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 BRITT
COBB
NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
By: George MacBain
Today we had the privilege to hear from Raleigh Rotarian and newly
appointed N C Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DOACS),
Britt Cobb. Britt, raised on a tobacco farm in Elm City, is a 1971
UNC graduate and completed post-graduate work in International
Marketing in Phoenix, Arizona. He is 34-year veteran of DOACS
including a six-year stint in Dusseldorf, Germany. Governor Easley
appointed Britt as interim Commissioner in June 2003 and
Commissioner in December 2003 with his term expiring in 2005.
Agriculture is the #1 industry in our state with $62b in revenues
followed by the military at $18b and tourism at $12b. One in five
persons in NC is involved in some form of Agriculture. As example,
we purchase a sweet potato at the grocery store. DOACS grades the
potato, inspects the store scales and scanners. The gas we use to
drive to the store is inspected for lead content and the pumps are
inspected for accuracy. All meats and vegetables are graded and
processes inspected along with cosmetics, school food services and
pest companies by the 1320 DOACS employees in NC.
Britt went on to discuss five important aspects of our Agriculture
departments:
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Division of Marketing’s #1 priority is to
discover new markets (domestic and foreign) for NC
grown/raised products. Ag related jobs have been on the
decline and this is a way of creating new/replacement jobs in
our state.
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Food Safety Department is the large area
responsible for inspecting food markets, restaurants,
hospitals and schools for proper food handling and insuring we
have a safe food supply. Concern is high that a terrorist act
could involve tampering with our protein (animal) food supply
as it accounts for 61% of our states agricultural business
revenues.
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Emerging Green Industry includes trees, flowers
and plants. This growing segment has recently surpassed
tobacco as our largest crop segment in NC.
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DOACS has 15 research farms managed in
cooperation with NC State and NC A&T Universities. Organic
foods is the fastest growing food group and our universities
are developing numerous innovations in melons, edible flowers,
grapes (wine) and other fruits and vegetables.
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Agri-tourism is all about educating the public on
the farm industry and being compensated. As an example,
Canadians on their way to Myrtle Beach each year are a target
market with early results.
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Britt invited all of his fellow Rotarians to tour one
of the research farms and suggested Fletcher, Goldsboro and Kinston
as one’s to choose!
Head Table:
Don Esposito, Jeannie Falknor, Tom
Robertson, Luther Moore, John Galles, Rufus Robinson; Invocation:
Suzanne Bledsoe
Visitors and Guests:
Jack Smylie; Health & Happiness: Phil
Van Hoy, Song: Gregg Walker
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The 4 Way Test |
Darrell Holland
distributed an interesting article written by Darrell Thompson
of the Morro Bay, California Club entitled The Story Behind The
4-Way Test. There is not room in this newsletter to display the
entire article, but below are a few key points:
- The 4-Way Test was written more than 60 years ago by Herbert
J. Taylor, in an attempt to help revive the near-bankrupt Club
Aluminum Company of Chicago.
- The original statement of about 100 words was too long and was
shortened to seven points, which was still a bit long, so it was
shortened again to the familiar four searching questions that
comprise the Test today.
- The statement was checked by four department heads: a Roman
Catholic, a Christian Scientist, an Orthodox Jew and a
Presbyterian. They all agreed that the Test’s principles not
only coincided with their religious beliefs, but also provided
an exemplary guide for personal and business life. And so, “The
4-Way Test of the things we think, say or do” was born:
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Is
it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all Concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? |
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2003-04
RI
Theme
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z From
The Charlotte Observer: Al Allison,
third-generation owner of Allison Fence Co., discussed the
problem small-business owners face in providing health care.
z
Jim and Dottie Barnhardt
welcomes the birth of grandson James Danforth Van Nort on
April 27th.
z
Items are needed for the Welcome Bags that will be
distributed to participants of the International Golfing
Fellowship of Rotary (IGFR) World Championship that will be
held in Charlotte the week of May 16-21. Approximately 400
attendees are expected. If you can contribute in any way, please
notify the Rotary office. Of particular interest – Grits in a
Bag.
z
Representatives from Mecklenburg South Rotary visited this
week’s meeting and talked about the Duck Derby that will be held
at Ray’s Splash Planet on May 15. Anyone wishing to purchase a
ticket to participate in this event should contact Joni at
704-846-8018.
z
Anne Bridgeman
was introduced to the Club on Tuesday
by Sadler Barnhardt.
Welcome Anne.
z
Luther Moore
updated the group on membership efforts
saying there have been thirty-five new members and twenty-one
resignations, for a net increase of fourteen. Total membership
stands at 325. He also recognized several members that have
brought in two or more new members:
Richard Bailey, Catherine Browning, Rex Welton, Tom Robertson,
Myra Johnston, Tim Newman, Ken Poe, and Chip Scholz.
z
It’s not too late to turn in your
Committee Preference Form.
Committees in particular need are writers for the Reporter and
Head Table.
z
Move to the Adams Mark
Hotel….Sorry to have shown the move
date as 2005 in last week’s Reporter. We’re actually moving THIS
July, with the first meeting being held
July 6, 2004.
Several asked if you will have to pay to park at the Adams Mark,
and the answer is NO. Ample parking is provided in the surface
lot or parking deck.
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New
Member Ballot |
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The Classification and Membership Committee
recommend and the Directors approve for consideration for all
members, the following NEW MEMBERS. Should you question the
eligibility of any nominee, please call the Rotary Office by May
4th. You will be contacted by a member of the Board. Otherwise,
no reply is necessary and election will proceed according to our
bylaws. |
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James Ray
Flowers, III (Jimmy)
Carolina Income Property Group, Inc.
Classification: Commercial, Development
Proposed: Ed Kale
Endorsers: Rex Welton and Martin Waters |
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Lila Barnett
Rash (Lila)
Charlotte Regional Realtor Association
Classification: Real Estate, Communications
Proposed: Mike Rash
Endorsers: Catherine Browning and Tim Newman |
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Attendance
Record |
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4/27/04 |
4/29/03 |
| visitors &
guests |
16 |
15 |
| club
members |
179 |
201 |
| total
attendance |
195 |
216 |
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Wedding
Anniversaries |
04 Holli and Keith Nowokunski
04 Ridgley and John Phillips
05 Kelly and Mike Crum
06 Kathy and Mike Hawley
07 Harriet and Ed White
08 Burgl and Ronnie Pruett
09 Mary Beth and John Snyder |
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New Members | Resignations |
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Anne Bridgeman |
Andy Calhoun |
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| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
04 Kemp Dunaway, Charlotte, NC
06 Frank Timberlake, Timberlake, NC
07 Mary Rinehart, Charlotte, NC
08 Martin Godwin, Boston, MA
08 Bob Johnston, Huntington, W. VA
09 Ray Killian, Conover, NC
09 Selena Rogers, Greer, SC |
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