Utah Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees
SANDY, Utah -- Know a Utah farmer, rancher or forester who goes above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources? Nominate them for the 2020 Utah Leopold Conservation Award®.
Sand County Foundation presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 20 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In Utah, the $10,000 award is presented with Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Western AgCredit and Utah Cattlemen’s Association.
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. In his influential 1949 book, A Sand County Almanac, Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.
Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA.
The application deadline date is August 1, 2020. Applications can be emailed to award@sandcountyfoundation.org. If mailed, applications must be postmarked by August 1, and mailed to:
Leopold Conservation Award
c/o Utah Farm Bureau Federation
9865 S. State Street
Sandy, UT 84070
Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders.
“The wise use of our resources and care for the land are always on the mind for Utah’s farmers and ranchers,” said Ron Gibson, president of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation. “I’m proud of the great efforts of Utah’s farmers and ranchers to take care of the land. I look forward to recognizing them for what they’ve been doing, and will continue to do, with this prestigious award.”
“Utah farmers and ranchers do an amazing job of caring for their lands and natural resources,” said Brent Tanner, executive vice president of the Utah Cattlemen’s Association. “We are happy to see their hard work recognized and rewarded through the Leopold Conservation Award.”
“Leopold Conservation Award recipients are at the forefront of a movement by America’s farmers and ranchers to simultaneously achieve economic and environmental success,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Leopold Conservation Award Program in Utah is made possible thanks to the generous support of Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Western AgCredit, Utah Cattlemen’s Association, Sand County Foundation, The Nature Conservancy in Utah, Producers Livestock Marketing Association, Utah Wool Growers Association, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, and the Utah Association of Conservation Districts.
The Utah Leopold Conservation Award will be presented at the Utah Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting in November.
The first Utah Leopold Conservation Award recipient was selected in 2007. JY Ferry & Son, Inc. of Corinne received the award in 2019.
For more information on the award, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.
# # #
THE LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD PROGRAM
The Leopold Conservation Award is a competitive award that recognizes landowner achievement in voluntary conservation. Sand County Foundation presents the award in California, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont). www.leopoldconservationaward.org
SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION
Sand County Foundation inspires and enables a growing number of private landowners to ethically manage natural resources in their care, so future generations have clean and abundant water, healthy soil to support agriculture and forestry, plentiful habitat for wildlife and opportunities for outdoor recreation. www.sandcountyfoundation.org
UTAH FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
The Utah Farm Bureau is the largest general farm and ranch organization in the state with more than 34,000 member families. Its mission is to inspire all Utah families to connect, succeed and grow through the miracle of agriculture. It strives to bring value to every citizen and community through love of God, family, country, and the land through political action, educational and informational means. www.utahfarmbureau.org.
UTAH CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION
The Utah Cattlemen’s Association has represented Utah cattle producers since 1870, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy and by supporting and establishing the adoption of good principles of raising and marketing cattle and caring for the land we ranch on. Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. www.utahcattlemen.org.
WESTERN AGCREDIT
Western AgCredit is the leader within the agricultural finance industry with nearly 100 years of lending to farmers in the Intermountain West. It currently serves approximately 1,700 customers with a full range of credit and financial services, as well as providing financial and volunteer support to several agricultural and community activities, including, among others, Utah Farm Bureau, Utah Cattlemen’s Association, Utah Wool Growers Association, the FFA, and the 4-H. www.westernagcredit.com.
# # #
Good morning. Two property owners from Highway 89 southeast of Spanish Fork just filed claims for over $5 million in damages from the 2018 Pole Creek Fire.
I am writing to update you on the story of the SF-95 Tort Claims for damages now moving forward against the Forest Service on the Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest in the matter of the 2018 Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires. The story is important because it is affecting so many people, communities, and agencies.
I am the managing partner in a wildfire expert consultancy. We work across the West with over 600 clients from California and Nevada to Colorado and the Dakotas.
The Uinta Wasatch Cache inadvertently caused harm to numerous entities in September 2018. Firefighters had a fire under their direct control on the afternoon of September 6, 2018. They decided to walk away and let it burn to meet natural resource management objectives. Please see my attached editorial for context.
Claimants to date are as follows:
4 Claimants from the area of Highway 89. More than $5 million dollars to date.
1 Claimant from Woodland Hills, Utah.
7 Claimants from Elk Ridge, Utah.
Claims status: Active for 12 claims. 2 claims to date for over $5 million dollars.
Brian Maffly, environmental reporter for the Salt Lake Tribune, wrote this story last year. https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2019/06/16/climate-change-weather/
Maffly also covered the story about the flooding in Woodland Hills, Elk Ridge and other communities that resulted from rain falling on the burned area above the Valley.
The story was also covered by Matt Gephardt on CBS KSLC “Get Gephardt” on the night of December 23 when he interviewed me and a claimant about the claims.
