FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 25, 2008
CONTACT: Bridget Patrick (MDA), 517-241-2669 or Mary Dettloff (DNR), 517-335-3014
LANSING - The Michigan departments of Agriculture (MDA) and Natural Resources (DNR) today confirmed the state’s first case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a three-year old white-tailed deer from a privately owned cervid (POC) facility in Kent County.
The state has quarantined all POC facilities, prohibiting the movement of all - dead or alive - privately-owned deer, elk or moose. Officials do not yet know how the deer may have contracted the disease. To date, there is no evidence that CWD presents a risk to humans.
DNR and MDA staff are currently reviewing records from the Kent County facility and five others to trace deer that have been purchased, sold or moved by the owners in the last five years for deer and the last seven years for elk. Any deer that may have come in contact with the CWD-positive herd have been traced to their current location and those facilities have been quarantined.
"Michigan’s veterinarians and wildlife experts have been working throughout the weekend to complete their investigation," said Don Koivisto, MDA director. "We take this disease very seriously, and are using every resource available to us to implement response measures and stop the spread of this disease."
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose. Most cases of the disease have been in western states, but in the past several years, it has spread to some midwestern and eastern states. Infected animals display abnormal behaviors, progressive weight loss and physical debilitation.
Current evidence suggests that the disease is transmitted through infectious, self-multiplying proteins (prions) contained in saliva and other fluids of infected animals. Susceptible animals can acquire CWD by direct exposure to these fluids or also from contaminated environments. Once contaminated, research suggests that soil can remain a source of infection for long periods of time, making CWD a particularly difficult disease to eradicate.
"Currently, one of our top concerns is to confirm that the disease is not in free-ranging deer," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. "We are asking hunters this fall to assist us by visiting check stations to allow us to take biological samples from the deer they harvest, so we can perform adequate surveillance of the free-ranging white-tailed deer herd in the area."
Deer hunters this fall who take deer from Tyrone, Soldon, Nelson, Sparta, Algoma, Courtland, Alpine, Plainfield, and Cannon townships will be required to bring their deer to a DNR check station. Deer taken in these townships are subject to mandatory deer check.
The DNR is also asking hunters who are participating in the private land five-day antlerless hunt in September in other parts of Kent County to visit DNR check stations in Kent County so further biological samples can be taken from free-ranging deer for testing. The DNR is in the process of finding additional locations for check stations in Kent County to make it more convenient for hunters.
The deer that tested positive at the Kent County facility was a doe that had been recently culled by the owner of the facility. Michigan law requires sick deer/or culled deer on a POC facility be tested for disease. The samples from the Kent County deer tested "suspect positive" last week at Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, and were sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa last Thursday for confirmatory testing. The positive results of those tests were communicated to the state of Michigan today.
Audits of the facility by the DNR in 2004 and 2007 showed no escapes of animals from the Kent County facility were reported by the owner. Also, there were no violations of regulations recorded during the audits.
Since 2002, the DNR has tested 248 wild deer in Kent County for CWD. In summer 2005, a number of those deer had displayed neurological symptoms similar to CWD; however, after testing it was determined the deer had contracted Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
More information on CWD is available on Michigan’s Emerging Diseases Web site at www.michigan.gov/chronicwastingdisease.
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Monday, August 25, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
New logo points Kentucky travelers to fun and exciting farm destinations.
Commissioner Farmer unveils the new Farms are Fun logo as Governor Beshear and Tourism Arts and Heritage Secretary Marcheta Sparrow look on. (Ted Sloan photo)FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 14, 2008
For more information contact:
Thursday, August 14, 2008
For more information contact:
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky officials unveiled a new state agritourism logo to raise public awareness of Kentucky’s more than 250 farm-based destinations today at the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville.
The logo appears on the Kentucky Farms Are Fun Web site, an online directory of Kentucky farm attractions that enables consumers to search for agritourism adventures by activity, region or county. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet launched the Web site earlier this year.
“Farms are exciting places to live, work and – increasingly – to visit,” said Governor Steve Beshear. “By merging our agricultural heritage with marketing principles, we can create tourist attractions that not only entice visitors but also provide business opportunities for our farmers. Since 2005, the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board has provided $2 million to develop and stimulate the growing agritourism industry.”
Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said the Kentucky Farms Are Fun Web site lists 269 agritourism businesses in 76 Kentucky counties.
“Although these days fewer Kentuckians live on the farm, many want to learn more about agriculture, which has always been such an important part of our Commonwealth’s heritage,” Commissioner Farmer said. “Today we unveil the new logo for the Web site and for a new campaign to let our guests know about the many fun activities they can enjoy on the farm.”
