I like driving tractors so I really enjoyed it and it's good practise. I like the John Deere the best as it's bigger and we don't have one at home."

Winner Nathan Collins, from Newquay, said: "I'm glad I won, I enjoyed it, it's great to get out and drive the tractors."

Original Article Here

The importance of agriculture

It was good to see the faces of children as they learned about agriculture during this week’s Annual Rural Education Day, sponsored by Huron County Farm Bureau with the help of dozens of other businesses and agencies.

The 15th annual event gave third-grade students and teachers the chance to learn about the many different elements of farming and natural resources — from cow milking to horseshoeing. About 650 kids from 23 schools attended at the Huron County Fairgrounds.

Many of these children have either lived on a farm or visited one regularly. But many have not. And for those less familiar, it is good to see them learning more about Huron County agriculture. After all, no county has more tillable acres in Michigan than ours.

We realize it will take a lot more than a visit to a Rural Education Day to inspire a youngster to a career in agriculture. But we also realize a child’s first experience interacting with exhibits present at this week’s event could stick with them for a long, long time — and perhaps a lifetime. 

These children will hopefully grow up to be productive citizens, taxpayers and perhaps lawmakers helping to shape our community and state. We think it’s a great idea to introduce them to the wonders of Rural Education Day.

We hope sponsors continue to support the event so that in our agricultural-rich community, our Rural Education Day is the best in the state.

Original Article Here

More students studying agriculture at ISU

By: Carrie Muehling

NORMAL – There are more students walking the halls of the agriculture department buildings this year at Illinois State University.

The department has enrolled just shy of 400 undergraduate students for the 2012-2013 school year, which is more than a 10 percent bump over last year’s numbers.

“I think this has been a good time to be in agriculture. As the economy has struggled, the ag markets have done pretty well,” said Dr. Rob Rhykerd, ISU agriculture department chair. “Students who are coming to college and looking at what to do when they graduate, agriculture is coming up. This is a place where we’ve had nearly 100 percent employment of our graduates.”

Ag department faculty have worked hard recruiting both high school graduating students and transfer students. They revamped the curriculum a few years ago to modernize what is offered, and upgrades to facilities on campus include state of the art teaching labs, the working farm at Lexington, and the horticulture center.

Rhykerd said although the department keeps growing, there is still more room in the program for good students.

“We haven’t hit the ceiling in the department yet. The university as a whole likes to be somewhere around the 21,000 mark, so as long as we leave some room for the other departments on campus we’ll be okay. As for now, we’re still very interested in trying to recruit more good students – high school students and transfers alike,” said Rhykerd.

A number of registered student organizations with an agriculture focus also exist on campus, which give students a variety of opportunities for professional development. This year’s agriculture career fair is scheduled for September 25, when more than 40 companies will bring representatives to campus to talk to students about internships and full time employment.

Original Article Here

Scholarships 'to help bright sparks' into agricultural careers

Applications are now open for Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s next undergraduate scholarship round, to help bright sparks into agricultural careers, on-farm and off.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand encourages applications from talented and motivated young Kiwis who are passionate about the sheep and beef industry.

It’s a long-standing part of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s People programme, and a key part of the organisation’s push to drive the sustainable development of New Zealand’s red meat industry.

"Our aim is to develop well qualified people who will carry our sector to new levels of performance built on innovation, productivity and top-class management skills," says Beef + Lamb New Zealand Chief Executive Dr Scott Champion.

"Over the years, we've supported many young people through university, as well as through Taratahi and Telford with our diploma-level scholarships.

"We are constantly delighted to see these individuals pursue their dream of working in agriculture the sheep and beef sector, and feel a pride as they progress through both their education, then career paths."

Successful applicants could have their tuition fees paid for the duration of their bachelor’s or honours degree - up to $5,000 a year for four years. Beef + Lamb New Zealand also provides annual opportunities for scholars to meet industry leaders and agricultural experts, exposing them to fresh ideas and allowing them to explore a wide range of career pathways.

Peter Klaassen recently completed a Master’s in AgriCommerce at Lincoln University. He says Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s support throughout his studies has given him a great head start.

"The Beef + Lamb New Zealand scholarship has not only been a financial blessing, it has exposed me to the complexity of the sheep and beef industry beyond the farm gate.

