Farm Bureau focuses on grocery needs

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 17 February 2009 14:53

LillianBooklesssJeanneBarte.jpg Lillian Bookless (left), director of Hillsboro’s Main Street Ministries, fills sacks in the MSN food pantry with Jeanne Bartel of Marion County Farm Bureau Associa­tion. MCFBA donated money to the food bank recently as a way to celebrate Food Check-Out Week with a theme of “targeting healthy eating on a budget.”

Marion County Farm Bureau Association and other groups across the nation are celebrating Food Check-Out Week, Feb. 15-21.

“The week is devoted to helping teach Americans how to stretch their grocery dollars with healthy nutritious food,” said Jeanne Bartel, Marion County Farm Bureau Associ­a­tion president.

Bartel said the special week has been done annually for the past 11 years with...

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Application deadline for NAP is March 15

Written by Bill Harmon /Farm Service Agency Tuesday, 17 February 2009 14:51

Producers should be aware that March 15 is the application closing date for certain crops under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.

NAP is a program designed to reduce financial losses that occur when natural disasters cause a loss of production of eligible crops. Crops eligible for NAP benefits are limited to those not insurable in the county and are produced for food or fiber.

March 15 is the final date to pay the applicable service fee and obtain NAP coverage for crops such as forage-type sorghums and double-cropped coarse grains like grain sorghum, sunflowers and soybeans.

A variety of vegetables and melon fruits are also eligible for NAP coverage.

The administrative service fee is $250 per crop per county not to...

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Components of COOL not so cool for cattle-business persons

Written by John Schlageck Tuesday, 17 February 2009 14:49

Talk to cattlemen, livestock auction market operators and cattle buyers about the mandatory country-of-origin labeling and you’ll probably receive a less than warm reception.

The purpose of COOL is to label products grown or raised in the United States. It also gives U.S. shoppers an opportunity to “buy American.” COOL labeling is required on meat, fruits, nuts and vegetables.

There are some problems this issue is creating in the trade relationships among the United States, Canada and Mexico. That’s according to Keith Miller, a Barton County cattleman who also serves as U.S. Meat Export Federation vice chairman.

Some are calling COOL the worst thing that’s ever happened to the North American cattle industry.

So why is...

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New year a good opportunity to review spending habits

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 03 February 2009 14:19

The beginning of a new year often brings a resolve to lose weight or walk the dog more often. It also can be a good time to review spending habits and money management strategies, a Kansas State University specialist said.

Taking the time to sort out personal finances is a key step in building financial stability and security, said Carol Young, K-State Research and Extension financial management specialist.

“To begin, determine how much money is coming in and how much is going out,” said Young, who offered the following basic money management tips.

n Check pay stubs to identify take-home pay (wages or salary, less deductions for taxes and benefits) per paycheck, per month and per year.

n Make a list of expenses, such as mortgage...

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