Higher Gas Prices & Getting the Farm Bill Done

Higher Gas Prices & Getting the Farm Bill Done

Higher Gas Prices & Getting the Farm Bill Done plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

A recent fire at one of the countries largest oil refineries will likely push gas prices over $4. Monday’s fire at the massive Chevron refinery north of San Francisco send scores of people to the hospital with breathing difficulties. The fire was contained by early Tuesday but the repercussions could see prices jump. Inventories of gasoline are already low here in the region and that coupled with the fire may very well be felt at the pump.

More than 1500 counties across 32 states have been designated as disaster areas by USDA giving qualified farmers access to low-interest emergency loans. President Obama says agencies need to continue working and will solicit ideas from others, including farmers and ranchers, to find additional ways to help. He says Congress obviously has a role in this.

OBAMA: Congress needs to pass a farm bill that will not only provide important disaster relief tools but also make necessary reforms and give farmers the certainty that they deserve. That’s the single best way that we can help rural communities both in the short term but also in the long term. And we’ve already seen some good bi-partisan work done in the Senate. Now’s the time for us to cone together and go ahead and get this done.

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

It’s National Farmers Market Week. Over the last eighteen years the number of farmers markets across the country has consistently increased, with the USDA now registering 7,864. That’s an increase of 6,120 farmers markets since 1994. In celebration and recognition of National Farmers Market Week the American Farmland Trust has launched an online leader board revealing the top 20 farmers markets that are leading their Favorite Farmers Markets contest. The contest started in June and will continue through September 3rd. The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the finest farmers markets in the country and as consumers we need to acknowledge that fact. So go online and vote for your favorite farmers market. With just the simple click of a mouse you’ll have taken one more step in supporting your local farmers and farmers markets. And if any of you farmers out there have an “inner writer” itching to get out, be sure to submit an essay stating why you think farmers markets matter to your farm and family, and your community. Who knows, you might just win the Farmers Market Inspiration Award - a $1thousand “inspiration”.

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

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