Evidence of correlation between two plant viruses and bee die-offs

Bee Deaths May Stem From Virus, Study Says

www.nytimes.com

The mysterious die-offs of honeybees known as colony collapse disorder may be linked to a rapidly mutating, tobacco ringspot virus (a fast-mutating RNA virus) that jumped to bees from tobacco and soy plants. Researchers are also studying the Israeli acute paralysis virus.    Read more here.

Raw Milk discussion in today's Washington Post Food Section

Two articles on raw milk in from Whitney Pipkin in the Washington Post Food Section:

FOOD

On raw milk, FDA and proponents engage in a battle of statistics

FDA, Price Foundation cite studies bolstering opposing views on unpasteurized product's safety

Whitney Pipkin,  The Washington Post   JAN 21

FOOD

Raw milk: Devotees seek their fix, despite the warnings about health risks

Despite the health risks, devoted fans of unpasteurized milk go to great lengths to get their fix.  Whitney Pipkin,  The Washington Post   JAN 21

Underground Shelter Demonstration in Baker, WV - January 11

Our little property is isolated by the river on three sides and mountains on all four sides, and only one road in. So we've had several city folks ask me to consider a shelter out here. I usually dismiss these concerns, but I find all of this fascinating. Yesterday I talked with a guy from Titan Subterranean Survival Shelters who invited me to Baker, WV next weekend for a demonstration. I can't go, but thought you all might find it interesting. Call them if you're interested.

Titan Shelters

For more details please call us 855-528-8426

Free Penn State MOOC on Energy and the Environment

Penn State is offering a free MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) on Climate Change and Renewable Energy.  Read more and sign up here:  https://www.coursera.org/course/energy

Energy, the Environment, and Our Future

Get Rich and Save the Earth…Or Else! Learn about the past, present, and possible futures of human energy use.

Course Syllabus

(Subject to change before course begins)

●    Lesson 1. Sustainability: Why Energy Matters (and Money) 
●    Lesson 2. What is Energy—Units and Such; What we use, and how much good it does 
●    Lesson 3. Oil, Coal and Natural Gas, Drilling and Fracking and Reserves 
●    Lesson 4. Global Warming I—Physics
●    Lesson 5. Global Warming II—History  and Impacts
●    Lesson 6. Options: Solar, Wind
●    Lesson 7. Options: Geothermal, Waves, Tides, Nukes
●    Lesson 8. Options: Conservation
●    Lesson 9. Options: Geo-Engineering
●    Lesson 10. Economics
●    Lesson 11. Policy Options
●    Lesson 12. Ethical issues 

WV Farm Bill Funding Priorities Survey

   SURVEY LINK:  Click here  

2014 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Funding Priorities Survey

In anticipation of the 2014 round of Specialty Crop Block Grant Program-Farm Bill (SCBGP-FB) funding, we would like to request assistance from the agriculture community to determine funding priorities. The funding agency, USDA, provides general priorities but allows states to add their own topics based on needs as long as the selected projects meet the criteria of solely enhancing specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined

South Branch still rising downstream

I posted this on the wrong blog this morning!  The post is now in its intended place (Hampshire Outdoors) at http://hampshireoutdoors.blogspot.com/

Yoga by Lisa at Potomac State

Lisa Tunick Boward will be teaching a 10 week yoga session at Potomac State College beginning in January. This is not a class for PSC students, but rather a "special interest" class open to the community. Here is a link to the details and registration form if you are interested: http://www.potomacstatecollege.edu/academics/special_interest.html