The basis for the claims now moving forward against the Forest Service is that three matters of undisputed fact occurred and resulted in damage from the fire and the post-fire flooding:
Whatever the Forest Service’s declared suppression objective was, or their aspirational desires to use fire for resource benefits, Forest officers chose to discount red flag wind warnings, refused the judgment of their ICT4 who called for a greatly increased attack on the fires, and dismissed the strong objections of the State of Utah who did not want to let the fire burn.
The Forest Service does not dispute these core facts; that the fire was small and not spreading, that they decided to leave it burning on September 6, that they used extensive burn outs to control the fire, and that flooding occurred post-fire.
At this point, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will determine whether damages are awarded on the basis of the claims. In our experience, USDA will settle with all of the aggrieved parties based on the first point alone. The fire was well under control and firefighters walked away in the rain.
Forest Service actions were legal and in line with current policy. They had the authority to take the actions and make the decisions to allow the fire to burn. It’s an approach that often works. But not always. In this case, it did not. People were harmed.
The SF-95 Tort Claim process is designed for exactly these situations. Government officers acted. Their action either purposefully or inadvertently caused harm. The public is then invited to seek redress and compensation for the harms caused. It’s simple. It’s an important recourse to government action granted by the government. And it does not blame the participating officers in cases where they follow law, regulation, and policy, as officers in this case certainly did.
With these things in mind, I hope you’ll cover this very important and compelling story that continues to unfold in the vales and mountains of the Wasatch Front as the fire ground continues to come unraveled and continues to cause harm, as it will do for years to come.
================
Don't miss these free expert webinars!
Interested, but can't make the live webinar time? Register anyway and we'll email you the replay link after the webinar airs.
Qualify for a certificate of attendance for each webinar you attend live or access watch via replay!
NOTE: The start time listed for all webinars is Eastern Time (ET). Convert it to your time zone >
Moms with ADHD, Unite! How to Shape a Peaceful, Organized Life for You and Your Kids
Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at 1pm Eastern Time
with Terry Matlen, LMSW, ACSW
Parenting a child with ADHD is challenging — even more so when Mom has ADHD, too. Overwhelmed parents often wonder: How do I help my kids stay organized when I’m always losing things myself? How do I get them to bed when I have no set routines? Why do I feel so guilty all the time? This webinar offers strategies — and reassurance.
Move Forward: How Exercise Optimizes the ADHD Brain
Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 1pm Eastern Time
with Patrick LaCount, Ph.D.
Learn why children and adults with ADHD should consider exercise as a supplement to therapy and medication, including the latest research on its powerful influence over the structure, function, and development of the brain; the unique challenges of engaging in exercise when you have ADHD; and strategies for overcoming them.
The sponsor of this webinar is...
Play Attention: Enhance brain health and performance. Play Attention utilizes NASA inspired technology to strengthen Executive Function and Self-Regulation. We will customize your plan and help you thrive at home, school, and work. Learn how you can make ADHD your Superpower! Click here for a FREE consultation or call 800-788-6786! | www.playattention.com
Mention AdditudeMag0220 and receive 10% off your home or professional program + one FREE ADHD Assessment.
Hacking the Science of Your ADHD Brain: 5 Secrets to Productivity
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at 1pm Eastern Time
with Linda Walker, PCC
In our go-go-go society, productivity tips abound. But your ADHD brain’s wiring means most experts’ advice won’t work for you. In this webinar, learn about the science that explains why you struggle — and unique strategies to improve your activation, motivation, & time management.
Marijuana and the ADHD Brain: How to Identify and Treat Cannabis Use Disorder in Teens and Young Adults
Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at 1pm Eastern Time
with Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D.
Individuals with ADHD carry a higher risk for substance use problems, and cannabis is one of the most widely abused substances. Many parents and adults assume that cannabis is safe — even medicinal — for ADHD. In this webinar, learn how cannabis affects the developing ADHD brain and get recommendations for treatment.
How to Become an Executive Function Detective: Solving ADHD Problems at School and Home
Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at 1pm Eastern Time
with Maureen Bechard, M.S., and Karen Huberty, M.Ed.
Social skills challenges, losing homework, morning routine chaos — children diagnosed with ADHD are complex and fiercely independent. And they need their parents’ help, even if they won’t admit or accept it. Learn how to pinpoint your child's executive function deficits and address those areas of weakness together.
The sponsor of this webinar is...
Play Attention: Helping your thrive at school, home, and work. Play Attention utilizes NASA inspired technology to strengthen Executive Function and Self-Regulation. Learn how you can make ADHD your Superpower! Call 800-788-6786 or click here for our FREE eBooks on Executive Function & Academic Success, Impulse Control, Mindfulness, and more! | www.playattention.com
Mention AdditudeMag0320 and receive 10% off your home or professional program + one FREE ADHD Assessment.
