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Progress on 2014 Farm Bill Implementation
USDA's farm bill implementation team is composed of key sub-cabinet officials and experts from every mission area of the Department. Through outreach and listening sessions we are sharing information and hearing from stakeholders. Announcements on new agriculture research partnerships, conservation and nutrition programs, and other Farm Bill provisions will be made in the coming weeks and months.
To date, we've made important progress on every title of the Farm Bill including updates to risk management tools, modifications to farm loan programs, announcements regarding available funds for agricultural research, disaster relief to farmers and ranchers and much more. Information on progress and accomplishments is provided below.
Farm Bill Implementation Updates:
TITLE I - Commodity Programs
Definition of Actively Engaged:
Agricultural Risk Coverage Program and Price Loss Coverage Program:
- June 15, 2015: USDA Opens Enrollment Period for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Safety-Net Programs
- March 27, 2015: USDA Extends ARC and PLC Deadlines (ARC and PLC)
- March 24, 2015: USDA Implements 2014 Farm Bill Provision to Limit Payments to Non-Farmers
- February 27, 2015: USDA Provides One-Time Extension of Deadline to Update Base Acres or Yield History for ARC/PLC Programs
- December 22, 2014: FSA Announces New Yield Data for Safety Net Calculations
- November 10, 2014: Coverage Selection for New 2014 Farm Bill Safety Net Programs Begins Nov. 17
- October 2, 2014: USDA Farm Service Agency Announces Key Dates for New 2014 Farm Bill Safety Net Programs
- September 25, 2014: USDA Unveils Key New Programs to Help Farmers Manage Risk
- August 1, 2014: USDA Sending Acreage History and Yield Reports to Help Producers Prepare for New Farm Bill Programs (ARC and PLC)
- May 29, 2014: USDA Awarding $6 Million to Prepare Farmers for New Farm Bill Programs, Farm Bill Implementation Continues at Brisk Pace with Universities and State Cooperative Extension Programs Now Set to Help Educate Farmers
- April 29, 2014: USDA begins competitive process to award funding for farm bill decision aids and outreach tools. Proposals accepted through May 9, 2014.
Cotton Transition Payments:
- August 7, 2014: Cotton Transition Assistance Program Enrollment Begins
Dairy Forward Pricing Program:
- March 21, 2014: USDA publishes final rule that re-establishes the Dairy Forward Pricing Program.
Extension of Programs:
- March 28, 2014: FSA publishes Federal Register notice for the extension of the following programs: (1) Marketing Assistance Loans; (2) Milk Income Loss Contract; (3) Dairy Indemnity Payment Program; (4) Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program; and (5) Sugar.
Loan Rates:
- June 24, 2014: USDA Announces Loan Rates for 2014-Crop Peanuts
- March 28, 2014: USDA publishes press release announcing county and regional loan rates.
Margin Protection Program:
- June 29, 2015: Enrollment for 2016 Dairy Margin Protection Program to Begin July 1
- January 12, 2015: More than Half of Nation's Dairy Producers Enroll in New Margin Protection Program
- December 4, 2014: USDA Extends Application Deadline for Dairy Margin Protection Program to Dec. 19
- October 29, 2014: USDA Extends Dairy Margin Protection Program Deadlines
- August 28, 2014: Enrollment for New Dairy Farm Risk Management Program to Begin Sept. 2
Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program:
- December 12, 2014: USDA Provides Greater Protection for Fruit, Vegetable and Other Specialty Crop Growers
Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Assistance:
- February 10, 2015: USDA Designates Natural Disaster Areas in 256 Counties in Western and Southwestern United States Due to Drought, Opening Door to Assistance
- November 24, 2014: USDA Disaster Assistance to Help Thousands of Honeybee, Livestock and Farm-Raised Fish Producers
- September 17, 2014: USDA Announces Additional Support for Citrus Growers Impacted by HLB/citrus greening
- September 2, 2014: Livestock Producers Urged to Enroll in Disaster Assistance Program by Oct. 1
- August 1, 2014: USDA Extends Deadline for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program
- July 21, 2014: Disaster Assistance for 2012 Frost or Freeze Fruit Crop Losses Announced
- July 9, 2014: USDA Provides 12-Week Progress Update on Disaster Assistance, 106,000 Payment Helping Farmers in 40 States Recover from Losses; Producers reminded sign-up deadline approaching for ELAP
- June 23, 2014: USDA Announces New Support for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, changes to disaster assistance programs to improve the financial security of new and beginning farmers and ranchers
- April 15, 2014: USDA publishes press release announcing the start of sign-up for farmers and ranchers disaster assistance programs restored by the Farm Bill.
- April 7, 2014: USDA publishes press release announcing the sign-up date for farmer and rancher disaster assistance programs. Sign-up begins on April 15, 2014.
TITLE II - Conservation
Conservation Programs:
- July 15, 2015: USDA Announces Conservation Incentives for Working Grass, Range and Pasture Lands
- July 10, 2015: Record Number of Farmers and Ranchers Certified Under 2014 Farm Bill Conservation Compliance
- June 22, 2015: USDA Seeks Partner Proposals to Protect and Restore Critical Wetlands
- May 29, 2015: Secretary Vilsack Announces Additional 800,000 Acres Dedicated to Conservation Reserve Program for Wildlife Habitat and Wetlands
- May 27, 2015: New USDA Portal Enables Farmers, Ranchers to Request Conservation Assistance Online
- May 21, 2015: USDA Reminds Farmers to Certify Conservation Compliance by June 1 Deadline
- May 18, 2015: USDA to Expand Investment in Water Conservation, Resilience across Drought-Stricken States
- May 4, 2015: USDA Announces $235 Million Available for Innovative New Conservation Partnerships
- April 23, 2015: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Senior White House Advisor Brian Deese Announce Partnerships with Farmers and Ranchers to Address Climate Change
- April 21, 2015: Voluntary Conservation Effort to Clear California San Joaquin Valley Air Gets a Thumbs Up from Regulators
- April 16, 2015: USDA Reminds Farmers to Certify Conservation Compliance by June 1 Deadline
- April 7, 2015: USDA Funding to Help Clean Waterways in Mississippi River Basin
- March 31, 2015: USDA to Provide $332 Million to Protect and Restore Agricultural Working Lands, Grasslands and Wetlands
- February 26, 2015: USDA Opens Public Comment Period for Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Interim Final Rule
- February 23, 2015: USDA Seeks Grant Proposals to Increase Recreational Public Access on Private Agricultural, Forest Lands
- February 19, 2015: Natural Resources Conservation Service and Forest Service Partnership Continues Conservation Work Nationwide
- February 12, 2015: USDA Report Demonstrates Positive Impact of $300 Million Investment in Sage-grouse Conservation on Working Lands in West
- January 26, 2015: USDA Seeks Applications for Conservation Innovation Grants
- January 14, 2015: Agriculture Secretary Announces Funding for 115 Conservation Projects in 50 States--Farm Bill Initiative Marks New Era for Conservation efforts
- December 23, 2014: USDA extends public comment period for Conservation Stewardship Program Rule until January 20th, 2015
- December 11, 2014: USDA Seeks Public Comment on New Environmental Quality Incentives Program Rule
- September 15, 2014: Secretary Vilsack Highlights Innovative Conservation Efforts during Midwest Farm Visit (Conservation Innovation Grants)
- September 8, 2014: USDA Provides $328 Million to Conserve Wetlands and Farmland, Boost Economy (Agricultural Conservation Easement Program)
- Aug 7, 2014: USDA Partners with States, Tribes to Improve Public Access on Private Lands
- August 4, 2014: New Regional Conservation Partnership Program Receives Nearly 600 Initial Proposals
- July 22, 2014: USDA Reminds Farmers of 2014 Farm Bill Conservation Compliance Changes
- July 18, 2014: Watershed Rehabilitation Funding to Repair Dams in 26 States
- July 2, 2014: USDA Invests $50 million in Red River Basin Conservation Effort to Minimize Flooding, Improve Water and Soil Quality, Help Waterfowl, Strengthen Agriculture and Outdoor Recreation Economies
- June 23, 2014: First participants in Conservation Stewardship Program can renew for five more years
- June 20, 2014: USDA Announces Landmark Commitment to Improve Sage-Grouse Habitat
- June 19, 2014: USDA Pledges Financial Support for Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Partnerships
- June 4, 2014: USDA Announces Programs to Conserve Sensitive Land and Help Beginning Farmers, Programs that Allow Producers to Protect Land and Help New, Minority and Veteran Farmers Get their Start in Agriculture
- May 27, 2014: USDA, Partners Usher in a New Era in Conservation, New Regional Conservation Partnership Program Goes Beyond Traditional Government Efforts to Allow Businesses, Other Partners to Invest in Regional Conservation Projects
- May 1, 2014: USDA Announces New Landmark Conservation Initiatives, begins accepting applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program (ACEP) and the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP)
- Applications are being accepted for the Conservation Stewardship Program and Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
TITLE III - Trade
Emerging Markets Program (EMP):
- April 17, 2014: FAS publishes a Notice of Funding Availability for EMP, with $10 million available in 2014. EMP applications are reviewed on a rolling basis during the fiscal year. Applications received after May 19, 2014, will be considered for funding if funding remains available.
Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program (FMD) and Market Access Program (MAP):
- November 19, 2014: USDA Helps Open and Expand Export Markets for U.S. Agriculture (FY15 funding)
- April 16, 2014: USDA Helps Open and Expand Export Markets for U.S. Agriculture through 2014 Farm Bill Programs
Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC):
- May 6, 2014: FAS publishes final rule to broaden the range of projects funded by the program.
- April 17, 2014: FAS publishes a Notice of Funding Availability for TASC, with $9 million available. Applications received after May 28, 2014, will be considered if funding remains available.
U.S. Atlantic Spiny Dogfish Study:
- May 5, 2014: USDA submits report to Congress on the existing market in the U.S. for the U.S. Atlantic Spiny Dogfish.
TITLE IV - Nutrition Programs
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program:
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP):
- March 10, 2014: FNS releases Implementation Memorandum to States on phasing out the eligibility of women, infants and children (PDF, 273KB).
Community Food Projects:
- February 19, 2015: USDA Announces $9 Million to Support Community Food Projects Program
- February 27, 2014: The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) releases Notice of Funding Availability for the Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program, with $5 million available.
Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive:
- April 1, 2015: USDA Awards $31 Million in Grants to Help SNAP Participants Afford Healthy Foods
- September 29, 2014: USDA Announces up to $31 Million to Empower People to Make Healthy Eating Choices
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Pilot
- April 7, 2014: FNS announces an RFP for this pilot program, which will take place during the 2014-2015 school year.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Payments:
- March 5, 2014: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) releases Implementation Memorandum to States on the elimination of standard utility allowances (PDF, 47KB) in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for LIHEAP payments less than $20.
Multiagency Taskforce on Commodity Programs:
- April 24, 2014: FNCS signs a memorandum appointing members to the multi-agency taskforce to provide coordination and direction for commodity programs.
- March 14, 2014: The Under Secretary of Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services issues memorandum to solicit names for a multiagency task force to provide coordination and direction for commodity programs.
Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables
- December 8, 2014: USDA Selects States for Participation in the Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables
- July 21, 2014: USDA Releases Request for Applications for Unprocessed Fruit and Vegetable Pilot
SNAP-related Provisions:
- July 13, 2015: USDA Proposes New Ways to Help Meet Nutrition Needs of Low-Income, Homebound Seniors and People with Disabilities
- March 20, 2015: USDA Awards $200 Million for Skills Training to Help SNAP Recipients Get Good Jobs
- September 17, 2014: Deadline Approaching for SNAP Retailers to Pay EBT Equipment Costs, as Required by the Farm Bill
- August 25, 2014: USDA Announces $200 Million to Promote Innovation in SNAP Employment and Training Programs
- March 21, 2014: FNS releases Implementation Memorandum to States (PDF, 212KB) communicating major SNAP related provisions of the Act.
TITLE V - Credit
Farm Loan Programs/Direct Farm Ownership:
- February 7, 2014: FSA implements changes in the interest rate on Direct Farm Ownership loans that are made in conjunction with other lenders.
- March 26, 2014: FSA issues agency directive implementing non-discretionary microloan provisions (PDF, 108KB).
Modifications to Farm Loan Programs:
- March 24, 2014: FSA issues news release announcing changes to Farm Loan Programs as part of the Farm Bill.
TITLE VI - Rural Development
Biodiesel Fuel Education Program:
- May 5, 2014: REE announces availability of $960,000 for grants to educate consumers about the benefits of biodiesel fuel use.
- July 16, 2015: Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Available Funding and Changes to USDA's Biorefinery and Biobased Product Program
- September 4, 2014: USDA Announces Loan Guarantee to Help Innovative Company Turn Waste Into Renewable Jet Fuel
- June 13, 2014: Vilsack Announces Farm Bill Funding for Converting to Biomass Fuel Systems
- June 17, 2015: New Report Shows U.S. Biobased Products Industry Contributes $369 Billion, 4 Million Jobs to American Economy; 2014 Farm Bill provisions will expand opportunities in the biobased sector by promoting advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals, and biobased product manufacturing efforts
- October 27, 2014: USDA Proposes Inclusion of New, Innovative Products in the BioPreferred Program
- Aug 6, 2014: USDA Announces Inclusion of Wood Products and Other Materials in BioPreferred Program
- July 14, 2014: USDA's BioPreferred® program office will host a public meeting on August 1, 2014, for stakeholders to discuss incorporating mature market (wood) products into the BioPreferred program (PDF, 87KB)
- July 30, 2015: USDA Announces Available Funding for Farm Bill Broadband Loan Program
- March 23, 2015: USDA Announces Funding for Broadband Projects in Arkansas, Iowa and New Mexico
- October 22, 2014: USDA Announces $190.5 Million in Funding for Rural Broadband and Telecommunications Infrastructure
Business and Industry Loan Guarantee:
- May 8, 2014: USDA Announces Funds Available for Local Food Enterprises, Historic Investment Will Support Entire Local Food Supply Chain
- May 5, 2014: Rural Development announces availability of funding to provide support for local or regional food producers.
Definition of Rural Housing:
- May 5, 2014: Rural Development publishes maps identifying which rural areas are eligible for housing programs.
- March 13, 2014: Rural Development issues guidance to State Directors, field staff and stakeholders on implementing new eligibility requirements regarding the definition of rural housing.
Regional Development Priority:
Rural Business Enterprise Grants/Rural Business Opportunity Grants:
- September 12, 2014: USDA Announces Investments to Increase Economic Activity in Rural Areas and on Native Lands
Rural Cooperative Development Grants:
- April 29, 2014: USDA announces availability of $5.8 million through this program.
Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program, Intermediary Relending Program and Rural Business Development Grant:
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program
- July 31, 2014: USDA Announces Grants to Community Partners to Create Jobs and Strengthen Small Rural Businesses through Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP)
- May 20, 2014: USDA Announces Availability of Loans and Grants to Support Rural Economic Development
Value Added Producer Grants (VAPG):
- May 8, 2015: USDA Announces $30 Million Available for Food Entrepreneurs and Agricultural Producers to Develop New Products
- August 19, 2014: USDA Announces $25 Million for Agricultural Entrepreneurs to Turn Commodities into Value-Added Products
- March 25, 2014: Rural Development publishes notice in the Federal Register extending the application period for Fiscal Year 2013 and 2014 funding for VAPG, with up to $25.5 million available for these grants.
Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program:
- April 22, 2014: USDA announces 116 project awards through this program. The total award of nearly $387 million included $150 million in grants supported by the Farm Bill.
TITLE VII - Research and Related Matters
Agricultural and Food Policy Research Centers:
- April 27, 2015: USDA Awards $3.8 Million in Grants for Nanotechnology Research
- April 23, 2015: USDA Awards Almost $3 Million in Research Grants to Increase Food Security Through Improved Livestock Health
- April 15, 2014: USDA announces awards for the four research centers, totaling almost $4 million.
- March 31, 2015: USDA Awards 36 Food Safety Grants, Including $6.7 Million for Antimicrobial Resistance, to Protect Consumers
- March 26, 2015: USDA Announces Grants for Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative:
- February 25, 2015: USDA Announces $14 Million in Grants Supporting Economic Growth for Rural Communities
- February 20, 2015: USDA Announces More Than $160 Million Available in Funding for Food and Agriculture Research, Education, and Extension
- February 3, 2015: USDA Announces the Availability of $16 Million to Support Food Production
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP):
- February 2, 2015: USDA Invests $18 Million to Train Beginning Farmers and Ranchers; Emphasis on Military Veterans and Limited-Resource Farmers
- January 12, 2015: USDA Announces More Than $18 Million to Support Training and Development for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
- April 11, 2014: USDA publishes press release announcing the availability of more than $19 million in grants to help train, educate and enhance the sustainability of the next generation of agricultural producers through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). Applications are due June 12, 2014.
Bioenergy Research:
- June 13, 2014: Vilsack Announces Farm Bill Funding for Bioenergy Research
Budget Submission and Funding:
- March 10, 2014: REE submits its first Budget Submission and Funding report to Congress.
Citrus Disease Research:
- April 1, 2015: Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Approximately $23 Million Available for Citrus Greening Research
- February 9, 2015: Vilsack Announces $30 Million to Fight Citrus Disease; USDA Targets Citrus Greening with Promising Tools and Long Term Solutions
- December 8, 2014: USDA Citrus Disease Subcommittee Meets on FY 2015 Research Agenda, Budget Priorities
- June 12, 2014: USDA Announces $31.5 Million in New Farm Bill Funds for Research to Fight Citrus Greening
- May 13, 2014: USDA Announces First Citrus Greening Funding Allocations and Appointments to Citrus Disease Subcommittee
- March 17, 2014: A subcommittee is formally established within the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, under the Specialty Crop Committee, and solicitation letters (PDF, 106KB) for nominations are issued.
Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR):
- June 24, 2015: Allergen-Free Peanuts Lead USDA Report Highlighting New Innovations in Ag
- April 7, 2015:USDA Awards Grants to Address Water Quality, Availability in Agriculture Communities
- March 31, 2015:USDA Awards 36 Food Safety Grants, Including $6.7 Million for Antimicrobial Resistance, to Protect Consumers
- March 26, 2015:USDA Announces Grants for Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs
- July 23, 2014:Secretary Vilsack Announces Creation of Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research
- April 4, 2014: USDA publishes Federal Register notice.
- March 31, 2014: Letters soliciting nominations to the FFAR Board are mailed to interested parties and a Federal Register Notice for Solicitation of Nominations for Members of the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research is submitted for publication.
- October 7, 2014: Statement from Secretary Vilsack Celebrating Central State University's New Status as an 1890 Land-Grant Institution
- July 2, 2014: USDA Grants Aim to Expand Science Capacity at Non-Land-Grant Colleges and Universities
- July 2, 2014: USDA Announces Availability of Funding to Support Agriculture and Food Research at Tribal Land-Grant Colleges
- June 23, 2014: USDA Announces Availability of Funding to Support Agriculture and Food Science Facilities at Ohio's Central State University
- May 6, 2014: USDA Announces Funding for Biodiesel Fuel Education Program
Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative:
- March 17, 2014: NIFA releases Notice of Funding Availability for the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (PDF, 159KB), with $20 million available in FY 2014.
Specialty Crop Research Initiative:
- March 10, 2015: USDA Announces Funding Available for Specialty Crop and Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Programs
- October 2, 2014: USDA Invests Nearly $118 Million to Support America's Specialty Crop Producers
- March 17, 2014: NIFA releases Notice of Funding Availability for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (PDF, 292KB), with $76.8 million available in FY 2014.
TITLE VIII - Forestry
Insect and Disease Designation:
- May 20, 2014: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Announces Action to Combat Insects and Diseases that Weaken Forests, Increase Fire Risk
- March 19, 2014: Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell sends a letter to all state governors notifying them of the opportunity to submit requests for designating their priority insect and disease areas for treatment.
TITLE IX - Energy
Biomass Crop Assistance Program:
- June 1, 2015: USDA Announces Restart of Biomass Crop Assistance Program for Renewable Energy
- February 26, 2015: USDA Expands Investments in Next-Generation Bioenergy Development
- December 16, 2014: USDA Improves Forest Health by Harvesting Biomass for Energy
- July 23, 2014: USDA Selects 36 Energy Facilities to Accept Biomass Deliveries
- June 9, 2014: USDA Announces Funding Availability for Turning Biomass Material into Energy
- May 20, 2014: USDA Announces $25 Million in Support for Renewable Biomass Energy
Rural Energy for America Program:
- August 7, 2015: USDA Invests $63 Million to Support 264 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects Nationwide
- June 10, 2015: USDA Invests $6.7 Million in 544 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects Nationwide
- June 10, 2015: USDA Invests in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects in Wyoming
- February 10, 2015: USDA Announces Funding for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects
- May 5, 2014: USDA publishes Notice of Funding Availability announcing the availability of approximately $70 million in funding for loan guarantees and grants.
TITLE X - Horticulture
Bulk Shipments of Apples to Canada:
- April 4, 2014: AMS publishes final rule in the Federal Register amending regulations under the Export Apple Act to allow bulk containers to be shipped to Canada without U.S. inspection.
Christmas Tree Research and Promotion Order:
- April 7, 2014: AMS publishes a notice lifting stay on the Christmas Tree Research and Promotion.
Local Foods Promotion Program/Farmers Market Promotion Program:
- March 16, 2015: USDA Announces $97 Million Available to Expand Access to Healthy Food, Support Rural Economies
- January 27, 2015: USDA Partnering to Conduct Grant Workshops to Support Local Foods
- September 29, 2014: USDA Awards Over $52 Million in Grants to Grow Organic and Local Food Economies
- May 8, 2014: USDA announces availability of $15 million through the Farmers Market Promotion Program.
- February 29, 2016: Exemption of Organic Products From Assessment Under a Commodity Promotion Law
- December 30, 2015: USDA Announces Expansion of the Organic Assessment Exemption
- May 14, 2015: USDA Announces Funding to Assist with Organic Certification Costs
- April 15, 2015: USDA Announces Record Number of Organic Producers in U.S.
- December 30, 2014: Report on a Federal standard of identity for honey was sent to the Food and Drug Administration.
National Clean Plant Network:
- June 30, 2014: USDA Makes $5 Million in Farm Bill Support for 19 projects under National Clean Plant Network
- March 24, 2014: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announces a Request for Applications (RFA) for the National Clean Plant Network, with $5 million available.
Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention:
- April 3, 2014: USDA announces $48.1 million in funding for 383 projects to help prevent the introduction or spread of plant pests and diseases. Applications are being accepted through May 23, 2014.
Specialty Crop Block Grants:
- March 16, 2015: USDA Announces $97 Million Available to Expand Access to Healthy Food, Support Rural Economies
- October 23, 2014: AMS publishes Guidance for Multi-state Grants under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
- October 2, 2014: USDA Invests Nearly $118 Million to Support America's Specialty Crop Producers
- April 17, 2014: USDA publishes press release announcing historic Farm Bill support for Specialty Crop Block Grants through $66 million available to state departments of agriculture.
TITLE XI - Crop Insurance
APH Yield Exclusion:
- December 18, 2014: USDA Releases APH Yield Exclusion Resources to Help Farmers Manage Risk (PDF, 19KB)
- October 21, 2014: USDA to Launch New Farm Bill Program to Help Provide Relief to Farmers Affected by Severe Weather (APH Yield Exclusion)
Changes to Crop Insurance Provisions to Benefit New Farmers:
- June 30, 2014: Department Announces New Beginning Farmer Benefits, Other Changes to Crop Insurance that Provide Flexibility to Farmers
Conservation Compliance:
Peanut Producers:
- September 26, 2014: USDA Implements New Farm Bill Provision for Peanut Producers
Permanent Enterprise Unit Subsidy:
- May 1, 2014: RMA completes update to its systems to reflect the permanent enterprise unit subsidy as mandated by the Farm Bill. This will impact crops beginning with the May 20, 2014 actuarial filing and continue through the November 30, 2014 actuarial filing.
Premium Amounts for Catastrophic Risk Protection (CAT):
- April 3, 2014: RMA issues public release of actuarial documents to revise the premium rates charged for CAT coverage to be based on the average historical "loss ratio" plus a reasonable reserve.
Prohibition of CAT on Crops Used for Grazing:
- April 15, 2014: RMA issues guidance document to amend the Special Provisions of Insurance for the annual forage policy. This amendment sets forth the prohibition of CAT coverage on crops and grasses used for grazing.
Publication of Information on Violations of Premium Adjustments:
- March 27, 2014: RMA establishes section entitled "Rebating Violations and Sanctions" in the Frequently Asked Questions section of its public website. RMA will add information to this section when it determines that rebating violations have occurred.
Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX):
- August 12, 2014: USDA Implements New Farm Bill Provisions for Cotton Producers (PDF, 19KB)
Supplemental Coverage Option:
- July 23, 2015: USDA Broadens Crop Insurance Options for Fruit and Nut Producers
- November 19, 2014: USDA Looks to Expand Supplemental Coverage Option for the 2016 Crop Year (PDF, 191KB)
- August 26, 2014: USDA Releases Additional Supplemental Coverage Option Availability Maps (PDF, 19KB)
- July 29, 2014: 2014 Farm Bill Measure Strengthens and Expands Insurance Coverage Options for Farm Operations
Whole-Farm Revenue Protection:
- November 6, 2014: USDA Announces Availability of New Whole-Farm Revenue Insurance Protection (PDF, 31KB)
- October 3, 2014: New Whole-Farm Revenue Protection Insurance Premium Subsidy Established (PDF, 19KB)
- May 21, 2014: New Pilot Program Offers Coverage for Fruits and Vegetables, Organic and Diversified Farms
TITLE XII - Miscellaneous
2501 Program:
- February 6, 2015: USDA Announces Over $9 Million to Support Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers
- December 3, 2014: USDA Announces $9.7 Million in Dedicated Outreach and Technical Assistance to Diversify American Agriculture
- August 12, 2014: Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden Announces Funding for Research to Benefit Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
- July 29, 2014: USDA Announces $9 Million in Grants to Help Veterans and Minority Farmers Get Started in Agriculture (2501 Program)
Catfish Inspection:
- April 30, 2014: FSIS and FDA signs an MOU to improve food safety, fraud prevention, and inspection of catfish and catfish products. FSIS continues to submit monthly reports to Congress on implementation of this provision from the Farm Bill.
- March 14, 2014: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) submits the first status report to Congress on the development of the final rule establishing a catfish inspection program.
Military Veteran Liaison:
- November 14, 2014: USDA Announces Karis Gutter as USDA's First Military Veterans Agriculture Liaison
Pima Cotton:
- May 2, 2014: USDA announces the Foreign Agricultural Service will accept claims under the Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust Fund for calendar year 2014.
Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program:


