As locally sourced food spearheads growing trends in US food systems, Vermont company Bob-White Systems leads the way in providing micro dairy supplies and equipment for farm fresh milk and farmstead cheese. Bob-White Systems has been supplying small scale cow and goat dairy farms with micro dairy processing equipment, cheese making equipment, dairy and milking supplies, livestock and barn supplies, and used dairy equipment since 2006. This month, the New England micro dairy industry leader launches a direct sales e-commerce site at www.bobwhitesystems.com.

A varied selection of micro dairy supplies and equipment are available for direct purchase with more to come throughout the summer months. If certain products are not available for online purchase immediately, customers can order by phone direct from the staff. Micro dairy farming provides sustainable, economies-of-scale, local, environmentally friendly, and humane animal care options for milk and cheese production to match demand. It also requires farmers to have access to very specialized equipment – not sized down commercial dairy equipment. Bob-White Systems staff are available to custom order supplies for farmers based on individualized needs. Micro dairy farm consulting is also a unique service offered by Bob-White Systems – committed to Bringing the Cows Back Home.

In addition to supplying and servicing micro dairy industry equipment and supplies, Bob-White Systems is in the final product development stages of the Bob-White Systems Low Impact Pasteurization (LIP) System which will bring gentle milk pasteurization direct to micro dairy farms enabling farmers to offer customers the choice between raw milk OR on-the-farm pasteurized milk. This revolutionary technology will offer micro dairy farmers the opportunity to increase market share and generate additional income. Approvals are on a state-to-state basis and those interested in learning more about the MOOvement are encouraged to join American Micro Dairies (www.americanmicrodairies.com).

And who IS Bob-White? The North American Bobwhite Quail fled his native hedge and fencerow pastures as large scale agriculture forced him to move to the woods (where he gets eaten by his non-natural predators) or gets sick from the imported non-native grasses. The micro dairy farming movement will not only bring the cows back home, but will bring the Bobwhite Quail back home as well.

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. 

For gardeners in many parts of the country, now is the most challenging time, when garden pest and disease problems may be in full force. For organic gardeners who don't want to use an herbicide that harms every insect -- it can be difficult to know what is causing the problem. Now, gardeners can turn to a free online resource created by Gardener's Supply that helps identify pests and diseases while providing earth-friendly solutions.

Gardener's Supply, an award-winning online and catalog retailer, developed the tool to aid gardeners in the sometimes maddening task of identifying, and taking action against, what's destroying their plants.

"Spring's wet weather stressed plants and created ideal conditions for disease," explains Maree Gaetani, gardening relations, Gardener's Supply. "Currently, Blossom-End Rot is the most common complaint among gardeners."

When tomato plants appear lush and healthy and almost ready for harvest, Blossom-End Rot is discouraging when brown decay appears at the blossom end, spreading rapidly and spoiling the fruit.

"We recommend Rot-Stop for Blossom-End Rot, as this all-natural formula prevents calcium deficiency, the most common cause of blossom-end rot," continued Gaetani.

Gardeners can also learn prevention techniques from the Pest and Disease Detective and learn from Product Reviews how other gardeners found success with the recommended solution.

Putting the Detective 'On the Case' 

Gardeners who aren't sure if they have the damage that is Blossom-End Rot or have spotted insects, or evidence of damage or disease on their plants can put the Pest and Disease Detective to work on their case by visiting www.gardeners.com, clicking on the Pest and Disease Detective link and answering a few simple questions about the type of plant affected, and the type of damage seen.

The Detective generates a list of plant-specific suspects with detailed images to match. More than 80 close-up, color photographs make it easy for gardeners to investigate which pests or diseases might be to blame.

Gardeners may view an unlimited number of detailed profiles -- which include insect life cycles, feeding and disease patterns, and recommended counter-attacks -- to determine exactly what's plaguing their plants. The Detective also recommends preventative strategies to keep plants healthy and minimize damage, and generates a list of effective, earth-friendly controls... especially important to gardeners who don't want to use harsh chemicals on their food.

The Detective also solicits suggestions and images from other gardeners to create an expanding arsenal of information as the season progresses. There's advice for dealing with animal pests such as rabbits, groundhogs, birds and others, as well as ideas for attracting and protecting beneficial insects, especially those that prey on problem pests.

