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Pastoral farming has been a feature of the Greek scene since antiquity. The geomorphology of the area, climatic conditions and the prevailing systems of agricultural production in lowland regions at any given time have all been conducive to the development and preservation of this productive system, principally of small ruminants, until the present day.
In the present paper, a brief review is presented of the pastoralism system in the area of Greece through the millennia, highlighting the variety of driving forces on pastoralism. Importance is stressed on this human activity to the formation of present-day biodiversity.
Over the last decades, the pastoralist system has been subjected to pressures for 'modernization' and intensification like the rest of the agricultural sector in Greece and has been influenced by the social demands and constraints imposed on individuals in the farming community by these same modernising processes. Adaptation to modern conditions has been accompanied by rapid contraction of the pastoral system, despite the noteworthy economic role it purportedly has to play in the national economy, not to mention its social role in keeping alive the steadily decaying mountainous and disadvantaged regions, which constitute a considerable proportion of the rural land area of Greece. An attempt is made to foresee the future of this system by examining the dynamics of each component.
Keywords:Greece; nomadism; transhumance; sheep and goats; Mediterranean; European Union CAP
Extensive pastures have traditionally played an important role in the evolution of human societies and the land on which they were living, particularly in the Mediterranean areas (Jouven et al. 2010). Extensive pastures still function today in the production of a range of quality foods (Boyazoglu and Morand-Fehr 2001) and in providing a spectrum of environmental services. Grazing livestock exert a strong impact on the vegetation not only in forage quantity and quality (Bailey et al. 1998), but also on vegetation dynamics (Casasús et al. 2005; Kramer et al. 2003), species and community diversity (Olff and Ritchie 1998; Collins et al. 1998; Sternberg et al. 2000) and, finally, the landscape (Adler et al. 2001; Perevolotsky 2005). Overall, grazing activity significantly contributes to a particularly rich mosaic of vegetation (Balent and Gibon 1996) and results in the creation and preservation of all dimensions of biodiversity (Rook et al. 2004; Clergue et al. 2005; Dover et al. 2011).
The geographical configuration of the Balkan region, with the deep corrugations of its mountain terrain, the high peaks, the frequent alteration between mountain areas and plains with a mild Mediterranean climate and the extensive coastal zones, all guaranteed the availability of summer and winter pasturage without the need to travel over long horizontal distances (Vallerand et al. 2007). From antiquity until the present, the mountainous area of mainland Greece (Pindus mountain range) and that of central Peloponnese have been the summer home for a large part of the migratory flocks of sheep and goats, while coastal areas are the wintering regions. [See map in Figure 1].
Figure 1. Geophysical map of the modern Greek state, illustrating the rugged, mountainous and island character of the country (source: http://greekschool.tsaserv.com webcite).
A very brief historical account from antiquity to the present shows clearly that the roots of pastoralism as a socio-economic production system lie deep in Greek history. In fact, the ancient Greek word probata (πρóβατα), which originally meant livestock in general and etymologically 'that which moves ahead', survived intact in modern Greek and refers to sheep. Sheep and goat farming has been the main pastoral activity practised in Greece since ancient times and has survived until today, mainly as part of the national identity, despite not being now a competitive production system (Vallerand et al. 2001; Hadjigeorgiou et al. 2002).
Archaic period
There are signs of animal farming in Greece more than 8,000 years ago, dated to 6500 B.C. at the beginning of the Neolithic era in Europe (Halstead 1996). In ancient Hellenic societies, animals were essential for the practicalities of farm work and food production, manufacture of garments, transport, war, hunting and sacrifice. Greek myth represents real and imagined animals in words and pictures as cultural and conceptual tools.
In antiquity, the relatively low human population density and the low frequency of peaceful intervals meant limits to the area of cultivated land, leaving wide regions open as grazing areas by migratory flocks. Written evidence testifying to the existence of pastoral stock farming is found from as early as the Mycenaean era (sixteenth to thirteenth centuries B.C.). In the surviving corpus of Linear B inscriptions found in Knossos and Pylos palaces, records relating to sheep farming form the largest single component (Halstead 1990).
Later on, Homer (ninth century B.C.) in his epic Odyssey describes some pastoral scenes. However, Hesiod was the first author in antiquity (seventh century B.C.) to report a detailed account of a farmer's life and activities in his poem Works and Days, where he describes pastoral activities, being himself a shepherd for a period. Pastoral stock farming was indeed practised from the earliest recorded history in the Greek territory though of different types and systems (Forbes 1995).
Classical period
The semi-nomadic pastoral system and mixed arable-livestock farming (mainly of sheep and goats) were possibly predominant in almost all of ancient Greece. Although ancient settlements have been discovered at high altitudes on the Pindus mountains, whether large scale nomadic movements took place is disputed by some modern scholars (Papanastasis et al. 2010). Long-distance transhumance was absent since it required well-developed lowland agriculture, high demand for pastoral products and a politically unified territory, which did not exist at that time (Papanastasis et al. 2010). However, the ancient Graeco-Roman world contained a large variety of landscapes and socio-political conditions, such as forms of land ownership, which would support many different agro-pastoral systems. The Athenian city state was originally founded (twelfth century B.C.) by a tribal society composed of herdsmen, who practised communal livestock holding and pasturage, together with warriors who settled over a comparatively small territorial community. The manorial type of family, together with the concept of wealth, developed gradually and finally shaped social structure so that just before the fifth century B.C., all the land belonged to great landowners, such as the 'Attican Eupatrids' (Metaxas 1955). In Athens, the land ownership crisis was resolved with the arrival of Solon the 'lawgiver' (594 B.C.), who introduced legislation intended to help the peasants (Hammond 1961). Similarly, the reforms of Lycurgus of Sparta led also to a drastic redistribution of the Spartan land, while elsewhere, tyrants also undertook redistributions of land seized from wealthy political enemies. From the fourth century B.C. onwards, property started again to become concentrated among a few land owners, for example, according to Aristotle (384 to 322 B.C.), in Sparta, 'the land has passed into the hands of a few' (Politics, II, 1270a). Nevertheless, the aristocratic estates in Greece never achieved the scope of the great Roman latifundia (White 1967). Xenophon's Economy (fourth century B.C.) provides information on agricultural issues at the time.
Animal husbandry has always been seen as a sign of power and wealth (Forbes 1995). Cattle farming was limited by the inability to expand into less suitable terrain for bovines. Oxen were rare and normally used as work animals though they were occasionally used in sacrificial ceremonies. Pigs and poultry were raised, but goats and sheep quickly became the most common livestock since they were less difficult to raise and proved to be successful providers of meat, wool and milk (usually in the form of cheese). Flocks of sheep and goats were herded between the valleys in winter and the mountains in summer, whereas taxes existed for the transit or stopover of flocks in cities (Nixon and Price 2001). Donkeys and mules were raised as pack or draught animals, while horses were raised as a luxury animal, signifying aristocracy.
Roman and Byzantine periods
During the Roman (146 B.C. to 330 A.D.) and the Byzantine periods (330 to 1453 A.D.), the land area of modern Greece was within a politically unified territory in the Empire, but inhabitants faced conditions which often discouraged arable farming (White 1967). Livestock farming represented one of the most important activities of the Byzantine rural society, judging by the various depictions in art and citations in Byzantine texts. However, nomadic life was considered a characteristic of barbarians since most of the tribes raiding the eastern borders of the Empire practised nomadism. In fact, the belief that 'dairy-fed' tribes (like Scythes, Cumans, Vlachs, Saracens, Alans, Vandals, etc.) were much lower in the scale of civilization than 'wheat-fed' population survived well after the Middle Ages (Leontsini 2008). Nonetheless, the Byzantines treated animal farming as equally important to arable farming in the rural economy; therefore, rules and instructions were produced for the development of both (Laiou and Morrisson 2003). Two almost intact relevant texts have been saved: chapters of the Nomos Georgikos (Νóμος Γεωργικóς: Agricultural Law) and Geoponika (Γεωπονικά: Agronomy Issues). The first text (The Farmers Law /Leges Rusticae, Ed. W. Ashburner, London 1910) is a law code produced by Justinian II (seventh century A.D.) and completed by Leo III (eighth century A.D.). In this text, among others, rules for pastoral activities were set, rights over pastoral areas were defined and penalties for offenders were foreseen. The second text (Geoponica sive Cassiani Bassi scholastici de re rustica eclogae, Ed. Η. Βeckh, Stuttgart-Leipzig 1895) dated 944 to 959 A.D. is a collection of experts' instructions for agronomy and animal husbandry issues, presented as short essays.
Animal products were very much in demand at Constantinople, the Empire's capital, where the most prominent supply areas were Paphlagonia (at the north of Asia Minor) and the Balkans (Leontsini 2008). However, nomadism, the semi-nomadic system and the household farming of sheep and goats in the Balkans alternated in accordance to political conditions. On one hand, political unification under the Empire enabled the movement of herds and products, but on the other hand, barbarian raids and imperial wars depleted the countryside's people and other resources. The nomadic system centred mainly on the extensive pastures of the large landowners, while semi-nomadic and settled crop farming thrived during war periods when long distance transport was difficult (Laiou and Morrisson 2003).
Ottomans and the Pre-independence period
During the Ottoman period (1400 to 1830 A.D.), a complex system of land tenure was established. Large estates called tsiflikia (chiftliks) were established in the lowlands by influential members of the ruling system, with the aim of securing the production of cereals. However, due to oppression of the people and heavy taxation, the fertile plains were eventually left uncultivated, while the Greek (and Turkish) peasantry concentrated on making small patches of land profitable on the relatively more safe mountains, including pastoralism which exploited the extensive mountain pastures. Under Ottoman rule, a system of nomadic stock farming was gradually developed, known as the great tseligata which became entrenched in the Balkan areas in the seventeenth century, and continued for approximately three centuries. One factor contributing to the flourishing of nomadism in that period was the ease of movement for herdsmen and their flocks throughout the Balkan peninsula as a result of a unified administration under the Ottomans. The basis of the tseligata system was a highly organised system of collaboration between the individual herdsmen and the 'partners' which incorporated many of the basic principles of the rural cooperative (Papageorgiou 1986). The real home of the pastoralist was the mountain, and the centre of mainland Greek pastoralism was the Pindus mountain range, easily reached from the plains and valleys of Thessaly, Sterea Hellas, Epirus and southern Macedonia. The pastoralists shared the highlands with sedentary communities of non-pastoralists, refugees from the plain, who had fled the hardships of the Ottoman rule and most probably of malaria and plague to create a material civilization as impressive as it was fragile (Koliopoulos 1981).
Post-independence up to the twentieth century
During the nineteenth century and particularly from the time of the establishment of the modern Hellenic state (1832 A.D.), the importance of agriculture for the economy of the young Greek nation was vital (McGrew 1985). Nomadic herding developed with the continued existence of tsiflikia until the land reform of 1922. This system had been limiting the acreage of land open to cultivation and favoured the preservation of pastures and pastoralism, which were always associated with nomadic herding (Gidarakou and Apostolopoulos 1995). However, establishment of the independent state affected central Greek pastoralism in several ways. The most immediate blow was due to the needs of the armies of the Greek irregulars and the mercenaries recruited by the Turks to suppress the revolution. Both sides resorted to the flocks of the local shepherds, who soon hired the services of mountaineer warriors like the Souliotes to protect them (Koliopoulos 1981).
The twentieth century
At the beginning of the twentieth century, nomadic herding carried on with the same intensity as previously (Koliopoulos 1981). However, soon nomadic herding suffered a fatal blow with the expropriation of the big estates (Gidarakou and Apostolopoulos 1995). As the modern Greek state solidified in territorial terms, it still had to face major problems of restructuring. Moreover, the rural population in Greece suddenly increased, with the arrival of approximately 1.5 million refugees from Asia Minor, after the resolution of the Greco-Turkish War and the Treaty of Lausanne in 1922, which led to a population exchange between Greece and Turkey. The wave of compulsory expropriations, which was dictated by the need to settle the landless (both locals and refugees) and the aim to achieve food autarkia (self-sufficiency), resulted in a sudden increase in cultivated land area, a sharp reduction in grazed areas and a revolution in cultivation methods and strategies. The winter grazing lands were reduced in size, and the herdsmen were forced to reduce the size of their flocks or even to give up animal keeping (Gidarakou and Apostolopoulos 1995). In several cases, just before expropriation, herdsmen bought parts or all of the tsiflikia land, which they previously used to rent for grazing, and shifted into arable farming. As a result of these events, a more sedentary system was established, wherein animals were kept in enclosures and supplemented with harvested feeds to increase their productivity.
In 1923, just before the enforcement of the new legislation, a total of 13,700 families were engaged in nomadic herding, with a sheep and goat population of approximately 2.5 million heads (Gidarakou and Apostolopoulos 1995). The tseligata system reached a high level of social organisation, efficiency in resource utilisation and even cultural identity (Chatzimichali 2007). Nevertheless, not long after and during the inter-war period, the tseligata system became almost extinct, due to the new situation. From the period immediately preceding World War II and even more after the war, considerable numbers of nomads purchased winter grazing land as well as arable land to grow animal feeds. Moreover, the few groups which practised pure nomadism (i.e. Sarakatsani, Koutsovlachi and Arvanitovlachi) were obliged after 1938 to register as inhabitants of one or another village (the highland or the lowland) according to Law 1223/38 'for the settlement of stock-farmers' (Koliopoulos 1981).
However, although many stock-farmers abandoned the practice of summer migrations, the migratory sheep and goats still numbered more than 2 million heads in 1960 (Chatzimichali 2007). This figure demonstrates the strong resilience of the system in the period between 1922 and 1960, despite the contraction of winter grazing movements, the large damage suffered by the sector during WWII and the civil war, which followed [see Figure 2]. In fact, during the post-WWII period, the purely nomadic life came to an end. In a 20-year period (1965 to 1984), the migratory sheep flocks were reduced by 27.5%, while the sedentary flocks increased by 15.6% (Gidarakou and Apostolopoulos 1995). Subsequently, the original transhumance system evolved into transterminance in which the sole purpose of the migration was to ensure availability of pasturage during summer and to avoid the summer drought period. Sheep and goat farming remained a rural activity, where a large share of the livestock was farmed on the less favoured areas (mountain and semi-mountains) of the country [see Figures 3 and 4]. In this context, grazing land maintained its importance for sheep and goat farming, as reflected in a series of the country's censuses [see Figure 5] where for the decades 1961, 1971, 1981 and 1991, grazing land represented a good 40% of the country's land uses (N.S.S.G 1994). Note that a large part of grazing land (about 60% ) was 'communal' land, which means owned by the state, and the grazing rights had been transferred to the local municipalities, which then allocated the rights to interested animal farmers. Communal grazing lands were managed by the local councils, consisted of experienced men (tseligas), who decided on the numbers of animals to use the land, the temporal and spatial distribution of flocks, etc.
Figure 2. Evolution of farmed ruminants (heads of bovines, sheep, goats) in Greece during the last 100 years (data derived from Hellenic Statistical Authority archives).
Figure 3. Change in sheep population in Greece and their allocation to altitudinal classes (lowland 0-300, semi-mountain 300-600, mountain >600 m a.s.l.) during the last five decades (data derived from H.S.A. archives: http://dlib.statistics.gr webcite).
Figure 4. Changes in goat population in Greece and their allocation to altitudinal classes (lowland 0-300, semi-mountain 300-600, mountain >600 m a.s.l.) during the last five decades (data derived from H.S.A. archives: http://dlib.statistics.gr webcite).
Figure 5. Distribution of the Greek land area into major Land Use classes according to official statistics (10 years censuses) between the years 1961-1991 (data derived from H.S.A. archives: http://dlib.statistics.gr webcite).
The European Union period
The most recent decades have brought further changes in the sheep and goat livestock sector since agriculture became more intensified, partly as a result of Greece joining the European Economic Community in 1981. This intensification is clearly depicted in the change in the areas cultivated with cereals used for animal feeds (maize, barley, oats) as well as their product in a span of 50 years [see Figure 6]. It is clear that although the cultivated land area decreased by about 25%, production increased more than five-fold. This change meant that more sheep and goat farms moved closer to the arable land and settled centres (cities) and relied on harvested feeds. It is not surprising then that the 2000 census recorded a dramatic change in the classification of the landscape, as a result of political priorities, which reduced grazing lands to 11% of the total national land area (Table 1). This shift in land use class, as recorded in the census, was in favour of 'forests and semi-natural vegetation', which appeals now to the general public as a more ecologically friendly land use type, offering environmental services. These and other changes in society brought the dismantling of 'communal pastures' rational management. Local councils were now composed of non-experts regarding pasture, and land was allocated to farmers under purely political criteria.
Figure 6. Changes in the arable land cultivated by cereals for feeds (maize+barley+oats) and the respective production (right axis) in Greece through the last 50 years (data derived from the Hellenic Ministry of Agriculture archives: http://www.minagric.gr/greek/agro_pol/3.htm webcite).
Table 1. Distribution of Greek land area into major land use/cover classes according to recent official statistics
Another change during the current period is the increase in non-dairy cows kept in extensive farms. These 'suckler cows' amount to more than 200,000 heads, which belong to local breeds and are kept in free-ranging conditions exclusively for the rearing of their calves [Figure 7]. In addition, a type of free-ranging pig farming has also developed, with a relatively small number of local breed pigs utilising the extensive grazing lands.
Figure 7. Free-ranging cattle on shrubland in Amfilochia of Etoloacarnania (west-central Greece).
Organic agriculture is also a recent development in Greek agriculture, employing only 4% of the 'Utilized Agricultural Area' in 2008. The most important crops of the sector are olives (34%), fodder crops (27%) and cereals (26%), while goats form the largest part (48%) of the organically farmed stock, followed by sheep (30%) and poultry (16%).
Current livestock and grazing management
Sheep and goat farms in the country are small (see Table 2. Average size of sheep flocks is 68.1 and goat flocks is 38.5 heads) and are very often mixed farms [Figure 8] also growing cereals, olives, vineyards, tobacco, fruits, vegetables, etc. (H.S.A. 2004), with a low adoption level of technical advances. Therefore, there is always room for improving technical efficiency and increasing farmers' profit. However, since most of the sheep and goat farmers are elderly and have little formal education qualifications, their adoption of different farming practices or new farming technologies has certain limits (Volanis et al. 2007; Stefanakis et al. 2007; Galanopoulos et al. 2011).
Table 2. Sheep and goat farms and farmed heads in Greece distributed by farm size classes
Figure 8. A mixed flock of sheep and goats foraging on a phryganic community (Sarcopoterium spinosum) at Limnos island in the north Aegean sea.
