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NEWS-BLADE I WEDNESDAY WEEKLY BRIDGEPORT, NE Circulation = 1695

I --%-

I Wednesday. October 8,2008--Bridgeport News-Blade--Page Five

Q ?The Rural Vote Is Up For Grabs tions to come. 1'

For more information visit: = By Chuck Hassehrook be as strong as it can be until www.cfralolg/news medidne fi .?Center for Rural Affairs all of America has the oppor- - wsletter . with only weeks left, the ru- tunity to share in building - -- I i al vote is up for grabs. That wealth, assets, and prosperity. j - * - -

ends a message to both par- The party that demonstrates : don't write us off and that it will fight for ordinary 1

on't take us for granted. I rural people can capture the , A Center for Rural Strate- rural margin it needs to win I

es poll of rural voters in key this election and many elec- 1 ing states found John - - -- -

McCain 1eadii.g Barack s ~ b a m a , but by a smaller mar- %in than President Bush won :,the same voters four years ear-

lier. The margin among rural voters may determine the out- come of thc national election.

The poll also shows that ru- I voters see little difference

etween the- -Go parties on - -

ral issues. Regardless of the rty in power, Washington s subsidized mega farms to ive family farms out of busi-

and failed to invest in ing genuine opportunity

r rural people and a future r their communities. Both

arties lavish tax breaks on corporate America and mega farms instead of helping ordi- nary rural people buy homes and start farms and small busi- a nesses.

Neither party has demon- I b strated a real commitment to

* ensuring that rural people - I

l

1 : I

' who contribute so much to the { nation's prosperity - share in it.

Neither party seems to under- .stand that America will never

UNlVERSAL \ - -- -"-

' " I J information SeIVlCes, Inc ,

(402) 342-31 78 I

ARGUS LEADER DAILY

SIOUX FALLS, SD I

Clrculabon = 74638 1 110212008

l~llllY lllllllllllllllllllllllll! SUNDAY, NOV. 2 , 2 0 0 8 SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA ** $2 I

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Ag loan guarantees sough I I

11 groups write to U.S. farm chief, urge action to keep money flowing I

ONLINE See a PDF file of the organizations' letter to Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer.

INSIDE Exploring the price link between corn, oil. 17A

BY PETER WARRIMAN The request is further evidence of pharrima@argusleader.com the dire financial position in which

A credit crisis that is threaten- ethanol makers and other ag busi- ing to drive major South Dakota nesses find themselves. ethanol producers out of businesh ". .. now is the time for serious has some wondering whether a discussions on ways to make addi- federal bailout for the agriculture tional capital available for lending industry is on the horizon. to the agribusiness sector and to

In a recent letter to Secretary of temporarily inject needed liquidity Agriculture Ed Schafer, 11 c o m as conditions warrant," the letter modities and farm organizations said. It was signed by the Nation- asked the U.S. Department of al Corn Growers Association and Agriculture to guarantee loans the National Council of Farmer from banks to agribusinesses. Cooperatives, among others.

High corn prices this summer and low ethanol prices today, along with a sudden inability to secure loans, have left ethanol producers such as Glacial Lakes Energy and VeraSun Energy scrambling for cash.

Unable to get more money from First National Bank of Omaha, Glacial Lakes this week went to shareholders to raise $11.3 million - money it could have borrowed

See ETHANOL, Page 1 7 A -

Daily corn futures The daily price of corn futures on the Chicago Board of Trade for the past year:

: . : . . . . . $3.50 : ..... 2 ............ ..; .................. L A ....

O N D J F M A M J J A S O 2008

Swrce. Chicago Board ofTrade Lw! Chiodi / Argus Leader

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1 1 /02/2008 1 * 1 Loans: USDA has 2 I issued no official

Contlnued from 1.A

were loans guaranteed under the system pro- posed in the letter to Schafer.

And VeraSun Energy, one of the nation's largest ethanol producers, filed for bankruptcy Friday in the face of a dire shortage of cash.

But groups that signed on to the letter said the loan guarantees and liq- uidity injections they are seeking wouldn't amount to a bailout.

"This is not intended to be the first step toward what other folks might call potential bailout," said National Corn Grow- ers Association Senior Director of Public Policy Sam Willett.

There's been no official response from the USDA.

The letter was dated Sept. 9 - before the Wall Street crisis completely took shape in a meltdown that only more recently has begun bubbling up through the local com- modity groups. But Wil- lett said the letter reflect- ed the fact that many grain dealers bumped up against borrowing limits as they sought to maintain hedging positions when prices for corn, soybeans, wheat and other crops soared to record highs this summer.

And the situation facing Glacial Lakes and Vera- Sun suggests that the $700 billion financial industry bailout passed by Congress did not loosen up agricultural lending significantly.

Against that backdrop, Glacial Lakes CEO Jim Seurer said the company is intrigued by the prospect of USDA-guar- anteed loans to ag lenders.

'We have been made aware of that program. We are reviewing it to see whether it would work for

J to letter weather a credit crisis varies individually, according to Brian Jen- nings, executive director of the American Coalition for Ethanol. However, for grain marketers and bio- fuels producers, these are challenging times.

