A Cross Sectional Study of the Association between Walnut Consumption and Cognitive Function among Adult US Populations

Objective: To examine the association between walnut consumption and measures of cognitive function in the US population.

Design: Nationally representative cross sectional study using 24 hour dietary recalls of intakes to assess walnut and other nut consumption as compared to the group reporting no nut consumption.

Method: Setting: 1988-1994 and 1999-2002 rounds of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Population: Representative weighted sample of US adults 20 to 90 years of age. The Neurobehavioral Evaluation System 2 (NES2), consisting of simple reaction time (SRTT), symbol digit substitution (SDST), the single digit learning (SDLT), Story Recall (SRT) and digit-symbol substitution (DSST) tests.

Results: Adults 20-59 years old reporting walnut consumption of an average of 10.3 g/d required 16.4ms less time to respond on the SRTT, P=0.03, and 0.39s less for the SDST, P=0.01. SDLT scores were also significantly lower by 2.38s (P=0.05). Similar results were obtained when tertiles of walnut consumption were examined in trend analyses. Significantly better outcomes were noted in all cognitive test scores among those with higher walnut consumption (P < 0.01). Among adults 60 years and older, walnut consumers averaged 13.1 g/d, scored 7.1 percentile points higher, P=0.03 on the SRT and 7.3 percentile points higher on the DSST, P=0.05. Here also trend analyses indicate significant improvements in all cognitive test scores (P < 0.01) except for SRTT (P = 0.06) in the fully adjusted models.

Conclusion: These significant, positive associations between walnut consumption and cognitive functions among all adults, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity suggest that daily walnut intake may be a simple beneficial dietary behavior.

2016-05-31T19:30:29-07:00February 24th, 2015|

New National Network for Women in Agriculture

USDA Creates New National Mentoring Network for Women in Agriculture

By Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden

To be a woman in agriculture is to face a unique set of challenges. And because I know all too well the trials that women can face as they look to take on leadership roles, I made it a goal as USDA’s Deputy Secretary to start a community for women leaders in agriculture.

This past fall, I held a White House discussion with farmers, agribusiness, academics and youth leaders about the opportunities that exist to help advance women in agriculture to leadership positions. Since that meeting, the response has been overwhelming. Women from all walks of life and every sector of the agriculture supply chain are empowering one another, and they’re sharing beautiful photographs and touching stories about how they’ve done it.

Today, I am announcing the creation of the Women in Agriculture Mentoring Network. This newly established network is designed to support and engage women across all areas of agriculture and to foster professional partnerships between women with shared backgrounds, interests, and professional goals.

We have created an e-mail address, agwomenlead@usda.gov, for you to share your suggestions, stories and other snippets on how we can build a new generation of women leaders in agriculture. By e-mailing us, you will automatically be added to the Women in Agriculture Mentoring Network.

I am truly excited by the passion and confidence I continue to see in women in agriculture across the country. In the office, on the road, I am constantly stopped by young women looking to find mentorship, or current leaders looking to lift up our next generation. Now, with our new network, you can.

This is just the first step in giving women the tools they need to be successful agricultural leaders. Keep sharing your stories using #womeninag and stay tuned for more information on the Women in Agriculture Mentoring Network.

Madeline Schultz, cofounder of the Women in Agriculture Learning Network, posted TODAY:

The online community at Women in Agriculture Learning Network looks forward to partnering with USDA on this new initiative! The Deputy Secretary’s commitment to rural women and to this new project further validates and recognizes the important roles women take on from leadership on cooperative boards to managing the family farm.

 

2016-05-31T19:30:29-07:00February 23rd, 2015|

USDA announces $9 million to support Community Food Projects program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced the availability of $9 million in funding to assist low-income individuals and communities in developing local and independent food systems. NIFA is funding the grants through the Community Food Projects program (CFP), authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill).

“Community Foods Projects provide the opportunity for low-income communities to become more self-reliant and take control of their own food systems,” said Sonny Ramaswamy, NIFA director. “These projects create food systems that are economically equitable and socially and environmentally sustainable, providing real solutions for communities most in need.”

Community Food Projects involve the entire food system. Projects assess strengths and establish connections among existing food systems, resulting in improved food systems that support self-reliance.