Some of the most frequently recommended product solutions include Actinovate and SerenadeGarden Disease Control; both are used by organic market gardeners since they can be used up to day of harvest, and both work on vegetables, flowers and lawns. Actinovate is effective on pythium blight, verticillium, fusarium, powdery mildew, brown patch, take-all patch, dollarspot, downy mildew, gray mold, root rot, damping off, crown rot, black spot, leaf spots, rusts and more.

Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) listed; Serenade contains Bacillus subtilis, a soil-dwelling bacterium that controls leaf blight, black mold, powdery mildew and many other diseases.

To prevent slugs, Slug Magic consists of pellets that contain the active ingredient iron phosphate, a naturally occurring mineral. Once ingested, slugs stop eating and die within a few days. Once sprinkled on the soil surface near affected plants, the pellets remain effective for a full two weeks even if it rains.

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. 

Curtis Industries LLC has introduced a new WorkPro® cab system for the Cub Cadet Yanmar Sc2450 TLB series compact tractor. The new cab system features a commercial-grade ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structure) enclosure and has been designed for optimum flexibility with a variety of attachments including loaders and backhoes. The WorkPro’s roof unlatches above the rear curtain and pivots up using an integrated gas shock to allow full use of a backhoe without interference. The soft rear panel can also be removed to allow access to all 3-point mount accessories and backhoe operations. 

The durable, power-coated steel frame cab comes with steel doors and full sliding windows for maximum ventilation. Doors are pin-hinged for easy removal for summer comfort. The windshield is made of molded tempered safety glass with a pop-out vent feature and comes standard with a 12 volt heavy duty electric wiper. Optional accessories are available for the Cub Cadet Yanmar Sc2450 WorkPro Cab System including a high performance heater, defroster fan, work lights, strobe or beacon lights, and a deluxe console with CD player. This efficient and durable design will provide years of reliable service. 

Curtis Industries, LLC also offers WorkPro cab systems for Cub Cadet Yanmar’s Sc2400 series, Sx3100 series, Ex2900/3400 series and Ex450 series compact tractors. For more information on Curtis products please visit www.curtisindustries.net or call 800.343.7676.

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. 

“We are absolutely thrilled that John Stierna has been chosen as the recipient of the Norman A. “Norm” Berg Conservation Legacy Award,” says Dennis Nuxoll, Senior Director of Federal Policy at American Farmland Trust (AFT). “And it is a distinct honor to be able to say that we are affiliated with two great giants in conservation through this award.” Stierna received the award given by the National Capital Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS), a scientific and education organization for conservation professionals. 

Following his retirement as the Chief of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Norm Berg worked as a Senior Advisor at AFT for over 25 years until his death, while John Stierna joined the AFT staff following his retirement as the Senior Economist at NRCS to work on conservation policy for the farm bill. 

“For me personally, it’s been a thrill to come to work each day and learn the intricacies of conservation through their teaching and experience,” adds Nuxoll. “Both men absolutely set the bar high when it comes to mentoring in the workplace—whether assisting their senior colleagues or the newest intern. Norm and John have enriched the conservation community with their expertise on working lands conservation policy and in developing cutting- edge soil and water programs that work for farmers and improve the conservation of our country’s natural resources.” 

John H. Stierna

Stierna has over 45 years of experience in natural resources and agriculture as an economist and policy analyst in both the public and private sectors.  He has provided significant leadership for economic analysis, policy formation and legislative analysis during his career with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Washington, D.C., and he now serves as a natural resource economics consultant. Stierna helped develop policies to improve environmental benefits from the Conservation Reserve Program. He earned BS and MS degrees in agricultural economics from Michigan State University, and grew up on a Minnesota dairy farm. 

A veteran of five farm bills, Stierna is known for his work in developing working lands conservation programs and the concurrent legislative language and analysis used for policy proposals. Recently he has been involved in developing an innovative conservation loan program, efforts to address water quality issues for the Chesapeake Bay, and analysis of potential conservation policies for the 2012 Farm Bill. During his USDA tenure, he received numerous achievement awards and was selected as USDA Economist of the Year for 1997. 

Stierna has been a member of the American Agricultural Economics Association and the Soil and Water Conservation Society; and active in community and church affairs in Northern Virginia. He is past president of the International Alumni Board for Finlandia University, in Hancock, Michigan, is an elected member of the Board of Trustees for Finlandia University, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Committee on Trustees for the Board. 

