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Updates from Organizations - Government agencies - Advertise Various Artists

Wednesday, November 22, 2017 - 11:30am

 

Secretary Perdue Announces Soybean Board Appointments

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 2017 - Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the appointment of 19 members and 3 alternate members to serve on the United Soybean Board. The producers appointed to serve three year terms include:  

  • Annie Dee, Aliceville, Ala.
  • Robert Stobaugh, Atkins, Ark.
  • Gary Berg, Saint Elmo, Ill.
  • Tom Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind.
  • Thomas E. Oswald, Cleghorn, Iowa 
  • Larry K. Marek, Riverside, Iowa
  • Dennis Gruenbacher, Andale, Kan.
  • Keith N. Tapp, Sebree, Ky.
  • Belinda Burrier, Union Bridge, Md.
  • Herb Miller, Niles, Mich.
  • Lawrence Sukalski, Fairmont, Minn.
  • Philip Good, Macon, Miss.
  • Lewis Rone, Pontageville, Mo.
  • Mike Korth, Randolph, Neb.
  • Dave Dotterer, Rittman, Ohio
  • Ellie W. Green, Jr., Lynchburg, S.C.
  • Marc V. Reiner, Tripp, S.D.
  • David Nichols, Ridgely, Tenn.
  • Andrew W. Scott, Jr., Monte Alto, Texas
  • Colt Clemmons, Killen, Ala. Alternate
  • Fitzhugh Bethea, Dillon, S.C. Alternate
  • Daniel C. Berglund, Wharton, Texas Alternate

"I truly appreciate the time and expertise that these individuals have agreed to provide, and know U.S. soybean producers will be well served by these men and women,” said Perdue.

The board is composed of 73 members representing 29 states and Eastern and Western regions.  To become a member, you must be a soybean producer and be nominated by a qualified state soybean board.

The board is authorized by the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Information Act.  It became effective July 9, 1991, when the Soybean Promotion and Research Order was implemented.   

Since 1966, Congress has authorized the establishment of 22 industry-funded research and promotion boards.  They empower farmers and ranchers to leverage their own resources to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities.  USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which ensures fiscal accountability and program integrity for participating stakeholders. 

A list of United Soybean Board members and more information about research and promotion programs is available on the Soybean Research and Promotion Program page on the AMS website or visit the United Soybean Board’s website.

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Xanterra Parks & Resorts earns national award for food recovery efforts at Zion National Park Lodge in Utah

Lodge among EPA Food Recovery Challenge participants recognized for outstanding achievements

DENVER (November 21, 2017) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized Xanterra Parks & Resorts’ Zion National Park Lodge in Utah as the national winner of the 2017 Food Recovery Challenge in the Hotel, Resorts & Lodging sector. Last year, food recovery efforts at the Lodge prevented 28,802 pounds of food waste from going to the landfill, saving about $3,000 in disposal costs.

“Food Recovery Challenge award winners serve as role models in their communities and for other organizations,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “Their hard work and effective efforts to divert wasted food from landfills is paying off through social, financial and environmental benefits. I encourage other organizations to replicate the successful food recovery operations of our Challenge winners.”

Xanterra Parks & Resorts at Zion National Park Lodge joined EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge in 2013. Through partnerships with the National Park Service and vendors, the Lodge has developed a comprehensive process to capture food waste that would otherwise go to the landfill and produce high-quality compost.    

The Lodge is one of the first establishments in the world to use a large-scale shredder, centrifuge, and dehydrator system for its food waste.  Staff at the Lodge capture both pre- and post-consumer food waste, along with landscaping material and grass clippings, to produce a finished compost material that is donated for use at local ranches, community gardens, and residences.

“Xanterra Parks & Resorts is committed to environmentally responsible business practices -- this includes landfill diversion via food reclamation,” said Alex Rogers, Sustainability and Safety Manager. “The EPA Food Recovery Challenge is just one tool, in our suite of many tools, used to track and reduce our food waste. We understand this global challenge is not an easy task, but we will continue to move forward, lead by example, and do our part.”