Marcheta Sparrow, secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, pointed out that tourism generates $10 billion in economic activity every year in the Bluegrass State. She tied agritourism into the Department of Travel’s “Discover Your Own Backyard” campaign.
“I’m proud that our backyard includes those barnyards, pastures and farm operations that are so important to the Commonwealth,” Secretary Sparrow said.
The blue, green and red colors of the new agritourism logo match the Kentucky Proud logo, which identifies food products made in Kentucky.
To find out more about Kentucky farm destinations, go to www.kentuckyfarmsarefun.com.
The logo appears on the Kentucky Farms Are Fun Web site, an online directory of Kentucky farm attractions that enables consumers to search for agritourism adventures by activity, region or county. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet launched the Web site earlier this year.
“Farms are exciting places to live, work and – increasingly – to visit,” said Governor Steve Beshear. “By merging our agricultural heritage with marketing principles, we can create tourist attractions that not only entice visitors but also provide business opportunities for our farmers. Since 2005, the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board has provided $2 million to develop and stimulate the growing agritourism industry.”
Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said the Kentucky Farms Are Fun Web site lists 269 agritourism businesses in 76 Kentucky counties.
“Although these days fewer Kentuckians live on the farm, many want to learn more about agriculture, which has always been such an important part of our Commonwealth’s heritage,” Commissioner Farmer said. “Today we unveil the new logo for the Web site and for a new campaign to let our guests know about the many fun activities they can enjoy on the farm.”
Marcheta Sparrow, secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, pointed out that tourism generates $10 billion in economic activity every year in the Bluegrass State. She tied agritourism into the Department of Travel’s “Discover Your Own Backyard” campaign.
“I’m proud that our backyard includes those barnyards, pastures and farm operations that are so important to the Commonwealth,” Secretary Sparrow said.
The blue, green and red colors of the new agritourism logo match the Kentucky Proud logo, which identifies food products made in Kentucky.
To find out more about Kentucky farm destinations, go to www.kentuckyfarmsarefun.com.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Kentucky Proud welcomes Save-a-Lot.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
For more information contact:Bill Clary
(502) 564-4696
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Proud and Save-A-Lot are working together to stock Kentucky farm products in the 102 Save-A-Lot stores across the Commonwealth this summer.
The St. Louis-based grocery store chain plans to sell Kentucky Proud produce, salsa, popcorn, beverages and many other products to its customers. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is working to bring Save-A-Lot representatives and Kentucky Proud producers together. Save-A-Lot is supporting the campaign with radio and in-store print advertising.
“This is what Kentucky Proud is all about – forging partnerships and helping Kentucky producers find markets for their products,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “This partnership will help many Kentucky farmers make a living on the farm. It will provide Save-A-Lot customers the opportunity to buy fresh, nutritious, great-tasting Kentucky Proud products and keep their food dollars close to home. And it will be good for Save-A-Lot, too. Everybody wins.”
“Save-A-Lot is proud to carry field-fresh produce in our Kentucky stores. Our customers will now enjoy the freshest produce picked straight from area farms,” said Bill Shaner, CEO and president of Save-A-Lot. “The dollars spent at Save-A-Lot stay close to home with local farmers and growers, as well as with local Save-A-Lot owners. This is a great opportunity to support the communities we serve. Kentucky is an important market for us, and this program offers us and our customers a chance to put dollars back into the local economy.”
Kentucky Proud is the official farm marketing program of Kentucky agriculture. When consumers see the Kentucky Proud logo on a product, they know it was made with care in Kentucky by Kentuckians. The program has grown from a few dozen members four years ago to more than 1,300 farmers, processors, retailers, restaurants, farmers’ markets and Kentucky state parks.
Save-A-Lot operates more than 1,150 stores from Maine to California. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Supervalu Inc., a Fortune 100 company.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
For more information contact:Bill Clary
(502) 564-4696
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Proud and Save-A-Lot are working together to stock Kentucky farm products in the 102 Save-A-Lot stores across the Commonwealth this summer.
The St. Louis-based grocery store chain plans to sell Kentucky Proud produce, salsa, popcorn, beverages and many other products to its customers. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is working to bring Save-A-Lot representatives and Kentucky Proud producers together. Save-A-Lot is supporting the campaign with radio and in-store print advertising.
“This is what Kentucky Proud is all about – forging partnerships and helping Kentucky producers find markets for their products,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “This partnership will help many Kentucky farmers make a living on the farm. It will provide Save-A-Lot customers the opportunity to buy fresh, nutritious, great-tasting Kentucky Proud products and keep their food dollars close to home. And it will be good for Save-A-Lot, too. Everybody wins.”
