Keeping a Close Eye & Possible Park Closings

Keeping a Close Eye & Possible Park Closings plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is keeping a close eye on regulatory issues. President Bob Stallman says the group has a number of concerns on that front - but says the biggest one hanging over the ag industry is still a big unknown - and that’s what will be done in the area of climate change.

STALLMAN: The bottom line is what we do in that arena is going to increase energy costs. It’s going to increase energy costs for everybody but agricultures input costs are greatly reliant on whatever the price of energy is and so we’re looking at agriculture potentially taking a very extreme negative economic hit from whatever climate change proposals may be passed.

If you enjoy some of Washington’s state parks, you may have to find another place to relax. As many as 40 state parks may be forced to close according to state parks director Rex Derr. In a meeting last week that stunned people that were there to comment on the proposed closing of 13 parks, Derr said he has been asked to prepare for a 23% budget cut and that may mean closing more parks. A final decision will be made after the Washington state legislature passes the new budget.

Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.

There are times while listening to learned people speak that you have a “huh” moment. You know the kind where you shake your head and ask, “Did he just say what I think he said?”  Several people were doing just that recently when Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas spouted forth with stereotypical blather against organic or alternative farmers. His reference to organic farmers as short in stature and knowledge left more than a few people with a bad taste in their mouth, especially when he went on to describe what he regards as “real” farmers; someone who towers over six feet and owns 10,000 acres or more. For your information Mr. Roberts, organic farmers are into it for more than something to do in their off time. They are as sincere and dedicated to their agricultural business as the farmer with 10,000 acres and an investment in machinery that runs into the hundreds of thousands. Can’t we in the agricultural community embrace each others differences and work together to attain mutual respect for all farmers working towards a common goal; feeding America?

Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.