Friday, July 31, 2009
The Curbs are completed on Hoffman's Main Street - Just in time for the Hoffman-Kensington Patriots reunion
(Video clip at the bottom of this post)
Senator Klobuchar Announces Additional Help for Minnesota’s Dairy Farmers
Says price support measure will immediately help family dairy farms
Washington, D.C. – Continuing her efforts to help Minnesota’s dairy farmers struggling with plummeting dairy prices, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will increase the amount paid for dairy products through the Dairy Product Price Support Program. Klobuchar and House Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson have long pushed for this change.
Two days ago, Klobuchar and other dairy state Senators met with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to push for the change. Earlier this month, Klobuchar and other Senators, including Pat Leahy (D-VT) and Herb Kohl (D-WI), also wrote to Secretary Vilsack calling for the temporary boost to the federal price support program.
“Across Minnesota, dairy farmers have been stung by rising production costs and falling product prices,” said Klobuchar. “Today’s announcement of immediate relief for dairy farmers will help them during this crisis by providing targeted support to help stabilize prices. Along with Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson I will continue to advocate for Minnesota’s dairy farmers during these difficult times.”
According to the Department of Agriculture, the federal price supports will be in effect from August 2009 through October 2009, increasing farmers’ revenue by $243 million and giving dairy farmers immediate relief from low dairy prices.
The increase announced today will raise the price paid for nonfat dry milk from $0.80 per pound to $0.92 per pound, the price paid for cheddar blocks from $1.13 per pound to $1.31 per pound, and the price of cheddar barrels from $1.10 per pound to $1.28 per pound.
The Department of Agriculture estimates that today’s announcement is expected to increase the all milk price received by dairy producers. The increase will result in the government purchase of an additional 150 million pounds of non-fat dry milk (NDM) and an additional 75 million pounds of cheese.
Over the last several months, Klobuchar has successfully pushed for several measures to assist dairy farmers.
In February, she joined with other Senators to send a letter to Secretary Vilsack asking him to take action to help stabilize prices and protect Minnesota’s farmers from the rapidly declining milk prices. Then, at a White House Middle-Class Task Force meeting in St. Cloud in March, Klobuchar strongly urged the Agriculture Secretary to provide help to Minnesota dairy farmers as soon as possible. Shortly after the meeting, Klobuchar announced that the Department of Agriculture would create a program to purchase dairy products from the market and provide them to food shelf programs in order to stabilize prices and boost demand, effectively leveling the playing field for U.S. dairy producers.
In May, after working with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Department of Agriculture, Klobuchar announced that the Department of Agriculture would launch a program to help dairy exporters compete with world prices, which are kept artificially low through subsidies.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Position to be filled at WCA Schools
WANTED: Part-time Schoolage Childcare Supervisor at the North Elementary School in Elbow Lake. Summer hours - TBD with school hours being from 3:00-6:00 pm. To apply, call 320.528.2650 or stop by the WCA District Office in Barrett to pick up an application. Position open immediately. EOE
Thursday morning - they're laying the new curb on Main Street Hoffman!
They're beginning at the east end of Main Street, on the south side of the street.
Hoffman local Chris Winter coaches Fergus Falls Legion in the state tournament beginning today in New Ulm
Here are the scores for the games at the Division I American Legion state baseball tournament.
http://www.craigolsonsports.com/clubhome.php?yid=0910&cid=35
Link to a complete bracket can be found here.... http://www.tricitybaseball.org/state.htm
Just scroll down to "printable bracket in PDF format"
http://www.craigolsonsports.com/clubhome.php?yid=0910&cid=35
Link to a complete bracket can be found here.... http://www.tricitybaseball.org/state.htm
Just scroll down to "printable bracket in PDF format"
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Mark and Mandy Westrom selected to Red River Valley Emerging Leadership program
Photo taken during the Ag Bash last Friday night of the Grant County Fair. Mandy hails from rural Barrett, while Mark grew up by Elbow Lake. The couple currently farms near Elbow Lake.
Congressional Subcommittee Continues Review of Economic Conditions Facing the Dairy Industry
WASHINGTON - Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry held its third hearing this month to review the economic conditions facing the dairy industry. Subcommittee Chairman David Scott of Georgia called today's hearing to continue to hear from producers across the country about the steep decline in milk prices since 2007, and the effects those prices are having on the dairy industry.
