Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Congressman Dave Loebsack introduced the Re-FUEL Act, which would establish a grant program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to invest in renewable and alternative fuel infrastructure. The Renewable Fuel Utilization, Expansion and Leadership (Re-FUEL) Act (HR 4051) will help create new and retrofit existing infrastructure, including pumps for biofuels and hydrogen, tanks, piping and electric vehicle chargers. Various renewable fuels, agriculture, and biofuel organizations praised Loebsack's efforts to promote domestic fuel sources and provide greater choice at the pump.

"Farm Bureau strongly supports standards and incentives that strengthen the U.S. renewable fuels industry. AFBF remains committed to moving forward in further reducing our country's dependence on foreign crude oil and expanding the use of domestic renewable energy sources.  Addressing infrastructure constraints is an important step in further developing and distributing domestic renewable fuels in to the marketplace and AFBF welcomes introduction of this important legislation."

Ø  Dale Moore, Executive Director for Public Policy, American Farm Bureau Federation

"I commend Congressman Loebsack for introducing legislation that supports America's consumers, rural communities and growing biofuels industry. By supporting renewable fuel infrastructure, this legislation will help push our nation toward energy independence and give consumers some much needed choice and savings at the pump. This legislation also emphasizes the importance of investing in and revitalizing rural America."

Ø  Tom Buis, CEO, Growth Energy

"Representative Loebsack is to be commended for his vision and commitment to American energy independence and economic security. The Re-FUEL Act will encourage fuel and energy diversity, which will not only introduce consumer choice at the pump, it will deliver cost-saving options to foreign fossil fuels. The pace at which the renewable fuel advantages will be available to American drivers is greatly sped up by the fact that the proposed grants can be used for infrastructure like new blender pumps as well as retrofitting existing pumps, pipes, tanks and chargers."

Ø  Bob Dinneen, President, Renewable Fuels Association

"The Re-FUEL Act is a great step for expanding consumer fuel choice and ensuring Americans have access to low-cost, homegrown fuel options at the pump. We thank Representative Loebsack for his commitment to cutting oil dependence, increasing the availability of clean-burning, renewable fuel options, and growing the rural economy."

Ø  Grant Menke, Policy Director, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association

"The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) applauds Congressman Loebsack for his leadership in recognizing that consumers deserve better, cleaner, and more affordable fuel choices than what oil companies supply today.  His legislation to help station owners invest in renewable and alternative fuel infrastructure, such as blender pumps for ethanol-blended fuel, puts drivers in charge of what fuel to use in vehicles and makes all fuel sources compete based on price."

Ø  Brian Jennings, Executive VP, American Coalition for Ethanol

"This bill will help level the playing field for new types of renewable energy to directly impact consumers."

Ø  Lloyd Ritter, Co-director, Agriculture Energy Coalition

"The bill will help rural businesses build infrastructure that brings consumers choice in using homegrown energy sources."

Ø  Matt Carr, Managing Director of Policy, Biotechnology Industry Organization's Industrial & Environmental section

CASI is having our annual Valentine's Day Dance this Friday, February 14, 2014 from 7:00-10:00 p.m.  at CASI, 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport.  Music provided by the Tony Hamilton Orchestra.

Light snacks and cash bar! Tickets are $10 at the door. Singles are welcome!

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Have you ever wondered how members of the same family, from aunts, uncles and cousins to siblings born of the same parents and raised in the same household, can be so very different?

"We see it in every family - Grandma's so easygoing and her son be so strict; Mom's a zany beatnik and her sister's a corporate v.p. Anyone with brothers and sisters will even see it within their own sibling group," says Lynn Shafer, award-winning author of "Stories from Brooklyn: Ancient Voices, Ritual Chants," (www.jo-anbooks.com), a timeless look at the interplay of disparate members of an extended 1940s family.

A ground-breaking study by researcher Robert Plomin in the 1980s is still the preeminent resource for psychologists seeking to understand personality diversity within families.  Even among siblings, the study showed, while physical traits may be very similar, personalities can be as varied as random individuals from the general population.

"Expand that to the extended family, including the vast non-traditional extended families we see today, and you're likely to see more differences than similarities," says Shafer. "Still, many of these families are tight-knit and cohesive. They serve as an inspirational example for humanity as a whole. Despite a union of very different people, we can all love, learn and grow together."

How can you build a strong family? Shafer shares timeless tips:

• Establish a solid foundation based on shared values. It's no secret that very religious families tend to be close-knit and strong. Why? "Because religion provides a structured means of sharing beliefs and values, a process that begins in infancy, when babies are taken to worship services and undergo the rituals that mark their membership in the religion," Shafer says.  While fewer American families are religion-focused than were in decades past, they can all still strive to emphasize the importance of family values and their role in reuniting every family member. Creating rituals and traditions are one way to emphasize values.

