Getting A Bigger Jolt & Free Trade Problems

Getting A Bigger Jolt & Free Trade Problems plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report. It's nice to give someone a hand once in a while but when that results in increased competition it can be the dog biting the hand. Such may be the case in Brazil as an ag industry that was helped along by the U.S. is now poised to compete and according to Farm Bureau's Dave Salmonsen, it shows there must be a change in attitude by U.S. policymakers. SALMONSEN: We've already seen the European Union sign an agreement with South Korea ahead of us, we've seen Canada conclude their agreement with Columbia ahead of us and have we think some preferential or at least earlier access to the markets than we will have. Not sure if this is a sign of the times but a remodeled Seattle Starbucks just reopened with something new on the menu - beer and wine. The Olive Way Starbucks on Capitol Hill is the first under the Starbucks brand to offer alcohol. The beer and wine go on sale after 4 p.m. The idea is to offer drinks and a wider variety of food that will attract customers after the morning espresso rush. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Lacy Gray. My hubby and I try to go on a walk around our extended neighborhood daily. This affords us not only a chance to get much needed exercise but an opportunity to unwind and have some one on one talking time, where we can chat about anything and everything, without the phone going off or the doorbell ringing. On these long walks I generally have my neck on a swivel looking at all the beautiful and often times creative landscaping ideas. One yard in particular catches my fancy as it has a row of giant sunflowers all along the fence side. Originally from rural Kansas the sight of these sunflowers will set my heart to pining for days gone by and a conversation generally ensues about what it was like for both of us growing up in the Mid-West. One thing either my husband or I bring up is how friendly and polite rural farming communities are for the most part; the one finger wave to a passing commuter meaning something entirely different there. Having lived in the city now for more than twenty years its sometimes easy to forget the quiet pleasures of rural life. Thank goodness for the simple beauty of a sunflower to bring it all back. Thanks Lacy. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.