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goodstuffhappenedtoday · 11 months ago
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Millions of U.S. apples were almost left to rot. Now, they'll go to hungry families
NOVEMBER 27, 2023 By Alan Jinich
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It's getting late in the harvest season in Berkeley County, West Virginia and Carla Kitchen's team is in the process of hand-picking nearly half a million pounds of apples. In a normal year, Kitchen would sell to processors like Andros that make applesauce, concentrate, and other products. But this year they turned her away. ... Across the country, growers were left without a market. Due to an oversupply carried over from last year's harvest, growers were faced with a game-time economic decision: Should they pay the labor to harvest, crossing their fingers for a buyer to come along, or simply leave the apples to rot?
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Bumper crops, export declines and the weather have contributed to the apple crisis
... While many growers in neighboring states like Maryland and Virginia left their apples to drop. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia was able to convince the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to pay for the apples produced by growers in his state, which only makes up 1% of the national market.
A relief program in West Virginia donated its surplus apples to hunger-fighting charities
This apple relief program, covered under Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1935, purchased $10 million worth of apples from a dozen West Virginia growers. Those apples were then donated to hunger-fighting charities across the country from South Carolina and Michigan all the way out to The Navajo Nation.
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Mike Meyer, head of advocacy at The Farmlink Project, says it's the largest food rescue they've ever done and they hope it can serve as a model for their future missions. "There's over 100 billion pounds of produce waste in this country every year; we only need seven billion to drive food insecurity to zero," Meyer says. "We're very happy to have this opportunity. We get to support farmers, we get to fight hunger with an apple. It's one of the most nutritional items we can get into the hands of the food insecure."
At Timber Ridge Fruit Farm in Virginia, owners Cordell and Kim Watt watch a truck from The Farmlink Project load up on their apples before driving out to a food pantry in Bethesda, Md. Despite being headquartered in Virginia, Timber Ridge was able to participate in the apple rescue since they own orchards in West Virginia as well. Cordell is a third-generation grower here and he says they've never had to deal with a surplus this large.
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At the So What Else food pantry in Bethesda, Md., apple pallets from Timber Ridge fill the warehouse up to the ceiling. Emanuel Ibanez and other volunteers are picking through the crates, bagging fresh apples into family-sized loads. "I'm just bewildered," Ibanez says. "We have a warehouse full of apples and I can barely walk through it." "People in need got nutritious food out of this program. And that's the most important thing" Executive director Megan Joe says this is the largest shipment of produce they've ever distributed – 10 truckloads over the span of three weeks. The food pantry typically serves 6,000 families, but this shipment has reached a much wider circle. "My coworkers are like, 'Megan, do we really need this many?' And I'm like, yes!" Joe says. "The growing prices in the grocery stores are really tough for a lot of families. And it's honestly gotten worse since COVID."
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"It's the first time we've done this type of program, but we believe it can set the stage for the region," Kent Leonhardt, West Virginia's commissioner of agriculture says. "People in need got nutritious food out of this program. And that's the most important thing." Following West Virginia's rescue program, the USDA announced an additional $100 million purchase to relieve the apple surplus in other states around the country. This is the largest government buy of apples and apple products to date. But with the harvest window coming to an end, many growers have already left their apples to drop and rot.
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rabbitcruiser · 1 year ago
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National Farmers Day
Without farmers, we’d all starve. Visit a farmer’s market, take a trip to a farm, or reenact how farmers used to live and grow with old-fashioned tools.
Some might say that modern society was built upon the rugged shoulders and stubborn personalities of farmers from around the world. Because without those who dedicate their lives to growing food, where would everyone else be? 
So, it only makes sense that a time should be set aside to celebrate their contributions and all that they have provided (and indeed continue to provide) to the world. National Farmers Day intends to do just this!
History of National Farmers Day
Due to the fact that farmers have been honored for centuries, the roots of this day are likely to go back very far and with a wide variety of traditions! Many different countries have set aside dates for celebrating National Farmers Day at different times of the year. For instance, in India and Pakistan a day for farmers is celebrated in December, while South Korea celebrates in November and Zambia in October.
In the United States, some people have celebrated a time in late October as “Old Farmer’s Day”, with a festival located in Loranger, Louisiana that reenacts the farmers’ way of life from before technology changed it so much. Other communities may host their own events and activities that offer a nod to the important work that farmers do to put food on the table of families everywhere.
National Farmers Day offers a delightful time in the harvest season of the autumn to show some appreciation and love for those folks who toil and work to provide food for those in the communities around them. Whether celebrating small micro farmers who grow or local organic dairy farmers, this is an ideal opportunity to make a big deal out of something so important as farmers!
How to Celebrate National Farmers Day
Celebrating National Farmers Day can take on a few different forms but may partially depend on where a person lives. Have some fun making plans and celebrating these salt of the earth folks with some of these ideas:
Thank a Farmer
One of the best ways to celebrate National Farmers Day would be to begin by thanking a farmer! For those who live in a rural community, this might just mean visiting a friend who is a farmer and wishing them a happy National Farmers Day! Or, head on over to a local farmers market in the area and let the growers there know how much their hard work and effort is appreciated on this important day.
Visit a Working Farm
Those who live in or near the country might want to observe National Farmers Day by participating in activities that reenact the ancient methods of farming before the invention of electricity and modern equipment. Throughout the US, many different communities can be found that allow visitors to get a glance into the past, including places like:
Conner Prairie Farm in Fishers, Indiana
Living History Farm in Urbandale, Iowa
Oliver Kelley Farm in Elk River, Minnesota
Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum in West Friendship, Maryland
Join in on Farming Events and Activities
Many times, a state fair is a place where farmers will join together to show off their produce or animals. There may even be some local festivals to attend that are centered around local produce like a pumpkin festival, a corn festival or an apple festival. These types of gatherings are often places where a variety of types of local farmers can be found.
City dwellers can choose to celebrate National Farmers Day by taking a trip to a rural area and visiting a local farmers’ market. There is no doubt that the fruits and vegetables encountered alone should make up for the drive!
Learn Interesting Facts About Farming
National Farmers Day is a perfect time to brush up on some facts and statistics related to the appreciation of farming. Check out some of these:
Around 97% of farms in the US are family owned and operated.
In 2019, more than 22 million US jobs were related to agriculture and food.
Only 2% of the American population are the farmers who feed everyone else!
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sistaffingsblog · 2 days ago
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How Staffing Agencies Are Meeting the Demand for Eastern Shore Jobs MD
The Eastern Shore of Maryland is a region known for its rich history, scenic beauty, and vibrant communities. However, beyond its picturesque landscapes, the region is also home to a diverse and growing economy. From healthcare and agriculture to hospitality and technology, the Eastern Shore is teeming with job opportunities across a variety of industries. As businesses look to fill their workforce needs, staffing agencies like SI Staffing are playing a crucial role in connecting talent with these opportunities and meeting the rising demand for skilled workers in the area.
In this article, we will explore how staffing agencies are meeting the demand for Eastern Shore jobs MD and why they are becoming an indispensable resource for both job seekers and employers in the region.
1. Understanding the Labor Market Needs on the Eastern Shore
The Eastern Shore’s economy is diverse, but there are several key industries where demand for workers is particularly high:
Healthcare: With a growing population, particularly among seniors, healthcare providers in the region are increasingly in need of skilled workers, including registered nurses (RNs), medical technicians, home health aides, and physical therapists. Healthcare institutions are also expanding to meet the needs of the community, creating new job openings.
Agriculture and Farming: The Eastern Shore is historically an agricultural hub, particularly known for its production of poultry, seafood, and vegetables. The agricultural sector requires seasonal workers, farm managers, equipment operators, and food processing specialists.
Construction and Skilled Trades: As new residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects are developed, there’s a continued demand for skilled laborers, including electricians, plumbers, carpenters, HVAC technicians, and other construction workers.
Technology and IT: The rise of digital transformation across industries has led to an increased demand for IT professionals, including software developers, network administrators, cybersecurity experts, and data analysts.
Hospitality and Tourism: The region’s tourism sector is an important contributor to its economy. Seasonal workers in hospitality, including servers, chefs, event coordinators, and hotel staff, are always in demand, particularly during the peak tourist season.
Staffing agencies are well-equipped to handle the complex needs of these industries, providing a pipeline of qualified candidates to meet their specific requirements.
2. How Staffing Agencies Are Addressing the Labor Shortage in Eastern Shore Jobs MD
There is a growing labor shortage in many industries on the Eastern Shore, particularly in healthcare and skilled trades. Employers are facing challenges in finding qualified candidates to fill open positions, and staffing agencies are stepping in to bridge the gap. Here’s how staffing agencies like SI Staffing are addressing this issue:
Rapid Response to Staffing Needs
Staffing agencies are often the first point of contact for employers looking to fill open positions quickly. They have pre-screened, qualified candidates ready to be matched with job opportunities, which reduces the time it takes for businesses to find the right talent. Whether it’s for permanent, temporary, or seasonal roles, staffing agencies can help employers fill positions faster than traditional hiring methods.
Temporary and Contract Work Solutions
Many industries, such as healthcare and agriculture, experience seasonal peaks or project-based work, leading to fluctuations in staffing needs. Staffing agencies excel in filling temporary and contract roles, providing workers who can meet short-term demands without long-term commitments. This is especially beneficial in agriculture, where labor demand spikes during harvest seasons, or in hospitality, where staffing needs increase during the summer tourist season.
Flexible Staffing Options
Employers often have specific, changing staffing requirements that can be difficult to address using a permanent, full-time workforce. Staffing agencies offer flexible staffing options that allow employers to scale up or down quickly. Whether businesses need to fill full-time, part-time, temporary, or contract positions, staffing agencies provide the flexibility to meet those varying needs.
Specialized Recruiting
Certain industries, like healthcare, skilled trades, and IT, require candidates with specialized skills and certifications. Staffing agencies are equipped with the expertise to recruit for these high-demand fields. For example, SI Staffing has specialized recruiters who understand the intricacies of these industries and can quickly identify candidates who meet the necessary qualifications and certifications. This helps ensure that employers find candidates with the right skills, experience, and fit for their company.
