State Farm insurance began in 1922, the invention of a man named George J. Mecherle. Mecherle thought that he could come up with a better insurance company than the rest, offering better coverage and great rates. So he did. Something about Mecherle’s vision was right – more than eighty years later, State Farm Insurance is still going strong.

“In just over 80 years, State Farm Insurance Companies® has grown from a small farm mutual auto insurer to one of the world’s largest financial institutions. But despite State Farm’s growth, Mecherle’s original philosophy of insurance coverage at a fair price coupled with fair claim settlement has remained.”
State Farm web site, May 2006

State Farm, Today

With 25 operations centers in 13 zones, these days State Farm employs 79,200 people, including 16,700 plus agents. State Farm actively services 71.6 million insurance policies in the United States and Canada. Many awards have been received by State Farm for their equal opportunity employing methods, and for the number of jobs the company has created. State Farm strives to give back to the community, participating in many programs to further education and safety, including awarding grants and scholarships.

The Future of State Farm

“Our vision for the future is to be the customer’s first and best choice in the products and services we provide. We will continue to be the leader in the insurance industry and we will become a leader in the financial services arena. Our customers’ needs will determine our path. Our values will guide us.”
- State Farm web site, May 2006

What State Farm Offers

State Farm can take care of all your insurance needs. They offer most types of insurance coverage. All the usual suspects of auto, home, life, renter’s, and supplemental medical insurance are available through State Farm. Other insurance offerings include condo, long-term care, and Medicare supplement. The State Farm web site is very user-friendly and easy to use. Using the web site, consumers can obtain a quote on any type of policy named above, or find an agent, both within minutes. Answering a few quick questions will lead you to a free online quote, and a search feature makes finding an agent simple work.

source: ezinearticles.com

Is It Better for the Environment?

Organic farming does not use the pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers that conventional farming does. These chemicals can remain in the land as well as on the product itself. Organic farming methods tend to leave the soil in better condition over the long haul and consume less energy and water than conventional farming. These issues would point to organic farming being more environmentally friendly. However, organic farming covers a very broad array of farming (crops dairy and cattle) and directly comparing the environmental impact of organic farming vs. conventional is nearly impossible. Suffice to say that most people believe the use of pesticides is harmful to the environment and thereby makes organic farming more environmentally friendly.

Does Organic Food Taste Better?

It appears that this is a common perception, in fact a survey from the UK’s Organic Body the Soil Association indicates that most people who buy organic food, believe it tastes better. There is also a supposed scientific study cited by “The Organic Center” that claims that organic food tastes better. There have been many other studies done that are inconclusive. There does not appear to be any valid study that conclusively states that organic food tastes better than conventional. Taste is very subjective and can also be affected by storage and shipping of the produce.

Is Organic Food More Nutritious?

Many organic enthusiasts believe that organic food has more nutrients in it. However two major studies one by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and another done by Food Standards Agency (FSA) dispute any claim that there is significant nutritional benefit from eating organic food. Freshness of the product, storage conditions and food preparation methods will make a bigger difference in nutritional benefits than whether it is organic or conventional.

Is Organic Food Safer for You?

The level of pesticides used in conventional farming has created a concern that conventionally grown foods are covered with pesticides and therefore poisoning the consumer. There is no question that ingesting pesticides is a bad thing, but is the amount of pesticides normally ingested when eating conventionally farmed foods dangerous? Not according to former Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop, the EPA and even the FDA. A number of studies have concluded that the amount of pesticide residue found on US grown crops is not harmful.

source: ezinearticles.com

As an objective player (I think) of both games, I am setting out to solve the age old question (tongue in cheek): Which is better? Farm Town or FarmVille?

Land Expansions:

Farm Town: When you reach Level 15 you can expand your farm using coins; at Level 25 you can expand to a 24 X 24 Farm. After that you can no longer expand, and there are no immediate plans to add more expansions.