"I have enjoyed and valued the opportunity to meet some of the key individuals and decision-makers of the New Zealand sheep and beef industry. I know that I will make the most of this opportunity and I am confident that I can contribute to the future development of the agriculture industry in New Zealand."

Laura Lobb is a current Beef + Lamb New Zealand scholar. She is studying Food Technology at Massey University in Palmerston North.

"This four-year course is a mixture of science and engineering that encourages students into areas of new product development, production technology and much more. I feel extremely privileged to have been granted this scholarship, and grateful to Beef + Lamb New Zealand for recognising this course as an integral part of the agriculture system.

"I would encourage everyone out there with a passion for agriculture to find out more about this scholarship and enjoy the opportunities that are on offer."

Applications close on 8 February 2013.

Original Article Here

Youths not ready for business, agriculture

Does our education system at primary and secondary school levels prepare the young citizens to be farmers or business people? The answer is a definite no.

Yet, facts on the ground indicate that more Tanzanians are in farming and non-formal businesses than in any other sector.

Naturally, one would expect agriculture and business education to be a must subjects at least from the upper primary level.

Instead of our primary and secondary education system  preparing the young citizens to enter modern farming and businesses, we dream of white-collar jobs.

Those who fail and fall along the way are the wayward, and the lucky to go to vocational training centres. Those who are completely unlucky will not even finish primary school education- and resign mostly to peasant farming or petty trade.

Our education system, inherited from the-colonial and post independence years for churning out civil servants has failed to take the realities of today’s Tanzania.

Almost every one of us, after school- we expect to be employed and not to go into business. The reality is the government and the public sector can’t absorb all the young graduates as it was in the first ten years of independence.

The private sector is constrained as well, and due to unhealthy business environment, it is not growing at the speed that can absorb all school leavers.

No wonder some leaders have been saying unemployment is a time bomb. Millions of youth, restless and with nothing to do for a source of income, are dangerous lot.

The more the unemployment number goes up, the more the danger of social unrest.
The elite, the political class and even the development partners seem to be helpless in the wake of the rising number of the unemployed.

Whatever is being done at the top and bottom levels is not enough to tame the growing menace. Even if the economy was to grow at 15 per cent per year, it can’t be enough to absorb all graduates in formal employment, leave alone those who finish their education at primary and secondary levels.

The number of youths entering the job market is big. I expect the upcoming census to get staggering figures on this.
The problem with the economic growth that we have been experiencing in the last 15 years or so, is that on the other hand, poverty levels among the sections of the people has been on the increase. That is the paradox of Tanzania.

Usually any economic growth that does not directly affect or improve lives of the majority populace creates huge gaps between the rich and the poor.

We don’t need this in Tanzania. Fair distribution of wealth that results from the available natural resources will make our country a better nation.

Policy makers know what the common people do for a living. The government is aware that the world today is private sector driven.

So it must take steps to prepare young citizens to enter the private sector world as business people and modern farmers.

The set up must begin in the primary and secondary school syllabi. We are living in a global village and the reality of East African integration is there for all to see.

Children in some neighbouring countries are being taught agriculture and business education.  If we don’t act, history will judge us harshly and despite all our natural resources, we will remain poor people.           
Saumu Jumanne is an Assistant Lecturer, Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE).

Original Article Here

Close or restructure agriculture colleges, government told

A report into Queensland’s agriculture colleges has recommended they close their doors or undergo a major and costly restructure.

An Ernst & Young review of the state-owned Australian Agriculture Colleges Corporation found the organisation was not commercially viable, and recommended the doors be closed at its four campuses and two residential colleges.

The report says the only alternative would be a "major and costly" restructure of the colleges, which have more than 4000 students and 170 staff.

Agriculture Minister John McVeigh said he would "discuss all options" about the future of the colleges, including a possible takeover by the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE.

He said the previous government had run the company into the ground.

"The ag colleges have been on a course to ruin for seven years. They've been run-down and neglected while running costs have spiralled out of control," Mr McVeigh said.

The organisation was forecast to lose as much as $6.8 million this financial year, he said.But deputy opposition leader and former agriculture minister Tim Mulherin said money spent on the colleges was an investment in the future.

"I never thought I would see the day when the National Party would be closing our state agricultural colleges," Mr Mulherin said.

"People in the bush must be outraged."

AAP

Original Article Here