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General Education Mobile (GEM)
General Education Mobile (GEM) is an educational partnership between the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) and Regent University that offers general education courses in order to meet CCAF A.A.S. degree requirements via mobile (distance) educational means. Regent offers convenient 8-week online courses.For CCAF students who only want to take general education courses from Regent University, there is a shorter, easier and less expensive application process Regent has developed for GEM students through our Professional Development Program
- Must have completed a high school diploma or equivalent
- The deadline for the completed application will be 2 weeks prior to the start of any session.
- Tuition Assistance typically covers 100% of tuition up to a $250 cap per credit hour.
- Regent University offers active-duty military personnel a discounted tuition rate of $250 per credit hour.
Current GEM Course Offering
Check out our Current Course Schedule for start dates.
Degree Seeking Students
CCAF students desiring to obtain a bachelor's degree from Regent University should submit a regular application for admission.
Office of Military & Veterans Affairs
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E-Liquids are created by professionals because of the danger that can arise from substances like pure nicotine. In it's purest form, nicotine is six times more potent than pure cocaine. Both are stimulants, though nicotine does not create a hazardous high like cocaine. E-Liquid vendors distill the pure nicotine and add purified water, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin and flavorings. The ratios of all ingredients are paramount in the e-liquid end product.
The best artisan e-liquids are produced by experts with knowledge of precise ratios, as a simple change can alter the entire e-liquid composition. Many vapers who practice DIY have complained about creating a liquid that they cannot replicate. Chemists ensure that this never happens. When it does happen they usually need a car service in long island to get away.
Artisan e-liquids use ingredients from all across the world to create a special taste that is unique to that seller. Many of these e-juices require time to steep, as the ingredients break down and infuse the binding ingredients. The process of steeping is very similar to tea, though some people like to say they are aging e-liquid.
Some flavor additives in artisan e-liquids have caused concern in the vaping community. Ingredients like diactyl and even the flavorings for custards and caramels contain chemicals that are not healthy. Most vapers stay away from these flavors for that reason. Some vapers will not even shop through a site that sells these flavor profiles, as it is an indicator that other flavors might contain these additives.
Gourmet e-liquids can be found in flavors like butter rum, apple pie, banana nut bread and even strange flavors which are titled random names or numbers. The demand for odd flavors has increased as well. E-Liquid vendors are creating liquids like roast beef, bbq chicken, hot sauce and even pickle. Many vapers love to try these weird e-liquids as an experience while other vapers are repulsed by the idea. If you are interested in finding good e-liquid deals, there are many good websites that can be found by search engines. If it wasn't for the search engines, I would never know that I could get inexpensive cabinet hardware at Bayport House.
Creating artisan e-liquid is not an easy task. It takes time, money and knowledge of chemistry. Some vapers feel like they can just leap into DIY and make their own gourmet e-liquid blends. This is not usually the case, and can be dangerous. Liquid nicotine sold to DIY vapers has been pre-distilled, but is still very concentrated. E-Liquid must be made with gloves and protective clothing.
Lovers of these artisan blends are often baffled by the flavor profiles. How do you get e-liquid to taste like bacon? Without actual bacon, flavors like these are perplexing. Many lovers of strange e-liquid flavors, as well as vapers practicing DIY love odd e-juice flavors. For many vaper, these creations are like art and worth exploring. The weirder, the better, though not all artisan e-liquid is strange. Most gourmet and artisan e-liquid makers create delicious flavors that are sweet and delicious.]]>
Batteries for e-cigs are generally simple; such as the EVOD or eGo threads and batteries available, most of which have a 510 thread. These batteries house a smart-chip which controls the heat that is transferred to the internal atomizer. Once the atomizer heats up, filaments which have been soaked in e-juice turn to vapor which is pulled through the air-valve and then out of the drip-tip or the vaporizer's mouthpiece. The user draws just as they would a traditional tobacco cigarette.
There are new batteries which have emerged which boast characteristics such as variable voltage, variable wattage and other features such as pass-through technology, whereas a user can charge multiple e-devices at once. These new batteries which feature these characteristics are both the MVP and the eleaf, which are similar though different. The MVP is much stronger and durable in comparison to the eleaf, though the eleaf is smaller and more compact, though it also works better with lower ohms. Vapers need to be careful with how they handle their electronics. The last thing you want is damage to your home and have to call http://www.greenislandgroupny.com/ or another restoration company to fix it.
Tanks can come in all shapes and sizes and essentially all work the same way. Each tank contains, as stated, an internal atomizer with a wick, an air-valve and a chamber which houses the e-liquid. Together, with the battery, whether a basic mod or an advanced mod, the two work together via the internal smart chip (which can indeed be smarter in more expensive batteries) to ensure that there are no wicking issues and to prohibit a burnt taste.
A burnt taste can happen when a user draws on a vaporizer that has not been saturated with e-liquid. Because the wick is made of cotton, the atomizer essentially heats up a plain cotton wick with the outcome being an unpleasant taste and smell.
Electronic cigarettes are the first variation of vaporizers, and though they work the same way, are far easier and more simple in design. Users who first begin with electronic cigarettes generally pick the technology up more quickly than those who jump into vaping with no idea of how the technology works. For new vapers, it is paramount to start with either an electronic cigarette or a starter vaporizer.]]>
Celebrities like Leonardo Dicaprio and even Naomi Cambpell have been spotted with vaporizers. Leonardo flaunted a realistic, traditional electronic cigarette while Naomi had a purple, twist vaporizer. She was seen exiting her limo with it decorated in bling. During the Golden Globes Sarah Silverman pulled out her vaporizer (though it was not an e-liquid vaporizer) and in her beautiful gown, while on stage announced that this was her "pot vaporizer". Websites can be very clean and simplistic such as Bayport House, a cabinet hardware wholesaler.
This generation of liberal millennials (1982-1994) have embraced the technology whole-heartedly, and while certain policy enforcers continue to hold them back, the older generation of Baby Boomers fails to realize that even though economical debt from school is massive, that there are more graduates in previous decades due to colleges opening their campuses to more immigrant, African-Americans and women. This new generation of electronic cigarette users is much more thought-out and intelligent than previous generations (gen X and then the Baby Boomers). Reddit is a prime example of this, whose demographic is roughly 40% women, 60% men ages 17-34. Even on Reddit, there are hundreds of small subreddits completely devoted to vaporizers, e-liquid, vendors, e-cigarette sales and general news.
While older policy makers continue to bring down their iron fists, more people are becoming engaged through the internet; with thousands of Facebook forums, Twitter, ECF and other sources such as CAASA. Recent news has also demonstrated that Forbes is an overall fan of the device, as their articles always question other media outlets. From the beginning, Forbes estimated electronic cigarettes taking over the market, and to this day are publishing anti-propaganda articles in order to help demist the fog which confuses shoppers looking to switch to vaporizers or electronic cigarettes.
Along Forbes, thousands of doctors, scientists and health advocates are speaking out against misinterpreted data and stating what they know the facts to be, though electronic cigarettes have had no longitudal studies conducted. Even digital marketing companies such as BizLocal have expressed optimistic attitudes towards these products.
The e-cigarette market only continues to expand, with new devices such as electronic cigars, hookah pens and even realistic devices such as the new cig-a-likes which have emerged. New vaporizers in fun shapes and colors can be tailored to fit the aesthetical desire of the vaper, whether it be rustic or machine-like to slim and pink. There are also diamonds and even real gold vaporizers for those who like to flaunt their mods. People who take photos of their mods which they are impressed with call the pictures mod-porn.
Whether policy makers like it or not, e-cigarettes and vaporizers appear here to stay. With powerful celebrity endorses, hip-hop artists flaunting there e-hookahs to 50 year old smokers who switched without issue; the good news only continues to propel the industry as it awaits future and upcoming FDA regulations]]>


