ODA Approves Wolf Funds & REAP Uncertain

ODA Approves Wolf Funds & REAP Uncertain plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture, working with Governor Kitzhaber’s office, has approved $82,970 in funding appropriated by the 2011 State Legislature for county-level work to implement the Oregon Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance County Block Grant Program. ODA’s Director Katy Coba said, “The conflict between wolves and livestock is controversial, and addressing the issue appropriately is important to all sides. We think this program is a good example of how government at the state and county levels can effectively work together to make a difference.”

The Renewable Energy for America Program has helped the U.S. make unprecedented gains in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Many clean energy projects across the nation have received funding through the program. USDA Rural Development Energy Coordinator Scott Collins says REAP exploded across the country last year but REAP’s future is uncertain right now as this is the final year the program is authorized in the farm bill.

COLLINS: We certainly think that given the dramatic upsurge in the interest in the program though the past several years, we think there’s a market out there but that decision is not ours. We’ll just sit back and wait and see what the congressional deliberations bring.

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

Obviously, when it comes to potatoes, people are not willing to give them up without a fight. Perhaps that accounts for the White House throwing down the white flag of truce when it comes to acceptance of the humble potato. After an aggressive PR campaign from potato state lawmakers and the National Potato Council, potatoes are welcome once again in U.S. school cafeterias. Last October, Congress passed an amendment, which reversed legislative language that would have limited the number of servings of potatoes in public schools to two per week. Now, they’ve been included in the White House garden. On March 26, First lady Michelle Obama and children from around the country planted five potato varieties in the White House Kitchen Garden, now in its fourth year. NPC Executive Vice President and CEO John Keeling said after the planting of the White House garden that, “America's potato growers are excited the first lady is helping educate children that healthy eating includes nutrient-rich potatoes”. As well they should be. It’s been a couple of rough years for those in the potato industry, but its looking like good common sense will finally prevail when it comes to the nutritional potato.

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