WORLD-HER4LD EVENING DAILY OMAHA, NE Circulation = 192075

!

Nebraskan backed for USDA job RY ROBYNN TYSVFH

WOR1,D-ilEh'ii1,D STAFF WRITER

A grollp that supports family farms, organic produce and hu- mzne treatment of farm nni- mals is pushing (L'hi~ck IIasse- brook of Neb r~ t i t a and six others as collteriders for U.S. agriculture secretary.

Food Democracy No\v has started an oi!line petition to ilrgr Prcsjdent clect Barack Obama to r'nocse anagricilifure "refor~~iis t" to run the U.S. De- par t~nent of Agriculture. Has- sebrook is one of the group's picks.

Ai'f'airs in Lyons and is chair- nlan of the University of Ne- braska Board of Regents. He said he would "jump a t the op- port111:ity" to be agriculture secretary.

0tl1i.r possible contenders: Dennis LVnlff. Pcn~lsylva~lia

agricultu!.e secretary; Tom Kuis, president of the. National Fai.mrrs Union; former U.S. R e p . C h a r l e s S t cnho lm , D-Texas; U.S. Rep. John Sala- zar. D Cola.: U.S. Rep. Ste- phanie Herseth Santllin, D-S.D.; and former U.S. Rt:p. Jill Long Thompson, 1)-Ind.

Hassebrook is executive di- 8 contact the writer:

of the Center for Rural 41,t-ix19, iijrlrm; iyszi,@owh (om

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DAILY PRESS & DAKOTAN IvfGRNING DAILY YANKTON, SD Circulation = 8212

1211 212008

BY LISA HARE - - -- -. - I l~sa hare@yankton.net

I (

'Though many area livestock producers are raising a stink over the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) rumored proposal of a "cow tax," some farm organization leaders - as well as the EPA - say the charge is nothing more than hot air.

The EPA says it is not proposing a cow , tax in an effort to reduce methane emis-

::- EPA Denies Run

I i cow 1 these proposed mles, it is possi-

1 ble that the livestock industry could be subject to fees," Thune said.

"Possiblen is the key word, i according to John Crabtree, agri-

cultural policy analyst with the Center For Rural Affairs.

"This is much ado about noth- ing," Crabtree said. "Farm Bureau

1 is the main one making a big stink -they've put out the most ink on this." Crabtree added that _--:- there has never been any serious discussion about taxing methane produced by cattle.

And the EPA admitted in its recent statement that it does not have authority to "impose taxes, fees or other monetary charges" for greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act.

The EPA issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

- (ANPR) in July to solicit com- ments about a number of options

-- to be considered for possible ! greenhouse gas regulations. But 1 -. ' - ~ .

the American Farm Bureau - - - charged the plan was to put a tax

.- -

on dairy cattle, beef cattle and -. - z-: hogs according to the amount of

methane they emit. "The USDA estimates that a

livestock operation with as few as 50 head of cattle could meet the

- - . .\.-.. . . . ..~ ~.

3 unch Of Hot Air. lor, Thune To Introduce Legi

federal Clean Air Act provisions - those sions from livestock operations. In a statenlent issued last Friday, EPA that emit more than 100 ton

said it is currently reviewing public com- emissions in a year. Based ments on proposed rule changes to the culture department figures, that equates to Clean Air Act. However, it is not proposing farms and ranches with more than 25 dairy a cow tax as a way to regulate green house cows, 50 beef cattle or 200 hogs. Under the C1e emissions. Clean Air Act, those operations would

The statement comes in response to a have to pay an annual fee of approximately $175 for each dairy cow, $87.50 for each document circulated by the American

a Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF . beef and $20 per hog. The AFBF said a fee would e assessed In a press conference Thursday, Sen.

on any livestock operations that fall under John Thune (R4.D.) said he plans to pro- co -

~ . - - -. -- -~ --

100-ton per year threshold tha (CAFC)~) do pro- Erivironmer:t:d !ntegu would trigger coverage under this duce enough nox- Directoi Eril, \: h,reffer. rule," Thune said. He added that ious emissions to the cost of the proposed permit- fall under ('lea11 ting requirements would be "a Air Act provisions. very heavy burden for South According to the Dakota livestock operations." Environmental

"(The Farm Bureau) has a Integrity Project, Carbon Cretlit prc.ig:am in the long-standing concern about taxa- data - based on tion," Crabtree said. "They're tak- multiple studips ing the most ridiculous notion - sho..vs- that and holding it up as being an poultry producers in [lie top 10 example of what the (incoming) poultry-producing states crt~it administration wants to do." eight times more noxious n ~ ~ i i ~ , -

He added that the organiza- sions than all U.S. steel rniils, oil tion is positioning the idea that refineries and other major indus- "taxing farmers is b a d to make trial sites combined. a point with the Barack Obama And, in a separate proposal administration.

., - - ....* -. - - ~ issued ea.r!ierthis year, ?r,s~E4 - greater concern; Thune sai .. "It's2 red-herriKg a%~ment proposed exempting all concen- for the purpose of having that trated animal feeding operations effect," Crabtree said. "The idea (CAFOs) from having to report (of a cow tax) is going to stay their emissions under federal where it belongs - on the dung "right to know" laws. heap of really bad ideas," he The poultry industry has peti- said. tioned the EPA for exemption

The EPA said the ANPR does from the requirement to report not recommend the use of any ammonia and other emissions, authority to regulate emissions, and the EPA proposed granting nor does it commit to "specific this exemption for ail livestock next steps to address greenhouse operations, including dairy, ing legislation to exenipt fa gases." The EPA said the porposal swine and beef operations. That and ranch operations from is designed to explore opportuni- measure Went before the Office lations alld fees under the ties and challenges that applica- of Management and Budget tor tion of the Clean Air Act would final review and was approved present. on Oct. 24.

"It's clear that the Clean Air "This is an exarnpie of the Act was designed to target smoke worst kind of midnight regulation stacks in industrial American, [lot , abuse by an adrnirlistration head- livestock on South Dakota ranc,h- ing out the door." said es," Thune said. . . . . . . ~ .,

Ranches may be one thing, but concentrated feeding operations 0 - '4 _. ._ . .~ - --~--

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NEWS WEDNESDAY WEEKLY CREIGHTON, NE Circulation = 1310

1 111 912008

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I 1 -

RURAL AFFAIRS

'Alternative Option For Landowners' f 6 ..:

i. By 7inci Br~rckner, tracib@cffa.org, Center for Rural Affairs

!; i: If you have land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and 1:

it you are trying to decide what to do with it once the contract comes to a close, I consider the benefits of transferring that land to a beginning ::: advantaged farmer or rancher. A new federdl program, the Cons ; serve Program Transition Option, can provide you two years of additional .' ('RP payrrrents for doing just that. 1 With thousands of acres set to come out of CKP in the next few years, the

option provides an incentive to ensure some of those acres help beginners or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers get a start in agriculture in a

I conservation-based manner. One year before the contract is set to expire, the beginning or socially

F

; disadvantaged farmefor rancher is allowed to make conservation and land improvements and/or begin organic certification.