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Home List of Titles Hard to reach? Engagement, governance and community consultation in Victorian local government
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/25276
|Download PDF (Published version) (Adobe Acrobat PDF, 352 KB)
- Title
- Hard to reach? Engagement, governance and community consultation in Victorian local government
- Author(s)
- Brackertz, Nicola
- Abstract
- Under the Bracks Labour government in Victoria, the community strengthening agenda has emerged as a vehicle to promote community engagement, joined up government and networked approaches to governance. Its key dimensions challenge conventional relationships between state, federal and local governments and the top-down relationship between government and community; networked models of partnerships between public and private actors are favoured for the development of policy and the delivery of services. Local government is identified as a key player in this agenda through the work it already undertakes with local communities and as the site where localised reforms are likely to have the greatest impact. Increasing community involvement in local government decision-making through community consultation forms part of this agenda. Traditionally designed to obtain procedural legitimisation prior to decision-making, community consultation is now seen as a mechanism that will also connect citizens with each other and with government, will increase social capital, and will ensure effective and responsive policy and services delivery. The convergence of local government and community sits at odds with traditional models of representative democracy and raises challenges for management, accountability and citizenship in local government. Using case studies from eight Victorian local councils, this paper investigates how community consultation is played out in practice. What is the role of community consultation in community strengthening? What is the capacity of local governments to connect widely with multiple publics, in particular groups who may not be inclined to participate? The term 'hard to reach' is sometimes used to describe these demographics. Our research indicates that 'hard to reach' is not a quality endemic to certain community groups, but that it depends on the willingness and ability of local councils to identify and reach out to groups who are reluctant to participate via traditional means. [Introduction]
- Publication type
- Conference paper
- Research centre
- Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Life and Social Sciences. Institute for Social Research
- Source
- Paper presented to the Governments and Communities in Partnership conference, Centre for Public Policy, University of Melbourne, 25-27 September, 2006
- Publication year
- 2006
- Keyword(s)
- Community engagement; Governance; Local government; Victoria
- Publisher
- Department of Political Science, University of Melbourne
- Publisher URL
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2006 Nicola Brackertz. Paper reproduced here with the kind permission of the conference organisers.
- Full text
- Peer reviewed