"This month's hearings have demonstrated that we have just about as many different points of view on dairy policy as we have dairy producing regions of this country," Chairman Scott said. "Nevertheless, last week, we were able to make progress in agreeing to some basic points, which shows that our ideas about where dairy policy should go are not irreconcilable. While there is a tremendous amount of work to be done in developing a broader consensus on many of the issues facing the dairy industry, I feel that this series of hearings has laid the groundwork upon which we can build for the future."
Dairy producers from all across America, representing farms and cooperatives large and small, appeared before the Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Subcommittee the Subcommittee this month to discuss the effects of low fluid milk prices on their operations. Over the last three weeks, 20 witnesses have appeared before the Subcommittee, including producers, processors, exporters, government administrators, and two Members of Congress in whose districts the dairy industry plays a significant economic role.
Farm milk prices have been declining sharply in 2009 while feed costs for dairy producers remain high. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects the price will decline later this year to its lowest annual average since 1979.
Written testimony provided by the witnesses for all three dairy hearing is available on the Committee website:
http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html.
A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Committee website at a
later date.
"This month's hearings have demonstrated that we have just about as many different points of view on dairy policy as we have dairy producing regions of this country," Chairman Scott said. "Nevertheless, last week, we were able to make progress in agreeing to some basic points, which shows that our ideas about where dairy policy should go are not irreconcilable. While there is a tremendous amount of work to be done in developing a broader consensus on many of the issues facing the dairy industry, I feel that this series of hearings has laid the groundwork upon which we can build for the future."
Dairy producers from all across America, representing farms and cooperatives large and small, appeared before the Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Subcommittee the Subcommittee this month to discuss the effects of low fluid milk prices on their operations. Over the last three weeks, 20 witnesses have appeared before the Subcommittee, including producers, processors, exporters, government administrators, and two Members of Congress in whose districts the dairy industry plays a significant economic role.
Farm milk prices have been declining sharply in 2009 while feed costs for dairy producers remain high. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects the price will decline later this year to its lowest annual average since 1979.
Written testimony provided by the witnesses for all three dairy hearing is available on the Committee website:
http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html.
A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Committee website at a
later date.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Breaking news...Hoffman's new Main Street sidewalks will be installed beginning next Monday, July 27th
It'll be a wild time next week when the new sidewalks are installed in the early part of next week. Hopefully by the last weekend of July, the sidewalks will be ready to go for downtown traffic. (And just in time for the Hoffman-Kensington Patriot reunion!)
Also a reminder for WCA Volleyball players: WCA Volleyball camp for players in grades 9-12 begins at 1:00 on Monday, July 27th in Barrett. If you are still interested in attending but have not registered contact Coach Lohse. (218-685-4118 or 218-770-7237) There is still room for more players to participate.
Color version of the photo in this week's Jim's Journal of the July 23rd issue of the Hoffman Tribune
The Øvre Haave farm in Telemark, Norway, is a neat, productive place with two storehouses in the yard, an apparent sign of some degree of prosperity.
Grant County Fair this weekend through Sunday - Scenes from 2008 fair posted below
(Click to enlarge the Harvest Fest schedule)
Harvest Fest, August 2009, in Hoffman:
WCA Volleyball Camp coming next week
A reminder: WCA Volleyball camp for players in grades 9-12 begins at 1:00 on Monday, July 27th in Barrett. If you are still interested in attending but have not registered contact Coach Lohse. (218-685-4118 or 218-770-7237) There is still room for more players to participate.
Another spot to view the H-K Reunion coming next weekend:
Another spot to view the H-K Reunion coming next weekend:
Thursday, July 23, 2009
More photos from Hoffman on Wednesday/Thursday - everything's available and open for business in down town!
Rear entrances are available for the Farmers State Bank, Renae's Main Street Styles, the Main Street Galleria, to name a few. I'll keep posting more information as the work progresses on the sidewalks.
Quilt presentation at Hoffman Good Samaritan Society today (Thursday) at 2:30pm
The Kensington Covenant Church ladies are presenting their quilts to the Hoffman Good Samaritan Society today when they'll be serving root beer floats to the residents at 2:30 p.m.
Also, more photos and videos will be posted today from the work being done in downtown Hoffman.
Also, more photos and videos will be posted today from the work being done in downtown Hoffman.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
In other news...
The Healthcare Mall in Hoffman is complete. HEDA is looking at opening around August 15th. (Depending on when the streets get done.) The podiatrist is ready to come, and Muriel Krusemark had a positive meeting with a chiropractor last week.