Traditionally, in Greece, grazing has been unfenced and communal (Tsiboukas 1987); sheep and goats were folded during the night (Figure 9), shepherded on mountain pastures during the day and milked in the early morning and late afternoon (Zervas 1998). However, observations suggest that shepherded grazing in mountain regions has gone into a decline in recent decades, and Zervas (1998) warned of problems of both land abandonment and overgrazing in Greek mountains (Figure 10 and 11). Ispicoudis and Chouvardas (2005) cite some data on the depopulation and abandonment of mountain areas; for example, in the study area of the Pindus mountains, a 46% decrease in cultivated land and a 43% decline in rough grazings were observed between 1945 to 1992.
Figure 9. A flock of sheep returning at the end of the day after grazing a high altitude grazing land of Pindus mountain.
Figure 10. A small flock of free ranging sheep at a high altitude grazing land of Anogia in Crete island.
Figure 11. A traditional shepherds' hut (mitato) at a high altitude grazing land of Anogia in Crete island.
Although Hellenic Statistical Authority data document the increase in the national flocks of sheep and goats over the period from 1981 to 2000 (sheep up by 2.3% to 8.75 million heads; goats up by 12.3% to 5.3 million heads), this has not been associated with homogeneous grazing patterns of the available land (H.S.A. 2004). Moreover, despite the rise in sheep and goat numbers, there is a clear and substantial decrease in the number of farms over the same time period from 1981 to 2000, with sheep (-41.8% to 128,551 farms) and goats (-60.6% to 138,251 farms); therefore, uneven grazing patterns are further amplified.
A decrease in farms, coupled with an increase in headage and a translocation to the lowlands, would suggest that enterprises should intensify stock production by feeding in barns rather than by shepherding or transhumance, especially as much of a sheep and goat farm's income derives from milk production requiring strict hygiene standards and easy access to receiving dairies. Recent legislative changes in Greece now require all dairy sheep and goat farms to have permanent sheds approved by state authorities (Law No 1579 of 1985 as amended by 3698 of 2008) in order to ensure milk and stock hygiene, animal welfare and manure management. However, since this implies significantly higher costs for shed construction and sheds required to be near electricity and water supply networks etc, a greater emphasis on 'home-fed' or sedentarised flocks is observed (Figure 12).
Figure 12. A modern sheep-shed, where sheep are exclusively fed indoors, on a hilly landscape in east-central Greece.
There have been severe consequences of the major decline in recent decades of farming activity in the mountainous and disadvantaged areas of Greece, mainly as a result of modern development forces ('modernization'), with the consequent abandonment of pastoral areas (Zervas 1998; de Rancourt et al. 2006; Hadjigeorgiou and Zervas 2009). This situation has brought changes in vegetation dynamics (mainly invasion of ligneous [woody] vegetation) and therefore in landscape structure and composition (Ispikoudis and Chouvardas 2005). Subsequently, there is an increasing risk of environmental hazards of which the most dramatic is the uncontrolled forest fires (such as those in August 2007 in much of southern Greece, which burned about 270,000 ha of agricultural and forest land), followed by the loss of biodiversity and water economy (Poux et al. 2006). Since unplanned expansion of human settlements has occurred in rural areas, there is a greatly increased risk of loss of life and property due to the wild fires (Keeley 2002) as in 2007 where 63 lives were lost and 1,500 houses burnt to ashes. However, the impacts of mismanaged grazing can also affect the ecosystems negatively through overgrazing, leading to desertification (Arianoutsou-Fraggitaki 1985).
Livestock farm survey results
A survey was carried out by the Department of Nutritional Physiology and Feeding at the Agricultural University of Athens, with the aim of analysing the Greek sheep and goat systems at the farm scale and quantifying the role of grazing on animal nutrition as well as the management and conservation of pasture resources. Subsequently, each livestock farmer interested in collaborating (always with the assistance of an expert) completed an appropriate structured questionnaire. The questionnaire recorded basic farm data, i.e. number of animals per category, production output, available grazing areas, utilised harvested feeds, as well as farm infrastructure (housing and machinery) and management issues. Farmers received clear explanations about the purpose of the study in order to provide as reliable information as possible.
A total of 330 questionnaires were completed, representing seven Greek regions. These regions, comprising of Arcadia and Messinia in Peloponesse, Etoloacarnania and Epirus in mainland west, southern Aegean Islands (Rhodes, Ikaria and Fourni), Thessaly in central mainland and Macedonia in the north, differed in terms of physical characteristics, infrastructure available, animal breeding traditions and alternative employment options. Calculations were made on a yearly basis on the per-breeding female animal productivity, the flocks' energetic requirements (MJ NEL) based on NRC (1985) recommendations, the energy supplied through harvested feeds and, by inference, the contribution of grazing to energetic requirements. Data were analysed on a regional basis where it became clear that regions differed (P < 0.001) on all flock size, sheep and/or goat heads per holding, milk per adult female in flock, fecundity and the share of grazing to meet energy requirements of the sheep and goats (see Table 3). It was evident that these parameters varied greatly between regions, mainly due to the different region's physical characteristics and the management systems adopted. Average milk productivity varied between regions from 20 to 144 kg/year/breeding female animal. Grazing, mainly of the indigenous vegetation, contributed on average from 20% up to 70% of the annual energetic requirements depending on the region (see Table 3), while a strong negative relationship was calculated between this last parameter and milk productivity as follows:
Table 3. Comparative survey data of sheep and goat farms in Greece, classified by region.
It was clear that in the regions characterised by a strong tradition in sheep and goat farming and a good infrastructure in milk commercialization, farmers opted for production intensification, and this led to lessening of the grazing contribution to animal feed.
Impacts of the European Union Common Agricultural Policy policies
The sheep and goat sector in Greece appears to follow an individual pattern through time, not clearly affected by the European Union [EU] Common Market Organization measures. As a general trend, both sheep and goat numbers remained relatively stable, but the number of farms and farm sizes have changed dramatically since joining the EU as stated earlier. Milk production per breeding female, during this period, has increased in sheep from 90 to 100 kg and remained stable in goats (120 kg), while the respective figures for national production were higher by 23% for sheep and 4% for goat milk (H.M.A. 2011).
For a few years after Greece joined the EU, the national policies for support and development of the animal production sector ceased. Among those policies, the most important for the sheep and goat sector was the subsidisation of cereals, which ceased at the end of the 1980s. EU policies affecting the sector such as 'headage payment' (a per animal head subsidy) and 'compensatory premium' (a premium for farmers residing in a 'Less Favoured Area' [LFA] and subsiding mainly on agricultural income) had basically been implemented in the period (1981 to 1992). However, milk and meat consumer prices also increased gradually as a result of the increasing demand; thus, farmers experienced higher incomes.
The stabilisation of headage payment rights after 1992, both at national and individual levels, brought instability in the sector since farmers opted to increase their flocks in order to press for higher quotas and to benefit from high milk prices. Crop subsidies further affected most sheep and goat farming systems since prices decreased also for concentrate feeds, thus leading farmers to utilise them more in feeding their flocks. Then, Greece consolidated, by the Reg. (E.E.C) 1107/96, as Products of Designated Origin [PDO] 20 dairy-farming products (cheeses) of which 18 were made of sheep and goat milk. At that point, a 'milk war' broke out as large dairy enterprises competed in offering high prices for sheep and goat milk, as each aimed to secure a bigger market share in the sector. Nevertheless, overproduction of milk and higher final product prices soon resulted in an over-supply of cheese, so milk prices fell sharply in the subsequent years, gradually returning to the former levels by 2000. A stable period in production and product prices followed until 2005.
The application of E.C. Reg. 1782/2003 at the beginning of 2005 brought a new era in the sector. Full decoupling has been imposed by the Greek government for the sheep and goat sector as it was for most of the Greek agriculture sectors, which meant that production-oriented subsidies would have been paid on a 'historic rights' basis, i.e. a comprehensive subsidy was calculated on the basis of the unitary 2002 headage payment and the farmer's payment rights (calculated as the average of 3 years) and the amount 'frozen' until 2013. This was expected to have positive impacts by favouring the replacement of specialised crop systems with mixed crop and livestock systems and by returning non-profitable arable land to pasture lands. Sheep and goat farmers who had grazing land in their 'historic records' had to maintain these lands in good condition by grazing (maintaining a density of 1.4 head/ha), while the landless farmers, who used to use 'communal grazing land', had to continue breeding at least 50% of their animals. The compensatory premium for breeding in the LFAs continued largely unaffected, while some agri-environmental measures (these including extensification and organic farming) were applied sporadically. The implementation of 'cross compliance' rules did not result in many constraints for sheep and goat farmers, except for the animal identification rules, since many traditional farmers were reluctant to enter the system and keep records.
Since EU subsidies comprise a small fraction of farm family income for sheep and goat farmers (Hadjigeorgiou et al. 2002; Galanopoulos et al. 2011), it is expected that the sector will not be seriously affected by the Common Agricultural Policy [CAP] changes in the proposed 2013 reform. Actually, what has been observed in the first 6 years of applying the decoupling system is a small decline in animal numbers, which is considered as non-systematic. Nevertheless, other threats have emerged for the sector, such as the sharp increase in animal feed prices (concentrates and roughages). Since the majority of farmers have been accustomed to using harvested feeds for part of the animal feeding, the cost of feeding their animals has been considerably increased without a respective change in product prices. Concentration of sheep and goats on specialised intensive systems (or very large flocks) is a recent trend (anecdotal data from Ministry of Agriculture and personal observation).
