The Ever-expanding Industry of Certified Organics - USDA.gov

An official website of the United States government Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Blog Archives Last month, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the results of the 2021 Certified Organic Survey. The data showed a continued upward trend in the organic industry since 2008, when organic data collection first began. In 2008, the value of sales from organically produced commodities was $3.2 billion across the United States. In comparison, the 2021 data shows that California alone had $3.6 billion in total value of sales. California also accounted for 31% of the total U.S. value of organic production of $11.2 billion. Another great comparison is in farms and land. In 2008, there were 14,540 certified organic or exempt farms that totaled 4.1 million acres. In 2021, the U.S. had 17,445 farms operating a total of 4.9 million certified organic acres. If you compare just a two-year period, you will find the sale of organic crops increased by 5%, growing from $5.8 billion in 2019 to $6.1 billion in 2021. At this same time, the sales of livestock and poultry products (i.e., milk, eggs) increased by 16% to $2.9 billion from the 2019 total of $2.5 billion. Additionally, livestock and poultry sales increased by 29% to $2.2 billion from the $1.7 billion totals of 2019. Data from the Certified Organic Survey helps determine the economic impact of organic production at the national and state levels. It helps growers, the industry, stakeholders, government, and others make informed, data-driven decisions affecting organic production in the U.S. For more organic data that highlights the growth of the industry, please visit the USDA NASS website. source https://4awesome.streamstorecloud.com/the-ever-expanding-industry-of-certified-organics-usda-gov/?feed_id=38253&_unique_id=64d6d30985106

Leonard M. Minus, electronics entrepreneur, church leader, teacher, and mentor, has died at 75 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

He owned and operated Jay Bee Radio on Lancaster Avenue in West Philadelphia for 34 years and served as a church leader at Unity Temple Worship Center and Restoration Station Christian Fellowship. Leonard M. Minus, 75, of Philadelphia, prominent business owner for more than three decades, church leader, teacher, and mentor, died Monday, Dec. 12, of pulmonary hypertension and heart failure at Lankenau Medical Center. The owner and operator of Jay Bee Radio on Lancaster Avenue in West Philadelphia from 1985 to 2019, Mr. Minus, affectionately called JayBee by friends and fellow business owners, was a mainstay on the busy 4400 block of Lancaster Avenue. He not only sold, installed, and repaired TVs, sound systems, car radios, computers, and other electronics for 34 years, he collaborated with other entrepreneurs regarding neighborhood development and employed many young people in the city’s summer work program. His affable personality, open-door policy regarding business opportunities, and dedication to his church and community made him popular in whichever circle he was moving. “I’ll always hold onto those conversations you would have with me about life and love,” a friend said in a Facebook tribute. He advocated integrity and personal independence, and his motto was: “Be your own boss, and you can make your own rules.” His daughter Arlene Minus-Johnson said: “He wanted people to figure things out for themselves. Get a book. Go online. Do it yourself.” Mr. Minus first worked for Jack Broad, the founder of Jay Bee Radio, as an 18-year-old in 1965. He bought the business when Broad retired in 1985 and later purchased two more properties on the block that operated over the years as a restaurant, water ice store, gift shop, computer store, and other enterprises. Drawn to young people and anyone who wanted to improve, he also worked as a computer and electronics instructor at Lincoln Technical Institute and elsewhere. “He encouraged everyone to be at the table and be a leader,” said his daughter Tracy Wilcox. “He was a problem solver who also wanted to make it happen for someone else.” Minus-Johnson said: “He wanted to impart the importance of working hard.” Mr. Minus joined Unity Temple Worship Center in 1993 and served as deacon, trustee, and on the board of directors. He became a member of Restoration Station Christian Fellowship in 2011 and was a deacon and building manager, and involved with several committees and the youth fellowship. “Plain and simple, Deacon Minus was one of a kind,” one of his pastors at Restoration Station said in a tribute. Another pastor said: “You were so humble, hardworking, and willing to show up. … You had so much wisdom and advice for me, and I appreciate the small talk and the laughs.” Born March 5, 1947, Leonard Monroe Minus grew up in North Philadelphia and graduated from Murrell Dobbins Career and Technical Education High School. He later earned an associate degree at Community College of Philadelphia and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Temple University’s night school. He grew up next door to Doris Louis, and they married in 1965, lived in West Oak Lane, and had daughters Arlene and Tracy and son Leonard II. He also had son Keith Thompson. A tireless volunteer, Mr. Minus served holiday meals at local nursing homes and directed Easter egg hunts and other activities for neighborhood children. He liked to host big dinners on Thanksgiving, and his family always expected something to be overcooked as he tended to doze off during preparations before they arrived. He was a championship bowler and longtime member of a citizens band radio club. He liked jazz music and line dancing, traveled nearly every year to visit family in North Carolina and South Carolina, and enjoyed getaway trips to Las Vegas and Atlantic City. He was robbed and shot at his store in 1997 but refused to abandon his customers and fellow business owners. He finally retired and sold his properties in 2019. In a tribute, his family said: “Leonard always imparted life lessons to all he met.” In addition to his wife and children, Mr. Minus is survived by eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, three brothers, a sister, and other relatives. Three brothers and a sister died earlier. A celebration of his life was held Dec. 21. Donations in his name may be made to Restoration Station Christian Fellowship, 4313 Route 130 S., Park Plaza, Suite A-6, Edgewater Park, N.J. 08010. source https://4awesome.streamstorecloud.com/leonard-m-minus-electronics-entrepreneur-church-leader-teacher-and-mentor-has-died-at-75-the-philadelphia-inquirer/?feed_id=38246&_unique_id=64d57c2c99821