An approved conservation plan for the land must be developed and imple- rnentcd. The farmer or rancher will be provided the opportunity to enroll the icrnd in the Conservation Stewardship Program or the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

When the CRP contract expires, the landownerlcontract holder must sell or provide a long-term lease of the land (with an option to purchase) to the

1 beginning or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher. In return, the land- ' . owncrlcontract holder will receive two additional annual rental payments. 1 5 For more information, contact your local Farm Service Age

;1 ~:on!xt'I'raci Bruckner at tracib@cfra.org or (402) 687-2103 ex The Cenler for Rural Affairs was established in 1973 as an

ftotlj)ruj% corporation under IRS code 501(c)3. The Center for R was formed by rural Nebraskans concerned about family far r~ornmunities, and we work to strengthen small businesses, fa

,--. ranches, and rural communities. . --,

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12/14/2008

regent applies to be 8 U.S. agriculture secretary i,

LINCOLN (AP) - Univer- seriously considered," he @ s i ty of Nebraska regent said. i s h u c k Hassebrook has ap- Five people are already ru- ..,

1 plied to be the next U.S. agri- mored to be in the running for -:' . culture secretary. agriculture secretary. They I,

Hassebrook said he filed a are: Pennsylvania agriculture a :.job application with Presi- secretary Dennis Wole Tom2 1. dent-elect Barack Obama7s Buis, president of National3 ' team on Thursday. Farmers Union; former rep..^;

"I've spent 30 years of my Charles Stenholnl of Texas; h ; life working to try to create a Rep. Stephanie Herseth San-4

better future out in rural dlin of South Dakota; and for-3; . America," the 53-year-old mer Rep. Jill Long Thompson'":-

said. "If I had the chance (to of Indiana. be secretary), I would jump at Hassebrook, of Lyons, is it. It's an opportunity to make among six people suggested ; a real difference in creating a for appointment by Food+ better future." Democracy Now, a grass-roots f;.:

Hassebrook said he was in- organization that supports $ vited to Washington, D.C., sustainable, organic and fam- -!

a. - earlier this week by Obama's ily farms. - - transition team for 3 discus- The group said it wants the -:

j sion about agriculture and next secretary to have grass- 1: I ru ra l development. Tha t roots experience "in promot- -,.- I prompted him to apply, al- ing sustainable agriculture to &,I j though Hassebrook said he create a prosperous future for ?I : hasn't been interviewed for rural America and a healthy -;:- i the job. future for all of America's citi- :.

"I don't know that I'm being zens." i. .. . .. .. . . . . . . . . -

/ -

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INDEPENDENT MORNrNG DAILY GRAND ISLAND, NE Circulation = 22792

1211 312008

- -_ ---- -- - - -- - @LYONS -

Group touts NU regent for U.S. agriculture secretary - LYONS (AP) - A group that supports sustainable, or- ganic and family farms suggests a University of Nebraska regent would make an ideal U.S. agriculture secretary

Chuck Hassebrook, who is executive director of the Cen- ter for Rural Affairs, is one of six candidates suggested by the group Food Democracy Now.

Hassebrook said Friday he would jump at the opportu- nity because it would let him make a significant difference in the prosperity of rural America.

But Hassebrook isn't being vetted for a Cabinet appointment.

The Food Democracy group says it wants the next agri- culture secretary to have a grass-roots background promot- ing sustainable agriculture. That's why they list Hassebrook and five others as candidates on their Web site.

HITCHCOCK CO. NEWS

TRENTON, Nebraska

c Cop)li& 2008 ' All RI& R e w e d

Date: Thursday, December 11,2008 - *:<.. -----

Frequency: WEEKLY

Circulation: 970

Clip Size: 13.14 sq. inches

Ad Rate: $9 Pagelsection: 4 B

December REAP Office Hours in McCook Dena Beck, centra l

and southwest Nebraska Busi- ness Specialist with the Center fa Rural Affairs' Rural Enter- p~ , i ze Assistance Project will hold office hours in McCook on December 16th. Hours will be 10 a.m. until 2:45 p.m. Mc- Cook Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) will handle the appointments; (308) 345- 1200. MEDC office is located a t 301 Norris Avenue, Suite 200 .

The Center for Rural ALfairs' R u r a l n t e r p r i s e A%- sistance Project (REAP] and its services are available to rural communities across Ne- braska . REAP offers technical assistance, educational and

a loan program for small busi- nesses. REAP is designed to assist all types of small busi- nesses, including businesses with 5 or fewer employees, self-employed full-time, part- time, home-based, farm-based, start-up, and store-front busi- nesses. REAP has six region- ally based Business Special- ists across Nebraska . These Business Specialists can get involved in assisting entrepre- neurs at various stages of their business progress.

MEDC is pleased to partner with REAP in order to offer a n expanded l is t of services to businesses of all

.

networking opportunities, and 'IZeS

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

Page: 111

MORRIS SUN TRIBUNE Date: Wednesday, December 03.2008 Location: MORRIS, MN Circulation (DMA): 3,900 (15) Type (Frequency): Newspaper (2WK) Page: 4 Keyword: Center For Rural Affairs

Obama, country need new Ag Secretary committed to real change in rural America

By Chuck Hassebrook

Barack Obama launched his cam- paign in Iowa with a promise to create genuine opportunity for rural people and a better future for their communi- ties. Now President-elect Obama must appoint a Secretary of Agriculture who embraces the change nceded to achieve those goals.

Farm and rural policy illustrate the broken politics of Washington. The fed- eral government spends billions subsi- dizing mega farms to drive smaller farms off the land and largely fails to invest in the future of 1.ura1 communi- ties.

Barack Obama proposed changing those failed policies. He proposed cap- ping payments to mega farms and enforcing rules against unfair pricing practices by meat packers to strengthen

family size farms. To revitalize rural communities. he proposed investing in small business, microenterprise devel- opment and value added agriculture.

He proposed increased production of biofuels and wind energy And he pledged support for protecting our land and water through the Coiiservation Stewardship Program. which rewards farmers for good practiccs.

These reforms run hcad-on into demands for new spending by big farm and commodity interests. The presi- dent's commitment is most critical to achieving reform, but his Secretary of Agriculture is almost as important. A secretary committcd to thc status quo will not help Obaliia achieve change.

The new president should start with one simple test for those who would be Secretary of Agriculture. Have they worked for the rural agenda on which he campaigned and are they committed to advancing it when he takes office in January?

Chuck Hassebrook- is with the Center for ~ J I Lj-ons. Neb. The Center for Rural Mai ls was formed by rural Nebraskans concerned about fami- lyfarms and nud con~~~lunities, and we u-ork to strengthen snl.dl blrsinesses, fam- ilyfarms arld ranches. and r~zrd conlmu- nities.

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I

/ I MU regent applies to be U.S. agriculture secretary i i :

I i - n i s i - who was appointid I)y Prusi-

I t,y of Nel~rzska regent Chuck dent Bush to rep!acc R'Iike - - f!:issehrook has applied to be Johanns !a& f:1.;1Il. Joh;rnils, a

tho next L1.S. ag-ricult,ure secre- former Nebraska governc tan . stepped down to run for TJ.

Ha,?~;~'~;rook said he filed a Senate. He was appointed joh ap~dic::!ion wit,ii ['~esident- 2005. e!.?ct Baraik Oba~i~a's team In addition to rioh:~r~!~s. th1v.e last week. other Nebrask;ir-is l1:ir.e held

"I've spent 30 years of rriy life the post: Cla.yLon %ut,ter, 1989- wurking to tly t.o create a bet- 91; Clifford Hardin, 1969-71; ter fi.lture out in ~urzil Aneri- and J. Sterling h'lort.on. 1893- ca,)) the 53-yea-old said. "If I 97. had the charlce (to be secre- t:lty), I ~ ~ o u l d junip a t it. It' oppcrt,unity to make a real ferellce In creating a bettc fri trrre."

11:~ssebrook said he was invited to Washington, D.C., earlier lhis week by Obaina's tr.ar;dit.ion team for a discus- sion about agriculture and rural development. That prornptcd hi!>: to apply, :~ithough T-laasci )rook said he hn:in't 11et.n i!lLe~.t iewed for the job.

