Local News – Thursday, December 14th, 2017
The University of Missouri Extension economists urge farmers to complete the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2017 Census of Agriculture. The census should arrive in farmers’ mailboxes this month. It can be returned by mail or securely submitted online. MU Extension economist Ryan Milhollin says federal, state and local governments as well as agribusinesses, trade associations, researchers and others use the data to serve farmers and rural communities. The USDA conducts the survey every five years. It is the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial data for every county in the U.S. The law requires a response. Even if you are no longer farming, please return the census form you receive. Otherwise, USDA continues to follow up with mailed questionnaires, phone calls or visits from a USDA enumerator. Milhollin says information from the Census of Agriculture shapes programs, including MU Extension programs that benefit many farm groups. It gives a picture of the economic impact of agriculture in the country. This data strengthens numerous farm groups, large and small, helping policymakers see emerging trends such as young and beginning farmers and ranchers; women, veteran and minority farmers and ranchers; specialty crops; and organic production. You can find the survey online at agcensus.usda.gov. For more information, call 888-424-7828 (toll free) or contact Robert Garino at 573-876-0950.
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways comment period on the Preliminary Alternatives for the Roads and Trails Management Plan has been extended a month until January 15th for comments from the public. Hard copies of the plan are available for public review at the Salem Public Library at 4th and Jackson Streets. You can also view the plan online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/OZAR_RTplan where you can submit your comments. Maps will also be available for review at the park headquarters in Van Buren, located at 404 Watercress Drive, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The Preliminary Alternatives include detailed maps illustrating a No-Action Alternative and two Action Alternatives. A Preliminary Alternatives Newsletter accompanies the maps and provides a description of each alternative. The comments will be analyzed to determine possible changes and help inform the selection of the National Park Service’s preferred alternative. The preferred alternative will be presented in the Draft Roads and Trails Management Plan and Environmental Assessment, which is expected to be released for public review and comment in approximately 18 months. The public is encouraged to provide comments online or through the mail to: Roads and Trails Planning Team, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, P. O. Box 490, Van Buren, MO 63965.
Winning classes that brought the most candy from William Lynch, Salem Upper Elementary, and North Wood schools recently enjoyed a visit from Bandit, the USO therapy dog. Bandit is a 6-year old European Blue Great Dane and his job is to comfort our troops, and at times he travels the nation to work with wounded warriors. He has been recognized the last four years as one of the top 25 hero dogs in the country for his service. In 2017, National Geographic published the book “Loyal” where they picked Bandit as one of the world’s 31 top extraordinary dogs. His chapter within the book is filled with stories from military service members and what he means to them and their recovery. The special visit was a “Thank You” from the USO for the continued candy donations from the annual SpookBACKular event. For the last 4 years, students and the community have donated a portion of their candy to this event. Who really needs that much candy lying around? This year students from Salem and North Wood Schools donated over 150 pounds of Halloween candy to the USO of Ft. Leonard Wood.