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Publications and Working Papers:
Refereed Articles
Articles Submitted at Refereed Journals
Chapters in Special Issue
Working Papers
- Chaos or Leadership: The Heart and Soul of Politics
Schofield, N. and Gallego M.
HeideLberg, Springer, in press for May 2011
Refereed Articles
Leaders, Voters and Activists in the Elections of Great Britain 2005 and 2010
Schofield, N., Gallego, M., Jeon, J.
Electoral Studies
Forthcoming 2011
Direct link to paper
Intergovernmental Negotiation, Willingness to Compromise, and Voter Preference Reversals
Gallego, M. and Scoones, D.
Social Choice and Welfare
Volume 36, Issue 3-4, March 2011, Pages 591-610
Direct link to paper
Competition for Popular Support: a Valence Model of Elections in Turkey
Schofield, N., Gallego, M., Ozdemire, U. and Zakharov, A.
Social Choice and Welfare
Volume 36, Issue 3-4, March 2011, Pages 451-482
Direct link to paper
On The Ranking of Bilateral Bargaining Opponent
Cressman, R. and M. Gallego
Mathematical Social Sciences
Volume 58, Issue 1, July 2009, Pages 64-83
Direct link to paper
Link to working paper version
An Economic Theory of Leadership Turnover
Gallego, M. and Pitchik, C.
Journal of Public Economics
Volume 88, Issue 12 , December 2004, Pages 2361-2382
Direct Link to the paper
Economic Performance and Leadership Accuntability: An Econometric Analysis
Gallego, M.
Economics and Politics
Volume 10, Issue 3, 1998, Pages 249-296
Direct Link to the paper
Interest Groups, Government Turnover and Political Regimes: An Econometric Analysis
Gallego, M.
Canadian Journal of Economics
Volume 29, Issue 2, Special Issue: Part 2, April 1996, Pages S633-S638
Direct Link to the paper
Refereed Conference Proceedings
Empirical and Formal Models of the United States Presidential Elections in 2000 and 2004
Schofield, N., Claasen, C., Gallego, M., Ozdemir, U.
In N. Schofield and G. Caballero eds.
The Political Economy of Institutions, Democracy and Voting
HeideLberg, Springer, 2011, in press
Autocracy and Democracy
Schofield, N. and Gallego, M.
In G. Caballlero, ed.
Instituciones, Gobernanza Economica y Political Publicas (Insitutions, Economic Governamnce and Public Policies)
Articles Submitted at Refereed Journals
The Convergence Coefficient and the Heart of an Election: An Application to Recent Elections in Canada
Schofield, N., Gallego, M., Ozdemire, U. and Zakharov, A.
Chapters in Special Issue
Guest Editor's Introduction to the Special Issue
The Political Economy of Elections and Bargaining
Social Choice and Welfare
Direct link to introduction
Working Papers
- Political Campaigns as Coordinating Devises in Parliamentary Systems, working paper.
- On The Ranking of Bilateral Bargaining Opponents. with R. Cressman, 2008 working paper.
- On Acquiring Information Through Networks
- Endogenous Election Timing and Strategic Voting
- Election Timing and Strategic Voting, in a Three-Party Two-Tier Parliamentary System
- Endogenous Election Timing and Strategic Voting
- Strategic Election Timing with Two Levels of Government: The Canada-Ontario Case


