Boutique organic gift basket provider Best Organics Inc. is breaking out. When the company launched in Boulder in 2006 with its gift brand, Boulder’s Best Organics, featuring unique, locally sourced organic products, it ultimately had its sites set on serving not just the regional market, but also the growing national demand for organic, healthful and eco-friendly gifts and gift basket collections.

With the launch of America’s Best Organics gift baskets – featuring premium organic and sustainable products from U.S.-based artisan producers and leading organic brands – the company is seeking to capitalize on the growing U.S. market for food and gift basket gifting. According to research firm Packaged Facts, the market for food gifting grew 9.6% from 2007 to 2009, despite the economic downturn, reaching $18 billion in 2010, with food gift basket sales accounting for $3.3 billion of that total.

“It comes as no surprise that the specialty food sector is fueling growth in the food gifting market, as that coincides with continuing consumer interest in all foods organic, natural and gourmet,” said Packaged Facts in its August 2010 report, Food Gifting in the U.S., 2nd Edition.

“We are pleased to work with a dedicated group of brand partners in featuring their products and sharing their stories on our website, AmericasBestOrganics.com, and in our gift basket collections,” said Best Organics CEO Seleyn DeYarus. “Health and environmentally conscious gift buyers and those who simply love good food can choose from a number of themed gift collections for men, women, families, children and babies, or create their own custom gift basket. We provide gift basket themes ranging from Baby Shower and Birthday to College Student and Christmas, and we also offer kosher, vegan and gluten-free gift collections,” she said.

America’s Best Organics gift baskets are filled with products from leading U.S. organic producers including Theo Chocolates; John Wayne Stock & Supply Company (owned and operated by the late actor’s family); Aura Cacia; Clif Bar; Bonterra Vineyards (the leading producer of wine made from organic grapes); Kopali Organics; Justin’s Nut Butter; BumbleBar; Chocolove; Boulder Granola; Angell Organic Candy Bars; To-Go Ware; St. Claire’s Organics; GoNaturally; Intelligent Nutrients; Eco-Ditty; St. Francis Organics; Selina Naturally; Pangea Organics; Hail Merry; Peeled Snacks; Runa Amazon Guayusa; WildTime Foods; Colorado Mountain Jams; Teatulia; Life Opening Chocolates; Your True Nature; Finny's Greens; Fearless Chocolates; Spicely Organic Spices; Sum-Bo-Shine; Superfood Snacks; Wacky Apple; Wishgarden Herbs; Surf Sweets; People Towels; Olomomo; Licious Organics; Lumia Organics; Goddess Garden; Jen's Zen; Bare Body Soaps; and other leading artisan and national brands.

In addition to authentic national brands, gift buyers can choose from unique and delicious organic foods, snacks, coffees, teas and also personal care items, and they can shop regionally, selecting gift items from small producers in Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Wyoming, California, Texas, Colorado, and elsewhere.

“America’s Best Organics gift baskets are perfect for people who want to share their commitment to health, fair trade and the environment – and for green-minded businesses who want to deliver a memorable gift to clients, customers, investors, employees and VIPs,” said co-owner Steven Hoffman, former director of The Organic Center and co-founder of the LOHAS Forum.

Each America’s Best Organics gift collection is hand packed, shipped with minimal packaging, and presented in a beautifully illustrated, reusable keepsake gift box featuring colorful paintings of the great American outdoors by noted artist Jim Freeheart.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. GRIT does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase. 

The Digital Wood Carver was introduced by engineer, Burl Tichenor, to the woodworking and engraving industry. Using CNC technology, the Digital Wood Carver can produce a variety of details including 3D shapes, V-carving and pocketing text or figures.

Geared for woodworkers, custom engravers, craftsman and sign designers, this Digital Wood Carver includes the carving head and table. It has onboard software to program artwork, text, or freestyle designs. The computerized carver moves to the exact location on the wood to make the desired design.