3. Helping Job Seekers Find the Right Fit in Eastern Shore Jobs MD
For job seekers, particularly skilled workers looking for positions on the Eastern Shore, staffing agencies offer a wide range of services to help them land the right job. Here’s how staffing agencies like SI Staffing assist job seekers:
Personalized Job Matching
Staffing agencies take a personalized approach to match candidates with the right job opportunities. They assess candidates' skills, experience, and career goals to ensure a strong match between the individual and the employer. For skilled workers, this ensures that they are placed in roles that align with their expertise and career aspirations, whether they are looking for full-time, part-time, temporary, or contract positions.
Streamlining the Hiring Process
The hiring process can be time-consuming and stressful, especially for those who are applying to multiple Eastern Shore Jobs MD at once. Staffing agencies streamline the process by handling initial screening, interviewing, and even background checks. This saves candidates significant time and effort, allowing them to focus on the most promising opportunities. Additionally, staffing agencies often coordinate interviews, making the entire process smoother and faster.
Access to Hidden Job Markets
Not all job openings are posted publicly on job boards or company websites. Many businesses rely on staffing agencies to help them find candidates for positions that are not advertised elsewhere. By working with a staffing agency, job seekers gain access to this hidden job market and get a head start on finding exclusive opportunities that may not be accessible through traditional job search channels.
Career Development Support
Staffing agencies like SI Staffing provide job seekers with career development support, offering resume tips, interview coaching, and feedback to help candidates improve their chances of landing a job. Additionally, staffing agencies may offer resources for professional development, such as training programs and certifications, which help candidates stay competitive in the job market.
Temporary-to-Permanent Opportunities
Many job seekers are hesitant to commit to permanent positions right away, especially in industries with fluctuating demands. Staffing agencies offer temporary-to-permanent opportunities, where candidates can work in a role for a set period of time and then transition to a full-time, permanent position based on performance. This arrangement gives Eastern Shore Jobs MD seekers the chance to evaluate a company and its work environment before making a long-term commitment.
4. Meeting the Demand for Skilled Workers in Specific Industries
Staffing agencies have become essential in addressing the specific staffing needs of industries that rely on skilled workers. Here are some ways that staffing agencies are meeting the demand in key sectors:
Healthcare
Healthcare facilities across the Eastern Shore are in desperate need of skilled workers, particularly nurses, medical technicians, and home health aides. Staffing agencies like SI Staffing specialize in healthcare recruitment, ensuring that candidates are properly screened and matched with positions that require specialized medical knowledge. With a strong demand for healthcare professionals, staffing agencies help fill critical roles in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and home care services.
Skilled Trades and Construction
The construction industry on the Eastern Shore is booming, with new residential and commercial projects driving demand for skilled tradespeople. Staffing agencies fill positions for electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and carpenters, ensuring that projects stay on track. By providing qualified, experienced workers, staffing agencies help contractors meet deadlines and maintain quality standards.
Agriculture
As the backbone of the Eastern Shore’s economy, the agricultural sector requires seasonal workers to handle planting, harvesting, and processing. Staffing agencies fill these roles by recruiting farm laborers, agricultural equipment operators, and farm managers. With fluctuating demands during planting and harvest seasons, staffing agencies provide the flexibility to meet the peak demand for workers.
Technology and IT
With businesses increasingly adopting digital technologies, the demand for IT professionals has surged. Staffing agencies like SI Staffing are key players in connecting tech professionals with employers looking for software developers, network administrators, and cybersecurity experts. By offering specialized recruitment services, staffing agencies ensure that employers find highly qualified individuals with the right technical skills.
5. The Future of Staffing Agencies in Eastern Shore Jobs MD
The future of staffing agencies in the Eastern Shore job market looks promising. With ongoing changes in the workforce, including the rise of remote work, an aging population, and evolving industry needs, staffing agencies will continue to play an essential role in matching skilled workers with the right employers.
As industries continue to grow, the demand for specialized talent will increase. Staffing agencies will evolve to meet these needs, offering more targeted recruitment strategies, advanced technology for matching candidates with employers, and expanded services for both job seekers and employers.
Conclusion
Staffing agencies like SI Staffing are vital to meeting the growing demand for skilled workers in Eastern Shore jobs MD. By providing flexible staffing solutions, personalized job matching, and specialized recruitment services, staffing agencies help employers find the right talent while assisting job seekers in securing fulfilling positions. As the job market continues to evolve, staffing agencies will remain crucial in connecting skilled workers to the diverse job opportunities that the Eastern Shore has to offer. Whether you're an employer looking for the right candidate or a job seeker looking for your next opportunity, staffing agencies are your trusted partner in navigating the region's dynamic workforce landscape.
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lboogie1906 · 2 months ago
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Dr. Claud Anderson (September 2, 1935) was the State Coordinator of Education for Florida under Governor Reubin Askew during the 1970′s. After productive social change projects in Florida and driving President Jimmy Carter’s Florida mission to an accomplishment in the state, Carter assigned him as the Federal Co-Chairman for a Commission of lead agents in the southeast states. He drove a commonplace commission that upheld and composed financial headway projects for lead delegates in those states.
The fish business, which by then was all wild catch, was a huge regional community. The undertakings he financed made positions and associations in the Southeastern states. He taught at all levels of tutoring. He was the head of two monetary improvement organizations for the city of Miami and a huge coordinator and facilitator for the 1988 DNC.
He manufactured Waterland Fisheries, Inc., a Seafood handling plant he chips away at Maryland Eastern Shore, to go about as a delineation of PowerNomics guidelines. WFI can convey 1,000,000 pounds of live incredible fish yearly in a controlled indoor environment. It is the greatest tank-farming office in Maryland and one of the greatest in the country. He had ownership in radio stations, including the one he gathered and worked in Tallahassee, retail food outlets, and private turn of events. He is head of The Harvest Institute, a research association that investigates, methodology improvement, guidance, and advancement to fabricate the power of Black America. The foundation for Harvest Institute programs are Dr. his books, Black Labor, White Wealth: A Search for Power and Economic Justice and PowerNomics: The National Plan to Empower Black America.
He addresses constantly business get-togethers, schools, places of love, and social relationships on the monetary, social, and political game plans he proposes. His books have all been raving successes, are for the most part examined all through the US, and are used as perusing material in various universities and optional schools. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence
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newstfionline · 1 year ago
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Wednesday, September 13, 2023
UN food agency warns of ‘doom loop’ for world’s hungriest as governments cut aid and needs increase (AP) The World Food Program warned Tuesday that humanitarian funding cuts by governments are forcing the U.N. agency to drastically cut food rations to the world’s hungriest people, with each 1% cut in aid risking to push 400,000 people toward starvation. The agency said the more than 60% funding shortfall this year was the highest in WFP’s 60-year history and marks the first time the Rome-based agency has seen contributions decline while needs rise. As a result, the WFP has been forced to cut rations in almost half its operations, including in hard-hit places like Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia and Haiti. In a statement, WFP warned that 24 million more people could slip into emergency hunger over the next year as a result. The WFP warned that if the trend continues, a “doom loop” will be triggered “where WFP is being forced to save only the starving, at the cost of the hungry,” the statement said.
Washington copes with surging violence (Washington Post) Stephanie Heishman, a Northwest Washington event planner, knows she may sound almost absurdly cautious as she describes how, after a regular Sunday dinner at a friend’s house five blocks away, she travels by car instead of walking home. She has her reasons. A year ago, she was awakened by gunfire outside her Adams Morgan apartment building and from her seventh-floor window saw a car speeding away. In August, after a night out with friends, her Uber driver couldn’t reach her building because police had blocked off a street where bullets had just killed two men and fatally wounded a third. “It’s so ridiculous,” Heishman, 44, said of the precautions she takes to feel safer. “On the other hand, I don’t want to randomly get shot.” Violent crime has long been a part of Washington life, the worst of it during the early 1990s when drug trafficking propelled the annual homicide toll to nearly 500 and D.C. earned an inglorious reputation as America’s “Murder Capital.” The volume of carnage these days is not nearly as high. Yet a sharp rise in crime over the past year—punctuated by reports of homicides, brazen shootings, and carjackings by armed teenagers—is rattling the city.
Extreme heat is forcing America’s farmers to go nocturnal (Washington Post) Mark Hines’s workday starts while the sun sets. His friends call him the “Night Farmer.” While others sleep, Hines roams his Derwood, Md., farm from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., picking tomatoes, melons, pumpkins and lettuce by the light of a headlamp and well after the heat of the day. Rising temperatures in key agricultural regions across the United States are leading more farmers to harvest in the middle of the night to safeguard the quality of their crops. There isn’t much data on the pervasiveness of night harvesting, but agriculture experts and farmers said the practice is becoming an important part of the industry’s future. “Inevitably, it’s going to be hotter during the day, and that’s going to mean even more night farming where it’s feasible,” said Daniel Sumner, a professor of agricultural economics at the University of California at Davis. Hines started farming in 2020 and gradually shifted to evening hours to contend with the hotter Maryland summers. This year was even more brutal; scientists say it was the world’s hottest summer “by a large margin.”
A divided Chile marks 50 years since Pinochet’s bloody military coup (Reuters) Chile on Monday marked 50 years since a violent coup by Augusto Pinochet against socialist President Salvador Allende ushered in two decades of military rule that saw thousands killed and seeded the country’s market-led economic model. The coup on Sept. 11, 1973, marked the start of a series of U.S.-friendly, right-wing dictatorships that governed much of South America well into the 1980s and were characterized by mass arrests, torture and disappearances. But with half a century gone by, Chile is sharply polarized. Victims of military rule and their families have ramped up a push for justice and accountability, but there are growing fears over rising crime. While leftist President Gabriel Boric campaigned for a big event to remember the coup anniversary, he has faced pushback from some politicians and voters. A recent Pulso Ciudadano survey showed 60% of Chileans were not interested, while almost four in ten people said they mostly blamed Allende’s government for the coup. Allende’s administration, which lasted three years, attempted radical change that was sometimes chaotic, and some conservatives contrast that with the changes made under Pinochet, which they say began Chile on the path to its status as one of South America’s more stable, economically successful and safe countries.
China May Ban Clothes That Hurt People’s Feelings (NYT) In the 1980s, people in China could land themselves in trouble with the government for their fashion choices. Flared pants and blue jeans were considered “weird attire.” Some government buildings barred men with long hair and women wearing makeup and jewelry. Patrols organized by factories and schools cut flared pants and long hair with scissors. It was the early days of China’s era of reform and opening up. The Communist Party was loosening its tight control over society little by little, and the public was pushing the limits of self-expression and individualism. Now the government is proposing amendments to a law that could result in detention and fines for “wearing clothing or bearing symbols in public that are detrimental to the spirit of the Chinese people and hurt the feelings of Chinese people.” What could be construed as an offense wasn’t specified. The plan has been widely criticized, with Chinese legal scholars, journalists and businesspeople voicing their concerns over the past week. If it goes into effect, they argue, it could give the authorities the power to police anything they dislike. It would also be a big step backward in the public’s relationship with the government. “In Chinese history, the times when clothing and hairstyles were given significant attention often corresponded to ‘bad moments in history,’” a user wrote on WeChat. The article was widely circulated before being purged by censors.