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- LeMons
- iRacing
- Clint Bowyer
NASCARMichael Waltrip
Fan ZONEJohn Force
Top Fuel Funny CarCourtney Force-Rahal
Top Fuel Funny CarBrittany Force
Top Fuel DragsterRobert Hight
Top Fuel Funny CarDuane Shields
Top Alcohol DragsterSherman Adcock
Super Gas and Super CompDan Fletcher
Stock, Super Stock, and Comp EliminatorJay Payne
Top Alcohol Funny CarTony Fuller
Super Street
- Don O'Neal
- The Car
PEAK's Marketing VehicleThe Grey Wolf
In-field HousingThe Team
PEAK's Marketing VehicleThe Track
Autobahn Country ClubThe Series
24 Hours of LeMons
- Silvano Alves
3 Time PBR World ChampionNathan Schaper
2 Time PBR World Finals QualifierMatt Triplett
2 time PBR World Finals qualifier (2013 – '14)J.W. Harris
4 time PRCA World ChampionBlueDEF Velocity Tour
Clint Bowyer
Hometown: Emporia, KS
Clint Bowyer raced almost before he walked, competing in 50cc class motorcycle races by the age of five. He collected more than 200 wins and several championships and eventually graduated to four wheels, winning titles at tracks like Thunderhill, Lakeside and I-70 Speedways in and around Kansas. Some 30 years later, Bowyer competes in the premiere series in racing, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, for HScott Motorsports driving the PEAK Antifreeze & Coolant Chevrolet.
He's also a champion team owner with drivers Don O'Neal and Steve Francis mixing it up with best dirt late model racers in the world. O'Neal took home his first series championship in 2014 and also the first for Bowyer as a team owner.
Not bad for a 36-year-old from Emporia, Kan., who once worked in the paint and body shop at a car dealership in his hometown, which he now owns. When he's not selling cars in his hometown, where he often returns to hunt, he is helping the community through the Emporia Community Foundation and the "79 Fund" which Bowyer started in 2007 as a way to help the children of Emporia.
Find out more about Clint at www.clintbowyer.com.
Michael Waltrip
Hometown: Owensboro, KY
Michael Waltrip, known as the "King of all NASCAR Media," can be found on bookshelves, the broadcast booth, on Showtime, and still on track at the super speedways. It's amazing he has time to get behind the wheel, but Waltrip is still one of only eight drivers to celebrate multiple victories at the Daytona 500.
Learn more about Michael at www.michaelwaltrip.com.
Hometown: Northbrook, IL
John Force
Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA
John Force says putting on his fire suit has always made him feel "like Superman." Having him drive with Team PEAK makes us feel the same way.
As the face of NHRA Funny Car racing—and it's most prolific winner—John is the perfect fit for Team PEAK. After three decades of racing and 16 NHRA driving championships, he still lives for that 4-second, 320-mph rush. So starting in 2016, PEAK becomes his primary sponsor at all of the races as he battles to win his 17th Funny Car Championship.
John's dominant success did not come easily. At the beginning of his career, he had no license, no sponsor, and—truth be told—no clue. In his own words, he would do "anything to get us to the next race." But his continued persistency and self-sacrifice has definitely paid off, as evidenced by his induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, Alabama on the first ballot.
With more than 143 wins to date, John is arguably the greatest champion in all of motor racing. He is a husband, a father, an American NHRA drag racer, a 16-time Funny Car champion driver, an 18-time champion car owner, and a 2008 inductee into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in Detroit, MI.
John owns and drives for John Force Racing, which operates out of Yorba Linda, CA. Find out more about John at www.johnforceracing.com.
Courtney Force-Rahal
Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA
Courtney Force-Rahal, the youngest daughter of drag racing icon John Force, wasted no time showing off her competitive skills at the wheel of the Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro. She won her first professional racing round; something that her dad, her sister Ashley, and her brother-in-law Robert Hight never did.
Courtney knew that she wanted to become a race car driver at the age of 5. After graduating from Cal State Fullerton, she followed in Ashley's footsteps to become a racer. It has always been her dream to race her father, whom she defeated during her rookie season.
Find out more about Courtney at www.courtneyforce.com.Connect With:
@courtneyforceFollow @courtneyforce
Brittany Force
Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA
Brittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster, is the second youngest daughter of racing icon, John Force. In 2013, she was awarded the Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award, recognizing her as the 2013 NHRA Rookie of the Year. She was the fifth team driver of John Force Racing to receive this prestigious award.
Brittany earned her teaching credentials, having graduated from Cal State Fullerton and having studied at New York's Hunter College. Still seeking her first national victory, Brittany is simultaneously passionate about racing and conscious of keeping her options open. Whatever happens, she will always have teaching to fall back on.
Find out more about Brittany at www.brittanyforce.com.Connect With:
@MountainGoat07 Yes! It's a great picture!! Thanks...Follow @BrittanyForce
Robert Hight
Hometown: Anaheim Hills, CA
Robert Hight, driver of the 320 mile-an-hour Auto Club of Southern California Ford Mustang Funny Car, has taken his car to more final rounds (52), won more races (34), and started from the Number 1 qualifying position more often the last decade than any other professional driver. He is widely considered the gold standard by which other pro drivers are measured.
In 1999, Hight married Adria, John Force's eldest daughter and current CFO of John Force Racing. Together they have raised a beautiful daughter, Autumn Danielle, who today is her dad's biggest fan. Robert is not only a race car driver, he is also the President of John Force Racing, Inc.
Find out more about Robert at www.johnforceracing.com.Connect With:
RT @ForceHood: Our Elf Robert Hight has gotten himself in quite the predicament... https://t.co/rHAQ...Follow @roberthight7000
Duane Shields
Hometown: Boulder City, NV
Duane Shields started his motorsports career as a youngster racing motorcycles then found a need for speed in the straight line with a foray into sand drags as a teenager.
In 1997, Duane made the leap to asphalt when he picked up a Top Alcohol dragster and with years of hard work and dedication, he's won 18 NHRA National events including the 2012 US Nationals in Indianapolis. Shields is also an NHRA Division 2 champion and the 2011 NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster National Champion.
Learn more about Duane at http://www.shieldsracing.com.
Sherman Adcock
Hometown: Fortson, GA
Sherman Adcock knows NHRA Super class racing and will again be gunning for a national championship in 2014!
The 2-time NHRA National Champion can bring the heat in his Super Gas roadster and Super Comp dragster. Adcock is one of the original pioneers of the class and his stats speak for themselves: 8 NHRA Divisional Championship, 9 NHRA National Event Victories, 1999 Winner of the prestigious $1,000,000 bracket race, and Sherman's even a member of the Southeast Drag Racing Hall of Fame.
Dan Fletcher
Hometown: Churchville, NY
Dan Fletcher is one of the most successful drag racers of all time. He's the 4th all-time event winner in NHRA history and has over 92 national event wins. Dan's Stock and Super Stock Camaros have won more NHRA nationals than any other cars in NHRA history. His winning form isn't limited to national events as Fletcher is also a 3-time NHRA World Champion and 6-time NHRA Division Champion.
Dan's also helping his boys Thomas and Timothy become champion drag racers with the addition of a Chevy Nova, Wagon and a 2015 COPO Camaro to the Fletcher team! Dan's goals for 2016 are simple. Keep winning and move onto the top 3 all-time winners list in NHRA.
Jay Payne
Hometown: Claremont, CA
Jay Payne has raced just about everything on the strip in his 4 decade drag racing career. Payne has raced Super Stock, Top Alcohol Dragster, Pro Mod, and Top Alcohol Funny Car and has amassed 41 NHRA National event wins, 70 Divisional wins, 14 divisional titles and 2 NHRA World Championships.
Jay is also one of only 9 drivers in NHRA history to win over 100 combined national and divisional races. And Payne doesn't have any plans to slow down in 2016!
Tony Fuller
Hometown: Fayetteville, AR
Tony is the son of drag racer Bob Fuller and brother of Top Fuel driver "Hot Rod" Fuller. Licensed in 6 different classes of drag racing (Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Top Comp, Super Eliminator, and Advanced E.T.), Tony made his first pass down the quarter mile at the mere age of 14. His father wanted to see if he had it in him, says Tony. Now with a number of race wins and a world championship under his belt, it seems his dad was on the right track.
Tony's grandfather Albert took Tony's father racing when he was 15 so it was only natural Bob would start his sons early. When Tony and Rod started racing their father set the priorities. School first and racing second was always what he preached growing up.
Tony Fuller is not only a terror on the track but is also a graduate of the University of Central Florida, receiving his degree in business marketing while racing on weekends.
Tony is very excited to join the PEAK racing family and represent such a great brand. Please follow Tony on twitter @TonyFuller515 for very up to date information throughout the racing yearConnect With:
Only in Arkansas! @ChevyTrucks #toughchevy https://t.co/9ZQ8vSqDeU...Follow @tonyfuller515
Don O'Neal
Hometown: Martinsville, IN
Don "The Real Deal" O'Neal is the 2014 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champion. After a successful campaign in 2015, finishing in the top five of the series standings, O'Neal is hungry for his second championship in 2016. He'll be tearing up dirt tracks across the country for Clint Bowyer Racing in the #5 PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Late Model. Don O'Neal is a legend on the dirt track with 40 wins on the LOLMDS and 39 UMP Summer Nationals Series wins.
We're looking forward to getting the 2016 season underway!
Hometown: Ashland, KY
Steve Francis began putting his foot into it at 15 years old and has never looked back. His first Late Model Dirt feature event in 1984 kicked off a streak of victories that shows no signs of letting up.
Steve's first major sanctioned win came in '92 in the Renegade DirtCar Series, where he eventually became the first driver to ever win three consecutive championships.
Francis' continuing victories and ambassadorship of the sport eventually earned him the honor of being recognized by the Governor of Kentucky as an Official and Honorary Kentucky Colonel.
Steve can be found tearing up dirt tracks across the country in the LOLMDS for Clint Bowyer Racing.
The Car
Hometown: Chicago, IL
A 1989 Mustang Foxbody forged from Motor City metal during the age of the mullet and Miami Vice, PEAK's Marketing Vehicle is a testament to American muscle – and the DIY-er in all of us. Like a phoenix from the ashes, PMV rose from years of neglect to become a force on one of the most competitive, demanding race series in the US.
Okay, that's crap – mostly. Truth is, we rescued the rustbucket off of Craig's List in 2010 while its owner was honing his license-plate-making skills in the Illinois penal system. Countless hours and safety equipment dollars later, the Foxbody made her LeMons debut, where we learned that we did too good of a job cleaning her up – and immediately got sacked with a 500-lap penalty.
She's been running LeMons fast & hard ever since and is (mercifully) still pretty easy to work on.Connect With:
Congrats @LorraBowyer and @ClintBowyer on the birth of Presley Elizabeth! ...Follow @peakauto
The Grey Wolf
Hometown: South Haven, MI
Life is more fun at the track, so why would anyone want to leave? The Grey Wolf is designed to comfortably sleep four without ever leaving the side of our beloved Marketing Vehicle.It's a great spot to rest while you're running hot laps around the Autobahn Country Club, so enter our sweepstakes now to roll deep while running a $500 racecar.Connect With:
Congrats @LorraBowyer and @ClintBowyer on the birth of Presley Elizabeth! ...Follow @peakauto
The Team
Hometown: Northbrook, IL
Wrangled by Sr. VP of Marketing, Bryan Emrich, PEAK's Marketing Tools is a collection of wrench-turning speed freaks with attitude. The team's been known to feature TJ "Danica's Dad" Patrick, off-road icon Ricky Johnson and NHRA Top Fuel racer TJ Zizzo. The races are always an adventure and a guaranteed good time.
Sound like you'd fit in?
We like the cut of your jib.
Enter now for a chance to win a trip to Joliet to race with us at Autobahn Country Club, June 7-9.Connect With:
Congrats @LorraBowyer and @ClintBowyer on the birth of Presley Elizabeth! ...Follow @peakauto
The Track
Hometown: Joliet, IL
The next 24 Hours of LeMons appearance for PEAK's Marketing Tools is at the Autobahn Country Club in beautiful Joliet, IL. Yes, it's near the former home of "Joliet" Jake Blues, although you don't have to go to prison – unless you blow up PEAK's Marketing Vehicle.
Are you ready to join PEAK's Marketing Tools and race the 24 Hours of LeMons on our dime? Enter now for a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to race Doing Time in Joliet with our team & NHRA racer TJ Zizzo.
Want to know what you're getting into? Take a look at the gallery for shots from our last run at the GingerMan track in South Haven, MI.
The Series
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
The 24 Hours of LeMons is real racing.
That said, between the thick scrum of crapcans in front of you and the series' aversion to long, flat-out straightaways, you're not going to set any speed records.
It's like a loud, hot, noisy version of driving to work.
For a really, really long time.
Without actually getting anywhere.
And it's a lot harder to drink coffee through the helmet.
Sound like a good time to you? Good.
Enter now for a chance to win a trip to race with PEAK's Marketing Toolsin Joliet, IL.
Silvano Alves
Hometown: Pilar do Sul, Brazil
3 Time PBR World Champion
Alves is the second rider to win three PBR World Championships and the second highest earning Bull Rider in Western sports history with $5.58 million in career earnings. He was the fastest bull rider to earn $1, $2, $3, $4 and $5 million. He was the first rider to win back to back championships and the first to win the World Title in the season immediately after winning PBR Rookie of the year. The third generation Brazilian bull rider lives with his family in Decatur, TX.
2015 Highlights
Won second event of season, Chicago Invitational; spent three of first four weeks number one in World Standings. Had his PBR Built Ford Tough Series record of Consecutive Bulls Ridden streak end at 24 in Oklahoma City. The streak lasted through seven events, including the 2014 World Finals. Won RFDTV's The American Rodeo and it's $100,000.00 payout. A mid-season hip injury kept him from attending 5 events, the longest IR stretch of his career. Silvano finished the BFTS season with six top 5, and eight top 10 finishes. His 12th place finish is the first time he finished outside the top 8.Connect With:
@SilvanoAlvesBRFollow @SilvanoAlvesBR
Nathan Schaper
Hometown: Grassy Butte, ND
Nathan continued his rise through the PBR ranks with a solid tenth place finish in the 2015 World Standings. An impressive 21 position increase from 2014. Nathan lives and raises cattle with his family in Grassy Butte, ND.
2015 Highlights:
Competed in 26 of 27 events qualifying for his third consecutive PBR World Finals. A Built Ford Tough Series event win in Billings, MT and Touring Pro Division win in Williston, ND kept Nathan inside the top ten for 21 weeks of the tour. Schaper managed BFTS event career highs with seven top five and ten top ten finishes. His tenth place finish is a career high as well.
Matt Triplett
Hometown: Columbia Falls, MT
Matt set Built Ford Tough Series career highs in wins, top five and top ten finishes. A fifth place World Standings finish is his second consecutive top five finish.
2015 Highlights:
Matt won his first PBR BFTS event in Oklahoma City, and followed that win up two weeks later with another win at Anaheim. A late season 15 – 15 event win in Allentown brought his Series win total to a career best 3. He took over the lead in the World Standings with a top five finish in the fourth event of the season in Sacramento, CA and he held that spot for 8 weeks. He registered a top 10 finish in five of the first six events. Matt was ranked either number one or number two in the world standings for 16 events. Matt finished the BFTS season with six top 5, and 14 top 10 finishes. His 5th place finish is the second consecutive year he has finished inside the top five.
J.W. Harris
Hometown: Mullin, TX
2008, 2009, 2010, 2013 PRCA World Champion
A four time PRCA World Champion, J.W. made the move to PBR mid way through the 2014 season. He dominated the PRCA rodeo circuit with four titles in six years; with three straight spanning 2008 – 2010. J.W. lives in Mullin TX with his wife Jackie, Daughter Aubrey and son Dillon Cash.
2015 Highlights:
Built Ford Tough Series event wins in Kansas City, Springfield and Allentown kept him inside the top ten for 16 weeks during the season. His 7th place finish in the world standings is the second consecutive year he has finished inside the top ten. JW completed the BFTS season with eight top 5, and 13 top 10 finishes.
BlueDEF Velocity Tour
Hometown: Pueblo, CO
Bull riding fans have the opportunity to experience the toughest sport on dirt when the Professional Bull Riders BlueDEF Velocity Tour bucks into their town. During the event, 35 of the best up-and-coming bull riders in the world face off with bulls nearly 10 times their weight during the most thrilling 8 seconds in sports. The PBR BlueDEF Velocity Tour brings all the high-energy sound, lighting, and special effects that fans witness on the PBR's elite Built Ford Tough Series.Connect With:
@pbrvtFollow @pbrvt
Hometown: Bedford, MA
iRacing is the world's premier motorsports racing simulation. An iRacing.com membership provides entry into the newest form of competitive motorsport: Internet racing – a fun, easy and inexpensive way for race fans, simracers and gamers alike to enjoy the thrill of the racetrack from the comfort of their home.
PEAK has even teamed up with iRacing to sponsor our very own racing series, the NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze Series powered by iRacing.com, where the world's top simracers compete for more than $20,000 in cash and prizes in precise digital models of Generation-6 stock cars over a 17-race schedule. The Series features iRacing's laser-scanned versions of some of NASCAR's most challenging tracks.
Hometown: Bedford, MA
When it comes to racing videos, the question is: Do they feel real?
Actually, yeah. They do. iRacing.com works closely with major auto manufacturers and race car constructors to gather exact masses and dimensions for car components, from data both collected through 3D laser scanning or even physically disassembling cars to weigh and measure parts of the chassis, suspension and driveline. Basically, it feels real because mathematically it is. Good thing they know their numbers!
And even the tracks themselves are accurate. iRacing.com uses laser scanning to replicate the precise physical features of each track's racing surface – the camber, cracks, curbs, undulations and patches. They also use hyper-accurate sight pictures and mapping software to allow racers to hone their skills and improve real-world performance.
Over 30 Years in Motorsports
It's in our blood.
At PEAK®, we're not afraid to mix it up with the big boys. This is why we've been actively involved in motorsports for over 30 years. We identify with the straight shooters like John Force and Clint Bowyer, just two of the truly great racers who've been part of the PEAK family throughout the years.
Today, PEAK still aims to shock the motorsports establishment partly as a way to showcase the excellence and competitive quality of our family of brands, but mostly, because it's so much fun. Look for our drivers and teams to challenge the heavy hitters in NASCAR, NHRA, and Dirt Late Model racing!