The Farmer's Market in Hoffman on Wednesday nights has been a wild success so far. The first week, 140 were served. Then on July 8th, 160 locals were served. On July 15th, a total of 180 bought a meal, served by the Hoffman Fire Department that night.
(Click on Hardware Hank's ad to enlarge)
The Farmer's Market in Hoffman on Wednesday nights has been a wild success so far. The first week, 140 were served. Then on July 8th, 160 locals were served. On July 15th, a total of 180 bought a meal, served by the Hoffman Fire Department that night.
(Click on Hardware Hank's ad to enlarge)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Hoffman gets some much-needed rain! Although more is definitely still wanted
This video clip is from late Monday afternoon in Hoffman.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
First State Bank of Kensington hosts Dog Show on Friday- **Video added on Monday July 20
Pick up an issue of the July 23rd Hoffman Tribune to see more photos from the event.
Three video clips are below from the Dog Show:
(Click on the ad to enlarge)
Friday, July 17, 2009
Amendments to Climate Change Bill Were Necessary
Amendments to Climate Change Bill Were Necessary
By Congressman Collin Peterson
This year, when the House began to write climate change legislation, it was clear to me that if I didn’t get involved in this process, the needs of agriculture, forestry and rural communities would not be addressed.
Ultimately, greenhouse gas emissions are probably going to be regulated, whether Congress acts or not. In 2007, the Supreme Court ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions if they are found to endanger public health or welfare. The Supreme Court required EPA to determine if they are a public health hazard or not, and earlier this year, the EPA put out a proposed finding that says greenhouse gas emissions are a danger to public health and welfare.
With or without Congressional action, EPA will be free to regulate greenhouse gases, resulting in one of the largest and most bureaucratic nightmares that the U.S. economy and Americans have ever seen. And, with EPA in the lead, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, arguably the voice of agriculture and rural America, would be left out of the process. Let me be clear, this is not a responsibility we want to leave in the hands of EPA.
That’s why I decided to get involved and work with my colleagues in Congress to be sure that agriculture and rural America had a seat at the table when this climate change legislation was written. As a result, we were able to amend several important provisions that made the bill a better deal for agriculture and rural America.
First, we insisted that agriculture and forestry be specifically exempt from any cap on emissions. Agricultural production is an extremely energy intensive industry that is estimated to produce seven percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Regulating emissions from farms, ranches and forestland across the country would be cumbersome, incredibly expensive, and would yield very limited benefits. So we made sure that the exemption was clear – there will be no taxes on cows or any segment of agriculture or forestry.
Second, the climate change bill will allow agricultural producers to participate in a voluntary, USDA-run, market-based carbon offset program that allows them to earn money for practices that they implement to sequester carbon or avoid greenhouse gas emissions. It was important that USDA and not EPA be in charge of establishing and operating this offset program so that it would be easy for farmers, ranchers and forestland owners to participate.
Third, the amendment allows USDA to determine what the best practices are for carbon sequestration. Under the original bill, only new activities could be counted as beneficial. We made sure that farmers and ranchers who currently participate in USDA conservation programs, or who have already undertaken carbon sequestration activities will receive offset credits for their efforts. We also made sure that those who have already participated in voluntary offset registries for carbon sequestration, such as the Chicago Climate Exchange and their partners, are also compensated.
Fourth, for rural areas that rely on rural electric co-ops and small municipal utilities, we corrected a problem with the original bill, which did not provide enough credits to these electric providers. We understood the need to ensure that Midwestern providers would have additional credits as they begin to implement additional energy efficiency measures.
Finally, the amended bill will prevent EPA from imposing unfair requirements on the biofuels industry that holds biofuels producers responsible for international changes in land use, such as deforestation in other countries. It is unreasonable to say that ethanol production in this country is causing trees to be cut down in Brazil. There’s no reliable way to measure these land use changes, so we changed language in the bill to stop these regulations until a study can be done to see if these changes can be accurately measured. Then the EPA and USDA will determine whether the economic models and science needed to back up international Indirect Land Use Change measurements are sufficient.
At the end of the day, I know the climate change bill the House passed isn’t perfect. But it’s much better than it would have been if I hadn’t made it more farm-friendly, and it’s certainly better than if Congress had not acted and just let EPA bureaucrats regulate everything under the sun. Let me be clear, however, that these amendments I negotiated must be in place as this legislative process unfolds, or I will not support a final bill.