See all upcoming ADDitude webinars & on-demand webinar replays »
Listen to ADHD Experts Podcast episodes on ADDitudeMag.com
Follow ADDitude's ADHD Experts Podcast
==================
Governor Signs HB185
SALT LAKE CITY (Jan. 28, 2020) – Gov. Gary R. Herbert signed HB185 today, repealing the tax bill passed during the December 2019 special session. This brings the total number of signed pieces of legislation from the 2020 General Legislative Session so far to 1. Information on the bill can be found below.
Tax Restructuring Revisions-Repeal, Gibson, F.
The governor has released the following statement:
“I commend the many legislators and people of Utah who participated so fully in this process. I remain hopeful that working together we will be able to modernize our tax code and provide long-term stability to fund education, Medicaid, and other essential services.”
=================
A weekly report on education news and commentary you won’t find anywhere else — from the nation’s leading voice on education innovation and opportunity.
What’s Inside: Parents - and their power — are front and center as of late, from the august chambers of the Supreme Court to the streets of the Big Easy, and throughout the country this week, with over 50,000 local events for National School Choice Week being held. Catch up on nationwide Parent Power efforts here!
FREE AT LAST? Just days after the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, the most important education related court case in 50 years, Espinoza v. Montana Dept. of Revenue, was heard in the Supreme Court on January 22nd. Not since the landmark Brown v. Board of Education has a case been so clearly focused on ending discrimination in education. At issue is the rights of parents to direct the education of their children. Learn about it in CER’s "Amicus Brief," or for shorter summaries, check out this edition of "Fox and Friends," Time and the Washington Post’s excellent explanation. Or listen to lead plaintiff Kendra Espinoza discuss the stakes and the long journey that brought her to the Supreme Court on Reality Check. There’s just too many sources of information out there for you and everyone you know not to be well schooled about this important case. Be sure to visit the CER "Blaine on Trial" webpage for all you need to know, leading up to the Justices’ likely decision in June.
PARENTS UNION? Move over AFT, you just got first your real competitor. The National Parents Union (NPU) (@NationalParents) launched in New Orleans, LA in 2012, a result of “two Latina mothers from opposite sides of the country [who] joined forces to form their own union to disrupt an education agenda they say is pushing out parents like them and, more importantly, leaving behind poor students and students of color.” We salute these courageous women, Keri Rodrigues and Alma Marquez, who self-funded NPU for two years before getting their first grant. It will be hard for the unions to make their usual "anti-union" smear stick with NPU, as Rodrigues worked for the Service Employees International Union SEIU, and has the support of its leadership.
JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. Much of the rest of the education opportunity and choice sectors are making noise this School Choice Week, January 26 to February 1. This year’s celebration will see 25,000 schools involved and an astounding 51,000 independently organized events before the week is over. For those of you interested in dusting off your dancing shoes, here’s the official school choice week dance tutorial. Hint – you’ll want to limber up first! Visit the Choice Week website above to find events in your area and make a point of attending. You’ll learn — and be inspired — by the energy our movement continues to generate.
DON’T DANCE? LISTEN AND LEARN! If your twinkle-toes days are past, we have a less stressful exercise. Listen to School Choice Week president and foundation Andrew Campanella, (@andrewrcamp) (another CER alum!) in Jeanne’s interview with him on Reality Check. Campanella talks about his journey to the choice movement, and why he is optimistic about the future of education in America. He also previews his just published book The School Choice Roadmap - 7 Steps To Finding The Right School For Your Child.
NEW JEWEL IN QUEEN CITY. From Cincinnati, the Queen City, comes an exciting grace note for School Choice Week. Seton Education Partners, which seeks to revitalize urban Catholic education, focusing on underserved, largely African-American and Hispanic children, is launching Romero Academy at Resurrection in Cincinnati’s Price Hill neighborhood this August. Best of luck to Seton as they provide more choices- and more quality education-for kids.
CANDIDATES ECHO SOUNDS OF SILENCE...AGAIN. Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is all over the news for failing to acknowledge an innovative charter school in South Bend, IN, the city Pete lead until just recently. We suppose his silence is not surprising, given the fear of Pete and most of his fellow candidates of even the slightest deviation from the NEA’s anti-charter song book. South Bend’s parents know the truth however, which is why fully one-third of the city’s students opt out of the city’s public schools, attending either public schools outside South Bend or private schools or charters. Buttigeig knows the advantages that choice provides — he attended a private high school himself. As the Wall Street Journal comments; “Wouldn’t it be refreshing to hear a Democratic candidate make the case for a charter school in his hometown that aims to bring similar educational opportunities to the Black and Latino children who don’t enjoy the advantages that he had?” (We’d add, particularly when one of his biggest supporters, Netflix Founder & CEO Reed Hastings, is a dedicated charter school supporter.)
