CLIMATE VISION – Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman made the following remarks (February 12) at the launching of Climate VISION (Voluntary Innovative Sector Initiatives: Opportunities Now) at the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. "The new farm bill, which the President signed last year, provides a strong portfolio of conservation actions. And USDA is requesting through the President’s budget a record level of $3.9 billion to implement these programs in our 2004 budget. The farm bill for the first time contains an energy title recognizing the important role agriculture plays in renewable fuels and biomass. These programs help farmers, ranchers, and small business improve water and air quality, produce renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration.” Contact: Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623.

FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICA’S PROPOSAL – Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman made the following statement (February 11) regarding the U.S. Free Trade Area of the America’s Proposal. “The U.S. proposal marks yet another important milestone in pursuit of free trade for the Western Hemisphere. A Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) will boost trade and spur economic development throughout the region resulting in additional market access and opportunities for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and food companies. President Bush has made the FTAA a top priority and this proposal would substantially lower the barriers that limit U.S. farm and food products in these regions. It is an aggressive and bold plan that once again shows this Administration’s commitment to open and competitive markets. We urge other FTAA countries to respond with equally ambitious proposals to move the negotiations forward towards final agreement. Progress in the FTAA will benefit U.S. agriculture and consumers in the Western Hemisphere by leveling the playing field and increasing access to goods for consumers in these regions. USDA will continue working together with Ambassador Zoellick and his team to ensure negotiations on agricultural issues remain a top priority as we move forward.” Contact: Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623.

AGRICULTURE SECRETARY ANN M. VENEMAN COMMENTS ON WTO PAPER – "We commend Chairman Stuart Harbinson for his timely paper, which should enable meeting the crucial deadline of March 31 for establishing reduction commitments (modalities) in export competition, market access and domestic support. This first draft for modalities is an attempt to establish a basis for further negotiation on the reduction commitments and rules for agricultural trade. We believe this first draft should be a basis for establishing the appropriate balance of reduction commitments. We are fully prepared to work with Chairman Harbinson and other WTO Members to achieve that objective,” said Veneman. "The U.S. has proposed a bold and aggressive approach to level the playing field for U.S. farmers and ranchers. We have serious concerns that Harbinson's paper lacks harmonization and equity in both the market access and domestic support areas…the low level of ambition reflected in the approach to market access falls far short of the Doha Mandate, which calls for substantial improvements in market access. Perpetuation of inequities regarding the allowed levels of trade-distorting domestic support is particularly problematic." Contact: Alisa Harrison (202) 720-8560.

$12.8 MILLION FOR RURAL ASSISTANCE – Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced (February 10) the selection of 21 loan and grant recipients in 10 states to receive more than $12.8 million in rural economic and community development loan and grant funds. The funds are designed to assist in fostering economic and community development in rural areas. "These funds provide new opportunities to spur economic investments in rural communities," said Veneman. "These partnerships are helping create jobs and spur business growth in rural America. Improving access to quality and reliable water supplies along with supporting the creation of new jobs is a critical component of the Bush Administration's commitment to rural families," said Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas Dorr. Full story: http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2003/02/0050.htm. Contact: Taylor Oldroyd (202) 720-1019.

TOP SCIENTIST – Thomas J. Jackson of Beltsville, MD, a U.S. Department of Agriculture hydrologist and international expert on hydrologic remote sensing, has been named “Distinguished Senior Research Scientist of 2002" by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The award is the top scientific honor given by ARS. “These awards exemplify the high quality research conducted at USDA,” Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman said. “Important research is conducted on a variety of issues helping farmers, ranchers and consumers.” Jackson works at the ARS Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory at Beltsville, MD, where he selects, tests, and adapts satellite soil-moisture sensors, antennas, and develops methods for using them to accurately estimate soil moisture over large areas. Honoree’s full story: www.usda.gov/news/releases/2003/02/0053.htm. Contact: Don Comis (301) 504-1625.,

TECHNICAL SERVICE PROVIDERS AGREEMENT – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced (February 6) a cooperative partnership with the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) to identify technical service providers to help implement USDA conservation programs. This partnership will allow ASA to recommend certified members to USDA as technical service providers, as provided for by the 2002 Farm Bill. The Bush Administration has been a strong advocate of expanding the availability of technical assistance to landowners by using third party technical service providers to assist USDA in delivering conservation technical assistance services. Deputy Secretary Jim Moseley and Bruce Knight, chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, signed the five-year agreement on behalf of USDA. "The technical service provider process allows USDA to provide more resources for technical assistance from private and non-profit sectors to help farmers and ranchers reach their conservation goals," Moseley said. Contact: Sylvia Rainford (202) 720-3210.

