Ag Appropriations Report and our Initial Response

 

 

 

After natural disasters, thieves will often try to profit from the good intentions of Americans. They send e-mails, make phone calls, and post fake video footage on social media sites in order to steal money and obtain personal information. With heartbreaking images from Japan continuing to dominate the news, U.S. law enforcement officials have been quick to issue warnings about charity scams. Here's how to ensure your donations are properly used: • Be cautious of e-mails that claim to be from charities or that promise links to photographs or video footage of disaster areas. Unless you previously have made a donation to a particular group, and provided them with your e-mail address, delete any incoming e-mails seeking a donation. • To find a charity's website and donate, do not click on a link that you see on a website or an e-mail. Instead, type the charity's name into a search engine. Legitimate nonprofits' Internet addresses typically end in ".org," not ".com." • Do not donate via requests on Facebook, Twitter or other social networking sites. Scammers can be behind those appeals as well. • Beware of calls, emails and texts requesting fast money. If you are unfamiliar with the charity, always ask for written materials. No legitimate organization will insist that you donate immediately. Watch out for solicitors who employ dramatic, emotional or heart-tugging stories. • Never give cash. • Never give personal information or your debit/credit card number unless you initiated contact with the charity and it is a trusted source. Many legitimate organizations are soliciting donations specifically for victims in Japan. The better-known names include the American Red Cross, World Vision, Save The Children and Mercy Corps. You can also visit www.guidestar.org or www.charitynavigator.org to get detailed information about charities and their performance.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb 10, 2011 (Kinder, LA) - Sharon Roberts, known around the barrel racing community for her years of work with equine supplements like Ulcer Stop, passed away in her sleep while attending the LG Pro Classic in Kinder, Louisiana today.  Preliminary reports from Allen Parish Louisiana officials are that Sharon died of congestive heart failure.

Lance Graves, co-founder of the LG Pro Classic said, “We are all so saddened by this loss.  Our entire barrel racing community is heart broke about Sharon’s passing.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.  She always supported this event and we are all so very sad today!”

Sharon was passionate about rodeo and barrel racing.  She is a native of the New Orleans area and had been battling heart disease for some time.

Co-producer of the LG Pro Classic Ryan Dohrn said today, “Sharon was always smiling.  I can not remember a time when she was not laughing, despite the battles she was waging with her heath.  She was a shining example of hope. “

All the staff and crew of the LG Pro Classic wish to express to Sharon’s husband Mike and the entire Roberts’s family our deepest condolences during this time of loss.  A moment of silence for Sharon will be held tonight in her honor during the running of the first go of the $200,000 event.
                     
 
Press Contact:
----------------------
Ryan R. Dohrn
ryan@brainswellmedia.com

 

The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center opens facility on Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Show Grounds 

The Sanctuary at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center will be located near the FEI barn and the permanent stabling area on the show grounds. “Many of the horses that will use the Wellington facility will be horses that are focusing on conditioning and maintenance,” McDuffee said. “I know that many trainers and owners will add maintenance at The Sanctuary to their training program as it will give their horses an edge on the competition. Our conditioning programs help horses stay strong and keeps horses less prone to injury.”

Just like the world-class, multi-million dollar facility in Ocala, the Sanctuary at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center will be run by thoroughly skilled, trained and knowledgeable Sanctuary staff who have a passion for horses and the desire to see each horse performing at the top of their game. “We treat equines from every discipline and we are dedicated to the healing, conditioning and well being of all equine athletes,” McDuffee said.

For more information on The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center, visit our website at SanctuaryEquineRehab.com or email sanctuaryESTRC@aol.com

 

 

 

July 29, 2010

TALLAHASSEE – Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson says two cases of West Nile Virus have now been detected in horses in the state and the number of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) cases continues to rise. Bronson is reminding horse owners to get the animals vaccinated. He is also urging the public to follow Florida Department of Health guidelines to help prevent mosquito borne illnesses in people. DOH is reporting that two people in Florida have died after contracting EEE this summer. Mosquitoes carry the viruses and can transmit it to horses and humans, however, horses do not transmit the viruses to people.