Grants are intended to help eligible, private, nonprofit entities in need of a one-time installment of federal assistance to establish and carry out multipurpose community food projects. Projects are funded from $10,000 to $300,000 and up to 36 months. All grants require a dollar-for-dollar match in resources.

Applications are due March 17, 2015. Please see the request for applications for specific program requirements.

CFP is an important part of USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative, which works to strengthen and support local and regional food systems. More information on the initiative, including an interactive map of CFP and other federally-supported local food projects, can be found at: www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer.

The primary goals of the Community Food Projects program are to (1) meet the food needs of low-income individuals; (2) increase the food self-reliance of low-income communities; (3) promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm and nutrition issues; and (4) meet specific state, local or neighborhood food and agricultural needs, including needs relating to infrastructure improvement and development, planning for long-term solutions and the creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers.

Since 2009, NIFA has provided more than $28 million to 154 Community Food Project awards in 48 states to help communities improve access to healthy, local food. Past projects include Philadelphia Green, which supports small-scale growers in their efforts to bring fresh, locally grown produce to the Philadelphia metro area, and RootDown LA, which is engaging Los Angeles-area youth in community gardens.

Funding for the CFP program is authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past six years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.

2016-05-31T19:30:29-07:00February 23rd, 2015|

Tentative Agreement Reached on West Coast Ports

Port of Oakland Applauds West Coast Ports Contract Settlement
Urges Effort to Speed up the Pace of Global Container Trade

The Port of Oakland THIS EVENING  applauded the tentative agreement of a new longshore labor contract for the West Coast ports. At the same time, it called for efforts to accelerate the movement of global container trade.

“We are pleased that an agreement has been reached,” said Chris Lytle, the Port’s executive director. “Now it’s time for all sides to pull together and get cargo moving with the speed our importers and exporters need.” The Port credited the intervention of U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr., the Bay Area congressional delegation and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. It said their involvement accelerated a final resolution.

Tentative agreement on a new 5-year contract between waterfront employers, represented by the Pacific Maritime Association, and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) was announced this evening. The two sides had worked without a contract since last July, their impasse slowing containerized freight operations from Seattle to Southern California. Once finalized, the contract will cover 29 U.S. West Coast Ports. It awaits union ratification.

The Port of Oakland has prepared a status update on what the settlement means and how long it will take to clear out the cargo backlog that has developed at all major West Coast ports. The update follows:

The Port of Oakland did not participate in the contract negotiations. As a landlord port, it leases facilities to marine terminal operators who employ longshore labor.

With a contract in place, the Port said its top priority is immediate resumption of uninterrupted cargo operations. It called on terminal operators, labor, truckers and ocean carriers to join forces and quickly restore productivity. “Shippers are looking to us to accelerate the flow of cargo,” Mr. Lytle said. “We owe them our best effort.”

WHAT COMES NEXT?
After more than nine months of negotiations, a tentative contract agreement has been reached on the West Coast waterfront. The Pacific Maritime Association and International Longshore and Warehouse Union announced their settlement the evening of Feb. 20. The contract covers 29 U.S. West Coast ports including the Port of Oakland. Here’s a look at what the deal means for the maritime sector and global trade.

THE CONTRACT
Q: So this nine-month dispute is finally over?
A: Not quite. Union members must vote on the proposed contract. It’s not certain yet when that vote will be taken.
Q: Will there be more slowdowns, stoppages and delays in the meantime?
A: Both labor and management will hopefully commit to full productivity at the ports while ratification of the contract is pending.
Q: Why did this take so long?
A: A number of issues were negotiated at length including labor jurisdiction, health and benefits, technology and arbitration.
Q: What are the highlights of the deal?
A: It’s best to get that from the two negotiating parties. The Port of Oakland was not involved in the contract talks.
Q: Will it be more of the same at the next negotiation?
A: There’s a history of challenging bargaining over waterfront contracts. The hope is that both sides will recognize the need to settle future contracts without further damaging the economy.