."I'm not expert enough to say this is a systemic problem yet. But we'd be foolish not to be con- cerned, and I think ethanol producers and others are reviewing strengths and weakness- es in the market and are doing everything to try to remain solvent," Jennings said.

Sen. John Thune, R- S.D., said he suggested, in the wake of .the near collapse of the nation's financial sector this fall, that Congress hold hear- ings early next .year to monitor credit availability for agriculture industries and to identify what the USDA can do to ensure that money continues to flow to them.

The amount of money needed can be substan- tial, according Rick Krier. He's president of the Siouxland chapter of the Grain Elevator and Pro- cessing Society. Some elevator owners were fac- ing margin calls of $1 mil- lion a day earlier this year.

"It does take away from an elevator's loan capaci- ty, and it'smaking a lot of bigger banks look at ele- vators to see if they're in shape," Krier said.

As the U.S. heads into a possible recession, Wil- lett said, "the last thing we need to do is put ag cred- it in jeopardy."

However, if the credit crisis does hit the agricul- ture sector fully, the effect probably will be one of global dimensions.

"I don't think any of us believes the USDA has the capacity to prevent anything like that," Wil- lett said. 1 us," Seurer said. . Reach Peter Hanlman at 575

Companies' ability to S615.

JOURNAL

FALLS CITY, Nebraska

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Friday, October 24,2008 WEEKLY 361 5 23.91 sq. inches $6.5 8

RCBDA can help your business grow

Greetings from RCBDA! What is RCBDA? The

Richardson County Business Development Association of- fers six benefits to its mem- bers, which include start-up and established, home-based and store front, full-time and part-time, farm-based or town- based businesses. Those

beriefits'inCGIeei - -

-Networking Opportu- nities at the monthly meetings that help with ideas, problems and offer mutual support.

-Access to Loan Funds starting with small amounts from RCBDA on up to $35,000 from the parent orga- nization, Rural Enterprise As- sistance Project (REAP). - Business Training,

which can include business plan development, manage- ment training and member- selected topics.

-One-On-One Technical Assistance from a REAP staff member. Janelle Moran serves the southeast district and is available at the EDGE office every second Tuesday from 9 a.m. until noon.

-Monthly REAP News- letter, which includes busi- ness and member highlights, marketing opportunities and business management hints, to name a few.

-It Costs Only $24 a Year to Join!

Current members include one start-up, - - a tax preparation and bookkeeping - service, custom milling, a Christian bookstore and gift shop, can- dle making and sales, com- puter sales and service, custom signs and screen painting, service and sales of fire extin- guishers, a liquor store and a hairdresser. RCBDA cur- rently meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 630 p.m. to no later than 8 p.m.

Your business is worth this time! Just call Jill Meyer at 402-245-4394 or Mary Mar- tineau at 402-245-4148. The next meeting is set for Tues- day, Oct. 28, in Conference Room D at City Hall in Falls City.

1

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GAZETTE

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Saturday, November DAILY 5903 18.12 sq. inches $1 0.95 8

REAP in Imperial Nov. 11 LYONS - On Tuesday, Nov. 11, Nancy

Flock, Business Specialist with the Center for Affairs' Rural Enterprise Assistance

Project (REAP) will hold Hispanic and Non- Hispanic office hours in Imperial. Hours will be 2-5 p.m. at the Council Chamber located in the City ofices at 740 Court St. Appointments can be made by calling (308) 534-3508.

The Center for Rural Affa&'REAP program provides lending, training, networking, and technical assistance opportunities for startup and existing small businesses.

"Business Planning is crucial during tough economic times and by making an appoint- ment for a meeting they could have access to one-on-one assistance. This is an opportunity to learn more about the servicesBESLP offers.

Entrepreneurs can ,also learn more about training opportunities available and be able to provide input on trainings they would like to see available," commented Flock.

For more information, contact Nancy Flock, BEBP Business Specialist, npflock@msn.com, or call (308) 534-3508.

More information aboutBEBP can be found at www.cfra.org/reap. The -ducal affairs receives funding foraEBP from the Ne- braska Microenterprise Development Act, Community Development Block Grants through the Nebraska Department of Eco- nomic Development, Small Business Admin- istration, United States Department of Agriculture and other sources.

Universal Information Services , Inc. , http://news.universaI-info.com Page: 111 Profile: 11 1 - Center for Rural Afairs Recipient: John Crabtree

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NEhUH.4 CO. HER4LD FRIDAY WEEKLY ALJHJRN, NE Circulation = 2628

1011 612008

b~enter for Rural Affairs: 008 Farm Bill Is Leaving

Rural Development Behind The Center for Rural Affairs' most funding approval by congressional

recent Rural Brief offers an analysis a ~ ~ r o ~ r i a t o r s . In comparison, the of ~ r a l development spending and 2002 Farm bill allocated $1.03 bil- programs in the 2008 Farm Bill. lion in mandatory spending for I-~ral

The Farm Bill continues consider- development Programs- able funding for commodity subsidy TO view the entire Rural Brief: programs, $35 billion over the 5 year htt~://www.cfra.org/node/1419 life of the Farm Bill to be exact. An The Rural Brief is a publication additional $10.4 billion was autho- of the Center for Rural Affairs and 1 rized for nutrition programs and $25 analyzes federal Executive, Leg- i billion for conservation programs. islative and Administrative action

