After a decent weekend its time to get back to work. At least between all the meetings.
The week starts with a Putnam County Farm Bureau meeting on Monday night. Looking for a new goal or project to plan for 2010. On Tuesday we have an Ag Week committee meeting at 9 a.m. . This year's Ag Week is scheduled for March 16-18 with the Ag Breakfast kicking things off again Tuesday morning and ending with the Mini-Farm Fest on Thursday starting at 3:30 p.m.
We are planning more activities and fun for all the children. Its free and a great opportunity to make your kids the center of attention for an evening. If you know anyone who might like to have an Agriculture related booth at the event let them know and contact Ann at the Extension office. Tuesday night is the 4-H Leader Workshop being planned from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. On Friday will be a special Fairboard meeting to discuss some business that was presented at the last meeting. The next FB Legislative Update session will be Feb. 20 at 8 a.m. in the FB Boardroom. We are also planning on a trip to the statehouse after bills switch houses this week. A number of Agriculture issues are still being discussed and we will continue letting our legislators know what Putnam County Farmers are thinking. On January 23rd we were able to meet with Brad Ellsworth and discuss several National Ag Issues. Sorry no funnies lately, couldn't find anything appropriate. Will try to post some pictures of the Ellsworth meeting soon.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
HSUS rates US Legislator's Voting practice
Putnam County Farm Bureau wants to thank those below that have the low numbers as they continue to support Animal Agriculture in Indiana. Those with high votes voted in favor on a number of laws that would be detrimental to the future of Animal Agriculture. Special congrats go to Representative Pence from the 6th district with a 0 score. Our Senators also did an excellent job supporting Indiana Agriculture. To learn more go to http://www.hslf.org/pdfs/111_2009_HumaneScorecard.pdf
INDIANA
Burton (R-5th) SP 38
Buyer (R-4th) 8
Carson (D-7th) 69
Donnelly (D-2nd) 46
Ellsworth (D-8th) 38
Hill (D-9th) 38
Pence (R-6th) 0
Souder (R-3rd) NV 15
Visclosky (D-1st) 62
INDIANA
Bayh (D) 17
Lugar (R) 17
INDIANA
Burton (R-5th) SP 38
Buyer (R-4th) 8
Carson (D-7th) 69
Donnelly (D-2nd) 46
Ellsworth (D-8th) 38
Hill (D-9th) 38
Pence (R-6th) 0
Souder (R-3rd) NV 15
Visclosky (D-1st) 62
INDIANA
Bayh (D) 17
Lugar (R) 17
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Joe and Angela receive runners up honors at National FB Convention
Joe and Angela Mann of Putnam County were one of three runners up in the AFBF Young Farmer & Rancher Achievement Award. The achievement award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities. The runners-up received a Case IH Farmall 31 Tractor, courtesy of Case IH.
The winners in all three contests were announced Jan. 11 at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 91st annual meeting, held in Seattle, Wash. Young farmers from around the United States competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge of and achievement in agriculture, as well as commitment to promoting the agriculture industry. The Gaucks, Honeycutt and the Manns earned a trip to the annual meeting by first winning at the state level during Indiana Farm Bureau’s annual meeting, held in November.
The winners in all three contests were announced Jan. 11 at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 91st annual meeting, held in Seattle, Wash. Young farmers from around the United States competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge of and achievement in agriculture, as well as commitment to promoting the agriculture industry. The Gaucks, Honeycutt and the Manns earned a trip to the annual meeting by first winning at the state level during Indiana Farm Bureau’s annual meeting, held in November.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Real picture of HSUS
Unpacking the HSUS Gravy Train
There are only two things certain in life, as the saying goes, and a byproduct of one of them requires nonprofit organizations to file paperwork with the IRS. So now that the deceptively named “Humane Society” of the United States (HSUS) has submitted its "Form 990" for 2008, we thought it was time to take a close look. The tax filing itself is a bit more detailed than ones in the past, thanks to some new IRS rules. And more detail equals a clearer picture of exactly what HSUS is doing -- and what it's not doing -- with all its money. [Click here to view the full document.]
