Acres Midwest » Columnists http://acresmidwest.com Wed, 05 Jun 2013 15:08:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Farmers and the immigration bill http://acresmidwest.com/farmers-and-the-immigration-bill/ http://acresmidwest.com/farmers-and-the-immigration-bill/#comments Tue, 07 May 2013 02:02:12 +0000 Tina Murdock http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3230 If the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill is approved by Congress, what affect will it have on Ohio farmers? Now first, let’s be clear about this. I have no idea if this legislation is ever going to be approved by the Senate and House. So any impact it might or might not have on the farmers [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/farmers-and-the-immigration-bill/feed/ 0 Emily wants to help Dewey http://acresmidwest.com/emily-wants-to-help-dewey/ http://acresmidwest.com/emily-wants-to-help-dewey/#comments Mon, 06 May 2013 14:14:33 +0000 Slim Randles http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3227 Emily’s dilemma was obvious: how do you sell manure? Since she fell in love with Dewey Decker, she could think of nothing less than spending her life with him and embracing the fertilizer business whole hog, so to speak. Emily Stickles has never done anything halfway. In her job with the county, she has kept [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/emily-wants-to-help-dewey/feed/ 0 Volunteer for food safety certification http://acresmidwest.com/volunteer-for-food-safety-certification/ http://acresmidwest.com/volunteer-for-food-safety-certification/#comments Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:42:13 +0000 Tina Murdock http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3191 By TONY NYE nye.1@osu.edu Fruit and vegetable producers of all sizes now have the option of participating in a voluntary food safety certification program in Ohio. The Ohio Produce Marketing Agreement (OPMA) offers producers food safety standards and an opportunity to attain food safety certification through third party inspections. Born from growing concerns about fruit [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/volunteer-for-food-safety-certification/feed/ 0 Amish Cook http://acresmidwest.com/amish-cook/ http://acresmidwest.com/amish-cook/#comments Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:25:07 +0000 Tina Murdock http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3187 By Lovina Eicher The Amish Cook shares a day in the life of herself and her family: 4:50 a.m. — My husband Joe didn’t have to work today, so we were able to sleep later than usual. I get up as daughter Elizabeth is awake and packing her lunch for work. 5:15 a.m. — Elizabeth [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/amish-cook/feed/ 0 Pointing fingers at farmers http://acresmidwest.com/pointing-fingers-at-farmers/ http://acresmidwest.com/pointing-fingers-at-farmers/#comments Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:59:38 +0000 Tina Murdock http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3169 By GARY BROCK gbrock@civitasmedia.com Ohio’s farmers are frustrated. Not only do they have to face — every day — the “normal” challenges of being farmers, they must also face wave after wave of changes, regulations, new paperwork and new expenses coming from Columbus and Washington. While I have no doubt that some of these new [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/pointing-fingers-at-farmers/feed/ 0 Are you feeling that itch for spring? http://acresmidwest.com/are-you-feeling-that-itch-for-spring/ http://acresmidwest.com/are-you-feeling-that-itch-for-spring/#comments Thu, 28 Mar 2013 01:39:21 +0000 Slim Randles http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3168 Do you feel that itch coming on? It’s time, you know. See the kids out flying kites? That’s a sign. See little green bladelets in the lawn. That’s a sign, too. It’s almost full spring, and that itch tells us it’s time to do something. This is when we need to forget almost all our [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/are-you-feeling-that-itch-for-spring/feed/ 0 New rules placed on moving livestock across state lines http://acresmidwest.com/new-rules-placed-on-moving-livestock-across-state-lines/ http://acresmidwest.com/new-rules-placed-on-moving-livestock-across-state-lines/#comments Sat, 23 Mar 2013 00:48:37 +0000 Tina Murdock http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3153 By TONY NYE nye.1@osu.edu A new rule establishing general regulations for improving the traceability of U.S. livestock moving between states became final on Dec. 20 and will become effective on March 11. The USDA has established the animal disease traceability rule to help target when and where animal disease occurs and to facilitate a rapid [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/new-rules-placed-on-moving-livestock-across-state-lines/feed/ 0 From America to China - With Love http://acresmidwest.com/from-america-to-china-with-love/ http://acresmidwest.com/from-america-to-china-with-love/#comments Sat, 23 Mar 2013 00:23:38 +0000 Tina Murdock