It's not a complete surprise that Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman submitted her resignation Nov. 15, but it's pretty close. Sources close to the Secretary believed she would stick with the Bush administration another year or two, if not the full term. But Veneman has come under fire as Bush prepares for his second term...
- An editorial written by Nebraska Women Involved in Farm Economics (WIFE) president Pam Potthoff in the North Platte Bulletin announced that Nebraska WIFE was calling for Veneman's resignation.
- "Women involved in farm policies, legislation, and regulations were delighted when a woman was appointed to this Cabinet-level position. We were optimistic that a woman's view would be supportive of programs favoring family farming and ranching operations. Unfortunately, time has shown Secretary Veneman to be nothing more than a figurehead, the proverbial token woman, and a puppet whose strings are controlled by agri-business interests, particularly those of big meat packers," Potthoff wrote.
- So, who is on the short list for the next Secretary of Agriculture? Some D.C. insiders believe Allen Johnson, chief agricultural trade negotiator, Bush advisor Chuck Conner...and even our own First District Congressman Jerry Moran (R-KS)...
- While most farmers are tickled that Farm Credit Services of America called off the proposed buyout by Rabobank in October, it's safe to assume the months-long courtship only cemented Rabobank's desire to participate in agricultural lending ventures...
- Agri-tourism is such a hot topic that last month's Agri-Tourism Conference in Great Bend ran out of room for attendees. Conference organizers, which included the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing and Kansas Tourism Department, expected about 300 folks to register; the number actually was closer to 400 with another 100 or so on the waiting list...
- Overheard at Congressman Jerry Moran's annual Conservation Tour, October 22: "I should call Rep. Tom Osborne (R-Neb.) and make a bet. If K-State wins, Nebraska has to give us a gallon of water from the Republican River." Moran didn't make the bet – and K-State did beat Nebraska in football the next day.
- According to an Associated Press news article, the elevator system at the Statue of Liberty now uses biodegradable, soy-based hydraulic fluid, developed by scientists at the USDA's Agricultural Research Service. Hydraulic oil previously used in the elevator system was petroleum-based.