Today we honor, remember and pray for the souls of our deceased men and women who have died in service to our country. At 3pm today you may want to take a moment to say a prayer and remember these heroes. You can turn your lights on if you’re driving.
To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps.”
You can find a lot more good information about the meaning of today on this website or on this one.
The Fastest Socket Wrench
I love organization. I wonder, at times, if I have OCD about cleaning and putting everything back in its place. I have a child who is almost 3 years old and probably thinks I’m no fun when it comes to playing…but I know right where all of his toys are, and every night, the same toys go back in the same box, and get put back in the same trunk in the same place. See a pattern here? I don’t like clutter.
I’d be that way about my husband’s toolbox too, but he’d probably throw a fit. Plus, that’s his domain.
I just find that when I complete this organizational routine, it makes my life easier because I don’t have to search for toys, car keys, tape, socks, cell phone or tools.
This is a 4-way speed wrench, made for two reasons. One, to clean up the toolbox clutter. (Oh, I like it already!) And two, to have four socket sizes at your fingertips to quickly and easily loosen lug nuts. This one was patented in October 1922.
Now we have impact wrenches, but this initial design was perfect for those who wanted an uncluttered toolbox, and liked doing things fast.
Until we walk again …
Zimfo Bytes
- The American Meat Science Association is excited to announce its first Developmental Web Seminar, “How to Survive an Audit – Key Ingredients for Success.” The two-hour seminar will take place June 8 at 2:00 pm CDT.
- The National FFA Organization has selected 50 outstanding young people to participate in the 2011 New Century Farmer program.
- Phill Barufkin has joined Bader Rutter & Associates as a senior brand strategist in the agency’s brand asset management group.
- EVITO Fungicide from Arysta LifeScience North America received approval of a supplemental label by the EPA that allows EVITO to be applied using a low water volume of 2 gallons per acre.
Over Regulation All Across the Nation Blues
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is going creative on all the regulation being faced by farmers today. Maybe we should start a video sensation called, “EPA Regulators Gone Wild.” Now I wonder what kind of video that would generate. How about this one, just released by NCBA? Let’s help it go viral. Share it out via your social media channels!
Here’s what prompted the video:
Can you believe the Environmental Protection Agency wants to regulate farm dust? No joke! We are talking about dust kicked up from cattle or dust stirred up by a rancher’s pickup truck. U.S. Representative Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) introduced, with bipartisan support, the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011 (H.R. 1633) that would block dust regulation by EPA in rural areas where state dust laws are in effect. Call your members of Congress today and ask them to stand firm for family farmers and ranchers by supporting this legislation.
Dust is a part of life in rural America. Cattle ranchers work hard to provide safe and nutritious food for this country and abroad. Finalizing a rule (expected in August) that would result in heavy fines for creating dust is unacceptable.
Florida Crackers In Action
Think cowboys got their start in the great American west? Think again. The documentary movie, “Florida Crackers: The Cattlemen and Cowboys of Florida” sets the record straight about where cowboys and the cattle industry originated in our country. That’s in my home state of Florida! I was sent a review copy of the movie which I watched last night. It is a very good quality production. Here are some of my thoughts as I watched the movie.
The movie includes a lot of very old historic photos of cowboys and cattle. They fit right into the story which includes lots of titles and music. But what really makes this movie for me are all the people who were interviewed. They tell the story and while you listen you’ll see them in action, including the legendary Bud Adams, Adams Ranch. It’s not a boring story. It shows cowboys and cattlemen doing their job. And they do it in the palmetto and swamps that I find beautiful and have really missed living here in the midwest.
Probably one of the standout segments for me was all about doing business with a handshake. Even today these cowboys still conduct some major deals by giving their word and shaking hands. This segment alone made the movie worth watching in my opinion. It’s just one example of the values held by these folks. I wish we saw more values in action like this in our country today.
So, if you like cowboys and some good stories that will help you better understand why they love their animals and the land then I highly recommend this movie. You can buy it online here.
One Story of Many
I am supposed to write once a week… I may be a week or two behind – simply because things have been just a little crazy in my neck of the woods. As you may have seen in Cindy’s post a couple of weeks ago – I have accepted a position at Brownfield Ag News in Indiana. I will start there June 13th. But the past few weeks I have been house hunting in Indianapolis and Lafayette… and I have yet to find anything. I won’t lie – I’ve been whining about it all week. But – we’re making strides and we’ll get there eventually. I am however incredibly excited about writing the next chapter in my life.
As riveting as my lamenting about house hunting is – I want to share a story that really touched my heart. In fact – it reminded
me how blessed I am to have a roof over my head. Meet Ted Glaser. He’s a farmer from Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana. I spoke with him on Monday about some of the issues going on in the south along the Mississippi River. Glaser is in a tough spot – he farms a 4,000 acre diversified operation. One quarter of that is inside the Morganza Floodway. Ted told me they gave them just a few weeks to get what they needed from inside that now flooded ground.
But the challenges don’t stop there. They may be flooded in certain areas… But Glaser said just across the dam they are in dire need of a rain. He noted off the air he’d hate to be answering prayers from farmers this year…. His quick wit brought a smile to my face. I have to admit – I’m always amazed at the resiliency of the farmer and the ability to roll with the punches. No matter how big… or small.