NEW APPOINTMENTS – Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced (February 12) the selection of three members to USDA's National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC). Their terms begin immediately and will continue until December 31, 2005. The two new appointments are Brenda Allen, assistant professor/extension specialist of urban forestry, Auburn University, Tuskegee, AL, and Joseph A. Wilson, executive director, Greening Milwaukee, Franklin, WI. One member has been reappointed to serve a second term: Ann Bates, executive director, Idaho Nursery Association, Idaho Falls, ID. "I am pleased that these appointees have agreed to provide their valuable expertise and advice to USDA for the management of these important resources," said Veneman. The council advises the Secretary on the care and management of trees, forests, and natural resources in urban and community settings. Contact: Heidi Valetkevitch (202) 205-1134.
Edited by Elizabeth Conley

FROM OUR RADIO SERVICE

AGRICULTURE USA # 2385 - The owners of California’s 14,000-acre Santa Margarita Ranch are working to comply with Federal and state environmental rules and regulations. In this edition of Agriculture USA, Brenda Curtis visits the ranch to report on their environmentally friendly practices.

CONSUMER TIME # 1871 - California ranching for the environment. The pros and cons of debt consolidation loans. Taking food safety into your own hands. Agriculture budget boosts consumer programs. The invisible farm woman.

AGRITAPE # 2372 - New farm income numbers. Improved protection for producers at grain warehouses. A 10-year projection for agriculture. Maximizing e-government. Progress on the energy front.

UPCOMING ON USDA RADIO NEWSLINE - February 20-21, Outlook Conference coverage which will include latest economic projections. U.S. agricultural trade outlook. Farm labor report. February 24, U.S. agriculture trade update. February 25, vegetables and melons outlook. Weekly weather and crop report. February 28, monthly hogs and pigs report. Farms and land in farms report. Agricultural prices. These are USDA reports we know about in advance. The newsline carries many stories every day that are not listed in this lineup.

USDA RADIO NEWSLINES: (202) 488?8358 or 8359.
Starting February 18, the number will be (202) 720-6776
Or on the Internet at http://www.usda.gov/agency/oc/vtr/newsline.html

FROM OUR TELEVISION SERVICE

Features:

USDA REVISES POLICY FOR BASE AND YIELD UPDATES – The USDA has revised its policy on base and yield updates for farm bill direct and counter-cyclical program sign up. Bob Ellison reports.

USDA ASSISTS ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED AREAS – USDA is working to assist small businesses in the economically distressed southwest border area of the United States. Bob Ellison reports.

LOUISIANA PRAIRIE RESTORATION – A first of its kind prairie restoration is underway on a farm in Southern Louisiana. Bob Ellison reports.

TV SATELLITE NEWSFEED – The feed is available Thursdays from 4:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET from TELSTAR 4 (C-Band) Transponder 23-C, vertical, downlink frequency 4160 MHZ, 89 degrees west, audio 6.2/6.8, trouble number: 703-642-8585. SCRIPTS for features are available by FAX: Use your FAX phone to call 202-690-3677; at prompt press 1, 4, then 9270.

Comments and suggestions are welcome regarding USDA broadcast services. Call Larry Quinn, (202) 720?4623, or write: 1400 Independence Avenue S.W., Mail Stop 1300, USDA, Office of Communications, Washington, D.C. 20250?1300. Internet e?mail: larry.quinn @usda.gov.

OFF MIKE

TUESDAY . . . is the kickoff for our new David Digasystem automated radio newsline here at USDA. Starting February 18, the new phone number to call for the newsline is 202-720-6776. The old number, 202-488-8358, will be available should technical difficulties change our plans. The following week, we begin our CD distribution of the weekly USDA features: Agriculture USA, Agritape and Consumer Time. Audiocassette service will be discontinued. (I guess we’ll be looking for a new name for our Agritape features. Perhaps, AgriCD.) If you wish to continue receiving this weekly package, but have not responded to our recent surveys, you need to fax your interest to 202-690-2165. Starting Friday, February 28, the weekly feature service will be available at 5:00 p.m. at www.usda.gov. Thereafter, the feature service will automatically change each Friday at 5:00 p.m. ET.

DON’T FORGET . . . that USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum 2003 coverage is available through our USDA website, www.usda.gov while the conference is underway, February 20-21. You can access news coverage through our daily radio newsline, download our weekly radio news features or hear key opening day sessions via webcasts available on the USDA Home Page. For more information, go to http://www.usda.gov/oce/waob/oc2003/press.htm to learn details about speakers and topics for this year’s forum.

COTTON . . . is getting consideration by Oklahoma Panhandle and southwest Kansas farmers, according to Ron Hays (Oklahoma Agrinet, Oklahoma City, OK). Cool nights during the growing season have usually kept farmers from raising cotton that far north, but farmers are interested in trying new, shorter-maturing varieties. Rains in Oklahoma this week are improving the prospects for the winter wheat crop. Mid-January snowfall in the Panhandle added to good fall moisture conditions.

LARRY A. QUINN, Assistant Director
Office of Communications