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energy.info4U

Energysearch, an Internet search engine recently launched by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), provides a new tool for those needing energy-related information. The Energysearch database includes more than 180,000 documents from more than 500 sites and it continues to grow. Point your browser to http:// www.energysearch.com. EPRI, in Palo Alto, Calif., manages science and technology research and development for the electricity industry.

Farm Bureau online

Illinois Farm Bureau members now have free access to weather, commodity prices and other agricultural organizations through Ag-Central on the Internet. "Ag-Central will save farmers time and money, providing free links to the latest information, all at one Internet address," said Ron Warfield, IFB president.

Ag-Central is designed to meet farmers' needs for detailed farming information, faster and better than currently is available. It will have more than 8,000 web pages connected within it, covering all areas of agricultural commerce. Each of the 96 county Farm Bureaus in Illinois will have seven website pages to update local information, like elevator bids and local event schedules. For more information, call (309) 821-1070, or check it out at www.ag-central.com.

Web help for entrepreneurs

At EntreWorld, entrepreneurs can find a streamlined way to find web-based information they need to start, run and nurture a business. The site, at http://www.entreworld.org, offers original columns by successful entrepreneurs and discussion rooms where entrepreneurs can seek help from peers.

New corn more nutritious, eco-friendly

A Southern Illinois University researcher has found that corn equipped with a nitrogen-loving gene makes better use of fertilizer and produces more protein. Such corn would not only save farmers money, but also help the environment as unused nitrogen tends to wash out of the fields into public waterways.

The researcher, biotechnologist David A. Lightfoot, said the corn might replace costly supplements in livestock feed. Feeding studies, funded by a $47,000 grant from the Illinois Corn Marketing Board and a $36,000 grant from Council on Food and Agricultural Research (CFAR), is underway. If it pans out, Illinois corn producers could see their incomes rise by $305 million a year.

Practical water protection

60 Ways Farmers Can Protect Surface Water, a new 317-page book from the University of Illinois Extension, features eight Midwestern farmers and the innovative ways they protect the environment while cutting their chemical costs.

The book covers ways to manage crop residue, to control runoff water on steeply sloping land, to use pesticides and fertilizers more effectively while protecting your family and the environment, and to protect the health of herds and water supplies by managing runoff from livestock buildings.

The book, part of the award-winning This Land series produced through funding by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, is comprehensive and practical. It's available for $10 plus shipping by calling (800) 345-6087. Or, for $19 plus shipping you can order the series, which includes 50 Ways Farmers Can Protect Groundwater and 57 Ways to Protect Your Home Environment (and Yourself).

DOE asked to act on nuclear waste obligation

A federal government lawyer acknowledged during hearings before the U.S. Court of Appeals that the Department of Energy (DOE) has the physical capability to begin accepting used nuclear fuel by January 31, 1998, the deadline imposed earlier by Congress.

Unfortunately DOE has failed to formulate a plan that would enable it to do so. That failure runs counter to Congress' mandate, as well as the appeals court's instructions 14 months earlier that DOE prepare a plan to meet its obligation.

Pardon us

The November Illinois Country Living cover feature, Back to Basic Farming, incorrectly stated the dues for the Organic Crop Improvement Association. The cost is $45, and may be mailed to the OCIA at P.O. Box 880, Bloomington, III., or call (800) 701-6242.

ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING JANUARY 1998

Perfect your fly-fishing technique

Learn the nuances of fly tying, fly presentation, casting, and landing trout with Fishing Dry Flies for Trout-on Rivers and Streams, by Art Lee.

Lee has written hundreds of sporting and conservation articles for the likes of National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, and Field and Stream. He currently is editor-at-large for Fly Fisherman and for the Atlantic Salmon Journal.

The book, published by Human Kinetics in Champaign, features more than 100 illustrations and photographs, and includes a color insert detailing dry fly patterns. It has earned kudos from President Jimmy Carter, who said, "I have received a number of helpful ideas from this book and personally from the author. I'm sure his book will be equally helpful to other anglers who wish to improve their fly-fishing technique."

The 272-page cloth-bound book is priced at $24.95 and can be ordered by calling (800) 747-4457.

Exports up

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has boosted U.S. agriculture exports to both Mexico and Canada, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service reports. Meanwhile, the leader of the state Chamber of Commerce says NAFTA has much to do with the state's declining unemployment figures.

In the three years since it was implemented, U.S. exports to both nations rose from $8.9 billion to $11.6 billion and imports grew from $7.3 billion to $10.5 billion. The service's analysis found that NAFTA was responsible for about 20 percent of both imports and exports. Illinois' over-the-border trade (Canada is Illinois' leading market, while Mexico is its fifth) amounted to 34.8 percent of total state exports last year.

Early storm packs a wallop

Heavy, wet snow and ice in north central Illinois extensively damaged Illinois Valley Electric Cooperative's distribution system in late October. The early storm left about 3,000 members without electricity.

The Illinois Electric Cooperative Emergency Work Plan was activated, prompting crews from seven other cooperatives to spring into action. Line personnel from Eastern Illini Electric, Corn Belt Electric, McDonough Power, Menard Electric, Jo-Carroll Electric, Spoon River Electric, and Western Illinois Electrical joined crews from the city of Princeton.

Learn more about geothermal heat pumps

You can find out about the world's most energy efficient heating and cooling technology from your local electric cooperative. Or try these resources.

You can order several publications through The EPA Energy Star hotline at 1-888-782-7937. A few of the titles are — The ABCs of GHPs, School Case Studies and School + GHPs = Savings & Efficiency (six schools use geothermal).

The GeoExchange Information Center can also provide information on geothermal heat pumps. Call 1-888-255-4436 or visit their website at http:/ /www.geoexchange.org.

Good news — bad news

The U.S. Department of Agriculture

(USDA) reports that farmer-owned cooperatives posted record results for 1996. The nation's 3,884 farm co-ops reported record net business volume of $106 billion last year, a 13 percent increase from the previous record of $94 billion in 1995. They also enjoyed a record net income of $2.37 billion, up from $2.33 billion in 1995.

The supply co-ops, those selling seed, fuel, chemicals and fertilizers, fared best, with a net income boost of 17 percent over 1995.

However, the USDA reported 14 percent of all co-ops lost money last year, up from 11 percent in 1995. More bad news: We lost 122 agricultural co-ops in 1996, mostly through mergers, although about 50 went belly-up. We gained only a dozen.

Help for your appliances

Appliance problems? Now you can get information on parts and service straight from the source — the manufacturer, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) has established the Major Appliance Consumer Action Program. It's a voluntary organization of manufacturers whose purpose is to resolve complaints from consumers. You can obtain the telephone number for the manufacturer by calling (312)984-5858 or visit AHAM's Internet website at http:/ /www.aham.org.

Need advice on shopping for a new appliance? Several manufactures have excellent Internet websites that can answer a lot of your questions before you hit the stores. For example try http://www.whirlpoolappliances.com.

JANUARY 1998 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING