ILLINOIS CURRENTS NEWS - LEGISLATION - TRENDS - RESEARCH

University of Illinois Diet Advice

According to Don Layman, Nutrition Professor and Researcher at the University of Illinois, most diets focus on the food we eat when half of the problem is that we do not get enough physical activity.

Layman says that most women over 30 need about 1,800 calories a day, but they're eating closer to 2,300. They're still eating like they did when they were 20, but their lives have become more sedentary.

Layman also stresses that diets that focus on extremes such as very low carbs, or very high protein and fat are usually unsuccessful because they put too many limits on food choices and people can't stick with them.

Layman says that if you can't visualize yourself eating the same way six months from now, then it's probably not the right diet for you. In fact, he likes to call diets "lifestyle health plans" so that people think more about long-term changes in their eating and exercise habits in order to lose or maintain weight.

Colder Winter Predicted

Meteorologists are warning it will be a cold winter east of the Continental Divide, with the Eastern United States most likely to be significantly cold. The cold climate looks like it will be mid- to late winter in the East, and will include significant snow. Call your electric cooperative for winter energy efficiency tips.

National Agriculture Expo to Generate $10 Million in Illinois

Farm Progress Inc. plans to make central Illinois one of two permanent locations for the annual Farm Progress Show. Every other year, beginning in 2005, the largest agricultural exposition in the nation will be held in Decatur, tunneling millions of dollars into the local economy.

"It is truly a victory for Illinois to host the 'Super Bowl of Agriculture' and Decatur is a natural fit as the soybean capital of the world and the state's agricultural center," Gov. Blagojevich said.

The Farm Progress Show is the premier showcase of the latest farm equipment, products, and services available to agriculture producers. The event draws an estimated 300,000 visitors and generates more than $10 million each year for the local economy.

"Illinois is one of the top agriculture producing states in the nation, and it's an honor for us to be chosen to host this event," Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said.

Co-op Web Tool Will Locate Sites for New Employers

SitesAcrossAmerica.com, a Web-based tool created by Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives to help electric co-ops draw commercial and industrial facilities to the communities they serve, is now live with more than 3,000 sites from across the nation.

SitesAcrossAmerica.com is targeted at real estate and site selection professionals who make the decisions about where companies locate. In essence, this online clearinghouse of properties, sites, and buildings in communities served by electric co-ops across the country provides a one-stop tool for matching co-op communities and commercial customers.

The site offers detailed information about: available properties, land characteristics, demographics, sale price, photos of buildings, and aerial views of properties.

As buildings and sites become available in cooperative communities, the SitesAcrossAmerica Web site will make it easy for co-ops to get those opportunities noticed by expanding businesses.

High Oil Prices Could Slow the Economy

As the price of oil hovers above $50 a barrel, some economists are starting to worry about the effects that lingering high energy costs will have on U.S. economic growth. Before the recent run-up in oil prices, U.S. economic growth had already slowed. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has described the slowdown as a "soft patch," largely blaming high energy prices.

Even with future prices for oil near $50 a barrel, however, most economists do not expect the U.S. economy to dip back into a recession. When adjusted for overall inflation, oil prices have not reached the high levels that occurred during the 1970s and early 1980s.

According to The Washington Post, many forecasters predict the economy will grow between 3 and 4 percent next year, but if oil prices stay around $50 a barrel, those expected growth figures could be shaved by half a point. Worries about rising oil prices are not only affecting the United States, but also could affect the economies of many other countries around the globe.

Source: Scott Ewing, CFC Financial Analyst

6 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.icl.coop

Aquaculture - a Fishy Way to Finance Farms

Stabilizing revenue is a challenge for farm producers, and diversification has proven to be a helpful tool. Many trends have popped up in Illinois throughout the years, including aquaculture, or fish farming. Aquaculture has generated interest through the state, but producers don't always know where to get the information they need.

The Instructional Materials group of Information Technology and Communication Services at the University of Illinois has released The Basics of Aquaculture Production, a great resource for understanding and managing an aquaculture system. For more information, visit www.aces.uiuc.edu/ITCS/IM/U1066.htm. To order a copy, visit www.PublicationsPlus.uiuc.edu or call (800) 345-6087 and refer to publication U1066.

Rural survey shows strong desire for health care reforms

A recent survey of rural small business owners on health care and election issues shows that health care affordability is among the most critical public policy issues for the country, and there is strong support for reforming the uneven way the tax system currently supports health coverage.

The survey was conducted by the national rural non-profit organization, Communicating for Agriculture and the Self-Employed (CA). The survey probed several specific health care reform concepts that have been proposed to expand coverage to more people and make it more affordable.

