State Ag Meeting & Getting Paid to Shop

State Ag Meeting & Getting Paid to Shop plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.

In one week 13 state directors of ag will be converging on Leavenworth, WA for the Western Association of States Departments of Agriculture meeting. According to the event coordinator, Rianne Perry, it's an opportunity for the ag leaders to discuss key policy issues.

PERRY: The real rationale; the real purpose of the conference is for them to meet and talk about policy issues. Issues that are affecting the western states in particular. And to have some presentations from folks who are experts in the areas that they are interested in. Getting updates on legislation or pending legislation and really just an opportunity for them to talk.

Everyone shops for groceries so why not get paid to do so? A new smartphone app called Checkout 51 will pay you for purchasing certain grocery items you already buy. You just check the apps list of weekly featured groceries and buy them at your favorite store. Then take a picture of your receipt and send it to the app creators. Once you accrue $20, they will send you a check. I'm not sure how it all works but it's supposed to be legit. Give it a try.

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

Fairs of all shapes and sizes are once again in full swing. When asked, most people will tick off a list of reasons why they enjoy going to the fair; the exhibits, the shows, the rides, or even the milling crowds of people. But we all know there's another reason most of us get excited when fair time rolls around each year, the food! Fair foods are an art form all on their own and some have even mastered what would seem like a culinary impossibility, such as deep fried maple bacon cookie dough, or the multitudes of anything and everything culinary served on a stick. Ever try shepherds's pie on a stick? It can prove to be challenging and addictive to say the least. And for those of you that try to still eat relatively healthy while at the fair, you can have salad on a stick. The food police are always on their soap box, but even more so during fair time. But like those annoying little gnats that seem to want to swarm around me as I go for my morning walk I'll just dismiss them with a wave of my hand as I head over to the funnel cake stand. I hear they have a maple bacon funnel cake this year. Out of my way buzzkills.

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