The Norman A. Berg Conservation Legacy Award

The Norman A. Berg Conservation Legacy Award is given by the National Capital Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS), to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in advocating the conservation of soil, water and related natural resources, and whose service and accomplishments have made widely recognized contributions to the development of leading edge technologies that serve conservation at any geographic area, while working in the Washington, D.C., area. 

Norman A. “Norm” Berg

Having grown up in the Dust Bowl years, Norm Berg played a critical role in the beginning of agricultural conservation in the United States. He worked for the first chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Soil Conservation Service (SCS), Hugh Hammond Bennett, considered the “father of soil conservation”, and then rose steadily through the USDA ranks, serving as chief of the NRCS from 1979-1982. Under his leadership, the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act was drafted, giving authority over natural resources to the USDA, and requiring the agency to write a national conservation plan for Congress. 

Berg also helped initiate the first National Agricultural Lands Study (NALS) documenting the extent and causes of farmland loss in the United States. The landmark study led to the authorization of farmland protection efforts by the USDA and established the Farmland Information Center. Following his retirement at USDA, Berg served as the Senior Advisor at AFT for over 25 years until his death at age 90 in March 2008 During his career, Berg was actively involved in the National Capital Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society. The Norm Berg Collection of materials at the Farmland Information Center assembles testimony and documents written by or about Berg, along with key laws and reports representing milestones in agricultural conservation.

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. 

 TractorLife.com, a website that helps farmers maintain and extend the operating lives of their tractors, added a blog to the site on July 11. The blog addresses an array of topics about tractors and farm equipment, including tractor maintenance, new products, implements, tier 4 engines, safety issues, and fuel efficiency – as well as things to consider when buying or selling tractors.

Mark Moore, a well-known agricultural communications professional, hosts the blog. He has edited and contributed to agricultural publications as varied as Farm Industry News, Corn and Soybean Digest, No-Till Farmer and Farm Equipment, to name a few.  Moore is a member of both the North American Agricultural Journalists and American Agricultural Editors' Association.

"The blog, like the website, is about helping farmers extend the useful and productive life cycles of tractors and other farm equipment," Moore said. "We want to help farmers be proactive about maintenance to get the most out of their tractors. And that includes posts about engine oil, hydraulic tractor fluids and many other tips about machinery maintenance."

Moore added that, when possible, he relates timely news events that affect the agricultural community to the blogs he posts on TractorLife.com multiple times per week. Many farmers get maintenance information from local tractor dealerships and co-ops. The TractorLife.com blog provides farmers with a personable and friendly format for exchanging timely and relevant information with farmers from around the country to help improve performance and protect expensive farm equipment.

You can join your peers in conversations today on these topics and more: (http://www.tractorlife.com/blog)

Starting Fall Maintenance What's your pre-harvest maintenance plan? 

Russia offering cash for clunker tractors How would a government-sponsored buyback program in the U.S. for farm equipment impact you and your operation? 

Will confusion delay your Tier 4 buying? How well do you understand the new interim Tier 4 engines, and are you holding off any major purchases until the requirements are finalized? 

It's that time of year again. So what's the best, or most interesting, equipment demonstration you've seen? 

Get ready to pay more for Tier 4 How would higher prices for tier-4-interim-equipped tractors figure into your buying decisions for 2011 or 2012? 

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. 

Whether you’re stacking hay in the barn, working the field, hauling wheelbarrows, or harvesting fall produce, Duluth Trading Company’s collection of NEW and signature women’s workwear and outerwear provides the durability, freedom of movement, warmth and comfort that real hardworking women seek as the seasons change and demands of work become more challenging.

Known for solution-oriented features such as underarm gussets and bi-swing backs with stretch across the shoulders in button down shirts, and tons of pockets for added function and storage, Duluth Trading workwear is durable enough for even the toughest barnyard chores, yet washes well, won’t shrink and holds its shape. 

“Duluth’s women’s collection is inspired by our active hands-on customers.  These farmers, gardeners, and ranchers consider their workwear an essential tool, imperative to their productivity and we take their success seriously,” says Stephanie Pugliese, Duluth Trading’s senior vice president of product development and marketing.  “All Duluth Trading products are backed by our simple, no nonsense, ‘no bull’ guarantee and can be returned at any time for an exchange or refund.”  

