Food & Farm News
Real Audio» August 26, 2005 «
STOP campaign aims at eminent domain
In response to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that broadened government ability to confiscate private property, farm groups have organized a campaign to counter the expanded use of "eminent domain" procedures. The American Farm Bureau calls its campaign "STOP," for Stop Taking Our Property. A California Farm Bureau spokesman says the state Legislature may strengthen protections against property confiscation.
Grape growers earn conservation recognition
The conservation efforts of California winegrape growers won recognition during a ceremony at a vineyard near Lodi yesterday (Thursday). An official of the U.S. Interior Department joined farmers and vintners to describe habitat-restoration work that many growers undertake. The work at the Lange Twins vineyard includes creek restoration that benefits owls, songbirds and other wildlife. It will be featured at a White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation next week.
Turkey producers pre-sell Thanksgiving birds
You may not be thinking about Thanksgiving yet, but California turkey growers certainly are. The California Poultry Federation says farmers have already sold just about all the birds they are raising for Thanksgiving. The federation says grocers who have waited until now to contract for California-grown birds may find themselves wanting ... although there will be plenty of out-of-state turkeys available. Turkey farmers opted to produce about as many birds this year as they did in 2004.
Promotions lead to enhanced pork demand
Californians have been eating more pork this year, and the California Pork Producers Association says that means farmers have been earning higher prices. The National Pork Producers Council helped stimulate demand by increasing consumer promotions in California this summer. The state's growers don't produce enough pork to satisfy the demand, so pork from other states is imported into California.
On the Calendar:
The Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival begins today (Friday) in Lancaster, and the Trinity County Fair opens in Hayfork.
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