University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and UGA Small Business Development Center came together on Thursday to offer a new business workshop for farmers in south Georgia.The conference was designed to better equip Georgia producers with the knowledge they need to design, build and sustain a lasting farm, said Laura Perry Johnson, associate dean for UGA Extension.“The UGA Small Business Development Center has expertise in small business development. Extension has the expertise in the agricultural side of things. Together we were able to provide training for small business owners and farmers, which is better than what we could have done alone,” Johnson said.Held in Tifton, the conference provided a glimpse into the various components of a successful farming operation, including sessions on forecasting cash flow and getting your food product to the market. The workshop was extremely helpful for Carole Davis, the wife of a farmer in Terrell County, who related to the discussions about dealing with bank lenders. Her family farms 2,000 acres of cotton and peanuts. She realizes with her and her husband’s advancing age, the importance of preparing for life after farming. This workshop gave her the tools to help make those preparations a reality.“If we don’t get our cash flow in the best shape, then we’re not going to be able to have the transition later on in the next few years. My husband works as hard as anybody, but at this time of our life, we need to start slowing down a little bit,” Davis said. Kent Wolfe, director of the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, discussed agritourism and the potential additional cash flow it can provide. He cautioned farmers, though, that this venture isn’t for everyone.“To be successful in agritourism or agritainment, producers need to realize it is much different than operating a farm. It is not for everybody, and it requires resources that may not be available to all farmers,” Wolfe said. “There are risks to every venture you go into, and it’s important for people to know that.”Amanda Smith, a UGA Extension agricultural economist on the UGA Tifton Campus, approached risk management from a different perspective. With any successful farming operation, the ability to manage agricultural risk is key, Smith told farmers at the conference. She focused on teaching farmers how to manage all areas of risk and know when to pass it off.“Farming is unpredictable. Whether you’re talking about commodity prices, Mother Nature or input costs, farmers never know what to expect from year to year,” Smith said. “For those farmers whom we talked with today, they need to realize they have options in managing agricultural risks.”According to Johnson, the farm business education workshop is another example of how the university and UGA Extension work closely together to provide timely and pivotal information to Georgia farmers.“All of our county Extension agents are helping producers in their counties make management decisions every day to increase profitability. When we work with the (UGA) Small Business Development Center, we can take that to another level, as far as the business management side of things,” Johnson said. “With crop prices being what they are these days, producers need to maximize every bit of profitability they can.”
Drones Await Regulation
“As it was announced a couple of weeks ago, we are looking to obtain the restricted category classification from the FAA, so that we can fly our Puma over the Arctic, and then look for oil leaks, study wild life and the coast,” he said. “Currently we are providing services to the military, border patrol, firefighters, and the police,” Jason Rittenhour stated, an Applied Research Associates engineer who added that there is special interest in SWAT teams so they can have an aerial view of what they want. Operators must request an experimental navigation certificate in order to fly one, excluding the transport of people or goods in exchange for payment, but it “allows operations for research and development, flight and sale demonstrations and crew training,” according to the FAA. However, the process to authorize further commercial use of drones is moving slower than technology, since the FAA has not designed policies aimed at protecting the privacy of U.S. citizens. The exhibition held at the Washington Convention Center, displayed not only several unmanned planes and helicopters, but also aerial devices, autonomous submarines, and other remote control devices. Manufacturers emphasized that the vehicles they design for military use can be readapted to be used in a civilian environment. Drones can be used to find lost hikers in the woods, examine crops, deal with wild animals, spray vineyards, distribute medicine, for oil exploration, to examine power lines, and even for deliveries. These aircraft have several advantages: they are less expensive than manned aircraft, they can be sent to dangerous missions without putting a crew at risk, and have potential beyond the military field. Considering the amount of unmanned aerial vehicles displayed at a recent international exhibition in Washington, the so-called “drones” are here to stay, but their wider application in the commercial sector is impeded due to the lack of regulation. This is what AeroVironment is planning to do with its popular drone Puma, according to Davod Heidel, the company’s head of marketing. Congress could consider a bill to stop the process until the FAA files a report about potential privacy issues related to the use of drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles have already proved to be effective within the military scope, and they would be very useful in civil life, but there are no regulations for commercial use. By Dialogo September 05, 2013 The main obstacle in the use of civil unmanned aerial vehicles in the U.S. is the lack of regulation. The institution in charge, the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA), only allows restricted use of drones in low-traffic areas, such as Alaska. Meanwhile, manufacturers will still rely on military and police agencies’ purchases.
