12/28/06 Green-Labeling Cover & FSA Opening

Two of the nation's largest timber companies are being accused of using the forest industry's "green-labeling" program as a cover. The Seattle Audubon Society and The Natural Resources Council of Maine are demanding that the Sustainable Forestry Board revoke certification for Weyerhaeuser and Plum Creek Timber companies. The two organizations say the two companies are logging in ways that harm the endangered spotted owls in Washington - and violate forestry laws in Maine. According to Forestry Board President, William Banzhaf, this is the first time mainstream environmental groups have publicly attempted to turn the forest industry`s green certification process against big timber companies. USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service is looking for individuals with expertise in international agriculture  trade - and development - related to emerging market economies. Officials would like for these persons to serve on FSA's Advisory Committee on the Emerging Markets Program. The committee is composed of 20 representatives who advise USDA on efforts to enhance food and rural business systems in emerging markets - and review funding proposals under USDA's Emerging Markets Program. The program supports private and governmental technical assistance activities designed to promote U.S. agricultural exports. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Susan Allen. If I have learned one thing from my horses it is that I can never stop learning. I know that is the same with farming, so I thought I would like to pass on a web site that could prove valuable to Northwest alfalfa growers. UC Davis just s posted an IPM, Integrated Pest Management Program at www.ipm.ucdavis.edu to help guide alfalfa growers through the process of implementing a good IPM program. UC Davis has broken it down in concise steps over a growing year explaining the major activities growers need to do at each stage, and providing checklists to make it easy. There is also good information on managing hay and the cutting schedule. While our Northwest growers receive valuable information from the UC Davis web site, California Alfalfa growers get an added incentive. The California Natural Resources Conservation Service is offering a $125 per acre incentive fund for growers who implement this new program. Thanks Susan. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.