Tested by a dream team of self-reliant, active women – all of whom have hands-on occupations, such as veterinary surgeons, organic farmers and lama breeders – the Duluth Real Women Test Panel approves Duluth gear for real life use. In addition, Duluth is known for using real women as models online, www.duluthtrading.com, and in its catalog. Thoughtfully designed to work with a woman's shape while providing the functionality and durability needed for active jobs and hobbies, some of the Duluth Trading Real Women’s fall and winter favorites include:

Grab Jacket   Great value performance outerwear, the new and improved Grab Collection is water and wind resistant synthetic outerwear that’s versatile and work-worthy across the seasons.  Most fall and winter days, our Grab Jacket is the one you're going to reach for. It's lightweight, easy to move in yet keeps you warm to 10ºF and weather resistant. Tough 3-ply Supplex nylon shell, fleece lining, 8 pockets for gear, including a cell phone pocket inside the jacket, underarm gussets, plus collar flips up to seal out wind.  Available in ocean blue, loden and brick.

Fire Hose® Berber-lined Vest  
This feminine and functional vest is made from the durable yet soft 11.5-oz. cotton Fire Hose, pre-washed to feel broken-in from the start. Plus, this work vest has a water- and stain-resistant Teflon® finish to repel muck and a polyester/acrylic Berber lining that traps heat. Five pockets for maximum storage. Available in brick and navy.

 Updated signature workwear worthy of even the toughest days in the field or barn 

Stretch Fire Hose Cargo Pant
The heroic 100% cotton canvas that once wrapped fire hoses is now a signature material for Duluth Trading Company’s workwear. The Fire Hose material is so incredibly durable and tear-resistant, yet amazingly soft. This year, we’ve added stretch to the tough Fire Hose Canvas in the new Stretch Fire Hose Collection, made of 97% cotton/3% spandex stretch 8-ounce canvas. Same great durability, with a little give for comfort and freedom of movement.  Available in coffee, black, pewter.

No Gap Flannel Shirt 
Duluth Trading’s Flannel Shirt is crafted from the softest yet most durable cotton flannel and made to fit a feminine figure. Its modern bi-swing feature, stretch concealed back panels, and underarm gussets help make movement easier for active women. Also features a wider packet to minimize gaps between buttons in the bust and maximize coverage. Available in ocean blue plaid, vintage olive plaid, red plaid and lavender plaid.

Stretch Denim Boot Cut Jeans  
Finally jeans made to fit women of all shapes and sizes. Duluth Trading’s Denim Boot Cut Jeans have an Asset Management Waist – contoured so it won’t gap in the back – which sits comfortably below the waist. A Trim Fit through the hips and thighs closely follows curves, but thanks to stretch in the fabric, is never too tight. And the middle back belt loop is shaped like a “V”, which keeps your belt from riding up when you bend, sit, or crouch.

Western Shirt 
Duluth Trading’s Western Shirt doesn’t just look good, it performs like a dream. The yarn-dyed plaid shirt is built for the toughest of jobs, like slinging hay bales and mucking out stalls. The bi-swing back, hidden mesh inserts behind each shoulder, and underarm gussets make every move easier. The hems are “faced,” or backed with extra fabric to prevent fraying. The snap front and cuffs are easier to deal with than buttons when you’re in a hurry. Now that’s fashion with function! Available in paprika floral and 10oz. denim.

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. 

When painting a home with a wood exterior, it's not unusual to find areas that are worn and weathered.  In extreme cases, the entire house may be weather-beaten. 

Sometimes, a home is this way because it's been years since the last paint job.  But even new construction - a recent addition, for example - can be "weathered" after only a few weeks if unpainted wood is left exposed to the elements. 

"If the wood exterior you're about to paint meets one of these descriptions, you'll need to do some extra surface preparation," says Debbie Zimmer, spokesperson for the Paint Quality Institute.   "That's the only way to end up with a high quality, long-lasting paint job on weathered wood." 

Assuming that the wood has been painted before, start your surface preparation by scraping away all of the loose or peeling paint.  (But if your home was built before 1978 and you suspect the presence of lead-based paint, first call 1-800-424-LEAD to learn how to avoid potential health hazards.)  Then, carefully inspect the exterior of your home for damaged or rotted wood. 