  
Digital Wood Carver Cutting Head Specifications 

• 2hp Full Size router with soft start and variable speed
• Z axis (height) uses acme thread that can produces up to 90 inches per minute in rapid movement
• Spindle cam lock for bit changes
• Optional dust collection system for keeping work area clean

Digital Wood Carver Table Specifications 

• A large 40”x24” cutting area (X and Y) with 4 ¼” Z axis
• Harden polished chrome rods with heavy duty linear bearings. X is 1” rods, Y and Z rods 3/4”
• Precise gear tooth timing belt to drive X and Y axis
• Up to 275 inches per minute in rapid movement

Digital Wood Carver Control System Specifications 

• 4 axis stepper motor driver
• Diagnostic indicators for troubleshooting
• Fan cooled
• Relay system which controls the on/off functions of the spindle and vacuum controlled by software
• 36 volt power supply

Customers of The Digital Wood Carver have experienced success with their carving creations. John Malinowski from Michigan says, "It is so satisfying designing and making stuff with this machine that I have a hard time going to sleep because I'm thinking of interesting ways to use the machine. I was working on the CNC last night till midnight."

According to Burl Tichenor, owner and engineer, “you are only limited by your imagination and the Digital Wood Carver creates woodworking details like never before.”

The Digital Wood Carver is available for immediate purchase through the company’s website, http://www.digitalwoodcarver.com/.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. GRIT does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase. 

As part of its annual Green Fever sales program, John Deere announces major incentives on its entire line of compact tractors, utility tractors, and pull-type hay tools purchased from now through January 31, 2012. In addition, the Green Fever promotion also will offer special pre-season incentives on select turf products purchased from now through February 29, 2012.

The John Deere equipment models and incentives included in the Green Fever sales program include:

• John Deere 1 Series, 2000 Series, 3000 Series and 4000 Series Compact Utility Tractors: 0% financing for 60 months AND $500 off if purchased with two John Deere or Frontier attachments.
• Select Series Lawn Tractors: $500 off.
• Z600 Series Mowers: $300 off.
• John Deere 5D and 5E Series Utility Tractors: 0% for 60 months financing or $1,000 off.
• John Deere 5E Limited and 5M Series Utility Tractors: 0% for 60 months financing or $1,500 off.
• John Deere 6D Series Tractors: 0% for 60 months financing or $2,000 off.
• John Deere 6030 Series Tractors: 0% for 48 months financing or $2,000 off.
• John Deere 6R Series and 7030 Series Small-Frame Tractors: 0% for 36 months financing or up to $4,000 off.

According to Steve Geick, tactical marketing manager for John Deere, the Green Fever equipment discounts and special financing are designed to appeal to current and prospective customers who are interested in purchasing equipment for their farm, ranch, rural properties or commercial lawn/landscape businesses before the end of the year or next use season.

“These are some of the best new-sales-year kickoff incentives we’ve ever offered through our dealer network and should be attractive to a wide range of customers in the U.S. and Canada,” Geick says. “We encourage customers to see their local John Deere dealer for more details on the equipment and incentives they are interested in before the sales program expires.” 

For more information on the special first-quarter financing and discount options on select John Deere equipment for the farm, ranch, lawn and garden, visit www.JohnDeere.com/GreenFever.  See your John Deere dealer for specific details on the Green Fever sales program as well as for more information on the products included in the promotion.

Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services and is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land - those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land to meet the world’s dramatically increasing need for food, fuel, shelter and infrastructure. Since 1837, John Deere has delivered innovative products of superior quality built on a tradition of integrity.  For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at www.JohnDeere.com.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. GRIT does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase. 

The Center for Rural Affairs praised the introduction of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011, a cross-cutting initiative aimed at helping the next generation of farmers and ranchers enter into agriculture and take advantage of emerging markets.  The bill is sponsored by Representative Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Representative Tim Walz (D-MN). Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and other members of the Senate Agriculture Committee will introduce a companion bill in the Senate when next in session.

“This legislation is smart, cost-effective public policy that will create jobs and invest in the future of rural America,” said Traci Bruckner, Assistant Director for Rural Policy of the Center for Rural Affairs. “It addresses obstacles that often prevent beginning farmers and ranchers from getting their operation started.”

“As the average age of the American farmer continues to increase, it is critical for the well-being of rural America that young people engage in farming and agricultural entrepreneurship. This legislation provides common-sense incentives to young farmers and ranchers, helping overcome the initial challenges facing those who wish to establish their careers in agriculture and raise families on the farm,” said Representative Jeff Fortenberry who represents Nebraska’s first Congressional district and is a co-sponsor of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act.

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act contains several key elements, including:

• Reauthorizing the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, a beginning farmer and rancher training and support initiative. It would increase mandatory funding from $75 million to $125 million over the next 5 years to help meet growing demand for the program, and include a new priority on agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training programs for military veterans.

• $30 million in annual funding for the Value Added Producer Grants Program and will retain the priority for projects benefiting beginning farmers and ranchers as well as a set-aside of program funding for these projects.

