Farmers Celebrate Earth Day

In celebration of Earth Day, the producers of “America’s Heartland” said they wanted to share some of their favorite stories about people they’ve met who are true environmental stewards. “For them, it’s more than just good business – it’s what they believe in. View our very special Earth Day Webisode here! We’ve met a lot of farm and ranch families.Each one is unique, but almost all of them have a few things in common. They’re incredibly hard-working; they’re very good businesspeople; and most important, they share an abiding love of the land.”
The America’s Heartland Earth Day Webisode includes the following four stories:
· Adam's Ranch: 82 year old Florida rancher Bud Adams is excited about cattle and conservation. The Adams Cattle Ranch is famous for its beef, but Bud is also well known as an award winning photographer. His work has captured life on the ranch as well as the dramatic environment in which he lives and works.
· Carbon Capture: Global warming is an issue that’s generated heated debate around the world. Now researchers at Kansas State University are proposing that those in agriculture could play a major role in reducing carbon emissions by expanding their use of “no-till” farming.
· Harvest & Heritage: Innovation is at the heart of modern agriculture. For one farm family in Washington State, innovation is also a part of how they view production in the total picture of “sustainable” agriculture.The Stemilt family is famous for its produce and for its practices that protect the environment.
· Life Choices: While Jen Johnson’s Ivy League education provides her with opportunities that could take her anywhere in the world, she’s chosen to continue her life as a cattle rancher. Working with the Nature Conservancy, Jen and her family have instituted changes on their Colorado ranch that are proving beneficial to the environment.

WLI News

Class VIII nominations are on the way. The alumni need to be thinking about their lists.

Also. Why is it so quiet on here?

Sent via BlackBerry.

Cows absolved of causing global warming with nitrous oxide

Cows absolved of causing global warming with nitrous oxide
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/climatechange/7564682/Cows-absolved-of-causing-global-warming-with-nitrous-oxide.html

Shared via AddThis.com

New Highlands County Citrus Growers Association President Charlie Wilson speaks to the 300 members and guests attending the Association's Annual Meeting on February 18th.

This well known leader has recently been elected to serve as the President of the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association for the next year, so congratulations to Charlie!

February Class VII seminar: Catching up

A good time was had by during our Feb. 5-6 seminar when members of Class VII got together at the Florida State Fair. We had a wonderful dinner at The Columbia restaurant in Ybor City, a nice morning of programming (wouldn't be WLI without programming) from Dr. Carter, and then a windy but fun afternoon at the Florida State Fair. We capped it off with an evening at Crystal Springs Preserve, complete with dinner and a roaring bonfire. It was great to see everyone again, and we missed those who weren't able to make it because of family and other obligations. I hope we have a solid turnout for the WLI Alumni Association event in Orlando Aug. 13-15. Check out the photos from the weekend on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?oid=21413292283&view=user

"Someday" thinking

I would love to see the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park, and someday I will. And New England, too ... someday. Plus I have a whole bookcase of cookbooks with recipes I've earmarked that I'm planning to cook. Someday.

Are you a "someday thinker," as I tend to be? I've realized recently that I can't really afford to have that mindset. A program I'm participating in, "One Month to Live," (http://www.onemonthtolive.com/), points out that the things we think are important are the things we should be spending our time on. (And my health is just fine, thank you.) Yes, the car has to be maintained, we should be working out, and oh yes - there are bills to pay. But we need to be living life deliberately, and we need to be doing it now.

That goes to every facet of our life, including our responsibilities as leaders. We talked a lot about what's next for us as WLI alumni once the Class VII program ended. Florida agriculture can't afford for us to be involved someday. What's on your list of leadership "somedays," and what's stopping you from getting started now?