Despite the extensification measures within the agri-environmental policies of the 2000 reformed CAP, a process of livestock farming intensification has occurred in most of the sheep and goat farms in the whole country (Hadjigeorgiou and Zervas 2009). Intensification of the farm management in terms of animal feed inputs is reflected in higher consumption of external inputs (feedstuffs), reduction or cessation of using grazing resources or else reduction of the grazing time period. Intensification is also reflected in upgrading the breeding stock of local sheep (Karagouniko, Chios, Arta, Lesvos, Sfakia, Anogia, etc.), goat (indigenous, Skopelos, etc.) or cattle (Katerini, Brachyceros, etc.) breeds (Georgoudis et al. 20012011) by crossing with exotic higher productivity breeds (Lacaune, Awassi, Assaf for sheep; Zaanen, Alpine for goats; Holstein, Charolais, Limousin for cattle, etc.) which are kept in sheds. The introduction of modern technologies in housing and machinery used (milking parlours, automated feeders etc) are also elements of the present day. Furthermore, the limited labour force available, due to social devaluation of the profession and the hard working conditions, as well as the high opportunity cost of family labour, is hampering extensive pastoral management, as there are fewer experienced shepherds available (Vallerand et al. 20012007). As a consequence of all the above, monthly and annual stocking rates as well as grazing pressure on the local vegetation are considerably lowered nowadays.
Prospects for the future
Pastoral systems around the world are facing demographic, economic, socio-political and climatic pressures which are driving many pastoralists into non-livestock based livelihood strategies (Ayantunde et al. 2011). Maxwell and Milne (1995) argued that the achievement of sustainable development in pastoral systems depends on achieving intra- and inter-generational equity, environmental integrity and economic efficiency.
To guarantee inter-generational equity of resources, it is necessary to bring to the forefront the concept of 'reproducibility' (Thomson and Nardone 1999). These authors identified various components of any agricultural system that need to be regularly reproduced if sustainable development is to be achieved: soil fertility, water reservoirs, wildlife co-existence, landscape integrity, human population and economic activity being the most important. Elements that interact and constitute the complex relationship of pastoral systems on rangelands (Snyman 1998) at some point reach equilibrium and may remain as such for considerable periods of time. However, since changes in the reproducibility of a single element can occur, then distortions appear, and the sustainability of the whole system can be threatened. It becomes evident that several elements of the previous different states of equilibrium between livestock farming systems and pastoral resources are again in a transitional mode that could damage the capacity of the pastoral production system to be reproduced.
Since sustainability is not static, its conformation depends on the present and future needs of society (Milne 2005), which are constantly changing (for example, financial demands, environmental and recreation demands, product quality demands and ethical concerns). The sustainable development of grazing lands needs to take into account local or regional conditions rather than applying general models or recommendations (Flamant et al. 1999). For the case of Greece, some relevant conditions are summarised here:
The continuity of pastoral and livestock farming activity does not seem to be threatened purely by product devaluation, high input prices and farm structural or economic restrictions. It is very clear that social factors, related to the absence of farm successors, social devaluation of the pastoral profession and the high opportunity cost of labour will certainly limit pastoral farming activities in the future (Tzanopoulos et al. 2011);
The use of indigenous animals with lower input requirements, which are better adapted to perform adequately under the environmental conditions observed in the Mediterranean area (Bertaglia et al. 2007), will make pastoral systems technically viable;
The decline in livestock grazing at current management and stocking rates encourages the strong vegetation dynamic towards shrub invasion. This is more intense in non-grazed areas (Jouven et al 2010). The shrubby landscapes are defended by public opinion which places higher environmental value on these types of landscape.
It was often claimed that the former system of CAP subsidies in the animal sector (i.e. on a headage basis) was impeding production optimization and biodiversity conservation. However, current CAP biodiversity support schemes (extensification, agro-environmental premiums) are also implemented at a very low level (e.g. due to a lack of official inspection) regardless of the farming practices actually used (Poux et al. 2006). These schemes have had, therefore, very limited effect in counteracting the intensification process observed in many Greek livestock farms or in promoting the utilisation of bigger pastoral areas or longer grazing periods. Since biodiversity is a complex concept, different indicators need to be pragmatically integrated into a common framework, which is essential for effective biodiversity monitoring and conservation and a basis for result-orientated subsidies (de Bello et al. 2010).
Greater pressure on pastoral resources does not appear likely, either through an increase in the number of farmers or increases in the national herd size, especially after 'decoupling' in the reformed CAP. This policy has been expected to further lessen the usage of grazing lands, which are mainly communal lands (Poux et al. 2006; Roeder et al. 2007), and indeed, this had been the case (Dover et al. 2011).
The recent trend of 'organic farming' may offer a viable solution to the continuity of extensive farms (Nardone et al. 2004). Pastoral farmers can easily adopt this type of livestock farming since few management changes are needed, whereas there is a considerable financial premium derived from making this change, and there appears to be no risk to the preservation of biodiversity (Hole et al. 2005). However, in relation to current EU organic livestock legislation, particular attention needs to be paid to whether the organic practices are genuine, given the numerous derogations (exemptions allowed by the EC), which affects the public's image of the products (Darnhofer et al. 2010; Zoiopoulos and Drosinos 2010). Other options could be the introduction of additional non-commercial herbivores, managed by the local administrations, to keep a sufficient stocking rate in areas of stronger invasion by shrubs. These 'community serving herds', with no 'direct economic or productive' objective, should be regarded as tools to modulate vegetation dynamics (Bailey et al. 1998). In any case, detailed management plans for the use of grazing resources should be available to local administrations, based on locally derived data.
A recent study commissioned by the European Council acknowledges the urgent need for action to be taken by the European Union to ensure a profitable and sustainable future for sheep and goat farming in the EU (Ernst and Young et al. 2008). This action should retain and attract young sheep and goat farmers to the sector and advocate the maintenance of these traditional, eco-friendly farming enterprises with their role in supplying the EU market with high value farming products and environmental services.
There is an on-going process whereby grazing areas are being concentrated in the easier-to-work parts of the land and where drinking water is available (Hadjigeorgiou et al. 2005). This process is partly due to the reduction in the number of farmers and the subsequent greater land area available for the remaining farms. The uneven grazing pressure between these areas will certainly cause different patterns of change in vegetation and landscapes as well as different risk levels of environmental hazards.
The degradation process of grazing resources in European Mediterranean areas has been extensively discussed in the literature (for example, Balent and Gibon 1996; Zervas 1998; Flamant et al. 1999; Bartolomé et al. 2000). Degradation is followed by a strong tendency towards shrub invasion in the drier areas and forest invasion in the more humid (e.g. mountain) areas. The implications for the landscape and the associated increased risk of fire hazards have been already mentioned, but the negative implications for biodiversity are not often discussed and indeed represent a non-reversible loss (Rook and Tallowin 2003). Although proper stocking densities can control shrub vegetation (Valderrabano and Torrano 2000; Casasús et al. 2005), doubts about the capacity of all domestic animals to efficiently control the dynamics of ligneous plants are also expressed (Bellon and Roggero 1997; Bartolomé et al. 2000). In any case, differences between animal species in their capacity to utilise the range of pastoral resources (Gordon 2003) need to be taken into account. Goats, for example, can use ligneous vegetation on rough terrain (see Figure 13), while sheep and cattle prefer herbaceous types (Troumbis 2001), but sheep can feed on short grasses more effectively than cattle (Figure 14).
Figure 13. Goats ranging a kermes oak (Quercus coccifera) and strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) shrubland in southern Peloponesse.
Figure 14. A small flock of sheep grazing herbaceous vegetation on fallow land in west-central Greece.
The future of the sheep and goat sector appears relatively secure since it is associated with products having deep cultural roots for Greeks and with products of quality character (PDO). However, the continuity of pastoral (extensive livestock) farm operation is threatened due to the lack of successors and a comparatively high cost for labour (in competition with other economic activities, i.e. tourism). Some farmers, particularly younger ones, reject sheep and goat farming because of the harsh working conditions and the low social status associated with this occupation. Moreover, despite the synergy between livestock and tourism activities (the latter is often claimed as an opportunity for rural development), in many cases, the two activities are competing for labour and other local resources, resulting in the tourism sector eventually reducing or substituting for agricultural activities (Teruel et al. 1995; Manrique et al. 1999).
Competing interests
The author declares that he has no competing interests.
The author gratefully acknowledges Professor George Zervas' permission to use unpublished survey data produced by the Department of Nutritional Physiology and Feeding, the constructive comments of Professor Pantelis Zoiopoulos as well as the advice of Dr. Maria Chroni on pastoralism during the Byzantine era.
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The Exploding Girl
Thu Apr 16 2009
CommentsAdd +
What it is
Clever-backstory alert: Director Bradley Rust Gray is married to So Yong Kim, whose much-admired 2006 debut, In Between Days, takes its name from a Cure single. Gray's film is titled after the B-side. Set during a sweltering Brooklyn summer, The Exploding Girl stars sad-eyed film royalty Zoe Kazan as a university student home for vacation and working through doldrums.
Why we're psyched
The emotional precision is rare, and the overall vibe one of quiet desperation. Less hipstery, more existential.
Apr 23 at 7:45pm; Apr 25 at 2:45pm; Apr 28 at 7pm; May 2 at 5:45pm

