Opportunities and Challenges in Ag Census

April 16, 2014 Leave a comment


By Traci Bruckner, tracib@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs
USDA’s Census of Agriculture provides statistical information that should help the agency respond to opportunities in American agriculture, such as the 14,000 more farms claiming farming as their primary occupation than there were in 2007.

However, in the size categories from 50 to 999 acres nearly 56,000 fewer farms were reported nationally.
And there was a net loss of over 96,000 farms in the 35-54 age group categories.

Mid-size and middle-age farmers make an essential contribution to strong rural communities. They support rural businesses and put kids in our rural schools – the source of future generations of farmers and ranchers who will live in rural and small town America.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack often suggests that we must not lose our rural and small town way of life. He also correctly points out that large farms are doing well, but farms in the middle are eroding.

Moreover, Secretary Vilsack knows that the consolidation of agriculture and the loss of mid-scale farms are not inevitable. Federal policy – commodity and crop insurance policy specifically – play a crucial role.

The 2014 Farm Bill put the ball in the Administration’s court. They have a second chance to make real what President Obama pledged in the rural policy platform of his 2008 Presidential election. He promised to close loopholes that allow mega-farms to game farm programs and ensure payments support active farmers who work the land.

Action, more than prophesy, will build rural America’s future.

Filed under Community Tagged with , ,

It is Reading Time

April 16, 2014 Leave a comment


Hilary Ray enjoyed the Easter stories read by Oakland Public Library Director Rosa Schmidt. Hilary picked out many books for Rosa to read during story time. With the Easter holiday approaching, the Easter books were a huge hit!

Library Director Rosa Schmidt reading an Easter story to Hilary Ray. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Library Director Rosa Schmidt reading an Easter story to Hilary Ray. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Filed under Community, Photo Gallery Tagged with , , ,

Easter Egg Coloring at Oakland Public Library

April 15, 2014 Leave a comment


Hilary Ray had a fabulous morning coloring Easter eggs at the Oakland Public Library. Rosa Schmidt, Library Director, had a unique way of coloring the eggs. She used shaving cream and food coloring, combining the two in a metal pan. Once the two were combined, Hilary rolled the eggs through the color then placed them on newspaper. After 15 or so minutes passed, she wiped the colored shaving cream off and revealed beautifully colored eggs.

Hilary is rolling the egg in colored shaving cram. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Hilary is rolling the egg in colored shaving cram. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Another color for Hilary to roll the egg in! Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Another color for Hilary to roll the egg in! Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Hilary with the eggs after wiping off the colored shaving cream. Her mom Nikki is helping her choose which ones to take home. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Hilary with the eggs after wiping off the colored shaving cream. Her mom Nikki is helping her choose which ones to take home. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Filed under Community, Photo Gallery Tagged with , , , , ,

Logan Valley Clovers 4-H Meeting

April 15, 2014 Leave a comment


Brayden Anderson keeps track of the instructions as he logs into the on-line Livestock Quality Assurance website for training this year. All 4-H and FFA members will need to complete 3 modules in the correct age division by June 10 in order to be eligible to show livestock including poultry and rabbits at any fairs this year. Photo Credit/Mary Loftis.

Brayden Anderson keeps track of the instructions as he logs into the on-line Livestock Quality Assurance website for training this year. All 4-H and FFA members will need to complete 3 modules in the correct age division by June 10 in order to be eligible to show livestock including poultry and rabbits at any fairs this year. Photo Credit/Mary Loftis.

Michael Bracht gets on the Livestock Quality Assurance website as mom, Tricia keeps an eye on his progress. Photo Credit/Mary Loftis.

Michael Bracht gets on the Livestock Quality Assurance website as mom, Tricia keeps an eye on his progress.
Photo Credit/Mary Loftis.

Filed under Community Tagged with , ,

A New Addition to Oakland Library

April 14, 2014 Leave a comment


Stop in the Oakland Public Library for National Library Week and be the first to enjoy the library’s new coffee service, given in memory of Dolores Colson.

Photo courtesy of Library Director Rosa Schmidt/Library Director.

Photo courtesy of Library Director Rosa Schmidt/Library Director.

 

Filed under Community, News Tagged with , ,

Getting a Right Start for the Next Generation of Farmers

April 14, 2014 Leave a comment


Lyons, Nebraska – Today, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the availability of $19 million in funding for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) – a program that provides competitive grants to community organizations, farm and ranch groups, academic institutions, and extension, to provide education, outreach, training and technical assistance to beginning farmers, ranchers and foresters.

“USDA is committed to the next generation of America’s farmers and ranchers because they represent the future of agriculture and are the backbone of our rural economy. As the average age of farmers continues to rise, we have no time to lose in getting more new farmers and ranchers established,” said Secretary Vilsack. “Reauthorizing and expanding the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program is one of the many resources the 2014 Farm Bill gave us to build America’s agricultural future. Through this program, we can build a diverse next generation of farmers and ranchers.”

According to Traci Bruckner of the Center for Rural Affairs, the BFRDP grant program is administered by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, which awards the grants through a competitive review process to organizations and institutions conducting programs to help beginning farmers, ranchers and foresters. Applications for the funding rounds announced today are due June 12, 2014.

“BFRDP has been a highly successful initiative, making the application and award process all the more competitive,” said Bruckner. “And perhaps more importantly the programs funded through this initiative have had a real impact across rural and small town America.”

The presence of the education, outreach, training and technical assistance programs funded by BFRDP is one of the reasons we saw an increase in young, beginning farmers and ranchers in Nebraska in the recent Census of Agriculture, Bruckner added. And this is the only federal program exclusively dedicated to training the next generation of farmers and ranchers.