HSUS reported spending almost $20 million on “campaigns, legislation, and litigation”—enough to worry any livestock farmer or hunter looking to keep their chosen lifestyle alive. The group collected over $86 million in contributions, and spent more than $24 million on fundraising, including $4 million on professional fundraisers. Think about it: 28 cents of every dollar contributed to HSUS goes back out the door to raise more money. HSUS even paid a single “lockbox” company more than $4.2 million to count and process its cash hauls. We won’t comment on that company’s curious "ALF" initials (for Arizona Lockbox & Fulfillment).
The bottom line is the same as it ever was: HSUS rakes in millions from unsuspecting Americans who may confuse the animal rights group with an unaffiliated local humane society. And with all this cash flying around, it’s no surprise that 41 HSUS employees made at least $100,000 last year. All told, HSUS paid out over $30.9 million in salaries, wages, and other employee compensation.
HSUS CEO Wayne Pacelle earned more than $250,000 in salary and benefits in 2008. We wouldn’t begrudge him a large salary, of course: He runs an animal-rights business “charity,” after all.
But the real trouble lies in where most HSUS money doesn’t go: to pet shelters. In contrast with the group’s extravagant spending on people, HSUS’s total grant allocation was less than $4.7 million. And of that, almost half went to a political campaign committee called “Californians for Humane Farms,” the main lobbying organization responsible for California’s “Proposition 2” ballot initiative.
For all the cute pictures of puppies and kitties on HSUS paraphernalia, you’d think it would operate a pet shelter, or at least give a substantial portion of its money to one. But HSUS has lobbying to do, a PETA-inspired agenda to push, meat eaters to stigmatize, and livestock farmers to put out to pasture. Lobbying? Oh, yes. HSUS takes four full pages to detail its lobbying activities on the state and federal levels.
With all the politicking going on, the animals—remember them?—seem to get lost in the shuffle. We added up the totals, and HSUS gave only a little more than $450,000—that’s just half of one percent of its total budget—in grants to organizations providing hands-on care to dogs and cats. That’s less than 11 percent of what it paid “ALF” (see above) just to count its money.
We’re musing today about HSUS’s next big self-marketing blitz, and some new slogans it might want to use. Our favorite? “HSUS: Feed the lawyers, save the fundraisers, screw the pets.”
There are only two things certain in life, as the saying goes, and a byproduct of one of them requires nonprofit organizations to file paperwork with the IRS. So now that the deceptively named “Humane Society” of the United States (HSUS) has submitted its "Form 990" for 2008, we thought it was time to take a close look. The tax filing itself is a bit more detailed than ones in the past, thanks to some new IRS rules. And more detail equals a clearer picture of exactly what HSUS is doing -- and what it's not doing -- with all its money. [Click here to view the full document.]
HSUS reported spending almost $20 million on “campaigns, legislation, and litigation”—enough to worry any livestock farmer or hunter looking to keep their chosen lifestyle alive. The group collected over $86 million in contributions, and spent more than $24 million on fundraising, including $4 million on professional fundraisers. Think about it: 28 cents of every dollar contributed to HSUS goes back out the door to raise more money. HSUS even paid a single “lockbox” company more than $4.2 million to count and process its cash hauls. We won’t comment on that company’s curious "ALF" initials (for Arizona Lockbox & Fulfillment).
The bottom line is the same as it ever was: HSUS rakes in millions from unsuspecting Americans who may confuse the animal rights group with an unaffiliated local humane society. And with all this cash flying around, it’s no surprise that 41 HSUS employees made at least $100,000 last year. All told, HSUS paid out over $30.9 million in salaries, wages, and other employee compensation.
HSUS CEO Wayne Pacelle earned more than $250,000 in salary and benefits in 2008. We wouldn’t begrudge him a large salary, of course: He runs an animal-rights business “charity,” after all.
But the real trouble lies in where most HSUS money doesn’t go: to pet shelters. In contrast with the group’s extravagant spending on people, HSUS’s total grant allocation was less than $4.7 million. And of that, almost half went to a political campaign committee called “Californians for Humane Farms,” the main lobbying organization responsible for California’s “Proposition 2” ballot initiative.