Dry rot (dry, crumbly sections of wood) and wet rot (soggy, soft spots) are both caused by microorganisms that thrive in damp conditions.  Rot can destroy the wood so completely that a finger can be pushed right through it.

To test for rot, poke suspicious-looking boards with a screwdriver; if it goes in easily, the wood has rotted. 

Remove all of the rot you find.  Use wood filler to repair small problem areas, and totally replace any wood that is damaged beyond repair.  If the damaged wood is structural - roof support posts, railing posts on elevated decks, and the like - consider hiring a professional to make the repairs. 

Since wood can rot wherever there is excess moisture, be sure to caulk and seal inside and outside corners, seams, and other gaps in the wood exterior where rain or other moisture could penetrate the surface.  For the best performance, use a paintable siliconized acrylic caulk. 

Thoroughly sand surfaces that have any degraded wood fiber.  If you are painting cedar shakes or another type of wood that is uneven, use a wire brush rather than sandpaper for this work.  Then brush off the surface. 

Next, wash off any remaining dust with a power washer, or scrub the surface with soapy water using a long-handled brush.  Start at the top of the wall and work down toward the bottom.  Be sure to rinse off the soap residue. 

If any mildew remains, remove it by applying a solution of one part bleach to three parts water, letting it sit on the surface for 20 minutes, then scrubbing it away.  Again, rinse the area clean. 

Apply a coat of top quality latex or oil-based primer to the entire exterior.  Then finish the project by applying one or two coats of top quality 100% acrylic latex exterior paint.  (A second coat will provide better protection from the elements and make your new paint job last longer). 

"When painting weathered wood, you may be tempted to skip the extra work required to properly prepare the surface, but it's a temptation you have to resist," says Zimmer.  "By going about the project in the right way, you'll be rewarded with many years of great performance from your new paint job." 

To learn more about exterior painting, visit blog.paintquality.com or www.paintquality.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.

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service today launched a photo contest to look for and promote best practices in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The competition, Food, Fun and Sun! The Summer Food Service Program Story and Photo Contest, is open to sponsors and sites participating in the SFSP, which provides free, healthy meals to children in low-income areas during the summer.

"We must do all we can to ensure that children get nutritious food during the summer so they are ready to learn and succeed during the school year," said Kevin Concannon, USDA Undersecretary for Food Nutrition and Consumer Services. "This contest helps highlight the critical role of summer meals and summer feeding programs in ending childhood hunger and providing our children the nutrition needed to be healthy, active and ready to win the future."

 Food, Fun and Sun! will highlight successful programs in four categories to share with SFSP sponsors and sites across the country. Contest winners will be recognized nationally.

Photo contest categories include:

• Volunteers: Examples of programs that use volunteers to support their work.
• Older Children: Examples of successful programs that address hunger among older kids, aged 12-18.
• Rural: Examples of successful programs in rural areas.
• Creative: Examples of the best creative programs that "think outside the box" to serve kids and teens.

For more details about the Food, Fun and Sun! The Summer Food Service Program Story and Photo Contest including submission guidelines and contest rules, please visit the competition webpage at http://challenge.gov/USDA/195-food-fun-and-sun-story-and-photo-challenge.

The SFSP, a federally funded program designed to alleviate hunger during the summer for children 18 years old and younger, operates through partnerships between USDA, state agencies and local organizations. Program sponsors, which include schools, government agencies, residential and non-residential camps and faith-based organizations, served nearly 134 million meals at eligible sites in 2010.

During the regular school year, about 21 million children from low-income households receive free or reduced-price meals through USDA's School Breakfast and National School Lunch programs, compared to about 3 million fed through summer programs. Hunger doesn't take a summer vacation – but communities across the Nation are working hard to make sure every child has the food they need, even when school is not in session.

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the child nutrition programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger.

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. 

Members of the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) are inviting the public to visit their farms and ranches on National Alpaca Farm Days on September 24th and 25th, 2011. This is a unique opportunity for the public to explore the many aspects of the alpaca livestock industry in the United States and Canada. From meeting these beautiful, inquisitive animals in person to experiencing luxurious alpaca products at individual farm stores, there will truly be something for everyone.

While most alpaca farms welcome visitors throughout the year, National Alpaca Farm Days are sure to include special activities and educational opportunities. To learn more about the alpaca industry visit www.alpacainfo.com. To find out more about National Alpaca Farm Days visit www.NationalAlpacaFarmDays.com.