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Buy for$3.99(12 items)
Written by Valentin B on 19.07.2012 at 10:47
Damn, what was it with this band that had so much power.. this whole album is a bit immature at some points but there is this certain raw emotion that simply is not present on Threshold or Infected. the greatest track imo on this album is the title track, definitely a very emotional song and with the best lyrics they ever wrote. (though this isn't saying much )
A metal heart is hard to tear apart.
Written by RavenKing on 20.07.2012 at 02:47
My favorite song is probably "Stone Cold".
I don't listen to this kind of metal nowadays but yes, it's good Powermetal and much better than anything they released in the last decade.


text: I just recently had my third child on Sept 21, Alex, 10 lbs. 2 oz. He is now 5 weeks old and I am still having challenges nursing him. He has no problem latching on or sucking, in fact, he is very good at it. I think the problem is with me and my production. When I pump, I can only produce about 2 ounces at a time, so I am not able to build up the supply and freeze it like I wanted. Alex is contstantly wanting to nurse. All the time. Whenever we finish nursing he still acts hungry or that he has not been satisfied, he still tries to root on me or will suck at his fists. I was not successful with nursing my other two children and would really like to make this one work and have some questions. Is it too late to really get a good pattern of nursing down? Is it too late to make my supply bigger? I have been supplementing with formula, only because he doesn't seem satisfied and he is gaining weight. When we weighed him last at the doctors a week and a half ago he was 11 lbs. 9 oz. I talked to my doctor about my supply issues and was given a support group to go to but they only meet once a week and this week we had a blizzard and couldn't get out of the house and I am concerned that it might be too late? Help!!


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The "pharma shill" gambit
Editor's note: Since I happen to be on vacation (sort of–in reality I plan on spending most of next week holed up in my Sanctum Sanctorum at home writing a grant that's due in February) and because readership tends to be down during the week between Christmas and New Years' Day, I thought I'd resurrect something from well over three years ago and revise it to fit this particular blog. In doing so, I hope to provide you with something amusing to read, as well as something to link to time and time again whenever you want to refer to a particular gambit beloved by promoters of quackery and pseudoscience. I present here….The "Pharma Shill" Gambit! Enjoy!
I've mentioned before on this blog at least once that I cut my skeptical teeth, so to speak, on Usenet, that vast untamed and largely unmoderated territory full of tens of thousands of discussion newsgroups which used to be a lot more active before the rise of the World Wide Web and then later blogs. These days, few ISPs even offer much in the way of Usenet access; it's become pretty much irrelevant since Google archived Usenet in the form of Google Groups. My forays into skepticism started out with combatting Holocaust denial on a newsgroup known as alt.revisionism (as good an excuse as any to remind you that nearly all Holocaust "revisionism" isn't historical revisionism but is actually denial) and then branched out into more general skepticism, particularly about the claims of creationists and, of course, promoters of "alternative" medicine, the latter of which ultimately led me to being the editor of this wild and woolly thing we call the Science-Based Medicine blog. After I began to participate in the debates in the main newsgroup where alternative medicine is discussed, misc.health.alternative, it didn't take me long to encounter a favorite tactic of promoters of alt-med who were not happy with one who insists on evidence-based medicine and who therefore questions claims that are obviously not based in valid science: The "Pharma Shill" Gambit. This is a technique of ad hominem attack in which a defender of "alternative" medicine, offended by your questioning of, for instance, his/her favorite herb, colon or liver flush technique, zapper, or cancer "cure," tries to "poison the well" by implying or outright stating you must be in the pay of a pharmaceutical company, hired for nefarious purposes.
Since I entered the blogosphere several years ago under another guise, I've only occasionally checked back at my old stomping ground, mainly because blogging is so much less constraining than posting to Usenet, where mostly I used to respond to the posts of others, rather than writing about what I wanted to write about. A while back, though, out of curiosity I checked back and found this interesting little tidbit from a poster calling himself PeterB that demonstrated such a perfect example of the "pharma shill" gambit that I thought it might serve as a perfect example of the sort of thing I've had to put up with ever since I started speaking out against quackery:


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Nutrition and Wellness Programs
Child and Adult Care Food Program—New Institutions Wanting to Apply
Welcome! We encourage you to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Your institution may qualify to receive reimbursement to provide nutritious meals and snacks to the children in your care.
Step 1—Basic Program Information(12/15)
Program requirements must be met before registering for training
Step 2—CACFP Training Resources and Workshops
Step 3—Application
Step 4—CACFP Operational Procedures(6/14)
Step 5—Pre-Operational Review Visit Procedures(6/14)
Step 6—Access Web-Based Illinois Nutrition System (WINS) Through IWAS(6/14)
Completion of Step 6 will occur after receiving application approval.


