05/25/05 Ag support for Myers; Johnson to depart

With a Senate compromise over judicial nomination filibusters reached, one of the losers appears to be Idaho Attorney Bill Myers. The nominee to a judge's seat on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals would be one of two nominations not guaranteed consideration of a vote under the compromise. That has led the National Cattlemen's Beef Association to try to push the issue. N.C.B.A. has asked members to contact their Senators to call for a vote on Myers' nomination. Opponents say his work with N.C.B.A. and other clients and his views on multiple land use, would bias him on environmental court cases. But Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says that line of thinking sets a dangerous precedent. CRAPO: I just think it's not appropriate and it's never really been done in the past to blame an attorney for the positions that the attorney's advocates on behalf of specific clients. No one is sure exactly when. Even Allen Johnson himself. But the U.S. Chief Ag Trade Negotiator announced he will soon be leaving the office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Johnson says while he remains focused on working deals such as the Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement, he isn't committed to staying on through Congressional consideration of C.A.F.T.A.-D.R. But he did show support for CA.F.T.A.-D.R. in a radio interview in North Dakota by sending out a veiled threat to the sugar industry, the main opponent to the trade deal. Johnson said if sugar did not back off of its opposition, it could find itself out of favor with the Bush Administration during 2007 Farm Bill considerations. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Susan Allen. ALLEN: As I travel through America's farm country I am always amazed by the entrepreneurship I encounter. Whether it be the small group of NW farmers that have formed a coalition to produce Shepard's Grain destined for specialty breads and gourmet pizza crusts, to the artist whose renderings of the Palouse brought tears to my eyes. Early this month I attended the Spring Barrel Tasting in Walla Walla. I was impressed not only with the fine wines I tasted but the individuals I met with their own unique ways of capitalizing on the event. At the Basel Winery, I encountered a breathtaking team of Grey Percherons waiting patiently to take tourists on carriage trips through wine country. Shannon Spain, who owns the new business, told me her love of horses, people and the region provided the incentive for this start up and plans to offer carriage rides through down town Walla Walla as well as the winery tours. Book an unforgettable ride at wallwallacarriage.com. In her words a horse drawn carriage ride isn't expensive, it's priceless. So is the lesson I learned on pairing passion with vocation I'm Susan Allen and this is Food Forethought.