In comparison, the Farm Bill only concernillg rural development and requires $150 million in spending asset-building programs and initia- for three rural development pro- , tives. The Rural Brief is available , grams over the life of the Farm Bill, both electronically and in print. Call i That is a 233: 1 ratio of commodity the Center at 402-687-2100 or email

at info@fra.org . i

"he gap between commodity sub- .,P 8

sidy spending and rural development .:

'.%pending is even greatet. when one :considers only t do business and en-.- trepreneurial development programs received a Congressional guarantee of funding (mandatory spending) in Jhe bill - a ratio of $1,167 commod- ity subsidy spending for every $1

"The decisions made about rural tvelopment funding in the final

demonstrate the neglect Congress s toward our rural communities

;

i

d small towns. The policy and s made in Washing-

hollow out initiatives 1 th and assets for rural our communities," ;

Director of the Ru-

r

, ,

ment spending that is mandatory ant' ,therefore does not require furthe'

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ENTERPRISE I

THURSDAY WEEKLY ARTHUR, NE Clrculatian = 357

1011 612008 I

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Universal In for , 1 1623 Farnae St,, I I Omaha NE 68102 I I

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Thursday, October 16,2008 (USPS No. 032-940) Serving Arthur County Since 191 1 Vol. 98 No.42 Single Copy 35$ -

- - .- - F

Farm Bill leaving rural development behind I LYONS, NE - The Center for

Rural Affairs' most recent Rural Brief offers an analysis of rural development spending and pro- grams in the 2008 Farm Bill.

The Farm Bill continues con- siderable funding for commodity

1 subsidy programs, $35 billion ! over the 5 year life of the Farm

Bill to be exact. An additional $10.4 billion was authorized for nutrition programs and $25 bil-

: lion for conservation programs. ! In comparison, the Farm Bill

only requires $150 million in spending for three rural develop- ment programs over the life of the Farm Bill. That is a 233:l ratio of commodity subsidy spending to rural development spending.

The gap between commodity subsidy spending and rural

i development spending is even greater when one considers only

b two business and entrepreneurial, development programs received

C - a Congressional guaranteg- of funding (mandato6 spending) in the bill - a ratio of $1,167 com- modity subsidy spending for

' every $1 of rural development spending that promotes entrepre- neurship.

"The decisions made about rural development funding in the

, _ final.ve~iofl of the Farm Bill

continue to demonstrate the neg- I lect Congress has toward our rural communities and small

B towns. The policy and funding - decisions made in Washington "'

I continue to hollow out initiatives I that build wealth and assets for 1 rural people and in our commu- ' nities," said Jon Bailey, Director= of the Rural Research and: I Analysis Program at the Center- for Rural Affairs and author ofl the Rural Brief. I "The future of our communi-l ties depends on strong rural

B development initiatives. These- initiatives and investment in

I I

them build businesses, create: jobs and enhance the quality of= life in our communities. If we want our communities to be attractive, economically viable places to live, we need a stronger investment in rural develop- ment," said Bailey.

The 2008 Farm Bill also rep- resents an 85% reduction in rural development spending that is ] -. -- manditorFSand therefore does i not require further funding approval by congressional ap- I propriators. In comparison, the , 2002 Farm bill allocated $1.03 ' billion in mandatory spending 1 for rural development programs. ;

To view the entire Rural Brief: http://www.cfra.ordnodel 1419

C

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MONITOR THURSDAY WEEKLY BLOOMFIELD, NE Circulation = 1405

10/16/2008

2008 Farm Bill Leaving I Rural Qeueloament

Behind 233:l - K:itio of Colnmodity Sub-

' ddy Spending to Rural Development Spending

1,YONS - The Center for Rural Af- fairs' most recent Rural Brief offers an analysis of rural developnlent spending and programs in the 2008 Farm Bill.

The Farm Bill continues consider- able funding for commodity subsidy programs. $35 billion over the 5 year life of the Farm Bill to be exact. An addittonal $10.5 billion was authori~ed for nutrition programs and $25 billion for conservation progran~s.

In comparison, the Farm Bill only requires $150 ~nillion in spending for three rural development programs over the life of the Farm Bill. That is a 233:l ratio of commodity subsidy spending to rural development spending.

The gap between conlmodity sub- sidy spending and rural development spending is even greatcr when one considers only two business aiid entre- preneurial development pro- grams received a Congressional guar- antee of funding (mandatory spending) in the bill - a ratio of $1,167 commod-

-

ity subsidy spcnding for every $1 o f , rural developmen[ spending that pro- motes entrepreneurship.

"The decisions made about rural development funding in the final ver- sion of [he Farm Bill continue to dem- ; onstr,l!c the neglect Congress has to- j ward our rural c~nmuni t i e s and small 1 towns. The policy and funding deci- / sions made in Washington continue to hollow out init~atives that build wealth i

and assets for rural people and in our communities." said Jon Bailey. Direc- tor of the Rural Research and Analysis : Program at the Center for Rural Affairs and author of the-Rural Bricf. . i '

"The futuri"umr communities de- '

pends on strong rural dcvelopmcnt 1 init~atives. These initiatives ' and . in- I

- -- - -- vestment in them build businesses. 1--- -___- -- x .. .. - create jobs and enhance the quality of life in our communities. If we want our tory spending for rural development - communities to be attractive, economi- cally viable places lo live, we need a stronger investment in rural develop- ment," said Bailcy.

