AS Gus Douglass prepares to retire after 10 terms as agriculture commissioner, he reminisced in the Market Bulletin about his more than half century in the department.
His first assignment in 1957 involved reducing and eliminating diseases in livestock and poultry.
"I can still picture the effects of brucellosis on many of the elderly folks from drinking raw milk from infected milk cows," Douglass wrote.
Farming has changed greatly over the years.
The yield record for corn 50 years ago was 73.1 bushels per acre. It is now 300 bushels per acre.
This reflects advancements in agriculture throughout the world.
The state Department of Agriculture has changed greatly over the years, but its primary role remains improving farming and food production.
Democrats nominated state Sen. Walt Helmick, D-Pocahontas. He will face Republican Kent Leonhardt of Monongalia County in November.
The charge is clear: Keep West Virginia agriculture advancing.
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IN planning a big announcement, public relations people often send memos suggesting which media outlet would be most receptive to the company's message. One such memo surfaced last week.
"In general, and no matter what material we send, I suggest that we should distribute it to more than one channel, so that there will be healthy competition between the channels in broadcasting the material, so that no other channel takes the lead," the P.R. man wrote.
"It should be sent for example to ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN and maybe PBS and VOA. As for Fox News, let her die in her anger."
The author was Adam Gadahn, the American-born spokesman for al-Qaida. The memo was to Osama bin Laden on plans for celebrating the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
AS Gus Douglass prepares to retire after 10 terms as agriculture commissioner, he reminisced in the Market Bulletin about his more than half century in the department.
His first assignment in 1957 involved reducing and eliminating diseases in livestock and poultry.
"I can still picture the effects of brucellosis on many of the elderly folks from drinking raw milk from infected milk cows," Douglass wrote.
Farming has changed greatly over the years.
The yield record for corn 50 years ago was 73.1 bushels per acre. It is now 300 bushels per acre.
This reflects advancements in agriculture throughout the world.
The state Department of Agriculture has changed greatly over the years, but its primary role remains improving farming and food production.
Democrats nominated state Sen. Walt Helmick, D-Pocahontas. He will face Republican Kent Leonhardt of Monongalia County in November.
The charge is clear: Keep West Virginia agriculture advancing.
***
IN planning a big announcement, public relations people often send memos suggesting which media outlet would be most receptive to the company's message. One such memo surfaced last week.
"In general, and no matter what material we send, I suggest that we should distribute it to more than one channel, so that there will be healthy competition between the channels in broadcasting the material, so that no other channel takes the lead," the P.R. man wrote.
"It should be sent for example to ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN and maybe PBS and VOA. As for Fox News, let her die in her anger."
The author was Adam Gadahn, the American-born spokesman for al-Qaida. The memo was to Osama bin Laden on plans for celebrating the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
Navy SEALs prevented bin Laden from celebrating that event.
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ALPHA Natural Resources Inc. reported a first-quarter loss of $29.1 million on revenue of $1.9 billion.
Demand is down for steam coal, which is used to generate electricity, and for low-grade metallurgical coal, which is used to manufacture steel.
The company responded by announcing layoffs and cutbacks in production, which sadly is the responsible thing to do.
With 8,000 employees, Alpha Natural Resources is the state's third-largest private-sector employer after Wal-Mart and the West Virginia United Health System.
Everybody appreciates retailers and hospitals, but unlike coal mines, they do not generate wealth.
Everything West Virginians count on ultimately depends on the creation of wealth by private companies. Factors that adversely affect the private sector are ultimately felt by everyone else.
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THANKS to the hard work of many people and sponsors, including title sponsor Moses Auto Group, Charleston will enjoy its ninth season of Live on the Levee concerts at Haddad Riverfront Park each Friday from May 25 to Aug. 31.
The national - and even international - acts include Brownsville Station of "Smoking in the Boys Room" fame, blues singer Shemekia Copeland and a Grateful Dead cover band, the Dark Star Orchestra.
The concerts will kick off with a longtime favorite of the old Sternwheel Regatta, the Esquires.
There is something comforting in knowing that the spirit of the Regatta lives on - down on the levee.
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