FarmVille: Your level and number of neighbors dictate when you can expand, and expansions are few and far between. They also cost more. The 24 X 24 expansion is still locked for all players.

Decorations, Buildings, and Landscaping:

Farm Town: There are a lot of options for decorating your farm. You can create 3-D effects and elevation by using the decorations available. Simply, there is a lot more than you do with your farm on Farm Town. However, will all of those options, it is easy to run out of land very quickly.

FarmVille: There are options for decorating your farm, but many of them are purchased with FarmVille Cash (purchased with your very real money). In addition, what you see is what you get. You can’t use your creativity to create illusions of elevation, lakes, pools, etc.

Harvesting, Plowing, & Seeding:

Farm Town: You can hire other farmers to do your plowing and harvesting, thus saving a lot of time. Hiring others is also what makes the game very social and interactive. However, when you hire someone to plow for you, you give them a portion of any experience points earned. On the positive side, when you hire someone to harvest for you, you get 25% more profit.

FarmVille: You can’t hire others to harvest, plow, or seed for you.

source: ezinearticles.com

It seems that, increasingly, life is being divided into traditional and alternative. Each side claims their methods to be better than the other’s. Each tries to win people to their side. Traditional schooling fights alternative schooling. Conventional medicine fights alternative medicine. Mainstream culture fights alternative subcultures.

Farming, too, is involved in a battle, conventional farming against organic farming. Environmentalists and those concerned with their health assure us that organic farming is preferable in many ways. But others argue that organic farming is bad.

Why is organic farming bad?

Research Results

In 2002, Swiss scientists at the Research Institute for Organic Agriculture published in “Scientist” a highly publicized study. Their study, which covered 21 years, compared four types of farming. Two of those types were organic farming. The other two types were conventional farming.

Reporters quickly stated that the study proved organic farming was more efficient. Organic farming’s advocates said the study showed that organic farming uses 50% less energy. The facts?

1. Conventional farming is 20 percent more productive than organic farming.

2. Crop yields were significantly lower in organic farming.

3. The above two facts meant energy savings in organic farming were actually only about 19 percent per unit of crop produced, not 50 percent.

4. The study did not test organic farming against the most current methods of conventional farming. If it had, experts say, the 19 percent advantage of organic farming would disappear.

5. Current conventional farming matches organic farming when it comes to environmental advantages. Both have beneficial insects, produce less pesticide and fertilizer runoff, and reduce soil erosion.

6. Food quality was almost identical in conventional and organic farming. Advocates of organic farming had long claimed their food was far superior.

7. Current conventional farming methods produce the same or greater yields mentioned in number 1 above.

This research does not, of course, conclude that organic farming is bad. On the face of it, the conclusion is more that organic farming is not very different from current conventional farming. There most be other reasons for people believing organic farming is bad.

Organic Farming Can Kill

Many took from the Swiss study a realization that, as Cambridge chemist John Emsley said, “the greatest catastrophe the human race could face this century is not global warming, but a global conversion to ‘organic farming’- [where] an estimated 2 billion people would perish.”

Organic farming may supply food for small markets, but how can it feed starving nations? Its adversaries claim that current conventional farming is the only hope for these people. If we turn entirely to organic farming, they say, we will doom billions to die of starvation.

source: ezinearticles.com

Under the agreement:

* Monsanto grants Dow AgroSciences a non-exclusive, royalty-bearing license in the United States to develop, produce, sell and sublicense seed and germplasm with Roundup Ready 2 Yield technology.
* Dow AgroSciences also receives an option to license the Roundup Ready 2 Yield technology in other territories where Monsanto plans to commercialize this technology, after Monsanto has obtained regulatory approval in such countries, including key soybean producing countries like Brazil.

* Dow AgroSciences gains the rights to stack Roundup Ready 2 Yield technology with other biotechnology traits.

