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North Valley harvest
In the news
Funding available
Improving Rural Water Systems Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced funding for rural water projects to create jobs and improve rural water and wastewater systems in 26 states. The announcement was made on Secretary Vilsack’s behalf by Jonathan Adelstein, USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Administrator. Adelstein made the announcement during remarks at the State and National Rural Water Association’s H2O XPO in Louisville, Ky. “Clean water is a basic necessity for the health and economic growth of our rural communities,” Vilsack said. “Constructing and improving rural water systems benefit communities by providing reliable access to clean water and create jobs that strengthen economies.” In Texas, Skywater Water Supply Corporation in Castro County will receive $1 million to build a new water system. The existing system was shut down in 2009 when the wells failed, forcing residents to haul water over 10 miles. The funds will also be used to build storage facilities and four miles of new distribution line to benefit rural residents. The $66.7 million in loans and $48.9 million in grants are provided by USDA
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to help rural communities build and upgrade rural water systems. RUS funding will provide thousands of new connections to water and wastewater facilities, improve water quality and increase the efficiency of water use, while reducing reduce . Funding for distribution cooperatives, which provide power to consumers, will benefit over 15,000 rural businesses and residents. For a complete list of projects funded, click here. Today’s announcement is part of a series of rural infrastructure investments expected by Secretary Vilsack during the next two weeks. This effort supports the goal of the American Jobs Act, which makes critical infrastructure improvements to put people back to work immediately. On September 8, President Obama presented the American Jobs Act in an address to Congress. The purpose of the American Jobs Act is simple: put more people back to work and put more money in the pockets of working Americans. The American Jobs Act is specific. It will put people back to work right now, and it will not add to the deficit. Through a combination of direct spending, such as infrastructure investments, and tax relief, such as an extension of the payroll tax cuts, it will lead to new American jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 21 direct or indirect jobs are
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created for each $1 million invested in infrastructure. Since taking office, President Obama’s Administration has taken significant steps to improve the lives of rural Americans and has provided broad support for rural communities. The Obama Administration has set goals of modernizing infrastructure by providing broadband access to 10 million Americans, expanding educational opportunities for students in rural areas, and providing affordable health care. In the long term, these unparalleled rural investments will help ensure that America’s rural communities are repopulating, self-sustaining and thriving economically. USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $155 billion in loans and loan guarantees. Visit http://www.rurdev. usda.gov/ for additional information about the agency’s programs or to locate the USDA Rural Development office nearest you.
VIGIANI'S AUTOBODY + PLUS
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North Valley harvest
business
Premier mushrooms
Food Safety a priority at Premier Mushrooms Colusa - “Food Safety is a number one priority at Premier Mushrooms, L.P.,” said vice president of marketing and sales Bob Murphy. “When a major tragedy such as the recent cantaloupe listeria outbreak strikes, it reminds us that food safety must be top priority,” said Murphy. “All of us must ensure that our consumers are receiving safe produce,” he said. “The proof of this statement is in our food safety audits and the fact that we are one of the most audited U.S. mushroom operations,” said Murphy. Premier Mushrooms L.P. successfully passed the Mushroom Growers Good Agriculture Practices (MGAP) audit. The mushroom industry has the only nationwide, commodity specific, USDA audited good agricultural practices program. Premier Mushrooms L.P. is now among the U.S. mushroom production farms to have successfully passed a MGAP audit conducted by USDA or other third party auditor. John Ashbaugh, Premier Mushrooms CEO explained that the concept of the MGAP audits stemmed from contamination outbreaks in other agriculture industries. Following the 2007 E. coli outbreaks in
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spinach, mushroom growers realized it was time to redouble their efforts. As packinghouse audits increased, customers and auditors began asking about the growing operations. What became very clear was that auditing a mushroom farm was very different from a lettuce field, an apple orchard or even a tomato greenhouse. It was the mushroom industry’s chance to have audits tailored to the unique characteristics of mushroom production which would make more sense and better serve its customers. Representatives of farms and packing houses from across the United States, along with food safety consultants and Penn State faculty, collaborated to develop a comprehensive food safety initiative, based on the MGAP program. The 2005 MGAP was compared with current third party audit requirements, factoring in industry practices to “standardize the standard” and adopted an industry-wide program. A Food Safety Training Kit was developed, along with Train the Trainer sessions to facilitate its use on the farm. According to Ashbaugh, the MGAP program requires that all employees receive food safety training. There are 15 food safety areas in which employees must be trained upon hiring.