MIKE WINTERS LAWN AND GARDEN SHOW 1.11.23 - kqennewsradio.com

Douglas County’s Commissioner of Dirt, Mike Winters, has our weekly local lawn and garden program. Click here to download for later listening:  MWLGS 1 11 23 Online Notice for K230CG – Public Files – EEO – © 2021 Brooke Communications source https://4awesome.streamstorecloud.com/mike-winters-lawn-and-garden-show-1-11-23-kqennewsradio-com/?feed_id=38239&_unique_id=64d42a893c72b

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First aid Kits, Gardening tools, Weather radios, Baseball gloves +

Gardening Tools

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Where are Chinese travelers heading now that borders have reopened? - CNN

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Tips for Choosing Decorative Outdoor Lighting

[ad_1] If you were to drive around any neighborhood while paying close attention to decorative lighting, you would begin to notice a pattern of gorgeous homes with lighting systems that are too small or cheap in appearance. On the other hand, you would begin to see smaller homes where homeowners had installed oversized lighting systems. In other words, while everyone loves the ambience that decorative outdoor lighting provides, and the enhanced safety of illumination, many people simply do not make the right choices. As a result, the home and lighting system are off-balanced, which distracts from the beauty of the property. The goal when buying decorative outdoor lighting is to have a plan, which would include the size and style of home. From there, you would find it much easier to purchase a lighting system that would enhance and complement the home rather than create an awkward appearance. One of the next steps is to determine the appropriate size of outdoor lighting for your needs. Keep in mind that no hard rules exist as to size, walk outside, and standing at roadside look at the home. Try to focus on any architectural features that stand out such as a lamp post, statue, pillars, etc. Using good visual judgment, determine the size of decorative outdoor lighting that would create balance. Another important aspect of choosing decorative outdoor lighting has to do with illumination. Typically, you want the exterior to be lit up for security reasons but you also want to avoid harsh glares. Therefore, we recommend you again look for decorative outdoor lighting that provides balance. After all, this type of lighting should be fully functional. If you plan to place light fixtures along a driveway or up stairs leading to the front door, illumination should be bright enough to make walking safe while at the same time not so bright that illumination is actually distracting. If you need brightness, then it would be better to illuminate a broad area so the light is not so concentrated. Most decorative outdoor lighting systems come with a minimum of 100-watt capacity, whether as a single light or multiple lights. For creating light outside, this is plenty. In addition to size and illumination, you want to consider the material of the decorative outdoor lighting fixture. Today, the five most popular choices include iron, brass, copper, cast aluminum, and composites. Although there are other options, these are used because they can withstand the elements and remain beautiful and functional. The hardest material to find is cast iron but something hand-forged would be gorgeous. Just be sure the metal parts of the system are zinc coated to eliminate rust from developing. Brass is a popular choice simply because it has an elegant look. However, decorative options made from brass also ensures a long lasting system that can handle all types of environments. The only exception is that brass does not handle extreme heat but choosing fixtures that have powder coating would eliminate any concern. It would also be worth spending a little more for solid brass. No matter the choice, brass does go through a unique oxidation process whereby the surface color changes but for decorative outdoor lighting, it adds to the charm. Even if you were on a tight budget but desperately want new outdoor lighting, remember that companies have sales all the time but you could also make your purchase directly from a manufacturer. In addition, we suggest you look at options for decorative outdoor lighting online. Because companies that sell only via the internet do not have the same high overhead as brick and mortar companies, it is possible for them to pass incredible savings on to the customer. [ad_2] Source by Lydia Quinn https://4awesome.streamstorecloud.com/tips-for-choosing-decorative-outdoor-lighting/?feed_id=38213&_unique_id=64d2d3c3eb180

