Tag Archives: USDA

Invasive Plant Grant program for the Arizona State Forestry Department

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Arizona State Forestry with funding provided by the USDA Forest Service is soliciting proposals from $10,000 to $20,000 to treat invasive and noxious plant invasions that threaten forested or woodland areas.

  • Funds are awarded on a cost matching-basis, and this program requires 50% (1:1) match from a non-federal source.
  • Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate partnerships (especially with a Cooperative Weed Management Area) and projects adjacent to National Forest System (NFS) lands or that will compliment NFS projects.
  • Applications are due November 13, 2015.

Attached for your information, use and distribution are the grant Information and Guidelines, Q&A sheet and Application Form. The documents have also been posted on our website at https://azsf.az.gov/grants/forest-health/ipg.

This program is directed to units of local government, non-profit organizations 501(c)3, and public educational institutions. Individuals working in partnership with their neighborhood association may also apply if they work with one of the previously stated groups.

For questions regarding this grant program, please contact John Richardson at 602-771-1420.

Hummingbird Wholesale Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Organic Chocolate Hazelnut Butter

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hummingbird-1WASHINGTON — Hummingbird Wholesale in Eugene Oregon is recalling 110 jars of Hummingbird Brand Organic Chocolate Hazelnut Butter that may contain undeclared milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk products run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recalled product sold to retail outlets in California, Oregon, and Washington and directly to consumers in Oregon in 1 pound (454 gram) glass jars that show lot number of 15023 on a white sticker on the jar between the dates of 1/27/15 and 2/19/15.

HW Item # Lot # UPC Code
N270 15023 6-96859-11035-1

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that a supplier had changed the ingredients without notice to include milk in the 65% dark chocolate used to make the Organic Chocolate Hazelnut Butter. The label does not show milk as an ingredient. Only lot # 15023 was made with the affected chocolate.

Consumers who purchased this product are welcome to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund, or to contact Hummingbird at 541-686-0921 ext. 105 from 8am to 4pm PST Monday through Friday.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Hummingbird Wholesale has taken immediate action to recall the affected Organic Chocolate Hazelnut Butter in order to ensure the safety of its consumers.

Hummingbird Wholesale is dedicated to providing the highest quality organic and raw products, and the safety of our customers is our number one priority.

USDA Requires Magicians To Have “Disaster Plans” For Their Rabbits

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To say that American businesses are over-regulated is a bit of an understatement. In very small print, the USDA spends 14 pages to spell out regulations specifically pertaining to rabbits and requirements that need to be met to keep one’s “rabbit license.”

A 1965 law required that labs obtain government licenses in order to use animals for testing purposes. But in 1970, that law was amended to include not just labs, but any entity that exhibits animals. Like zoos and circuses. But because the regulations written to enforce these laws are so vague and wordy like every other law and regulation we have, anything can be said to “exhibit” animals. Not just the big things like zoos.

Apparently, magicians who use rabbits as props for their tricks are not at all exempt. So, they too must obtain a license to “exhibit” their pet rabbits. And since they have to have the proper government license to do so, they must follow all the regs associated with maintaining that license. They have to pay $40 a year, give their animal regular vet care and submit to random house searches.

But now they’ve apparently got a new requirement needed in order for these magicians to hold on to their “rabbit licenses.” 54-year-old magician Marty Hahne knows about it, because he got a letter from the USDA asking him for a “disaster plan” for his rabbit, Casey. You know, like, “What does Marty the Magician plan on doing to make sure his rabbit is safe in case of a flood, a hurricane or an earthquake?” This is not a joke.

Read more at Last Resistance