• Creating savings and enhancing lending provisions that help beginning farmers and ranchers access credit and establish a pattern of savings.

• Providing conservation incentives to assist beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to establish conservation practices and sustainable systems on their farms and ranches.

“When you compare the numbers from the 2007 and 2002 Census of Agriculture, you see a big drop in the number of younger farmers in agriculture as their primary occupation. The revitalization of rural America depends, in large part, on reversing that trend,” explained Bruckner.

“It can be difficult to get started in the world of agriculture,” said Garrett Dwyer, a beginning rancher and former Marine infantryman from Bartlett, NE. “Skyrocketing costs of buying or renting land make entry into farming and ranching a daunting task.” Dwyer traveled to D.C. in June to participate in a nationwide fly-in called, “Sound Investments to ensure the Next Generation of Beginning Farmers and Ranchers.”

According to Dwyer, more beginning farmers and ranchers are needed because without a new generation of beginners, the land will concentrate in large farms. “And that will cause the permanent loss of opportunity for family farms, ranches, and rural communities and squander the chance to shift to a more sustainable system of agriculture,” explained Dwyer.

Bruckner explained that the introduction of these bills in both the House and the Senate is a crucial step in focusing more of the public investment in the 2012 farm bill on the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Congressional investment in beginning farmers and ranchers is an investment, by all Americans, in the future of rural America.  

“And it is money well spent,” continued Bruckner.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. GRIT does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase. 

This holiday season, forget the socks and cartoon character neckties. Fiskars, a leading global supplier of consumer products for the home, garden and outdoors, has revamped the traditional hardware snip, making the perfect holiday gift for the handyman on your list. Available exclusively at Walmart starting November 25, 2011, the ShopBoss™ helps complete tasks faster by combining some of the most frequently used tools into one tool as versatile as the tasks he’s bound to tackle.

Fiskars’ ShopBoss™ Hardware Snip combines heavy-duty cutting power and practical multi-functionality:

•  Titanium coated, heavy-duty blades designed for tough cutting jobs including light metals, carpet and flooring

•  Spring action design reduces hand fatigue when cutting

•  Wire cutter and wire stripper for cutting light wire without damaging
    the blades

•  Twine cutter to cut twine cleanly and quickly

•  Pry-off bottle opener makes it easy to open bottles with work gloves

•  Sheath includes a tape cutter for opening boxes, a deburring file to take the jagged edge off cut metal, a belt clip for easy transport, and a pencil holder.

“Whether it’s for dad, grandpa, or the neighbor down the street, the ShopBoss™  will help solve do-it-yourself projects without turning the toolbox upside down,” said Sean Martin, vice president of marketing and new product development at Fiskars. “The ShopBoss™  leverages Fiskars’ cutting expertise and design heritage in a convenient tool that stands up to tough projects and home repairs.”

The ShopBoss™ follows the success of the award-winning Cuts+More™ Scissors in Fiskars’ family of multipurpose tools grounded in value and innovation. Available for under $30, the ShopBoss™ is the one gift the handyman on your list will still be excited about once the holidays are over. For more information and a product video visit www.fiskars.com.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. GRIT does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase. 

ROUSH CleanTech announced their latest propane autogas product offering today with the unveiling of the new 2012 Ford F-250 and F-350 at the Green Industry and Equipment Expo (GIE+Expo) in Louisville, Ky., the nation’s premier show for landscape professionals. These new trucks are designed to suit the needs of a wide variety of industries — including landscaping ­— for space, range and reliability, while providing a significant reduction in both fuel costs and carbon footprint.

Denison Landscaping and Nursery, Inc., in Fort Washington, Md., is ROUSH CleanTech’s first landscaping customer to commit to purchasing the 2012 models once they become available. Currently, Denison Landscaping is implementing two ROUSH CleanTech Ford F-250s into their fleet of nearly 300 vehicles, and also is considering the purchase of propane-powered lawn mowers.

“We chose the ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas option for engineering and design superiority, the stand-alone viability of fuel, the demonstrated cleaner burn, and the additional longevity of the engine and its internal fluids,” said Josh Denison, Denison Landscaping’s director of human resources and operations, during today’s announcement. “In the D.C. metro area, going green is what customers want to see from the companies they choose as business partners. Many of our peers are choosing hybrid technology, however, we feel hybrids are not as cost-effective for us as propane autogas. Couple the trucks with the propane mowers we will be adding, and we have a powerful tool to help us become more environmentally sustainable — not to mention cost effective.”