The 2008 Farm Rill also represents an 85 percent reduction in rural devel- opmcnt spending that is mandatory and therefore docs not requlre further fund- ing approval by congressional appro- priators. In comparison. the 2002 Farill bill allocated $1.03 billion ill mallda-

programs. - =

To view the entire Rural Brief, visit $ &:/!yww,cf'i-a.orp/~d.e~I&9.

The Rural Brief is a publication of the Center for Rural Affairs and ana- lyzes federal Executive, Legislative and Adrninistralive action concerning rural development and asset-building pro- grams and initiatives. The Rural Brief is available both electronically arid in print. Call the Center at 402-687-2100 I or email at info@cfra:glg. I

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I State's entrepreneurial climate presents a'mixed bag of optimism and skittishness %

' . . -by Michelle Leach money - from 252 a year ago to 220 now. '' Despite the commcin desire to be one's And he said there has been a shift in the type own boss, entrepreneurial experts indicate of start-ups seeking financial assistance, with

! fewer people are actually making the leap to fewer retailers and more health care.opera- .start their own business in today's climate, tions knocking on the SBA's doors.

Milobar's observa- c count at the NBDC 'has dropped by' 10 percent.

"The i m p a c t is slow to hit us, it doesn't hit us as hard and we recover," Mosteller said.

"We watch the housing markets on the east and west coast and when the values of homes level off and start to go upward

ing to the director of the Nebraska Business when the hits Cliff Mosteller, director of the Nebraska Business Development Center in Omaha. Development Center in Omaha. - bottom and things turn around," he said.

'There is nothing to panic over in the Nancy Flock, a business specialist at the of people today want to be their own boss or portion of risk and bring the needed capital Midwest at this point in time," said Cliff Center for Rural Affairs, said she has noticed have thought about it." for financial investment, all while having Mosteller, who oversees the NBDC's Omaha a drop in the number of small businesses

- Millennials, second career seekers and access to traditional employer benefits, such

branch. "Nebraska being in the center of overall. bomen are especially driving the movement, as health insurance." the country is insulated from things on the "The economy and the rising cost of gas she said. Specialists recommend companies revisit boasts." - increases the cost of other goods and ex- ;. Nelson has also witnessed a corporate their budget several times a year, reevaluat-

Though that doesn't mean we're immune penses a business owner needs," she said. cultural shift, whereby organizations are ing their projections to assure their income to it, he said. .; . - - In many rural communities, Flock indi- embracing this entrepreneurial spirit. and expenses targets are still valid, Mosteller : According to Mosteller, loan acthity is cated, the dwindling population is an ongoing , . "They are looking to offer their employ- said.

down by 20 percent. challenge that is only exacerbated during , ees ways to be 'intrapreneuri_al' which gives They also encourage stepped-up market- Leon Milobar, district director of the difficult economic times. 'them reasonable license torbe innovative ing and networking efforts and diversification L

Nebraska district office of the U.S. Small Even so, the SBA's Milobar indicated iand creative with empowerment to make of activities to prompt continued cash flow. Business Administration, said loan volume loan volumes in rural areas held up very well: 'their job functions a business of their own," A lot of times, he said, these individu- has decreased, while the size of an average 211 loans valued at $37.4 million versus 223 she said - als actually emerge stronger than before loan is increasing, from 575 loans at nearly loans at $35;3 million in 2007. . Nelson said this gives those employees the downturn by simply consulting with the $100 million, to 478 loans valued at $105 In the metro area, Heather Nelson, an whod display entrepreneurial characteristics an - NBDC and following some of these steps. million. entrepreneurship instructor at Metropolitan :outlet to develop those skills without actually Befond the current crisis, Milobar said,

"Banks have money to loan, but they are Community College, said the Entrepreneur- .taking on a business. a flurry of activity will surround business ',hot seeing as many projects right now due ship Program is only two years old but is j "After all, of the 70 percent that have transition, as the older generation sells to t o the news or the perceived news on the already among the fastest growing programs 'thought about being their own boss, not all the next, as well as consolidation prompted ;economy and housing," he said. on campus. !urill," she said. "Several will excel better by population and demographic shifts, and

As for start-ups, Milobar said, there has "And it has a very high retention rate," ;by offering the entrepreneurial mentality growth in sectors such as health care. been a slight decrease in those looking for she said. "According to research 70 percent ;to their employer that will absorb a greater Continued on next page.

- -.-- t -+ . v' 1 -< Nebraska's pa z . , entrepreneurial, - business climate i continued from preceding page. products and services, they can succecd," he

In general, Mosteller said, there isn't a said. "When 1 hear the doom and gloom of ; ' good or a bad time to start the business of :home of the people who call in, 1 remind them 1

! one's choice - it all depends -on the indi- that even the 'Oracle of Omaha,' with all the ! ,Jidual lookingto Set Out Ori his or her own. doom and gloom being talked about, is still

"It can be started in the worst of times investing money - and what more brilliant ' 'with goodmanagerial skills, good skills with investor than he?" I. I: ---.