RECOVERY
Q: Now can the Port go back to normal?
A: It could take 6-to-8 weeks for Oakland and other West Coast ports to recover from the cargo backlog. Cargo movement should improve soon, but it will take time to restore full productivity.
Q: Why will it take so long to recover?
A: Ships, containers and chassis are all out of balance. They’re not where they need to be to support cargo movement. Repositioning of these assets will take some time.
Q: What’s the Port of Oakland going to do to expedite cargo movement?
A: We’ve already instituted a number of extraordinary measures. These include: weekend gates, express lanes, additional truck parking and daily status reports for shippers. We will work now with marine terminals, truck drivers and shipping lines on additional issues including chassis availability, demurrage charges and appointment systems.
Q: Will containers continue to be stranded for days and weeks inside the Port?
A: Terminal operators will develop plans to expedite the release of cargo. Once productivity is restored at the terminals and chassis and containers are back in full circulation, cargo delays should disappear.
Q: What about exports: will shippers be able to get their goods, especially perishables, on ships for foreign markets?
A: Export delays will disappear when shipping lines resume normal rotations. Some are omitting Oakland calls to compensate for significant delays after stopping in Southern California.
Q: What can cargo owners do to get their containers out of the Port?
A: They should contact the shipping line that transported their cargo or the marine terminal where it’s awaiting release.
Q: Will we continue to see long lines of trucks at terminal gates?
A: Waiting times have declined significantly in the past month. Periodic traffic build-ups are likely while full productivity is being restored at the terminals.
Q: Can we expect more slowdowns and suspended operations while the contract awaits ratification?
A: Both negotiating parties will hopefully commit to full cooperation in assisting the full recovery of West Coast ports. That should help minimize disruptions and delays.

CURRENT PORT STATUS
Q: What’s the backlog at the Port of Oakland right now?
A: Thirteen vessels were at berth today and 16 were awaiting berths at the Port of Oakland. Those numbers should decline in coming days.
Q: What’s the status of imports stored in marine terminals?
A: In some cases it could still take several days for imports to be released from terminals. Look for improvement soon now that a tentative agreement has been reached.
Q: What about exports – will they still be delayed in getting loaded to ships?
A: That situation will also improve as vessels that have bypassed Oakland to overcome schedule delays return to normal rotations.
Q: Will truckers still face long waits at terminal gates?
A: Depending on the time of day, wait times could still be extensive at several terminals. Best times are usually early mornings.
Q: Is the Port operating at full productivity?
A: No. The rate of movement on vessels and in container yards has declined over the past three months. That should improve now that the contract impasse has been resolved.
Q: Why were ships avoiding Oakland?
A: Vessels calling the U.S. West Coast stop first at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Because of significant delays there, some were bypassing Oakland, returning instead to Asia to make up lost time. That practice could end soon with announcement of a tentative contract agreement.
Q: What happens to Oakland cargo if vessels truncate voyages in Southern California?
A: It’s discharged in Southern California and shipped via rail or truck to Oakland at additional cost.
Q: Is cargo volume increasing at the Port of Oakland?
A: It was. In 2014, the Port of Oakland set an all-time record for cargo volume. But volume declined 32% in January from the same period a year ago. Cargo volume has also declined at other major U.S. West Coast ports. Further declines are expected for February when the latest statistics are released in mid-March. The decline is attributed to the nine-month contract dispute.

PORT OF OAKLAND’S ROLE
Q: How could you let this contract dispute drag on for nine months?
A: The Port of Oakland was not part of the contract negotiations. The Port is a landlord, leasing facilities to marine terminal operators. Those operators hire longshore labor and negotiate contracts with the union.
Q: So you were powerless during this whole episode?
A: We had no authority to bring about a contract settlement. We did, however, advocate vigorously for a settlement and communicated continuously with the negotiators. We also worked closely with terminal operators, shippers and truckers to mitigate the effects of the dispute.
Q: If you’re only the landlord, what can you do help restore normal operations at the Port?
A: We’re already in discussions with the Port’s stakeholders on new measures to expedite cargo flow and clear out the backlog. We’re visiting other ports in search of new ideas. We’re also stepping up communication to customers to help them restore their supply chains.

