News Update
October 10, 2014
Farm Bureau Urges Senate
to Ditch Proposed Water Rule
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is urging the Senate to tell the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to withdraw its proposed Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) Rule and restore the integrity of the rulemaking process.
In a letter sent to all members of the Senate, AFBF cited a recent letter sent by the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy to the EPA. After a thorough evaluation, the SBA office’s letter called on the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to withdraw the WOTUS rule.
“The SBA Office of Advocacy found that EPA and the Corps used conflicting and even incorrect data in order to claim minimal impacts on small business and that they cherry-picked the data used in their economic analysis,” AFBF wrote.
Farm Bureau has vigorously articulated its view that the EPA analysis of its proposed rule is flawed and the manner in which it has conducted this rulemaking is broken.
“The SBA Office of Advocacy has now validated our concerns,” Farm Bureau wrote. “Now is the time for all senators to join the bipartisan effort to have this rule withdrawn.”
A copy of the letter can be found at www.fb.org/tmp/uploads/cwa-wotus-senate14-1006.pdf.
Be Ready to Negotiate when Pipeline Construction
Comes Through
During the next 10 years, Ohio is projected to have 38,000 miles of pipeline construction done statewide. The new or upgraded pipelines will carry everything from natural gas to crude oil to refined fuels.
Because so many different types of pipeline construction will be going on, landowners need to be aware that many projects don’t fall under eminent domain, said Dale Arnold, Ohio Farm Bureau’s director of energy policy. That means the ability and responsibility to effectively negotiate with energy companies and others is important, he said.
“Keep in mind that you probably shouldn’t take the initial offer. You have the ability to offer counterproposals, and hiring a good attorney will result in a good negotiation,” he said.
Here are some of Arnold’s tips:
- Investigate what the fair-market value of the land is by looking into similar properties at the auditor’s office or asking a real-estate agent. Negotiate for loss of the land’s real-estate value. Look at the amount of land affected by the right of way and consider how much that strip of property would be worth in 30-50 years in case you ever have to sell the property.
- If some of the land affected by construction is used for ag production, look into how much it would cost to rent farm ground to make up for that lost production, whether it’s for planting or holding animals. Ohio State University (OSU) Extension can help determine land rental rates. For land used for growing crops and taken out of production, negotiate what it would cost to fulfill an existing contract or what it would cost to make up for feed you normally grow for your animals.
- Consider that a right of way can halt some types of agriculture for a long time — or even forever — because of clearcutting requirements. Examples are timber, vineyards, Christmas trees and orchards. For these types of agriculture, calculate the amount of lost timber, produce, etc., over a 30-year time period or more and negotiate that.
- Negotiate the loss of crop production due to compaction and what it will cost to amend the soil. The state and federal government have minimum guidelines on compaction repair/remediation standards, but you can negotiate beyond those.
- Negotiate that attorney or expert fees be covered along with fees for filings, consultants and surveys.
- Make a list of everything you think should be covered in a contract and closely look through it to ensure nothing was left out.
Pasture Management Workshop for Small Acreage Owners
Cool-season pastures and hay fields make up the biggest chunk of agricultural land use in Johnson and surrounding counties in Kansas. Now is a good time to learn about resources to help landowners manage their lands, for commercial production or agricultural exemption.
On Wednesday, Oct. 29, Johnson County K-State Research and Extension will conduct a free workshop that will give participants the opportunity to tour a local pasture and hear about proper grazing, the importance of soil testing and timely fertilizing, herbicide options to help control weed pressure, and structures to improve water quality.
Registration and a light dinner start at 5:30 p.m., followed by a walk in the pasture and talks by local experts. The tour will be hosted at the Tim Yoho property of Edgerton, Kan.
The workshop is provided by the Hillsdale Lake Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy Project, K-State Research and Extension, and the Miami County and Johnson County Conservation Districts. For reservations, call the Johnson County Extension office at 913-715-7000.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
American Agri-Women to Kick Off 40th Anniversary
at National Convention in Ohio
The Ohio Agri-Women affiliate is hosting this year’s convention. The theme is “Bridging the Path from Farm to Fork.”
The organization had its first coalition meeting in 1974 and its chartering meeting in 1975, both in Milwaukee. Since then, AAW has grown to become the nation’s largest coalition of farm, ranch and agribusiness women representing more than 50 state, commodity and agribusiness affiliates.
The event will include business meetings, officer elections, tours and an awards ceremony. Speakers include:
- Purdue University associate professor and extension specialist Corrine Alexander. Alexander will discuss grain marketing and storage strategies in both commodity and specialty markets.
- Larry Gearhardt, OSU assistant professor, extension specialist and director of the OSU Tax Schools. Gearhardt will present on the topic “Should I Buy That Tractor?”
- Kristin Reese, realtor, owner of the catering company Local Flavor Foods, and part of a family Christmas tree farm. She will explain how she uses social media and other ways to share messages about locally grown food and her role in feeding the world.
- Julie Borlaug, assistant director of Partnerships for the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture at Texas A&M, and granddaughter of the late Norman E. Borlaug. Borlaug was a biologist, humanitarian and Nobel laureate who has been called “The Father of the Green Revolution.” Julie Borlaug will discuss how she builds partnerships to expand upon his mission to feed the world’s hungry.
Download AAW’s latest newsletter to view the agenda, tour information and registration form. Online registration is available. If you have questions, please contact the convention co-chairs, Jane Marshall citizenjane@me.com or Rachael Vonderhaar farmeral3@gmail.com. Hotel reservations should be made directly with Hueston Woods Lodge, 513-664-3500.
American Agri-Women promotes national security through a safe and reliable food, fiber and mineral supply. Since 1974, AAW members have worked together to educate consumers; advocate for agriculture; and offer networking and professional development opportunities. Go to the AAW website for more information and to join, www.americanagriwomen.org. Find AAW on social media at: www.Facebook.com/AgriWomen/ and www.Twitter.com/Women4Ag/ (@Women4Ag).
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