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MIDLANDS BUSINESS JRNL FRIDAY WEEKLY !

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C . - -- -. -- - - - - 72-0 - OCTOBER 17,2008 MIDLANDS BUS/& JOURNAL

Business exposure and new sales leads - - . :": . - By Jim Brazda attended the breakfast, Mancuso said.

About 4,000 people attended the two- Osborn was included as an honorary day, 16th biennial Lincoln Products Show chairman of the event, "for all he's done to on Oct. 1-2, said Bob Mancuso Jr., CFO of improve the state budget and focus on keeping Mid-America Expositions and show direc- costs low," Mancuso said. tor. More than 200 companies and organi- Many companies have been using the zations from industries including manufacturing. machining, equipment and robotics participat- ed as exhibitors. Aside froin the industrial focus of the show. many other business-support compa- nies, such as telccommu- riications. officc supplies, travel and accounting. set LIP booths to demonstrate their services.

"It's a showcase and a chance for companies to display their products and promote what their companies do," Mancuso said.

show to make deals and sales right on the show floor, Mancuso said.

For other companies the show is a great op- portunity to meet poten- tial customers and speak with current customers to help them acquire new leads, Mancuso said. One vendor mentioned he got 15 quality leads just on the first day of the show, he said.

Even with the Internet growing as a marketplace. personal contacts is still paramount in closing big deals. he said.

So~ne companies pro- Bob Mancuso .lr., CFO of Mid- "By meeting that per- mote the~nselves through America Expositions and 1,incoln son face to face, it gives evenl-onl y specials. he Products Show director. them an opportunity to do said. business with them later." Mancuso said.

By promoting their businesses people are The show was also an opportunity for con- able to explain to potential clients what they tinuing education through various seminars on do and how they can help each other, lead- different aspects of business. ing to exposure, salcs and new sales leads, S o m e s p e a k e r s i n c l u d e d : he said. Barbara Foster of the U.S. Small Business

Sponsoreil by the Institute for Supply Atlrninistration spoke on the new SBA loan M:~nageme~~t-Neblaska. the show is highly program. "Tips to Start or Enhance your Busi- targeted at quality managers. production ness'' were delivered by Joy Marshall from managers, purchasing managers and supply the Center for Rural Affairs. Mary Hugo f q n ~ chain management, Mancuso said. the Nebraska Depa?tment of Revenue gave an

With so many companies participating, update on the advantages of doing business being able to compare vendors and products in Nebraska through the Nebraska Advantage in one location is big attractant for the show, and Super Advantage programs. "Winning Mancuso said. Government Contracts" was a topic presented

Many attendees get extra value out by Roger Johnson from the Nebraska Busi- of seeing machinery in action. he said. ness Development Center. "We encourage companies to shOw and dis- .+

play their products because then attendees can get a real sense of what that company does." Mancuso said.

This year the show opencci with a kickoff breakfast with speakers such as State Sen. Petc Pirsch, State 'Treasurci. Shane Osborn, Deniocratic Senate nominee Scott Kleeb and Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy. More than 100 people

the focus at the Lincoln Products Show

Connie Mahaney, right, owner of From Nebraska Gift Shop, and Cindy Grohs.

Roger Johnson, left, with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Business Development Center, and Wes Lape with Palco Industrial Marking & Labels.

TEK Industries' Jennifer Bartelt. na- tional sales executive, and John Camelin, national account sales executive. John Olson with Monsterballvise. Dave Nelson with Productivy Inc. demonstrates a CNC lathe machine.

DAILY RECORD Date: Wednesday, November 5,2008 Frequency: DAILY --..~-I

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c C&&t 2008 \ All R i d u Rawd

Learning. the Lessons t 1

Of the Ayers Controversy By C h k K HasSebrook y

'I'hc 1.1 nivzrsity of Nebraska plays a critical role in strcngth- ening dehbcracj, by prompting debate of diverse idcas. As we leave the William Ayers con-

€DITO IAL troversy bchind u< we would &>

' ' j .I,

well to learn i ts lessons for future ule in fulfilling that im- portant but difficult role. ity. F~cclty shou!d understand

The life blood of reprcsenta- that they \\.ill he subject to cx- tive democracy is open &hate of ccasional criticism for their dwi- diverse ideas - including un- sions, just like others who exer- popular ideas. I t i s what distin- cise authority. Criticism i s pn guishcs America and other fiee of democracy. And our [Jnivcr- nations from closed societies. sity must fulfill i t s responsibil- And it i s a powerful source of ity to expose our students to strength. truly diverse ideas - to allorv

Open debate tests idcas, ex- them to decide what to believe. posing bad proposals and mak- At the University of Nebraska, ing good ones better. Discus- our faci~lty docsn't all think sion of even unpopular ideas alike. Nor do our students. That ensures us a supply of new ap i s a good thing. proaches when what we have t.'inally, our faculty has a IC- always done is not getting us sponsibility to use its freedom where wc need to. I t i s impor- with thoughtful judgment and tant in ordinary times and criti- respect for opposing views. cal in times of crisis. While open constructive debate

