Migrant farm workers need federal jobs program
A Chicago group is upset with federal proposals to cut funding for programs meant to help migrant farm workers throughout the United States.
The Illinois Migrant Council said it was pleased a Senate committee recently voted to restore funding to keep the National Farmworker Jobs Program.
Under budget proposals put forth by President Bush for the upcoming fiscal year, the program's $80.7 million annual funding would be slashed as next June 30.
The council noted it receives nearly $1.44 million of that funding, which it uses to provide emergency job training services to the roughly 32,000 migrant farm workers in the state. Those services include language skills, making it possible for the workers to learn English.
Council officials say all they want is for the program to be maintained at current funding levels. They are not seeking any kind of increase from the federal government.
The Senate's appropriations committee supported restoration of the funding before it adjourned for an August break. The full Senate will consider the measure when it reconvenes after Labor Day.
The House will have to review the matter. Its appropriations committee is expected to study the issue and make a recommendation some time during September.
The Republican majority in the House might be expected to side with Bush's desires. But Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., in a prepared statement, said he thinks the funding ought to be restored.
"The president's elimination of the National Farmworkers Jobs Program is outrageous and must be reversed," Jackson said.
"Those who put the food on our tables, the most vulnerable among us, making only $5,000 annually, mostly Latinos, but also African Americans and Caribbean (people) in the East, must be defended, he said. "I will work and fight ... to see that this program is restored to at least last year's budget level."
Genetic crops:
South Korea is considering making changes to allow more crops grown from genetically modified seeds to be imported into their country.
Officials said the desire became known during talks in Seoul between Korean and U.S. officials. No changes were agreed to during those talks but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it wants "an amicable accord on the issue of a mandatory genetically modified food labeling system."
The United States has been urging Korean officials to accept food products from genetically modified crops so the United States can export more goods to the Asian nation.
U.S. Trade Representative's officials had no comment on the situation but some reports indicate the United States wants to set up a procedure by which U.S. food companies could self-certify the content of their foods.
Ethanol:
Renewable Fuels Association officials noted the opening Friday of the 10th ethanol manufacturing plant in Iowa, with four more plants under construction.
Tall Corn Ethanol LLC is the owner of the newest plant, located just outside Coon Rapids. It will process 15 million bushels of corn into more than 40 million gallons of ethanol and 120,000 tons of distillers dried grains per year.
"The ethanol industry is growing rapidly and farmers are playing a major role," association President Bob Dineen said.
Gene technology:
The California Supreme Court ruled last week in favor of Monsanto Co. in a lawsuit by Mycogen Corp. that sought to recover $174.9 million in a contract dispute concerning plant gene technology.
Mycogen had sought a double recovery of full future damages, as well as rights to the technology, despite Monsanto's view that it had fulfilled its contract with Mycogen and had paid in full for services.
A jury in San Diego previously had awarded the nearly $180 million in damages to Mycogen, but an appeals court overturned that decision, and the Supreme Court's ruling upheld the appellate court action.
Soybeans:
The United Soybean Board has created a technology utilization center that is meant to bring farmers, industry and government together to incorporate new technology to improve the U.S. soybean crop.
Soybean checkoff farmer-leaders believe improving the quality of U.S. soybeans is important for continued success in the global market.
The center will exist without a physical presence. Twenty-two directors, including farmers, government and university researchers, soybean processors and soy end users, will manage the center through the Internet.
Grains:
Grain futures were higher at the close Friday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Soybeans and wheat rose in anticipation of the crop production and supply/demand reports expected from the Agriculture Department on Monday. Those reports are expected to show severe impact by heat during the summer months, pushing prices higher.
Corn rose on influence from soybeans. Oats also were higher.
The prices:
Soybeans: Aug 5.68 up 10 1/4, Sep 5.54 3/4 up 9 1/4, Nov 5.25 1/4 up 2 1/2, Jan 5.26 1/4 up 2 3/4.
Corn: Sep 2.50 1/4 up 4, Dec 2.61 1/2 up 4 1/4, Mar 2.66 1/4 up 4 1/4, May 2.68 3/4 up 4 1/4.
Wheat: Sep 3.44 1/2 up 6, Dec 3.56 up 6, Mar 3.62 3/4 up 6 3/4, May 3.55 up 7.
Oats: Sep 1.78 3/4 up 1 3/4, Dec 1.75 1/2 up 3 1/2, Mar 1.72 up 4 1/2, May 1.67 up 3 1/2.