NAD Electronics Announces CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer - Digital Journal

NAD CS1 adds network streaming to any music system Pickering, Ontario, Canada - January 24, 2023 - NAD Electronics, the highly regarded manufacturer of high-performance audio-video components, today announced the NAD CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer, a compact, minimalist design that makes it easy to add streaming capability to any music system. The CS1 will be available in retail shops and NADElectronics.com with a retail target price of US$349 / £299 / €399 / CDN$499 in March 2023. Employing audiophile-grade components, the NAD CS1 can play high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/192kHz. It features Bluetooth, Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi and supports the most popular streaming and casting protocols, including Apple AirPlay 2, GoogleCast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Roon. Certification for network sharing via DNLA/UPnP protocols expected to be complete with retail available of CS1 in March 2023. That means listeners don’t have to install a dedicated app to use the CS1; they can control playback with the music apps they use every day. OPTIONS UPON OPTIONS There are many ways to play music through the NAD CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer. Listeners can use Bluetooth to pair the CS1 with a smartphone, tablet, or computer. The CS1 offers many options for playing music over a home network. Listeners can use AirPlay 2 to stream CD-resolution audio from any app on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or from an iTunes library on a Windows PC. With GoogleCast, users can cue up music in any Cast-enabled app on a mobile device or personal computer, then transfer playback to the CS1. NAD CS1 front Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect users can cue up music in the apps for those services, then easily transfer playback to the CS1. Roon subscribers can play music from their digital libraries and from streaming services with resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz. AUDIOPHILE-GRADE SOUND The NAD CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer delivers the audio performance for which NAD is renowned. It features an advanced differential digital section based on Texas Instruments’ PCM5141 DAC, a design known for its extremely low noise, excellent dynamic performance, and immunity to clock jitter. It also has full MQA rendering and decoding capability for playing master quality music from Tidal. FLEXIBLE CONNECTIVITY Users can connect the CS1 to their home network via Wi-Fi or hardwire its LAN Ethernet port to their network router. The CS1 has a pair of RCA analogue outputs for connection to a stereo receiver, integrated amp, preamplifier, or a pair of powered speakers. The CS1 also has optical and coaxial outputs for sending digital audio at up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution to powered loudspeakers with digital inputs, or to a home theatre receiver or external DAC. “Streaming has profoundly altered the way people discover and experience music,” said Cas Oostvogel, Product Manager of NAD Electronics. “The CS1 makes it easy to add streaming to a legacy stereo or home-theatre setup. Or someone could configure a low-footprint system for a den or home office by combining the CS1 with a pair of powered speakers. Streaming doesn’t get simpler than this.” NAD CS1 from rear Key Features of the NAD CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer: • Compact, minimalist design
• Built-in Bluetooth 5.0
• Dual-band Wi-Fi plus LAN Ethernet port
• Support for network sharing via DLNA/UPnp* protocols
• Stereo analogue, optical digital, and coaxial digital outputs
• Premium differential DAC design based on Texas Instruments PCM5141 DAC, with support for 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution audio and MQA decoding
• Apple AirPlay 2 support allows CD-resolution streaming from any audio app on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac
• GoogleCast support allows playback at up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution from any Cast-enabled app on a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer
• Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect support lets users cue up music on a smart device, then transfer playback to the CS1
• Roon subscribers can stream audio to the CS1 from their personal libraries and online services supported by Roon in hi-res * Certification in process as of publishing date About NAD Electronics Founded in 1972 and now sold in over 80 countries, NAD Electronics is renowned for its award-winning line of high-quality components for audio, home theatre and custom installation applications. Since the beginning, NAD’s commitment to four core values – innovation, simplicity, performance, and value – have earned it a cult-like following that catapulted it to becoming a household name amongst audiophiles and music lovers alike. To this day, the brand continues to design and manufacture some of the most acclaimed and affordable hi-fi components that include modern features and technologies meant to appeal to a new generation of audiophiles. Media Contact
Company Name: NAD Electronics
Contact Person: June Ip
Email: Send Email
City: Pickering
State: ON
Country: Canada
Website: www.nadelectronics.com



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