State beef councils unite to support Japanese disaster relief

Japan continues to suffer aftershocks following the March earthquake and tsunami, which may go down in history as the world's most costly natural disaster. US beef producers are committing to relief efforts.

The US Meat Export Federation approached the beef checkoff about joining an industry relief campaign to buy and send beef to Japan to help feed homeless, injured and displaced citizens. When the executive committee of the Federation of State Beef Councils met in late March and discussed supporting this critical international need, Vice Chairman Craig Uden says the decision was unanimous. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers

California rice pledges US$50,000 for Japanese relief

The California rice industry is coming to the aid of their friends and business colleagues in Japan who have suffered devastating losses from the recent earthquake and tsunami. Through the California Rice Industry Association trade group, growers, marketers, mills, and warehousemen that comprise the California rice industry are voluntarily donating US$50,000 to the Japanese relief effort.

“Our industry owes much to the Japanese people, and we are deeply saddened by the natural disasters that have struck,” said Frank Rehermann, California Rice Industry Association chair. “We are coordinating with the Japanese Consulate General in San Francisco to do what we can to help their recovery. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.

USDA announces assistance to farmers for natural disaster losses

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the sign-up period for the 2009 crop year Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program begins on January 10, 2011. SURE is one of five disaster programs included in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 that provides assistance to farmers and ranchers who have suffered losses due to natural disasters.

"This program provides a tremendous amount of assistance to producers who have suffered from natural disasters, and is part of the 'safety net' designed to assist farmers and ranchers who feed America and the world," Vilsack said. "USDA encourages producers who suffered losses during the 2009 crop year to visit their local FSA office to learn more about the SURE program." Read more...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.