For Immediate Release
America’s Heartland to Air on
WPTO-PBS on Friday, November 21
Sacramento, CA – November 19, 2008 - America’s Heartland celebrates American
agriculture and features stories about the men and women who provide food, fuel, and fiber to
our nation and the world. The award-winning program, hosted by Paul Ryan, is out to show that
“America’s Heartland is more than a place; it’s a state of mind.”
WPTO-PBS presents America’s Heartland, the nationally-broadcast, half-hour weekly magazine
program as it continues its fourth season with a new episode on Friday, November 21 at 4:30
PM.
Learn more about this and upcoming episodes at www.americasheartland.org.
America’s Heartland episode 411 will feature the following stories:
Carbon Credits
Global warming, which some experts tie directly to carbon dioxide being emitted into the air, is
something everyone is increasingly aware of. But surprisingly, it turns out that farmers can have
a large role in combating this issue by using methods designed to slow the release of carbon into
the atmosphere. One of these techniques is “no-till” farming, which is being encouraged by
researchers at Kansas State University. Their studies show that methods like this can reduce the
release of carbon by 20%.
Fresh Choice
Consumers are increasingly on the lookout for locally grown, organic produce. At Crescent Moon
Organic Farm, near Apalachicola, Florida, Jack Simmons and Carmen Sturchio take great pride in
providing high quality, local crops to restaurants, farmers markets, and customers of “Community
Supported Agriculture.” But providing tasty, seasonal produce to the surrounding area provides
them with something as well – a way of life they love.
Kudzu Goats
In the Mid South, researchers are finding that kudzu and goats are a match made in....Kentucky!
Kudzu is a climbing, woody vine that attaches itself to trees or scrambles extensively over lower
vegetation that can cause headaches for farmers. While goat meat consumption is on the rise in
the U.S., so are livestock feed prices. So the University of Kentucky is working with ranchers to
“repurpose” the invasive Kudzu – turning it into a tasty treat for foraging goats. No-cost feed for
the herd, and the eradication of a once pesky plant. Kidding aside, it’s a win-win situation.
Henry Wallace Country Life Center
Former U.S. vice president Henry Wallace was well-known for being interested in improving crop
yields – specifically corn. However Dianne Weiland, director of the Henry A. Wallace Country Live
center in Greenfield, Iowa, explains that Wallace was also among the first to introduce important
soil conservation practices. The Center now works to promote land and soil issues, as well as
encouraging visitors to consider the contributions of farmers across the land who grow the food
that graces their table.
The Monsanto Company and the American Farm Bureau Federation make presentation of America's
Heartland possible. Additional production and promotion assistance is provided by the American Soybean
Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, United Soybean Board, U.S. Grains
Council, National Association of Wheat Growers, and the National FFA Organization. For more information
about America’s Heartland episodes, visit www.americasheartland.org.
Media Contact:
Sheryl Brown
Marketing Communications Manager
Phone: (916) 641-3535
E-mail: sbrown@kvie.org
Steven Frith
Public Relations Intern
Phone: (916) 641-3510
E-mail: publicrelations@kvie.org