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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John Wolford talks to The Star Press Thursday, April 26, 2012, about his time spent fighting in Italy during WWII. Photo by Kurt Hostetler
- Filed Under
MUNCIE -- It totals about 25 typewritten pages, is bound with short lengths of twine and tells the story of John Wolford's days as a teenage American infantryman fighting the Germans in Italy.
The crux of his tale?
"It's more or less a survival story," the author said with a smile, nodding toward the memoir he wrote to give his family some idea of his war experiences. "If you'd read that, you'd think nobody could be that lucky." ...


text:
Burger bar all shook up ahead of Joe's Elvis show
Posted: February 06, 2013|
YOU wouldn't blame staff at McDonald's if they had suspicious minds when The King rocked up in the drive-thru.
But that's exactly what happened when Stroud Elvis impersonator Joe Reeve turned up at the town's fast food outlet.
He filmed the hilarious stunt and the video has been going viral online.
Joe, 42, said: "I started the whole Elvis thing as a bit of fun when I worked in a pub. I did a gig and it snowballed."
The stay-at-home dad has a repertoire of up to 30 classics including Suspicious Minds and My Way.
"I have a gig coming up and thought it would be a fun way to promote it if Elvis turned up in some unusual places," said Joe.
"The staff at McDonald's were really professional. They just treated me like any other customer."
His next gig is at the Lansdown Hall on February 16 from 8pm. Tickets are £12.50, from the Trading Post in Kendrick Street.