"l don't know thal I'm being ser i~~is lv C C I I I Y ~ ~ C I . ~ ~ , " he said.

Five people are. already rumor-etl to he la the 1-unning for agricti it-ure hecr.r~ta1-y. They are: iJentlsjdvania agriculture secret;uy U!+nllis CVolR Tom LZilis, prcsirler~t of National Fai.mrrs Union; former IZep. Chnr1i.s St.enhohn of Texas; Rep. Strphzinie Herseth San- dlin of South Dakota; and for- mr3r Rep. Jill Long Thompson of' indiana.

1Iassi.hr.ook. of Lyons, is =

anlong six people suggested for appointment by b o d Democ- racy Nc)'~, a grass-roots organi- zation {bat supports sustain- able, o l g ~ ! ! i c and family fanns.

TI-:e g:z;lc. ill said it, wants t l ~ e next sec-.c,l,ary to have grass- mot,^ I-,> p i ~ r i e n c ~ "in promoting susiti,i;lhle agriculture to cre- at,e a prosperous fut,ure for rur.:-li Anlel-ica and a healthy future for all of America's citi- zms."

Hassebrook has been a regent for District 3, which cov- ers 15 counties in northeast Ncl~raska, since 1994.

He's also executive director of the Center for Rural Mairs, a pass-roots nunprofit that advocates Tor rural conlmuni- ties. He's a graduate of the University of' Nebraska-lin- coln.

Hassebrook and his wife have two children.

l%e current U.S. agriculture secretary is former North Dakota governor Ed Schafer,

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MIRROR-SUN THURSDAY WEEKLY LYONS, NE Circulation = 735

11/27/2008

1 1~tirnulu> package K ;

in rural areas. So when Con-

gress takes up legislation to re- fuel our economy, small entrepre- neurship should be the centerpiece. _ Micro-enter- prises -owher-op- erated businesses that provide self

Guest Opinion -.

SuccessfuZ economic

I

i j

Micro-entrepre- neurs Program.

An increase from $4 million to $25 million in this new farm bill program would pay long-term dividends.

Add" f h h d i to the succes dS: ful Value Ad ed

Ea:

:: b - -

1 employment and Bv chuck Hassebrook Producer Grants I -*$

Small enterprise has a criti- business loans, training and cal role to play in America's technical assistance by in- economicrecovery, especially creasing funding for the Rural

perhaps hire a few kxecutive Director Program, which employees - cre- makes grants to ate most new rural family-size farm- jobs. ers and ranchers to launchnew

Beginning farmers and ventures to establish local value added agriculture bjng . .mark& and to pssesz a d additional vitality to rural market high value crops and America. livestock.

There's no -.--- - An added

8 - 1

better time "There's no better $24 million would bring than for time than now for fed- ,he program federal policy

to invest in era1 policy to invest in the $40 these proven these proven rural de- million au- rural devel- velopment strategies." thorized by opment strat- -Chuck Hassebrook t h e f a r egies. - bdl.

Here's how T h e s e Congress can three provi- do it: sions would jump start rural

Provide a direct incentive economy and plant the seeds for rural enterprise by estab- o f long-term rural vital- lishing aMicroenterprise and ity through entrepreneurship. BeginningFarmerInvestmenk Congress should embrace Tax Credit of up to $10,000 them as it develops legislation to stimulate small business to prompt economic recovery expansion and new farm and in America. business startups. For more information visit:

Fund more rural small www.cfra.org.

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TRIBUNE EVENING DAILY i FREMoNT, ivE

j Circulatim = 8 176 1 12/20/2008

I I 1 ahother: arctic b ast headed toward Nebraska''; ! .. u .'.

I 1: OhUHA (AP) - In the rel- perilous, especially in north- Garfield County; i w q

. ' ative warmth of 15-20 degrees east Nebraska. 2.9 inches a t Kingsley.., ! , . ' ! 1 ' Friday morning, northeast "We have a lot of new snow Dam in Keith County; P

: Nebraska was digging out up there, and we're going to m2.5 inches a t Imperial i'fi' , ! 1 , from nearly a foot of snow and combine that with winds of 30 southwest Nebraska's Chas'g ; ,! facing the prospect of anoth- mph or more," said Mayes, County; - . , I

er arctic blast. who works in the Weather 2 inches at ti^^^ igi , "There's not much going on Service's Valley office. south-central Nebraska. .

, here, but we're open," said /; Ruthann Bonneau, manager on the ground are In most eastern ~ e b r a s k a , i

11 inches that fell over the spots, the snow was preceded; :, 1 : of Cowabunga Korner restau- last 24 hours in Walthill and by freezing rain or sleet. Th2 : rant in Walthill. "We have lots of snow ... it's pretty high

the 10 inches in Wayne and State Patrol said up to a halF-~-. ' Norfolk. Other northeast Ne- inch of ice coated some road- ! ' here." braska reports ranged from 8 ways Thursday night. t I

1 About 15 miles south of down to 5 inches of snow. None will be melting any>' 1 Walthill, in Lyons, Brian De- Farther west and south, less time soon, a t least with na-.; ; pew said the estimated snow fell: ture7s help. . ,>

6-8 inches was "very pretty / . snow, actually." Tony Gray, Frernont Tribune m3.5 inches a t Chambers in "Sunday night the temper--

Holt County; atures will really bottom out,",. ,

, ' "It fell allnight,"Depew said High winds earlier this week caused problems for local residents trying to clear snow from their driveways. Mayes said. "It will be coldest ,. from his office at the Center 5.2 inches at in in east Nebraska - mainlp,r

{ for Rural Affairs. "There was cleared by late Friday morn- ! braska schools to close Friday National Weather Service County; northeast will be the pit of it.': ; . ice before that - that made it ing;, or to open late. meteorologist Barbara Mayes a 4 5 inches a t various spots Meteorologists in her office ,

1 i. a little slick." Slick or otherwise impassa- More snow was on the way said the forecast of 1 or 2 more in were expecting temperatures 1

i He said the city's snowplows ble streets and stranded ve- over the weekend, as holiday inches of snow on Saturday Omaha; in the low to mid-teens below, . , , I 1, had most of the streets hicles forced most eastern Ne- journeys begin in earnest. promises that travel will be 4.5 inches a t Ericson in zero by late Sunday. . . i1

VOICE NEWS

HICKMAN. Nebraska

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Poll: Rural d e n t s see iss- but like lifestyle In rural Nebraska, "Be it ever so

humble, t k n ' s no place like home" is no cliched wall'- It captm# tbc. tradeoffs residents make in choosing to live in small towns.

That's on@ way to interpret the Ne- braska Rural Poll's consistent finding, during 13 yean of surveys, that rural Nebraskans their communi- ties lack some amen~bes. But they stay put anyway, drawn by a sense of trust, scxurity and belonging.

Surveys for the University of Ne- brasla-Lincoln poll were mailed to about 6,200 randomly selected house- holds in Nebraska's 84 rural counties last March. Results arc based on 2.4% responses.

Seventy-three percent of rural Ne- braskans rate their communities as friendly, 6 1 percent say trusting and 67 percent say supportive. About two- thirds agree that "my community isvay special to me," and 63,percent say "I feel I can really be myself in my com- munity." The smaller the muni ty , the stronger those feelings were, accord- ing to the survey.