According to Denison, the first two trucks will replace gasoline-fueled models driven by company managers who travel an average of 900 to 1,200 miles per week. Calculations show the ROUSH CleanTech trucks fueled by propane autogas have the potential to lower the company’s carbon footprint by more than 60,000 pounds of carbon dioxide in one year.

“ROUSH CleanTech’s lineup of propane autogas powered trucks and vans gets the job done cleaner and more cost effectively,” said Joe Thompson, president of ROUSH CleanTech. “Our propane autogas vehicles provide the same horsepower, torque and towing capacity as their gasoline counterparts, and are proven to emit up to 25 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions and 60 percent less carbon monoxide. All this while lowering fuel and maintenance costs.”

The new 2012 model year ROUSH CleanTech Ford F-250 and Ford F-350 trucks offer two tank options  — an in-bed, 49-gallon tank or an under-bed, 25-gallon tank. The truck also features the new 6.2-liter V8 Ford engine, with improved performance characteristics over the previous generation 5.4-liter V8. These alternative fuel trucks are available through ROUSH CleanTech’s network of authorized Ford dealerships, or as kits shipped to authorized up-fitters, with delivery planned for the second quarter of 2012.

Roy Willis, president and CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), also spoke during the unveiling. “The Propane Education & Research Council is proud to introduce the brand-new 2012 ROUSH CleanTech Ford F-250 and F-350 trucks fueled by propane autogas," says Roy Willis, president and CEO of PERC. "For more than a decade, PERC has funded the research and development of clean, green products like the cost-effective, high-performing trucks and vans from ROUSH CleanTech. And today those products are helping companies like Denison Landscaping meet their sustainability goals and lower their operating costs with propane autogas.”

This press release is presented without editing for your information. GRIT does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase. 

As part of the claims-filing process, attorneys appointed by the court will hold meetings around the country to provide assistance to Native American farmers and ranchers who wish to file a claim in the $760 million Keepseagle class action settlement.  The settlement resolves a lawsuit claiming that the U.S. Department of Agriculture discriminated against Native Americans in farm loan applications and servicing. 

Over the past six months, Native American farmers and ranchers around the country received information about their legal rights and options by postal mail and through print and radio notices.  Class members who want to file a claim for cash and loan forgiveness must file their claims by December 27, 2011.

Class members can get free assistance in filing a claim at meetings that will be held around the country from now through mid-December.  There will meetings in this area at the Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS on November 8-10 from 9:00am to 5:00pm. 

Additional upcoming meetings will be held in this region on:

• November 14-17 and December 20-22 in Tahlequah, OK
• November 28-29 in McAlester, OK and Seminole, OK
• November 30 – December 1 in Ada, OK and Hugo, OK
• December 5-6 in Muskogee, OK
• December 5-8 in Bartlesville, OK
• December 7-8 in Norman, OK
• December 12-13 in Stroud, OK
• December 12-15 in Quapaw-Miami, OK
• December 14-15 in Pawnee, OK

Class members who have already registered for a Claims Package will receive a schedule of meetings.  The complete schedule of Claims Filing Meetings is also available at www.IndianFarmClass.com or by calling 1-888-233-5506.  Media are requested to include the website and phone number in pieces about the settlement.

Class members wishing to register to receive a Claims Package can do so through the website or toll-free number or by writing to Keepseagle Settlement Administrator, PO Box 3560, Portland, OR 97208-3560.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. GRIT does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase. 

The Highland breed has lived for centuries in the rugged remote Scottish Highlands. The extremely harsh conditions created a process of natural selection, where only the fittest and most adaptable animals survived to carry on the breed. The first recorded importation into the United States occurred in the late 1890s when western cattlemen recognized the need to improve the hardiness of their herds. The American Highland Cattle Association (AHCA) registry was formed in 1948.

This moderate framed breed is an excellent browser. They have been used in the US and worldwide to clear brush lots, for Oak Savannah restoration and grazing improvement projects. Highlands perform well in a variety of feed scenarios whether brush, forage/grass based or grain finished.

Highlands are hardy and vigorous; calves are up nursing quickly. Calving ease is a reputable trait with average birth weight at 70 lbs. Cows are protective mothers that guard against predators, however, they are a docile breed. The double hair coat allows the animal to marble naturally on low input forage while producing lean, low fat, high quality cuts of beef. They shed out earlier in the spring and produce less hair in a warmer climate. Yet at the same time they can withstand harsh winters making them suitable for a variety of environments. These cattle fit into a variety of operations from the small farm to large commercial beef operations.

