You can tell Vilsack exactly what you think about his vision for forests at this meeting. Phyllis I would like to take this opportunity to inform and invite you, your staff and members to the Rural Tour, a Community Forum at the Iowa State Fair grounds on August 19, 2009. United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will be at the Iowa State Fair to seek input, hear ideas, and answers questions from 9:30 am - 11:00 am on August 19, 2009. Please see the attached Rural Tour Announcement for additional details. [I've pasted it below John's message.] I look forward to seeing you at this event and working with your organization in the future. Please feel free to contact our office at 515-254-1540 Ext. 480 if you have any questions or need additional information. Please pass this information on to any interested parties. John R. Whitaker State Executive Director USDA Farm Service Agency Wally, you are right. He said the nation gets a high percentage of its drinking water from forests and agricultural land. I would not call forests agricultural land. Jerry -------------- Original message from Wallace Taylor <[log in to unmask]>: -------------- This announcement is basically generalities. The real importance will be in the details. I hope there really is a new perspective toward forests. Vilsack has always been a corporate lackey so I think we need to be vigilant. One point did fly out at me. He talks of using forests as a source for biofuels. This seems to continue the view of foresters that forests are crops to be planted, managed and harvested for human consumption, not as a part of the ecosystem in their own right. Wally Taylor ____________________________________________________________ Internet Classes The University of Phoenix. Get Info About Our Programs Now http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=XcifXyB4rd6eCzuWoh8crwAAJ1CqhysHoqKPmxy1AMlPj2phAAUAAAAAAAAAAOf7CT5WZP8SFqD3FhlOym8js9KfAAAAAA== - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/