Universities play a critical of controversial issues strength- role in fostering such debate in ens democracy, provocation of part by protecting the frecdom of disrespect and polarization can facl;l:y to leach contnvenial sbut down dcbate and hobble or idcas and invite controversial even paraly72 demcxncy. speakers. 1 support that, not I t i s a line not cilsily drawn. because it is in the interest of The civil rights movement tne'facuiiy;"out rather huust: it dearly polarized Amciica as a i s in the interest of America. It necessary clement of comeding strengthens our democracy. profound injustice and changing

1 would not want' a group of America for the better. But the clected Regents, politicians after genius of Martin I-uther King all, deciding what i s politically was his respect for democrddc correct in our classrooms or who values and America, in spite of can speak. 'l'he pressure would its flaws. Hc demonstrated E- be too great to block ideas that spcct for white Americans as threaten strong interests and the people of conscicncc: by chal- temptation too powerful to seek lenging us to act according to political gain by blocking un- our conscience and our faith. He popular ideas. Anlericall d e m demonstrated mspcct for demo- cracy would suffer. cratic values by challenging us

Nonetheless, freedom to de to live up to them. cide nlust be accompanied by Dislinctions between speech responsibility and accountabil-

Hassebrook that strengthens democracy and that which weakens i t arc not matters to be decided by regula- tions and politicians. But i t

would be a profound mistake to assumc that the freedom to make those decisions relieves faculty of the responsibility to use thoughtful judgment. To the contrtlry, freedom can only sur- vive in a society that &ins sufficient judgment and morality to use it well.

lf\vc learn these lessons from ~ h c Ayers controversy, it m ultimately strengthen both our University and our state.

Chuck Hasspbwk of Lyons serves on the Universit.y of Ne- braska Board of Regents and is its current Choir. The views expressed are his own.

Universal Information Services , Inc. http://news.universaI-info.com Page: 111 Profile: 11 1 - Center for Rural Affairs Recipient: John Crabtree

Date: Thursday, October 23,2008 Location: KARLSTAD, MN Circulation (DMA): 3,000 (1 19) Type (Frequency): Newspaper (W)

Sta r North News Keyword: Page: Center 2A For Rural Affairs

Congress keeps trying to leave rural America behind

ByElisha Greeley Smith elishas@cfra.org -

Congress is trying, once again, to leave rural America behind, like an old forgotten relic in the &st.

Actording to the Center for Rural Affairs most recent Rural Brief, the new Fann bill continues considerable fun& ing for commodity subsidy pmgrams, $35 billion over the five year life of the Farm bill to be exact. An additional $10.4 billion was authorized for nuUi- tion pmgrams and $25 billion for con- smation programs.

In comparison, the Farm Bill only nxpires $150 million in spendng for t k d development pmgrams over the life of the Farm Bill. That is a 233: 1 ratio of mmmodty subsidy spendng to rural development spendng.

This gap is even @eater consifing

only two business and entrepreneurial &velopment programs mived manda- tory Congressional spendng in the bill - a ratio of $1,167 in commodty sub- sidy spendng for every $1 of d &vel- opment spendng that promotes en- preneurship and cokun i ty develop- ment.

Whether we make our living b m the land or fbm another profession, we still needstrong communities and towns in nrral America

We need stmng rural development initiatives that build businesses, atate jobs and make our communities attraic- tive, economically viable plaoes to live.

It's a p p m t by the lack of nual &velopment h d n g in the final vecsion of the Farm Bill that the fedsal govem- ment is leaving rural communities, and the 60 million people who call rival America their home, in the &st.

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RURAL AFFAIRS

I 'Of Beef, Bailouts and Boondoggles ' 1 By John Crabtree, johnc@cj?a.org, Center for Rural Affairs I

For the last few weeks we have witnessed chaos in the banking and finan- ial services sector, and the chaos of Congress trying to craft a $700 billion ailout in response. If we have gained anything, I hope it is a broad accep- ance of the knowledge that bigness is not always, or even usually, better.

Nowhere is this truer than i n the American meatpacking industry. JBS, he Brazilian packing conglomerate, continues to press for approval of their I oposed acquisitions of National Beef Company and the Smithfield Beef = roup announced during the first week of March 2008. - -

am opposed to these mergers because they would give the largest U.S. atpacker (JBS) control over 32 percent of the national beef slaughter tth 73 percent controlled by JBS, Cargill and Tyson combined). I am op- sed to meatpackers owning cattle (or hogs) for more than a week prior to

aughter, and the Smithfield Beef Group acquisition would give them the apacity to own and feed 800,000 head of cattle. The JBS mergers provide the perfect opportunity to begin addressing the ost fundamental concerns in the meatpacking industry before the problems ,

ome too big to deal with. The Justice Department should say no to these , S. n months have passed since the JBS mergers were announced, and

ustlce continues to investigate, which is good. But they need to hear about , all this from as many people as possible. You can share your opinion at http://www.cfra.org/JBS and let Justice know that rural Americans prefer ' competitive markets to boondoggles and bailouts.

The Center. for Rural Affairs was established in 1973 as an unafJiliated norzprofit corporation under IRS code 501(c)3. The Center for Rural Affairs was formed by rural Nebraskans concerned aboilt family farms and rural communities, and we work to strengthen small businesses, family farms and ranches, and rural communities.

