Farm workers down, wages up
Statistics show the number of U.S. farm workers is down 5% from 2005, and wages are up an average of 34 cents per hour from the previous year. USDA's National Ag. Statistics Service reports there were 1.08 million hired farm workers in the United States Oct. 8-14 this year. These workers' wages averaged $9.95 per hour, up from $9.61 in 2005. Field workers averaged $9.25 per hour in 2006, up 35 cents from the previous year. The highest average agricultural wages were paid in Hawaii ($12.47 per hour) followed by Oregon/Washington ($10.85 per hour).
PLANET gives Valley Crest safety award
Valley Crest Tree Co., with 800 acres of container production in Northern and Southern California, was presented the Silver Performance Award. This award, presented by the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) is part of the association's Safety Recognition Awards Program. "Our safety program goes beyond the traditional tailgate meetings. We include health fairs, which cover topics like diet, blood pressure and even safety at home," said Robert Crudup, Valley Crest president. "People are our No. 1 asset and we want them to come to work safely each day and return home safely to their families each night."
Reduced-risk pesticide use increases
Calif. Dept. of Pesticide Regulation reported a statewide decline in the use of several highly toxic chemicals in 2005, while reduced-risk pesticide use increased 60% from 2004. Chemicals classified as reproductive toxins decreased 8.8% in pounds applied from 2004 to 2005. The most used pesticides measured in pounds were sulfur (a natural compound for molds and mildew control), petroleum oils, metam-sodium, 1,3-dichloropropene and mineral oil.
Ag. fuel could help energy problem
Penn State opened its Biomass Energy Center this fall to study "one of the most promising alternatives to fossil fuels." Congress is considering a goal to derive 25% of total energy from biomass by 2025, said center leader Tom Richard. The federal departments of energy and agriculture estimate there are a billion tons of biomass available in this country on a sustainable basis to make energy, he said. "Penn State has strong research programs on using thermal, chemical and biological mechanisms to convert biomass to electricity, transportation fuels, chemicals, stationary power and heat," he said.
Dairy product could become container mix
Organix Inc., an organic waste-processing firm, created a peat moss replacement made from dairy solids. A full-scale production facility is slated to open during the first quarter of 2007. The company's FibeRite process takes dairy solids from an anaerobic digester and converts it into RePeat, a high-value peat substitute designed for horticultural use. "The quality-control aspect of this system accomplishes 2 major feats," said Russ Davis, Organix president. "We are essentially turning out a premium horticultural product as a direct result of designing an environmentally friendly way of dealing with dairy manure." Finished RePeat weighs less than half of finished compost, allowing for fuller loads and less transport costs per yard. The company said it has received letters of intent from national distributors to purchase its product.
Worth a visit
In Texas, a coalition of business owners formed to help secure migrant workers. Texas Nursery & Landscape Association's Jim Reaves tells us more. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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