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View the embedded image gallery online at:
Image Gallery
Luminous Earth Grid by Stuart WilliamsJuxtapoz // Thursday, 07 Jul 2011
You can do this at home as well; all you need is a "temporary extension cable, strung down the mountainside and connected to nearby power lines, provided the electricity for 1680 fluorescent lamps, connected with 12 miles of electrical wiring, and 10 acres of land." Got it . . .
American artist, Stuart Williams, created this project as a way to show the conversation between nature and technology. Williams says, "The glowing green grid can be seen as an icon of computer imaging technology, which in this 'real life,' incarnation, gently melds with the flowing shape of a lovely landscape... a dream-like vision of symbiotic unity."


text:
2012 Ford Escape
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2012 Ford Escape Hybrid
4 Nov at 18 : 49 PM 0
2012 Ford Expedition


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RFID in Harsh EnvironmentsOctober 02, 2012 — 10 AM to 12:15 PM EDT
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Companies in the oil and gas, chemical, mining, construction and energy industries are using RFID-enabled technologies to increase operational safety and efficiency, as well as improve financial results. During this virtual event, learn how RFID can be used for asset tracking, personnel safety and equipment maintenance, as well as for speeding up production and shipping processes in harsh and complex environments.
This virtual event has concluded. To access the presentations, please visit:
• Virtual Events Presentation Archive
• Event Video Archive
|Welcome and Introduction
Speaker:Mark Roberti, Founder and Editor, RFID Journal
|RFID Technology for the Oil and Gas Industry
Unlike many other industries, the oil and gas sector typically operates in harsh and hazardous environments, and all technology and equipment functioning under these conditions must be properly certified. However, the financial drivers and goals are to achieve high production with as low capital and operating expenditure as possible, while simultaneously maintaining the safety and security of the plant, personnel and the environment. This presentation will illustrate RFID technologies that can benefit the oil and gas industry, and explain which requirements and challenges must be addressed in order to ensure a successful deployment at a process plant. Examples and experience reports from use cases and pilot installations will be utilized to demonstrate some of the business cases for RFID in oil and gas.
Speaker:Stig Petersen, Research Scientist, SINTEF ICT
|Oilfield Services and Equipment Company Uses RFID to Improve Traceability and Materials Control
A leading oilfield services and equipment company recently completed a pilot project utilizing RFID technology to help improve materials management. The initiative focused on the entire work process for rebuilding leasing equipment. The system utilizes extremely hardened RFID tags that are not only weather and chemical-resistant, but also metal-friendly. The tags are attached to the pipe using reliable steel banding with no effect on the readability. Learn how the integrated system resolved problems related to the tracking of equipment and ensuring that maintenance logs were linked to the appropriate piece of equipment. Also hear how the system supports scalability into other work processes and disciplines.
Speaker:Jack Dowling, President and CEO, VOTUM Technology Group
|Successful Deployments of Extremely Durable RFID
InfoChip will showcase several successful real-world deployments of extremely durable RFID systems in harsh environments, including oil-field, manufacturing, aerospace, lifting and hose-management applications. From the depths of the Gulf of Mexico to the frigid slopes of Alaska, learn how leading companies are expanding RFID projects from proof-of-concept to enterprise deployment.
Speaker:Chris Gelowitz, President and CEO, InfoChip
|How to Select the Proper RFID Tags for Harsh Environments
Many tags claim to be suitable for harsh environments, but as different as tags are, so are the definitions of "harsh" for various use cases. Robustness standards can help to separate chaff from wheat. Standards are difficult to read, however, and tend to show up mostly in the form of strange numbers on datasheets. This presentation will explain the most relevant standards, and visualize the test methods associated with each, thereby enabling attendees to better map their needs to datasheet specifications and make the proper tag choice for their particular use cases.
Speaker:Richard Aufreiter, Director of Product-Management Identification Technologies, HID Global
|Using RFID to Locate Materials in Rugged Conditions
JV Driver Group, a provider of industrial construction services to the oil and gas, energy, petrochemical, forestry and mining sectors, is employing RFID tracking technology that utilizes rugged active tracking tags, chokepoint readers, vehicle readers and handheld interrogators to automate the receiving and locating of materials anywhere at its large industrial construction projects throughout Canada. In March 2011, the firm undertook a 12-month industrial construction project to construct complex pipe-rack and electrical modules within its 80-acre site in Edmonton, Alberta, that would later be shipped to an oil-sands mining site located in Northern Alberta. Tens of thousands of module components and equipment items of varying sizes arrived at Edmonton from around the world, via ocean shipping containers and heavy haul trucks. With so many components arriving at Edmonton within such a short timeframe, it was critical that the materials-management team be able to account for each piece and easily find every component, out of thousands of similar-looking parts in the warehouse or outdoor laydown yards—and in a timely fashion—without holding up a module's construction. Learn how JV Driver Group is utilizing rugged active RFID technology to help automate the receiving and locating of materials anywhere on the construction site.
Speaker:Mark Carnduff, Director of Technology, JV Driver Group
|Customizing RFID Tags for Harsh Environments
Harsh environments require RFID tags that are rugged and often need creative engineered designs. This presentation will focus on how to get creative with form factor, materials and attachment methods in order to develop tags for your specific application. Learn about the key decision-making required to develop a tag to meet your needs, and hear about successful deployments of extremely durable RFID tags.
Speaker:Mike Lewis, Business Unit Leader, Xtreme RFID
|Closing Remarks
Speaker:Mark Roberti, Founder and Editor, RFID Journal


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NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
The NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms features 7,865 terms related to cancer and medicine.
Browse the dictionary by selecting a letter of the alphabet or by entering a cancer-related word or phrase in the search box.
The search textbox has an autosuggest feature. When you enter three or more characters, a list of up to 10 suggestions will popup under the textbox. Use the arrow keys to move through the suggestions. To select a suggestion, hit the enter key. Using the escape key closes the listbox and puts you back at the textbox. The radio buttons allow you to toggle between having all search items start with or contain the text you entered in the search box.
- urea nitrogen
- listen (yoo-REE-uh NY-troh-jen)
- Nitrogen in the blood that comes from urea (a substance formed by the breakdown of protein in the liver). The kidneys filter urea out of the blood and into the urine. A high level of urea nitrogen in the blood may be a sign of a kidney problem. Also called blood urea nitrogen and BUN.


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Dec 29, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) reacts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports / Derick E. Hingle Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
View the full article on USATODAY.com.
Copyright 2015 USATODAY.com
Read the original story: Packers might be wise to make an offer to Jimmy Graham


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Photography:Esther Sun Photography
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Tags:Reception, Flowers, Decor, White, Centerpiece
Location:California, North America, United States, Long Beach
Gondola Holiday Wedding Shoot from Esther Sun PhotographyI must admit that I have never thought of gondolas in the wedding realm but with this seaside shoot, they totally make sense. There is something incredibly romantic about a gondola ride, just ask the Venetians. And with the blending of glittering holiday decorRead More On SMP


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Local blockbuster forecast to boost Thai BO take
A mixture of home grown hits and Hollywood imports are expected to give a huge boost to revenues at the Thai box office this year.
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News: Kishi Bashi releases debut solo-album '151A' – out October 12th!
Experimental baroque artist Kishi Bashi has announced the release of his debut solo-album, '151A'. Diverging from his classical roots, the avant/electro-pop infused record will be released in Australia this 12th October on Pod through Inertia.
Following tours with Regina Spektor, M83 and Yeasayer, Kishi Bashi's latest endeavour showcases his talent as a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, weaving his way through a spectrum of genres and styles. Leading with the gentle track "Intro/Pathos, Pathos", the album develops into an exploration of Japanese aesthetic art, melding fragile violin melodies with bass-driven dance beats and desperately triumphant vocals.
Western operatics and Eastern hues are married in "Beat the Bright out of Me", though all the tracks are ultimately permeated by a mediation on opposing drives and inherent contradictions. Dark undercurrents lace the comedic "Atticus, in the Desert", with bright whistling ironically signaling the acceptance of failed romance.
During the conception of the record, Kishi Bashi ruminated on the Japanese term "ichi-go ichi-e," a recognition of life's transience. "Together, the songs represent an acknowledgement that each moment happens only once. It is about "having a unique performance in time… and enjoying it while you can," Kishi Bashi says.
To view Kishi Bashi's whimsical video for lead single "Bright Whites" click here. The clip takes place in a vivid fantasy world full of unusual characters and features interpretations of 56 common idioms throughout the story.
'151A' is due out October 12th on Pod through Inertia