North Korea’s Kim vows full support for Russia’s ‘sacred fight’ (AP) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday his country’s “full and unconditional support” for Russia’s “sacred fight” to defend its security interests, in an apparent reference to the war in Ukraine, and said Pyongyang will always stand with Moscow on the “anti-imperialist” front. Kim also called North Korea’s relations with Russia “the first priority.” The leaders met at a remote Siberian rocket launch facility for a summit that underscores how their interests are aligning in the face of their countries’ separate, intensifying confrontations with the United States.
American Cave Expert Is Rescued in Turkey (NYT) An American cave expert who became ill while he was more than 3,000 feet underground in a cave in Turkey, prompting an international rescue effort, was pulled safely from the cave soon after midnight Tuesday morning local time and immediately brought to a medical tent. While he was deep underground, the caver, Mark Dickey, 40, who is himself an expert cave rescuer, suffered gastrointestinal bleeding and lost three liters of blood. He was part of an expedition that was exploring the Morca cave, which he entered on Aug. 30. After he became ill, a member of his party made the harrowing, hourslong climb to the surface and alerted authorities on Sept. 2. That brought more than 180 people from eight countries to help rescue him. The rescue teams installed communications systems, blasted open narrow areas so they could move Mr. Dickey through on a stretcher and used lines set up inside the cave to carry the stretcher out.
Fractured Israel (NYT) When Ana Lavi neared the gates of her village in southern Israel late one night in July, a small group of men appeared in the road, surrounded her car and blocked its path. The men had gathered half in celebration, half in vengeance. Hours earlier, Israel’s ultranationalist and religiously conservative governing coalition had passed the first part of its deeply contentious effort to weaken the Supreme Court. To mark the moment, some of the government’s supporters had rushed to what they saw as the nearest symbol of Israel’s opposition: Ms. Lavi’s village, Kibbutz Hatzerim, one of the collective farms that has long been associated with the country’s secular and left-leaning elite. Ms. Lavi phoned for help. The kibbutz security guard hurried to the scene, accompanied by other residents. A scuffle broke out, and the guard drew his pistol. Ms. Lavi jumped from her car. “What have we come to?” she shouted, in a scene captured on video. Then the gun went off. The immediate trigger for the altercation was the far-right government’s effort to reduce judicial power. But the judicial crisis has become a proxy for an even broader battle among Israelis about the future of their country.
Aid Trickles In to Moroccans Stranded by Quake, but Desperation Mounts (NYT) Government rescue workers began to reach some devastated mountain villages in Morocco on Monday, but many more settlements were waiting desperately for help, three days after the country was hit by the strongest earthquake in the area in more than a century. Some roads in the Atlas Mountains near the ancient southern city of Marrakesh remained blocked by landslides caused by Friday’s earthquake, which killed at least 2,862 people and injured at least 2,562. Many survivors were without power and phone service, fueling criticism on social media about the government’s response. In some villages where homes are made of mud bricks, as many as half of the houses were flattened. With official aid slow to arrive, many Moroccan citizens have stepped in themselves to fill in the gaps.
Morocco’s reluctance to accept quake aid baffles foreign governments (Washington Post) Governments far and wide have offered aid to Morocco following a 6.8-magnitude earthquake that has left more than 2,800 people dead and thousands injured and displaced. But, to the bafflement of officials abroad, Morocco has been slow to accept support. Countries including France, Germany, Italy and the United States, along with the United Nations, said they were waiting to provide any help they could after Friday’s devastating earthquake in the High Atlas Mountains. The Moroccan Interior Ministry said in a statement Sunday that it would initially accept search-and-rescue teams only from Britain, Qatar, Spain and the United Arab Emirates—which it called “friendly countries”—after taking into account the “needs of the field.” Meanwhile, a 50-person team from Germany’s Technical Relief Agency that assembled at Cologne Bonn Airport over the weekend was sent home from the airport on Sunday after its offer for help was not taken up. Reluctance to allow a broad range of aid could stem from unwillingness to permit scrutiny or lose control of the narrative about the conditions in communities hit by the quake, amid a potential public relations nightmare. An influx of foreign aid workers could be “a source of anxiety for the Moroccan state, as perhaps it would shed light on issues that many of us have been trying to signal [are] not tenable, and lives are at stake.”
Catastrophic floods devastated Libya (NYT/Foreign Policy) The authorities in Libya estimated that at least 5,000 people have died, and thousands more are believed to be missing, after heavy rain submerged the coastal city of Derna, destroyed roads and swept entire neighborhoods into the sea. The storm caused two dams to burst, destroying much of Derna, on Libya’s northeast coast. Citizens who escaped the city left “as if they were born today, with nothing,” one army official said. The flooding buckled buildings and blocked roads, impeding access to the most stricken areas, and the death toll is likely to rise in the coming days. One local official said today that a third dam, located between Derna and the larger city of Benghazi, was also on the brink of collapse. The catastrophic nature of Libya’s flooding is largely due to its history of poor, underinvested infrastructure. “Ten years since Qaddafi’s death, Libya lacks a constitution, a state with a monopoly on force, and economic institutions able to rationally order the economy,” Libya expert Jason Pack wrote in Foreign Policy in 2021. To sort out this mess, “there is more of a need for global governance than ever before—and ironically less effective global governance than at any time in modern history.”
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How Do I Get A Maryland Commercial Fishing License?
In the state of Maryland, if you own a vessel and you wish to begin engaging in commercial fishing, you will be required to get a commercial fishing license. Those who want to fish for crabs, eels, flounder, bluefish, or striped bass in Maryland’s saltwater waters are required to have a Maryland commercial fishing license. You’ll need to supply some evidence that demonstrates your eligibility for a license, in addition to filling out a rather straightforward application.
The expenses may change depending on the kind of fishing gear that you use (drag gear, lift net gear, and so on), but it will be well worth it if you want to earn money off of capturing these well-liked kinds of seafood! Make sure you have the correct license for the kind of fishing you want to do since there are many different kinds available to you depending on the kind of fishing you want to do. In this article, we will guide you through the steps necessary to get a commercial fishing license in the state of Maryland.
Familiarize Yourself with the Different License Types You’ll want to be sure you get the correct kind of fishing license in Maryland since there are many to choose from. Fishing permits for brook trout, bass, and many more species are available in addition to a basic freshwater license. The same holds true for angling crabs and oysters, both of which need a specialized license.
Maryland offers both recreational and commercial fishing permits, but only two types of vessel licenses: non-commercial and commercial. You may purchase a recreational fishing license and use it to go fishing with your friends and family on your own time if you’re just starting out as an angler.
You need a commercial fishing license and a permit to fish commercially, whether you plan to work for someone else or on your own (prices vary). The license authorizes fishing in Maryland waters from vessels larger than 35 feet in length and allows the catch to be sold.
Determine What Fisheries You Will Be Targeting A valid license is required to engage in fishing as a recreational activity in the same way that it is required to engage in any other recreational activity. A commercial fishing license is required in Maryland. Let’s make sure we all understand what a commercial fishing license is before we go into the specifics of how to acquire one.
If you fish professionally for more than 20 percent of your yearly revenue, you need a commercial fishing license. Live fish capture and fish farming harvest are both considered commercial fishing. The Department of Natural Resources is in charge of Maryland commercial fishing licenses, as well as hunting licenses, small game trapping licenses, and fur-bearing animal licenses.
In order to get a license to fish for commercial purposes, one must be well-prepared. Do your homework before heading to the Commercial Fishing Permits Center today to submit your application to save some time.
Check the Boundaries of Each Fishery Zone to Obtain Maryland Commercial Fishing License You’re in luck if you want to go fishing since Maryland is home to some of the nation’s best and most abundant fisheries. One question must be answered before you cast your line, though: how will you be fishing? If you’re trying to reel in a striped bass or bluefish, for example, you’ll need to be familiar with the regions of the state in which such fish are found.
Checking this map of Maryland’s tidal waters will tell you which zone you need and where on the map that zone is situated. You just require a free “basic” license from the Commercial Fishing Permits Center if your desired fishing spot is within the limits of tidal water (any body of water that is linked to the ocean by a small channel).
To get a copy, click here. Take it out on the water and start fishing as soon as you can! Check out this page for details on how to get a license to fish in a non-tidal location, such as for freshwater trout or rockfish.
Be Aware Of Any Additional Permits or Endorsements That May Be Required There is a lot of stress involved with starting a new job without knowing whether you can pay the insurance or renew your driver’s license in time. That is a common thought process among those who are considering relocating to Maryland in order to pursue a career in commercial fishing.
Fortunately, there are measures you may take to guarantee a trouble-free procedure. There are several things you’ll need to answer about yourself before you can even submit an application. Should I go through with this? Can I legally work in the state of Maryland? How many hours a week will I need to work to make ends meet? Is this something I can realistically afford? Can I get by without a boat or other tools, or are they necessary for success? If you need any licenses or endorsements, make sure you get them. For instance, you’ll need an inshore fishing endorsement on your license if you want to fish within three miles of land.
You might be wondering, “How do I get a Maryland commercial fishing license?” The first step is to contact the Commercial Fishing Permits Center through our site. We will answer any questions you have about getting your commercial fishing license and we’ll help you through the application process.
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theblacktressdiaries · 8 years ago
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2016 Favorites
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I’m so late to play this favorites game, but better late than never! Here are my favorite things of 2016! Podcast: Smart Podcast Trashy Books Sassy and uncensored but very conscious of triggers. They cover feminism, different cultures, literary history, and overall romancelandia greatness. It’s free on iTunes as well as their website. Book: Forbidden by Beverly  Jenkins  I love me a good historic…
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homeofhousechickens · 3 years ago
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Anyone involved with poultry should review their biosecurity plan and enhance their biosecurity practices to ensure the health of their birds.
In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to state/federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or through USDA’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.