IMPACT OF THE DISPUTE
Q: How much money did the Port of Oakland lose because of this dispute?
A: It’s too soon to tell if there has been a financial impact. The real risk is jobs. If shippers divert cargo permanently away from U.S. West Coast ports, jobs will be at risk. More than 73,000 jobs depend on the Port of Oakland. A large number of those could be jeopardized if cargo owners choose alternative gateways.
Q: Why should shippers continue to use the Port of Oakland?
A: More than 85% of the imports routed through Oakland are for final destinations in Northern California. The Port of Oakland is the convenient gateway for that cargo. Likewise, for Bay Area and Central Valley exporters – Oakland is the best choice. The goal is to increase business through Oakland. The Port is gearing up with new developments that will make it the West Coast’s leading transportation and logistics center. This will include warehousing, transloading, cold storage and grain transport. Oakland is also an improving intermodal cargo gateway with good rail connections to the U.S. interior.
Q: How do you keep faith with shippers who lost business and money because they couldn’t get their cargo?
A: This is the top priority for the Port of Oakland. Service must improve. The Port must be easier to do business with. One-on-one meetings and customer forums help with understanding the needs of shippers. It’s the Port’s responsibility to meet those needs in collaboration with marine terminals, shipping lines and trucking companies.

2016-05-31T19:30:29-07:00February 21st, 2015|

California Dairy Groups Announce Support For Federal Order Proposal

Federal Milk Marketing Order for California Producers Would Offer Big Help

TODAY, the Boards of Directors for the California Dairy Campaign (CDC), Milk Producers Council (MPC) and Western United Dairymen (WUD) jointly announced their support for a proposal submitted earlier this month that would create a Federal Milk Marketing Order in California.

On February 3rd, a request for a hearing was sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by California Dairies, Inc., Dairy Farmers of America and Land O’Lakes.  Specifically, these California farmer-owned cooperatives requested that USDA hold a hearing that would establish a Federal Milk Marketing Order in California.  Included with the request was a detailed proposal supported by the three cooperatives.

The request can be found at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/CAOrder. After reviewing the detailed proposal, the Boards of Directors for CDC, MPC and WUD each voted to fully support the proposal, as submitted by the three cooperatives.

Statement from California Dairy Campaign President Joe Augusto: “California dairy farmers have been substantially underpaid compared to dairy farmers in the federal milk marketing order system for far too many years.

The California federal milk marketing order proposal put forward by the state’s cooperatives will bring our prices in line with prices paid around the country and restore equity to dairy producer pricing in our state.”

Statement from Milk Producers Council President Sybrand Vander Dussen: “We are excited to see this process begin and stand side-by-side with our State’s cooperatives in strongly supporting this proposal.  For far too long, California’s dairy families have struggled under a system that artificially discounts the value of the milk they produce, to the tune of more than $1.5 Billion in the past five years.

We urge USDA to schedule this hearing as soon as possible and to implement this proposal that would restore a fair price for the milk our dairies produce.”

Statement from Western United Dairymen President Tom Barcellos: “We are pleased this detailed project has finally come to fruition.  It confirms what we have known for a long time, pointing out the inequities in milk pricing that are detrimental to California producers.  We will follow its progress moving forward and keep our members fully informed as the process evolves. We encourage producers to stay engaged so that we can maintain the integrity of the proposal.”

 

2016-05-31T19:30:30-07:00February 21st, 2015|

Farmer Kable Munger Expands Operations to Other Countries

Fed up With California, Some Farmers are Relocating to Other Countries

By Patrick Cavanaugh

Kable Munger of Delano-based Monarch Farms is fed up with the man-made drought and over-regulations in California.

“We farm and process about 800 acres of pistachios, and we are one of the owners of Naturipe, which is the world’s largest producer and marketer of blueberries. We’ve always farmed in California until the last five or six years with the water situation, the regulations on water and other regulations, we have been expanding into Mexico and South America because that is where we can do what we want to do as farmers,” said Munger.

“In those countries, people understand that we are doing a service for them and not just taking away,” said Munger.

“Even on the environmental side, people have the misconception that farmers are not taking care of the environment; but in fact, it is just the opposite,” noted Munger. “If we didn’t have all this farming and all these trees, how do we get clean air? And we are good stewards of the water, most of California is using drip irrigation, we are conserving water, we are doing all that is asked of us. The problem, I think is in the urban areas, people don’t understand what we are doing and where the food comes from.”

In the other countries where they operate, “They look at us as providing a service, providing food,” Munger said.

“Here in the states, food’s been fairly cheap and readily available, so I think the public is losing respect for where the food comes from and its value. And also I think that as a country we are losing sight of what food security should be. We should be able to grow our own food. When you go to countries that don’t grow their own food, they understand what that means,” said Munger.