• Make your family history a story to celebrate. The story about how brave Uncle Joe once rescued a dog from a well; the singing talents of the three great aunts who performed at county fairs as little girls; the one-cheek dimple that is the family hallmark -- these are the stories that make your family special. "It's not about memorizing the family tree, but about ensuring children know that they are part of something greater than themselves - and that is both a privilege and a responsibility," Shafer says. A child who is constantly reminded, with fondness, that she's the spitting image of wonderful Aunt Bessie will feel a bond with Aunt Bessie - even if she's bee gone for decades.

• Commit to attending, or hosting, family gatherings. Often, the places for sharing those stories are family gatherings - weddings and funerals, holidays and anniversaries. "It may be a question of the chicken or the egg," Shafer says. "Strong families tend to have many shared family stories. Strong families also tend to gather together frequently - and that's where those stories are most often shared." Family gatherings are also a good place for family members with very different personalities to learn to find common ground and practice getting along for the sake of everyone at the special event.  "Imagine what a more peaceful world it would be if we were all forced to play nicely with our obnoxious cousin as children!" Shafer says.

About Lynn Shafer

Lynn Shafer is a Brooklyn native and a graduate of Brooklyn College. A veteran English teacher in New York City schools, she has utilized oral history to create a body of work that can be read aloud. The story "Ancient Voices, Ritual Chants" was runner-up in the fiction category of the Pirate's Alley Faulkner Society annual competition in 1995 for previously unpublished work, portions of which she has read aloud at the prestigious 92 Street Y in Manhattan. She has also written and performed poetry at the Truro Center for the Arts on Cape Cod, where she attended workshops for many years. "Stories from Brooklyn" is published by Jo-An Books - "Books that are making history." Find it at www.jo-anbooks.com and anywhere books are sold.

Eastern Iowa Hay Producers Association Annual Meeting & Conference

Area hay and forage producers are invited to attend the 31st Association (EIHPA) Annual Meeting and Conference on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at Buzzy's in Welton. Registration will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the program scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.

This year's conference features two ISU speakers, plus regional updates from Virgil Schmitt, ISU Extension Field Agronomist, and Denise Schwab, ISU Extension Beef Specialist. Ryan Drollette, ISU Extension Farm Management Specialist, will kick off the event with an overview of the cattle industry and market outlook, and its impact on forage demand. Following lunch and a brief annual meeting to elect officers and directors, Dr. John Sawyer, ISU Extension Soil Fertility Specialist and Professor in Agronomy, will speak on Nutrient Considerations with Corn Stover Harvest. Sawyer has focused his research on efficient fertilizer use and nutrient, manure, and limestone management.

Registration for the conference is $30 and includes a membership to EIHPA and meal. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Certified crop advisor credits have been applied for. This conference is sponsored by EIHPA, Iowa State University Extension & Outreach, and the Iowa Beef Center.

The Eastern Iowa Hay Producers Association provides educational workshops and field days for forage producers in Jackson, Jones, Clinton, Cedar, Scott and Muscatine counties. However, forage producers from other counties are also welcome to participate. For more information contact Denise Schwab at dschwab@iastate.edu or Kevin Brown at brofarm@windstream.net or 563-872-4475.

ISU Offers New Horse Program 24/7

Want to learn the science of horse management on your time schedule? Begin by visiting the Master Equine Manager website at www.extension.iastate.edu/masterequine/. You will find a complete program description and registration information for easy access to begin learning The Master Equine Manager program is designed to enhance Iowa's broad-based horse industry.

Dr. Peggy Miller-Auwerda, ISU Extension and Outreach Horse Specialist, says "we designed the new Master Equine Manager Program to inform and educate people on quality horse care and responsible horse ownership."

Horse owners, enthusiasts, boarding facility managers and industry employees benefit from increased knowledge and networking with others in the horse industry. The program combines focused learning opportunities with a hands-on practical evaluation.

The learning modules and topics include : Welfare of Horses: Understanding Horse Behavior, Facilities and Equipment, Equine Quality Assurance; Horse Nutrition: Forages for Horses, Feeds and Feeding; Horse Health: Equine Emergency Treatment, Vaccinations for Horses, Understanding Horse Parasites, and Hoof Care; Selection of Horses: Conformation and Evaluation, Unsoundness's and Blemishes.

Registrations are accepted from junior and senior high school students and adults with an interest in horses. Graduates of the program will become a certified Master Equine Manager and are encouraged to share their skills and knowledge with others. Continuing Education Units are available upon request.

For more information, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/masterequine/, contact Dale Miller, State Coordinator Master Equine Manager Program, at dmill@iastate.edu, (641) 842-2014.

Calendar

March 5, 2014 Ornamental and Turf Applicators, Scott County Extension Office, 1:30-4:00 pm

March 21, 2014 Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension Office, 10:00-2:00 pm

March 25, 2014 Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office, 7:00 pm

March 26, 2014 Certified Handlers, Scott County Extension Office, 9:00-11:30 am

Visit our events calendar at our web site: http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

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