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HERALD

WAYNE, Nebraska

Date: Thursday, October 16, 2008 Frequency: WEEKLY Circulation: 1854 Clip Size: 36.03 sq. inches Ad Rate: $7.1 8 Pagelsection: 6 C

Second 'Far "Farm Beginnings," a program

mostly taught by farmers that focuses on small, alternative farms that produce value-added products, will begin Nov. 22 in Syracuse. The class will be taught in 10 sessiona and is similar to a college course, said Gary Lesoing, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension edu- cator in Nemaha County.

"If you or someone you know would like to become involved in this type of farming, this may be what you are looking for," Lesoing said. "If you don't have the land or the resources to farm conventional- ly, this will provide you with some ideas and encouragement for devel- oping a farm."

The first two classes involve goal setting and whole farm planning. They use a holistic management approach, Lesoing said.

Class participants also will tour successful farms that are practic- ing alternative farming practices. These may include an organic grain producer, a vegetable produc- er or someone that directly mar- kets meat, he said.

The third and fourth sessions deal with financial management and assessing and developing a financial plan for your own enter- prise and pianning for profit.

The f$th session discusses build- ing a business plan and financial options for getting started.

The siith and seventh sessions focus on marketing, and the keys

I r n Beginnings' class set for successful marketing and devel- oping a marketing plan. Different producers will share the different ways they are marketing their products.

The final three sessions will involve tying everything together that was learned throughout the class and presenting an individual plan. There also will be discussion on preparin~g for and securing fund- ing from local banks and also infor- mation on available resources. The final class also discusses working with a mentor. This includes dis- cussions on effective communica- tion, generational diversity and conflict resolution.

"There are a few producers in southeast Nebraska and the sur- rounding region that have them types of operations and are making a living doing it," Lesoing said. "Others are doing these things to supplement their income or a s a second career."

He said there are few farmers producing organic corn and soy- beans. Many smaller 'cities" in southeast Nebraska have Farmers' Markets, and there are also large and very successful ones in Lincoln, Omaha and St. Joseph, Mo. Kansas City has several farm- ers' markets, with one seliing just organic produce, he said.

Several restaurants in the urban areas of Nebraska and surrounding states a h are very interested in serving locally produced food, while

the UNL Food Scnfice also is pur- chaving as much produce and meat locally a s is available.

"Farm Beginnings" was initiated in the mid 1990s by the Land Stewardship Project of Minnesota. A U.S. Department of Agriculture -Aericllltllrr Research and Education (SARE) grant brought the program to Nebraska, Missouri and Illinois in 2005.

Thc initial class held in Syracuse in 2005-2006, had 12 different ag businesses from across Nebraska complete the program.

While not gcarcd for convention- al farmers, conventional farmers could incorporate some of the prin- ciples of the program or develop art of thcir overation in this man- ner, Lesoing said.

For information about "Farm Beginnings" or other questions on alternative agriculture systems, contact Lesoing a t the Nemaha County Extension Office, 1824 N St. in Auburn, a t (402) 274-4755, glesoing20unl.edu.

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LOCAL VIEW !

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ti BY CHUCK HASSEBROOK - --

-I'hc Univcrsity of Nel~l-;rska pl;i\s a 6The life blood of critical role in stn:rrgthenillg denlocracy by promr~rin,: tlcbatc of di\ic:~.st, itleas. l'ep!V3~efl~i3ti~e democracy & b e lcavch tile ~ i l l i a ~ n Ayc:rs (-on tro- vcrsy 1)chirltI 115, we W O U I ~ d ( ~ wt311 t~ is open debate of diverse Icarn its It~ssoos for I11ti11.c usc in fillkill- ideas - iacluding:

Eing th;~t irrrport;int 11ui difficult rolc. '111~. lift. I)IOOCI of ~rnresc:nt:itive unwpular ideas. It is what I

ctcmocrac:y is open dr:l>;rte of'tjiver.se di&iiguishes America and itjc;ls irlc~~itiin;: other fm naJrions from unj)olx~l;~r itleas. 11 1s wlrai (iistill~i~iu:.; closerd societies. And 1 is a Arncric,;~ ancl othc:r fix!(: nations from powerful source of I closed societies. And strength.' I

it is a powerful source p - - . . .. -. . - - -. ~- or strength.

- HASSEBROOK ., - - -Open debate tests Finally, our faculty has a responsibili- . ' ideas, exposing bad tv to use its freedom vvith thoughtful - - - -

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propos~ls and 1u;tkirlg goc);l on<; bct- ten L)isctrssio~t of c.vt:l I uni~optil;~l. idcas t:nsurt:s us :I st1p1>lv of r l c t ~ v approilci~cs wh[~rt what \vc. I~avr alwiiys dorie is ]lot getting 11s whcrc wc. need to be. It is iln- portant in ordintiry times and critical in tirnes of crisis.

Universitit.~ play a critic:al rolc in fostering s~icl-~ cIc1)ate ill [1;1r1 by pro- tcc,ting tht: li.ccdo~-n offaci~lty to (r::zch ~.onlrovcrsial itleas ;inti ilivitt: contro- vt:rsial spcnkr:rh. I support that, not be- catlsc it is in tht: irltcrvst ofthe Flculty, but rather brcatlse it is i l l the intercnst of A~rtcrit:a. It stw~rgll~ens our den-~ocracy.