A SWIFT IDEA. You’d think that after being Governor of Massachusetts you’d want to take some time off and enjoy the remarkable charms of the state’s coast and beaches — true confession, as we do. Not if you’re Jane Swift. Governor Swift sat down with Jeanne Allen in our latest "Reality Check" podcast. Swift is President and Executive Director of LearnLaunch, an edtech innovation hub that connects innovators to emerging trends, and drives the development of high-quality educational opportunities for learners of all ages. The LearnLaunch Across Boundaries Conference, New England’s premier education event, will convene for its 8th annual gathering in Boston on Jan. 30-31. With more than 1,500 in attendance, the program will highlight innovations across the education sector.
ITALY & EdTECH? ANDIAMO! CER is proud to present with Stoà, the most important and historic management school in the South of Italy, The U.S.–Italia Education Innovation Festival, April 27–29, 2020, in Ercolano, Italy, steps from Pompeii and overlooking the Bay of Naples. This will be the first global Ed Tech event in Italy, with a concentration on innovations and technologies that amplify, engage and educate the world’s students in the arts and sciences. Our focus will be on exploring, uncovering and connecting with technologies and innovative practices already being increasingly applied across the globe to learning, teaching, and in the workforce, bringing us each day more quickly than the last into the 21st Century. Together, we will move from early education, through K–12 and Higher Ed and across the Workforce, breaking up the silos to build continuum of education models that cut through all levels of education, preparing us for work, life and explosive change–across the globe. Visit our website to learn more and register to attend and gather with the experts, investors, entrepreneurs and start-ups from one of the world’s most beautiful, culturally rich, scientifically pioneering countries in the world.
Join us to build the new education renaissance worldwide.
REGISTER NOW FOR EARLY BIRD SAVINGS
Utah media invited to Friday ‘pen-and-pad’ financial education briefing with CFPB Director Kraninger, Treasurer Damschen
What: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Kathy Kraninger, Utah Treasurer David Damschen and Utah Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy are hosting a ‘pen-and-pad’ consumer financial education briefing for members of the Utah media. This is an opportunity for reporters to ask Director Kraninger and Treasurer Damschen questions about the efforts of the CFPB and Utah to improve consumer financial capability.
Immediately following the media availability, Director Kraninger will participate in a Financial Education Roundtable, hosted by Utah Jump$tart Coalition and the Utah Office of State Treasurer. This is an opportunity for Director Kraninger to learn more about Utah’s trailblazing efforts to incorporate financial education into its public education system. Attendees of the meeting will include representatives of the CFPB, Utah Office of State Treasurer, Utah Governor’s Office, Utah State Board of Education and Utah Jump$tart Coaltion.
When: Friday, January 31, 2020 | 9:15-9:30 a.m.
Where: Utah Office of State Treasurer | Utah State Capitol | 350 N State Street, Suite 170 | Salt Lake City, UT 84114
Why: There is an ever-pressing need in our country to strengthen personal financial capability. Consumer debt is at an all-time high of $13.8 trillion — $1.2 trillion higher than the $12.6 trillion peak reached in 2008 during the Global Financial Crisis. Student loan debt reached a staggering $1.6 trillion this year and is continuing to grow, impacting young Americans’ ability to purchase a home and start a family. Recent statistics show that other consumer debt is also weighing heavily on the shoulders of Americans. One-third of Americans indicated that it would take at least three years to pay off their credit card debt, and 20% spend more than half of their monthly income on debt repayment. With more money being spent on debt repayment, less money is going toward savings. A reported 41% of adults have nothing saved for retirement.
States across the nation are approaching the issue by offering financial education in public schools. Utah is a pioneer in the area and established a General Financial Literacy (GFL) graduation requirement more than 10 years ago. This mandate equips students with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed financial decisions, and it establishes a framework for Utah schools to provide quality financial education to students. Since the mandate was put in place, public officials, educators and community advocates have worked together to strengthen and improve upon it. The Utah Office of State Treasurer and the Utah Office of State Auditor co-sponsored a review of Utah’s program last year. That review revealed that Utah students who completed the GFL course demonstrate greater financial knowledge and better financial behaviors.
A focus of Director Kraninger is empowering consumers to enhance their financial well-being. The Utah Office of State Treasurer has a similar focus. Treasurer Damschen chairs the Utah Council on Financial and Economic Education, an organization comprised of more than 50 private and public entities that share a common mission to empower Utahns to achieve economic stability, opportunity and upward mobility. One of the council’s primary objectives is to advocate for and strengthen financial education requirements and programming within the public education system.
Utah has worked with the CFPB during the past several months to provide guidance to states in the early stages of incorporating financial education into their public education systems. Director Kraninger’s visit is part of that effort.