“In these other countries, you don’t have the same regulations, the labor is much cheaper, and it is a much easier place to do business. They understand that we are all stewards of the environment, and they do not think that a fish is more important than humans,” noted Munger.

“When you look at the water in California, over 60% goes to the ocean. There is really not a water shortage; it is all political.”

“We need to build more dams for the times when there is enough rain to capture it. But anytime we start to build a dam, there is some spider or something else in the way. We have to realize that the world existed all these years without someone protecting it, and we need to protect it, and we can do it in a reasonable way. But what the environmentalists are doing right now is not reasonable.”

“If you really look at the U.S., what have we really done in infrastructure since World War II? How man dams have we built? How many freeways have we built? Over time, we do something that will help the economy, but it has all stopped. For example, they say ‘we don’t want you to do this.’ They go to build a project, for example, a solar project, and they stop it because they say the sunrays will hurt the bird’s eyes. There’s nothing we can say to please them.”

”I was in China in a few days ago, and there was this bridge, 19 miles over the ocean, and I asked, ‘when did they start it?’ They answered, ‘Oh, in about one and half years. ‘I asked: ‘Did it take them 18-19 months to get permits, and they said, ‘no, it took us that long to build a bridge over the ocean.”

“We’re in Chile. Twenty years ago, Chile was off the radar. There was hardly anything coming out of Chile. Now Chile is the second largest ag producer, and the largest producer in the off-season, and feeds the world. It is a major exporter. Now Peru, they’ve changed their policies. Now the whole world is flocking to Peru. The public is so comfortable that they do not even realizing how much ground we are losing.”

 

2016-05-31T19:30:30-07:00February 20th, 2015|

The Water Education Foundation Announces Four New Board Members

New Water Education Board Members Includes Sixth Generation Valley Farmer

Jennifer Bowles,executive director of the Water Education Foundation Board of Directors, announced  four recently-elected members: Cannon Michael of Bowles Farming Company, Kim Delfino with Defenders of Wildlife, Jennifer Persike with the Association of California Water Agencies and Christopher Park with CDM Smith.

Elected in December, the four will join the rest of the Foundation’s board members at its next meeting in March. Their positions were effective Jan. 1, said Bowles, who is not related to Cannon Michael and his family’s farming operation.

“The staff and current board of the Water Education Foundation are happy to welcome new board members from diverse sectors of the water world,” said Bill Mills, president of the Foundation’s board of directors. “Our new board members will bring a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm, and we look forward to their input in shaping our bright future.”

The Foundation, an impartial, nonprofit organization, is governed by a volunteer board of 33 members representing a broad cross-section of water, education, business, environmental and public interest communities. Typically, they serve three-year terms. The Foundation’s mission is to create a better understanding of water resources and foster public understanding and resolution of water resource issues through facilitation, education and outreach.

Founded in 1977, the Foundation is a vital source of nonpartisan, in-depth information about water resource issues in California and the West. Taking a steady pulse of the water world, the Foundation provides a vast repertoire of educational materials, products and services such as tours of key water sites in California and Nevada, conferences, flagship bimonthly magazine, Western Water, and Project WET (Water Education for Teachers).

The new board members are:

Cannon Michael: A sixth-generation farmer, Michael is president of Bowles Farming Company headquartered in Los Banos, CA. He oversees an 11,000-acre farm where the company grows cotton, fresh market and processing tomatoes, field crops and other commodities.

Michael’s great-great-great-grandfather was Henry Miller, a German immigrant whose partnership with Charles Lux became known as Miller & Lux and resulted in the build-up of landholdings in the San Joaquin Valley to more than 1 million acres.

Kim Delfino: As the California Director of Defenders of Wildlife, Delfino develops and directs the organization’s work across the state, including determining policy and program work in wildlife, land use, water and energy issues.

She is a gubernatorial-appointed member of the California Water Commission and serves on various coalitions and planning efforts, including the California Roundtable on Agriculture and the Environment, Salton Sea Coalition, the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition and the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Stakeholder Committee. Her policy expertise lies in state and federal endangered species, land use planning, water and other natural resource laws.