* Dow AgroSciences also gains the rights to out license Dow AgroSciences’ germplasm containing Roundup Ready 2 Yield technology, alone or in stacks, to third parties that hold Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield licenses from Monsanto.

* Additional specific details of the agreement were not disclosed.

As the wheat harvest continued across Oklahoma last week, temperatures continued to rise throughout the State. Temperatures exceeded 100 degrees in the West Central, North Central and Southwest Districts with averages in the high 70’s and low 80’s. The heat was accompanied by minimal rainfall with only the Northeast District receiving more than an inch of rain and five districts averaging less than a quarter inch. Topsoil moisture ratings continued to decline from the week prior, rated mostly in the adequate to short range. Subsoil moisture conditions decreased less but were also mostly rated in the adequate to short range. Additional moisture is still needed to continue the growth of crops and pasture. The hot, dry weather in much of the State allowed for 5.9 days suitable for field work.

Small Grains: Wheat harvest is off to a good start in most areas of the State and is anticipated to increase significantly in the coming week. Small grain conditions continued to rate mostly in the good to fair range, with 13 percent of wheat, five percent of oats and 15 percent of rye rated excellent. Ninety-two percent of wheat had reached the soft dough stage by week’s end, up nine points from the previous week but three points behind normal. Twelve percent of the wheat was harvested by week’s end, four points ahead of last year but 11 points behind normal.

Rye in the soft dough stage of development increased ten points to reach 96 percent complete by Sunday, while six percent of rye was reported as harvested, eight points behind normal. Oats jointing reached 95 percent complete while oats headed increased 12 points to 91 percent complete. Oats in the soft dough stage reached 72 percent complete, even with the five-year average, and 33 percent of oats were harvested by week’s end.

Row Crops: Conditions have been favorable for both fieldwork and growth of row crops with corn, peanuts and cotton all rated mostly in the good to fair range. Corn emerged increased two points from the previous week to reach 89 percent, seven points behind normal. Seedbed preparation for sorghum reached 95 percent complete, eight points ahead of the five-year average. Both sorghum planted and sorghum emerged increased seven points from the week prior to 70 percent and 39 percent, respectively.

Soybean seedbed preparation reached 92 percent complete, 10 points ahead of normal. Sixty-eight percent of the soybeans were planted by Sunday, an increase of 14 points, while half of the crop had emerged, 11 points ahead of the five-year average. Peanuts planted reached 95 percent complete while 77 percent of the crop had emerged, both slightly ahead of normal. Cotton planted increased 18 points from the week prior to 82 percent complete, nine points ahead of the five-year average. Cotton emerged increased significantly to 64 percent, eight points ahead of normal.

Miscellaneous Crops: By week’s end, 94 percent of the State’s watermelon crop was planted, up eight points from the week before. Watermelons running increased 31 points from the previous week to 63 percent, nine points ahead of normal.

Hay: Conditions of both alfalfa and other hay continued to be rated mostly in the good to fair range. First cuttings of alfalfa were 97 percent complete and 35 percent of alfalfa was cut for the second time by week’s end. First cuttings of other hay increased three points to reach 47 percent complete, three points behind normal.

Pasture and Range: Pasture and range conditions were rated mostly in the good to fair range, with 12 percent rated excellent.

Livestock: Livestock conditions rated mostly in the good to fair range. Prices for feeder steers less than 800 pounds averaged $110 per cwt. Prices for heifers less than 800 pounds averaged $105 per cwt.

SOYBEANS are teetering on the abyss. The last several weeks, soybeans have tested key support time and time again only to hold and make a brief rally. It’s clear a tight old-crop supply situation is providing a buffer (unlike with corn). What’s not clear is when this year’s crop will be far enough along to ease market concerns. A July close below $9.27 and then $9.20 would likely signal a major downturn. A November close below $9 and the recent low of $8.93 would mean a move to support at $8.78 ¾, $8.43 or perhaps even $7.76 ¼. While this year’s stocks are tight, a big South American crop and a bumper 2010 U.S. crop would ease concerns next year. There are suggestions stocks could reach 400 million bushels or more.