The National Wildlife Disease Program is focused on collecting 16,500 samples in 25 states. Adding surveillance in the Mississippi and Central Flyways will involve collecting an additional 14,500 wild bird samples for a total of more than 31,000 wild bird samples in 49 states.
Conducting surveillance sampling in all four Flyways will assist efforts to better understand the presence of variants of concern and help us monitor movement of avian influenza strains along migratory pathways.
This strain of AI that results in 80% to 100% mortality rates in poultry is now in 8 states.
* South Carolina - 1/13/22, Hunter harvested - American Wigeon, EA H5N1
* North Carolina - 1/16/22, Hunter harvested - Gadwall, EA H5
* Virginia - 1/26/22, Hunter harvested - Mallard, EA H5
* Florida - 2/1/22, Hunter harvested - Blue Winged Teal, EA H5
* Maryland - 2/2/22, Live bird - Lesser Scaup, EA H5N1
* Delaware - 2/9/22, Hunter harvested - Northern Shoveler, EA H5
* New Hampshire - 2/9/22, Live bird - Mallard, EA H5
* Indiana - 2/9/22, Commercial Turkey Farm, EA H5 (FLOCK DEPOPULATED)
(Post via Scenic View Farm)
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overheardontheferry · 4 years ago
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Below is taken from a post from our Borough President that he posted tonight. #StatenIslandHistory
A year after slavery was abolished in New York State, Capt. John Jackson made history -- he was the first Black man to purchase property on Staten Island on Feb. 23, 1828, in the area today known as Sandy Ground in Rossville.
Further anchoring Sandy Ground’s place in history: It is the oldest continuously inhabited community established by free slaves in North America.
Capt. Jackson was an operator of a ferry on the Blazing Star line, which traveled from the Arthur Kill to New Jersey. It is believed he ferried escaped slaves from the South to Sandy Ground, making it one of the stops on the Underground Railroad.
Sandy Ground was initially known as Harrisville, named for Moses and Silas Harris who later settled in the area in the hopes of finding land suitable for farming. Instead, they found grounds that were “sandy” -- hence its current name.
The Harris brothers introduced one crop that would grow there: strawberries. This became a profitable venture for the brothers as they delivered the strawberries to market themselves, cutting out the middleman.
Soon after, Sandy Ground became home to freed slaves from Maryland who were fleeing restrictive laws that forbid them from gathering for educational and religious purposes. They were also driven away by a law that prohibited them from harvesting for oysters in the Chesapeake Bay unless they were accompanied by an 18-year-old white male.
At Sandy Ground, they found abundant oyster beds in the Arthur Kill by Prince’s Bay. With that came economic stability, but more importantly, they found freedom from persecution.
Sandy Ground grew to include 108 families with Rossville AME Zion Church as the community anchor.
The founder and first minister of the church was William H. Pitts, a Virginia-born African Methodist Episcopal Zion minister who purchased land in Sandy Ground in May 1849 and began holding prayer services in his home, according to the City Landmarks Preservation Commission. The church was formally recognized in December 1850. Two years later, the congregation purchased land on Crabtree Avenue to build a church, along with an adjoining cemetery. By 1890, the congregation had outgrown the simple clapboard church and built a new church at its present-day site at 584 Bloomingdale Road.
Rossville AME Zion Church was also renowned for its camp meetings, open-air barbecues, clambakes and other social events that drew hundreds of participants both Black and white.
The church was designated a New York City landmark in 2011 -- the cemetery already had landmark status. The Rev. Issac Coleman and Rebecca Gray Coleman House and two “baymen’s cottages” were also granted landmark status in 2011. The two identical cottages, built between 1887 and 1898, housed the oystermen.
Today, Sandy Ground is home to 10 families who are descendants of the original settlers and who still worship at Rossville AME Zion Church. The Sandy Ground Historical Society holds photographs, exhibitions and tours to document its place in history.
In further recognizing Sandy Ground’s legacy of freedom, one of the new Staten Island ferryboats that will be put into service has been christened The Sandy Ground.
(Photo courtesy of the Sandy Ground Historical Society: Oystermen at Sandy Ground, circa 1897).
Next time: In our next installment, we will tell the story of Sydney Howard Gay, a prominent abolitionist and key operator of the Underground Railroad who lived on Staten Island from 1848 to 1888.
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i-like-old-things · 3 years ago
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So I’m currently doing this HUGEEEE history project on the southern colonies from like 1585-1732 (ish) and ummmm yeah here’s a recap (keep in mind, we’re doing a bunch of mini-skits and the whole thing had to be at least 30 min…):
Roanoke
Ok so I wrote this script by myself. It’s my baby. Anywayssss here’s what happened:
Raleigh was like “hey Lizzie, I have this really cool idea you should send some people over to the new world” and Queen Elizabeth was like “okie dokie” and some people went. Then they came back and were like “yooooo roanoke is so awesome like here are some natives that definitely willingly came over here (/sarcastic)” and then Raleigh was like “seeeee. You really should help me y’know explore the land and stuff” and Queen elizabeth was like “yeah ok you can go just find other to pay for it” and Raleigh felt a little betrayed but he was rich so he had contacts. And then he hires this Greenville guy and everyone (except Raleigh) goes over and then Greenville gets the natives to hate him and then he says “peace out” and leaves. Then Francis drake comes and all the colonists are like “yeah we’re literally starving take us back to England” and so there’s no one left. Then Raleigh finds this John white guy whos willing to go and then he goes with a couple people. Whites daughter gives birth to the first child born in america with English parents and then John white says “peace out…but cuz of Spain” and then *spongebob voice* three years later *end spongebob voice* he comes back and no ones left and he’s like “what happened” and yeah…that’s it. Oh and Raleigh gets his head cut off :)
Jamestown
I didn’t write this one so I literally don’t know anything but here we go:
People came. Then they starved. John smith became a dictator and raided the natives’ villages. More starving and death. Tobacco was harvested. Pocahontas advocated to the “civilization” of the natives in England (and then she died). More people came. The head right system. Andddd that’s all I remember
Coode’s Rebellion
I also wrote this script :)
“Catholics = bad” - John Coode. Oh yeah and then he went on to basically get rid of the entire government of Maryland and the next time it would be come a proprietary colony wasn’t until Lord Baltimore V became Anglican and the official religion of Maryland was the Church of England and then John Coode almost got his tongue pierced by a red hot iron but then the governor pardoned him
The Separation of the Carolinas
I did not do this script so sorry if I’m incorrect
North Carolina: “I don’t like it because we’re being ruled from Charleston which is too far away to help us which is why most of us died in the Tuscara war. And we farm different stuff and most of us are from Virginia”
South Carolina: “we have plantations and don’t like North Carolina”
The end
Pirates
I also didn’t write this script
Blackbeard. Pirates were off the coast of the Carolinas. They weren’t really attacked by the government idk why though
Georgia
I also wrote part of this script :)
Oglethorpe (best last name in my opinion) wanted a military boundary between Spanish Florida and the Carolinas. He also wanted a place for debtors to go and start a new life (most of the people who went to Georgia were just poor farmers and stuff). He was really scared of a rebellion so he made a bunch of rules (ex: no slaves, no rum, no Catholics, you only get a certain amount of land, etc). The colonists weren’t happy about it. Eventually Georgia failed and was placed in the hands of the king. And the rules actually stunted the growth of the colony so it didn’t progress as rapidly as other colonies
Ok the end
Tbh that probably took you half an hour to read lol
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gardenassist · 3 years ago
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Microgreens are young and tender seedlings of numerous veggies, wild plants, and herbs. They are optimum when gathered just 7-20 days after sowing, at which time they establish the very first real leaves, specifically the two cotyledons.
We can not specify them as sprouts, as is completely and frequently incorrect, and they are not even common leafy veggies.
They are a brand-new classification of veggies that guarantee an early harvest and are best for developing a restricted growing system. Since they are delicious and include unforeseen appeal and texture to meals, they are liked and utilized by more and more cooks and chefs.
They are significantly in demand by customers due to the fact that they are excellent to consume, satisfying to take a look at, and really healthy.
Merits
They are abundant in minerals, vitamins and have antioxidant substances that are crucial for human health. The scientists of the University of Maryland discovered that micro-vegetables have a high material of bioactive compounds (10 times higher than normal veggies) and enhance gastrointestinal activity and protect our body.
That is why they are called superfoods, and particularly why I wish to reveal you how to grow them in your home. Microgreens are in some cases offered in specialized grocery stores, however it is constantly much better to grow them yourself and with little effort.
If you read this book, you will comprehend that microgreens can likewise be a fantastic business that does not need a substantial financial investment, much area or perhaps time. As pointed out previously, one element that makes microgreens distinct and distinct from both a gastronomic and dietary viewpoint is the range of produce, shapes, taste’s, and colors you can discover.
Keep in mind: Microgreens have nothing to do with GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms). Microgreens arise from research studies on conventional cabbage, squash, green beans, spinach, broccoli, and more.
We can anticipate that these items will progressively form the basis of our diet plan in the future, as they are simple to grow even in an Urban environment, utilizing the system of vertical farms or indoor farming in grow boxes with the aid of LED lights.
The number of Nutritional worths of microgreens?
Microgreens are among the superfoods or practical foods. These veggies are high in minerals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Se, Mo), vitamins (α-tocopherol/ vitamin E, β-carotene/ pro-vitamin A, ascorbic acid/vitamin C and phylloquinone/vitamin K1) and bioactive substances such as
phenolic anti-oxidants, carotenoids, glucosinolates, and anthocyanins.
Current research studies have actually revealed that the bioactive substances in micro veggies were richer in phenolic anti-oxidants and more considerable quantities of α-tocopherol and carotenoids than the adult variations of the plants. Broccoli and lettuce had the greatest quantities of vitamin E, while Asteraceae revealed the greatest carotenoid levels. As a pure example, the vitamin C in a microgreen can be 6 times higher than which contained in the exact same adult plant. The quantity of vitamin K can be 60 times more considerable, and vitamin E can be as much as 400 times higher. From this, it is simple to deduce that taking much smaller-sized quantities of the item suffices to get the advised day-to-day dosages of these 3 vitamins. To finish the example, a grownup of typical weight would require just 0,5 oz of red cabbage for the suggested day-to-day requirement of vitamin E, just 1,4 oz of red cabbage for the suggested everyday requirement of vitamin C, and just 0,6 oz of amaranth for the suggested day-to-day requirement of vitamin K.
what are Microgreens’ health advantages?
