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 Vilsack Makes Several Stops in NC
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack was in NC last Friday.
Vilsack's first stop Friday morning was at the Butler Hog Farm in Harnett County. There, Vilsack was joined by Congressman Bob Etheridge and both of them toured a portion of the farm and then briefly addressed a small crowd that had gathered.
NCPC board president, George Pettus, had the opportunity to talk to Vilsack about trade issues and to thank him for his efforts the previous week to purchase $50 million in pork products for public nutrition programs.
In remarks at this and other functions in Harnett and Cumberland counties last week, Vilsack expressed support for pork producers as he talked about US efforts to reinstate pork trade with China and expand trade into other countries.
To read the Fayetteville Observer's coverage of Vilsack's visit, click here.
Photo Above: NCPC President and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack speak with a member of Vilsack's staff.
L-R: Tom Butler of Butler Hog Farm, Vilsack, and Congressman Bob Etheridge.
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 NC Farmers in National Spotlight
The 2009 National Thanksgiving Turkey will be presented to President Obama this week by Walter Pelletier, vice-President of Goldsboro, Milling Company and chairman of the National Turkey Federation. Two birds will have the honor.
This year's birds were raised by Goldsboro Milling growers, Debbie and Bryant Worley in Wayne County. Debbie and Bryant are also pork producers and were recently awarded with a National Environmental Steward Award by Pork Checkoff and National Hog Farmer Magazine.
After the birds get pardoned in the traditional Rose Garden ceremony, the birds will be flown to Disneyland to live out their lives in the California.
In other news, in recognition of farmers' contributions to the state and nation, Gov. Bev Perdue proclaimed last Friday, Nov. 20, as "Thank a Farmer Day."
In a press release announcing the proclamation, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler pointed out the many ways NC farmers will be contributing to Thanksgiving meals this holiday season. He said that one out of every seven turkeys cooked this holiday will come from NC and that NC also supplies enough pork products for one out of every four families in America.
"As consumers, we all have a lot to be thankful for when it comes to our agricultural community," Troxler said. "We are fortunate to live in an agriculture-rich state that produces so many different commodities. Our farmers also contribute mightily to our state's $70 billion agribusiness industry, which plays a critical role in our state's economy.
"The holiday season is the perfect time to support our farmers by visiting farmers markets or looking for N.C. foods at the grocery store."
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Congressional Subcommittee Examines Federal Rural Broadband Program Implementation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last Thursday, NC Congressman Mike McIntyre, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Rural Development, Biotechnology, Specialty Crops, and Foreign Agriculture, held a hearing to review the progress made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Commerce to award grants to expand broadband access in rural areas.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided the USDA's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) with $7.2 billion to expand access to broadband services.
Currently, RUS and NTIA are reviewing applications for these funds.
"Broadband funding provided in the Recovery Act has the potential to set the stage for many years of broadband deployment in unserved and underserved rural areas. Today's hearing was another step to make sure that the policies and regulations work with and for the needs of Rural America," Subcommittee Chairman McIntyre said.
"This is an investment that can create jobs, improve communities, and change lives. Working together, we must get this right."
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2010 NCPC Award Nominations
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2010 NCPC Awards. The awards will be presented at the 2010 Annual Conference.
You may submit nominations for the Pork All American, Outstanding Pork Producer and Hall of Fame.
The nomination deadline is December 22, 2009.
Please note, if you have nominated someone in prior years who was not a recipient, please resubmit the nomination with updated information. We would like to consider them for 2010.
For more information, go to NCPC's website.
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Upcoming Continuing Education Opportunities
Wilson Regional Pork Conference: 3.00 Hours Credit
11/24/2009 - 5:30pm
Wilson County Agricultural Center
Contact: 252-237-0111
Bladen County Animal Waste Classes -Session One: 2.00 Hours Credit
12/01/2009 - 10:00 AM
Bladen County CES Center, Elizabethtown
Contact: Becky Spearman 910-862-4591
Bladen County Animal Waste Classes - Session Two: 2.00 Hours Credit
12/01/2009 - 01:00 PM
Bladen County CES Center, Elizabethtown
Contact: Becky Spearman 910-862-4591
Bladen County Animal Waste Classes - Session Three: 2.00 Hours Credit
12/01/2009 - 03:00 PM
Bladen County CES Center, Elizabethtown
Contact: Becky Spearman 910-862-4591
Duplin County Center: 6:00 Hours Credit
12/07/2009 - 9:00AM-4:30PM
Topics include: Mortality Composting, Methane Capture, Biofuel Opportunities,
USDA-Rural Development Energy Grants, Understanding Phosphorus Levels,
Sludge Management.
Duplin County Cooperative Extension Office
Cost: $10 (includes lunch: WG Simmons' pork chops...)
Contact: Wanda Hargrove, at 910-296-2143
Robeson County Animal Waste Classes - Session One: 2.00 Hours Credit
12/08/2009 - 10:00 AM
Robeson County CES Center, Lumberton
Contact: Michelle Shooter 910-671-3276
Robeson County Animal Waste Classes - Session Two: 2.00 Hours Credit
12/08/2009 - 01:00 PM
Robeson County CES Center, Lumberton
Contact: Michelle Shooter 910-671-3276
Roberson County Animal Waste Classes - Session Three: 2.00 Hours Credit
12/08/2009 - 03:00 PM
Robeson County CES Center, Lumberton
Contact: Michelle Shooter 910-671-3276
Pitt County CEC Training: 3.00 Hours Credit
12/09/2009 - 02:00 PM
Pitt County Ag Center, Greenville
Contact: Phillip Rowan 252-902-1703
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The North Carolina Pork Council: We Bring a Lot to the Table |
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