March 8, 2006 - Sparks Gives Precautions Against Formosan Termites
MONTGOMERY - Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks is reassuring consumers that safety precautions have been taken to ensure that wood infested with Formosan subterranean termites has not and will not be sold for use as mulch in Alabama. This reassurance comes following an email of unknown origin that has been widely circulated throughout the country. The email claims that wood salvaged from Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina is heavily infested with Formosan subterranean termites and that the wood is being turned into mulch and sold to major home improvement retailers.
"I am not sure how this rumor got started, but I want to be sure that it is cleared up quickly," said Commissioner Sparks. "We have been working with Commissioner Odom in Louisiana very closely following Katrina. Our mutual concerns are protecting our homes and making sure that people are safe."
Last fall, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry issued quarantines for woody debris in Cameron, Calcasieu, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. John, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes. Woody debris cannot be moved out of these areas without first submitting a plan for treatment to the department.
"I've had my people out looking into these claims to make sure there are no violations of the quarantine," said Odom. "I've also had our invasive pest expert contact the stores mentioned in the email and we've yet to find any validity to the claims in the email. In my opinion, someone is using the Internet to cause hysteria about a problem that doesn't really exist," Odom said.
As a precaution, Commissioner Sparks is urging homeowners not to remove building materials from storm damaged homes and install them in new structures unless they are absolutely sure no termites are in them. The best way to gain this assurance is through an evaluation of the material to determine if the material is suitable for use, or infested by the Formosan subterranean termite or other subterranean termites. Infested wood may need treatment that may include the use of borates, fumigation, heat treatment, or other treating methods.
The Formosan subterranean termite is native to mainland China, but has migrated into the continental United States. The Formosan subterranean termite is geographically distributed in many counties of Alabama; however, population densities of the termite are higher in the coastal areas of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana. "Many varieties of termites are found throughout the United States," said Sparks. "Our concern with the Formosan termite is that it has the ability to consume more wood in comparison to other subterranean termites."
The Formosan subterranean termite may be spread in any infested cellulose wood, paper or other products including railroad ties, utility poles, used structural wood, lumber, pallets, landscape timbers and similar items. All architectural components including beams, doors and salvaged wood should not be sold or placed in any structure in any county until they are evaluated by a professional pest control operator certified in the category of wood destroying organisms. Wood mulch is a cellulose material and is a suitable food source for subterranean termites.
To determine if material is infested, make a thorough inspection, looking for termites, damaged wood, soil, mud tubes and carton nests. Because Formosan subterranean termites can build above-ground nests, wood from buildings, trees and shrubs that have been standing in floodwaters may still be infested. In addition, lumber and other woody debris taken from damaged buildings can become termite-infested if left on the ground too long.
Burying wood is not a good idea because that would supply food for termites, which will then seek new food sources when the buried wood is gone.
February 15, 2006 - Sparks Urges Use of Biodiesel
MONTGOMERY - Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks is encouraged by the increased attention on alternative fuels in recent months. The idea of fuels derived from sources other than oil is not new to those in the agriculture industry. In fact, Alabama's Department of Agriculture & Industries has been involved with the testing and production of alternative fuels for many years. As the Birmingham Airport Authority prepares to use biodiesel produced at the Alabama Biodiesel Plant in Moundville in all of it's diesel powered vehicles and machinery, Sparks hopes that others will follow their lead.
"I think it is extremely important to develop alternative fuels that will make us less dependent on foreign oil, but getting machinery that can produce biodiesel in mass quantities can be expensive," said Sparks. "That's why the Department of Agriculture & Industries helped provide a grant to help the Moundville plant start producing. We also want people to know that you can make biodiesel without all the big equipment."
According to the National Biodiesel Board, biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine and tests have shown that it has a less harmful environmental impact than fuels produced from crude oil. Recycling vegetable oil is good for the environment and lessens the United States' dependence on other countries for fuel. It can also save consumers a lot of money. The tools needed to make biodiesel in small amounts include a large supply of fryer oil, a portable tank, a siphon, and knowledge of safety precautions necessary when working with chemicals. The process of combining the oil and chemicals to produce fuel can take under an hour and the cost is no longer prohibitive.
"We commend anyone who wants to try to produce biodiesel for their own personal use," said Richard Campo, Vice President of the Alabama Biodiesel Plant. "Just remember, commercially we need to follow the American Society for Testing and Materials D6751 Standard and the engine manufacturer's recommendations. However, individuals that make it on their own and cannot do all those tests need to be aware that fuel that does not meet those standards may cause their warranty to not be upheld. By producing biodiesel, we hope to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and also help farmers and the economy of Alabama and the United States."
To learn more about producing alternative fuels, visit www.biodiesel.org , www.scafinc.com , and www.biodieselsolutions.com .
February 7, 2006 - Sparks Testifies at Farm Bill Hearing
AUBURN - Commissioner Ron Sparks had the opportunity to speak before the Congressional Agriculture Committee at the Farm Bill Hearing held at Auburn University today. Sparks discussed many of the issues concerning farmers in Alabama such as the increasing decline in family farms in Alabama. Since the 1950's, the number of Alabama farms has dwindled from over 200,000 to about 45,000. "I believe that the decrease in farms is due to a lack of profitability experienced by many farmers," said Sparks. "We have to find ways to help them not only to stay in business, but also improve their business."
Sparks said that creating a better environment for farmers to do business might entice younger generations to get involved in agriculture. "The perception right now is that if you go into farming, you might end up barely getting by from year to year. Too many times that is the reality for Alabama farmers, especially after the last two hurricane seasons. I think we can help change that." Some of the suggestions made by Sparks were to create a safety net for farmers through subsidies, disaster relief programs, and low interest loans. "Some people think subsidies are a bad thing, but not only do they help keep farmers in business; they help keep the prices of our food and fiber low for Alabama consumers."
Sparks also discussed the need for better child nutrition programs in Alabama and ways that the agriculture industry can help through programs like Farm to School and the Alabama Gleaning Network. He stressed the importance of developing alternative fuels so that we no longer have to rely on foreign companies for all of our fuel sources. Sparks expressed concern over some of our agricultural imports that come from countries who produce their food at lower standards than those required in the United States. "We have some of the best products in the world, yet we are competing with imported products that are sometimes not only substandard, but unsafe," said Sparks.
"All of these things are important issues to today's farmer in Alabama, but the most important point to understand is that we have to find ways to allow farmers to continue to farm," said Sparks
February 2, 2006 - Sparks Meets with Nigerian King
MONTGOMERY - Commissioner Ron Sparks met with HRH King Frank Okurakpo of the Okugbe Isoko Kingdom in Nigeria as part of the developing relationship between Alabama and West African nations. Sparks and Okurakpo were able to discuss the possibility of an exchange of agricultural technology and future trade.
"Alabama is a prime resource for aquaculture and poultry technology and products," said Sparks. "I look forward to learning more about the Nigerian market and how we can help each other in the future.
January 20, 2006 - Sparks Announces Arrests for Katrina Disaster Related Thefts
GREENVILLE, AL - Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks has announced the arrests of four suspects on charges of receiving stolen property, 1st degree, during Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The suspects, who were hired as sub-contractors for FEMA, are believed to have stolen over $250,000 worth of property out of the City of New Orleans. The items include backhoes, automobiles, automobile parts and trailers, motorcycles, tools, an air compressor, and all-terrain vehicles. The investigation was conducted by the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, the Butler County Sheriff's Office, and the Crenshaw County Sheriff's Office.
"I am proud that our investigators were able to work together with Sheriff Harris and Sheriff West to catch these predators who would stoop so low as to take advantage of people in New Orleans after they had already gone through so much," said Sparks.
Sheriff Diane Harris was especially upset that the property had been brought back to Butler County. County officials and residents had held cookouts to help feed evacuees following Hurricane Katrina. "I am happy that my office was able to take part in this arrest and the recovery of the stolen property," said Harris. "We are glad to have been able to assist with an investigation that helps the people of New Orleans."
Crenshaw County Sheriff Charles West expressed that he appreciated having the opportunity to work together also. "We don't always get a chance to help each other out with investigations," West said. "This time we did and I think it helped to solve the case quickly to be able to work together."
After the property was stolen, it was taken to Butler County where it was sold off or used by the suspects. Sparks has been in contact with other states as part of the ongoing investigation. More arrests and recovery of stolen property throughout the region are anticipated.
January 11, 2006 - Sparks Appalled by USDA over Hurricane Katrina Relief - OPED
MONTGOMERY - For farmers in South Alabama, it probably came as a big surprise to hear that Florida's agricultural industry was receiving another $200 million in relief funds from the federal government while they had received none after the 2005 hurricane season. Even though Florida has already been given nearly $1 billion in the last 15 months, many Alabama farmers may still have thought the allocation was a good sign for farmers here at home. So far, Alabama has not received a dime from the federal government for agriculture relief. Our farmers did not expect to be disappointed by US Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, but they have been. If Alabama farmers expect assistance from him, they may be waiting a long time.
Last week, I joined together with Louisiana's Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Bob Odom to express our mutual disgust with the Secretary's decision to pile more money on Florida while ignoring the plight of other affected Gulf States. Although we received a fairly quick response to our outrage from Secretary Johanns' office, frankly, the content of our subsequent conference call with his staff members did not do much to dissuade our frustration. After the call, all I could think was, "too little, too late."