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Freedom New Mexico
State police have determined the vehicle driven by an 88-year-old
Clovis man killed in a head-on collision last week was traveling in the
lane of oncoming traffic.
Capt. Jimmy Glascock said evidence and witness statements led
investigators to conclude Charles Sims was traveling north in the
southbound lane on N.M. 209 Wednesday night when his 1996 Mercury
four-door crashed into a southbound Nissan four-door driven by Sergio
But what investigators may never know is why, Glascock said.
"Unfortunately, it is for an undetermined reason," he said. "We
don't have a reason to explain why (Sims) was driving northbound in the
southbound lane."
The only survivor from the crash, Mendoza-Ortega, 21, was
airlifted to a Lubbock hospital where a family member said his
condition was improving Monday.
Carlos Bustillos, 26, and Jaime Bustillos, 20, his passengers, were killed.
The crash occurred around 5 p.m. in the area of Curry Road 21 and N.M. 209.
A driver came forward last week who had to take evasive action to avoid Sims' vehicle prior to the wreck, Glascock said.
Police previously said the vehicles were traveling around the 65 mph posted limit in the area of the crash.


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For Emergencies
Security at
Weather Closing
Escort Service
Disturbed or Disruptive
Suicidal Students
Ferpa (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) Information
Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act Information
Drug-Free Schools and Communites Act
Safety & Security
The campus employs a security force that serves both North Central State College and OSU-Mansfield. The Campus Security Office is located in Riedl Hall room 161. At this time, there are 6 security staff members to serve the campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Security staff members are trained in CPR/AED and First Aid.
The James W. Kehoe Center for Advanced Learning (Kehoe Center) in Shelby employs six in-house Security/Maintenance staff along with contracted security services. The Security Office is located on the first floor at the Shelby facility in room 100. The Shelby Police Department is the primary contact for police matters relative to the Kehoe Center.
The Security Department works closely with local and state law enforcement agencies to provide optimum services to the NC State/OSU-Mansfield Campus. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is the campus' primary contact for police matters.
Security Officers
Security officers promote the safety of persons and property on campus. They enforce both federal and state laws regulating underage drinking, use of controlled substances, weapons, and all other incidents requiring police assistance. The possession, use, and sale of alcoholic beverages (without legal permit) and/or illegal drugs is prohibited. Violations of this policy will be enforced. Officers patrol the campus 24 hours each day using marked security cars and foot patrols. Kehoe Center security staff use foot patrols to supervise that site. Our officers do not have arrest powers. They report police incidents to the appropriate law enforcement agency, assist in investigating traffic collisions, and assist in response to fires and medical emergencies. They will escort people to their cars upon request.
The Campus
The campus houses two institutions: North Central State College (with approximately 3,500 students) and The Ohio State University at Mansfield (with approximately 1,600 students). Both institutions offer day and evening courses.
OSU-M employs 164 faculty and staff; NC State employs 350. Those involved in keeping the campus safe work in offices such as Campus Security, Department of Physical Plant, Housing, and Campus Life, which coordinates the drug and alcohol awareness program.
Personal Responsibility
Crime prevention is the responsibility of the individual student or employee. While we make every effort to keep the campus safe by making sure grounds are well-lit, well-patrolled, and well-traveled, crime does occur. The campus publishes crime statistics so that students, faculty, staff, and visitors will be aware of the potential for crime. We subscribe to the philosophy that publicizing crime and campus safety information will only help make the campus safer.
Campus Polices for Reporting Crime or Emergencies
OSU-M/NC State encourages prompt, accurate reporting of crimes or suspicious incidents. Crimes, suspicious incidents, minor illness, or minor personal injury should be reported to Security by dialing 419-755-4346 or 4218. Students and staff at the Kehoe Center in Shelby should make these reports by dialing 419-755-5692 or 419-755-4855. At either location, critical and life threatening emergencies should be reported by dialing 911.
The Campus Security Office prepares the annual disclosure of Campus Crime Statistics. The data is obtained from campus security reports and the appropriate police departments.
Timely Warning Policy
The campus maintains a Timely Warning Policy to notify the campus community of reportable crime (including hate crimes), that have been reported to campus security authorities or local police agencies and that are considered by the institutions to represent a threat to students and employees. All crimes should be reported to Campus Security for the purpose of making timely warnings and the annual statistical disclosure. The Office of Campus Security will disseminate a timely warning to the campus community by using "Crime Alert" posters, e-mail, the campus newsletter, local news media and/or other mailings, as appropriate.
The campus does not accommodate confidential reporting. Since Ohio law provides that an individual who has personal knowledge of a felony and who fails to report that felony commits a crime, it is not feasible for NC State or OSU-M to implement this practice.
Main Campus:


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Theta Oilfield Services, Inc was founded as Theta Enterprises, Inc. in 1989 and has since become the leader in Rod Pumping Optimization software and training. Theta Oilfield Services has developed diagnostic, design, pumping unit balancing, dynamometer data measurement, and smart oilfield automation software that are used by many oil companies, service companies, and rod pumping equipment supplier. Theta Oilfield Services also provides training courses and consulting services in rod pumping optimization.
Latest News And Events
Updates Available. Click here to download.
Upcoming Training
Oct 10-14, 2016
Midland, TX
5 Day


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About the Immigration Clinic
The Immigration Law Clinic engages students with immigrant communities through direct client representation and systemic advocacy for vulnerable populations that are otherwise unable to obtain legal representation. The Immigration Clinic provides opportunities for students to experience the practice of law in a well-supervised and academically rigorous program that both prepares them for the practice of law and enables them to critically assess social justice issues. Students learn while being actively engaged as important community resources.
Client Representation
The direct representation of individual clients and families is at the center of the Immigration Clinic experience. Immigration matters are compelling and engage students in sophisticated legal analysis and advocacy, unparalleled procedural complexities and rich client interactions. The clinic takes a diverse range of cases, with attention to pedagogical concerns, community need, and impact. Students may represent clients in administrative proceedings, Immigration Court, and federal and state courts. Some students may work in appellate and amici capacities, while others may engage in regulatory and legislative reform efforts. The clinic is purposefully diverse, exposing students to the broad reach of immigration law into a vast array of legal systems and social institutions. Immigration law presents unparalleled complexities and rich client interactions. In problem solving with their clients, students will be challenged to integrate demanding legal analysis with sophisticated community advocacy.
Policy Advocacy
While important, individual client representation in the context of immigration law is incomplete. As students develop expertise with the various systems with which our clients interact, they also undertake efforts at systemic reform. For example, students may analyze the application of immigration-related restrictions to the availability of state benefits and advocate for reforms. They may need to create protocols with state and local law enforcement agencies to obtain certifications required to obtain federal immigration relief available for victims of crimes.
Resource Development
Immigration law and policy is in constant flux, and immigrant communities are in perpetual need of credible information sources to counteract scams and other efforts to exploit its desperation and vulnerabilities. A key role of students is to develop the clinic as a trusted community information source. A deep understanding of the complexities and nuances of immigration law is needed for students to develop resources that are accurate yet accessible.
Community Outreach and Education
Information and resources are of little value unless they reach target populations. Through community outreach and education, students provide valuable service while developing a better understanding of immigrant communities and how that relates to their individual client matters.


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"You have helped me in so many intangible ways! I have grown in my knowledge and wisdom by reading your excellent materials and viewing your videos. I have passed along insight to my friends and family. I'm proud, blessed and happy to be an avid (ardent, dedicated, enthusiastic, keen) Catholic!"
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"There is one jewel for my poor soul, in a life which desires not sin; it is the beads... Suitable are these for a gift; bits of the tree of Him Who redeemed us."


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1,200 Northern California chickens are heading for a cozy retirement on the East Coast.
Laying hens are considered too lean to eat and are usually slaughtered after they stop providing eggs.
According to The Associated Press, an anonymous $50,000 donation is funding Operation Chicken Airlift, which will send the hens on a cross-country cargo flight to upstate New York. There, they will be taken to different sanctuaries, where they will live outside of cages and have plenty of room to spread their wings.