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Well just back from Madrid, and as promised I brought back photos! so im taking a break from writing reports for college to upload some!
First upload from the trip is a slightly abstract one... I actually started out taking pictures of this hand cause i was slagging it (They were HUGE in comparison to the rest of the statue!) But thought afterwards that it made an interesting shot.
After the advice given on my last upload I played around with the aperture to bring the backround in and out of focus untill i was happy!
All comments/Suggestions welcome as always!
Anyways!...better get back to work!
Take care!
|Olympus SP560-uz
|Recording media:
|RAW (digital)
|Stone Handshake
|21 Oct 2008 - 11:52 PM
|Close-up / macro, General, Hand, Landscape / travel, Statue
|VS Mode Rating
100 (33.33% won)
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|PeelNStick · whiteswan01 · Ridgeway · VIKI · Douglas_George · pamelajean · DeletedMyAccount ·
|Unique Views:
Very interesting shot. Unique...Last Modified By PeelNStick at 22 Oct 2008 - 12:06 AM
Nominating Constructive Critique
great shot looks good against the b/g
Nominating Constructive Critique
You did manage to slightly blur the background, well done. I like bits of detail from sculptures, they are so much more interesting and the workmanship can be fully appreciated. I do think you could have put a little autumn leaf in that hand before shooting, though, lol.
Nominating Constructive Critique
Nominating Constructive Critique
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November 30, 2015
GLASGOW, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky State Police continue to search for two inmates who escaped from the Simpson County jail.
Police say 46-year-old Bobby Verdell Hocker, of Mount Sterling, and 41-year-old Robert Allen Martin, of Winchester, escaped from a work detail around 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
Both were last seen on foot in the area of the State Highway Department garage.
Information from: Glasgow Daily Times,
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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text: Troutbeck Camping and Caravanning Club Site (152 reviews) from £7.70 to £11.30 Per person/night Contact Us Book It Images Video Map Select Section Overview Site within National Park Top site for cycling Enjoy great views and easy access to Keswick and Derwentwater from this site. Our lovely Troutbeck Club campsite is the perfect base for exploring the Lake District. Its idyllic location surrounded by countryside and with fantastic views of the fells is a walkers' paradise. Blencathra and Sharp Edge are easily accessed from the campsite. Less strenuous is the half hour walk to the White Horse pub in Scales. The Coast2Coast cycle way passes by the campsite. Another popular mountain bike route is the Old Coach Road which has splendid views of Blencathra and Skiddaw in parts. After a day on the hill our campsite offers a peaceful place to relax and soak up the views. Pitches are spacious and toilet and shower facilities are top notch. And there's a laundry and disabled room too. Children have a small play area and there is ample room to exercise your dog on site. The campsite shop sells local free-range eggs, meat and real ales. Rookin House Farm Equestrian and Activity Centre in Troutbeck offers horse riding, archery, quad bikes and karting. Ullswater, south of the campsite has numerous sandy beaches. Sailing, canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing are all possible here, and fishing for those with the appropriate rod licence. Luxury Holiday Caravans available to let - find out more to book call 024 7647 5087. Also Caravan Holiday Homes available to purchase - find out more.Troutbeck currently holds an AA 5 Pennant Award and a 5 star Visit Britain Award. Plus Gold Award - Loo of the Year 2013. Worth Noting There's a luxury holiday caravan to let, sleeping up to six. To book call 024 7647 5087. Four pitches have TV hook up points, where digital TV reception is variable. Caravan Holiday Homes available for purchase - contact site direct. WiFi 100% Wi-Fi coverage cannot be guaranteed due to rural location, weather conditions and changing flora. These can cause variable signal strength. Hotspots are available. Eat Local The licensed Site shop sells locally-produced free range eggs, meat, baked goods and real ales. Weekly Farmers' Markets take place locally. Facilities Troutbeck has the following facilities on or around the site. Members' and non-members' caravans welcome Members' and non-members' trailer tents welcome Hardstanding with electric hook-up Grass only pitch (no electric) Showers Electric shaver sockets Parent and baby room Drinking water taps Washing Machines Ice pack freezing Childrens play area Pets welcome Holiday Homes & Exclusive lodges Wi-fi (Other provider) Members' and non-members' motorhomes welcome Members' and non-members' tents welcome Grass pitch with electric hook-up Flushing toilet Washbasins Dedicated accessible facilities Chemical toilet disposal point Motorhome stop-off Dishwashing facilities Shop Gas cylinders Alternative Accommodation Electric hook-up Reviews Review 1 |2 |38 |Next » Expand review Recommended: yes 4 The shower facilities were very clean (with some of the best showers I've experienced on... Steve (Club Member) stayed Oct 2015 This review is for Troutbeck The shower facilities were very clean (with some of the best showers I've experienced on site)the cubicles were a little on the small side but this is being a little picky. We visited during half term and site looked a little tired with the grass and some of the bushes needing a trim, however with the wet weather and the site closing down within a week this is understandable. I would recommend this site for a visit to the lakes, there is an easy walk / cycle path into Keswick and the location is ideal for walks into the surrounding hills. Towing: Easy Location: Country,Secluded Suitable For: Families,Active break,Peaceful break Friendliness: 4 Cleanliness: 4 Facilities: 4 Expand review Recommended: yes 5 Lovely runs to Keswick and Penrith and super visit to Larch Cottage Gardens. Alan Ramsay (Club Member) stayed Oct 2015 This review is for Troutbeck Lovely runs to Keswick and Penrith and super visit to Larch Cottage Gardens. Towing: Moderate Location: Country Suitable For: Families,Older couples,Peaceful break Friendliness: 5 Cleanliness: 5 Facilities: 5 Expand review Recommended: yes 5 Stayed 2 nights on the way upto scotland and 2 nights on way home from Scotland as this is... Cliff & Lizzie (Club Member) stayed Oct 2015 This review is for Troutbeck Stayed 2 nights on the way upto scotland and 2 nights on way home from Scotland as this is half way for us coming from Surrey. Stunning location right in the middle of the mountains. Site facilities really good........ NO DOG WALK as advertised had to take the dogs out into the lane , cars and mini buses going down to school so not ideal for dogs Towing: Easy Location: Country,Secluded Suitable For: Older couples,Peaceful break Friendliness: 5 Cleanliness: 5 Facilities: 5 Expand review Recommended: yes 5 Very handy for bus. Great views. Katrina (Club Member) stayed Oct 2015 This review is for Troutbeck Very handy for bus. Great views. Location: Country Suitable For: Older couples,Active break,Peaceful break,Younger couples Friendliness: 5 Cleanliness: 5 Facilities: 5 1 |2 |38 |Next » Travel Local Travel Nearest bus stop: 0.5 mile from Site entrance Nearest train station: Penrith - 9 miles Get Directions to Troutbeck Staying here? Public transport near the site Bike ride? Find cycle routes nearby Sat Nav Download our POI file Safe Directions Print Friendly PDF Widget by Frixo Self Catering at Troutbeck from £51.00a night Dates open: 6 March - 4 November 2015 The contemporary styled holiday caravan offers many home comforts and spacious accommodation for up to six people. It has one double and one twin room and a sofa bed. The stylish open plan lounge/dining area has TV, Freeview, DVD and CD player. There is a family bathroom and separate WC and a fully equipped kitchen with microwave. The veranda features a patio table and chairs and a barbecue where you can enjoy wonderful views ofver the Lakeland Fells. Call 0845 130 7633 / 01768 779149 to book Sleeps four people Barbeque Kitchen Outdoor furniture On site shop Bathroom Sitting room Dining area TV - Satellite or Freeview DVD player CD Player Private patio Childrens' play area Outdoor area for bbq "We had a lovely time for 2 weeks in the Self Catering 6 berth Caravan. Its a beautiful van with central heating. That was a good thing as the area was covered in snow when we came up from Cornwall for our Easter holidays. This our 5th visit to Troutbeck. We visited first with a tent as a couple. We now bring our 2 small children and other family members. We will book again for next year. We will need the Static caravan and our own tourer as each time we come more family want to join us.The site and the owners and staff are all Fab." - Cheryl Risden The holiday caravan at Troutbeck is situated on a small and friendly site with breathtaking views. Booking please note See our Self Catering Terms and Conditions. For further information and prices for Troutbeck Standard Fees For more information take a look at Pricing explained. Minimum booking periods do apply.


