So what a difference the sun makes and a temperature of 39--a real heat wave for our part of the country-in fact I have the window open just a crack currently (fresh farm air is one of the benefits of life on the farm).

Today Farmer1 asked me to help him back the semi & grain trailer into the shop, so that he can put new tires on the trailer. Normally this would not involve me but today due to all the snow and the trailer being empty, we had to chain it to the grain cart (because the tractor is still connected and has a radio in it so Farmer1 could tell me when to go and stop) and pull the trailer into the shop. No surprise to Farmer1 it worked just fine.

I've also included a picture of my front door, just wondering how long it will be before we can use it again.

It's been awhile since last posting and my only excuse is harvest, rain, harvest, snow, wind, more snow and more wind. It all seems like a blur. Anyway, would like to share a few pics from life on our snow covered farm.

Encouraging more Agricultural Advocates

How to grow ag’s presence in the Social Media world and help farmers learn to tell their story....
becoming an Agricultural Advocate
(AKA activist)

Looking for a hands-on session for your meeting?
Did you have a speaker back out at the last minute?

Agriculture is under attack and must seize the opportunity to grow the presence of ‘real life’ stories. Help your members/audience learn and have the courage and know-how of telling their story.
I will lead participants through the process of starting a Twitter account and discuss the value of tweeting, Face Booking and blogging from the farm.
Plus, I will explain and give real life examples of how to ‘tell the ag story’.

What may seem mundane to aggies is exactly what needs to be
told to consumers-our customers.

Social media is a far reaching entity that can bridge the gap between agriculture and the rest of the world. By using social media, the reach and scope of that message can become much larger. It’s clear that social media is becoming an increasingly powerful way to communicate. In May 2009, the year-over-year gain in the unique audience of Twitter was 1,448% and reached nearly 20 million visitors.

Contact me at
402-369-2291, @iamafarmer2 or tdborg@nntc.net

•5th generation Family Farm operation (row crop and cattle)
•Past President of Nebraska Soybean Association

Have you commented to EPA about RFS-2

Here's my letter to any editor who will publish my concerns with RFS-2. Anyone is welcome to use the whole letter or parts--but whatever, be sure and send a comment.

Dear Editor

The future of the U.S. soy biodiesel and corn ethanol industry is at stake. I am encouraging all farmers, neighbors, and fans of renewable fuels to submit comments to the EPA regarding the proposed rule on the RFS-2 implementation. Currently it is significantly flawed and will effectively stop any future production of U.S. soy biodiesel and corn ethanol.

A loss of the domestic biodiesel and corn ethanol market will significantly add more dependence on imported oil and decrease prices paid to U.S. farmers for their soybeans and corn, which will also negatively impact the economies of rural communities.

EPA’s logic includes a faulty measure of the indirect land use; onerous feedstock certification requirements; a major error pertaining to the direct emission calculations for nitrogen in soybean production; lack of accounting for glycerin as a co-product of biodiesel; inaccurate assessment of the energy balance of biodiesel; and lack of accounting for improved agriculture yields and efficiency.

Unless the flaws in EPA’s proposed rule are corrected, soy-based biodiesel and corn ethanol effectively will be excluded from meeting the renewable energy targets established under RFS-2. Nebraska farmers would lose a source of demand for soybeans and corn, jobs would be lost, and our nation would NOT decrease its dependence on imported oil.

That’s why I am asking farmers and renewable fuel fans to contact EPA as well.

There are two online forms to submit comments with the click of a button. Comments must be submitted before the Sept. 25 deadline. Go to:

www.soygrowers.com/policy/RFS2.htm.

or

http://capwiz.com/ncga/issues/alert/

Sincerely,

Debbie Borg

Nebraska farmer

Day 4 in India

Just a few pictures from today.  We got to do our early planned appointments but had to cancel the rest because the country's CM (chief minister) was killed in a helicopter crash--the whole city shut down. 

But we did make it to a Anganwadi (training center) where 25 women came to learn how to use soya in their meals. Each of these women feed about 15 pregnant/lactating mothers and 35 children once a day. There are about 50 of these training centers in this state. For every 1,000 people there is one trained women to provide this feeding program and other basic education for a total of 70,000 feeding centers.


We are headed back to Delhi in the morning and plan to visit the embassy there.

A short note of today's events  We were warmly Biosmart Soy Training Center-where the owner has a facility to train anyone interested how to use and make soy products.

Then we headed to ALEAP - which is a center for women entrepreneurs--which offers amazing opportunity for women wanting to start a business.  

What's interesting is that we are only traveling maybe 15 - 20 miles but it takes a least an hour if traffic is good.

We also toured a small market that was offering only healthy food - which includes many soy products.  We also visited a large supermarket (kinda like our Walmart--but MUCH smaller and no photos were allowed).

The day concluded with a dinner meeting with the Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs.  This group intends to start a cluster (small business) involving some sort of soya product.

Another day full of new sights.   We are in Hyderabad, which I think is a much cleaner city than New Delhi.  As someone said they are more disciplined in their driving than New Delhi drivers (they tend to stay in their lanes a little more often)  Their roads are in much better shape also.  The building going on here is HUGE.

So much more to say - but must get to bed as we have another big day tomorrow.

Here's a shot leaving the hotel-it is very beautiful in the hotel and they are very kind and willing to carry whatever.

Another 14 hour day and more amazing experiences.  We started the day at a college-government run about 2000 students.  No air condition and in many places the boys are on one side and girls on the other.  In India, kids finish high school at age 16 and a bachelor degree is usually done in 3 years, a Phd in 5 years.  They showed great interest in learning about soy and the many health benefits.

 

Also a few pics of the view along the way.