“Save-A-Lot is proud to carry field-fresh produce in our Kentucky stores. Our customers will now enjoy the freshest produce picked straight from area farms,” said Bill Shaner, CEO and president of Save-A-Lot. “The dollars spent at Save-A-Lot stay close to home with local farmers and growers, as well as with local Save-A-Lot owners. This is a great opportunity to support the communities we serve. Kentucky is an important market for us, and this program offers us and our customers a chance to put dollars back into the local economy.”
Kentucky Proud is the official farm marketing program of Kentucky agriculture. When consumers see the Kentucky Proud logo on a product, they know it was made with care in Kentucky by Kentuckians. The program has grown from a few dozen members four years ago to more than 1,300 farmers, processors, retailers, restaurants, farmers’ markets and Kentucky state parks.
Save-A-Lot operates more than 1,150 stores from Maine to California. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Supervalu Inc., a Fortune 100 company.
Help your community. Buy Local.
Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer spoke with First Lady Jane Beshear, left, and State Rep. Kathy Stein (D-Lexington) after commemorating this week as “Farmers’ Market Week in Kentucky” Tuesday afternoon at Lexington Farmers’ Market. The Commissioner and the First Lady took a microphone and said a few words to the crowd at the market, encouraging Kentuckians to support the state’s farmers and buy locally-grown food, like Kentucky Proud products, not only this week but throughout the year. (photo by Chris Aldridge)Visit KDA's Farmers' Market page here.
Friday, August 1, 2008
USDA awards grant to KDA to identify new markets for sheep, goats.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 1, 2008
For more information contact:Bill Clary(502) 564-4696
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with Kentucky State University and Western Kentucky University, has been awarded a matching grant of $55,780 to identify new niche market opportunities for sheep and goat products.
Direct marketing to Kentucky’s ethnic consumers and retailers will be looked at, as well as alternative channels such as local butcher shops and meat processors.
“This grant will help open up new markets for Kentucky sheep and goat producers,” Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said, “and allow their numbers to continue to grow in the Commonwealth.”
Kentucky is one of the top five states in number of goats with 81,400 as of Jan. 1, according to the Kentucky office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Kentucky’s sheep inventory totaled 37,000. Sales of Kentucky sheep and goats totaled an estimated $20 million in 2007.
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced matching grants today provided under the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program. More than $1.3 million was awarded to Kentucky and 23 other states and territories to support agricultural market research.
“Farmers are the first important part in the chain of food production,” Shafer said, “and these USDA matching grants support new and practical links from farm to market.”
Friday, August 1, 2008
For more information contact:Bill Clary(502) 564-4696
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with Kentucky State University and Western Kentucky University, has been awarded a matching grant of $55,780 to identify new niche market opportunities for sheep and goat products.
Direct marketing to Kentucky’s ethnic consumers and retailers will be looked at, as well as alternative channels such as local butcher shops and meat processors.
“This grant will help open up new markets for Kentucky sheep and goat producers,” Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said, “and allow their numbers to continue to grow in the Commonwealth.”
Kentucky is one of the top five states in number of goats with 81,400 as of Jan. 1, according to the Kentucky office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Kentucky’s sheep inventory totaled 37,000. Sales of Kentucky sheep and goats totaled an estimated $20 million in 2007.
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced matching grants today provided under the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program. More than $1.3 million was awarded to Kentucky and 23 other states and territories to support agricultural market research.
“Farmers are the first important part in the chain of food production,” Shafer said, “and these USDA matching grants support new and practical links from farm to market.”
Legal Suit Filed on Fuel Company after Texas Dept. of Agriculture Investigation
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott took legal action against Petroleum Wholesale, L.P., after the Texas Department of Agriculture's "Operation Spotlight" found that The Woodlands-based company's gas stations routinely failed to pump the amount of fuel its customers actually purchased.
Petroleum Wholesale, which operates Sunmart Travel Centers & Convenience Stores in several states, is charged with violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) by maintaining fuel pumps that were improperly calibrated in a manner that benefited the company financially. From July 18 - 20, TDA inspectors conducted Operation Spotlight, a concerted effort to test approximately 1,700 Sunmart pumps. The investigations revealed that 985 pumps were dispensing less than a full gallon of gas or diesel fuel. Fifteen Sunmart stations had 100 percent of their pumps calibrated in the company's favor.
For more information on Attorney General Abbott's suit, read the full press release.
You can also watch video of the joint press conference:
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