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 | November 1, 2011 | |
| The MWFPA Bulletin is underwritten in part by Focus on Energy | | |
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Comment Extension Granted on Child Ag Labor Law | |
At the request of several agricultural organizations, including the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has extended the comment period regarding proposed changes in the Child Labor in Agriculture standards.
DOL is looking to revise child labor regulations in an attempt to increase parity between the agricultural and non-agricultural child labor provisions, and also target other areas for change.
Formerly, the public had until today to comment on the proposal, but the deadline has been extended to Dec 1.
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MN Senate Republicans Unveil Business Tax Phase Out | |
MN Senate Republicans unveiled a plan last week to phase out business property taxes over the next five years. They also proposed a moratorium on new regulations that they maintain hinder MN businesses. Democrats dismissed the plan as a rehash of old ideas with doubtful outcomes. With next month's budget forecast expected to show a deficit, some political observers foresee a bitter battle between resurrecting a tax credit for homeowners that fell victim to the last round of budget reductions or cutting taxes for businesses.
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IL Lawmakers Wrap Up First Week of Veto Session | |
Last Thursday Illinois lawmakers wrapped up the first week of the fall session delaying action on a gambling proposal and voting to override Gov. Pat Quinn's veto of the so-called "smart grid" bill. Lawmakers took no action on reallocating money in the state budget to prevent layoffs and facility closures. They will be negotiating budget issues during the legislature's one-week layoff and are expected to act on a number of proposals when they return for the last week of the veto session on November 8.
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UW Names New Agriculture Dean | |
Kathryn VandenBosch, professor of plant biology at the
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Kathryn VandenBosch |
University of Minnesota in St. Paul, has been selected as the new dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
VandenBosch has headed the plant biology department at the University of Minnesota since 2001, with a brief hiatus in 2006 to serve as interim dean of the newly formed College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. She is also a member and former chair of the executive committees of both the Faculty Senate and the University Senate.
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WI Legislature Eases Ag Transportation Laws | |
Easing transportation regulations was the focus of several bills recently acted upon by the WI State Legislature and beneficial to the food processing industry. One bill headed for the Governor's desk would extend the exemption from the
state's weight limits for vehicles transporting agricultural products from September 1 through December 31, instead of ending November 30.The agricultural products that may be transported under the permit include fruit, vegetables, grain, and livestock. MWFPA supported this measure.
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WI Tort Reform Continues | |
The WI State Senate passed a bill limiting the amount of fees attorneys can collect when damages are awarded to consumers who have been harmed.
As originally introduced the measure would have capped attorneys' fees at no more than three times the amount of damages when only money awards are given. The bill was amended to allow a judge to exceed the cap in certain instances. It now moves on to the State Assembly where it is expected to be voted on this week. MWFPA supports this and other tort reform measures in WI recognizing that such efforts aid in building a more stable business climate.
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Just 4 Weeks Until MWFPA's Annual Convention! Register Now!! | | |
The convention schedule has been updated and there are only four weeks remaining until our premier event of the season! MWFPA's three-day convention and processing crops conference features a full program of educational seminars, high level speakers, break-out sessions, networking events, a resource-rich trade show with over 150 exhibitors and plenty of prizes!
This year's convention prizes include a 2011 Polaris 500 Sportsman ATV, four TV's and four iPads!!
3 Easy Ways to Register
1) ONLINE
2) MAIL completed registration form
3) FAX completed registration form
Fax completed form to 608-255-9838.
For full details about the MWFPA 107th Annual Convention and 84th Annual Processing Crops Conference, visit www.mwfpa.org, or contact Robin Fanshaw at 608-255-9946, or robin.fanshaw@mwfpa.org.
Become a sponsor and get noticed! Sponsorships as low as $500 are available at this event. View a complete list of sponsorship opportunities.
Don't forget a spouse tour! MWFPA has planned a number of convention activities to include spouses, starting Wednesday with a day at one of the country's premier resort spas. On Thursday, tour one of the oldest winery estates in America. Attendees and their spouses are invited to participate in both activities.
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Welcome New Association Members! | | |
Join us in welcoming our newest members to the Association! To learn more about them visit their websites by clicking on the company name.
Be sure to visit those companies exhibiting at the Annual Convention in November!
Floyd Total Security - Visit us at booth 155
Murphy Warehouse Company
BIOFerm Energy Systems - Visit us at booth 109
AquaPulse Systems - Visit us at booth 111
AFE Advanced Food Equipment LLC - Visit us at booth 106
Palmabriz Industries Inc - Visit us at booth 724
Northland Laboratories
Sani-Matic - Visit us at booth 714
Cengea - Visit us at booth 728
EDSI Consulting
Miles Data Technologies LLC - Visit us at booths 101 & 103
Corchran Inc - Visit us at booth 710
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| UW Receives Grant to Improve Processed Potatoes | |
UW Madison researchers have been chosen to lead a national effort to improve the quality of processed potatoes. A $3.7 million grant will support efforts to reduce the amount of acrylamide in processed potato products without sacrificing taste and texture.
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| MWFPA Calendar of Events | |
November 29-Dec. 1, 2011: MWFPA 107th Annual Convention and 84th Annual Processing Crops Conference, Wisconsin Dells, WI, Kalahari Resort and Convention Center. Don't miss this invaluable opportunity to gain exclusive insights from some of the industry's most innovative and knowledgeable representatives and to make meaningful contacts with clients, prospects and referral sources.
February 15-16, 2012: Seventh Annual Food Processors Safety Conference/Expo, Wisconsin Dells, WI, Kalahari Resort. A great opportunity for safety and health conscious individuals to gather and learn from experts and peers how best to address today's safety, health and compliance issues. For more details, click here. |
| MWFPA Educational Opportunities | |
November 15, 2011: GMA Webinar; What's In Your Plant? Measuring Microbial Control Effectiveness 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm (CDT) Join Grocery Manufacturers Association expert Warren Stone for a webinar explaining how state-of-the-art environmental monitoring provisions complement the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's current Good Manufacturing Practices. Learn the importance of measuring and managing the overall effectiveness of microbiological controls through examples focused on challenges like salmonella in low-moisture foods and the benefits and components of a comprehensive EM program. For more information or to register, click here.
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The MWFPA News Bulletin is published twice monthly or as developments warrant, and is intended for a general audience of manufacturers and suppliers of food and agricultural products. |
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