Wheat

WHEAT continues to drop lower and lower. Increasing harvest activity, large U.S. and world stocks, and an improving spring crop are all weighing on the market. July has fallen to $4.31, just a few cents above the 2009 low of $4.25 ¼. Long-term support lies between that point and $4.12. The market is heavily oversold, but can’t generate much upside movement as it appears the U.S. may be losing its share of the Asian markets. Resistance on a rebound will start just below $4.60.

Corn

CORN appears set to move to $3 or lower as fundamentals build on the negative side. Plantings of 89–90 million acres, good June 1 crop ratings and continued good weather have some hinting at the first-ever 14-billion-bushel crop. Even strong ethanol use and increased Chinese interest will not be enough to keep stocks from exceeding 2 billion bushels. Technically, July fell through the key $3.50 level, and while there are several layers of support ($3.34, $3.22 and $3.13), the 2008 low of $2.90 on weekly charts beckons. If July doesn’t make the trip, harvest contracts for September and December likely will.
Rice

The U.S. has a record RICE crop in the making. The latest crop-progress report gives 76 percent of the crop a “good to excellent” rating. Compare that to 55 percent a year ago. Arkansas’ crop, at 71 percent, is a little below all other states. When you combine those big new-crop supplies with big world stocks (Thailand is still holding over five million metric tons of old intervention stocks), the supply-side of the equation appears quite negative. On the demand side, U.S. milled rice movement is extremely slow, while rough rice exports to Mexico and other Latin American countries are pretty good. After bouncing off $10.72 earlier this week, September futures could be making a temporary low. It would take a close higher than $11.76 to confirm that low. On the downside, the next support is $10.20–$9.70.

Cotton

COTTON is erasing a quick downturn. In five trading days, December cotton declined more than 5 cents. Then, the market retraced more than 3.5 cents of that in the subsequent three days. “Volatility” is the new watchword for the cotton industry. World economic conditions are of major interest for cotton as the industry tries to determine a reasonable pattern of growth. Increased production in the U.S. and the world is anticipated. However, after three years of contraction, the greatest concern is whether there will be sufficient cotton to meet demand. U.S. plantings were projected to be around 10.5 million acres, but good conditions may have pushed it above 11 million acres. For now, December has established a 5-cent trading range between 74–79 cents. Crop problems will be needed to move the market higher.

Cattle

CATTLE futures have seen significant weakness over the past few weeks. In the most recent report, USDA pegged the on-feed inventory at six percent below year-ago levels. All the while, the summer increase in marketings is looming large over the market. The recent negative jobs report spooked a market that was already worried about weak meat demand in light of challenging economic conditions. The first level of support for June live futures is the recent low of $89.55. A drop below that level could signal a move toward the 62-percent retracement level of $88.52.

Hogs

HOG futures are trading at their lowest level since March. Recent weakness in product values is pulling the market lower. However, to put things in perspective, packers are currently enjoying margins of about $30 a head. At this time last year, they were suffering losses as the market worked through the H1N1 scare. August has found some chart support around $78.50. Key support is at the March low of $77.95.

Poultry

In POULTRY, commercial hatcheries in the 19-State weekly program set 211 million broiler-type eggs in incubators last week. This was up two percent from the corresponding week a year earlier. Average hatchability for chicks hatched during the week was 84 percent. Broiler growers in the 19-State weekly program placed 173 million chicks for meat production last week, up two percent from the comparable week a year earlier. Cumulative placements from Jan. 3–May 29 were 3.54 billion, up slightly from the same period last year.

The greatest precipitation amount for the week was recorded at Mena with 1.88 inches, followed by 1.58 inches recorded at Greers Ferry. Topsoil moisture supplies were 2 percent very short, 29 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 1 percent very short, 23 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. On average, farmers had 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork.