Much of us were informed as kids to “consume our greens.” By and large, there is a clinical agreement that a well balanced, turning diet plan of various veggies is among the very best methods to get nutrients from food at a young age Being low in calories however high in nutrients, the majority of health professionals suggest consuming veggies daily.
If it is understood that veggies are excellent for you, it is even more real for microgreens. Just as there are research studies that reveal microgreens have high dietary worth, others offer proof that the high levels of nutrients in microgreens can cause substantial health advantages.
Here are simply a couple of examples of the advantages microgreens can give the health of those who consume them.
1-Microgreens lower the danger of heart disease.
Due to the fact that they can reduce levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, this is. This is frequently described as “bad” cholesterol since too expensive a level can increase the threat of cardiac arrest, stroke, and other heart diseases.
2-Microgreens lower their danger of Alzheimer’s illness.
Oxidative tension in the body can trigger or intensify lots of illness, Alzheimer’s being a prime example. Microgreens include antioxidant-rich elements like sulforaphane, which decreases the threat of Alzheimer’s illness. Scientists have actually discovered that a pure sulforaphane extract can secure versus oxidative tension and swelling of the brain. Scientists likewise discovered that sulforaphane might safeguard versus memory deficits symptomatic of Alzheimer’s illness.
3-Microgreens aid with diabetic control.
Microgreens (like other veggies) are especially abundant in fiber, which is required for ideal food digestion. They have a low glycemic index, so your blood sugar level does not increase rapidly after a meal. The American Diabetes Association advises a minimum of 3 to 5 portions of non-starchy veggies like broccoli, carrots, or cauliflower daily.
4-Microgreens can lower cancer danger.
Some research studies have actually revealed that the bioactive antioxidant substances present in lots of microgreens minimize tumour cell expansion by as much as 41.9%. Day-to-day usage of microgreens as part of a well balanced diet plan might be a preventative dietary technique to minimize the concern of persistent degenerative illness such as colon cancer.
The health advantages noted above are commonly supported by the newest clinical research study and can discuss the success of these items. The reality is that microgreens are not just stunning and excellent, they are likewise helpful for your health.
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thecenturionjournal · 4 years ago
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William Wright, Abolitionist
WILLIAM WRIGHT See p. 691. MEMORIAL. William Wright, a distinguished abolitionist of Adams county, Pennsylvania, was born on the 21st of December, 1788. Various circumstances conspired to make this unassuming Quaker an earnest Abolitionist and champion of the oppressed in every land and of every nationality and color. His uncle, Benjamin Wright, and cousin, Samuel B. Wright, were active members of the old Pennsylvania Abolition Society, and at the time of the emancipation of the slaves in this state were often engaged in lawsuits with slave-holders to compel them to release their bondmen, according to the requirements of the law. William Wright grew up under the influence of the teachings of these relatives. Joined to this, his location caused him to take an extraordinary interest in Underground Rail Road affairs. He lived near the foot of the southern slope of the South Mountain, a spur of the Alleghenies which extends, under various names, to Chattanooga, Tennessee. This mountain was followed in its course by hundreds of fugitives until they got into Pennsylvania, and were directed to William Wright's house. In November, 1817, William Wright married Phebe Wierman, (born on the 8th of February, 1790,) daughter of a neighboring farmer, and sister of Hannah W. Gibbons, wife of Daniel Gibbons, a notice of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Phebe Wright was the assistant of her husband in every good work, and their married life of forty-eight years was a long period of united and efficient labor in the cause of humanity. She still (1871) survives him. William and Phebe Wright began their Underground Rail Road labors about the year 1819. Hamilton Moore, who ran away from Baltimore county, Maryland, was the first slave aided by them. His master came for him, but William Wright and Joel Wierman, Phebe Wright's brother, who lived in the neighborhood, rescued him and sent him to Canada. In the autumn of 1828, as Phebe Wright, surrounded by her little children, came out upon her back porch in the performance of some household duty, she saw standing before her in the shade of the early November morning, a colored man without hat, shoes, or coat. He asked if Mr. Wright lived there, and upon receiving an affirmative reply, said that he wanted work. The good woman, comprehending the situation at a glance, told him to come into the house, get warm, and wait till her husband came home. He was shivering with cold and fright. When William Wright came home the fugitive told his story. He came from Hagerstown, Maryland, having been taught the blacksmith's trade there. In this business it was his duty to keep an account of all the work done by him, which record he showed to his master at the end of the week. Knowing no written character but the figure 5 he kept this account by means of a curious system of hieroglyphics in which straight marks meant horse shoes put on, circles, cart-wheels fixed, etc. One day in happening to see his master's book he noticed that wherever five and one were added the figure 6 was used. Having practiced this till he could make it he ever after used it in his accounts. As his master was looking over these one day, he noticed the new figure and compelled the slave to tell how he had learned it. He flew into a rage, and said, "I'll teach you how to be learning new figures," and picking up a horse-shoe threw it at him, but fortunately for the audacious chattel, missed his aim. Notwithstanding his ardent desire for liberty, the slave considered it his duty to remain in bondage until he was twenty-one years old in order to repay by his labor the trouble and expense which his master had had in rearing him. On the evening of his twenty-first anniversary he turned his face toward the North star, and started for a land of freedom. Arriving at Reisterstown, a village on the Westminster turnpike about twenty-five miles from Baltimore and thirty-five miles from Mr. Wright's house, he was arrested and placed in the bar-room of the country tavern in care of the landlady to wait until his captors, having finished some work in which they were engaged, could take him back to his master. The landlady, being engaged in getting supper, set him to watch the cakes that were baking. As she was passing back and forth he ostentatiously removed his hat, coat, and shoes, and placed them in the bar-room. Having done this, he said to her, "I will step out a moment." This he did, she sending a boy to watch him. When the boy came out he appeared to be very sick and called hastily for water. The boy ran in to get it. Now was his golden opportunity. Jumping the fence he ran to a clump of trees which occupied low ground behind the house and concealing himself in it for a moment, ran and continued to run, he knew not whither, until he found himself at the toll gate near Petersburg, in Adams county. Before this he had kept in the fields and forests, but now found himself compelled to come out upon the road. The toll-gate keeper, seeing at once that he was a fugitive, said to him, "I guess you don't know the road." "I guess I can find it myself," was the reply. "Let me show you," said the man. "You may if you please," replied the fugitive. Taking him out behind his dwelling, he pointed across the fields to a new brick farm-house, and said, "Go there and inquire for Mr. Wright." The slave thanked him and did as he was directed. He remained with William Wright until April, 1829. During this short time he learned to read, write, and cipher as far as the single rule of three, as it was then called, or simple proportion. During his residence with William Wright, nothing could exceed his kindness or gratitude to the whole family. He learned to graft trees, and thus rendered great assistance to William Wright in his necessary business. When working in the kitchen during the winter he would never allow Phebe Wright to perform any hard labor, always scrubbing the floor and lifting heavy burdens for her. Before he went away in the spring he assumed a name which his talents, perseverance, and genius have rendered famous in both hemispheres, that of James W.C. Pennington. The initial W. was for his benefactor's family, and C. for the family of his former master. From William Wright's he went to Daniel Gibbons', thence to Delaware county, Pennsylvania, and from there to New Haven, Conn., where, while performing the duties of janitor at Yale College, he completed the studies of the college course. After a few years, he went to Heidelberg, where the degree of D.D. was conferred upon him. He never forgot William Wright and his family, and on his return from Europe brought them each a present. The story of his escape and wonderful abilities was spread over England. An American acquaintance of the Wright family was astonished, on visiting an Anti-slavery fair in London many years ago, to see among the pictures for sale there, one entitled, "William and Phebe Wright receiving James W.C. Pennington." The Dr. died in Florida, in 1870, where he had gone to preach and assist in opening schools amongst the Freemen. In 1842 a party of sixteen slaves came to York, Pa., from Baltimore county, Md. Here they were taken in charge by William Wright, Joel Fisher, Dr. Lewis, and William Yocum. The last named was a constable, and used to assist the Underground Rail Road managers by pretending to hunt fugitives with the kidnappers. Knowing where the fugitives were he was enabled to hunt them in the opposite direction from that in which they had gone, and thus give them time to escape. This constable and a colored man of York took this party one by one out into Samuel Willis' corn-field, near York, and hid them under the shocks. The following night Dr. Lewis piloted them to near his house, at Lewisburg, York county, on the banks of the Conewago. Here they were concealed several days, Dr. Lewis carrying provisions to them in his saddle-bags. When the search for them had been given up in William Wright's neighborhood, he went down to Lewisburg and in company with Dr. Lewis took the whole sixteen across the Conewago, they fording the river and carrying the fugitives across on their horses. It was a gloomy night in November. Every few moments clouds floated across the moon, alternately lighting up and shading the river, which, swelled by autumn rains, ran a flood. William Wright and Dr. Lewis mounted men or women behind and took children in their arms. When the last one got over, the doctor, who professed to be an atheist, exclaimed, "Great God! is this a Christian land, and are Christians thus forced to flee for their liberty?" William Wright guided this party to his house that night and concealed them in a neighboring forest until it was safe for them to proceed on their way to Canada. Just in the beginning of harvest of the year 1851, four men came off from Washington county, Maryland. They were almost naked and seemed to have come through great difficulties, their clothing being almost entirely torn off. As soon as they came, William Wright went to the store and got four pair of shoes. It was soon heard that their masters and the officers had gone to Harrisburg to hunt them. Two of them, Fenton and Tom, were concealed at William Wright's, and the other two, Sam and one whose name has been forgotten, at Joel Wierman's. In a day or two, as William Wright, a number of carpenters, and other workmen, among whom were Fenton and Tom, were at work in the barn, a party of men rode up and recognized the colored men as slaves of one of their number. The colored men said they had left their coats at the house. William Wright looked earnestly at them and told them to go to the house and get their coats. They went off, and one of them was observed by one of the family to take his coat hastily down from where it hung in one of the outhouses, a few moments afterward. After conversing a few moments at the barn, William Wright brought the slave-holders down to the house, where he, his wife and daughters engaged them in a controversy on the subject of slavery which lasted about an hour. One of them seemed very much impressed, and labored hard to convince his host that he was a good master and would treat his men well. Finally one of the party asked William Wright to produce the men. He replied that he would not do that, that they might search his premises if they wished to, but they could not compel him to bring forth the fugitives. Seeing that they had been duped, they became very angry and proceeded forthwith to search the house and all the outhouses immediately around it, without, however, finding those whom they sought. As they left the house and went toward the barn, William Wright, waving his hand toward the former, said, "You see they are not anywhere there." They then went to the barn and gave it a thorough search. Between it and the house, a little away from the path, but in plain sight, stood the carriage-house, which they passed by without seeming to notice. After they had gone, poor Tom was found in this very house, curled up under the seats of the old-fashioned family carriage. He had never come to the house at all, but had heard the voices of his hunters from his hiding-place, during their whole search. About two o'clock in the morning, Fenton was found by William Wright out in the field. He had run along the bed of a small water course, dry at that time of year, until he came to a rye field amid whose high grain he hid himself until he thought the danger was past. From William Wright's the slave-catchers went to Joel Wierman's, where, despite all that could be done, they got poor Sam, took him off to Maryland and sold him to the traders to be taken far south. In 1856 William Wright was a delegate from Adams county to the Convention at Philadelphia which nominated John C. Fremont for President of the United States. As the counties were called in alphabetical order, he responded first among the Pennsylvania delegation. It is thought that he helped away during his whole life, nearly one thousand slaves. During his latter years, he was aided in the good work by his children, who never hesitated to sacrifice their own pleasure in order to help away fugitives. His convictions on the subject of slavery seem to have been born with him, to have grown with his growth, and strengthened with his strength. He could not remember when he first became interested in the subject. William Wright closed his long and useful life on the 25th of October, 1865. More fortunate than his co-laborer, Daniel Gibbons, he lived to see the triumph of the cause in which he had labored all his life. His latter years were cheered by the remembrance of his good deeds in the cause of human freedom. Modest and retiring, he would not desire, as he does not need, a eulogy. His labors speak for themselves, and are such as are recorded upon the Lamb's Book of Life. #################################################### Album of pix of Plainfield w interior> https://goo.gl/photos/UKfYAyysNzACjBVF9 ########################################## The Wright House is located on property owned by Ludwigs on the northernmost end of Adams County in Latimore Township. It's along Latimore Valley Road, set back in a bit. I have never seen it in person, so I don't know what condition it is currently in. It is on private property, which is why I do not give the location of the house on my website. The black and white photos are from the 1920s and the color photos are from 1993. It played a part in the underground railroad and at least one of the photos shows where slaves would have hidden. My Dad said he was back there when he was little and they pulled the dresser away to reveal the crawl space behind it. I think William and Phebe Wright were the ones who owned it, hence the name, the "Wright House." I don't know anything about them, though, off-hand. The house looks like it would have been a nice place if it had been fixed up, but I imagine it's beyond repair at this point. -from email from D. Worley
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purplewalskurco · 4 years ago
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Lavender, Marigold and Tropical white morning glory?