I think that was the lesson learned.
Alltech Cafe Citadelle
Alltech is a company that’s doing a lot of things. I’ve mentioned their Haiti aid project which includes Alltech Cafe Citadelle, 100% pure arabica shade-grown, hand-picked, Haitian Coffee. At this week’s Alltech Symposium I got an update on how that project is going from Chris Gayton, Project Development Manager. He says that Alltech wanted to do something that would have an almost immediate impact. So they import Haitian coffee, roast it, sell it and invest the income into their Sustainable Haiti Project. It’s a great cause and sales are going well.
I’ve sampled Cafe Citadelle coffee many times now. Chris describes it as having a “robust, organic, earthy flavor.” It’s a mild roast and if you buy some online I think you’ll enjoy it. Chris Gayton Interview
Alltech Café Citadelle is a high quality, mild, mountain-grown Arabica. It is naturally shade-grown and is fair-trade. The coffee’s name was derived from the Citadelle Laferrière, the largest fortress in the Americas, next to which Cacgava and its member farms are located.
2011 Alltech Symposium Photo Album
Crisis Management Coalition
Peter Kerr has worked with a lot of people in agriculture and he found that many are not prepared for a crisis and can’t afford to hire a public relations firm to help them deal with one when it happens. So what he’s doing is bringing together farmers and agribusinesses in a coalition to “help each other out.” He has formed the Crisis Management Coalition. You join with a $100 monthly fee for which you receive a monthly newsletter, access to quarterly webinars and free assistance to create a crisis management plan and an hour’s no-charge consultation if a crisis should actually happen. He says members will pay about ten percent of what they’d pay a PR firm for ninety percent of the services they would receive.
Steve says that Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech, is one of the inspirations for the effort. I visited with Steve at the Alltech Symposium this week where he was signing up new members. Steve has been a communications consultant and was a speaker at last year’s Symposium. Peter Kerr Interview
Otterbox For iPad 2
I still have yet to see a tablet that competes with the iPad and especially the iPad 2. I know. There are a lot of them out there. Has anyone actually bought one? Do you really like it? I’ve looked at a couple and read a lot about them. I haven’t really seen anything positive enough to make me switch.
But this is about the new Otterbox case for the iPad 2. All you iPad 2 cowboys now have a case rugged enough to just pop your iPad into your saddle bag!
The tablet that started a mobile technology revolution has gotten an upgrade – the Apple® iPad® 2 is faster, lighter and smarter than its older brother. OtterBox®, the company that revolutionized technology protection, is following suit; introducing the OtterBox Defender Series® case for iPad 2.
“For a device as versatile as the iPad 2, maximizing protection without sacrificing portability is key,” said OtterBox Founder and CEO Curt Richardson. “From its light-weight design to the integrated viewing stand, the level of protection and functionality of our newest Defender Series is impressive.”
Blogging For Food Safety At The Grill
Hooray. It’s time to put some of your favorite meat sources on the grill, kick back and enjoy! But, let’s be careful out there. And safe too. If you’ve got food safety questions then look to Home Food Safety. This is a joint campaign by the American Dietetic Association and ConAgra Foods. They’ve put together a wealth of food safety information.
Let’s take grilling for example. I think it’s only common sense but then not everyone thinks about it. “Handle and cook your food properly.” Do this and you really have nothing to worry about. Wonder how? Go to Home Food Safety’s Safe Grilling Guide (pdf) and learn all about it. And get a food thermometer!
This quick, at-a-glance reference helps you keep track of proper internal temperatures for all of your favorite meat dishes. Keep the Safe Grilling Guide handy – along with a food thermometer – next time you head to the grill.
Don’t have time to go read then watch this short video which gives you the basics very quickly.
I did not know that each year 76 million people in the United States get some form of food poisoning. Not that’s surprising. Probably most of these cases would be prevented from just following simple food safety guidelines. Another great source of information on food safety is USDA’s Food Safety & Inspection Service. They even have a “virtual” food safety resource called Ask Karen. If you need to get a food safety question answered while you’re outside at your grill then you can Ask Karen via mobile.
Since it’s time for outdoor grilling you may be interested to know that USDA has just revised it’s “Recommended Cooking Temperature” for all whole cuts of meat, including pork, to 145 °F.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is updating its recommendation for safely cooking pork, steaks, roasts, and chops. USDA recommends cooking all whole cuts of meat to 145 °F as measured with a food thermometer placed in the thickest part of the meat, then allowing the meat to rest for three minutes before carving or consuming.
USDA has also released a comprehensive guide to summertime grilling.
The experts at the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline have broken down safe cooking and handling practices into four simple steps: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill. To Be Food Safe this summer, round these grilling bases and your barbecue is sure to be a home run.
So, there you have it. Lots of resources for your safe holiday weekend and season long grilling extravaganza. By the way for helping spread the word about the importance of home food safety, I was entered into a drawing for a $15 Starbucks gift card and an iPad through Summertime Food Smarts, a contest run by the American Dietetic Association and ConAgra Foods’ Home Food Safety program. Home Food Safety is dedicated to raising consumer awareness about the seriousness of foodborne illness and providing solutions for easily and safely handling foods. Learn more at www.homefoodsafety.org.