In 2016, over 950 businesses, governments and organizations participated in EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge. Food Recovery Challenge participants include organizations such as grocers, restaurants, educational institutions and sports and entertainment venues, who together diverted 740,000 tons of food from being landfilled or incinerated, saving businesses up to $37 million in avoided waste disposal fees. To prevent and reduce their wasted food, Food Recovery Challenge participants used cost-effective and creative practices that included reducing excess food from educational institutions, sending food scraps off for animal feed and providing in-house food recovery training. 

Wasted food is the single largest type of waste discarded each year in our everyday trash; that’s roughly 73 billion pounds. Wasting food adversely impacts our communities and the environment through the fiscal and natural resources used to produce and deliver the food. Approximately 12 percent of American households have difficulty providing enough food for all of their family members. In 2016, Food Recovery Challenge participants helped address food insecurity in our nation through the donation of nearly 222,000 tons of excess, wholesome food, providing the equivalent of close to 370 million meals. 

The waste prevention and diversion efforts of this year’s award winners, as well as all Food Recovery Challenge participants and endorsers, contribute to the actions needed in order for the United States to meet the national goal to reduce food loss and waste by 50 percent by the year 2030.

EPA recognizes Food Recovery Challenge participants and endorsers with awards in two categories: data-driven and narrative. The data-driven award recipients achieved the highest percent increases in their sector comparing year to year data. Narrative award winners excelled in the areas of source reduction, leadership, innovation, education and outreach and endorsement. 

The 2017 Food Recovery Challenge national award winners are:

Data-driven Improvement by Sector Winners

  • Grocers:  Sprouts Farmers Markets:  247 (Carlsbad, California)
  • Colleges and Universities:  University of Houston (Houston, Texas)
  • K-12 Schools:  Ramona High School (Ramona, California)
  • Sports and Entertainment Venues:  Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (Dallas, Texas)
  • Hotels, Resorts and Lodging:  Xanterra Parks & Resorts at Zion National Park Lodge (Springdale, Utah)
  • Restaurants and Food Service Providers:  Café de Novo (Dallas, Texas)
  • State/Tribal/Local Government:  Town of New Paltz (New Paltz, New York)
  • Medical Services:  Boston Medical Center (Boston, Massachusetts)
  • Non-Profits:  Food Forward (North Hollywood, California)
  • Food Manufacturing:  Signature Breads (Chelsea, Massachusetts)
  • Newcomer:  Sprouts Farmers Market (Daly City, California)

Narrative Category Winners

  • Source Reduction:  Cherokee Point Elementary School (San Diego, California)
  • Leadership:  City of San Diego (San Diego, California)
  • Innovation:  Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival (Honesdale, Pennsylvania), and San Diego International Airport (San Diego, California)
  • Education and Outreach:  Spoiler Alert (Boston, Massachusetts)
  • Endorsers:  Corporate Waste Consultants (Greentown, Pennsylvania) 

For more information on Food Recovery Challenge award winners, visit: https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/food-recovery-challenge-results-and-award-winners   

For more information on the 2030 national food loss reduction goal, visit: https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/united-states-2030-food-loss-and-waste-reduction-goal

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#MakeItYours this weekend at Layton Hills Mall

Join us for Black Friday Bash and Small Business Saturday

 

Layton, UT (November 21, 2017) – Layton Hills Mall will open its doors from 6am – 10pm Black Friday for giveaways and great deals from all your favorite retailers. Then 9am- 9pm for Small Business Saturday in partnership with Local First Utah!

This year’s Black Friday Bash will kick off at 6am on the 24th. The festivities are as follows:

  • DJ services provide by teaches and students of Nurture The Creative Mind will be pumping out the jams and giving away hourly prizes till 2pm! Shoppers can enter for a chance to win at the DJ booth located in Center Court (ages 18 and older).
  • Black Friday with your Bestie: From 6am to 1pm, enter to win a $250 shopping spree for you and a $250 shopping spree for your best friend!
  • Be one of the first shoppers to hit center court and receive a random gift card ranging from $10-$25 from Layton Hills Mall retailers! Gift Cards will be handed out starting at 6am. (Must be 18 or older with valid ID)
  • Visit our selfie station and strike a pose! Get creative with the props & snap a pic. Share the fun by uploading your pictures to your favorite social media using #MakeBlackFridayYours.