Ninety-four percent of rapondents rated a sense of security and safety as an important factor that contributes to their community's q d t y of life. Other factors seen as important include: quai- ity of community services and facili-

On the other hnnd, me- third of rcqodmPI erptesssd d i m - isfaction.with cnkrbhmlt, -1 shopping, restaurants, streets and roads, arts and cultural activities, local government and public trampodon.

At the same time, respondents rank some services very highly. Eighty-six percent are happy with fire protection; 75 percent are happy with parks and rcneation; 75 percent with Pbary ~ e r - vices; 73 percent with rrligiaw orga- nizations; and 70 percent with educa- tion.

"People who make a decision to live in d l e r places give ~~mcthing up in terms of amenities. They recognize that, " said Randy ~antrt l i , a d so- ciologist with the university's Rural Ini- tiative and Center forApplied Rum1 In- novation. 'They could wish for more, but in general they seem content with the social environment."

Bruce Johnson, a UNL agriculbral economist, added, "There's a sense of security and safety in naal areas. W s probably even more of an issue as time gOe3 by."

The poll also shows that rural resi- dents' warm feelings about their com- munities deepen the longer they're there.

Other findings: - Thirty-six percent of residents

ti&, 86percent; economic well-being. living in or near larger communities 85 mt: and intaadons with neigh- ( d a t i o n 10.000 or above) said their bok and dthers in the community,%4 ~or;lmunities had changed for the bet- percent. ter during the last year, while only 23

percent of those in communities with populations of 500 or fewer d d that.

-Only five percent said tbey were planning to move fmm their communi- ties in the next year. Of those planning to move. 50 percent are planning to leave Nebraska - up from 39 per- cent a year ago. - Thirty-three percent of rural

Nebraskans rate the quality of life in ~communityasvaygood,fourper- cent rate it as excellent and46 percent as good. Fifteen percent fate quality of life as fair and two pacent say poor.

The Rural Poll is the largest annual poll of rural Nebraskans' perceptions on quality of life and policy issues The university's Center for Appliod Rural Innovation conducts the poll in coop- eration with the Rural Initiative with funding from the Partnenhip for Rural Nebraska and UNL Extension and the Agricultural Research Division in +e Institute ofAgriculture and Natural Re- sources.

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INDEPENDENT MORNING DAILY GRAND ISLAND, NE Circulation = 22792

By Robert Pore robert pore3thelndependent corn

With President-elect Barack Obaina naming former Iowa Goa Tom Vilsack as his choice for sec- retary of agriculture, Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach has some priorities he wants to share with the new administration.

Earlier this week, Ibach sent a letter to Obama outlining his rec- oininendations for agricultural priorities under the new administration.

Also, the Center for Rural Af- fairs announced Wednesday that it is collecting signatu~.ss and coln- inents on a grassrouts letter urg- ing Vilsack to carry through on the policies on which Obaliia campaigned.

Ibach said the Obama transi- tion team cont:tcted the National Associat~on of State Departments of Agrst:itl ,re last week and aslied all state agriculture leaders to pro- vide input on priorities.

In his letter, Ibach told Obama that agriculture is the "industry that drives our Nebraska economx so the success of our producers is critical to the state as a whole."

"One in three jobs here is some- how tied to farming and ranch- ing, either linking forward to ar- eas such as food processing, or linking backward to areas such

t

I 5

as crop and livestock ~npu t sup- pliers," he said.

In his letter, Ibach focused on three items.

Trade: Ibacll said Nebraska annually exports almost one-third of its agricult~walproduction, "so maintenance and growth of mar- kets, both domestically and inter- nationally, is of high importance to our state's economy."

"Meats are an especially cr~t i- cal export for our state because when beef, pork, or poultry are shipped out of Nebraska, we are adding value to the corn, soybeans, and other grains that were fed to those animals," Ibach said.

A Imp1ement:rtion of the 2008 Far111 Bill: "The programs autho- rized through tlie Food, Conser- vation and Energy Act are criti- cal to thc success of our farmers ancl ranchers, no matter the size of the operation," Ibach said. "The commodity safety net, new disas- ter programs and working lands conservation progranls are among the progran~s that deseive the most immediate attention."

Ibach said the wide swings in con~modity grain prices w~thin the past year mav "necessitate ad- ditional attention to the safety net portion of the comrtiodity title in the near future. particularly given the increase in crop input prices over the past 18 moi~tl~s.''

~ G c h has advice for Obama, Vilsack 1 on foreign sources of energy

crops," he said. Ibach also said Nebraska is

clude more wind resources within our public power system."

"Ongoing research and devel- opment f~mding is critical for both the ethanol and wind segments as they provide an underpinning for ::

future renewable energy develop- ment," he said.

Also expressing concel.11~ about Obama's agenda for agriculture was the Center for Rural Affairs Executive Director Chuck Hassebrook.

According to Hassebrook, 7 Obarna "ran on an aggressive plat- form of change in farm and rural

that vision." Hassebrook said the group's

grassroots letter urges Vilsack to carry through on the policies on which Obama campaigned.

The letter is available at (http:// w w w . c f r a . o r g / 0 8 / grassroots-letter).

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secretary

ri trying for U.S. ag

1 i

f "

,

'--

m

The Associated Press

LINCOLN - University of Nebraska regent Chuck I-Iassebiook has applied to be the next U.S. agriculture secre- tary.

Hassebrook said he filed a job application with President-elect Barack Obama's team on Thursday.

"I've spent 30 years of my life working to try to create a better future out in rural America," the 53-year-old said. "If I had the chance (to be secretary), I would - jump at it. It's an opportunity to make a real difference in creat- ing a better future."

Hassebrook said he was invit- b 4

ed to \.lr3shington1 D.C., earlier this week by Obama's transition 2 team for a discussion about agri- P culture and rural development. -ds % That prompted hi111 to apply, 3 * although Hassebrook said he R

tlasn't been interviewed for the -

?: job.

"I don't know that I'm being C

seriously considered," he said. Five people are already

xlnmred to be in the running -

for agriculrure secaP€ZtW T h c - -2

are: Pennsylvania agriculture secretary Dennis Wolff; Tom Buis, president of National Farmers Union; former Rep. Chdrles Stenholm of Texas; Rep. Stephan~e Herseth Sandlin of South Pakota; and former Rep. Jill Long Thompson of Indiana.

Hassebrook, of Lyons, is among six people stiggested for appoint- ment by Food Democracy Now, a grass-roots organization that sup ports sustainable, organic and family farms.

--_ Phase see REGENTlpage B 1 - -

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Regent: euiook applies for position Continued from page A5 He's also executive director President Bush to replace Mike

The group said it wants the of the Center for Rural Affairs, Johanns last fall. Johanns, a next secretary to have grass- a grass-roots nonprofit that former ~ ~ b ~ ~ ~ k ~ governor, roots experience "in promot- advocates for rural communi- stepped down to run for U.S. ing sustainable agriculture to ties. He's a graduate of the create a prosperous future for University of Nebraska- Senate. He was appointed in

rural Arnerlca and a healthy ~lncoln. 2005. . future for all of America's cjti- Hassebrook and his wife have In addition to Johanns, two children. three other Nebraskans have

Hassebrook has been a regent The current U.S. agriculture held the post: Clayton Yeutter, for District 3, which covers 15 secretary is former North 1989-91; Clifford Hardin, counties in northeast Nebraska, Dakota governor Ed Schafer, 1969-71; and J. Sterling

who was appointed by Morton, 1893-97. - - _ _ - _ - - - - - - -- -

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Dysart Reporter Dysart,lA Circ. 703

From Page: 5

1211 112008 p-p

I OPINION 'I

83 -Center for Rural Affairs- Initiative Launched for Health Care Reform

1 From the Center for Rural Anah

By: Jon Bailey & Kim Preston

LYONS- In January of 2009 a new presidential administration will take over in Washington, and health care reform is cer- tain to be on the agenda. Access to affordable health insurance has become a leading obstacle

1 to rural small business and family farm prosperity.