Bruckner explained further that, in Nebraska, nearly 1,000 more farmers claim farming or ranching as their primary occupation than in the last census. For “years on present farm,” Nebraska grew in every category, from 2 years or less to 10 years or more. In particular, farmer and rancher numbers grew in lower age brackets. The under 25 years category grew by 18%; those aged 25 to 34 grew by 13% (up nationally as well), and farmers aged 35 to 44 grew by 10%.

“There are growing opportunities in farming and ranching across rural and small town America, and we see, first-hand, the increasing desire among a new generation of prospective farmers and ranchers to get their start,” Bruckner concluded. “The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program provides resources to initiatives on the ground that can help those beginners overcome the unique challenges they face and realize their full potential.”

For more information on eligibility of organizations and institutions, and how to apply, go to:
http://www.nifa.usda.gov/fo/beginningfarmersandranchers.cfm

Filed under Community Tagged with , , ,

Support Group Meeting

April 14, 2014 Leave a comment


Caregiver Support Group Meeting

The monthly Caregiver Support Group will meet at the Bancroft Senior Center, this coming Monday, April 21 at 2:00 p.m. The meetings are very informal; various topics are discussed and those who attend are encouraged to share their ups and downs of being a caregiver. The information that is shared by those in attendance is kept confidential. If you are a caregiver and have never attended a meeting, please feel free to come and join us.

Filed under Community Tagged with ,

Bancroft Senior Center News

April 14, 2014 Leave a comment


Bancroft Senior Center News

* The senior center provides Information and Assistance to any individual who is looking for services for themselves or another person 60 years and older, the center manager and/or center participant can provide information to individuals on services available within the community. We link individuals to the services and opportunities that are available within or beyond the community itself. We will then establish adequate follow-up procedures to see that their needs were met. For more information call 402-648-3387.

*If you are 60 years and older and need information on programs designed to help keep you in your home longer or if you need legal help, contact Connie at 402-648-3387 or in the evening at 402-648-7648.

* We have the following medical equipment to loan out on an as need basis, wheel chair, bath seats, toilet seat riser and portable toilet chair, crutches or walker. Call 402-648-3387 during office hours.

 

Meals on Wheels

The Meals on Wheels program started in Bancroft February 10th. Anyone over the age of 60 years and lives within the city limits are eligible for these meals. You may sign up anytime for the Meals on Wheels program; you can get the meals delivered however many times you want them each week. You must call 402-687-2332 before 8:45 if you want a meal that day. The suggested donation for the meals is $4.00/

Weekly Activities:

Wed. April 16: Melody chimes practice at 9:00. Join us for coffee anytime during the day. Sign up for the pitch tournament at 1:30.

Thurs.: April 17: Tai Chi class at 9:30 and the walking ex. class at 10:30. Stop in for coffee at 10:00. Come at 1:30 and play the game of golf. You are welcome to come at any time to work on the jigsaw puzzle.

Fri. April 18: Center is closed for Good Friday. Meals on wheels will be delivered today.

Mon. April 21: Remember to sign for the chicken dinner on Tuesday. The caregiver support group will meet at 2:00 today. We invite all caregivers to the meeting.

Tues. April 22: Tai Chi class at 9:30 and the walking ex. class at 10:30. Stop in for coffee at 10:00. The noon meal will be fried chicken with all the trimmings. Cards will be played about 1:30.

Wed. April 23: Melody chimes practice at 9:00. We will play bingo at 2:00.

Filed under Community Tagged with , ,

Easter Egg Hunt Saturday at Oakland Heights

April 14, 2014 Leave a comment


Oakland Heights News by Nancy Silvey

We have many holiday activities this week, starting with Maundy Thursday Service on April 17th at 2:30 pm, on Friday April 18th at 2:30 pm is our Good Friday Service. This coming holiday weekend we will start off on Saturday April 19th at 2:00 pm the Lions Club will be hosting there annual Easter Egg Hunt up here at Oakland Heights. Then on April 20th Easter Sunday morning we will be having an Easter Brunch at 8:00 am. The resident’s family members are invited to come up and have breakfast. Next week is the resident’s General Store from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm on Thursday April 24th. On Saturday April 26th from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm the O-C High School students will come up and walk through the dining room to show off their Prom outfits.

Church Service for Easter Sunday April 20th at 2:30 pm will be given by the Salem Covenant Church with refreshments served afterwards. On Tuesday April 22nd at 9:30 am is Catholic Mass given by Father Paul.

Activities for the week of April 21st to April 26th are as followed, Reading with Marilyn, Manicures,   Reminiscing Group,   Game Day, Reading Group, Sing A Long,   Bingo w/Methodist, Bible Fellowship,   General Store, Let’s Play Ball, Crafty Cooking, Friday Bingo, Saturday morning movie, and Lawrence Welk.

Volunteers signing in last week were; Judy Nelson, Mary Donovan, Seth Anderson, Dani Moseman, Betty Hanna, Donna Baldwin, Di Ruwe, Bonnie Fleischman, Mary Alice Pearson, Tammy Waters, Sly Rouse, and Nadine Anderson.

Guest’s signing the Guest book this past week was: Mary Plageman visiting Dorothy Larson, Also visiting was Brian and Travis Goracke to see Vinny Lang, and here to visiting from Minnesota was Judy Weber and Jess. And visiting Grandma J was Kalliah Johnson.

 

 

Filed under Community Tagged with ,

Moment of Laughter Day

April 14, 2014 Leave a comment


Today is International Moment of Laughter Day! The object of this day is to get people to laugh because laughter is the best medicine! Have a giggly Monday!

Filed under Community Tagged with ,

← Older posts

Newer posts →