Agriculture Glance

Food Check-Out Day

The Yuma County Farm Bureau will observe the annual Food Check-Out Day Thursday. Members will be at Fry's in the Pioneer Shopping Center from noon to 4 p.m. to educate shoppers about the value of America's food supply.

On average, Americans spend only about 10 percent of their disposable income on food. Several years ago, the American Farm Bureau Women's Committee developed a way to clearly illustrate how long Americans work each year to earn their daily bread. Using U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics on food costs, the AFB Women's Committee determined that it takes only about 37 days for the average American to earn enough to buy their groceries for the entire year.

"American consumers enjoy the lowest food bills in the world, thanks largely to our bountiful, safe and affordable food supply," says AFB Women's Committee Chairman Terry Gilbert of Kentucky. "That is truly something we should all be grateful for."

Due also to our increased standards of living, America's food is becoming even more affordable. In 1970, Food Check-Out Day would have been a full two weeks later - Feb. 20. In contrast to the 37 days it now takes Americans to earn a year's supply of food, it took them about 107 days last year to pay their federal, state and local taxes.

Holtville holds Carrot Festival

The annual Carrot Festival held in Holtville, Calif., will be Jan. 30-Feb. 8 with the theme "Holtville - A Town with Dreams."

A banquet and other activities lead up to the event. The festival culminates Feb. 5-9 with the carnival, carrot cooking contest finale (to be taped by television's Food Network), parade Feb. 7 and entertainment throughout the weekend.

For more information, call the Holtville Chamber of Commerce at 1-760-356-2923.

Tulare ag show scheduled

The 2004 World Ag Expo will be held Feb. 10-12 at the International Agri-Center near Tulare, Calif.

The annual event, bigger than ever this year, will include 1,600 exhibiting companies, North American Day tribute to Canada and Mexico, cooking and other demonstrations, hands-on tractor test drives and tours of farms, dairies and other agriculture businesses. More than 100 free agribusiness seminars will address such topics as impact of air quality regulations on agriculture, exporting organic farm products, specialty crops, selling online and genetically modified foods.

Admission is $7 per person for a three-day pass.

For more information, visit www.farmshow.org.