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Theresa Cotter
Newly revised and updated with a new introduction, this clever and entertaining collection of meditations provides 366 days worth of inspiration for today's grandmas.
- Subtitle: Revised Edition - Product #: 251 - Format: book - Binding: Paperback - Page Count: 265 - Pub. Date: May 2003 - Publisher: ACTA Publications


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- KNIA / KRLS - http://kniakrls.com -
Author to Share Iowa-based Book in Pella, Knoxville
Posted By News On July 26, 2010 @ 6:23 am In Today's Local News | Comments Disabled
Well-established Iowa author Zachary Michael Jack will be making stops in Marion County Monday as part of a statewide tour to share his latest book – which is based in a nearby small town. Titled What Cheer: A Love Story, the fictional work centers on romance and courtship in the rural areas of the state; something Jack says is disappearing as the state's young people move out of the state or to urban areas. Zachary Michael Jack will read from his new book on Monday at 2:30 p.m. at the Pella Public Library; and in Knoxville at 7:00 p.m. at The Next Chapter bookstore.
Article printed from KNIA / KRLS: http://kniakrls.com
URL to article: http://kniakrls.com/2010/07/author-to-share-iowa-based-book-in-pella-knoxville/
Click here to print.
Copyright © 2009 KNIA/KRLS. All rights reserved.


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Jae Crowder has been fighting abdominal problem
Turns out there's a reason why Jae Crowder missed that breakaway layup try early in the second quarter Sunday night against the Pacers.
Crowder said after the game that he aggravated a lower abdominal strain that has been bothering him for about two weeks when he tried to go up and either dunk or lay the ball in on that fast break.
He did neither, missing the shot.
"It's been bothering me and I went up on that play and felt it," Crowder said. "Hopefully I'll be able to play on Tuesday. The plan is to come in (Monday), get treatment and try to practice, although we won't be doing much on the court."
Coach Rick Carlisle said he expects Crowder to be day-to-day going forward.
The second-year swingman has been playing well of late, He'd averaged eight points and three rebounds in14 minutes per game in the two contests before Sunday.
Follow Eddie Sefko on Twitter: @ESefko
Mavericks' win over Pacers may have been most impressive of season
Photos: Mark Cuban has special treat for Modano; Mavericks top Pacers
Mavericks down Pacers at home, earn season sweep of best team in East
Mavericks are what record suggests, but have to get better vs. NBA's best
Lucky fan at Mavericks-Pacers game rolls big dice, wins $10K during halftime


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Innovation in the 3.5 GHz Band: Creating a New Citizens Broadband Radio Service
March 27, 2015
Five years ago, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration issued a report...
The Process of Governance: The FCC & the Open Internet Order...
March 2, 2015
The Commission's recent adoption of new Open Internet rules has received unprecedented...
Celebrating National Consumer Protection Week
March 2, 2015
This week, March 1-7, 2015, the FCC is celebrating National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW),...
Driving Wi-Fi Ahead: the Upper 5 GHz Band
February 23, 2015
Today's Wi-Fi spectrum bands are wildly popular. But with more and more people and...
Embrace the Internet for EEO "Widely Disseminated Rule" ...
February 20, 2015
As I have said previously, I believe the Internet is the greatest man-made invention in my lifetime...
Wireless Providers Fulfill Commitment to let Consumers Unlock Mobile Phones
February 11, 2015
One year ago, the FCC announced a voluntary commitment among a number of mobile wireless service...
Twitter Town Hall with Gigi Sohn: A Fast, Fair & Open Internet
February 5, 2015
On Wednesday, Feb 4th Chairman Wheeler, released his proposal for strong new #OpenInternet rules...
Delegated Authority: Serious Objections and Solutions
February 2, 2015
I am fortunate to work at an agency with incredibly dedicated and talented staff. The vast...
Update on Advance Posting of Commission Meeting Items
January 16, 2015
In August, I wrote a blog post urging the Commission to post on its website the actual text of the...
Expanding FCC Use of Electronic Communications
January 14, 2015
Although a lot of work has been done over the last few years to integrate some aspects of our...


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KitchenAid Overall Customer Rating:
Tracing its roots back to 1919, KitchenAid is today a brand common in both commercial kitchens and residential homes. Their versatile and powerful K models, invented in the 1930s, have become KitchenAid's signature product that is meant to tackle nearly any mixing job that a chef or baker needs. Read more
Designed to maximize the utility of other products, KitchenAid mixer accessories include attachments and replacement products. These products help increase output while making your job easier.
Common sights in nearly any restaurant, KitchenAid commercial mixers (or K mixers) are the backbones of restaurants and bakeries with their quality construction and strength.
KitchenAid immersion blenders supply restaurants with the power and versatility they need to mix soups, broths, and other foods to perfection.
KitchenAid commercial immersion blender parts and accessories provide the attachments and components you need to keep your blender working at its best.


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All public logs
Special page
Combined display of all available logs of Narutopedia. You can narrow down the view by selecting a log type, the username (case-sensitive), or the affected page (also case-sensitive).
- 00:03, February 19, 2013 Omnibender (Talk | contribs) deleted page Ice Release: Icicle Barrage (content was: "#REDIRECT Ice Release: Icicle Combo" (and the only contributor was "Kunoichi101"))
- 04:20, February 13, 2013 Kunoichi101 (Talk | contribs) moved page Ice Release: Icicle Barrage to Ice Release: Icicle Combo


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By Mathias Mazinga
Students from England's Chellaston Academy have constructed a building facility for M-Lisada, a 60-strong brass ensemble of former street children.
The classic building at Ave Maria Zone, in Nsambya, has two spacious dormitories, flush-water toilets and a kitchen.
The dormitories are also stuffed with beds and beddings.
The facility was built at a cost of over Ug sh100m , which was all contributed by students from Chellaston Academy, Derby, England.
The inauguration of the building, last week, was attended by a big delegation of students from Chellaston, led by Richard Karran.
The jovial Karran said the story of M-Lisada children touched the hearts of many Chellaston students, which was why they opted to raise money to build the facility.
"M-Lisada children previously suffered on the city streets due to neglect and poverty. These children nonetheless had the confidence, determination and vision to use their musical talent, to get out of their situation, which is why they established a reputable musical organization. We are happy to establish a filial relationship with M-Lisada, which I am sure, will last forever," Karran said.
M-Lisada organisation Director, Bosco Ssegawa (centre) with students of Chellaston. PHOTO/ Mathias Mazinga
The Director of M-Lisada Organisation, Bosco Ssegawa, said the facility would improve the accommodation of the former street children and also help them to get more abused children from the streets.
During the inauguration ceremony, the M-Lisada kids staged a mini-concert for the Chellaston students, during which they performed brass music and Ugandan traditional dances.
Also related to this story
Bahrain students' thrilling trip to Uganda
American children donate to Blessed Primary School
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December 1, 2015
Officials in Coffee County are also preparing for this weekend's rain.
Emergency Management Director Larry Walker has been in contact with the National Weather Service.
Walker says fortunately the Pea River is well below flood stage at the Elba Bridge on Highway 84.
He says this February could turn out to be the wettest on record.
Walker says while he doesn't fear the river, he's concerned about flash street flooding.
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