Worm in the Works & Grasshopper Problem

Worm in the Works & Grasshopper Problem

Worm in the Works & Grasshopper Problem plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report. The Giant Palouse Earthworm is once again rearing its head in the form of a possible for the endangered species list. It was rejected once before during the Bush Administration but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to look at it again. The worm makes its home in prime wheat growing country and according to Scott Yates, Director of Communications with the Washington Grain Commission they thought it was a dead issue. YATES: We believe that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals was correct in saying that there wasn't enough information to go forward with the appeal and the fact that the environmental group has petitioned a second time to the Fish & Wildlife Service it's just interesting. During the Bush Administration it was refused and now they're taking a second look at it. Idaho's Treasure Valley is beginning to see an infestation of grasshoppers this year. No one is sure why but because of the hot temperatures we've recently had, grasshoppers are emerging from the soil, and eyeing the green crops to feed on. Because of the extreme amount of damage the critters can cause the state is now helping property owners in their fight by providing grasshopper bait. Other areas of the NW have seen large outbreaks of grasshoppers in recent years. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Lacy Gray. Confession is good for the soul, but not when there is a microphone in the room. Former USDA official Shirley Sherrod has found this out the hard way. The fact that the occurrence of racism she confessed to happened twenty -four years ago when she worked for a non-profit and not the USDA hasn't seemed to stem the tide of "over the top" political correctness targeted at her from all sides. Just as with driving a car, over correcting, as the USDA and the NAACP have done in dealing with Sherrod, can lead to a far more disastrous chain of events. The fervor of negative comments being posted on the web regarding this is a prime example, and for the most part down right disturbing to say the least. Ms. Sherrod's attempt to use her past mistake as an example for how discrimination is wrong on any level can be seen as admirable not shameful. Her more current work ethic and accomplishments should have been the deciding factor in how this played out. Hopefully the USDA will have the wherewithal and the backbone to correct their initial impulse of self preservation that instigated their requesting Sherrod's resignation. Thanks Lacy. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.
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