• Healthcare tax credits - A strong majority indicated support for providing refundable tax credits targeted to make health insurance more affordable for working people.

• Shift tax incentives to individuals - There was strong support expressed for "reform of the current system of subsidizing health insurance coverage through tax incentives to employers by shifting to providing incentives to individuals."

• Base subsidies on income - Strong support was also indicated for reforms to base health care coverage assistance "more on income, so that lower income working people are provided proportionally more assistance to help them afford coverage."

• More choice in health plans - An overwhelming majority support "giving individuals more freedom to choose what type of health insurance plans they want, including ones that reduce the amount of coverage they have."

• Government-run health care - A significant majority of respondents remain opposed to "replacing the (U.S.) private health insurance system with a government-run plan like the one in Canada."

• Requiring health insurance coverage - There was a mixed response to a concept, proposed by some health care advocates, that would "require that all individuals have health insurance coverage, like auto insurance is now required.. .and provide tax credits to lower income individuals based on their income so they can afford a basic plan."

• Allow imported prescription drugs - "Allowing Americans to purchase prescription drugs imported from other countries" was strongly supported by 50 percent of those surveyed, and somewhat supported by another 30 percent.

Source www.selfemployedcountry.org

Illinois State Fairgrounds to Host National High School Finals Rodeo

Upon return from the 2004 National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) in Gillette, Wyo., Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke announced the State Fairgrounds in Springfield has been awarded the contract to host the event in 2006 and 2007.

"We have been confident from the start that the Illinois State Fairgrounds was the perfect location to host the National High School Finals Rodeo in 2006 and 2007, but as with any large event, the details have taken months to iron out," said Hartke. "Finalizing this contract is the result of hard work from a dedicated staff and highlights the Illinois State Fairgrounds as a prime location not only in the Midwest, but across the nation, to hold such an event."

The National High School Finals Rodeo Association has more than 12,000 members from all over the United States, five Canadian Provinces, and Australia. The rodeo is held annually and rotates locations every two years. Illinois is the only state east of the Mississippi River to host this event.

Springfield is a central location that opens the doors to an audience east of the Mississippi. It also presents a great opportunity for Springfield to boost the local economy. The economic impact to the city of Springfield is estimated at $7 million.

This is the second time the NHSFR will visit Springfield. The rodeo came to the Illinois State Fairgrounds in 2000 and 2001. The National High School Finals Rodeo will be held July 24-30, 2006, and July 23-29, 2007.

DECEMBER 2004 www.aiec.coop 7

Illinois Coal Could Replace Natural Gas at Fertilizer Plants

A breakthrough project at a northwest Illinois fertilizer plant could revitalize the farm, chemical, and coal industries, both in Illinois and throughout the Midwest. The project, to convert the plant's feedstock from high-priced natural gas to Illinois coal, is being made possible in part by a $500,000 state grant.

With high-priced natural gas, fertilizer producers are in a constant struggle to survive. Since 1999, natural gas prices have escalated to historic highs, resulting in the permanent shutdown of more than 15 U.S. nitrogen fertilizer plants and record level imports of fertilizer from low-cost production regions (the Middle East, China, and the Caribbean).

The Opportunity Returns grant, which comes from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's (DCEO) Office of Coal Development, allowed Royster-Clark Nitrogen, Inc. in East Dubuque to begin the development process that will ultimately supplant natural gas with coal gasification as its source of energy for fertilizer production.

"This goes beyond a win-win situation. It's the triple crown," said DCEO Director Jack Lavin. "It means jobs for the coal industry, new jobs, and new technology for Jo Daviess County. Moreover, it creates a model, as the 'Coal to Corn' slogan suggests, in which one of our state's most important economic resources is supporting another."

By utilizing coal gasification, the plant will not only eliminate its dependence on the volatile natural gas market and reduce its operating expenses, but also be able to produce multiple products: ammonia for fertilizer, Fischer-Tropsch Diesel (an ultra-clean, low-sulfur diesel fuel), and electric power.

With completion of the project, the plant would be able to increase production 15 percent from the 500,000 tons of fertilizer it currently sells, primarily in the upper corn belt. In addition, it would generate 75 megawatts of electricity and produce about 2,200 barrels of low-sulfur diesel fuel a day.

New Book Delves Into Wildlife Habitat

For anyone interested in Illinois wildlife and its habitat, there's a new book published by the University of Illinois and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources titled "Creating Habitats and Homes for Illinois Wildlife."

With more than 200 color photographs, the book is worth having for the exquisite depiction of Illinois wildlife, but is also chock full of accessible scientific information about the status of wildlife habitat in Illinois.

