Letters to the Editor

USDA should be honest

Monday, June 22, 2009

Editor:
I would like to comment on Alan Guebert’s great article on NAIS in the June 18 Farm and Dairy. His lines, “flaws are as wide and deep as its unknowns…” and “no farmer wants a new expressway built between him and the federal courthouse” are excellent observations!
With the correct picture he has drawn of […]

American taxpayers are subsidizing the rest of the world

Friday, June 12, 2009

Editor:
These days, the subject one is most likely to hear on the evening news is the state of the economy.
The U.S.A. is a young country compared to England, France, Germany, Africa and several other countries. Why must we help all of these foreign countries that are much older than ours?
Also, given the economic […]

Reader: Pa. Sunshine solar energy program not so bright

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Editor:
In your May 28, 2009 article, “Sun is shining on those interested in solar energy,” it is claimed that Pennsylvania consumers could reduce “purchase and installation costs of solar energy technology” by 45 percent.
How? By taking advantage of federal tax credits and Pennsylvania’s Sunshine and Solar Program rebates.
The case of one couple is cited […]

Counterproductive to include agricultural operations

Monday, June 8, 2009

Editor:
I would like to comment on Al Cross’ article about USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack’s push to add carbon credits for agriculture to the proposed “cap and trade” system.
If the Climate Bill is truly designed to improve the environment, then it would be counterproductive to include agricultural operations, particularly any livestock operations to the credit […]

There is no “bait and switch” in food industry

Monday, June 1, 2009

Editor:
I feel mildly abused and somewhat insulted by Ms. Seabolt’s column of May 21, 2009. Having worked in the food industry most of my life, I take strong exception to the writer’s conclusion that the food industry employs some evil genius to play “bait and switch” with package contents to bilk the public.
She is […]

Reader welcomes HSUS to Ohio with open arms

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Editor:
As a Farm Bureau member, the victim of one of the six Park Farms broiler grow-out operations now unable to sell my home for its market value, I do hope that Farm Bureau realizes it must treat all its members the same.
For years, I called attention to the plight of our situation by attending […]

The hidden cost of animal ID enrollment

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Editor:
I recently analyzed a USDA spreadsheet for National Animal Identification System (NAIS) bribes — sanitized as cooperative agreements. These are the funds received by tribes, states, government employees and companies who promise to enroll properties for USDA.
Listed is only a scintilla of the cost; the real cost is well above published data required by […]

Article endorsement for Jerseys

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Editor:
I found the article from Normand St-Pierre about feeding for pounds of fat and protein to be quite interesting, and his closing comments in particular.
“In essence, dairy producers make their money on the fat and protein produced, around 7 pounds per hundredweight of milk in Holstein cows and lose money producing the remaining 93 […]

Soldier credits 4-H for building leadership skills

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Editor:
My days in 4-H seem so long ago, yet they are with me every day. At the time, my 4-H projects were activities I enjoyed and wanted to learn more about. Today, those lessons are exactly what I hold onto to protect myself and my country.
When I started in 4-H, I didn’t really think […]

Keep 4-H in Morrow County

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Editor:
I couldn’t believe it when I was told by my mom that Morrow County was in serious jeopardy of losing its 4-H program. I was in 4-H for 10 years.

As a parent, I have looked forward to the day when my daughters would get the amazing experience 4-H offers. This is how I spent my […]