Why Greater TEXAS FCU launched its Apple Watch Banking App now
15SHARESShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr You’d have to be the Loch Ness Monster hiding in the depths of its dark Scottish lake not to know that Greater TEXAS Federal Credit Union/Aggieland Credit Union has recently launched an Apple Watch banking app. The news has permeated every industry publication and then some. Totally bucking the traditional credit-union-wait-and-see practice, Greater TEXAS went all in with this progressive move to attract the area’s massive college student crowd: University of Texas and Texas A&M.To get the inside scoop on the who, what, why, when, where, and how of this news-making launch, we invited Greater TEXAS’ Vice President of Marketing Brandy Conway. Brandy not only answered those questions but also provided us with the apps features and functionality and where this technology is headed. Pretty cool story and glad to see credit unions leading the way on this one. Enjoy!Visit:gtfcu.org continue reading »
It’s not my problem…
Last month I got elected to the Town Assembly of Cochiti Lake, New Mexico. I never dreamed I would get involved in politics. In fact, I hate politics. So what compelled me to run? I care about this little town and in the 10 years I’ve owned a home here have watched it slowly decline. Cochiti Lake has the distinction of being the only town of its kind in all of the United States.It was a new concept, unprecedented anywhere in Indian Country – a private investment for development of a town on reservation land, with its own government. The residents would agree to a 99-year land lease that began in the late 1970’s. Although the original plan was for a population of 40,000, the company that was hired to develop it went bankrupt and the “project” was discontinued with the Town of Cochiti Lake having a population around 500 people.We live 30 miles from the nearest grocery store (Santa Fe) but we have a gas station, golf course, library, Volunteer FIRE/EMS, a campground, lake and abundant hiking trails. The nickname is “Heaven with a Zip Code.” But it has stopped looking so heavenly.The town was built to be a “retirement community” consequently the average age of a resident is around 60. No one will likely ever say they were born and raised in Cochiti Lake. And therein lies the problem. As we are now on the backside of the 99-year lease and many residents are retired and seeing their own end of the road, many have stopped caring. The Town Hall is crumbling, the Community Garden neglected and of course, no one wants to raise the town tax to pay for improvements. That’s why I’m volunteering some time to convince the residents that there is a future here and we owe it to the next residents to keep this a wonderful place to live. It’s going to mean some cooperation and collaboration.Credit unions are 108 years into their story and I’m seeing an eerily similar situation. There’s an inordinate amount of CEOs retiring in the next 5 years and I see many that have stopped caring. They are not grooming the next generation to take over, but rather merging their credit unions and in some cases getting very large retirement payouts as a reward for merging.I began working full time with NACUSO one year ago and in that time have met the “cool kids.” The credit union CEOs with a cooperative heart and a great business mind. There is no better combination in my opinion. Rather than trying to be all things to all people, CUSO contributors get that there is power in collaboration. You can act like a big credit union without the expense or operational headaches. You can gain economies of scale without going through the disruption of a merger.This year at the NACUSO Network Conference we honored some of the best examples of Innovation and Collaboration.The winner of the CU of the Year Collaboration & Innovation Award were two credit unions, who despite being competitors located just a mile from each other in the same market, serving the same membership, decided to collaborate for the benefit of all of their members, and are delivering exceptional value to their members … the two credit unions are ORNL FCU and Y-12 FCU. The winner of the CU of the Year Leading Edge Innovation Award was recognized for investing in and leading innovation for their members and the industry – Denali FCU has been a true leader in developing innovative new CUSO collaborations that not only benefit their members but the entire industry, through such collaborative innovation as OnApproach and Deep Future Analytics.And finally $30 million Element Federal Credit