Rural School Funding Cuts & Contaminated Eggs

Rural School Funding Cuts & Contaminated Eggs plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is recommending against eating any eggs produced by Daizen Farms of Burlington, WA. Jason Kelly with WSDA.

KELLY: This operation in Burlington, they were not using appropriate pest management. WSDA has been working with the Food and Drug Administration on the issue. We uncovered a rodent infestation during a regular feed inspection. As a result of testing of that feed we determined that the chickens have been exposed to salmonella and WSDA embargoed the eggs that were on the site and also embargoed any future eggs that that flock may lay.

To date, there have been no reports of illness due to the eggs from Daizen Farms.

Rural Idaho schools could see some dramatic budget cuts as a number of school levies failed recently. A letter sent home with students outlined some of the cuts that would include a secretary, a teacher’s aide and a custodian. Also immediately planned are the elimination of seven bus drivers and completely eliminate school bus service. Of course parents are concerned about how kids will get to school if they can’t do it. Students will also have to pay to participate in sports program and they may be cut altogether. The levy will be presented again in August.

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

Scam artists and identity thieves are getting more brazen all the time. Take into account the recent fraudulent USDA letters being faxed out to individuals and business in at least four states. These letters claim to be from a USDA procurement officer and ask the recipient for personal and financial information. The fake letters even bear the USDA logo and seal and are signed by an individual calling themselves “Frank Rutenberg”, using a title of Senior Procurement Officer”. In no way, shape, or form should people receiving these letters respond or supply any of the requested information. They should however contact the USDA directly. The USDA is investigating this matter through the Office of the Inspector General. It takes some pretty big cojones to try and pass yourself off as the USDA, but it also comes as no surprise. There are thousands of online predators sitting at their computers right now working out the best possible way to ambush you and your computer. No one is immune to these scammers. The unemployed are often taken in by “Work from Home” scams, while the elderly fall prey to “grandchildren need money” calls. We all need to be on our guard.

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