Wal-Mart’s organic plan could boost demand

What will Wal-Mart’s new organic sales mean for farmers?

Paper to plastic

I can still remember thinking — “What are they crazy?” — when just hours after the birth of our firstborn the hospital staff began blanketing me in what seemed an endless stack of papers. Forms Medical forms, insurance forms, social security forms and birth certificate information. I gave birth to a 7 pound baby, and

HSUS and PETA are the least of your problems

Early February was not a good time to be an American carnivore. First, on Feb. 8, Rancho Feeding Co. of Petaluma, Calif., announced it was recalling 8.7 million pounds of beef carcasses and cuts. That’s virtually every pound of the company’s 2013 throughput. Reason The reason for the recall, explained the Feb. 11 Los Angeles

Thankful for memorable hunts with memorable people

I give thanks for the opportunity to rub elbows with the Ralph Kohlers of the world.

Invasive fish enters streams feeding Lake Michigan, but so far, so good in the lake

MADISON — Invasive species are known for disturbing their new homes. Whether it’s the zebra mussels in the Great Lakes or garlic mustard in native woodlands, their rampant multiplication crowds out native species. But according to research just published, that’s not yet happening as a fish called the round goby advances up dozens of streams

Visionary genius, short-sighted fools

Last October, several University of Illinois alums sent a letter “to encourage [me] to … join [them] by making a contribution to a scholarship fund that has a personal meaning to you.” College cost What, I toss a pebble-sized check into the Big U’s pond and that “C” in Math 111 nearly 40 years ago

Wildlife is resilient in a storm, even during Hurricane Sandy

As I write this, Hurricane Sandy has claimed more than 70 American lives and done an estimated $50 billion in damage, and those numbers are likely to increase. Another unspoken toll thus far is that taken on wildlife. How can wildlife possibly survive a super storm? That’s certainly been the topic of many emails I

Outdoor wildlife recreation is worth big bucks

According to the results of the recently released 2011 National survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, more people than ever (16 and older) participated in wildlife recreation. Hunter numbers (13.7 million) grew 9 percent from 2006 to 2011. The number of anglers (33.1 million) increased 11 percent during the same time period. And the number

Should you consider an ag district?

Enrolling in an agricultural district makes sense for Ohio farmers to consider. It is a program that provides protections, doesn’t cost anything to apply, and the application form is simple to complete.

Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, a young boy decided he wanted to pursue higher education in order to emulate the physician who cared for him. There were no visions of bags filled with gold along his path, only the simple thought, “I can help.”