"The key to making successful wildlife management decisions is to use the best scientific information available. This book compiles, in a user-friendly way, what is known about major habitat issues in our state today," said primary author of the book Debbie Scott Newman, Preservation Specialist for the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission.

"We cannot overestimate the importance of natural areas and wildlife on the quality of life," said co-author Richard Warner, U of I Professor of Wildlife Ecology. "But the Illinois economy realizes more than $1 billion every year from expenditures related to watching wildlife. More than $550 million is spent each year on recreational fishing. And hunters spend nearly $150 million a year pursuing game."

Since most land in Illinois is held by private citizens, it's imperative that individual landowners are knowledgeable about wildlife habitat.

"This book goes farther than any other book available in describing what individual people can do on their own property to create wildlife habitat," said another co-author Phil Mankin, U of I wildlife ecologist. "There are chapters on grassland, woodland, aquatic, and wetland habitats. But also a chapter focusing on specific things people can do in their own backyards or small tracts of land."

The individual cost of "Creating Habitats and Homes for Illinois Wildlife" is $25, plus a shipping and handling fee. You can purchase the book by contacting Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702, or call toll free (800) 720-3249.

Illinois Watershed Management Web site

The Illinois Watershed Management Clearinghouse has just unveiled a new Web site. Combining the resources of University of Illinois Extension, Illinois EPA, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and C-FAR, this new Web site promises to provide a one-stop location for those interested in Illinois watersheds and their management.

The Web site provides an array of information including tips for starting a watershed management group, as well as plans that already organized groups have created.

"The site gives new watershed groups a framework and roadmap to success in watershed management," said George Czapar, University of Illinois Extension Educator.

The site, www.watershed.uiuc.edu, has a watershed locator that gives contact information on local watershed groups on a county and regional basis.

"I think the local watershed group locator is one of the key strengths of the site," said Jodie Tate, University of Illinois Extension Educator. "It will help groups interact and exchange ideas."

"The mapping function is my favorite part," Czapar said. "You are able to see where you are in the state, the watershed you fall into, and the watershed management group in the area."

"By having a local watershed management group, local concerns can be addressed and dealt with by local experts," Czapar said.

8 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.icl.coop

WEATHERING THE STORM How to beat increased heating fuel prices

By Tina Farmer

The pictures of the destruction were breathtaking. The hurricanes that ravaged the Gulf of Mexico region left thousands to wonder: What next? But winter is here and hurricane season is over. We weathered the storms, right? Wrong.

The September hurricane season caused a 500,000-barrel per day drop in oil production. Combined with an expected increase in demand, price increases are inevitable. In fact, analysts project an increase of $0.27 per gallon for imported crude oil over last winter's prices.

The U.S. Department of Energy's 2004-2005 Winter Fuels Outlook report projects a natural gas consumer price increase of 11 percent. The report also projects a 17 percent increase in propane prices.

Okay, so our heating costs are going up. What can we do? Bryce Cramer, District Office and Member Services Manager for Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association, offers some advice to soften the impact to our pocket books. "Three elements determine what your total heating costs are: the price of fuel, the heating load of your home (how well insulated it is), and the efficiency of your home's equipment. You have no control over the fuel price, but you do have control over the amount of insulation in your home and the efficiency of your equipment."

To improve upon your home's energy load, stop up your energy leaks.

An estimated 30 to 40 percent of your heated (or air-conditioned) air is lost through leaks around doors and windows. If you can see sunlight peeking between your exterior doors and doorframes, add weather stripping and a door sweep to close those spaces. Also, caulk around windows to seal any leaks in your window frames.

Your hot water heater is an energy glutton, too. Keep the thermostat set to 120 degrees and wrap the heater in a water heater blanket if recommended by the manufacturer. Use only cold or warm water to wash clothes, insulate hot and cold water lines, and install low-flow showerheads to conserve hot water.

Install a programmable thermostat on your home's heating and cooling system and program the thermostat to adjust your home's temperature to a comfortable level during the hours you will be there and decrease the temperature during the hours you are away. Have your heating system professionally serviced at least once every season to ensure its efficiency and safety. Change the filters at least twice per season.

You may also want to consider replacing your equipment. "To save dollars, we all have to move to high efficiency equipment," says Cramer. "Co-ops can really help members by providing them with energy audits and energy analysis. We go into homes and give an estimate of the operating costs of new equipment to determine whether or not it makes sense to upgrade."

For more energy conservation tips, visit the Consumer Federation of America's Web site at www.consumerfed.org. Information on high efficiency appliances and heating and cooling equipment is at www.energystar.gov. Call your local electric cooperative for more energy saving advice.

DECEMBER 2004 www.aiec.coop 9