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An e-newsletter from Senator Jon Erpenbach – 11-10-08

Charitable Giving Alert – During the months of November and December, Americans are traditionally more generous in giving to charities. As you prepare to make any charitable contributions, be aware of scam artists and do your homework first. Check out the agency to be sure that it is legitimate and that the bulk of your contribution goes to helping those in need and not for administrative costs or into the pocket of a scam artist. Most agencies will have their own web site to visit, but there is also one that gives additional information, visit www.charitynavigator.org or you may check with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection at http://www.datcp.state.wi.us

College Goal Sunday – College Goal Sunday is a nationwide event that assists thousands of high school seniors and their families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the essential first step to receiving financial aid and going to college. Mark your calendars now for 2pm on Saturday, February 21^st and Sunday, February 22^nd of 2009. Please visit www.WiCollegeGoalSunday.org or call, toll-free, 1-866-578-4625 for additional promotional material.

Wisconsin Towns Association to host Land Use Workshops – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection announced that the Wisconsin Towns Association has been selected to host five one-day workshops throughout the state in December on the future of Wisconsin’s working lands. The first round of workshops will present information on tools available to balance the need to protect rural areas for use as farmland, open space, and wooded acreage with the need for development of land for homes and businesses to accommodate local growth. Each session is 8am to 3:30pm with a fee of $35 per person. For information on dates, locations, and registration please visit www.wisctowns.com or call the Towns Association at 1-715-526-3157.

Local Food Marketing Guide – The Wisconsin Local Food Marketing Guide, a new publication for local producers, is now available online and in hard copy. The guide explains step-by-step how to move products from field to consumer.  It covers selling directly to consumers via farmers markets, community supported agriculture, agri-tourism, on-farm stores, pick-your-own operations and roadside stands, and selling through intermediate channels such as restaurants, grocery stores, institutions, and distributors. The guide also provides information on pricing products, licensing, labeling, regulations, food safety, food liability, and farm insurance, and lists resources to find additional information at the end of each chapter. Hard copies are now available to individuals and requests can be made for up to five copies by sending in names and addresses to Teresa Cuperus, teresa.cuperus@wi.gov, or the guide is available online at http://www.datcp.state.wi.us

Project Lifesaver – November is Alzheimer’s disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers’ Month. Project Lifesaver is fairly new and involves cooperation and training with local law enforcement agencies. It involves providing a wristband with a tracking device that is used to locate missing people. Project Lifesaver is being used by individuals who have dementia and also with children who have autism. Please visit www.projectlifesaver.org for more information.

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