Lavender: What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
Probably my imagination. I love coming up with stories and want to try to write more often going forward. In the past, I wrote some original stories but stopped having as much time in the past few years. I also like to make art. I’ve been getting into painting recently and while I’m not that great yet, I’m learning and getting better. Another thing that I enjoy doing is making homemade gifts for my family members. Overall, I really like to create things so my favorite thing about myself would have to be the thing that allows me to do that.
Marigold: Where did you grow up? Tell us about it.
I grew up in a rural part of Southern Maryland. My house is in a neighborhood but is further back in the woods than most of the houses. I spent a lot of my childhood exploring the woods around my house and going down to the stream that’s back there. I’m still living at home when I’m not at college and since it’s online this semester, that’s where I am now. I’m very emotionally attached to where I grew up since it’s the same house I’ve lived in my whole life. I had a few neighbors who I occasionally played with but the person I spent the most time with was my brother. I had an “Imaginary World” that I would make up stories about for us to act out. This included doing fake concerts behind our house, making leaf potions, having villains to defeat, among other things. As we got older, it transitioned into making silly home movies. My grandparents are less than an hour away and live on a farm. Sometimes I would help them harvest crops like asparagus or potatoes. My grandfather also has a small business selling crab pots so I would also help with those occasionally. 
Tropical White Morning Glory: Describe your aesthetic.   
Well I’m not sure how much I actually have one but overall I like bright colors. I don’t buy clothes based on brand-name because I don’t really care about that. I tend to choose clothes related to nature in some way i.e. animals, flowers, snowflakes, fall leaves, etc. My hair is long and is always down. I don’t like to wear makeup or jewelry. I do like clothes and decorations that sparkle though. I also have a lot of merch related to animated movies and shows. 
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newstfionline · 2 years ago
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Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Sports gambling (NYT) Four years ago, betting on live sports was illegal in most of the United States. Now, fans watching games or attending them at stadiums are barraged with advertisements encouraging them to bet on matchups, not just watch as spectators. Sports gambling is legal in 31 states and Washington D.C., and it’s been a massive financial windfall for the gambling companies. In the first half of this year Americans placed on the order of $8 billion a month in legal sports bets, up from south of $1 billion a month three years ago, and by 2026 some analysts think it’ll hit $20 billion a month. For what it’s worth, the gambling corporations got that windfall for a song comparatively: Since 2016, FanDuel and DraftKings donated $2.6 million to federal politicians and political parties and spent $114 million on state ballot measures to legalize betting.
Consumers could pay price if railroads, unions can’t agree (AP) Consumers could see higher gas prices and shortages of some of their favorite groceries during the winter holiday season if railroads and all of their unions can’t agree on new contracts by an early-December deadline that had already been pushed back. The likelihood of a strike that would paralyze the nation’s rail traffic grew on Monday when the largest of the 12 rail unions, which represents mostly conductors, rejected management’s latest offering that included 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses. With four of the 12 unions that represent half of the 115,000 rail workers holding out for a better deal, it might fall to Congress to impose one to protect the U.S. economy. The Retail Industry Leaders Association said a rail strike “would cause enormous disruption” although retail stores are well stocked for the crucial holiday shopping season. It’s not clear what a strike would mean for packages because FedEx and UPS, which both rely on rail to some degree, haven’t commented in detail.
Mexico detains more than 16,000 foreign migrants in four days (Reuters) Mexico detained more than 16,000 migrants in a four-day span, the country’s National Institute of Migration (INM) said Monday. The INM said 16,096 migrants from 46 countries were detained in 22 Mexican states between Nov. 17 and 20. The majority of the migrants were from Central and South American countries, including 4,968 Venezuelans, 2,987 Guatemalans, 1,385 Nicaraguans, 1,311 Hondurans and 1,285 Ecuadorians. U.S. President Joe Biden has struggled with record numbers of migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border during his presidency—including 187,000 Venezuelans just in fiscal year 2022.
Cutting-edge tech made this tiny country a major exporter of food (Washington Post) The rallying cry in the Netherlands started two decades ago, as concern mounted about its ability to feed its 17 million people: Produce twice as much food using half as many resources. The country, which is a bit bigger than Maryland, not only accomplished this feat but also has become the world’s second largest exporter of agricultural products by value behind the United States. Perhaps even more significant in the face of a warming planet: It is among the largest exporters of agricultural and food technology. The Dutch have pioneered cell-cultured meat, vertical farming, seed technology and robotics in milking and harvesting—spearheading innovations that focus on decreased water usage as well as reduced carbon and methane emissions.
Europe’s new front lines (Reuters) Europe is waking up to a new need to defend itself since Russia invaded Ukraine. As children in Lithuania headed back to class this autumn, some of their schools were marked with new stickers: Hundreds have been designated as bomb shelters. In Finland, defence forces have been assembling modular military fortifications and practising landing jets on the highways. Planners from the Baltics in the north to Romania in the south are scrutinising potential military reinforcement routes, planning to fortify bridges and adding military transport functions to civilian airports, more than three dozen military and civilian officials across eight European states told Reuters. After 25 years of fighting conflicts abroad, the NATO alliance suddenly needs to show the enemy it can respond to a threat anywhere along its border, its top military adviser told Reuters. It is not ready, he said. “In many, many nations—not only the eastern flank—but in many, many nations, there are shortfalls in infrastructure,” said Rob Bauer, a Dutch admiral who chairs NATO’s Military Committee.
Russia struggles in Ukraine (Washington Post) For weeks, Russia has struggled to make any territorial advances in Ukraine. Russian troops have retreated from key areas in the east and the south, most recently from the city of Kherson. The Kremlin’s early objective to quickly take control of all of Ukraine may have been too ambitious, according to Max Bergmann, director of the Europe program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “Now what Russia is trying to do is not necessarily gain more territory. It’s just hold onto what they have,” Bergmann said. Russia’s struggles to make advances are a direct consequence of the costly initial phase of the war, according to CSIS’s Bergmann. Tens of thousands of its troops were killed and a significant amount of its equipment was destroyed. After failing to seize Kyiv, the Kremlin was left with “poorly equipped, poorly manned units that aren’t quite fulsome” in the field, Bergmann said. “Many of the resources are exhausted and they haven’t been rotated out.” Analysts say Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategy is now aimed at exhausting and outlasting Ukrainian troops, with the aim of decreasing allies’ confidence in Ukraine’s capabilities, all the while strengthening and training new forces.
Ukraine begins voluntary evacuations from Kherson. (NYT) As many as three million Ukrainians are expected to leave their homes this winter, officials from the World Health Organization said Monday, as Ukraine’s government began helping residents evacuate areas where it says it cannot guarantee sufficient power and heat. The voluntary evacuations, including from Kherson—the recently recaptured city in southern Ukraine that spent months under Russian occupation—began as Moscow’s increased assaults on Ukrainian infrastructure have affected residents across the country, raising fears about staying warm and obtaining basic necessities as rolling blackouts, water cuts and heating disruptions become the new normal. Hans Kluge, the W.H.O.’s regional director for Europe, expressed grave concern about the months ahead. “Cold weather can kill,” he said. The coming winter, he added, “will be about survival.” Ten million Ukrainians are currently without power, and half of the country’s energy infrastructure is either damaged or destroyed, Mr. Kluge said. Russian forces have stepped up their attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure over the past two months, causing electricity and water shortages in what seems to be an attempt to make the cold months as intolerable as possible.
Indonesia quake death toll rises to 268; 151 still missing (AP) The death toll from the earthquake that shook the Indonesian island of Java leapt to 268 on Tuesday as more bodies were found beneath collapsed buildings, and 151 people are still missing, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency said. Agency head Suharyanto, who like many Indonesians only goes by one name, told reporters that another 1,083 people were injured in the 5.6 magnitude earthquake that hit Monday afternoon near the city of Cianjur. The temblor sent terrified residents fleeing into the streets, some covered in blood and debris, and caused buildings around the rural area to collapse. One woman told The Associated Press that when the earthquake hit, her home in Cianjur started “shaking like it was dancing.”