Information gathered recently from an email survey sent out to all AHCA members about how the Beef Marketing Committee would best serve their needs, led the Committee to seek out an individual and facility capable of testing and reporting to us scientific, data-driven information about the special qualities of Highland beef. The Beef Marketing Committee in collaboration with the Highland Cattle Foundation is working with Dr. Bryon Wiegand at the University of Missouri. Dr. Wiegand specializes in analysis of fatty acid profile, tenderness and palatability. AHCA will be seeking submission of beef samples to be tested from a wide variety of Highland producers, small and large, grass finished and grain finished, from different geographic regions. We are looking forward to beginning the study and gathering empirical data to confirm that Highland beef is a premium product, second to none in flavor and health benefits.         

The Association has recently moved to the Historic City Hall in Brighton, CO. This early circa 1900s building is on the National Register of Historic Places and a great new location for our heritage breed! The area is home to many agri-businesses and has an abundant agricultural base. Brighton encompasses a portion of Weld County, which is the richest agricultural county in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains and leads the state in the value of ag products sold.

For more information contact: American Highland Cattle Association, Historic City Hall, 22 S. 4^th Ave., Ste. 201, Brighton, CO 80601-2030, (303) 659-2399, info@highlandcattleusa.org  www.highlandcattleusa.org 

This press release is presented without editing for your information. GRIT does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase. 

Mary Steves of Escalon, California, a senior at Escalon High School in Escalon and member of the Escalon FFA Chapter, conducted research comparing the immune responses of Barbados Blackbelly hair sheep and Suffolk crossbred sheep to gastrointestinal nematodes. Her study concluded that hair sheep produce a greater immune response. Now this research has also won her top honors.

Steves was named Agriscience Student of the Year Friday at the 84^th National FFA Convention during an onstage ceremony and was presented with a scholarship.

“Knowing there is a difference in resistance, future studies may include performing the same research on offspring from a cross of hair sheep with typical wool-type sheep breeds European in origin, such as the Suffolk, which would hopefully generate data that might be useful for sheep producers looking to increase parasite resistance and decrease losses from parasite infections by a more practical and more economical means through crossbreeding,” she said.

Steves is currently serving as the 2011-12 California Association FFA state secretary and after high school plans to attend California State University at Chico and major in animal science. She is the daughter of Lisa and Rob Steves, and her FFA advisors are Jennifer Terpstra, Stacy Ingalls and Bruce Campbell.

The National FFA Agriscience Student of the Year program recognizes high school students who, through scientific research and reasoning, find creative solutions to challenges within the field of agriculture. Eight national finalists are selected for the student of the year award. Those competing to win the honor develop hypotheses, conduct research and develop theories pertaining to an agricultural issue and report findings to a panel of judges with a detailed application, written report, display, presentation and an interview.

To qualify for the honor, FFA members must be a junior or senior in high school or a freshman in college majoring in an agriculture-related field and heir research must have been initiated while in high school.

The National FFA Agriscience Student of the year is sponsored by Monsanto as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

Formerly known as Future Farmers of America, the National FFA Organization provides agricultural education to more than 540,379 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,489 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. GRIT does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase. 

Houston-based Mahindra USA, the number one selling tractor brand in the world, proudly announces the all-new 6010 HST Cab and 6110 Shuttle Cab to its 10-series of tractors.  The 10 series tractors are a value line of compact economy machines designed for a multitude of uses. The new 10 series models are both four-wheel drive and became available at Mahindra dealerships nationwide on October 31.

“The new 6010 and 6110 tractors continue Mahindra’s tradition of providing our customers with the superior performance, power and value that they require and expect from the world’s #1 selling tractor,” said Cleo Franklin, Vice President – Marketing and Strategic Planning for Mahindra USA. “These new tractors are economical, easy to operate, and ideal for general purpose farming, agriculture/livestock operations, and grounds maintenance.”

Each 6010 tractor features a four-cylinder, 59 horsepower, turbo-charged and indirect injection engine that is the best in its class. The new models continue the strength of the 10 series, with a loader lift capacity of 3,122 lbs. Standard features on the new 10 series models include: ergonomic and spacious cabs, flat operator’s platform for comfort, push button cruise and speed settings, load sensing function and standard AM/FM stereo with CD player.

