Food vs. Fuel

*I got the following email from my friend Samantha. She works for Foster Farms. This is important so please read it. Thanks so much!*

Friends & Family,

Corn is the single biggest component of what we feed our chickens and turkeys at Foster Farms, representing about 32% of our total cost to produce chicken and turkey---and my guess is, that’s not much different from any other animal proteins we consume. A bushel of corn cost about $2.25 in 2006 and today that same bushel cost $7.26. The production of ethanol for fuel from corn has been a primary reason for this dramatic increase in corn cost. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 created the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that mandated the use of 4 billion gallons of ethanol in 2006 increasing to 7.5 billion gallons in 2012. The RFS was modified in 2007 increasing the use of ethanol to 9 billion gallons in 2008. Approximately 34% of this year’s corn crop will be used for ethanol production.

We all recognize the need for a National Energy Policy that frees the US from our dependence on imported oil. Wind energy, solar, nuclear and drilling in our own untapped oil reserves are all alternatives we must explore. Ethanol from corn is not a part of the solution. It is subsidized by the government at $0.51 per gallon to the benefit of the producers. It is mandated to be used regardless of price by the RFS. It is protected from competition by a $0.56 per gallon tariff on imported ethanol. It is a major contributor to the 9% food inflation we now are suffering. It threatens our success both individually and as a company.

TAKE ACTION! Today there is a proposal being considered by the EPA that would suspend 50% of the RFS, reduce the demand for corn caused by ethanol and hopefully reduce the price of corn. You must file your comment by Monday, June 23rd.

Go to this site and follow the instructions to let the politicians know you support the waiver. Thanks so much!!

In search of...

I am looking for an extra battery for our portable DVD players. I want to take at least one of the players on the airplane to Hawaii. Here's the problem.... the flight is over 5 hours and our DVD player's battery only lasts 2-3 hours. And that's if it gets a good charge.

I have been trying to find an extra battery online and I came across these battery extenders. Does anyone have experience with them? Do they work and do they last? If so, leave me a comment or email me. Thanks so much!

John Deere Man

Last night Ernest dropped his tractor off so he can make hay in the field behind our house. As you can probably imagine, J.T. was one very happy guy! He was in complete awe over the tractor! Of course, I had to take the opportunity to take a few photos...




And my personal favorite....

J.T. is going to be so excited to watch Ernest cut the hay tonight... I probably won't be able to get him to come inside for dinner!

Woo hoo!!!

Dale Earnhardt Jr. finally won a race! I think everyone knows that Dale Jr. is my favorite driver in Nascar and has been for quite a few years. It's been 76 races since he's won.

I guess if you didn't know I love Nascar before this, now you do!

Happy Fathers Day to Andy!

Wow they were small... time sure flies!

Abigail was 3 1/2 weeks old here and this was not the first time she got to go to work with her Daddy...

This was the day we took J.T. home from the hospital...

Happy Fathers Day Andy!

Daddy's little girl

What else can I say? Although, I am sure he would prefer a silver can instead of red! :)

She was 2 weeks old here...

Fathers Day BBQ

J.T.'s school had a Fathers Day BBQ on Friday for the kids and the dads. I sent the little camera with Andy but he forgot to take any pictures. I took one of the two of them when they got home. J.T. is holding the gift he made for Andy at school.

Here's a closer look...

J.T. thought it was pretty cool to get to take just his Daddy to his school!

We told them...

A few days ago I posted on here that we are planning to take the kids on a big trip this summer. A lot of people have asked me where we are going. We hadn't told the kids anything about the trip before tonight. We finally told them that we are going to Maui, Hawaii at the beginning of July.

They were both excited, but Abigail was much more so. She has been asking to go on an airplane for quite a while. In order to tell them about the trip, we gave them several clues that led them to my wall calendar where I had "Hawaii" written across the dates we will be gone. The kids got even more excited when we told them that the Victorines are going too! It will be a great trip and we can't wait!

PS. They both look pretty tired in this picture. It's been a busy day!

Last day of school activities

Today was Abigail's last day of school. Every year her school has a play day on the last day. The classes rotate through 6 or 8 different activities. J.T. and I walked along with Abigail's class so I could take a few pictures. J.T. was able to participate in some of the activities too.

Here's a bunch of girls in her class getting ready to play "Doctor, doctor."

J.T. and I went outside on the playground while Abigail's class was doing the music activity.

Next was the parachute activity...

Nolan and Abigail's annual end of the year picture...

Sidewalk chalk....

The kids had lots of fun today. J.T. especially loved to pretend he was a big 2nd grader... It's officially summer vacation!

Yippee!

I just got done making the last school lunch for the year (for Wednesday)! Yay! Abigail's last day is Thursday but she is having hot lunch. J.T.'s last day is Friday but they are having a Fathers Day BBQ so I am officially DONE for the year!!!!!