http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3132 By Gary Brock gbrock@civitasmedia.com No one is really sure how much Ohio corn, wheat, soybeans, dairy and meat products end up in China. But it is a safe bet that more will go there this year than went there in 2012. And more Ohio farm products will go to China in 2014 than this year. [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/from-america-to-china-with-love/feed/ 0 The beef is all cut up. Now it is time to cut up the pork http://acresmidwest.com/the-beef-is-all-cut-up-now-it-is-time-to-cut-up-the-pork/ http://acresmidwest.com/the-beef-is-all-cut-up-now-it-is-time-to-cut-up-the-pork/#comments Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:00:48 +0000 Lovina Eicher http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3131 By Lovina Eicher For The Madison Press   A nice sunny day in March although the thermometer shows 25 degrees this a.m. We have all the meat from our beef either in cans or in the freezer. My husband Joe was home several days last week. On Thursday night and Friday he made over 400 [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/the-beef-is-all-cut-up-now-it-is-time-to-cut-up-the-pork/feed/ 0 Know how many calories you need http://acresmidwest.com/know-how-many-calories-you-need/ http://acresmidwest.com/know-how-many-calories-you-need/#comments Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:50:18 +0000 Martha Filipic http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3130 Q: I always thought almost everyone should eat about 2,000 calories a day, because that’s what is listed on Nutrition Facts labels. But my doctor told me almost no one should eat 2,000 calories a day. Can you clarify this?   The number of calories you should consume each day is personalized, as much as [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/know-how-many-calories-you-need/feed/ 0 Protein guidance can be confusing for adults http://acresmidwest.com/protein-guidance-can-be-confusing-for-adults/ http://acresmidwest.com/protein-guidance-can-be-confusing-for-adults/#comments Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:25:22 +0000 Martha Filipic http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3129 How much protein should I eat every day? Determining how much protein an adult should consume each day might seem confusing. According to the Institute of Medicine, which sets nutrition recommendations, a healthy adult should consume anywhere from 10 to 35 percent of total calories in protein per day. That’s a big range. The average [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/protein-guidance-can-be-confusing-for-adults/feed/ 0 Dud still trying to figure out his book http://acresmidwest.com/dud-still-trying-to-figure-out-his-book/ http://acresmidwest.com/dud-still-trying-to-figure-out-his-book/#comments Mon, 04 Mar 2013 19:59:29 +0000 Slim Randles http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3128 The weather warmed up the other day. On the weekend, where it would do the most good. And Dud Campbell dressed warmly and went out for a walk. His eyes saw our town, the old, dead, brick drugstore on the corner with the clock that hadn’t worked since the invention of daylight savings time, and [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/dud-still-trying-to-figure-out-his-book/feed/ 0 We are having some bad weather http://acresmidwest.com/we-are-having-some-bad-weather/ http://acresmidwest.com/we-are-having-some-bad-weather/#comments Wed, 27 Feb 2013 20:22:24 +0000 Lovina Eicher http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3122 The darkness of the early morning is leaving and daylight is appearing. We are being greeted by a world of white. It has been snowing all night and several inches are covering the ground. Snowflakes are still coming down very thick. I love to watch it snow. So many snowflakes and our wonderful God created [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/we-are-having-some-bad-weather/feed/ 0 Water quality concerns impacting farmers http://acresmidwest.com/water-quality-concerns-impacting-farmers/ http://acresmidwest.com/water-quality-concerns-impacting-farmers/#comments Sun, 24 Feb 2013 19:51:13 +0000 Tina Murdock http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3080 By Gary Brock It may seem like a broken record, but once again Ohio farmers seem to be under the gun of state and federal regulators who see the “business of farming” as needing additional controls and mandates. First, I will not suggest that some, or even many, of these recommendations and changes are not [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/water-quality-concerns-impacting-farmers/feed/ 0 Marvin decides to take a vacation http://acresmidwest.com/marvin-decides-to-take-a-vacation/ http://acresmidwest.com/marvin-decides-to-take-a-vacation/#comments Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:20:31 +0000 Slim Randles http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3074 In the week before Valentine’s Day, Marvin Pincus had two new customers for his (free of charge, of course) love advice and fly-tying consultation services. He tied up a midge for one client, a salmon