Amanda Nolz October 21st, 2009
At times, it feels like the general consumer doesn’t understand what we do on our farms and ranches. In the past few years, it has become evident that the public mistrusts the American farmer and rancher, which is unfortunate, because we have the same worries and concerns as they do. Like our consumers, we worry about animal care, the environment, food safety and sustainability. Yet, so often, the plight of the ranchers themselves is forgotten. Profitability, good health and a well-balanced lifestyle are sometimes hard to achieve in the 24/7 business of producing food, but it hardly seems like the media is ever concerned about that. However, this week in MSN Careers, Career Builder Editor Kate Lorenz identifies America’s Most Dangerous Jobs, and she lists the challenges farmers face in her countdown. Finally, a media source that remembers humanity and recognizes the hard and dangerous work farmers and ranchers do on a daily basis. Read on for an excerpt of her article… And, please remember to be safe and smart this harvest season. God Bless.
America’s Most Dangerous Jobs, By Kate Lorenz
While many of us go to our jobs every day without even thinking that we might suffer a paper cut, there are thousands of other workers in peril every time they punch the clock. From inner city violence to acts of nature, professionals put their lives at risk to keep the community safe, keep store shelves stocked with food, keep our utilities running, and build our roads, cars and homes.
Jobs with the highest fatality rates: Farmers ranked fifth with a rate of 39.5 fatalities per 100,000 workers.Jobs with the most fatalities: Agriculture work ranked fifth again with the most common accidents being highway-related.Most dangerous industries: Agriculture work ranked third with 651 deaths in 2008.
BEEF Daily Quick Fact: Remember to practice farm safety rules to avoid tragic accidents. To review these rules with your family, check out Farm Safety Just 4 Kids.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Farmcast Introduction by HAT
Indiana Farm Bureau Launches Farmcast 10/13/2009
Indiana Farm Bureau is launching its first podcast. Distributed over the internet, the Farmcast program will feature an in-depth discussion with key Farm Bureau leaders about issues important to Indiana Agriculture. IFB president Don Villwock will be the first guest on Farmcast, which will debut this Thursday. “We are really excited about this new podcast: Farmcast. It represents a 21st century method to communicate with our members and all Indiana farmers.” The Farmcast program is being produced in cooperation with Hoosier Ag Today.A new program will be produced each week and will feature a different topic. Villwock said, unfortunately, there is no shortage of issues impacting agriculture, “We have a long list of national and state issues that need to be explored in detail.” Topping the list of national issues is Cap and Trade. “I prefer to call it Cap and Tax,” said Villwock. Other issues on Villwock’s list include bioenergy, health care reform, and animal welfare. Topping the list of state issues that will be covered on Farmcast is property taxes, “It is a do or die year in 2010 as the legislature wants to put into the state constitution these unequal caps that truly discriminate against farmers, landowners, equipment owners, and building owners.” Villwock said this will be a atopic that is visited many times on Farmcast.Villwock says the convience of the podcast technology will allow Farm Bureau members to access the information whenever they want. It can also be loaded on portable digital audio players and i-pods for listening in the combine, the truck, or the car. Many cellular phones and other portable wireless devices are capable of downloading podcasts. Links to the audio program can be included in e-mails that farmers can send to their neighbors or elected officials. The Farmcast can be accessed at Hoosier Ag Today and, soon, on the IFB web site. Listeners can also subscribe to the podcast and have it sent directly to their i-tunes of other podcast program. According to Farmcast producer Gary Truitt, each program will last about 10 minutes, “This will give us a chance to get deep into an issue and discuss in detail the implications for Indiana agriculture.” The first program will be a general overview with Villwock followed next week by an in-depth discussion of the property tax issue and upcoming session of the Indiana General Assembly.
Indiana Farm Bureau is launching its first podcast. Distributed over the internet, the Farmcast program will feature an in-depth discussion with key Farm Bureau leaders about issues important to Indiana Agriculture. IFB president Don Villwock will be the first guest on Farmcast, which will debut this Thursday. “We are really excited about this new podcast: Farmcast. It represents a 21st century method to communicate with our members and all Indiana farmers.” The Farmcast program is being produced in cooperation with Hoosier Ag Today.A new program will be produced each week and will feature a different topic. Villwock said, unfortunately, there is no shortage of issues impacting agriculture, “We have a long list of national and state issues that need to be explored in detail.” Topping the list of national issues is Cap and Trade. “I prefer to call it Cap and Tax,” said Villwock. Other issues on Villwock’s list include bioenergy, health care reform, and animal welfare. Topping the list of state issues that will be covered on Farmcast is property taxes, “It is a do or die year in 2010 as the legislature wants to put into the state constitution these unequal caps that truly discriminate against farmers, landowners, equipment owners, and building owners.” Villwock said this will be a atopic that is visited many times on Farmcast.Villwock says the convience of the podcast technology will allow Farm Bureau members to access the information whenever they want. It can also be loaded on portable digital audio players and i-pods for listening in the combine, the truck, or the car. Many cellular phones and other portable wireless devices are capable of downloading podcasts. Links to the audio program can be included in e-mails that farmers can send to their neighbors or elected officials. The Farmcast can be accessed at Hoosier Ag Today and, soon, on the IFB web site. Listeners can also subscribe to the podcast and have it sent directly to their i-tunes of other podcast program. According to Farmcast producer Gary Truitt, each program will last about 10 minutes, “This will give us a chance to get deep into an issue and discuss in detail the implications for Indiana agriculture.” The first program will be a general overview with Villwock followed next week by an in-depth discussion of the property tax issue and upcoming session of the Indiana General Assembly.
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