Jennifer Persike: As Deputy Executive Director for external affairs and operations at the Association of California Water Agencies, Persike oversees the association’s teams that work to advance ACWA’s image/brand, issues, policies and delivery of service to members. On the operations side, she oversees the association’s functions and activities related to finance, facilities, human resources, information technology, member services/events, communications and regional outreach

During her 25-year tenure at ACWA, Persike has held the positions of director of strategic coordination and public affairs, director of communications and outreach, director of communications and human resources, and manager of public affairs.

Christopher Park: Christopher Park, American Institute of Certified Planners’ certified, is a Water Resource Planner with CDM Smith in Sacramento.

Park has nine years of experience focusing on environmental impact assessment and permitting for both local and statewide water planning projects for clients that include the Bureau of Reclamation, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Santa Clara Valley Water District and the Cambria Community Services District.

Park joins the Foundation’s Board of Directors as the representative from the William R. Gianelli Water Leaders Class, of which he was a member in 2014.

2016-05-31T19:30:30-07:00February 19th, 2015|

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year!Hang the red lanterns, gather your citrus fruits, and cook your noodles. It’s time to welcome the lunar Year of the Sheep!

Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year) is the most important traditional Chinese holiday, and is celebrated around the world. The celebration starts on the second new moon after the winter solstice, which is on January 31 this year, and goes on for 15 days. During this time, also known as the Spring Festival, those who celebrate visit temples to pay respect to their ancestors and pray for good fortune in the coming year. Small red envelopes of money are given to children as a token of good luck and prosperity. And, like most any family-centered holiday, everyone gathers around for a family feast, making Chinese New Year one of the biggest food holidays of the year.

Food is definitely a focus of Chinese New Year celebration, but it’s more than just nourishment. In Chinese traditions, foods served during the festival have auspicious meanings. Chinese traditions are rich with wordplay and symbolism. Some of the dishes and ingredients have names that sound similar to words and phrases referring to good wishes.

For example, “Kumquat” literally means “golden orange.” Symbolizing wealth and prosperity, the little citrus fruits, and sometimes the tree saplings, are given as gifts during Chinese New Year. Other “wealthy” fruits include Oranges and Tangerines. The larger citrus like Pummelos and Grapefruits symbolize abundance, prosperity, and family unity.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Another item that represents good fortune is Daikon or Asian Radish. In one Chinese dialect, the word for radish is a homophone for “good fortune.” This is why the savory radish cake is traditionally eaten during Chinese New Year celebration. But Daikon is more versatile than that. It can be added to soups and stews, steamed, or eaten fresh, chopped up or thinly shaved into salads.

Daikon could be a part of the mixed vegetable dish that represents family unity. This typical stir-fry is made with a touch of oyster sauce for business success and a mix of vegetables like Baby Bok Choy for close family ties, and Woodear and Shiitake Mushrooms for longevity.

The ultimate longevity blessing, however, comes from the noodles. Long and uncut, they symbolize long life. While Chow Mein is a traditional choice, other Asian noodles like Yakisoba are used for pan-fries and stir-fries, and Udons are used in soups. Shrimp may be added for liveliness and pork for abundance of blessings.

One of the many Chinese New Year wishes translates to “May your happiness be without limit.” With good eating like this, it definitely is the beginning of a very happy year!

Kung Hei Fat Choy! (Happy New Year and be prosperous!)

2016-05-31T19:30:30-07:00February 19th, 2015|

Netafim Irrigation Pays Tribute To 50 Years

Netafim Serving Ag For 50 Years

Netafim USA, the global leader in irrigation, celebrated 50 years of drip irrigation innovation during the World Ag Expo in Tulare, California.  Marking five decades since the company first changed the face of global agriculture by introducing the world to drip irrigation technology, Netafim USA CEO John Vikupitz addressed the positive impact of Netafim’s drip irrigation technology on the agriculture industry over the past half century during a press conference held in conjunction with the company’s participation at the 2015 World Ag Expo.

“The 50th anniversary is a milestone that gives us the opportunity to share our story, achievements and goals as the world leader in drip irrigation,” said Vikupitz.  “Five decades after being established by a group of Israeli farmers in 1965 as a solution to the lack of quality water for food production, Netafim has continued to help farmers overcome challenges, increase yields and reduce costs by providing access to the most innovative water-saving crop management solutions available.”

While reaffirming the company’s commitment to driving the mass adoption of smart irrigation solutions to fight scarcity of food, water, and land, Vikupitz stressed that a large part of Netafim’s success results from collaboration with industry leaders, partners and growers.