Below is the poster for Harvest Fest, August 2009, in Hoffman: (click to enlarge)
By Congressman Collin Peterson
This year, when the House began to write climate change legislation, it was clear to me that if I didn’t get involved in this process, the needs of agriculture, forestry and rural communities would not be addressed.
Ultimately, greenhouse gas emissions are probably going to be regulated, whether Congress acts or not. In 2007, the Supreme Court ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions if they are found to endanger public health or welfare. The Supreme Court required EPA to determine if they are a public health hazard or not, and earlier this year, the EPA put out a proposed finding that says greenhouse gas emissions are a danger to public health and welfare.
With or without Congressional action, EPA will be free to regulate greenhouse gases, resulting in one of the largest and most bureaucratic nightmares that the U.S. economy and Americans have ever seen. And, with EPA in the lead, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, arguably the voice of agriculture and rural America, would be left out of the process. Let me be clear, this is not a responsibility we want to leave in the hands of EPA.
That’s why I decided to get involved and work with my colleagues in Congress to be sure that agriculture and rural America had a seat at the table when this climate change legislation was written. As a result, we were able to amend several important provisions that made the bill a better deal for agriculture and rural America.
First, we insisted that agriculture and forestry be specifically exempt from any cap on emissions. Agricultural production is an extremely energy intensive industry that is estimated to produce seven percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Regulating emissions from farms, ranches and forestland across the country would be cumbersome, incredibly expensive, and would yield very limited benefits. So we made sure that the exemption was clear – there will be no taxes on cows or any segment of agriculture or forestry.
Second, the climate change bill will allow agricultural producers to participate in a voluntary, USDA-run, market-based carbon offset program that allows them to earn money for practices that they implement to sequester carbon or avoid greenhouse gas emissions. It was important that USDA and not EPA be in charge of establishing and operating this offset program so that it would be easy for farmers, ranchers and forestland owners to participate.
Third, the amendment allows USDA to determine what the best practices are for carbon sequestration. Under the original bill, only new activities could be counted as beneficial. We made sure that farmers and ranchers who currently participate in USDA conservation programs, or who have already undertaken carbon sequestration activities will receive offset credits for their efforts. We also made sure that those who have already participated in voluntary offset registries for carbon sequestration, such as the Chicago Climate Exchange and their partners, are also compensated.
Fourth, for rural areas that rely on rural electric co-ops and small municipal utilities, we corrected a problem with the original bill, which did not provide enough credits to these electric providers. We understood the need to ensure that Midwestern providers would have additional credits as they begin to implement additional energy efficiency measures.
Finally, the amended bill will prevent EPA from imposing unfair requirements on the biofuels industry that holds biofuels producers responsible for international changes in land use, such as deforestation in other countries. It is unreasonable to say that ethanol production in this country is causing trees to be cut down in Brazil. There’s no reliable way to measure these land use changes, so we changed language in the bill to stop these regulations until a study can be done to see if these changes can be accurately measured. Then the EPA and USDA will determine whether the economic models and science needed to back up international Indirect Land Use Change measurements are sufficient.
At the end of the day, I know the climate change bill the House passed isn’t perfect. But it’s much better than it would have been if I hadn’t made it more farm-friendly, and it’s certainly better than if Congress had not acted and just let EPA bureaucrats regulate everything under the sun. Let me be clear, however, that these amendments I negotiated must be in place as this legislative process unfolds, or I will not support a final bill.
Below is the poster for Harvest Fest, August 2009, in Hoffman: (click to enlarge)
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Hoffman Commerce and Ag meeting coming up Thursday, July 16
The meeting will be held at Noon at Anderson's Dew Drop Inn.
Also, the Farmers Market in Hoffman will again be held at the City Park, this Wednesday night from 5-7pm.
Also, the Farmers Market in Hoffman will again be held at the City Park, this Wednesday night from 5-7pm.
Two big events coming up for the area: Glenwood's Waterama July 23-26 and the Grant County Fair in Herman July 23-26
The official link to Waterama is: http://www.waterama.org/
The direct link to their events page is: http://www.waterama.org/Events/tabid/67/Default.aspx
Ads for events during the Grant County Fair in Herman: (click to enlarge)
Monday, July 13, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Where did Hoffman's Main Street go?
...It's piled up along Highway 55 by the elevator bins! That's where it went after it was "reclaimed" this past week.
The last 2 photos posted are from work done on Friday on and near Alaska Avenue in the middle of Hoffman.
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