Union, Charleston, W.Va., received the 2017 Credit Union of the Year CUSO Leverage Award for setting the bar on how to use CUSO collaborations to lower costs; provide expanded products and services it would be difficult for the CU to provide on its own; and create value for members through collaboration. CEO and Chief Innovator Linda Bodie uses 7 CUSOs and in our spotlight interview earlier this year said,“You can’t look at running a credit union like it’s 1980. Small credit unions could kick some serious butt with a new model. Consolidate all the back office, compliance and other standard business functions. Allow a centralized management team to oversee multiple credit unions. You’ll have the expertise, the uniqueness, the pooling of resources, the fun and everything you need to serve your members and to serve them in a very custom way. Today, there is no reason for any credit union to merge if they don’t want to merge.”When I was “campaigning” to be on the assembly, we had one Town Hall “meet the candidates” event. I had to give a speech and my closing remark was “You know how you never wash a rental car? I think many residents look at this town as a rental car. But it’s sacred land and we are honored guests and I for one am going to continue to work hard to restore “Heaven with a Zip Code” as the mantra for the town I am proud to call my home.Credit unions have been “my work family” for 37 years now, and I’m proud at this stage in my career to work alongside the folks at NACUSO.Credit unions and the Town of Cochiti Lake are not going down on my watch. 16SHARESShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr,Denise Wymore Denise started her credit union career over 30 years ago as a Teller for Pacific NW Federal Credit Union in Portland, Oregon. She moved up and around the org. chart … Web: www.nacuso.org Details
Riley wins chief exec post at Quintain
Would you like to read more?Register for free to finish this article.Sign up now for the following benefits:Four FREE articles of your choice per monthBreaking news, comment and analysis from industry experts as it happensChoose from our portfolio of email newsletters To access this article REGISTER NOWWould you like print copies, app and digital replica access too? SUBSCRIBE for as little as £5 per week.
BLOG: Investing in Human Services in the 2016-17 Budget
Budget News, Human Services, The Blog The Department of Human Services (DHS) delivers critical services to our most vulnerable populations: older Pennsylvanians, children, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals. This safety net serves nearly 1 out of 4 Pennsylvanians and provides invaluable help to people in their time of need.Without the resources to respond, thousands of our neighbors, family members, and friends will not receive the services they need. They will be forced to choose between the medicines they need and putting food on the table or paying their rent.Pennsylvania is facing a nearly $2 billion deficit that will balloon to more than $2.6 billion in the coming years. The deficit is a ticking time bomb over Pennsylvania. When it explodes, we will be forced to cut funding for human service programs and senior assistance in order to balance the budget.We can build on the progress made in the past year by continuing to improve the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians with smart investments, continuing the fight against opioids, and helping seniors receive the medical assistance they need. Or we can choose a different path and our looming deficit will force deep cuts in human services and senior assistance.Governor Tom Wolf’s proposed budget delivers these vital services and will help thousands of Pennsylvanians avoid having to make these choices.This year, the governor is continuing to combat the opioid epidemic that has killed thousands of Pennsylvanians. Too many vibrant lives have been lost to this epidemic and we all need to play a part in addressing it. Governor Wolf’s proposed 2016-17 budget provides more than $34 million to treat more than 11,250 new individuals with substance use disorder. The Department of Human Services will provide 25 new Health Homes for individuals with substance use disorder, providing medication-assisted treatment and appropriate wraparound services, such as cognitive-based therapies. After this first phase of implementation, there will be a push for 25 more health homes that would have the capacity to treat 22,500 individuals total.Another critical component to DHS’ budget is the proposed $10 million to increase support to at-risk families through evidence-based home visiting