The West Nile cases affected horses in Jefferson and Osceola counties. There are also now 60 reported cases of EEE in horses in several dozen counties in Florida this year, including southern counties such as Miami-Dade, Okeechobee and Collier where EEE cases are much less frequent.

EEE and West Nile are viral diseases that affect the central nervous system and are transmitted to horses by infected mosquitoes. Signs of the viruses include fever, listlessness, stumbling, circling, coma and usually death. EEE is fatal in horses in 90 percent of the cases. West Nile virus has a mortality rate in horses of about 30 percent. Studies show that in horses that do recover, anywhere from 20-40 percent show residual effects even after six months.

Bronson says there are vaccinations for both diseases but horse owners need to be diligent in not only getting their animals vaccinated, but also ensuring the vaccinations are kept up to date each year and booster shots are given.

“In the vast majority of cases we have seen this year, the horses either had no vaccinations at all or they were not current,” Bronson said. “We are seeing increases in mosquito populations and since mosquitoes are the carriers of both these diseases, it’s likely the situation is going to get worse before it gets better. I can’t stress enough the need for people to get these readily available vaccinations for their horses.”

While the incidence of EEE and West Nile is down in horses from what the state experienced earlier this decade, the cases continue to rise in 2010.

Bronson is also reminding people that the Florida Department of Health has put out advisories urging people to take precautionary measures to prevent illnesses transmitted by mosquitoes. DOH officials say the public should follow the “5 D’s” which include:

• Dusk and Dawn – Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are biting.
• Dress – Wear clothing that covers most of your skin.
• DEET – Use repellents containing DEET. Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535 and permethrin are other repellent options.
• Drainage – Check around your home to rid the area of standing water, which is where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.

For more information about EEE and West Nile Virus in animals, visit the department’s Division of Animal Industry website at http://www.flanimalindustry.com/ and click on the Animal Diseases link in the left hand column. For human health concerns, visit the Florida Department of Health website at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/medicine/arboviral/index.html

 

If you don't have a gun, here's a more humane way to wreck someone's evil plans for you. Did you know this? I didn't. I never really thought of it before. I guess I can get rid of the baseball bat.


Wasp Spray- A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead.


The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection. Thought this was interesting and might be of use.

On the heels of a break in and beating that left an elderly woman in Toledo dead, self defense experts have a tip that could save your life.

Val Glinka teaches self-defense to students at Sylvania Southview High School . For decades, he's suggested putting a can of wasp and hornet spray near your door or bed.

Glinka says, "This is better than anything I can teach them."

Glinka considers it inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, spray the culprit in the eyes. It's a tip he's given to students for decades.

It's also one he wants everyone to hear. If you're looking for protection, Glinka says look to the spray. "That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out." Maybe even save a life.

Please share this with all the people who are precious to your life.

Did you also know that wasp spray will kill a snake? And a mouse! It will! Good to know, huh? It will also kill a wasp.!!!!

 

 

 

 