streamer wrapped in lead for another, and wished them well. This was his busy time, of course. He knew another [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/marvin-decides-to-take-a-vacation/feed/ 0 Susan makes birthday cookies http://acresmidwest.com/susan-makes-birthday-cookies/ http://acresmidwest.com/susan-makes-birthday-cookies/#comments Mon, 04 Feb 2013 16:10:39 +0000 Lovina Eicher http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3057 Hi, I am Susan. I decided to write for mom this week. My 17th birthday is tomorrow the 24th so my treat to mom is to write the column for her. I made monster cookies yesterday. I wanted to have some to treat everyone for my birthday. I am here at my baby-sitting job. I [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/susan-makes-birthday-cookies/feed/ 0 Everyone is involved with agriculture http://acresmidwest.com/everyone-is-involved-with-agriculture/ http://acresmidwest.com/everyone-is-involved-with-agriculture/#comments Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:51:27 +0000 Ashley Fritz http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3056 By Matt Aultman “If you ate today, thank a farmer,” many have seen these bumper stickers on vehicles throughout the country, but if you think about this statement, it involves more than a farmer. What got me thinking about this is when I recently went to the American Farm Bureau Annual meeting in Nashville, and [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/everyone-is-involved-with-agriculture/feed/ 0 The impact of living on a farm http://acresmidwest.com/the-impact-of-living-on-a-farm/ http://acresmidwest.com/the-impact-of-living-on-a-farm/#comments Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:44:05 +0000 Ashley Fritz http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3050 Where you live plays a major role in how and why you act the way you do. I have lived on a farm for going on 20 years this June, and the things I have been able to experience and learn have shaped me into who I am. One of the most important things I [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/the-impact-of-living-on-a-farm/feed/ 0 We can give each other special little memories http://acresmidwest.com/we-can-give-each-other-special-little-memories/ http://acresmidwest.com/we-can-give-each-other-special-little-memories/#comments Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:00:39 +0000 Slim Randles http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3043 Why are winter mornings so heartbreakingly special? They’re sure cold, at least around here. And with the snow you’d think they’d be white, too. But they aren’t, are they? In the morning there is a tinge, a golden … no a yellowish cast to the snow, the sky, and the trees. It is more like [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/we-can-give-each-other-special-little-memories/feed/ 0 Another day is not promised to us http://acresmidwest.com/another-day-is-not-promised-to-us/ http://acresmidwest.com/another-day-is-not-promised-to-us/#comments Thu, 31 Jan 2013 10:17:40 +0000 Lovina Eicher http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3044 We attended both funerals of my cousins over the weekend. So nice to see cousins, uncles, aunts, and friends that we don’t often see but sad for the reason we had to gather. Chris’s funeral was on Saturday at 9 a.m. Danny’s funeral was at 9 a.m. on Sunday. Both funerals were largely attended. Our [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/another-day-is-not-promised-to-us/feed/ 0 Know warning signs and risk of diabetes http://acresmidwest.com/know-warning-signs-and-risk-of-diabetes/ http://acresmidwest.com/know-warning-signs-and-risk-of-diabetes/#comments Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:16:24 +0000 Martha Filipic http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3042   No one in my family has ever had diabetes. Does that mean I’m not at risk for developing it? Although there is a genetic component to diabetes, it’s not 100 percent: Many people develop type 2 diabetes without having a family history of the disease. Conversely, it’s not guaranteed that you’ll develop the disease [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/know-warning-signs-and-risk-of-diabetes/feed/ 0 Rich Soil Reaps Rewards In Ohio http://acresmidwest.com/rich-soil-reaps-rewards-in-ohio/ http://acresmidwest.com/rich-soil-reaps-rewards-in-ohio/#comments Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:45:29 +0000 Tina Murdock http://acresmidwest.com/?p=3025 By GARY BROCK gbrock@recordherald.com How much is your farm land worth? The answer to that question is usually pretty easy. A farmer can call his County Auditor’s Office and get the latest appraised value of his land, and he can also contact a local realtor to determine his land’s market value, or sale price. A [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/rich-soil-reaps-rewards-in-ohio/feed/ 0 Is agriculture relevant...I believe it is http://acresmidwest.com/is-agriculture-relevant-i-believe-it-is/ http://acresmidwest.com/is-agriculture-relevant-i-believe-it-is/#comments Wed, 02 Jan 2013 23:48:10 +0000 Ashley Fritz http://acresmidwest.com/?p=2980 I recently read an article about how the Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack outlined how agriculture is becoming less and less relevant. I went through a multitude of emotions when I first read it and I came to an epiphany that he is absolutely right. As a farming community, we have become united and we have [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/is-agriculture-relevant-i-believe-it-is/feed/ 0 What...Ag is a business? http://acresmidwest.com/what-ag-is-a-business/ http://acresmidwest.com/what-ag-is-a-business/#comments Wed, 02 Jan 2013 23:43:13 +0000 Ashley Fritz http://acresmidwest.com/?p=2977 By Ashley Fritz afritz@dailyadvocate.com Outside of the agriculture world, most just see tractors, cowboys in jeans, and smelly pigs. However, those who know this part of the world will tell you differently. You could say that classifying the farming community with tractors, cowboys and smelly pigs is a stereotype. Sure, all those things are associated [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/what-ag-is-a-business/feed/ 0 Lovina has been struck with the flu http://acresmidwest.com/lovina-has-been-struck-with-the-flu/ http://acresmidwest.com/lovina-has-been-struck-with-the-flu/#comments Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:46:10 +0000 Lovina Eicher http://acresmidwest.com/?p=2974 By Lovina Eicher   I hope everyone had a blessed and healthy Christmas Day. I’ve been struck with the same flu that has been going around this household. Hopefully I’ll be on the mend soon. With Joe off this week and the kids home from school, the house has been full. We’ve had snow and [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/lovina-has-been-struck-with-the-flu/feed/ 0 Now is time to examine grocery bill http://acresmidwest.com/now-is-time-to-examine-grocery-bill/ http://acresmidwest.com/now-is-time-to-examine-grocery-bill/#comments Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:43:14 +0000 Martha Filipic http://acresmidwest.com/?p=2973 Every week, I’m shocked at how high my grocery bill is. Please share any tips you can on saving money on groceries. Actually, agricultural economists don’t expect the cost of food to rise dramatically because of the drought, although you will see some higher-than-normal increases in meat and poultry, eggs, and milk. That’s because the [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/now-is-time-to-examine-grocery-bill/feed/ 0 Pop Walker sneaked out again http://acresmidwest.com/pop%e2%80%88walker-sneaked-out-again/ http://acresmidwest.com/pop%e2%80%88walker-sneaked-out-again/#comments Mon, 31 Dec 2012 14:57:51 +0000 Slim Randles http://acresmidwest.com/?p=2966 When Pop Walker sneaked out the kitchen door the other day, it affected all of us. He’s been a resident of the Rest of Your Life retirement home for several years now. He still remembers who said what during combat in Europe, but has a hard time remembering if he’s had breakfast. The call went [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/pop%e2%80%88walker-sneaked-out-again/feed/ 0 Will ‘13 be lucky or unlucky for Ohio farmers http://acresmidwest.com/will-13-be-lucky-or-unlucky-for-ohio-farmers/ http://acresmidwest.com/will-13-be-lucky-or-unlucky-for-ohio-farmers/#comments Sun, 30 Dec 2012 22:11:15 +0000 Gary Brock http://acresmidwest.com/?p=2956 By GARY BROCK gbrock@recordherald.com With just a few weeks to go before the end of the year, Ohio’s farmers can breathe a sign of relief that 2012 will soon be over and their attention can turn to 2013. In fairness to 2012, most farmers are now saying that, while the extended drought this past summer [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/will-13-be-lucky-or-unlucky-for-ohio-farmers/feed/ 0 OSU Extension announces Ohio New and Small Farm Colleges http://acresmidwest.com/osu-extension-announces-ohio-new-and-small-farm-colleges/ http://acresmidwest.com/osu-extension-announces-ohio-new-and-small-farm-colleges/#comments Sun, 30 Dec 2012 22:06:00 +0000 Tina Murdock http://acresmidwest.com/?p=2952 By TONY NYE nye.1@osu.edu Are you a small farm landowner wondering what to do with your acreage? Are you interested in exploring options for land uses but not sure where to turn or how to begin? Have you considered adding an agricultural or horticultural enterprise but you just aren’t sure what is required, from an [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/osu-extension-announces-ohio-new-and-small-farm-colleges/feed/ 0 No ‘down time’ for farmers http://acresmidwest.com/no-down-time-for-farmers/ http://acresmidwest.com/no-down-time-for-farmers/#comments Thu, 27 Dec 2012 04:18:36 +0000 Tina Murdock http://acresmidwest.com/?p=2927 By GARY BROCK gbrock@recordherald.com “So,” people who don’t know what the life of a farmer is really like may ask, “what do farmers do during the winter between fall harvest and spring planting? Long vacation? Winter job? Catch up on TV?” The truth, of course, is that the life of a farmer doesn’t end after [...]

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]]> http://acresmidwest.com/no-down-time-for-farmers/feed/ 0