services. These services, combined with supportive practices, have been proven to assist with prevention of child abuse and the early identification of children with special needs or developmental delays.Every Pennsylvanian should have a choice as to where they live. Governor Wolf is proposing $43.1 million to support Community HealthChoices, a plan designed to increase opportunities for older Pennsylvanians and individuals with physical disabilities to remain in their homes. Rolling out in January 2017 in Southwestern Pennsylvania, this plan will improve care coordination and health outcomes for 450,000 people.Without a real budget that appropriately funds social services, none of these important initiatives will happen. If we all work together to the support the governor’s budget, we can reaffirm Pennsylvania’s rich history of helping the most vulnerable among us and make sure that they get the high-quality services they deserve. SHARE Email Facebook Twitter You can find updates and behind-the-scenes content on the 2016-2017 budget announcement on our Facebook and Twitter.Read more posts about Governor Wolf’s 2016-17 budget.Like Governor Tom Wolf on Facebook: Facebook.com/GovernorWolf BLOG: Investing in Human Services in the 2016-17 Budget
By: Ted Dallas, Secretary of Human Services February 16, 2016
Newmarket farmhouse gets a facelift
>>>FOLLOW THE COURIER-MAIL REAL ESTATE TEAM ON FACEBOOK<<< SEE WHAT ELSE IS FOR SALE IN NEWMARKET This renovated farmhouse in Newmarket is going to auction on June 8 at 11am.IT WAS the character of this original Federation-era farmhouse in Newmarket that caught the attention of Amanda and David Newman 10 years ago.“We fell in love with the house straight away,” Mrs Newman said. The back end of the house was reworked to integrate with the garden and a new pool. The main upstairs bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and ensuite.More from newsParks and wildlife the new lust-haves post coronavirus12 hours agoNoosa’s best beachfront penthouse is about to hit the market12 hours agoThe couple moved into 8 Kooemba Street to get a feel for the house before engaging an architect and builder four years ago. The new lounge area and back deck.“It’s elevated from the front so you get amazing views over the suburbs and in the back there’s a flat backyard and pool area which is quite unusual. We had a new living room built on the back with a cantilevered area with dual bi-fold doors that open up.” Worst suburban credit scores revealed
MORE REAL ESTATE STORIES The new pool and rear entertainment area.“I love waking up and seeing the sun creep through the orange leadlight windows.” Last year they built a completely self-contained area downstairs with a lounge, kitchenette, bathroom, laundry and wine cellar. Motorsport legend lists luxury pad The downstairs self-contained living area.“It’s been a privilege to live in this house and we’ve had positive feedback from those who venture into our cul-de-sac,” she said.“We built it with generations in mind, so there are advantages for young kids and teenagers.”The house has 12 foot ceilings, VJ walls, an inground saltwater pool with Travertine pavers, and a wraparound deck with views to Mt Coot-tha and the city.
East Central Swim Team (ECST) Will Be Participating In The 2018 Indiana Swimming South East Divisional Championship
It’s that time of year for the ECST! It’s Championship month!!Starting this weekend, March 2-4 is the 2018 Indiana Swimming South East Divisional Championship.Sanctioned by USA and Indiana Swimming. Hosted by Donner Swim Club in Columbus, Indiana. It will be held at Columbus North High School “Newell Natatorium”.Swimmers may enter an unlimited number of events they have qualified for. They must scratch down to 6 events for the entire meet plus relays. No more than 3 individual events per day, including time trials, are allowed.All entry times must fall within the qualifying Indiana time standards for that event. Swimmers must be entered with their fastest time achieved during the qualifying period (include actual dates).Of the 108 swimmers on the ECST (ages ranging from 6-18 years old), 29 have qualified for divisionals.These swimmers have been swimming non-stop since September 2017. Practicing 4-5 days a week for about 1.5-2 hours a day. We are very proud of these kids. For some of them, it’s their first time making divisionals, such a tremendous accomplishment for them. They all have worked so hard to make their qualifying times to be able to swim with the best in the South East region. Kudos to the ECST! Good luck to all swimmers!Courtesy of Marisol Schutte.