Therefore the Center for Rural Affairs has 1aunche.d a Rural Health Care Reform Initiative. The Center has initiated an online petition to stand up for health care reform that works for everyone - including rural people, family farmers and small business owners. The signatures and comments collected from the peti-

.tion will be shared with the next administration early in 2009.

L R u r a l people are

among the most ill-served by the current health care system. Issues of access, affordability, prevention and how to deal with chronic diseases are issues that fall disproportionately on rural people and rural communities. Reforming the health care system is also vital for the long-term economic and community vitality of rural areas," said Jon Bailey, Director of the Rural Research and Analysis Program at the Center for Rural Affairs.

As part of the initiative, the Center is also interest- ed in hearing how health care and health insurance issues affect rural families and rural businesses. These experiences will help the Center better understand the issues rural people are facing and allow the Center to explain the issues to those in Washington. Anyone wishing to share their experiences may do by

sending them to Kim Pre- ston at kimp@cfia.org or at the Center for Rural Affairs, P.O. Box 136, Lyons, NE 68038, or online at http://www.cfra.org/con- tact. Participants will remain anonymous, and your name will not be used in apy way.

"Rural people have much to offer to the health care debate, and much to add to reform proposals. We are hoping our initia- tive gets rural people involved in a debate that will affect the future of all of us and our communi- ties," added Bailey.

To join and sign the petition visit: http://www.cfra.ors/O8/he alth

More about health care reform and rural America c b be found at:

http://www.cfia.org/po1- icyhealth-care,

d -

GAZETTE

McCOOK, Nebraska

c Cawrim 2008 \All Rlghtr Reserved

. .- Date: Saturday, December 13,2008 Frequency: DAILY Circulation: 5903 Clip Size: 9.73 sq. inches Ad Rate: $10.95 Pagelsection: 2

Hassebrook touted for ag secretary

LYONS (AP) - A group that supports sustainable, or- ganic and family farms sug- gests a University of Nebras- ka regeut would make,gn iQeal U.S. agriculture secretary.

Chuck Hassebrook, who is executive director of the Cen- ter for Rural Affairs, is one of six candidates suggested by the group Food Democracy Now.

Hassebrook said Friday he would jump at the opportuni- ty because it would let him make a significant difference in the prosperity of rural America.

But Hassebrook isn't being vetted for a Cabinet appoint- ment.

The Food Democracy group says it wants the next agriculture secretary to have a grass-roots background pro- moting sustainable agricul- lure.

-

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SPRING GROVE HERALD Date: Wednesday, December 10,2008 Location: SPRING GROVE, MN Circulation (DMA): 1,425 (127) Type (Frequency): Newspaper (W) Page: 5 Keyword: Center For Rural Affairs

Rural healthcare initiative launched In January 2009 n new presidential

administntion will take over, and healthcare reform is certain to be on the agenda. Access to affordable health iri~unrice has kconie a ledinp obs~xle to rum1 small business and family fami prosperity. Therefore. the for R d Affarn has launched a Rural He;llth cue ReTorm Initiative.

The center Iias initiated an online petition tcl stand up for healthcare reform that works for everyone - including rural people. family f m e r s and small business owners. The signatures and conune~its collected from the petition will be shared with the next administration early in 2009.

"Ruml people are among the most ill-scrved by the current healthcare system. Issuesofaccess.affordability. prc.ventioti and ho)): to deal with chr-oriic diuc.a\cs are issues that fall disproponiona~ely on run1 people and rural conimunities. Reforming the healthcare system is also vital for the long-ten11 ecorioniic and community vitality of rural areas." said Jon Bailey, director of the Rural Research and Analysis Program at the Center for Rural Affairs.

As part of the initiative, the center i s also interested in hearing how healt l ica~~ and health insurance issues affect rural families and rural businesses. These experiences wil l help the center better understand the

issues rural p y l e arc. I;tc.it~: iuld allow the center to enphi11 tiic i,\trc.\

to those in Washington. Anyone wishing to sll;~,.~ Iltcir

experiences tilily do I?!. . .L*~ IL I~ I I~ them to Kim Preston via c-mail at kimp8cfm.org or at the ('cntcr I'oI. Rural Affairs, PO Box I?(>. l.!o~i<. NE 68038. or onli~ie at \\\I I\ .cli.:~. orglcontact. Pa~tioipants \ b i l l r~.main anonymous, and their nniiic tn i l l 1101

be used in ally way. "Rural people have tnuzh to 01'121.

to the healthcare debi~tc. ;~r:tl mtiilr to add to reform propo;alh. Wc are hopins our initiilti ir xc!s I.III;I~

people involved in 3 dcbilte that \\.ill affect the future of ;dl of 11. nrxl oirr comnlunities," added Bailr!

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NEWS WEDNESDAY WEEKLY CREIGHTON, NE Circulation = 13 10

1 1/26/2008

- - -- - ^me.. -- .."A&., A l U U l l l l r - -- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services 1

- \

i 5 RURAL AFFAIRS 3!

'Help To Stabilize Housing Values Available' f - By Jon Bailey, jonb@cffa.org, Center for Rural Affairs

housing values and increased foreclosures, .I and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. Pan of f

St%b~!i,zation,Ppgram, vhiqp,provifiles, nearly , '.

isslies tgaT,d6tila I&d.;d.t6 ~$ngrf~&'decfi~&$if "'- housing values of neighboring homes.

1 Public policy t6 encourage housing development and home ownership is a

i major element of asset-building policy. Rural areas have unique housing is- sues, chiefly ,the age and condition of housing and the number of abandoned houses. The Neighborhood Stabilization program provides an opportunity to address these issues.

The primary method to help stabilize housing values is distribution of emergency Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). Each state -

will receive at least $19.5 million inZmergency CDBG funds, with addi- tional amounts distributed based on need.

- These funds will be made available for several activities that will stabilize

housing values, while also making housing available for low andm&.ry: -,

ate-income people. For exaGple, communities would be allowed to acqui're,- demolish or redevelop vacant or blighted property. Communities and-hous- ing organizations could also use funds to provide down payment and closing cost assistance.

i States are required to submit a proposed Action Plan by Dec. 1,2008. These funds provide an opportunity for rural communities to develop

plans and access resources to address their housing needs and provide af- fordable housing, both for current residents and future residents. $

For more information: www.savcamericasneighborhoods.org. t The Center for Rural Affairs was established in 1973 as an unaflliated 'i

nonprojit corporation under IRS code 501(c)3. The Center for Rural Affairs $ was formed by rural Nebraskans concerned about family farms and rural communities, and we work to strengthen small businesses, fatnily farms and

-

ranches, and rural communities. .[ ---.-.-.

STANDARD

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INITIATIW LAUNCHED FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM

In January of 2009 a new presidential administration will take over in Washing- ton, and health care reform is certain to be on the agenda. Access to affordable health insurance has become a leading obstacle to rural small business and family farm prosperity.

Therefore the Center for Rural Affairs has launched a Rural Health Care Reform Initiative. The Center has initiated an online petition to stand up for health care reform that works for every- one -- including rural peo- ple, family farmers and small business owners. The signatures and comments collected from the petition will be shared with the next administration early in 2009. "Rural people are among

the most ill-served by the current health w e system. Issues of access, affordabil- ity, prevention and how to deal with chronic diseases are issues that fall dispro- portionately on rural people and rural communities. Reforming the health care system is also vital for the long-term economic and community vitality of rural areas," said Jon Bailey, Director of the Rural Research and Analysis Pro-

gram at the Center for Rural Af'fairs.

