PLAN NOW FOR A HEALTHY AND SAFE THANKSGIVING FEAST

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service is offering a useful website that will come in handy when planning your Thanksgiving and other holiday feasts. The site, http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Basics_For_Handling_Food_Safely/index.asp, says safe steps in food handling, cooking, and storage are essential to prevent foodborne illness. It suggests following the four Fight BAC!™ guidelines to keep food safe:
Clean — Wash hands and surfaces often.
Separate — Don't cross-contaminate.
Cook — Cook to proper temperatures.
Chill — Refrigerate promptly.

The site includes tips for shopping, thawing, serving, preparing leftovers, and other important steps that make up a safe and healthy approach to holiday entertaining.

SFWMD DECLARES EMERGENCY WATER SHORTAGE

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) issued an Emergency Water Shortage declaration October 19, for the Northern Indian Prairie Basin, which encompasses more than 100,000 Highlands and Glades Counties to the southeast of Lake Istokpoga.

The water shortage emergency order, which was required due to lower than normal rainfall in the region and correspondingly low lake levels, also affects any users around the entire margin of Lake Istokpoga.

For further information, please contact the SFWMD Okeechobee Service Center at (800) 250-4200. Information is also available at www.sfwmd.gov/site/index.php?id=866.

CITRUS LEADER WILLARD E. ROE PASSES AWAY

Willard Etheredge Roe, 87, of Winter Haven, passed away on October 28 at his home. Born May 15, 1919, he graduated from Winter Haven High School and Princeton University, where he earned a degree in political science in 1941.

When he returned from serving in the Army in World War II, Roe and his brother, Fred, transformed their father's citrus business into William G. Roe & Sons, a worldwide packer, shipper and marketer of high-quality specialty citrus products.

Survivors include his wife Marjorie; six children; Ellen Roe Miller, Donna Roe Daniell, William G. Roe II, Martha Roe Burke, Quentin James Roe, and Morgan Henderson Roe; and 13 grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to support Willard E. Roe’s lifetime commitment to the Florida citrus industry can be made to the University of Florida Foundation, “Willard E. Roe Recognition Fund,” UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, 700 Experiment Station Road, Lake Alfred, Florida 33850.

FARM SERVICE AGENCY COUNTY COMMITTEE ELECTIONS BEGIN

The 2006 Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections started Friday (November 3). The deadline for eligible voters to return ballots to their local FSA offices is December 4. The county committee system allows producers to make important decisions concerning the local administration of federal farm programs.

Eligible voters who do not receive ballots in the coming week can obtain ballots at their local USDA Service Center. December 4 is the last day for voters to submit ballots in person to local USDA Service Centers. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than that day. Newly elected committee members and alternates take office January 1, 2007.