Media Contacts:
Brittany Griffin, PIO
Utah Office of State Treasurer
(801) 918-1411
Founded in 1993, the Center for Education Reform aims to expand educational opportunities that lead to improved economic outcomes for all Americans — particularly our youth — ensuring that conditions are ripe for innovation, freedom and flexibility throughout U.S. education. We’re always delighted to hear from our readers...suggestions, questions and even the occasional complaint!
=====================
Dear Editor:
Please consider this timely and urgent commentary by Greta Zarro on the downsides of US militarism, from taking needed funds from every other budget to contaminating our atmosphere, groundwater, and surface waters. This critique should be of interest to conservatives and liberals alike. For PeaceVoice, thank you,
Tom Hastings
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fouling Our Own Nest & Draining Our Wallets: It’s Time to Divest from Endless Wars
by Greta Zarro
683 words
Just one month into a new decade, we face an ever-increasing risk of nuclear apocalypse. The U.S. government’s assassination of Iranian General Soleimani on January 3 intensified the very real threat of another all-out war in the Middle East. On January 23, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists accordingly reset the Doomsday Clock to just 100 short seconds to midnight, apocalypse.
We are told that war is good to protect us from the “terrorists” but the return on the U.S. taxpayers’ $1 trillion a year investment in “defense spending” was slim to none from 2001-2014, when terrorism peaked. According to the Global Terrorism Index, terrorism actually increased during the so-called “war on terror,” at least up until 2014, finally slowing now in numbers of deaths but actually increasing in terms of numbers of countries suffering terror attacks.
Countless journalists, federal intelligence analysts, and former military officials have suggested that U.S. military interventions, including the drone program, may actually cause an increase in terrorist strength and activity, generating more violence than they prevent. Researchers Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephan have demonstrated statistically that, from 1900 to 2006, nonviolent resistance was twice as successful as armed resistance and resulted in more stable democracies with less chance of reverting to civil and international violence.
War does not make us more safe; we are impoverishing ourselves by hemorrhaging taxpayer dollars on far-away wars that traumatize, wound, and kill our loved ones, along with millions of unnamed victims abroad.
Meanwhile, we’re fouling our own nest. The U.S. military is among the top three largest polluters of U.S. waterways. The military’s use of so-called “forever chemicals,” such as PFOS and PFOA, has contaminated groundwater in hundreds of communities near U.S. military bases at home and abroad. We hear about notorious water poisoning cases like Flint, Michigan, but very little is said about the public health crisis unfolding within the U.S. military’s widespread network of over 1,000 domestic bases and 800 foreign bases.
These toxic and potentially carcinogenic PFOS and PFOA chemicals, which are used in the military’s firefighting foam, have well-documented health impacts, such as thyroid disease, reproductive disorders, developmental delays, and infertility. Beyond this unfolding water crisis, as the world’s largest institutional consumer of oil, the U.S. military is the biggest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. Militarism pollutes.
While we’re poisoning our waters, we’re also draining our wallets. Thirty million Americans don’t have health insurance. Half a million Americans sleep out on the streets every night. One in six children live in food-insecure homes. Forty-five million Americans are burdened with more than $1.6 trillion of student loan debt. And yet we sustain a war budget as large as the next seven largest military budgets combined if we use the US military’s own figures. If we use actual figures that include non-Pentagon budget military expenditures (e.g., nuclear weapons, which are paid for out of the Department of Energy budget), we learn that the actual US military budget is more than double what the Pentagon official budget is. Therefore, the US spends more on its military than all the other militaries on Earth combined.
Our country is struggling. We hear it repeatedly throughout the 2020 presidential race, whether from the democratic hopefuls or from Trump, many candidates harken back to talking points about the need to fix our broken and corrupt system, although admittedly their approaches to system change differ widely. Yes, something has run amok in a country with seemingly endless trillions for a military that's never been audited, but scarce resources for everything else.
Where do we go from here? Number one, we can withdraw our support for reckless military spending. At World BEYOND War, we’re organizing divestment campaigns around the world to give people the tools to divest their retirement savings, their school’s university endowments, their city’s public pension funds, and more, from weapons and war. Divestment is our way of bucking the system by saying that we won’t fund endless wars with our private or public dollars anymore. We led the successful campaign to divest Charlottesville from weapons last year. Is your town next?
–end–
Greta Zarro is Organizing Director of World BEYOND War, and is syndicated by PeaceVoice.
==================
Press Release
USDA Invests $2.4 Million in Broadband for Rural Washington Communities
SEATTLE, Jan. 29, 2020 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Washington State Director Kirk Pearson announced USDA has invested $2.4 million in a high-speed broadband infrastructure project that will create or improve e-Connectivity for approximately 250 households and home-based businesses in rural Mason County in southwest Washington. This is one of many funding announcements in the first round of USDA’s ReConnect Pilot Program investments.
“Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA recognizes that this is the task of our generation: to ensure that all rural Americans have the same access to affordable, high-speed broadband as their urban and suburban counterparts,” Pearson said. “The ReConnect Pilot Program is helping to satisfy our mandate to improve the quality of life of all rural residents by improving their access to education, health care and economic opportunity, because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Mason Public Utility District 3, based in Shelton, will use a $2.4 million ReConnect Program grant to provide high-speed broadband to the unserved Grapeview community. The Three Fingers Rural Broadband Fiber Project will provide middle-mile and last-mile fiber-optic service to each premises located within the targeted area.
Background:
In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. On Dec. 13, 2018, Secretary Perdue announced the rules of the program, called “ReConnect,” including how the loans and grants will be awarded to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. USDA received 146 applications between May 31, 2019, and July 12, 2019, requesting $1.4 billion in funding across all three ReConnect Program funding products: 100 percent loan, 100 percent grant, and loan-grant combinations. USDA is reviewing applications and announcing approved projects on a rolling basis. Additional investments in all three categories will be made in the coming weeks.
These grants, loans and combination funds enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient internet service. Insufficient service is defined as connection speeds of less than 10 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 1 Mbps upload.
In December 2019, Agriculture Secretary Perdue announced USDA will be making available an additional $550 million in ReConnect funding in 2020. USDA will make available up to $200 million for grants, up to $200 million for 50/50 grant/loan combinations, and up to $200 million for low-interest loans. The application window for this round of funding will open Jan. 31, 2020. Applications for all funding products will be accepted in the same application window, which will close no later than March 16, 2020.
A full description of 2020 ReConnect Pilot Program funding is available on page 67913 of the Dec. 12, 2019, Federal Register (PDF, 336 KB). To learn more about eligibility, technical assistance and recent announcements, visit www.usda.gov/reconnect.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
#===========
Dear Mr. Jim Mackley,
Weak or stolen passwords are still considered the leading cause of data breaches. This is one of the main reasons why there’s been a rise in free random password generators online that aim to protect users by helping them effortlessly create strong and less crackable passwords.
However, as helpful as they may seem, these tools, like everything else online, may pose some security threats. Our digital security expert tried to answer this common yet very important question: “Is it safe to generate passwords online?” Please find the press release below and also attached to the email for your convenience. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Best regards,
Skylie Akers
NordVPN | NordPass | Public Relations
skylie@nordvpnmedia.com
nordvpn.com
----------------------------------
Is it safe to generate passwords online?
Digital privacy expert comments on security threats associated with online password generators
January 29, 2020. In short, it is safer to have a strong password generated by an online tool than to use a simple and weak one. However, the longer answer is more complicated and includes explaining some common security threats.
Passwords help prevent unauthorized people from accessing our private files, programs, social media accounts, and other online and offline resources. Of course, if we use them according to the best practices. Chad Hammond, a security expert at NordPass, says that weak passwords are still one of the leading causes of data breaches.
To protect your important data from possible leaks with a password, you should use a good one. And like every other action in our lives, password creation has its own rules. A good password is the one that is hard to crack. What makes your password unbreakable is its randomness, uniqueness, and complexity. A solid password must include a combination of upper and lower case letters and a mixture of symbols as well as to be lengthy (eight characters or more). “It is very important to use different passwords for your online accounts and change them from time to time,” says the security expert.
Switching to a password generator
It’s quite easy to get lost among your passwords if you have at least a few of them. And we all know how annoying it is to forget your password when you need it most. Luckily, password generators and managers are here to help us out. In recent years, free online password generators have been very popular, and the need to use them doesn’t seem to cease but grow.
According to Chad Hammond, password generators help internet users take their first step toward safer online accounts secured by more robust passwords.
There are many free online password generators out there. Some of them are less flexible in comparison to the others. For example, random.org allows you to choose only the length of your password, while NordPass offers full customization, such as the length and the complexity of the password, what symbols to include, etc.
Some of the password generators have password checkers alongside them. They measure the strength of your password and suggest how to improve it. For example, this password checker also helps you find out whether your password was exposed to any known data breaches.
Security risks
The greatest risk online random password generators pose is that you can never be sure if a copy of your password hasn’t been saved on their servers. Some password generators may even use the HTTP communications protocol which is considered to be insecure. Thus, your generated password might spread over the internet. Moreover, if the password generator’s website is compromised, your passwords might get stolen and used for malicious purposes.
Even though all free online password generators claim they don’t store their users’ passwords, only some of them really don’t. Always entrust your password creation to reliable service providers like NordPass. Its secure password generator allows creating passwords offline which means that NordPass doesn’t save your passwords on their servers or anywhere else.
