Small Business Awards & Wheat Commission Report

Small Business Awards & Wheat Commission Report plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

Recently a small amount of genetically modified wheat found in an Oregon field set off a firestorm and caused both Japan and South Korea to pull back on some shipments of wheat. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or APHIS has been investigating. Up to now we have not heard from industry leaders in the northwest. But now statements from all three wheat commissions shows support for the APHIS investigation which states they have not found anything that would indicate that this incident amounts to more than a single isolated incident in a single field on a single farm.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack kicked off National Small Business Week by highlighting USDA efforts to help rural small businesses create jobs, get access to capital and spur economic growth. Rural Business Enterprise Grants were awarded in both Oregon and Washington.

VILSACK: Today we announce under our Rural Business Enterprise Grant program 54 awards in 21 states. These awards run the gamut from providing assistance and help to a small business for additional training. For the development of a good business plan as a good start to a small business. Some small businesses will be using these grants to upgrade their technology; their website or their marketing efforts. Several will be using these grants to purchase necessary equipment or even to construct a plant.

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

During June, which happens to be the 11th annual National Dairy Month, the dairy industry is highlighting its “Real Seal”. Created thirty years ago, the Real Seal helps consumers know that what they are buying contains real milk. In fact, representatives for the National Milk Producers Federation say that there is more of a need for the Real Seal today than when it was first introduced. Why? Because they say the market is flooded now days with more milk imitators than ever before, such as products made from plants and nuts. The dairy industry has been campaigning for years to have the FDA halt what they feel is the misuse of dairy labels on faux dairy foods. An added plus for consumers is that the Real Seal is also a country of origin label, because only American made dairy products can carry the Real Seal. So, if you are concerned about whether or not what you are buying contains real milk, as well as where that product came from, just remember to look for the bright red Real Seal. If you would like more information or would like to find out what products currently carry the Real Seal be sure to visit realseal.com.

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