Many people are drawn to the alpaca business because they produce an incredibly soft fiber that is 1/3 the weight of wool. They are a livestock that is relatively easy to care for and do not require large acreage. However, environmentally conscious individuals are becoming aware of the alpaca industry for even more reasons! Alpacas come in 22 natural colors, but they are all “green”! Sensitive to their environment in every respect, alpacas have soft padded feet instead of hooves and can leave even the most delicate terrain undamaged. Damage to topsoil decreases long-term soil fertility and in the process, the soil is eroded and weed invasion is encouraged. Alpacas prefer to eat tender grasses, which they do not pull up by the roots. Lacking upper teeth, alpacas “cut” the grass with their bottom teeth and upper palate. This vegetation cutting encourages the plant’s growth. Because they are modified ruminants with a three-compartment stomach, alpacas convert grass and hay to energy very efficiently, and stop eating when they are full, further preserving the landscape on which they live. However, alpacas do not mind eating brush, fallen leaves and other “undesirable” vegetation, leaving the “good stuff” for species that do not have the stomach to digest such roughage.

Alpacas’ pellet-like droppings are PH balanced, and an excellent, natural, slow release, low odor fertilizer.  This rich fertilizer is perfect for growing fruits and vegetables.  Because alpacas consolidate their feces in one or two communal spots in the pasture, it is easy to collect and compost, and the spread of parasites is controlled. While alpacas are environmentally friendly … and even beneficial… to the land, what makes them even more “green” is their end product… alpaca fiber.  They produced five to ten pounds of luxurious fiber.  No chemicals are employed either during feeding or during the industrial production of alpaca fleece into fiber.  Alpacas require no insecticides, herbicides and fertilizers which pollute the groundwater. Making this animal even more desirable to animal lovers looking to start a green business, alpacas are not killed. Alpacas are shorn, without harm, every twelve to eighteen months. All fiber from an alpaca can be used. Even the fiber from the lower legs, belly, neck, etc is being used for things such as natural weed mats to be placed around trees. Alpaca fiber is biodegradable. This 100% natural fiber comes in 22 natural colors, offering a full array of choices with no chemical dyes required. If dying is desired, only 20% of a normal dye quantity is required. An ever-growing American herd and source of fiber is on the horizon for this sustainable industry, and now is the perfect time to meet an alpaca and the people who raise them face-to-face!

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. 

It may be the middle of summer in America's heartland, but it's not too soon to think about January, according to independent cookbook publisher Gooseberry Patch.

"Why? Because our 2012 calendars are already flying off the shelves!" says Vickie Hutchins, Gooseberry Patch co-founder.

Gooseberry Patch's bestselling calendar collection is now available for purchase by the general public. The 2012 collection includes the highly anticipated wall calendar, appointment calendar and pocket calendar. Two alternate wall calendar formats round out the collection, which is affordably priced from $5.95 to $14.95.

The full-color calendars are filled with hand-painted, signature Gooseberry Patch artwork and lots of homestyle recipes, tips and inspiring quotes, along with plenty of space to jot down special occasions and appointments. The collection is offered for sale at more than 4,000 specialty retailers in the United States and Canada, as well as online retailers, including www.gooseberrypatch.com and Amazon.com.

"No matter how busy life can get, we have a calendar to help folks keep track of it all in Gooseberry Patch style," says Jo Ann Martin, Gooseberry Patch co-founder."If you were one of the many folks who didn't get yours last year, you won't want to wait too long...they're well on their way to selling out again!"

View the entire 2012 Gooseberry Patch calendar collection online at http://bit.ly/GBPcalendarcollection.

Look inside! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrJx8ReCdcU&feature=player_detailpage.

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. 

Larson Electronics’ Magnalight new LEDPB10W-120X2E LED Light Bar uses advanced PWM technology to create 10,320 lumens of light with little heat and low amp draw. Rated IP68 and waterproof to three meters, this LED light bar is multi-voltage capable and can be ordered in 20 degree spotlight configurations or 40 degree floodlight configurations. These LED light bars are highly versatile, with advanced LED drivers and pulse width technology that allow operators to control brightness, flash or strobe functions by connecting the unit to an external controller. This advanced solid state technology also provides active heat control for maintaining LED longevity and excellent power efficiency.