The 6010 HST features hydrostatic transmission with three ranges and infinite speeds, and a 3,314 lb. hydraulic lift capacity. The 6110 Shuttle Cab features Synchro-shuttle with partial Synchromesh transmission, 12 forward and 12 reverse speeds, and a 3,527 lb. hydraulic lift capacity.

The 10 series offers heavy-duty performance at a no-nonsense price. The fuel-efficient engines will help owners reduce their operating costs and save money with the value pricing of the new products.

Mahindra became the #1 selling tractor in the world in 2010 due to providing consumers with value-packed, high-quality tractors.  Mahindra is the only tractor manufacturer in the world to win both the Deming Application Prize and the coveted Japan Quality Medal for excellence in Total Quality Management, awarded by the Deming Prize Committee care of the Union of Japanese Scientists.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. GRIT does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase. 

The new 655 TOPS/Buck Short Nighthawk fixed-blade meets the old challenge, ”Where failure is not an option,” with flying colors. Rugged, reliable and durable, this tactical/survival knife is designed to meet the need when emergency situations arise.

The Short Nighthawk has a 4-7/8” full-tang, modified clip blade, 0.235” thick for rugged use. It's made of 420HC stainless steel, hardened to Rc 58 for maximum performance. The blade has a black-oxide coating and also features an oxygen wrench and utility notches. Overall, it is 10-3/8”long and weighs 9.4 oz.

The ergonomically shaped handle is a black, reinforced molded nylon with a Dynaflex^® rubber non-slip grip. It comes with a heavy-duty black nylon M.O.L.L.E.-compatible sheath with a front carry pouch. The Model 655 Short Nighthawk is made in America and, like all Buck knives, it's backed by Buck's no-nonsense Forever Warranty. MSRP, $95.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. GRIT does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase. 

Pet and livestock owners looking for high quality animal nutrition backed by expertise and support can now rely on newly released Hubbard Life products to feed the companion animals they care for.

Hubbard Feeds, Inc. introduces a fresh look featuring refined nutrition with their rural lifestyle line of feed that provides nutritionally superior and optimally balanced food for dogs, cats, equine and poultry.

Formulated by a team of leading nutritionists, Hubbard Life products deliver high quality protein, minerals and nutrients to meet the growth, performance and health needs of animals. Healthy coats, strong skin and joints, robust immune systems, vigor and energy to enjoy life are what owners provide their pets and livestock by feeding Hubbard Life products.

Nutrition is the foundation of the Hubbard Life package, but consumers can expect a lot more. A website is devoted to enhancing consumers’ experiences with their animals at www.hubbardlife.com. With a staff that includes some of the nation’s top nutritionists and technicians, pet and livestock owners have direct access to expertise and support from qualified professionals.

“Hubbard Life is designed to be a lifestyle package for animal lovers who want to feed with a purpose,” said Doug Pamp, Lifestyle Product Manager for Hubbard Life. “What makes Hubbard Life unique is this high quality feed product is supported by a network of folks who understand how to take care of the animal and are willing to answer questions and solve problems.”

Tips and tools are freely offered on the website along with an interactive blog written by Hubbard Life nutritionists and sales representatives who not only are knowledgeable about animal nutrition but raise pets and animals themselves.

“Our animal experts understand the emotional bond between an owner and their animal is special,” Pamp said. “They can relate to customers who want optimal nutrition for their companion animals and will provide consumers with feeding solutions that matter.”

The Hubbard Life line includes six evaluated and reformulated dog products and one cat food; seven proven equine products and six Hubbard Life Homestead® poultry products that are made with only natural ingredients.

Hubbard’s commitment to quality, support and product assurance is what current and new customers can expect from the Hubbard Life product line.

“My promise to our customers is that the Hubbard Life products have been evaluated, verified and reformulated when necessary based on the latest information, science and technology,” Pamp said. “It’s our responsibility as a company to balance what a customer wants and needs in a pet and animal feed product.”

Hubbard Life products are available to Hubbard dealers starting October 17. To find a Hubbard Life retailer, visit www.hubbardlife.com to access a searchable database of dealers.

“Hubbard has a long history as a trusted brand with quality products,” Pamp said. “The dog, cat, equine and poultry products are our initial rollout for our Hubbard Life line. Our commitment is long term and a complete offering is coming in 2012 that not only includes pet and companion animals, but sheep, goats, game birds, small mammals and more.”

This press release is presented without editing for your information. GRIT does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase.