Agrability Chit-Chat, Newsletter
Vol. 2, No. 4 -- April, 2000
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IN THIS EDITION:
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THE FUTURE AND FARMING
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CARM'S COMMENTS
The future and farming is an interesting topic. When I think back to when I was young and my Grandpa was farming, everyone milked, had some pigs and chickens, and some hay, oats, and corn. They raised their own food, butchered their own meat, made a living for their families and had time for one another. I don't remember when they began to grow just corn and beans. I do remember when they started the SUPER-SIZED chicken houses. Now, it's SUPER- SIZED confinement hog buildings and SUPER-SIZED milking set ups. The chemical companies are constantly coming up with SUPER-DUPER ways to treat weeds and bugs.
I think the sky is the limit on what farming will be like in the future but it wasn't all bad when we had smaller, more diversified farms. Families were close, neighbors worked together and knew one another. Not everyone had to have an off-farm job to keep up, and farm kids were able to follow in their father's footsteps. With today's SUPER- SIZED farms and SUPER-SIZED machinery, many kids could care less whether they farm. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to make a decent profit. The sky is the limit, but too often we loose track of just plain down-on- the-farm values. I hope BIG corporations will never take away family-owned farms and farm-family values. (CS)
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FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES IN FARMING
Today we ARE seeing an increased number of large, corporate-owned farms. For many, this appears to be the "way to go" if farming is to be a profitable business. However, there are opportunities for small farmers to be successful, also, such as Value Added Agriculture.
The Four Roads to the Future of Agriculture Conference held March 17, 2000 at ISU identified "roads" that farmers may choose in order to succeed:
Watch for two web pages that are currently being developed to help producers:
Value Added Agriculture
Value Added Agriculture is an ISU Extension program that helps farmers find ways to convert agricultural outputs into products of greater value. Success stories are increasing. For example, Blankman and Ehlers are growing walleyes to fill local markets with fresh fish. Cory's Country Lamb business provides fresh lamb to local buyers and is expanding into leather products. Areas of growth in horticulture include turf grass, Christmas trees, and wildflower seed. Fresh, locally raised products are being sold at farmers' markets and to institutions (schools, hospitals, restaurants).
A study is in progress on productive use of hens when they are through with their laying cycle. (Iowa is ranked third as a major egg-laying state and is quickly moving up the ranks in the number of eggs grown and processed yearly.). For a wealth of information on the future of Value Added Agriculture, attend the Farms, Food and the Future Conference held in the Des Moines Convention Center on June 27, 2000, and check out this web site: www.exnet.iastate.edu/Pages/valag/ (LL)
Practical Farmers of Iowa
Practical Farmers of Iowa call themselves Stewards of the Farming Future. PFI and Iowa State University (as well as a number of other organizations and agencies) work together to help farmers develop and use profitable, environmentally sound practices. Projects include beginning farmer efforts, agroforestry, community- supported agriculture, county-wide manure brokerage, and holistic management. Check out the PFI website at http://metalab.unc.edu/farming- connection/localcon/groups/pfi.htm (LL)
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Bill Fry's personal profile is another good example of a small farm option:
PERSONAL PROFILE: Bill Fry
I was injured in a car accident June 1984. I am now a paraplegic with a C 5-6 injury. I have no feeling or muscle usage from about chest down. After about three months of hospital stay and rehab, I went home and went back into farming with my dad. We had to build lifts on one tractor and on the combine and a corn picker. They all had power shift transmissions or hydro, which means that there is no clutching. We also built a lift and elevator, from scratch, on the house.
I got a job with a local company in July 1990 and stayed with it for seven years and then started my own business mowing lawns. It started small and slow. I had to put a wench on the trailer to crank the ramp up and down. In addition, I bought a mower with the deck out front and zero turning so that my mowing jobs required only minimal trimming and I didn't have to hire anyone.
This beginning led me into lawn mower sales a few years later for Walker Mower which I still do. I had two laundromats at the same time which I no longer run. I have been involved with Easter Seals since 1984. When Easter Seals became part of the AgrAbility Program, AgrAbility contacted me to see if I would be willing to help other people in similar circumstances. I offered to be one of the support leaders [for AgrAbility Friends and Family] as I'd like to be there for others who may want my help and guidance. (CS)
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RESOURCES AND SERVICES
Loans Available
Loans are available from the Farm Service Agency for eligible youth, family farmers, and new or beginning individuals with a farm background to assist them in pursuing a farming career. Contact your local Farm Service Agency Office for information: www.fsa.usda.gov/ (click on Farm Loan Program which will allow you to Locate Your Local Office). For Voice and TDD contact: (202) 720-2600.
USDA Rural Development has funds available to assist homeowners in remodeling their present homes to make them accessible, as well as for the purchase and rehab of homes (www.rurdev.usda.gov).
Opportunity for Artists!
Easter Seals National Headquarters is looking for artists, especially anyone whose life has been touched by Easter Seals, to submit holiday art for greeting cards. Funds from the 2000 Holiday Greeting Card Program will be used for programs and services across the nation and for children and adults with disabilities. Art is due at the Easter Seals national headquarters, 230 W. Monroe, Suite 1800, Chicago, IL 60606 by April 30, 2000. For additional information contact Lisa Burisek at (312) 551-7190 or lburisek@easter-seals.org.
Census Participation Critically Important!
Participation of people with disabilities in the census is critical! Historically, children and adults with disabilities are undercounted; yet they disproportionately depend on government programs and policies that are driven by information collected in the census. Please complete your census and encourage others to do the same. For more information contact your regional partnership coordinator at 816-801-2020.
The AgrAbility program has two used dot matrix Panosonic printers (one needs a cord), and an Apple System Monitor, complete plus software. Contact Tracy Keninger through Easter Seals at (515) 289-1933 x251.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Freewheelers
A Time to Shine
The 2000 Iowa 4-H Youth Conference is scheduled to be held at Iowa State University June 20-22. One topic for 4-H youth will highlight disabilities. For more information, contact your Iowa State University Extension county office. You can find this by going to www.exnet.iastate.edu/ and clicking on County and Area Offices.
Home for All Ages Exhibit
Iowa AgrAbility will display their Home for All Ages at the Mall of America for the AARP National Convention in Bloomington, MN May 1 - 3. The three-room exhibit is equipped with furnishings, products, and equipment that make life easier for everyone. The exhibit is interactive. People can try out features and gadgets in each room, ranging from a high tech electronic faucet to inexpensive utensils for food preparation. Come see!
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IOWA AGRABILITY - A joint effort of ISU Extension and the Farm Family Rehabilitation Management (FaRM) Program of Easter Seals Iowa. The program can help farm family members with a disability stay in farming.
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This electronic newsletter from the Iowa AgrAbility Project will be sent monthly to AgrAbility families and other interested individuals. Please send comments and suggestions to:
...and justice for all. The Iowa Cooperative Extension Service's programs and policies are consistent with pertinent federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, and disability.
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