Building upon the popularity of its extreme series of LED light bars, Magnalight.com now offers a mid-sized LED light bar with all the features and power of its larger units. Producing 10,320 lumens of bright white light and capable of operating on voltages ranging from 9 to 46 volts DC, the LEDPB10W-120X2E LED light bar is an ideal lighting solution for boats of any size and ideal for smaller craft requiring powerful illumination but limited in available mounting space. This light bar has a shorter overall length due to the creative arrangement of placing LEDs in dual rows, yet is capable of throwing a light beam 1,250 feet in length. This two row LED placement cuts the length of the light bar nearly in half, without sacrificing power or light quality. Part of Magnalights’ extreme series of LED light bars, this unit is IP68 rated and waterproof to 3 meters, constructed of heavy gauge extruded aluminum with an unbreakable Lexan lens, and designed to resist the corrosive and damaging effects of the marine environment. Drawing only 10 amps and 120 watts of power, this unit incorporates PWM, or, Pulse Width Modulation technology to achieve the utmost in heat control and versatility. This PWM technology allows this LED light bar to automatically adjust the power fed to each LED according to the LEDs temperature in order to prevent heat buildup from shortening LED life. Rather than simply lowering the power going to each LED when temperatures get too high, this PWM circuitry actually cycles the current on and off very quickly, but at full power. This cycling is too fast to detect with the human eye, but is quite effective in lowering LED operating temperatures. The end result is full brightness with excellent heat control, leading to maximum LED longevity. This PWM circuitry also allows this unit to be dimmed or brightened to desired levels, flashed on or off, or operated as a strobe light, simply by connecting an included control wire to an external pulse width controller or dimmer switch. This power, control and durability combined with a small and compact form factor makes this light ideal for commercial and recreational fishing boats as well as industrial applications like machine visioning systems which require powerful, yet precisely controllable light output. The multi-voltage capability of these LED lights allows them to be operated on current ranging from 9 to 46VDC without the need for external transformers or inverters and their low amp draw is battery friendly. 

“We continue to develop new LED lights to help boat operators extend their field of view for work and safety,” said Rob Bresnahan with Larson Electronics’ magnalight.com.  “The LEDPB10W-120x2E is sleek, powerful and well suited for saltwater environments.  Given our advancement in optics technology, we don’t have a competitive product in the marketplace that can match the output of this LED light at this lumen output level. As such, this LED light serves both the commercial fishing fleet market and the recreational boating market.”

Larson Electronics’ Magnalight.com carries an extensive inventory of LED light bars, LED floodlights, LED spotlights and military grade LED tactical lights. View Magnalights’ full line of lighting equipment by visiting Magnalight.com. Magnalight can be contacted by calling 1-800-369-6671 or 1-214-616-6180 for international inquiries.

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. 

Hunting season is just around the corner. While you’re readying your gear, be sure to clean your riflescope, your binoculars, your rangefinder, your camera. And keeping your optics clean on the hunt is critical. A dusty or foggy lens can cloud your views and affect your aim – or spoil a great trophy photo!

LensPen HunterPro kit includes everything you need to keep your optics clean, whether you’re tracking on a dusty trail, or out on the lake at dawn. All designed with a specific job in mind, and all included in a compact nylon carrying case that fits right on your belt.

The Original LensPen and MiniPro II keep your lenses clean, and are easy to use outdoors. Both function the same way: slide out the brush end first and use it to effectively remove all loose dust and dirt from the lens or eyepiece. If fingerprints remain, just take the cap off the other end and the flexible chamois tip – which is impregnated with a carbon compound – is ready to tackle the toughest prints. That carbon compound is similar to the one found in printer’s ink – and the reason why newspapers remain a popular way to clean windows. Use the Original LensPen to clean riflescopes, binoculars and larger cameras; MiniPro II for compact digital cameras and eyepieces. 

 And there’s more. Use MicroKlear, an incredibly soft microfiber cleaning cloth, to clean the housings of riflescopes, binoculars, cameras – any non-lens surfaces that need cleaning. And when you’re back home, just toss it in the washer, and tumble dry. FogKlear offers strong anti-fog protection in a natural fiber cloth – more than 200 anti-fog applicationsper cloth.