ABOUT NORDPASS
NordPass is a new-generation password manager shaped with cutting-edge technology, zero-knowledge encryption, simplicity, and intuitive design in mind. It securely stores and organizes passwords by keeping them in one convenient place. NordPass was created by the cybersecurity experts behind NordVPN - one of the most advanced VPN service providers in the world. For more information: nordpass.com.
=======================
Press Release
USDA Invests $55.3 Million in Broadband for Rural Kentucky and Tennessee Communities
COLUMBIA, Ky., Jan. 29, 2020 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy announced USDA has invested $55.3 million in four, high-speed broadband infrastructure projects in rural Kentucky. These projects, part of the first round of USDA’s ReConnect Pilot Program investments, will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for more than 12,250 rural households and nearly 100 farms and businesses across Kentucky and northern Tennessee.
“High-speed broadband internet connectivity, or e-Connectivity, is essential today to run a successful business or agricultural operation, access specialized health care or education, and connect with loved ones living far away,” LaVoy said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has made the deployment of this critical infrastructure in rural America a top priority, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
LaVoy announced the following investments in rural Kentucky:
Background:
In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. On Dec. 13, 2018, Secretary Perdue announced the rules of the program, called “ReConnect,” including how the loans and grants will be awarded to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. USDA received 146 applications between May 31, 2019, and July 12, 2019, requesting $1.4 billion in funding across all three ReConnect Program funding products: 100 percent loan, 100 percent grant, and loan-grant combinations. USDA is reviewing applications and announcing approved projects on a rolling basis. Additional investments in all three categories will be made in the coming weeks.
These grants, loans and combination funds enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient internet service. Insufficient service is defined as connection speeds of less than 10 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 1 Mbps upload.
In December 2019, Agriculture Secretary Perdue announced USDA will be making available an additional $550 million in ReConnect funding in 2020. USDA will make available up to $200 million for grants, up to $200 million for 50/50 grant/loan combinations, and up to $200 million for low-interest loans. The application window for this round of funding will open Jan. 31, 2020. Applications for all funding products will be accepted in the same application window, which will close no later than March 16, 2020.
A full description of 2020 ReConnect Pilot Program funding is available on page 67913 of the Dec. 12, 2019, Federal Register (PDF, 336 KB). To learn more about eligibility, technical assistance and recent announcements, visit www.usda.gov/reconnect.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
========================
Secretary Perdue Statement on USMCA Signing
(Washington, D.C., January 29, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement after President Donald J. Trump signed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
“Today is a good day for American agriculture. Throughout this process, there were many detractors who said it couldn’t be done. But this is further proof that President Trump’s trade negotiation strategy is working. This agreement shows the rest of the world the United States is open for business. USMCA is critical for America’s farmers and ranchers, who will now have even more market access to our neighbors to the north and the south. I am excited to see the economic benefits of this agreement increase the prosperity of all Americans, especially those living in rural America,” said Secretary Perdue.
Background:
USMCA will advance United States agricultural interests in two of the most important markets for American farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses. This high-standard agreement builds upon our existing markets to expand United States food and agricultural exports and support food processing and rural jobs.
Canada and Mexico are our first and second largest export markets for United States food and agricultural products, totaling more than $39.7 billion food and agricultural exports in 2018. These exports support more than 325,000 American jobs.
All food and agricultural products that have zero tariffs under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will remain at zero tariffs. Since the original NAFTA did not eliminate all tariffs on agricultural trade between the United States and Canada, the USMCA will create new market access opportunities for United States exports to Canada of dairy, poultry, and eggs, and in exchange the United States will provide new access to Canada for some dairy, peanut, and a limited amount of sugar and sugar-containing products.
Earlier this year, nearly 1,000 American food and agriculture associations and companies announced their support for USMCA and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture signed a letter to Congressional leadership urging them to ratify USMCA.
In September, all former U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture since President Reagan’s Administration announced support for USMCA. In a letter to Congressional leaders, former Secretaries John Block (Reagan), Mike Espy (Clinton), Dan Glickman (Clinton), Ann Veneman (W. Bush), Mike Johanns (W. Bush), Ed Shafer (W. Bush), and Tom Vilsack (Obama) underscored the importance of passing USMCA saying, “We need a strong and reliable trade deal with our top two customers for U.S. agriculture products. USMCA will provide certainty in the North American market for the U.S. farm sector and rural economy. We strongly support ratification of USMCA.”
Key Provision: Increasing Dairy Market Access
Key Provision: Biotechnology
Key Provision: Geographical Indications
Key Provision: Sanitary/Phytosanitary Measures
Key Provision: Poultry and Eggs
Key Provision: Wheat
Key Provision: Wine and Spirits
0% of Businesses Feel Threatened by Cyber Incidents in 2020
The risk of cybercrime to businesses all around the world continues multiplying by the day. According to data gathered by PreciseSecurity.com, nearly 40% of companies feel threatened by cyber incidents and find it the most concerning business risk in 2020.