As part of the initiative, the Center is also interested in hearing how health care and health insurance issues affect rural families and rural businesses. These experiences will help the Center better understand the issues rural people are facing and allow the Center to explain the issues to those in Washington. Any- one wishing to share their experiences may do by send- ing them to Kim Preston at kimp@cfra.org or at the Center fo- P.O. Box 136, Lyons, NE 68038, or online at h ttp://www.cfra.org,contact. Participants will remain

anonymous, and your name will not be used in any way. "Rural people have much to offer to the health care debate, and much to add to reform proposals. We are hoping our initiative gets rural people involved in a debate that will affect the future of all of us and our communities," added Bailey. To join and sign the

petition visit: http:/bmw. cfraorg/OS/health, More about health care

reform and rural America can be found at: http:// www.cfra.org/policy/heai- th-care.

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HUMBOLDT. Nebraska

Date: Thursday, December 11,2008 Frequency: WEEKLY

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Sometimes You Eat the Bear By John Crabtree, iohnc@cfra.m Center for c ias , agency oEcials, corn- Rural Affhirs moditv groups, etc. - told us -.

Nearly ten years ago I first wrote about the erowine threat of vertical inte'gratioi and concentration in meat- packing. Smithfield, Cargill, IBP, etc. were buying up packing plants and indus- trial hog production facili- ties at a breathtaking pace. We spoke loudly and often about the need for the Jus- tice De~artment to take on these dergers. We called on USDA to write rules that define the "unreasonable preferences" that the Pack- ers and Stockyards Act pro- hibits and get busy enforcing them to prevent packers from discriminating against smaller volume fam- ily farm arid ranch livestock producers. Thousands of family farm-

ers and ranchers from across America joined us in telling everyone that would listen that action was needed from USDA and Jus- tice. A lot of people - politi-

nothinLwoGld ever come of it. And - - for a long time, noth- ing did. BUT THEN, in the 2008 farm Congress required USDA write rules definiy "unreasonable preference to protect family farmers and ranchers against vol- ume based price discrimina- tion. And last month the Department of Justice and 13 state Attorneys General filed suit to stop JBS, the Brazilian meatpacking con- glomerate, from acquiring National Beef Packing. That deal would have given JBS, Tyson and Cargill 85% of national beef slaughter (35% for JBS alone.) Those thousands of farm-

ers and ranchers knew back then, and those that are left still know today, that some- time the bear eats you.. .and sometimes you eat the bear. Maybe, just maybe, the tables are turning.

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~ecember REAP office hours in McCook

MCCCOOK - Dena Beck, central and southwest Ne- braska Business Specialist with the Center for Rural Af- fairs' Rural Enterprise Assis- tance Project, will hold office hours in McCook on Dec. 16. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. McCook Economlc De- velopment Corp. will handle the appointments. They can be reached at (308) 345-1200. The MEDC office is located at 301 Norris Avenue, Suite 200.

The Center for Rural Af- fairs' Rural Enterprise Assis- tance Project and its services are available to rural com- munities across Nebraska. REAP offers technical assis- tance, educational and net- working opportunities, and a loan program for small busi- - nesses. REAP is designed to assist all types of small busi- nesses, including businesses with five or fewer employees, Self-employed full-time. part-

. time, h~me-based, farm-, . agsed, start-Tip, md stofe- front businesses. RWP has six-fegionally-based Busi- ness Specialists across Ne-

- b~aska . These Business Spe- cialists can get involved in assisting entrepreneurs at various stages of their busi- ness progress.

m k d a r adds HeK_._ !I

Thursday, December 04,2008 HERMAN, MN HERMANREVIEW !Sn ,,,,,, l,o,,l,,

Type (~reqGencyi: ~Lsp 'ap 'e r (W) Page: 4 ~ e b r d : Center For Rural Affairs

We need a good Secretary of ~gr icu l tu re to promote change Cerlrcrftrr Rtrrcrl Affirirs

Barack Obama launched his campaign in . - Iowa with a promise toxreate genuine oppor- tunity for rural people and a better future for their communities. Now Prcsidcnt-elect Obama tllust appoint a Secretary of Agriculture who etilbraces the change needed to achieve those goals.

Farm and rural policy illl~s~rate the broken politics of Washington. The federal govern- ment spends billicins hubsidir.ing mega farms to drive smaller firms off the land and large- ly fails to invest in the future of rural com- munities.

Barack Obama proposed changing those failed policies. He proposed capping pay- ments to mega farms and enforcing rules against unfair pricing prictices by meat pack- ers to strengthen family size farms. To revi- talize rural communities, he proposed invest-

ing in small business. microenterprise devel- opment and value added agriculture.

He proposed increased production of hie- -

fuels and wind energy. And he pledged sup- port for protecting our land and water through the Conservation Stewardship Program. which rewards farniers for good practices.

These reforms run head-on into d e n ~ q d s for new spending by big fartn and cominbdi- ty interests. The president's commitment is most critical tr, achieving reform. but his Secretary of Agriculture is alnlost as impor- tant. A secretary conlmitted to the status quo will not help Obama achieve change.

The new president should start with one simple test for those who would be Secretary of Agriculture. Have they worked for the rural agenda on which he canipaigned and are they committed to advancing it when he takes office in January?

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DAILY NEWS EVENING DAILY NORFOLK, KE Circulaaon = 17282

12120i2008

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NU regent wants to be ag se LINCOLN (AP) - University of Ne- secretary), I would jump at it. It's an op- considered: he said-

H m s e b r ~ ~ k bra& regent chuck Hassebrook has portunity to make a real difference ln

applies for to be the next U.S. agriculture creathg a better future." secretary. Hassebrook said he was invited

job but Hassebrmk said he filed a job ap- Washington, DC., earlier this week

doesnt know pliMtion with President-elect Barack Obama's transition team for a discuss about agriculture and rural dev Obama's team Thursday.

ifh& 'being ,'I,ve ,,,, ,, of my ,, work- ment. That prompted him to apply,

seriously ing to try to a better though Hassebrook said he hadn't be

in rural America," the 53-year-old from 'IIterviewed for the job'

L~~~~ yf I had the chance (to be "I don't know that I'm being seriously - -

- - --

= Regent -- -

1 Conrnued fto!!lPag9 1- - I -

HassebrGk is among six

merit by Food a @aSs-roots organization that supports sustainable, organic and family farms.

The group said it wants the secretary to have grass-

roots experience ''in promot- ing sustainable agriculture to

I create a prosperous future for I Illra1 and a healthy have two children. 1 - - - -- -

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INDEPENDENT MORNING DAILY GRAND ISLAND, NE Circulation = 22792

Who do you favor fix. secretary I il agriculture in the O h m a adl~~inistratioi~? 7% Pennsylvania 0% Rep. Stephanie =

Ag Secretary Herseth - E - -

Dennis Wolff Sandlin 21% National 7% Former Rep. Jill

Farmers Union Long Thompson President Tom 64% Center for Buis Rural Affairs

0% Former Rep. Executive Charles Director Chuck Stenholm Hassebrook

TOTAL RESPONDENTS: 14

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Group touts NUfegent I

as agriculture se$e -- == !il tary The Associated Press

Ll-ONS - A group that sup- ports sustainable, organic and family farms suggests a University of Nebraska regent would make an ideal U.S. agri: culture secretary. . Chuck Hassebrook, who is executive director of the Center for Rural Affairs, is one of six candidates suggested by the group Food Democracy Now.

Hassebrook said Friday he would jump at the opport;nity because it would let him make a significant difference in the prosperity of rural America.

But Hassebrook isn't being vetted for a Cabinet 'appoint-

a E

ment. The F O ~ Democracy group

says it wanBthe next agriculture secretary Q~ have a grass-roots background promoting sustain- able agricaEure. That's why they list Hassegook and five others as candidqis -= on their Web site.

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Help to Stabilize distributed based 011 need. These funds will be made

busi in^ Values By Jon Bailey, jonb@cfra.or~, Center for Rural Affairs

As a response to declining housing values and increased forec- losures, Congress adopted the Housing and Ecbnomic Recovery Act of 2008. Part of that law is the Neighborhood Stabilization Pro- gram, which provides nearly $4 billion to address housing issues in communities that could lead to long-term declines of housing val- ues of neighboring homes.

Public policy to encourage housing development and home ownership is a major element of asset-building policy. Rural areas have unique, housing issues, chiefly the age and condition of housing

, and the number of abandoned houses. The Neighborhood Stabili- zation Program provides an oppor- tunity to address these issues.

available for several activities that will stabilize housing values, while also making housing available for low and moderate-income people. For example, communities would be allowed to acquire property, demolish or redevelop vacant or blighted property. Con~munities and housing organizations could also use funds to provide down payment and c!nsing cost assis- tance.

States are required to submit a proposed Action Plan by December 1.2008. - . .,.

These funds provide in oppor- tunity for rural communities to de- velop plans and access resources to address their housirrg needs and provide affordable housing, both for current residents and future

The primary method to help stabilize housing values is distribu- tion of emergency Community De- velopment Block Grants (CDBG). Each state will receive at least $19.5 million in emergency CDBG funds, with additional amounts

residents. - For more iriformation: www.saveameric~sjlei~hb~rItoods. - . .. -

A -- - *-=a--, * .'"-. 3 ,K,- --J7 -\- - - - * $160 on his monthly payment. "Any licher HSH Associates - the msr- ,, __rr___

Vilsack backs ethanol, wind energy

i The Associated Press

President-elect Barack Obama looks on as Agriculture Secretary-designate, fonner Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, speaks at a news conference Wednesday in Chicago.

Ag choice encourages reform advocates

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Lee Enterprises

Amid widespread praise for the nomination of former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture, a mixture of farm, nutrition and environmental groups said Wednesday they have high hopes for meaningful change in U.S. policy toward renewable fuels, nutrition pro- grams and farm subsidies.

President-elect Barack Obama announced Vilsack's selection at a Chicago news confer- ence Wednesday. He also said he'd picked U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., to be interior secre- tary. The U.S. Senate still must confirm both nominations.

"Tom understands that the solution to our en- ergy crisis will be found not in the oil fields abroad but in our farm fields here at home," Obama said.

Vilsack, who spoke briefly, said he expected to lead an Agriculture Department that was "in- novative and creative in all its work in a time of economic anxiety and limited resources." And he said that, as a small town lawyer from Mount Pleasant, he understood farmers.

"America's farmers and ranchers deserve a secretary of agriculture that respects them for the contributions they make to all of us every-

day," he said. "I hope to be that sect-etary." Major farm groups praised the nomination. Vilsack. who was Iowa's governor from 1999

to 2007, will head up an organization with a nearly $100 billion budget and more than 110,000 employees. By comparison. the state of Iowa's budget is only more than $6 billion.

Renewable fuels are expected to get a big boost from the Obama administration, and Vil- sack's selection will give him a prominent role in the debate.

In a newspaper opinion article in October, Vilsack called for another "Industrial Revolu- tion" to reform the country's energy use. He called it the key to battling a global economic meltdown.

Rural advocates say the ex-governor's em- phasis on encouraging ethanol and wind energy while he was a two-term governor, and his push for economic development, are good signs for the future.

Chuck Hassebrook, executive director of the Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons, Ncb.. called Vilsack a good selection, saying he would seek out the truth in putting together good policies. He noted that in addition to encouraging re- newable sources of energy, like wind, there also

VILSACK, PAGE A9

Vilsack: Northey wants more open trade FROM PAGE A 1 needs to be benefits to rural communities that go beyond just the construction jobs they create.

"The Department of Agricul- ture needs to take the lead in developing strategies that turn that into lasting wealth," he said.

Critics of corn-based ethanol - and what they called SaLazar's obstruction of oil and gas projects on federal land - were among the few critics of the picks Wednesday. Myron Ebell, of the Competitive En- terprise Institute, said both Salazar and Vilsack "complete a team that opposes affordable energy."

However. Craie Cox. Mid- west vice preside% of the En- vironmental Working Group, said Vilsack has recognized the need to embrace cellulosic sources for ethanol. Being the ex-governor of a corn-based state, he added, "will give him more credibility when he puts on the table the real limitations

of corn ethanol." The main ethanol lobby

praised Vilsack's selection, too, saying he understands get- ting to cellulosic ethanol doesn't mean abandoning corn.

Obama and Vilsack "know that to get to ethanol 2.0, you've got to make sure ethanol 1.0 is a success," said Matt Hartwig, a spokesman for the Renewable Fuels Associa- tion.

Like many Iowa politicians, Vilsack has backed limitations on farm subsidies, even though the state is a major recipient of payments.

Advocates for reform said Wednesday they've got a friend in Vilsack.

"That encourages me," Cox - said.

Few Iowa farmers have large enough operations that they would be significantly affected by most past payment limita- tion proposals.

U.S. farm subsidy policies and ethanol incentives have been criticized for hurting

fanners in developing coun- some trade deals, like the tries and the availability of North American Free Trade food there. But advocates for Act. Also, congressional De- changing farm subsidies say mocrats have become more ag- they've gotten positive signs gressive toward free trade. from Obama. Ed Tibbetts can be contacted

Recently, the president-elect at (563) 383-2327 or etib- complained about wasteful betts@qctimes.com. spending, citing a report detail- ing farm subsidy payments ?# going to people making more , than $2.5 million per year. , "The signals we're getting is

that everything's on the table," '' said Monica Mills, director of government relations for Bread for the World, a group that fights hunger in the U.S. and overseas

In Iowa, the state's secretary of agriculture, Bill Northey, said he hopes Vilsack will be a voice for more open trade poli- cies.

''He went overseas and pro- moted (trade as a governor). I would hope that he'd be that kind of a voice in the adniinis- tration," Northey said.