For all the cute pictures of puppies and kitties on HSUS paraphernalia, you’d think it would operate a pet shelter, or at least give a substantial portion of its money to one. But HSUS has lobbying to do, a PETA-inspired agenda to push, meat eaters to stigmatize, and livestock farmers to put out to pasture. Lobbying? Oh, yes. HSUS takes four full pages to detail its lobbying activities on the state and federal levels.
With all the politicking going on, the animals—remember them?—seem to get lost in the shuffle. We added up the totals, and HSUS gave only a little more than $450,000—that’s just half of one percent of its total budget—in grants to organizations providing hands-on care to dogs and cats. That’s less than 11 percent of what it paid “ALF” (see above) just to count its money.
We’re musing today about HSUS’s next big self-marketing blitz, and some new slogans it might want to use. Our favorite? “HSUS: Feed the lawyers, save the fundraisers, screw the pets.”
Friday, January 8, 2010
"Year of the Pigs"
It Is Time For Swine At The 2010 Indiana State Fair
2010 will be the “Year of the Pigs” at the Indiana State Fair. Fair spokesman Andy Klotz told HAT they are partnering with Indiana Pork Producers to promote pigs and pork. Klotz said one of the reasons Pork was chosen was because of the desperate economic conditions many Hoosier pork producers find themselves in, “We want to do what we can to help turn this economic crises around.” “Indiana’s pork farmers recognize this unique opportunity to directly connect with consumers at the State Fair, and are excited about sharing with them the truly impressive story of producing pork in our state,” Mike Platt, executive director for the Indiana Pork Producers, said. “It’s a story of innovation, ingenuity, strong family values, commitment to quality, and dedication in the service of our fellow Hoosiers.”
2010 will be the “Year of the Pigs” at the Indiana State Fair. Fair spokesman Andy Klotz told HAT they are partnering with Indiana Pork Producers to promote pigs and pork. Klotz said one of the reasons Pork was chosen was because of the desperate economic conditions many Hoosier pork producers find themselves in, “We want to do what we can to help turn this economic crises around.” “Indiana’s pork farmers recognize this unique opportunity to directly connect with consumers at the State Fair, and are excited about sharing with them the truly impressive story of producing pork in our state,” Mike Platt, executive director for the Indiana Pork Producers, said. “It’s a story of innovation, ingenuity, strong family values, commitment to quality, and dedication in the service of our fellow Hoosiers.”
Monday, January 4, 2010
Food Preservation Workshop
A Food Preservation Workshop presented by Virginia Servies, Consumer Family Science Educator (Retired) will be held Tuesday, January 19, 2010 in the Putnam County Library, at 6-8 p.m. in the Kiwanis room. Please RSVP to 653-8411 (Extension Office) by Jan. 15th. This workshop is sponsored by: Putnam County Farm Bureau Inc., Putnam County Hospital, and the Purdue Extension-Putnam County.
Turn the hard work in your garden into food you can enjoy all year around.
The workshop will focus on how the rules have changed over the years and how to safely prepare and preserve our food for the products we use today.
We will focus on the Ball Home Canning book along with additional reliable websites, information, recipes, ideas and tips. Sources of recipes will be valuable for beginners as well as the experienced.
Please bring your pressure canner lid if you would like the gauge tested before or after the workshop.
Turn the hard work in your garden into food you can enjoy all year around.
The workshop will focus on how the rules have changed over the years and how to safely prepare and preserve our food for the products we use today.
We will focus on the Ball Home Canning book along with additional reliable websites, information, recipes, ideas and tips. Sources of recipes will be valuable for beginners as well as the experienced.
Please bring your pressure canner lid if you would like the gauge tested before or after the workshop.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
First 2010 baby animal born
If you have recently had a baby (Beef, Bison, Dairy, Elk, Goat, Rabbit, Sheep, or Swine) born in 2010 and would like to submit it as the first one born in 2010 send your name, address, phone, email, date and time of animal's birth, breed, sex, and name of animal if you have one, along with a photo to:
Putnam County Farm Bureau, Inc.
Attn: Heather Poynter
1001 N Jackson St
Greencastle, IN 46135
Putnam County Farm Bureau, Inc.
Attn: Heather Poynter
1001 N Jackson St
Greencastle, IN 46135
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