Rural Missouri - June 2011 - (Page 4)

C O M M E N T S “Devoted to the rural way of life” June 2011 Volume 63 / Number 6 Jim McCarty, editor jmccarty@ruralmissouri.coop Jason Jenkins, managing editor jjenkins@ruralmissouri.coop Heather Berry, associate editor hberry@ruralmissouri.coop Kyle Spradley, field editor kspradley@ruralmissouri.coop Megan Schibi, editorial assistant mschibi@ruralmissouri.coop Mary Davis, production manager mdavis@ruralmissouri.coop Angie Jones-Gerber Dusty Weter Co-op page designers Visit from the grassroots ne day, they were working in the fields wearing the comfortable garb of the farmer. The next found them in suits and ties, walking the halls of Congress during the annual Legislative Conference sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. The annual event brings a true grassroots delegation of rural electric directors and employees to our nation’s capital to present the needs of rural people to legislators. The key issue for this year’s rally was educating legislators about the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Electric Loan Fund, chief source of capital for many photos by Heather Berry electric cooperatives. Sen. Roy Blunt addresses the Missouri delegation during the conference. Both of Missouri’s senators With 80 new lawmakfound time in their busy schedules to meet with the group of rural leaders. ers — many elected on a platform of reducing the federal deficit — it is vital that elected officials understand RUS is a lending program, not a spending program. In fact, repayment of electric cooperative loans is expected to pump $100 million in new revenue into the treasury in Fiscal Year 2012. Those who attended the conference were greeted with open arms by legislators and their staffs. That included urban legislators, who understand the unique needs of rural people in the state. Those legislative visits have already begun paying off, NRECA officials say. Shortly after the group left Washington, D.C., a letter in support of increased RUS funding was circulating through the Capitol. All of Missouri’s lawmakers are expected to sign it. In addition, U.S. Reps. Jo Ann Emerson and Vicky Hartzler cosponsored a letter calling for equal treatment of electric cooperatives for incentives on renewable energy projects. More than 2,600 electric cooperative representatives — including 62 from Missouri — took part in the event. Above: Daryl Veatch, left, manager of Osage Valley Electric; and Barry Hart, right, CEO of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, pose with U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler after presenting her with a framed copy of her recent guest column in Rural Missouri. Left: U.S. Rep. Todd Akin takes time to pose for a photo outside the Cannon House Office Building with the Missouri group. O Rural delegation gets warm reception in Washington, D.C. USPS 473-000 ISSN 0164-8578 Copyright 2011, Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. Call for reprint rights. Rural Missouri is published monthly by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. Barry Hart, executive vice president. Individual subscription rate: $9 per year or $21 for three years, taxes and postage included. Group rate for members of participating RECs $3.99, taxes and postage included. Delivery as specified by subscriber. If not specified, delivery will be by periodical class mail at subscriber’s expense. Periodical Class postage paid at Jefferson City, MO, and additional mailing offices. www.ruralmissouri.coop Find us on www.facebook.com/ruralmissouri Postmasters: Send address changes to Rural Missouri, P.O. Box 1645, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Subscribers: Report change of address to your local cooperative. Do not send change of address to Rural Missouri. Advertising standards: Advertising published in Rural Missouri is accepted on the premise that the merchandise and services offered are accurately described and sold to customers at the advertised price. Rural Missouri and Missouri’s electric cooperatives do not endorse any products or services advertised herein. Advertising that does not conform to these standards or that is deceptive or misleading is never knowingly accepted by this publication. Advertising information: mdavis@ruralmissouri.coop 573-659-3400 National Advertising Representative: National Country Market; 611 S. Congress St., Suite 504; Austin, TX 78704 573-659-3400 Member, Missouri Association of Publications and Missouri Press Association P.O. Box 1645 Jefferson City, MO 65102 573-659-3423 info@ruralmissouri.coop Rural Missouri 4 WWW.RURALMISSOURI.COOP http://www.ruralmissouri.coop http://www.ruralmissouri.coop http://www.facebook.com/ruralmissouri http://www.facebook.com/ruralmissouri http://WWW.RURALMISSOURI.COOP

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rural Missouri - June 2011

Rural Missouri - June 2011
Contents
Comments
Columns
In the beginning
The Missouri Lyon hunt
Mail Bag
Beaver Creek Paylake & Fish Fry
Out of the Way Eats
Drowned
Hearth and Home
News Briefs
In the middle of everywhere
Marketplace
Around Missouri
Restoring Stover
Neighbors
Just4Kids

Rural Missouri - June 2011