Crops Producers continued their planting activities last week along with spraying and irrigating their fields. The corn crop was 23 percent silked by the end of last week, and in mostly fair to good condition. The Cotton crop was 98 percent emerged and 14 percent squared by week’s end. The cotton crop was in mostly fair to good condition. By the end of last week rice was 99 percent emerged. Seventy-one percent of the rice crop was reported to be in good to excellent condition.

Farmers had 83 percent of the soybean crop planted by week’s end. Soybeans emerged reached 69 percent by week’s end, with 5 percent of the crop blooming. In Jefferson County there have been some reports of yellow stripe armyworms and bollworms affecting soybeans. Producers had 23 percent of the winter wheat harvested by the end of last week. Eighty-six percent of the winter wheat crop was in fair to good condition. Some melon growers are replanting in Sharp County due to hail damage last month. Tomato harvest has begun in Bradley County. Grasshoppers are showing up at treatment levels in scattered areas of Pike County.

Livestock Livestock were in mostly fair to good condition last week. Flies, particularly horseflies, are becoming a problem for livestock in Union County. Pasture and range and hay crops were reported in mostly good condition. Between rain showers last week, producers continued to harvest hay.

The coconut palm thrives on sandy soils and is highly tolerant of salinity and prefers areas with abundant sunlight and regular rainfall (750 to 2,000 mm annually), which makes colonising shorelines of the tropics relatively straightforward. Coconuts also need high humidity (70–80%+) for optimum growth, which is why they are rarely seen in areas with low humidity (e.g. the Mediterranean), even where temperatures are high enough. They are very hard to establish and grow in dry climates.
Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera)

The flowers of the coconut palm are polygamomonoecious, with both male and female flowers in the same inflorescence. Flowering occurs continuously, with female flowers producing seeds. Coconut palms are believed to be largely cross-pollinated, although some dwarf varieties are self-pollinating.

Cucumbers require a sunny spot protected from strong winds for the best results. The soil should be rich and well drained. Dig a hole approximately one foot square and fill the hole with a mixture of compost or rotted manure and soil. Raise the soil into a mound. Each mound should be spaced 18 inches apart. Most households will require only a few such mounds to provide plenty of cucumbers for their use.

2. Sowing & Planting:

Sow three (3) seeds at a depth of one inch in the center of each mound and cover them lightly with soil. The seeds should be spaced a few inches apart from one another for the best results. Water the mound lightly and place a cloche over the spot to hasten germination. When the first true leaves appear on the new seedlings, be sure to cull them, leaving on the strongest seedling.

3. Looking After The Plants:

Pinch off the growth tip of the plants after they have developed 6 or 7 true leaves. This will encourage the production of side shoots. Leave these shoots to crawl upon the ground or train them to climb netting or a trellis. Be sure to keep the soil moist and water around the plants opposed to watering on the cucumber plants. Mist them lightly in hot weather dry weather to aid in pollenation. In the summer, place black plastic on the ground to around the plants prior to fruit production. This will raise the soil temperature, conserve moisture and inhibit the growth of weeds. Once the fruits begin to swell, feed the plants with a good fertilizer.

4. Harvesting The Cucumber Crop:

Do not try to grow record breaking cucumbers except for the sole purpose of doing so so with a single plant. Cucumbers should be harvested before they reach a maximum size to insure steady production. Harvest most varieties at 6-8 inches in length and approximately 4 inches in length for pickling or gherkin varieties. Lemon or Apple Cucumbers are best harvested at a size which is slightly larger than a duck’s egg. Always use a sharp knife or clippers to harvest the cucumbers opposed to pulling them off of the vine.

5. Storage:

Cucumbers are best stored in a plastic bag in the bottom of your refrigirator and will keep for approximately one week. Cucumbers are not reccomended for freezing, but can be best stored for the long term by pickling and canning them. Please see our “Tips” section for information about canning!