I woultl not isvarlt a group ofc!lected regents, politiciai)~ dter all, deciding what is politic:allv col-sect in our class- rooms or wlho can spe;tk. 'I'lle pressurc u~ould I)c to(> great to bloc:k ideas that thrc;ttrn strong intc:rescs anci tht: tenlp- t;itiori too ~)o\,vctrful to scck politicid g;tiri by blocki~lg unpoptllar ideas. A11ie1-ic;rn drrr~~ocl-i~cy woirltl suffer.

No~~ctliihcss, I'rc!edotii to dccitie rriust be ;rc:coml~;~r~ic~d by responsibility and iiccountirllility. l;aci.~lt!i should ilrl- tl<:rstarld that tlic!)l will bc sul~jcct to oc- c;tsior~al criticis111 ths tht,ir.dccisions, just like oll~ers \41ho cxel-cise authority. Critic:isrn is p:tri of den-~orracy. And our uriivcrsity niust fkllIill its rrspot~sil~ility to expose our st\ [dents to truly diverse idcas - to allow them to decide what to ht:lievc. At rllr 1 Jnivcrsit \I of Nebras- ka, our fac~ilty tio~:s~jt all think idikc. Nor tio our st~~dt:nts. That is a good thing.

j~iclgrneijt ;tnd rcspc:ct for opposing vit~v's.WTiile o p : ~ i col~structivt: debate of i.ol~trovcl.si;~l issilc.:~ slr~cnghrris ticrnoc:~-;icy, l)~.ovoc:aiior~ oT(lisn:specl - and polarix;ition can s l i ~ ~ t down debate and tiohble or evrn paralyze democracy

It is a line not easily drawl. The civil rights movement clearly polarized A111c:ric:l ;is a necessary clc:nient of cor- rt:ctirIg pl.of(~und injustice aricl chang- ing Allieric;~ for (he: bettee Rut the ge- nius ol'Martiri L.uther King was his respect for dcn~orsatic: v;ilues and A~rrcric:a, i r ~ spite nf its flam~s. He delnonstratetl rc,spect lor whitc hner'i- (:arts its p c o ~ l c oi'c.ot~scienrc: by clial- loiigir>~ 11s to :I[-t i~ccording to our con- science and our 1';iilh. Flc demonstrated rcspt:c:t Ihr derl~ocl.aIir vdtres by chal- lc~~gitlgusic) live up in thtsnl.

Distit~c:tiorls I~etwerr~ spcocll that strerigtherls tlen1oc:racy ant1 that which wlcake~ls i t :ire not matters to be dccid- cd l,)i regt11;llions and politicians. Nut it wo~lltl l)c ;I profouncl mistakr to as- sumc that the freedom to ~iiake those decisiol~s relieves bctilty of the respon- sil)ility to ilse thotrgtitful judgiitent.'li~ tlie ct)r~l I asy, li.occli)t~~ can only survive in a society (hat rctaiiis st~flicient judg- n~c.iri anti ~ ~ ~ o r a l i t y to use it well.

J f \\it, I ~ ; I I . I ~ thesc Icssons from the Ayers cot~t rovers)~, i t car1 ulli~nntely strcngtt~cn botll our illliver-sity ,uld our state. Cfiuck Hassebrook of Lyons serves on the University a i Nebraska Board of Regents and is its current chairman.

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Pi I- REAP name confuses :ir I-ltfitor. lo;~ns) and technical assistance.

The Rtrr;rl Enterprise I ii- There seclns to be sorne confusion larely with ;I recent mailing and otllcr iriforrnation utili7iny the Iramc "KF;,4P" in the Broken H o w arca.

Please be :idvised that [he Rur-al Ilrlterprisc Asz i \ ta~~ce Project - RI<AC? is riot ;~\\ociirt- ed with the Rc\l)on5ihle Eclucation And 1'olic.y (iroup c ~ ~ l l i n g thcmsclvcs Kt::\tl

The Rt~r;lI I:~iterpriw Assistimcc Pr-o.iccl hcgan in I000 and is :I prog1-:111i of the Qrl tcr for Rural AI'ILlir-s. coo- sisting ol' four c.lc~licnt\ i~rclucl- ing; nefworkin;. bt~sinc.s rn;un- iigemcnt training. credit (rilicro-

A~.;ixt,uicc Projcct-REAP has a claw asoc i ;~ t ion with the I3rohc.11 Row Chan~bcr of C o ~ ~ > ~ n ~ r c , c . involving monthly ofl'ic.c Iiocrr\ to assist hudcliny iind c\l\ti~ig ;lre:i cntrcprcncurs a~itl lo oll'cr [raining including tlic rcccnt marketing workshop ;ind tlie Ag and Business Succc!,siori ~ f t e ~ ~ c l ~ c t . 16.

11' y o u have qlrcstions ahout the Rural l.:rltcrpr-isc Assist;rncc' f'~.c;jc:ct-KIIAk'. pleiisc contact riic a1 3OX-52X-0060.

Ilena K. Beck, Rural bhtcrprise Assistance

I'ro,ject-REAP