Use everything in the HunterPro kit with confidence – whether you are in extreme desert heat or arctic cold – knowing that it can do no damage of any kind to your gear or the environment. LensPen products are RoHS compliant and meet even California’s rigid Proposition 65 standards. And they sure can do a lot of good for your lenses. The HunterPro kit is a hunting necessity, not an accessory.

All this and a LensPen HunterPro kit costs less than $35! It’s available at high quality sports optics outlets.

For more information on LensPen products, go to www.lenspen.com. To see a demonstration, watch the “LensPen Lens Cleaning System” video at www.youtube.com/lenspennews.

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. 

Women who are outstanding in their field have joined forces with Duluth Trading Company in its search for their next Real Women Model.  Together with Duluth Trading’s brand team, the following experts will serve as guest judges:  Sandra Gerdes, test garden manager for Better Homes & Gardens magazine; Lori Grzybowski, editor of Country Woman magazine, and Ann Munson, board member for the Madison Area Master Gardeners Association.

“Our line-up of guest judges is incredible and their feedback will be essential to our search,” says Stephanie Pugliese, Duluth Trading’s senior vice president of product development and marketing. “We’re looking forward to adding and featuring more stand-out Real Women to the Duluth Trading women’s brand.” 

The solution-oriented workwear retailer based in Belleville, WI is searching for hardworking women to showcase their ingenious gear in Duluth Trading catalogs and the Duluth website.  Between now and August 13, women can enter the Duluth Real Women search online at www.duluthtrading.com/model. The winner, who will be announced at an event at Duluth Trading’s flagship store in Mt. Horeb, WI on October 1, will receive a $1,000 Duluth Trading shopping spree and the opportunity to participate in photo shoots for the company’s catalog and at www.duluthtrading.com this Fall. 

Given Duluth Trading’s focus on real women who dig in and get their hands dirty – professional models need not apply for this model search. “I have been a longtime fan of Duluth Trading products and am delighted to help select the next Real Women Model,” says Madison Area Master Gardeners Association board member, Ann Munson. “Duluth has an unyielding commitment to developing serious workwear for women, underscored by the fact that they photograph real women at work – gardeners, researchers, veterinarians, farm owners – to showcase their gear on-line and in their catalogs.”

Both in its marketing and product development, Duluth Trading Co. is committed to ensuring its products keep up with the women who wear them.  In this pursuit, Duluth has also enlisted a Real Women Test Panel to use and abuse gear and provide feedback to the product development team.  Launched in 2005, Duluth Trading’s women’s brand has experienced significant growth.

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. 

Kinze Manufacturing, Inc. today unveiled an innovative solution to increase productivity on the farm – the Kinze Autonomy Project. The technology, which is the first of its kind in row crop production worldwide, utilizes autonomous agricultural equipment to complete many tasks on the farm with minimal direct human input.

"We're excited to introduce the first truly autonomous row crop solution in the world on this scale," said Susanne Kinzenbaw Veatch, vice president and chief marketing officer at Kinze. "This technology could be used to do a variety of tasks, including planting, nourishing, maintaining and harvesting crops."

As a project more than two years in the making, Kinze performed extensive obstacle detection testing to ensure the accuracy and safety of the autonomous equipment. Beginning in a laboratory environment and then in the field, Kinze engineers simulated real-world scenarios to ensure the equipment would detect objects often encountered in the field, such as fence posts, stand pipes, farm animals and other vehicles.

Similar autonomous technology has been used since the 1990s in many other industries, including mining, construction and the military. "Some simple forms of autonomy are used in rice production and orchard operations," Veatch explains. "However, until now, no other manufacturer associated with row crop production has offered truly autonomous technology like this."

The Kinze Autonomy Project is designed to reduce the need for skilled operators by taking the human element out of the tractor cab. Kinze will market this technology to help growers increase their productivity by allowing them to focus their time and attention elsewhere while performing cursory monitoring of the Kinze autonomous equipment.

"It's our goal to help reduce grower fatigue and help them make the most of their harvest," says Veatch. "As growers ourselves, we know how crucial it is to be productive during the short planting and harvest windows. With this technology, producers can set the equipment to run all night if necessary."

The technology was originally developed in a laboratory setting using computer simulation. Kinze engineers partnered with Jaybridge Robotics, a firm in Cambridge, Mass., to bring that technology from the lab to the field, and to test and refine the work.

Kinze demonstrated the technology for their dealers today and is developing plans for the commercial launch to the market.

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.