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Premier’s food safety director Tino Mendoza, a 25-year veteran of the mushroom business provides continuous training for employees. He has been very successful in work with such agencies as Department of Defense (D.O.D), USDA, Primus Lads, Agri-Check & MGAP Procedures. Murphy credits the Premier Mushroom team and its continued hard work with the excellent ratings it receives. Employees must practice good hygiene, work areas must be clear of debris, and sanitation is essential. Ashbaugh commented that it is very important for Premier Mushrooms L.P. to be MGAP Certified. Murphy added that there are some critical control points practiced at Premier Mushrooms L.P. that very few mushroom farms in the world offer. The metal growing beds used provide sanitizing controls that conventional mushroom farms don’t offer. Growing rooms can be heated to high temperature killing bacteria’s that cause major quality & production issues, without using the normal chemicals or chemical levels to control the bacteria’s. The processing floor is a new generation anti-bacterial floor which allows additional food safety and sets standards for future mushroom processing requirements.
Certified Public Accountants
Your Success Is Our Highest Priority For nearly 50 years we have dedicated ourselves to helping our clients find creative and innovative business solutions founded on sound financial principles. Whether you are an individual or represent a small business or major enterprise, we can help you maximize your financial potential.
You Can Depend On Us Our dedicated professionals—auditors, tax professionals, and management consultants—have the expertise and resources needed to promptly and effectively service your needs. We bring to the table expertise built on nearly five decades of experience. Our professionals have extensive, industry-specific expertise to serve you. Our wide range of services includes: • Accounting Service • Management Advisory Services • Audit and Financial Reporting • Financial and Loan Consulting • Tax Planning and Compliance • Nonprofit Organizations • Estate and Trust Planning • Hospitals and Healthcare
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COLUSA
REDDING
YUBA CITY
891-6474
458-8236
241-2515
671-1550
(530)
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www.matson-isom.com
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North Valley harvest
Entertainment
Tap Into Excitement
Feather Falls Casino Brewing Company From the stunning dining room to the granite and slate bar area to the posh VIP lounges, we’re serving up an incredible food, beer and entertainment experience. The good times are pouring here! The 350-seat smoke-free dining area features an excellent view of our master brewers in action. You’ll be seated at one of our gorgeous hammered-copper tables, where your expertly prepared meal will be served. Our affordable menu boasts tempting appetizers, flavorful entrees and decadent desserts to satisfy every taste. Whether it’s a crispy pizza to-go or a full selection of mouth-watering sushi dishes, we think you’ll find that our food keeps you coming back time and again. If you prefer to dine al fresco, enjoy the intimate setting under the shade lattice on our outdoor seating area. A water-misting system keeps you cool in the summer, while the fire pit provides warmth on chilly winter days and nights. Take a moment to admire the view of the natural stone wall outside the patio; all of the rocks that form the wall were unearthed on our surrounding property. Beer Here! Sidle up to the graceful bar
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and play a little video poker. Or, pull up a comfortable stool and watch the sporting action on one of the bigscreen TVs overhead. Our bartenders will pour you a perfect pint of craft ale, one of seven brewed right here onsite. Once you find your favorite, you can take it home in a 64-oz. growler! Music Here! There’s always a full slate of entertainment in the brewery. A state-of-the-art sound and lighting system will heighten your enjoyment of our exciting slate of musical acts. Experience a show from inside a deluxe VIP suite, or get a bird’s-eye view of the stage while seated in a sumptuous leather chair on the VIP balcony. Both include private servers for cocktails and appetizers. Feather Falls Casino Brewing Company understands that a good experience and good value go hand-in-hand. Whether you are looking for a fine meal, a unique ale, a great band or just an awesome place to see and be seen, the good times are pouring here!
