The Farm Post eNews

Friday eNews from the Pike and Scott County Farm Bureaus

MAY 8, 2015

Call Senators to Support S1140

Please contact our U.S. Senators today and urge them to cosponsor S. 1140 -- the Federal Water Quality Protection Act

Senator Durbin -- 202-224-2152

Senator Kirk -- 202-224-2854

S. 1140 is a bill that would force EPA and the Corps of Engineers to withdraw their proposed "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) rule and restart the process. The bill would ensure protection of traditional navigable waters of the United States. It also protects farmers and private landowners by directing the EPA and Corps to issue a revised WOTUS rule that does not include such things as isolated ponds, ditches, storm water, groundwater, floodwater, and streams without enough flow to carry pollutants to navigable waters.

The bill forces EPA to consult with states, small businesses and farmers, perform require economic analysis and review the proposed rule's impact on small business and small governments.S. 1140 requires a 120-day comment period for a new proposed rule. A final rule must be published by December 31, 2016.

As of today, S. 1140 has 20 cosponsors -- 17 Republicans and 3 Democrats.We need two more cosponsors! Call our Senators today.

Farmers 'GetaMoveOn'

When it comes to GMOs, there's no shortage of misinformation. For too long, activists armed with non-scientific rhetoric have led the debate. With a rising number of companies like Chipotle trying to cash in on the fears surrounding GMOs, the facts get trampled by marketing campaigns.

The real story on GMOs is one of ingenuity and environmental responsibility, and that's the story farmers need to tell. With the launch of the new GetaMoveOn website, Farm Bureau is providing farmers and ranchers with tools to share their story of progress and innovation.

Snake oil or witch hunt?

"The baseless, superstitious fear of chemicals has certainly gripped our supposedly advanced population in a haze of inchoate panic akin to the residents of 17th century Salem, or Europeans of the Dark Ages," begins a Science 2.0 opinion piece by Gil Ross, MD. Ross goes on to point out that science ignorance is pervasive mainly because the common perception is "Who cares?" or "How do I know what to believe?" And perhaps even more important, he writes: "Do I really need to know that?" Yes, you do, according to Ross.

His reasoning is simple: "When charismatic charlatans and quacks-and there is hardly a shortage of them-purvey miracle cures and 'nutritional supplements' to supposedly support healthy bodily functions, only those with a modicum of scientific insight will be armed to distinguish salesmanship from factual information. Those without become easy marks."

Pro Ag Safely Group to Meet

The largest annual gathering of professionals dedicated to agricultural safety and health will take place June 21-24, when the International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health holds its conference in Normal, Illinois. Registration is open at www.isash.org. The "early bird" deadline is May 15. ISASH membership includes engineers, educators, insurers, physicians, nurses, veterinarians, statisticians, communicators, anthropologists, business leaders and others - all of whom play influential roles in agricultural safety and health.

In addition to the regular conference, attendees will have the option of extending their week by attending a certificate course, "Establishing Competency in Core Knowledge in the Agricultural Safety and Health Profession."

On This Day

MAY 8, 1945

V-E DAY

The unconditional surrender of the German Third Reich was signed in the early morning hours of Monday, May 7, 1945 at Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) at Reims in northeastern France.

Present were representatives of the four Allied Powers-France, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States-and the three Germany officers delegated by German President Karl Doenitz-Gen. Alfred Jodl, who had alone been authorized to sign the surrender document; Maj. Wilhelm Oxenius, an aide to Jodl; and Adm. Hans-Georg von Friedeburg, one of the German chief negotiators. Lt. Gen. Walter Bedell Smith, SHAEF chief of staff, led the Allied delegation as the representative of General Eisenhower, who had refused to meet with the Germans until the surrender had been accomplished. Other American officers present were Maj. Gen. Harold R. Bull and Gen. Carl Spaatz.

The Unconditional Surrender went into effect on May 8.

Hear more on V-E Day.

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