Ag Briefs

State seeking ag grant proposals

LANSING - The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development seeks grant proposals for the United States Department of Agriculture's Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program offering federal matching funds for the food and agriculture industry. Proposals, due by 5 p.m. Monday, March 12, may involve small, medium, or large scale agricultural entities, but should potentially benefit multiple producers or agri-businesses. Proprietary proposals that benefit one business or individual will not be considered. Eligible agricultural categories include livestock, livestock products, food and feed crops, fish, horticulture, viticulture, apiary, and forest products and processed or manufactured products derived from such commodities. Guidelines are at www.ams.usda.gov. For more information: 517- 241-4381 or nyquistn@michigan.gov.

Thumb Area Golf Outing

BAD AXE - The Thumb Area Golf Outing will be Aug. 14 at Verona Hills Golf Club, Bad Axe. The Central Michigan Golf Outing will be Aug. 16 at Centennial Acres Golf Course, Sunfield. Ethanol Night at the Races will be Saturday, Sept. 8 at Dixie Motor Speedway, Birch Run. For more information about membership events, activities or opportunities, call 888-323-6601 or see www.micorn.org. Members are in high gear as the Michigan Corn Growers Association kicks into full-swing in the New Year. Organizers say, "With membership events coming up, scholarship deadlines approaching and new benefit programs being revealed, membership in the MCGA has never been more valuable or exciting!"

Ag Secretary Vilsack: record U.S. farm exports in 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said U.S. farm exports reached a record $136.3 billion in calendar year 2011.

Secretary Vilsack stated:

• International sales rose $20.5 billion over the calendar year 2010;

• Total agricultural exports for calendar year 2011 were $136.3 billion;

• U.S. agriculture is the second-most productive sector of the economy other than information technology.

• Exports of almost all major U.S. commodities rose in calendar year 201l

• Grains were the biggest contributor at an all-time high of $37.7 billion, a $9.2 billion increase over 2010.

• Cotton experienced the biggest year-to-year increase, up 44 percent from 2010, reaching a record $8.5 billion.

• Dairy and pork exports set records in 2011, reaching $4.8 billion and $6 billion respectively.

• The United States exported an all-time high of $5.4 billion worth of beef and beef products, surpassing the previous record by more than $1.6 billion.

The latest export data is available via the Global Agricultural Trade System at www.fas.usda.gov/data.asp.

4-H scrapbooking dates

HURON COUNTY - Attention 4-H Families: The dates in the 4-H newsletter calendar for “FREE Scrapbooking Opportunities” are wrong. Corrections to the calendars have been made. (See www.msue.msu.edu/huron and click on 4-H Youth Development on the left hand side of the page. This will take you to the 4-H web page.) For more information: Kari A. VerEllen, 4-H Administrative Assistant, MSU Extension-Huron County, 1142 South Van Dyke Road (M-53), Bad Axe, 989-269-9949, extension 604, or verelle7@anr.msu.edu.

Attention 4-H Families!

HURON COUNTY - The February-March Huron County 4-H Announcements is now available at www.msue.msu.edu/huron and click on the 4-H Youth Development (left side). Hard copies were mailed out the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 1. Inside this issue: Enrollment Season; MSU Extension Has Moved; Bad Weather Policy; Local Recognition: 4-H Council, Clothe-A-Child; Upcoming Opportunities for Recognition, Scholarships; Local Upcoming Activities: Free Scrapbooking Opportunities, 2012 4-H Projects Galore Workshops, 4-H Tack Swap Meet, 2012 Huron County 4-H Horse & Pony Show Dates, 2012 Proud Equestrian Program (PEP)Dates, 2012 4-H Camp; Kettunen Center Workshops; More 4-H Opportunities: 2012 4-H Exploration Days, Huron County 4-H Website, Internet Links, Upcoming Holidays; 4-H Monthly Calendar: February 2012 thru April 2012; INSERTS: Chili/Bake Sale; 4-H Projects Galore Workshops Flyer; Small Fry 3-Day Western Clinic (updated from the flyer mailed out); 4-H Exploration Days Flyer; JLA Registration Form. For more information: Kari A. VerEllen, 4-H Administrative Assistant, MSU Extension-Huron County, 1142 S. Van Dyke, Bad Axe, MI 48413, 989-269-9949, Ext. 604, Fax: 989-269-7221, verelle7@anr.msu.edu.