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QUICK FACTS • Construction began in April 2010; opened December 10, 2010 • Microbrewery makes and serves 7 original brews onsite, plus seasonals • Restaurant seats 350 guests, while food and drink service extends to the 2nd floor VIP section and to the outdoor dining area • Oroville’s only made-to-order Sushi Bar • 2nd floor VIP section features a private bar, accessible by escalator • 3 private suites for rent, including dedicated servers • Live entertainment on the elevated stage featuring music of all genres performed by headliners, regional and local bands, as well as unique acts from across the country • 19-foot High Def screen, 16 big-screen TVs and a 21-seat video poker bar • 50-seat outdoor dining area utilizes a fireplace in winter months; shade lattice and cool mist system in summer months • New entrance is separate from the Casino and Lodge • $8.5 million renovation project
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Global
Fukushima Rice
Japan bans Fukushima rice Japan on Thursday announced its first ban on rice produced near the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant after samples showed radioactive contamination well above legal limits. The findings will further worry nervous consumers, already fretting over the safety of domestic produce, despite its previous solid safety reputation. Authorities in Fukushima prefecture say rice produced near the stricken atomic power plant contained caesium they measured at 630 becquerels per kilogram (2.2 pounds). The government safety limit is 500 becquerels. Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura ordered Fukushima Governor Yuhei Sato to restrict shipments of rice from Onami -- from where the samples were sourced -- according to an agricultural ministry official. “This restriction won’t be lifted until safety of the rice produced in the area can be confirmed,” the official said, adding that the ban will affect 154 farms that produced 192 tonnes of rice this year. It is the first ban on rice shipments since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was damaged by a massive quake and tsunami on March 11, when cooling systems failed and radiation was
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spewed into the air, oceans and food chain. While the natural disaster claimed 20,000 lives, the nuclear emergency has recorded no direct casualties, but it has badly dented the reputation of a technology on which Japan previously depended for a third of its electricity. Bans on food following the crisis are nothing new but rice -- eaten three times a day in many homes -- holds a special place in the Japanese heart. Japanese-grown grain is widely held to be superior to imports, and is heavily protected by massive tariffs aimed partially at propping up the nation’s ageing farmers. The polluted samples were taken at a farm in Onami, 57 kilometres (35 miles) northwest of the troubled plant. None of the 840 kilogrammes of rice produced at the farm this year has been shipped to markets, local officials said. The price of rice produced before the disaster temporarily shot up in the summer as people rushed to stock up over fears this year’s harvest would be contaminated. Prices have since stabilised. A team of international researchers this week said elevated levels of caesium in soil in the region would “severely impair” food production in eastern Fukushima.
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, suggested farming in neighbouring areas could also suffer because of radiation. Shipments of a number of farm products from affected regions were halted as the crisis unfolded and even those that were not subject to official controls have found little favour with Japanese consumers wary of the potential health effects. Environmental campaign group Greenpeace said Thursday it had detected radiation in fish sold at Japanese supermarkets, although radiation levels were still well below the government safety limit of 500 becquerels. According to its own research carried out between October 12 and November 8 in eastern Japan, 47.3 becquerels of cesium per kilogramme were discovered in cod while traces of radiation were also found in other fish, including tuna.
530-458-2700
Located on Colusa Industrial Park - Colusa, CA. We Value Product Quality Food Safety - Our Employees Community - and the Environment.
www.premiermushrooms.com
COLUSA TrACTOr COMpAnY nothing runs Like A Deere
www.colusatractor.net
IT4 Emissions Solutions New John Deere PowerTech PSX 9.0 Engine for the 2011 8T/8RT Series Tractors Tm
And you thought we just sold Tractors! Colusa Tractor Company Not only sells several name brands of Lawn & Garden Equipment and recreational vehicles... We also carry parts and have a complete repair department with fully trained technicians Parts • Sales • Service
Come in and see us for all your large and small engine needs Golf Cars • ATVs • Side x Sides • Spray Tanks • Trailers • Mowers • Chainsaws • Generators • Power Equipment
2100 COLUSA WILLIAMS HWY * COLUSA, CA 95932
(530) 458-4923