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2017 Long Range Weather Forecast for Courtenay, BC
Buy the Complete Long Range Weather (Nov. 2016 - Oct. 2017)
Complete 2017 Long Range Weather Forecast for the Southern British Columbia Region, November 2016 to October 2017 includes week-by-week details. Instant access via digital download!
Search for Other Locations
How to Read Long-Range Weather Forecasts
Long-range predictions show weather trends in temperatures and precipitation. For example, will the winter be colder or warmer than average? Will there be more or less snow than what's typical for your area? Our famous predictions (traditionally 80% accurate) are made 18 months in advance, and meant to help you make more informed decisions for long-term planning.
Here on Almanac.com, we provide free long-range forecasts for the next 30 to 60 days covering U.S. and Canadian regions. Find all 12 months of predictions in the annual Old Farmer's Almanac.
Free 2-Month Weather Forecast
DECEMBER 2016: temperature -4°C (5°C below avg.); precipitation 180mm (20mm above avg.); Dec 1-5: Snowstorm, then snow showers, cold; Dec 6-8: Snowstorm, cold; Dec 9-11: Snow to rain coast, snow showers inland; Dec 12-15: Snow showers, cold; Dec 16-22: Snowstorm, then flurries, turning very cold; Dec 23-27: Rainy periods coast, snow showers inland; Dec 28-31: Snow, then showers coast; snow showers inland; turning mild.
JANUARY 2017: temperature -3°C (5°C below avg.); precipitation 130mm (avg. east, 40mm below west); Jan 1-3: Snow showers, turning cold; Jan 4-8: Snowy periods, cold; Jan 9-11: Rainy periods coast, snow inland; mild; Jan 12-16: Snowstorm north, snow to rain south; Jan 17-29: Snow flurries, cold; Jan 30-31: Snow coast, flurries inland.
Annual Weather Summary: November 2016 to October 2017
Winter will be colder than normal, with above-normal precipitation and snowfall. The coldest periods will be in early and mid- to late December and mid- to late January, with the snowiest periods in early and mid-December and mid-January.
April and May will have near-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation.
Summer will be warmer than normal, with the hottest periods in late June, late July, and early August. Rainfall will be near normal in the east and above normal in the west.
September and October will be cooler and slightly rainier than normal.
About the Southern British Columbia Region
The Southern British Columbia long range weather region includes all or part of the following provinces: BRITISH COLUMBIA (Abbotsford, Campbell River, Chilliwack, Courtenay, Cranbrook, Duncan, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Parksville, Penticton, Port Alberni, Powell River, Prince George, Quesnel, Salmon Arm, Squamish, Vancouver, Vernon, Victoria, White Rock, Williams Lake).
Southern British Columbia Neighboring Regions
Here are the regions that neighbor the Southern British Columbia long range weather region:


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Alexandra Bluell
Psychology and Spanish
Best Summer Job Ever
At Bradley, I've been involved in research since my sophomore year. My research experience combined my love for working with kids with the science that I'm so interested in. Starting research early has enabled me to gain the skills necessary to create my very own senior honors thesis project. I took a class this semester to develop the project, and I was just awarded a summer research grant from Psi Chi, the psychology national honor society, to fund work on my project. Receiving a research grant will allow me to live in
Additionally, I recently finished a practicum at the Children's Hospital of Illinois with a pediatric clinical neuropsychologist. During my practicum, I got to sit in on the assessments of many children, and even administer tests to them!
Thanks to Bradley's smaller size, I've established strong relationships with my professors that extend beyond the classroom. I attended the Midwest Psychological Association conference in Chicago with 20 other students and 6 faculty members. We spent time together both at the conference and afterwards when we went to dinner. I really feel like my professors know me as more than just a student in their classroom.
When I came to Bradley, the one thing I was certain about was I wanted to study Spanish and that I wanted to utilize the language on a Study Abroad experience. During second semester of my sophomore year, one of my friends and I decided to apply to a liberal arts program in Seville, Spain. This was by far the best decision I made at Bradley. I attended classes in a beautiful Spanish university, traveled through


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Find out what you need to know about meningitis and the deadly outbreak that's now spread to nearly a dozen states.
What states received the steroid injections? California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas, and West Virginia, according to the CDC.


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"It is such a blessing to have Catholic Answers Live. I converted two years ago and have learned so much to keep my faith alive and strong."
~ Sara, Roswell, GA
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"Over their food and over their drink they render God thanks."
~ Aristides, Christian apologist; describing the Christian practice of "saying grace" before meals (c. A.D. 123); all the more impressive because his matter-of-fact description denotes a common practice and therefore one of much earlier origin.


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Axis Powers: Episode 17
Episode 17 | TV-14
U.S.A. is ready to clean out his cluttered storage room, but he may not have what it takes to let go of so many memories. Actually, he may need to worry more about letting go of some hamburgers.
Official Site: www.funimation.com/shows/hetaliaHide Details


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Looking for advice from mom's who are not co-sleeping, but still nursing through the night. My 8 month old has been getting worse, and worse with STTN since about 5 months. I kept thinking it will pass, she'll get back to waking only once or twice, but now she's up 3, 4, 5, 6 times a night and will only go back to sleep if I nurse her.
We don't have enough room to co-sleep, and on the few nights I've taken her into bed to nurse through, I get even less sleep because I'm so worried about her getting smothered by me, DH, a pillow or a blanket.
So I guess I'm wondering, if you BF but don't co-sleep, do you get up lots during the night and just hope to work through it, or do you have any advice on helping LO sleep. The sleep deprivation is starting to effect me at work, and I'd like to keep nursing till a year. But I also don't want to screw up my job since we need it.


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Illinois' second half run stops Badger women's basketball
Penn's 26 points, 14 rebounds lead Illini
Karisma Penn scored 26 points and had 14 rebounds as Illinois defeated Wisconsin 60-53 in a Big Ten women's basketball game in Champaign Monday night.
Wisconsin trailed 31-22, but rallied to within three points midway through the second half but Illinois then went on an 11-0 run.
Nicole Bauman and Morgan Paige led the Badgers with 14 points teach. Jacki Gulczynski was held to four points- her lowest total since November 18th.
Illinois forced 27 Wisconsin turnovers including 17 steals.
Illinois is now 8-4 in the Big Ten and 15-9 overall. Wisconsin falls to 3-10 in the conference and 11-15 overall.
The Badgers next game is Saturday when they play at Northwestern at noon.
Copyright 2013 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


text: 0 Self #5 Portrait by Matthew Vaillette Best Sellers Trending Art Best Selling Paintings Best Selling Abstract Art Prints Best Selling Photography Best Selling Posters Popular Subjects Animals Architecture Childrens Art Floral & Still Life Landscape Maps Military & War Music Science Fiction & Fantasy Skylines Spiritual Transportation Featured Artists Brickhut Cozamia Eric Joyner Erin Ashley James Niehues Jennifer Lommers Jonas Gerard Marcia Baldwin Mark Lawrence Michael Creese Michael Tompsett Collections ArtLoversOnline Design Pics The Fine Art Masters Panoramic Images Retro Images Archive StockTrek Images WorldWide Archive Create Your Own Photo Canvas Custom Frame Photos Self #5 Portrait by Matthew Vaillette (2012) Sign inCustomer Service Cart Houzz Share on Tumblr Tweet +Add to Cart Available Sizes inches / cm Petite $57.50 Small $69.00 Medium $86.25 Large $115.00 Grande $230.00 Massive $345.00 » component prices Print Frame Mats Glazing Fitting Customize Framing or choose Canvas Print Customize Canvas or choose Framed Art Print Click to save as artist's preferred kit Paper Enhanced MattePremium Photo GlossyPremium Photo LusterUltraSmooth Fine ArtHahnemuhle Photo Rag 308Hahnemuhle Fine Art PearlHahnemuhle Torchon Mounted? ★★★☆☆ Details Paper print only, too large to frame online. Frames Choose a color » ø Top Mat | Middle Mat | Bottom Mat ø Glazing Style Soft EdgeWhite EdgeBlack EdgeImage WrapUnstretched 1½ inches thick (3.75 cm) Product Details Artist grade canvas, archival inks, wooden stretcher bars, and UVB protective coating Availablity Usually ships within five business days. Artist Matthew Vaillette Platinum MemberCollection Old_PortraitsDescription #5 abstract portrait of my 'Self' series. Popular Configurations Stretched Canvas Modern Lines Contemporary White Classical Baroque Unframed print Explore More from the same collection View All Matthew Vaillette's Recent Work About the artist Matthew Vaillette, Leominster, MA Member Since September 2009 Artist Statement My passion lies in the message behind my art. It is a celebration of diversity, and of humanity. It's about defeating our hurtful assumptions, growing, and treating everybody with respect …I accomplish this by showing you a wide variety of personalities, and people — Because our greatest strength is the variations between us.Please look around, and visit my website — www.mattvaillette.com Community Comments Catalog Details Product No 4640555 Subjects Abstract, Figure, People Style Abstract Medium Tags Matthew, Vaillette, abstract, portrait Create Frame Photos Photos on Canvas Sell Sell Art Online Become an Affiliate Get a Trade Account Common Questions Company Info About Us Contact Customer Comments Return Policy Social Tumblr Pinterest Twitter Facebook Instagram Our Wall Art Family CanvasOnDemand | Photo Canvases GreatBigCanvas | Decorate Huge Terms of Service Privacy Policy Copyright © 2016


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Yes, and no.
It's realistic because it makes perfect sense. Pau Gasol is worthless in the D'Assholio system. As Knicks fans we've seen how many players that were unused or poorly used here but went to other places and became succesful players. (Corey Brewer, Jordan Hill, Darko, Brian Cardinal, Nate Robinson, ect).
Pau Gasol's case will be very similar to Carmelo's. Both of them thrive in a half court system and get a lot of their point on post ups. In Pau's case if you take away post ups and working on the boards then all he really has is a mid ranged jumper.
With Amare, the Lakers would have a second pick and roll option with Dwight, and It gives Nash another weapon on the fast break, which the D'Antoni system is all about.
The D'Antoni system's answer to defense is more offense, and in a system where it's all about speed led by Steve Nash and Mike D'Antoni, you're not gonna have problems with Dwight and Amare clogging up the paint as an earlier poster suggested. Just more fast paced offense. and unlike the Knicks offense the Lakers have three other guys to go through when they need scoring. Amare won't have to do as much as he does here where he is the second scoring option. Which will keep him and his old man knees much healthier.
Pau Gasol fits into Mike Woodson's Knicks aswell. He's a great defensive player who can rebound, post up, and shoot a mid range J. He fits with Melo who also thrives in a half court offense instead of the speedball offense Amar'e thrives in.
Pau doesn't need someone to create for him as well. He can play off the ball unlike Amare. Melo can continue to be a superstar with Pau and score 30 a game while Pau will score a quiet yet efficent 15-20 pts, and will grab all the rebounds he wants. This team desperately needs someone to pull down boards and Pau can fill in on that task as well
So it's a perfectly realistic trade. It makes sense for both teams and players and If i was ether GM I would be trying to get this done as soon as humanly possible. But the thing is there are plenty of logical NBA trades that would benefit both teams that just haven't and may not ever happen. Hopefully in this case it gets done. I give it a 50/50 shot of happening within the next two seasons. 25% chance it happens this year.