FFA Week, Gas Prices Up & More Snow

Thursday Feb 17th, 2011 20 Views Northwest Report

FFA Week, Gas Prices Up & More Snow plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

I really, REALLY don’t want to say this out loud but the Northwest is in for some more snow and ice according to the forecast. Western Oregon and Washington could see more snow and mixed rain beginning tonight but little accumulation. With highs due in the mid-40’s look for more wet conditions.

The National FFA Organization is celebrating National FFA Week February 19th through the 26th. FFA Week gives members a chance to educate the public about agriculture. During the week, chapters host teacher appreciation breakfasts, conduct "Ag Olympics" competitions, speak to the public about agriculture, volunteer for community service projects and more. FFA President Riley Pagett has a challenge for current FFA members.

PAGETT: And I would encourage FFA members across the nation to wear their FFA official dress to school because that really opens up conversation for those that are unaware what the blue corduroy jacket means, what it stands for and what the FFA is all about.

Prices at the gas pump have reached a 28-month high even though supplies continue to grow and the demand for gas is weak. The national average for regular gasoline rose to $3.133 a gallon. That's about $1.20 more than the price at the pump two years ago.

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

The way extreme environmental groups go off about genetically modified foods you’d think they were referring to Armageddon. To hear them tell it the USDA’s decision to grant non-regulated status for genetically modified alfalfa “will lead to the total destruction of the essential soil food web, massive poisoning of farm workers, and mutant genes and seeds spreading rampant unchecked across the nation and the world”. Whoa, that’s some strong fightin’ words Tex. And just a wee bit , no a big bit over the top. Very reminiscent of the end of the world predictors at the turn of the millennium, their key aim here seems to be more about spreading fear and confusion than it does about educating the consumer on understanding genetically modified foods. GM foods responsibly monitored, utilized, and labeled can help meet the food needs of the world. Extremists claim the USDA’s decision proves the government is protecting big business interests, but perhaps it’s more about discovering ways to keep up with the ever growing demand for, and shortage of food. Unlike GM foods, starvation is a very real and present danger.

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