Younger Chinese are spurning factory jobs that power the economy (Reuters) Growing up in a Chinese village, Julian Zhu only saw his father a few times a year when he returned for holidays from his exhausting job in a textile mill in southern Guangdong province. For his father’s generation, factory work was a lifeline out of rural poverty. For Zhu, and millions of other younger Chinese, the low pay, long hours of drudgery and the risk of injuries are no longer sacrifices worth making. The rejection of grinding factory work by Zhu and other Chinese in their 20s and 30s is contributing to a deepening labour shortage that is frustrating manufacturers in China, which produces a third of the goods consumed globally. Factory bosses say they would produce more, and faster, with younger blood replacing their ageing workforce. But offering the higher wages and better working conditions that younger Chinese want would risk eroding their competitive advantage.
Iran’s high-profile arrests (Foreign Policy) Iranian officials have arrested two famous actresses, Hengameh Ghaziani and Katayoun Riahi, for backing the anti-government protests that have swept the country, state media said. Both actresses had posted videos on social media in which they were not wearing headscarves, CNN reported. In cracking down on dissent, Tehran has also increasingly turned to its judicial system, and has now sentenced four people to death for their role in the protests. In total, rights groups estimate that Iranian security forces have detained as many as 15,000 people for demonstrating.
UN boosts food aid budget to feed a third of Lebanon (AP) Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister and the United Nations World Food Program said Tuesday that it has boosted its food assistance to the struggling nation, effectively feeding one-third of the crisis-hit population. The tiny Mediterranean nation is in the grip of the worst economic and financial crisis in its modern history. Three-quarters of its population has plunged into poverty since late 2019. The Lebanese pound has lost over 90% of its value against the U.S. dollar, and the country struggles with some of the world’s worst food price inflation. Lebanon has a population of roughly 6 million people, among them over 1 million Syrian refugees who fled the war-torn country over the past decade.
A project of predation? (Guardian) In an interview with TV5 Monde, French President Emmanuel Macron said there was a “predatory project” pushing disinformation into African countries. He added that the project is “a political project financed by Russia, sometimes others.” Earlier this month, Macron announced that France would be pulling its troops out of Mali after eight years in the wake of the West African country’s military taking power in a 2020 coup. Mali’s military leaders invited Russia’s Kremlin-linked Wagner Group to help fight Islamist militants after their coup, shunning France. There are concerns that the Wagner Group is responsible for hundreds of deaths, though unsurprisingly, Russia has rejected the claims. Last year, the E.U. said the group was also “spreading its malign influence elsewhere, notably in the Sahel region”. “You only have to look at what’s going on in Central African Republic or elsewhere to see that the Russian project under way there, when France is pushed aside, is a project of predation,” Macron said.
NASA capsule buzzes moon, last big step before lunar orbit (AP) NASA’s Orion capsule reached the moon Monday, whipping around the far side and buzzing the lunar surface on its way to a record-breaking orbit with test dummies sitting in for astronauts. It’s the first time a capsule has visited the moon since NASA’s Apollo program 50 years ago, and represents a huge milestone in the $4.1 billion test flight that began last Wednesday. Video of the looming moon and our pale blue planet more than 230,000 miles (370,000 kilometers) in the distance left workers “giddy” at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, home to Mission Control, according to flight director Judd Frieling. Even the flight controllers themselves were “absolutely astounded.” The capsule will spend close to a week in lunar orbit, before heading home. A Pacific splashdown is planned for Dec. 11.
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cacaoemissions-blog · 5 years ago
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Assingment 1: Impact of the expansion of the cocoa harvested area on the CO2 emissions in Côte d’Ivoire between 2001 and 2008
Introduction
 The data sets used in this study focus on the CO2 emissions potentially cause by the expansion of the harvested areas for cocoa production in Côte d’Ivoire. Data for harvested cocoa area, comes from the Food Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the data regarding tree cover loss, above ground biomass loss and CO2 emissions comes from the World Resource Institute (WRI) and Global Forest Watch (GFW). GFW, developed by WRI, is an online platform which provides forest monitoring tools and almost real-time data. The maps used in this platform use satellite and remote sensing to display near real-time data about tree cover loss (WRI, n.d.). Before diving deep into the literature review and the variables included in the codebook, it is important to understand the basic concepts included below.
Basic definitions
Forest
Overall there are different definitions of forest and it is often difficult to find a consensus. For instance, FAO (2015) defines forest as “Land spanning more than 0.5 hectares with trees higher than 5 meters and a canopy cover of more than 10 percent, or trees able to reach these thresholds in situ” (p. 3). GFW consider forests as a “landscape with a high density of trees and value for biodiversity, carbon storage, and human use” (GFW, n.d.). GFW datasets may use different types of “forests” (primary, secondary or tree plantations) which are indicated in every analysis (GFW, n.d.).
Tree cover
“Biophysical presence of trees, which may be part of natural forests or tree plantations (…) “tree cover” and “forest” should not be used interchangeably.” (GFW, n.d.). In the dataset used for this study, tree cover is defined as all vegetation with more than 5 meters of height which may include plantations or natural forests across a range of canopy densities (Hansen et al., 2013).
Primary forest
“A primary forest is a forest that has never been logged and has developed following natural disturbances and under natural processes, regardless of its age” (Convention on Biological Diversity, 2006). Goldman & Weisse (2019a) define it as “tropical humid forest, areas of natural, mature forest cover that have not been cleared and regrown in recent history (less than 30-50 years)”. In addition, FAO (2015) indicates that they are “naturally regenerated forest of native species, where there are no clearly visible indications of human activities and the ecological processes are not significantly disturbed” (p. 7). It is important to mention that these ecosystems are crucially important because they have trees that can be even thousands of years old, they are key for sustaining biodiversity and, they store more carbon than other biomes (Goldman & Weisse, 2019b).
Tree cover loss
GFW (n.d.) indicates that tree cover loss refers to “the removal of trees, which may be within natural forests or tree plantations. Accordingly, tree cover loss does not necessarily equate to deforestation and can result from a variety of factors, including mechanical harvesting, fire, disease, or storm damage”. In addition, Goldman and Weisse (2019a) point out that the yearly tree cover loss dataset of the University of Maryland analyses the complete removal of tree cover canopy in 30x30 meter pixels. They further clarify that this does not distinguish between human or natural causes of loss.
Deforestation
Definitions of deforestation depend on the definition assigned to “forest”. For instance, FAO (2015) defines deforestation as “the conversion of forest to other land use or the permanent reduction of the tree canopy cover below the minimum 10 percent threshold” (p. 5).  Generally, GFW refers to deforestation as “the removal of a significant number of trees from a landscape, typically in the context of human actions rather than natural events such as fires or disease” (GFW, n.d.). GFW often refers to “gross deforestation[1]” instead of “net deforestation[2]”
Forest degradation
“The reduction of the capacity of a forest to provide goods and services” (FAO 2015, p. 26).
Protected areas
“Areas especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means” (FAO 2015, p. 15).
Land use change
Land use change is a process where anthropogenic activities alter the natural landscape (Bimal & Harun, 2017). Land use change is one of the main drivers that is globally pressuring the terrestrial biodiversity. Currently, 39% of land has never been changed to human activities, approximately 26.5 million hectares of untouched landscape is converted each year (De Palma et al., 2018).
Above ground biomass
FAO (2015) defines above ground biomass as “all living biomass above the soil including stem, stump, branches, bark, seeds, and foliage” (p. 9). In this study, above ground biomass loss estimates are calculated based on the colocation of above ground live woody biomass density values for the year 2000 from Baccini et al., 2012 with annual tree cover loss data between 2001 and 2018 from Hansen et al., 2013 (Hansen et al., 2013).
[1] the total amount of forest loss (GFW, n.d.)
[2] the total amount of forest loss minus the amount of forest gain (GFW, n.d)
Research question and hypothesis
Research question
Impact of the expansion of cacao harvested area on the CO2 emissions due to above ground biomass loss in Côte d’Ivoire between 2001 and 2018.
Hypothesis
As mentioned in the literature review, included below, the leading cocoa farming system used in Côte d’Ivoire requires the removal of forests and thus, above ground biomass. This is a result of the perceived higher fertility and lower cost of planting cacao in those areas versus reinvestment and improvement of existent farms. This removal causes that the carbon stored in the above ground biomass is released into the atmosphere. It is expected that the expansion of the harvested area dedicated to cocoa production in Côte d’Ivoire, contributed to the increase of the CO2 emissions between 2001 and 2018.
Code book
Tree cover loss: “Hectares of tree cover loss at a national level, between 2001-2018, categorized by percent canopy cover” (Hansen et al., 2013).
Country biomass loss: Metric tons of aboveground biomass loss at a national level, between 2001-2018, categorized by percent canopy cover (Hansen et al., 2013).
Country CO2 emissions: Metric tons of CO2 emissions at a national level as a result of aboveground biomass loss, between 2001-2018, categorized by percent canopy cover (Hansen et al., 2013).
Area harvested: area, in hectares, from which a crop is gathered. Area harvested, therefore, excludes the area from which, although sown or planted, there was no harvest due to damage, failure, etc. (FAO, 2019).
Literature review
Cocoa production in Côte d’Ivoire
Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is a tropical tree valuable for its beans which are used to produce the main ingredients of chocolate i.e. cacao liquor and butter. Through history, cacao production has been associated with Latin America, nevertheless, Africa is now the main producer (Kroeger et al., 2017 and Harris, Payne and Mann, 2015). It is estimated that West Africa is responsible for 70% of the world production (Wessel & Quist-Wessel, 2015), with Côte d’Ivoire at the lead (Kroeger et al., 2017).  After its independence in 1960, Côte d’Ivoire became the leading world cocoa producer, it almost quadrupled its harvest from 5550,000 tons per year in 1980 to more than 2 million tons in 2018, an increase average of 3.5% per year (Wessel & Quist-Wessel, 2015).
Cocoa production in Côte d’Ivoire represents 14% of the country’s GDP and it employs more than 5 million small producers located mostly in the southern part of the country, one fifth of the Ivorian population (World Bank Group, 2019). Currently, the country accounts for approximately 40% of the world’s cocoa production (World Bank Group, 2019).