That is not to say that the Johanns staffers had nothing to offer as consolation. They assured us that money is coming; Johanns just hadn't thought to let anyone know how much or when. The money will be broken down and distributed to the following programs: $250 million for crop losses, $199 million to the Emergency Conservation Program, $300 million to the Emergency Watershed Program, and $25 million in block grants to help with rebuilding the aquaculture industry, and $400 million for the Emergency Forestry CRP Program. That totals more than a billion dollars in relief funds, but it is to be divided among all of the Gulf States. Not only is the amount incomparable to the billions of damage to the region, but Johanns' staffers also would not commit to a timeline for the funds. Johanns could make the funds available now, or wait until a year from now.
Many people may ask, "Why should we help the farmers when they have crop insurance?" Most farmers do have insurance, but the reality is that payments to farmers on crop insurance are based on an average of five years of crop yield. Some of Alabama's farmers have had near zero yields for two years in a row. Just imagine what that does to an average crop insurance payment.
I realize that not everyone in the country understands how hard the hurricane season was on Alabama's farmers, but the United States Secretary of Agriculture is expected to know. He should know that Alabama and Louisiana both had 40 counties affected by hurricanes in 2005, more than any other state. He should know that Alabama had an estimated $650 million in damages. He should know that we need a disaster bill that protects farmers from this kind of devastation. The farmers in Alabama are too important to be ignored by USDA.
A good example of how easily the industry can be overlooked is with the seafood industry. FEMA views the seafood industry as agricultural and does not provide assistance, but the USDA does not recognize them as an agricultural industry, so who is supposed to help them? Meanwhile, fishing boats have been grounded, processors destroyed, and workers displaced. Is this the Secretary of Agriculture's problem? I think it should be. I think that when you have billions of dollars to distribute you try to find a way to be equitable. When the Secretary continues to give to one state and ignore others, it becomes hard to ignore the disparity. I ask myself why he would do that and I don't really like the answers I come up with.
Our only hope is the outstanding relationship that Alabama's agricultural industry has with our Congressional delegation. They understand the severity of the destruction. I only hope that Secretary Johanns will, and soon.
January 1, 2006 - Sparks Appalled by USDA over Hurricane Katrina Relief
MONTGOMERY - Alabama Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks and Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture & Forestry Bob Odom wonder how much suffering Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns expects farmers to take without any relief for Hurricane Katrina damages. Sparks' increased dissatisfaction with federal relief efforts is a result of hearing that the Secretary of Agriculture has just released another $200 million for relief efforts in Florida. As Alabamians were hit with over $600 million dollars in damages as a result of Katrina, many were still waiting for clean up checks from Ivan.
Florida's most recent allocation for $200 million in relief funding will bring the total to over $1 billion received by the state's agricultural industry from the US Secretary of Agriculture in the last 15 months. Commissioner Sparks continues to ask Alabama's Congressional delegation to push for agricultural funds that are desperately needed. "We commend the US Senate for their efforts to include funds for disaster victims in the Defense Appropriations bill, but the funds were taken out because of pressure from the House leadership and the White House. I understand that the people in Florida also need help, but Alabama farmers need help and have not received a dime."
In 2005, hurricanes caused extensive agricultural damage throughout the Gulf Coast region and other states have also expressed disappointment in the federal government's lack of assistance. Louisiana Commissioner Bob Odom is expressing outrage and disgust over the USDA's decision to award Florida agriculture producers $200 million in disaster assistance following the 2005 hurricane season.
"The single-most devastating series of natural disasters affected the entire Gulf Coast last fall and the USDA singled out one state for assistance - I just don't get it," Odom said. "How do you hand Florida $200 million and turn your back on Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas? It's a slap in the face to agriculture producers."
Louisiana's combined agriculture losses from both hurricanes Katrina and Rita are expected to total more than $2 billion.
"I've met with Secretary Johanns three times since the hurricanes and the most we've gotten is some assistance with clearing trees off pastureland. Our farmers need assistance and they need it now - before planting season gets here," Odom said.
"I have sat and talked with farmers in South Alabama who had tears in their eyes because of the damage they had to their crops and property," said Sparks. "They have tried to work through the proper channels to get help, but there are no funds coming in for them. When Secretary Johanns came to tour the destruction caused by Katrina, we couldn't even get him to come to South Alabama. The Secretary wanted these farmers to go up and meet with him hours away in Mississippi. We have even tried to have conference calls with the Secretary and he has been unavailable. The farmers in this area have suffered for long enough. I am not going to stand by while they are ignored by Secretary Johanns. Times of disaster should not be just a photo opportunity for politicians. These farmers need help and they need it now."