Cybercrime is the Leading Business Risk Globally
The recent figures confirm that the global concern about cybercrime, IT failure, and data breach has increased 2% over the last year. Business interruption is the second most important risk in 2020 with 37% of companies worrying about this kind of uncertainty, revealed the Allianz Risk Barometer.
Changes in legislation and regulation, like trade wars and tariffs, economic sanctions, Brexit, and Euro-zone disintegration, ranked third on the list, followed by natural catastrophes and market development.
The survey revealed that businesses all over the world recognize cybercrime as a more significant problem than loss of reputation, macroeconomic developments, political risks, or shortage of skilled workforce.
US companies the Most Concerned About Cyber Incidents
Compared by markets, the US companies revealed the most significant level of concern about cyber incidents, with 43% of them worrying about cyber threats in 2020. European enterprises ranked second, with 38% feeling threatened by cybercrime, IT failure, or data breach. The Asia and Pacific and Canadian firms share a similar level of concern, with 37% of businesses feeling threatened by cyber incidents. Only 27% of companies from the Middle East and Africa think of them as the leading business risk this year.
Analysed by the size, the survey revealed that 43% of large companies worry about cyber incidents affecting their work, which represents a 2% decrease from 2019. The level of concern among mid-size firms grew 4% over the last year and reached 36% in 2020.
Still, cyber threats aren't just a problem for big corporations. Small businesses can be targets too. In fact, according to the US Securities and Exchange Commission data, 60% of small businesses that fall victim to an attack shut down within six months after the breach. Consequently, the level of concern about cyber risks among small companies increased by 4% in the last year. Currently, 35% of small enterprises globally consider cyber incidents the most critical business risk in 2020.
75% of Telecommunications Companies Worry About Cyber Crime
The statistics indicate that cyber incidents represent the most critical business risk in telecommunications, where 75% of companies feel threatened by cybercrime, data breach or IT failure. Such a high level of concern is reasonable considering telecommunication companies represent a significant target for cyber-attacks because they build, control, and operate critical infrastructure widely used to communicate and collect large amounts of sensitive data.
The technology market ranked second, with 57% of enterprises worrying about cyber risk. Financial and professional services mark 46% share of companies who thought of cybercrime as the most prominent business risk in 2020, followed by the aviation industry sector. Nearly 40% of government institutions all over the world share the same concerns.
The full story can be read here: https://www.precisesecurity.com/articles/40-of-businesses-feel-threatened-by-cyber-incidents-in-2020/
Ogden City Counted Among 50 Best U.S. Cities for Starting a Business in 2020
Ogden named number 32 on list of 50 “Surge Cities” to watch in 2020
Ogden, Utah (January 27, 2020) – In a study released on Inc.com and powered by Startup Genome, a research and policy advisory organization, Ogden City has been named as one of the 50 best U.S. cities for starting a business in 2020. These 50 cities, known as Surge Cities, help showcase where the next great business centers will be located in the coming decade.
On this list, Ogden finds itself in the company of other booming hubs such as Austin, TX; San Francisco, CA; Denver, CO; and Seattle, WA among other locations. To determine the cities selected for this list, key indicators were analyzed including job creation, population growth, rate of entrepreneurship, and wage growth.
“Ogden has a long history as an independent and welcoming community, with a legacy of innovation driving economic growth,” said Mayor Mike Caldwell. “We are proud that our community continues to grow, becoming become a powerhouse full of creators, makers, innovative companies, and booming business. It’s only up from here; what a tremendous way to start the decade.”
Ogden was ranked No. 10 for high-growth company density and No. 16 for population growth. Ogden’s proximity to Hill Air Force Base provides a ripe landscape for aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries to flourish. Companies such as Barnes Aerospace and Enve Composites have attracted top talent in their fields. Several companies homegrown in Ogden, such as Funded Today and Trust Brands have also been named among Inc.com’s fastest-growing companies in the U.S.
“People who come to Ogden fall in love with all we have to offer,” said Caldwell. “If you’re looking for job opportunities, unforgettable scenery, and a diverse and creative community, it’s all here in Ogden.”
About Ogden City
Nicknamed Junction City in the early 1900s, Ogden was the transfer point between the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads. After the 2002 Winter Olympics, which hosted events in Ogden, the community began to rebuild itself around the outdoors. Ogden has been nationally recognized for rapid job growth and low levels of income inequality, with a breadth of growth across diverse industry clusters including outdoor recreation, the Information Technology (IT) / software sector, life sciences, aerospace and advanced manufacturing. The foundation is being set for captains of industry to converge on Ogden once again where they will be able to share their ideas, dreams, and strategies that will shape the future. Learn more at ogdenbusiness.com.