William “Bill” Schuck – age 66, of Brookville
William “Bill” Schuck, of Brookville, was born on June 12, 1954 in Flint, Michigan, the son of Stanley and Luella Slattery Schuck. He married Brenda Hofer on October, 24, 1986. Bill was a Union carpenter, and a member of St. Michael’s Church and Brook Hill Golf Club. He loved the outdoors; bowling, golf, swimming, horse shoes, canoeing and mushroom hunting. Bill was also an avid Indy 500 race fan. On Friday, June 26, 2020 at the age of 66, he passed away at Margaret Mary Health in Batesville.Those surviving who will honor Bill’s memory include his wife, Brenda Schuck; two daughters, April Schuck of Beech Grove, and Heidi Schuck of Cincinnati; one grandchild, Cesar Green, and two more due in December; sisters, Betty Stivers and Patty Reese, both of Brookville, and Gerry Lucas of Lyndalle, Minnesota; brothers, John Schuck of Florida, and Dave Schuck of Brookville, as well as several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Pauline and Julie and three brothers, Jim, Don and Bobby.Fr. Vincent Lampert will officiate the funeral service on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at 4 p.m. at Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home, 929 Main Street, Brookville. Friends and family may visit and share memories after the service from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m.All attending are encouraged to wear a mask and follow proper social distancing protocol. If you are not feeling well, or if you have compromised immune system, you are encouraged to stay home.Memorial contributions can be directed to St. Michael’s Church or to the American Cancer Society. To sign the online guestbook or to leave a personal condolence, please visit www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to care for the family of Bill Schuck.
Palmer accorded statesman-like status as tributes flow
. By Mark Lamport-Stokes CHASKA, Minnesota (Reuters) – Very few figures from the sports world have been mourned as great statesmen or global leaders but iconic golfer Arnold Palmer was accorded that status with U.S. President Barack Obama leading the tributes yesterday.Obama described Palmer as “the American Dream come to life”, following the death on Sunday of the seven-time major champion at the age 87 due to heart complications.Palmer is widely regarded as the man most responsible for popularising golf worldwide as television was coming of age in the early 1960s and every leading player in the modern era acknowledges the huge debt they owe the man known as ‘The King’.The focus of the golf world this week will be on Hazeltine National for the Ryder Cup between hosts the United States and holders Europe and organisers have said there will be ‘touches’ of Palmer tributes during the biennial team competition.Along with fellow golf greats and rivals Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, ‘The King’ Palmer formed the fabled ‘Big Three’ who collectively accumulated 34 major championship titles and more than 370 tournament victories around the world.Not only did that trio set the gold standard for the manner and style of their play, but they also became ideal role models for the sport, both on and off the course.HEARTFELT TRIBUTESAmerican Nicklaus and South African Player issued touching and heartfelt tributes to a man they described as a life-long friend as well as a fierce competitor but it was Obama who highlighted Palmer’s appeal to “an audience across the world”.In a statement issued by the White House, Obama spoke about Palmer’s “homemade swing and homespun charm”, and his on-course swagger “before we had a name for it”.Obama added: “From a humble start working at the local club in his beloved Latrobe, Pennsylvania, to superstardom as the face of golf around the globe, Arnold was the American Dream come to life.“Arnold’s freewheeling, fearless approach to the game inspired a generation of golfers and, for the first time on TV, enthralled an audience across the world. Sure, we liked that he won seven majors, but we loved that he went for it when he probably should have laid up.“That spirit extended beyond the links where he gave freely of himself and poured everything he had into everything he did: from building hospitals to personally responding to countless letters from his fans. And he did it all with a grin.”In his native South Africa yesterday, Player woke up to the news of Palmer’s death and tweeted: “Arnold Palmer simply transcended the game of golf. He was inspirational to so many and lived his life to the fullest“He had a slashing, dashing style accompanied with a knowing smile. He was loved by all even when they did not know him. He always made an effort, even when the odds were stacked against him. Our prayers go out to Kit and his entire loving family.“Muff, I will raise my glass and toast your life tonight my friend, and hope to be reunited for another round together in time. Rest In Peace. I love you,” said the 80-year-old Player, a nine-time major champion.Nicklaus, 76, also spoke about how Palmer “transcended” golf.“He was more than a golfer or even great golfer,” said the 18-time major winner. “He was an icon. He was a legend. Arnold was someone who was a pioneer in his sport. He took the game from one level to a higher level, virtually by himself.“We were great competitors, who loved competing against each other, but we were always great friends along the way … we were always there for each other. That never changed. He was the king of our sport and always will be.”