The Bush administration on Feb. 6 unveiled proposed changes to the H-2A guest worker program. Saying the changes would help ensure that America’s farmers will have a stable, legal workforce they can count on at harvest time, administration officials outlined the plan’s highlights, which included relaxing requirements for the H-2A visa.
The new regulations would modify the ways workers are paid and housed, expand the types of industries allowed to use the H-2A program, and modify requirements employers must now meet to show they have tried to hire U.S. citizens first.
STUDY SHOWS INCREASED PRODUCE CONSUMPTION COULD LOWER STROKE RISK
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition said that participants who had the highest levels of vitamin C in their blood were least likely to have had a stroke. According to the questionnaires, these participants consumed more vegetables and fruits than people who had lower vitamin C levels.
The researchers controlled for participants who also took Vitamin C supplements and found that fruit and vegetable intake was a better predictor of stroke risk.
-Source: http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=ikIQLcMWJtE&b=3485821&ct=5020975
STUART RE-APPOINTED TO TRADE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
FFVA President Mike Stuart has been appointed to another term on the USDA/USTR Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee for Trade. Since 1995, he has served on the Trade Advisory Committee, a private-sector group that advises the Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative. Stuart’s term will last until 2012.
Additional information on the APAC can be found at http://www.fas.usda.gov/admin/apac-atacs/advisorycommittees.asp.
SIGN-UP UNDER WAY FOR CROP DISASTER PROGRAM
Agricultural producers who suffered crop losses because of natural disaster in 2005, 2006 or 2007 may be eligible to receive benefits through USDA’s Crop Disaster Program. Sign-up is under way for quantity losses at Farm Service Agency service centers. Sign-up for quality losses will be conducted as soon as possible.
Producers must have suffered losses in excess of 35 percent and must have obtained crop insurance coverage or coverage under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program for the loss year.
For more information, contact an FSA service center or visit FSA’s Web site at www.fsa.usda.gov.
SAVE THE DATE - USDA HORTICULTURE RESEARCH LAB TO HOLD OPEN HOUSE
The U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory will hold an open house April 11 from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. Themed “Science – Research Today for a Better Tomorrow,” the open house will feature guided tours, demonstrations and a complimentary lunch. The facility is located at 2001 S. Rock Road in Fort Pierce and the public is invited.