During the presidential cam- paign, Obama was critical of

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SUN-TELEGRAPH MORNING DAILY SIDNEY, NE Circulation = 2565

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/"t NEBRASKA BRIEFS 1 I ' 1 Group Touts ference in the prosperity o

rural America. But Hassebrook isn' NU Regent As being vetted for a Cabine

appointment.

j U.S. Agriculture The Food Democracy grour, says i t wants the .., - Secretary next agriculture secretary

to have a prass-roots back- LYONS (AP) - A group ground sustai

that supports sustainable, able agriculture. That's wh ' organic and family farms they list Hassebrook an 1 sueeests a University of five others as candidates 0 t ~eYbvraska regent would their Web site.

make an ideal U.S. agricul- . -- ture secretary. 1 Chuck Hassebrook, who

i is executive director of the Center for Rural Affairs, is one of six candidates sug- gested by the group Food

1 Democracy Now. Hassebrook said Friday

he would jump at the oppor-

Q tunity because it would let ; him make a significant dif-

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INDEX

MITCHELL, Nebraska

Date: Wednesday, December 10,2008g~~2~~27;; C;S", ..' 1 ... 9,. .,

Frequency: WEEKLY x2z;4 y$;gtk 'j* *..=; :~J.. i:,A," . ._^C,.?''I_ -.-.. *? F>i*,

Circulation: 893 c3*".~;-3 r: st,

Ad Rate: $4.5

Pagelsection: 3 F! ;% : .... .

center for . ~ u r a ~ ~ f f a i r s Initiative Launched for As part of the initiative,

Health Care Reform the Center is also interested in In ~anuary of 2009, a new hearing how health care and

presidential adminishation will health insurance issues affect

take over in Washington, and m l families and rural busi- health care refom is certain to Resses~ These will be on the agen&. Access to the Center benet under- affordable health insurance has stand the people become a leading obstacle to facing and the Center mml small business and family to explain the issues to those in

farm prosperity. Washington. Anyone wishing ~ h ~ ~ ~ f ~ ~ ~ the to share their experiences may

Rural Affairs has launched a do sending them to Kim G] Health Care Refom Reston at kim~@cfra.org or at Initiative. The Center has initi- the Cm-ffor_- ated an online petition to stand '.'. Box 1369 Lyons* NE up for health care reform that 68038, Or at hQ:/l woks for everyone -- includ- www.cfra.OdcOntact. Partici- ing rural people, family farm- pants will remain anonymous, ers and small business owners. and your name not be used

The signatures and comments in way. collected &om the petition will "Rural people have much be shared with the next ad- to offer to the health care de-

mipistration early in 2009. bate, and much to add to re- people are among form proposals. We are hoping

the most i]l-served by the cur- Our initiative gets people rent health care system. Issues involved in a debate that will of access, affordability, pre- affect the 'ture a'1 us vention and how to deal with and OW communities," added chronic diseases are issues that Bailey, fall disproportionately on rural To join and sign the peti- people and communities. tion online, visit: http://

Reforming the health care sys- www.ch-or@8/hea1th

tern is also vibl for the long- More about health care term economic and community and America can vitality ofnval areas,v said Jon be found online at: http:// Bailey, Director of the Rural www.cfra.org/policylhealth- Research and Analysis Pro- Care gram at the Center for Rural Affairs.

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

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JOURNAL STAR MORNING DAILY LINCOLN, NE Circulation = 74795

1211 312008

: Hassebrook applies - -

i i to become Obama's I department -

' secretary. . . .. .

BY MELISSA LEE Lincoln Journal Star -- -. - ~

The chairman of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents has - applied to become secretary of agriculture under Prcside~~t-elect Barack Obama.

Regent Chuck Hassebrook of - T;)rons; executive director of the -

C;elrter for Rural Affairs, is aim- ing to become -- . .

the fifth Ne- . . - . ,,, ,

braskan to - - i .- . g.

serve as agricul- ture secretary. Most recently, Sen.-elect Mike lohanns served -- g

, from 2005 to - HASSEBROOL 2007.

." I""^ - Hasschrook, 53, cornpletcd the ! lengthy job app l~cauonon l ine~n~~: - : Thursday. "I've spent 30 years of my life:::

a working to try to create a betterfu- I ture out in rural America," he said I Friday "If I had the chance (to be ---

, secretan, of agriculture), I would I jump atit. '

-. ' "ltS an opportunity to make a - I real difference in creating a better

future. I would be honored to -- ?& serve."

Hasscbrook was invited to -

Washington, D.C., earlier this week b\r a division of Obarna's -#, trans~tiin team to d~scuss issues - k of agiculture and rural develop- _ $ ment.

- i

See REGENT, Page 2A 1 I,

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sustainable agriculture to create a

4 prosperous future for ru ra lhe r i - ca and a healthy future for all of

Carrtinued fmm Page 1A 1 America's citizens," Food Democ- The invitation, he said, moti- lacy NOW wrote on its Web site.

1 vated him to apply for the posi- The next secretary of aglicul- tion. ture wiU need to ensure some of

, He said he hasn't been inter- the nation's economic stimulus 1 viewed by Obama's team. package is directed to rural . h e r -

"I don't know that I'm being se- ica, Hassebrook said. 1 riously considered," he said. That could include incentives 1 Stlll, Hassebrook has garnered for small rural businesses, for ex- ? some degree of support. He was ample. - one of six candidates for agricul- Energy development - such

ture secretary to be suggested by as the creation of more wind Food Democracy Now! a group farms- also will be a key issue for 1 that supports environmentally the next agriculture secretary, he r friendly farming practices, rural economic development and local$ '

i farms. 3 , Hassebrook and the other can- 2

didates "have a significant grass- e roots background in promoting $

-- -- - -

said. "Rural America is going to pro-

duce alot more energy in the years to come," he said.

Hassebrook said he's not sure when Obama will make his choice.

Hassebrook was born in Columbus and graduated from the University of Nebraska-1,in- coln. As director of the Ccnter for Rural Affairs in Lyons, he has worked to strengthen rural com- munities and environmental stewards hi^.

B sion on Small Farms, the USD&~ Agricultural Science and Technol-4 ogy Review Boaid and the boar& of directors of Bread for the World,$ a Christian organization workin$ to end global hunger. 6

Hassebrook is not the first per-,- son with NU ties to emerge as ai% potential candidate for Obama'si,.: Cabinet. Earlier this month, Thel, Atlantic reported on its political.. blog that former UNL Chancelloc& Graham Spanier is being consid-6: ered for the secretary of educatiom2 DoSt I '

He has sewed on the De- Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or partnient of Agriculture Cornmis- mlee@journalstar.com. -5

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1 1/20/2008

, Heln to Stabilize Housing ( Values Available I By Ion Baley, jonh@cfra o rg (:en- ter for Rural Affars

I As a response to declln~ng houslng values and Increased foreclosures,

1 Congress adopted the Hous~ng and

I Econormc Recovery Act of 2008 Part of that law IS the Neighborhood Stab111-

9 zatlon Program, whlch provldes nearly $4 bllllon to address houslng Issues In communities that could lead to long term declines of housing values o

chiefly the age and condition o

j tion Program provides a j to address these issues. 1 The primary mcthod to help stabi 1 lize housing values is distribution o : emergency Cornrnunity Developmen

gency CDBG funds, with addition amounts distributed based on nced.

property, demolish or redevelop or blighted property. Communit' housing organizations could al

posed Action Plan b y Jpec,ernb.e~ 2008. . .. , .- . .

housing needs and provide affordable housing, both for current residents and

. future residents.

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12/14/2008

11111111111111111111111111111lll1l lll -.-xwa =ally 1- themorning of Sept. 20.

( LINCOLN, NEB. I Regent applies S

to be ag secretay University of Nebraska re-

gent Chuck Hassebrook has applied to be the next U.S. agriculture secretary.

Hassebrook said he filed a job application with President- elect Barack Obama's team on Thursday.

Hassebrook said he was in- vited to Washington, D.C., ear- lier this week by Obama's transition team for a discus- sion about agriculture and rural development. That prompted him to apply, al-

I though Hassebrook said he I hasn't been interviewed for the

job. Five people are already ru-

I mored to be in the running for r - agriculture secretary. They are: d

Pennsylvania --- -

retary Dennis Wolff; Tom Buis, president of National Farmers Union; former Rep. Charles Stenholm of Texas; Rep. Stephanie Herseth San-

g dlin of South Dakota; and for- mer Rep. Jill Long Thompson of Indiana. --

I-, / ~ ~ O U X FALLS, S.D. . 1 _

bl - - . . - - 8