 “We’re looking forward to kicking off the holiday shopping season with our Black Friday Bash and continuing the excitement with our participation in Small Business Saturday.” said Danielle Bendinelli, Marketing Director for Layton Hills Mall. “We invite the community join us on November 25th as we celebrate the more than 20 small and local retailers that are part of the Layton Hills Mall family!”

Starting at 10am on Saturday, pick up a Local First Passport, then shop at any of the participating stores and receive an official Small Business Saturday tote bag as a gift with purchase when receipt is presented to the Layton Hills Mall table located in center court.  (While supplies last. One per person.)

Shoppers looking to plan their trip can check out the shoplaytonhills.com. The site is loaded with all the information needed to plan a strategic shopping adventure: sale and giveaway information, directories with store listings, hours and more! Please note department store hours may vary.

Join the conversation using #MakeBlackFridayYours.

About Layton Hills Mall:
Layton Hills Mall is owned and managed by CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. of Chattanooga, Tennessee, (NYSE:CBL). Layton Hills Mall features more than 100 great specialty shops and is anchored by JCPenney, Dillard’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Additional information can be found at ShopLaytonHills.com.

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Ponca City, Okla.—Nov. 20, 2017—For the 2018 tournament season, the Cabela’s North American Bass Circuit will continue its tradition of visiting the Midwest’s premier bass fisheries at peak fishing times.

 

The 2018 lineup of single-day, team-format events includes a mix of the region’s finest largemouth and smallmouth bass destinations. Anglers will have the opportunity to test their skills and compete for thousands in cash and prizes in a professionally run setting, while competing for more money than ever with a GUARANTEED first-place prize of $10,000 for any event with 50 teams or more!

 

The Cabela’s NABC’s 2018 schedule includes five premier events open to all anglers.

The schedule includes:

May 12 Little Sturgeon Bay, WI

June 16 Mille Lacs Lake, MN

July 15 Lake of the Woods, MN

Aug 18 Escanaba, MI

Sept 22 Lake Minnetonka, MN

 

At the conclusion of the five 2018 tournaments, the NABC Team of the Year will be awarded a minimum $10,000 prize package, including the opportunity to advance to one of NABC’s partners’ established national events to compete for thousands in cash and prizes, including a new Ranger Boat! Additionally, other top NABC teams from the season’s points standings may be given the chance to advance as well.

 

“We spent all of 2017 getting feedback from our anglers on what they wanted for 2018 in lakes and format,” said Tournament Director Jack Baker. “While many anglers called the 2017 NABC schedule a ‘dream season,’ 2018’s lineup of events promises to be even better, thanks to the addition of legendary Lake Minnetonka and the big-water bounty of Lake of the Woods. Guaranteed payout levels and advancement opportunities were another request and strived to fulfill them all.”

 

Along with great fishing and the thrill of exciting competition, the Cabela’s NABC’s proven format rewards anglers with lucrative payouts. Plus, the NABC Big Bass Pot and sponsor contingencies including Ranger Cup, and Garmin Grand Giveaway add thousands more to the total.

 

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is looking forward to its eighth year as title sponsor of the NABC. Other sponsors include: Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Garmin and G-Juice as well as some other new sponsors for the circuit coming in 2018!

 

Based in Ponca City, Oklahoma, the Cabela’s NABC is open to two-person teams regardless of club or sponsor affiliation. Entry fees are $500 per regular season tournament. Along with an overall payback to anglers well in excess of 100 percent, a small donation is included in each entry fee and matched by the NABC and other conservation organizations up to 3-to-1 in support of bass conservation projects anywhere the NABC does business.

 

For more information, visit northamericanbasscircuit.com, email info@northamericanbasscircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

ATTN: RANGER BOAT OWNERS!
Don't forget to sign up for Ranger Cup every year before you start fishing!