Rotary Bulletin for October 8
Announcements:
Saturday morning 7:45-9:45 is the semi-annual Rotary Roadside cleanup. Only 3 rotarians have signed up so far. It is a great chance to get out for a nice walk on a Saturday morning and make a difference. We'll meet at the Roosevelt parking lot at 7:45 (yes, there will be donuts). Dress in layers and bring gloves to protect your hands! Email Naura Ngodar@rdgusa.com if you are able to help out.
After you are done at the walk- or if you are unable to walk along a somewhat challenging terrain, please consider volunteering for the Orange Juice stand. Volunteers are needed- sign up on the google calendar, or respond to Jim's email from earlier today.
Today's Program
Tyler Bettin from the Iowa Pork Producers association spoke about Farming and Food. Their guiding principals are that food is a basic right, we have the right to choose what we would like to eat, and safeguarding the environment is the right thing to do.
Global demand for food will increase 100% by 2050. In response, farming as a profession has changed dramatically. 1 farmer today feeds 155 people, where in 1960 1 farmer fed 25 people. The science of large scale farming has also reduced the resources required to raise animals significantly. Today, 1 gallon of milk uses 65% less water and 90% less land than in 1960. Further, pork production uses 41% less water, 78% land, and has a 35% smaller carbon footprint than 1960. In Iowa, 63,000 jobs are related to farming, and 39,000 jobs are directly from farming.
Iowa is the #1 pork producing state in the nation. Pork has been modified through production process, diet and nutrition of the animals to be much leaner than before. The 7 most common pork cuts are 16% leaner than 25 years ago. Across the USA, we export 1:4 pigs, at a significantly higher profit than in the 1960s.