Price of the Picnic & Organic Trade

Price of the Picnic & Organic Trade

Price of the Picnic & Organic Trade plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.

Organic processed products certified in the U.S. or Korea can now be labeled as organic in either country - as of Wednesday. Anne Alonzo, Administrator of USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, says this week's organic agreement with Korea is the latest in what has been a very successful trade relationship with that country.

ALONZO: We have a strong bi-lateral trade relationship with them. In fact, in 2013 Korea was the 6th largest market for U.S. ag exports and the United States provides about a quarter of Korea's ag imports and of course we have a Korea/U.S. trade agreement, KORUS and so this adds to the success story that we have with trade with Korea.

The American Farm Bureau Federation has released the results of its informal summer picnic survey. More than 80 Farm Bureau members in 25 states checked retail prices for summer picnic foods at their local grocery stores - and from this - AFBF concludes a picnic including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and chocolate milk for 10 people will cost 58-dollars and 72-cents. This is a five-percent increase compared to last year. One Farm Bureau economist says a meal for less than six-dollars per person is still a good deal.

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

Will yours be knee high by the fourth of July? This of course refers to an old expression by US farmers for corn growth. This year knee high by the 4th is a real possibility for many farmers. According to the USDA 75% of the country's corn crop is rated good to excellent, better than this time last year and several previous years. Even with America's financial, political and social ups and downs over the years we still have a lot to celebrate on the 4th of July. First and foremost, we have the freedom to be able to "agree to disagree"; meaning, you can speak out if you disagree with how local, state, or federal officials do things without fear of imprisonment or even death. Also, if you have enough personal fortitude, desire, and ambition you can be whatever you want to be, no matter your race, sex, religion, or financial status. Essentially, we all have the freedom of saying what we want, wearing what we want, and doing what we want. So here's to everyone having a fun and safe 4th of July, and remember we still live in the best country in the world!

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

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