On Friday, April 16, President Obama signed a presidential memorandum establishing the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative, which will work to (1) Reconnect Americans with the outdoors by promoting community based recreation and conservation, advance job and volunteer opportunities related to conservation and recreation, as well as educate  individuals in American’s  history, culture and natural beauty; (2) Build upon state, local, private and tribal priorities for the conservation of land, water, wildlife, historic and cultural resources; (3) Use science-based management practices to restore and protect America’s lands and waters. The conference focused on the “challenges, opportunities and innovations surrounding modern-day land conservation and the importance of reconnecting Americans and American families to the outdoors.” Conservation and outdoor recreation leaders from around the country were invited to attend the conference. Ben Pendergrass, the American Horse Council’s legislative director, participated in the conference. AQHA is a member of AHC, which represents all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C. The first half of the conference included remarks from the president and the leaders of the Initiative and two panel discussions. The first panel discussion focused on the importance of America’s private working lands (farms, ranches and working forest). The second panel topic was conserving and connecting Americans with the country’s public lands. Smaller breakout sessions with senior administration officials were held the rest of the day to give individual attendees an opportunity to discuses their viewpoints on conservation and outdoor recreation. “We were happy to be invited to the conference,” Pendergrass said. “The breakout sessions were an excellent opportunity to remind the administration and other attendees that the conservation and management of America’s public and private lands is extremely important to the millions of equestrians throughout the country. Recreational riders are dependent on access to public lands and without private land to breed, raise, and feed its horses the equestrian community could not exist.” As part of the initiative the Administration and federal agencies involved will hold listening sessions around the county with tribal leaders, farmers and ranchers, sportsmen, community park groups, foresters, youth groups, businesspeople, educators, state and local governments, and recreational and conservation groups. These sessions in conjunction with continued discussions with attendees of the conference and a report due in November will be used to craft future policy to achieve the goals of the Initiative. “AHC looks forward to working with President Obama, Congress, the federal agencies and all stakeholders to preserve and help connect Americans with the outdoors,” said AHC President Jay Hickey. “We strongly believe the horse industry can play an important role in getting kids off the couch and help all Americans, including those with physical impairments, to experience the outdoors in a unique and special way.”

 

DELAND, Fla. (AP) -- When you buy a car, state law offers some protection against misleading sales techniques.

Florida lawmakers decided horse buyers need a "lemon law," too.
The law mandates the disclosure of "relevant medical conditions, defects and surgeries; the conduct or alterations that could affect the performance of a horse; and the need for a written bill of sale or similar documentation." The state Department of Agriculture is working on the final rules for the new law. Morgan Silver, executive director of the Micanopy-based Horse Protection Association of Florida, thinks the law is "an excellent idea."
Individuals have unknowingly bought horses that were diseased or had medical or behavioral problems, but they didn't have the money to get them treated properly, buy a different horse or take legal action, Silver said. Many of those problem horses end up with her organization, which helps find homes for them.

"Sellers should disclose all medical or behavioral issues," she said. "A bad horse isn't like a bad car -- it can hurt its owner." Silver also said some sellers have been known to drug horses to mask behavioral problems.

"I don't know if that's illegal, but it's certainly unethical," she said.
Sam Grenier, owner of Deep Creek Stables in Barberville, believes anyone operating as an honest and reputable horse-seller won't have a problem with the law. "Most of the problem is with owners who don't get schooled enough to keep a good horse healthy and respectful," Grenier said. "Horses are like kids. It takes a lot of care to keep them good."
Grenier especially likes the part of the law that mandates disclosure of health issues. "A lot of horses have asthma or breathing problems, or problems with their teeth or hooves," he said. "If people knew about them when buying the horse, they should get a better deal."
Neil Bennett, owner of Jopp's Tack Inc. in Port Orange, said some new owners discover too late the horse doesn't "ride like they expected."

"They thought it was gentle, but found out later it's not," Bennett said. Most sellers will let buyers bring in their own veterinarian to check out the animal being sold, he said. The exams can include X-rays of the horse's legs, if the buyer wants to go that far.
"For a new horse person, it's not a bad idea to have it vetted," Bennett said. Some observers are concerned the current draft rules don't go far enough to protect Florida consumers and the state's $7 billion horse industry.

Agriculture Department spokesman Terry McElroy said a daylong hearing is set for April 7 in Tallahassee for comments on the draft rule before a proposed final rule is written, but even that can be challenged by anyone not satisfied with it.

"We hope to have a rule finalized sometime this year," McElroy said
 

 

 

Tiffany Oliver will be missed by all in the barrel racing community.  Please say a prayer for her family as they mourn the loss of their child.