 Expansion of cocoa harvested area and deforestation in Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire forms part of the West African Guinean rain forest (GRF), an ecosystem considered a global biodiversity hotspot (Bitty et al., 2015), nevertheless, at the start of the twenty first century, its area was reduced to 18% of the original, being 113,000 km2 (Gockowski & Sonwa, 2010). In large regions of the humid tropics, agricultural expansions led by smallholders is the main cause of deforestation (Norris et al., 2010). For instance, in the GRF region, where cocoa production is the most common land use system, the conversion of land for the expansion of the harvested area increased 3.3% annually between 1988 and 2007, resulting in the deforestation and forest degradation of approximately 2.3. million ha in the GRF (Gockowski & Sonwa., 2010). As matter of fact, cocoa is considered as one of the main drivers for the loss of West Africa’s humid forest coverage during the last decades, with the largest negative impact in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana (De Beule, Jassogne & van Asten, 2014).
Smallholders are the main growers of cocoa in West Africa, tradition dictates that cocoa is planted randomly under thinned forest shade (Wessel & Quist-Wessel, 2015). In most cases, this implies slash and burn practices, removal of stumps by burning and traditional logging (Monnerat & Tchatchou, 2014). At the beginning of this process, forests look healthy from above, however, after a couple of years, cacao plantations completely replace the original vegetation (Barima et al., 2016). Farmers perceive this system as more advantageous than replanting old farms (Ruf & Schroth 2003 and De Beule, Jassogne & van Asten, 2014) because cocoa profits from the fertility of the forest soil and the shade provided by the remaining vegetation. This explains why approximately 6 million hectares of the forest in West Africa are planted with cocoa (Wessel & Quist-Wessel, 2015).  
It should be noted that the average yield in the region has remained low as a result of poor farming practices, aging farmers and low productivity (Kroeger et al., 2017 and Wessel & Quist-Wessel, 2015). Consequently, and in order to increase production, farmers have expanded the cocoa harvested area into forested areas, resulting in further pressure in the remaining protected areas and forests (Kroeger et al., 2017).
In the case of Côte d’Ivoire, cocoa farms are increasingly found inside protected areas and forest reserves (Norris et al., 2010 and Ross 2014). Agricultural extension services in the country have traditionally supported full-sun systems for the increase of short-term yield (N’Goran, 1998). In addition, full forest clearance was also encouraged (Ruf & Zadi, 1998). Therefore, cocoa farming is the main driver of deforestation inside the country’s protected areas (Bitty et al., 2015). Côte d’Ivoire quadrupled its cocoa production between 1980 and 2018. This extension of harvested areas led to the sharp shrinking of the forest cover in the country which went from 12 million hectares in 1960 to less than 3 million hectares in 2019 (World Bank Group, 2019). This has a direct impact on the above ground biomass, the larger the deforestation, the larger the destruction of the above ground biomass.
The extent of degradation due to cocoa farming in Côte d’Ivoire varies, in some protected areas, it is lower than 10% but, in others, cocoa plantations have completely overtaken the protected areas. Overall, 7 of the 23 protected areas in the country are mostly producing cocoa (Bitty et al., 2015). According to the director of the government’s Forest Reserve Protection Agency (SODEFOR) 40% of the cocoa produced in the country comes from protected areas (Ficou, 2017). These nominally protected forest reserves and national parks, where production is illegal, are at risk of being converted to agricultural land, as matter of fact, not much primary forest remains in the south-central part of the country and the remnants are largely fragmented (Bitty et al., 2015).
While deforestation has extended across the country, cacao yields have declined exerting further pressure in the remaining forests (Dumont et al., 2014). In the period 1990-2011, cocoa plantation areas expanded from 1.6 to 2.5 million, an average of 69,093 hectares per year. This represents that approximately 60-97% of cocoa plantations are set up in forests range across the country (Kroeger et al., 2017). Côte d’Ivoire is the country with the highest deforestation rates in Africa (World Bank Group 2019). Less than 11% of the country remains forested with less than 4% densely forested[1] (Higonnet, Bellantonio and Hurowitz, 2017). As matter of fact, in the next decade alone, the expansion of cacao production could cause the loss of 17600 to 39500 hectares (De Beule, Jassogne and van Asten, 2014). In 2018, despite the increasing number of zero-deforestation commitments in the precedent years, the destruction of primary forest surpassed historical levels, with an increase of 26% when compared against 2017 (Weiss and Goldman 2019b).
 [1] These numbers are based on the government’s own maps, BNETD, EtcTerra, RONGEAD, ONU-REDD (FAO/PNUD/PNUE). Government report available: https://www.nitidae.org/files/b24e760c/161216081210_161214_analyse_facteurs_def_deg_ci_rapport_final.pdf
Above ground biomass and CO2 emissions
While tropical forests only cover about 10% of the planet’s surface, they play a key role given that they store and process enormous quantities of carbon; around 6 times the amount humans release into the atmosphere due to fossil fuels (Malhi & Grace, 2000). This is precisely the case of tropical forest in Africa, which function as a carbon sink (Lewis et al., 2009). Small changes in these biomes could lead to major global impacts on the biodiversity and the climate (Lewis, 2006) and, it could turn them into major CO2 emitters (Baccini et al., 2012). Despite this, deforestation to expand farming land has been a main driver of the loss of tropical ecosystems (Seufert, Ramankutty and Foley, 2012). Worldwide, this land use change has contributed to approximately 10% of the global CO2 emissions during the first decade of the 21st century (Le Quéré et al., 2013).
When forests are cut down, the carbon stored below and above ground i.e. in branches, leaves, etc., is liberated to the atmosphere. Carbon emissions from forests are usually difficult to calculate (Baccini et al., 2012). There have been numerous efforts to quantify the carbon storage in aboveground biomass, and the numbers are often uncertain which complicates the calculation of terrestrial carbon emissions (Grassi et al., 2008). These estimations require data about the area lost and the carbon that was stored in that land (Gibbs et al., 2007 and Houghton, 2005), none of which are easy to calculate (Ramankutty, 2007).
More recently, technology developments have made this analysis more feasible. For instance, remote sensing has allowed to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions per hectare as the changes in the carbon stored in the aboveground biomass, before and after the clearing of a specific location (Harris, 2015). In addition, Hansen et al., (2015) mapped the extent of the global tree cover, its losses and gains between 2000 and 2012. Furthermore, there are other studies, focused more on field analysis in smaller locations, that have managed to compare the aboveground carbon stored in different production systems. For instance, Jadán et al., (2015) conducted a study in the Ecuadorian Amazon where they found that in primary forest the stored aboveground carbon was between 4 and 36 times greater than in cocoa monocultures and cocoa agroforestry systems.
This study is going to precisely use data resulting from remote sensing analysis, done by GFW. The calculation of CO2 emissions of above ground biomass, per year will be combined with data of cocoa harvested area, per year, reported by the Ivoirian government to FAO.
References  
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Barima, Y., Kouakou, A., Bamba, I., Sange, Ch., Godron, M., Andrieu, J., Bogaert, J. (2016). Cocoa crops are destroying the forest reserves of the classified forest of Haut-Sassandra (Ivory Coast). Global Ecology and Conservation, 8, 85-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2016.08.009
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Springtime at Star Bright Farm
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(Photo credit: Helen Norman)
Springtime at STAR BRIGHT FARM feels like a little slice of heaven. A recent visit to Helen Norman, farmer, photographer and matriarch of Star Bright Farm, seemed right out of a Beatrix Potter storybook, complete with beaming rays of sunlight, birds chirping, pup underfoot, and a playful brown bunny hopping over the hedges.
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(Photo credit: Meghan Scalea)
We sat with Helen on warm wooden chairs under the awning of the farm’s main red barn and talked about what is currently bringing her joy. “Springtime is bringing me joy,” she says. “Everything is greening up. We’ll uncover our lavender in May and harvest in June. My son, Peter, is pruning the blueberries. The thyme is pushing up. Soon we’ll see basil and mint.” (Stay tuned for details on their Lavender Festival June 21-22).
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(Chairs face the covered lavender fields, which will be uncovered in May. Photo credit: Meghan Scalea)
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(Harvesting lavender. Photo credit: Helen Norman)
Star Bright Farm is quickly becoming one of the east coast’s largest herb farms and distilleries for products like hydrosols, something that is common on the west coast and in Europe but less well-known here. 
“One use for hydrosols are as all-natural liquid spice and flavor enhancers for coffee, tea, food and cocktails,” explains Helen. “They are one of the most diverse products on the market - good for your skin, anything you consume, and for your home, like on linens and bed sheets.”
The term hydrosol admittedly sounds like a chemical, when in fact it’s the opposite. Hydrosols from Star Bright Farm are water-based solutions that have been infused with distilled herbs, which retain the benefits of a fresh plant. If it helps, think of them as “facial mists” for your skin or “flavor mists” for food and cocktails. 
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(Lavender fields in summertime. Photo credit: Helen Norman)
Hydrosol scents are named by the main herb used, like Lavender, Lemon Thyme, Peppermint or Sweet Marigold, or by the desired mood, such as Calm, Refresh, Tone or Balance. 
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(Star Bright Farm Hydrosols. Photo credit: Helen Norman)
We asked Helen how she uses hydrosols in her life on a daily basis. 
“I spray hydrosols on my face first thing in the morning after washing with soap to balance the pH in my skin. During the day, I put a few teaspoons of lavender hydrosol in my water to add flavor and freshen it up. For dinner, our family loves to spatchcock a chicken, spray it with hydrosol, sprinkle it with salt and pepper and roast it in the oven. It adds great flavor. Then we keep the hydrosol on the table at dinner so people can spray more to their liking. We recently partnered with Copper Kitchen catering for an event, and they made a simple syrup for cocktails using our hydrosols. Then they sprayed the tops of the drinks with hydrosols before serving. All our hydrosols are extremely versatile.”
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(Two cocktails by Copper Kitchen featuring hydrosols from Star Bright Farm. Photo credit: Helen Norman)
Star Bright Farm’s hydrosols come in travel sizes for wedding gift boxes and corporate retreats. These days, gift boxes are a great pick-me-up for friends in need of kindness and connection. 
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(Photo credit: Helen Norman)
CONTACT: STAR BRIGHT FARM
2950 Garrett Rd., White Hall, Maryland
410-303-8030
@starbrightfarm
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