Drilling for Oil & NAFTA Trouble

Drilling for Oil & NAFTA Trouble plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar told the Senate Energy Committee the Obama Administration does not favor new drilling technologies to get at ANWR oil deposits without disturbing the Alaska refuge. Secretary Salazar told Energy panel Senators offshore oil and gas leasing must be done thoughtfully - some inland leases are too close to sensitive areas - and new horizontal drilling methods to develop ANWR are a no go.

SALAZAR: I understand the technology has significantly improved. Having said that the position of the administration and my own position is that ANWR as a national refuge needs to be absolutely protected.

When Congress passed and the President signed the spending bill last week it nixed a program that permitted U.S. and Mexico truckers to operate over the border. Safety concerns and other issues prompted the move. Now, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs is quoted as saying the administration wants to work with Congress to restore that program. The Mexican Economy Department argues the U.S. Congress's decision to do away with the program violates the North American Free Trade Agreement, and will affect some 2.4 billion dollars in trade with 40 U.S. states. Mexico has already placed tariffs on 90 U.S. products.

Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.

The face of farming’s future looked bright, shining and bursting with enthusiasm here this week, or I should say faces, as over one thousand fifth graders attended the 16^th annual Farm Fair in our area. Several different groups participated in the event giving the children a glimpse into the working world of agriculture. The students received important information about where the food they buy at the grocery store originates from and what steps go into that foods growth, harvest and production process. At the Dairy Farmers booth children were given the opportunity to milk “Bessie” a plywood adaptation of a real dairy cow. Most of the children agreed that milking “Bessie” was fun, but hard work. Other booths offered students a hands on experiences with seed planting and animal care. How many of these children will actually grow up to be our nation’s next generation of farmers no one can be sure, but one thing is certain, seeds of curiosity and enthusiasm       were planted at this year’s Farm Fair and with the proper nurturing and care will continue to grow and flourish.

Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.