“Recent innovations such as the lower cost, easy-to-install PolyNet system and the center pivot-based (PMDI) Precision Mobile Drip Irrigation system are examples of how Netafim listened to its customers, and redefined its core mission to help growers grow more with less,” added Vikupitz.  “More than just products, they truly represent Netafim’s desire to continually push the boundaries of what is possible, and deliver viable solutions to help farmers address the challenges of modern agriculture.”

As for the next 50 years, Vikupitz sees significant challenges as the world’s rapidly growing population places increased production demands on farmers.

“We are undergoing a transformative time, where the convergence of environment, culture and technology are changing the face of farming.  The need to maximize productivity while using less resources will be the challenge of this new era of farming,” said Vikupitz.

He continued, “As production demands mount, growers are turning to drip irrigation systems as a crop management tool. By enabling precision application of water and nutrients during the critical growth stages of a crop, Netafim’s drip irrigation solutions empower growers with improved control over many of the variables that ultimately affect a crop’s yield potential.”

Attended by an audience of media, Netafim employees and invited guests, the event concluded with a luncheon and a toast to the next 50 years of Netafim drip irrigation.

Learn more at NetafimUSA.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/NetafimUSA, Twitter @NetafimUSA.

Netafim Recycling

Netafim Recycling

NETAFIM RECYCLING SOLUTIONS

With Netafim Recycling, a wholly owned subsidiary of Netafim Irrigation, Inc of Fresno, California, getting rid of used irrigation tubing in California in an environmentally responsible way is reliable, easy, cost-efficient and convenient. Netafim Recycling will pick up used irrigation tubing/hose/tape right from the farm and recycle it to produce a recycled resin used in mining and landscape dripline applications and in industrial products such as plastic pallets.

2016-05-31T19:30:30-07:00February 19th, 2015|

USDA Approves Apples Genetically Engineered to Resist Browning

Source: Food Safety News 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has decided to approve new types of apples that have been genetically engineered not to brown as quickly after being cut.

Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc., the company that developed the Arctic Granny and Arctic Golden varieties is currently engaging in a voluntary food safety assessment consultation with the Food and Drug Administration regarding the varieties.

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) said it made the decision to deregulate the apples and allow them to be commercially planted after assessments showed that “the GE apples are unlikely to pose a plant pest risk to agriculture and other plants in the United States” and that “deregulation is not likely to have a significant impact on the human environment.”

Over time, Arctic apples will age, turn brown and rot like any other fruit, but they’ve been genetically engineered to produce less of the substance that causes browning. When the apples are sliced or bruised, the fruit’s flesh retains its original color longer instead of turning brown.

Consumer groups opposed to genetically modified foods have indicated their disapproval of USDA’s decision.

“The USDA has neglected to look at the full range of risks from these apples,” said Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food & Water Watch. “In its environmental assessment, the USDA glossed over the possibility of unintentional effects associated with the technology used to engineer these apples, potential economic impacts on the U.S. and international apple market, effects of potential contamination for non-GMO and organic apple growers and the impact of the non-browning gene silencing which also can weaken plant defenses and plant health.”

“Pre-sliced apples are a frequently recalled food product,” noted the Center for Food Safety. “Once the whole fruit is sliced, it has an increased risk of exposure to pathogens. Since browning is a sign that apples are no longer fresh, ‘masking’ this natural signal could lead people to consume contaminated apples.”

APHIS said that of the many comments it received on its draft analyses of Arctic apples, some addressed safety concerns and how Arctic apple production might impact exports of U.S. apples abroad. The agency pointed out that under its regulations and the Plant Protection Act, it can’t base its final decision on these factors, but only on the analysis of plant pest risk to agriculture or other plants in the U.S.

If there is enough consumer demand for Arctic apples, it would be several years before producers could grow the fruit. If the apples turn up in grocery stores, they’ll be recognizable by their name, but there are concerns that if the fruit is cut up and used in other foods, consumers won’t necessarily know that the apples were genetically engineered.

The Environmental Working Groups said that the approval of Arctic apples “underscores the need for a transparent and consistent national labeling standard.”

USDA’s announcement came the day after Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) reintroduced legislation to label genetically engineered food.

2016-05-31T19:30:30-07:00February 19th, 2015|

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