Nationwide Efforts to Battle Mother Nature Are Highlighted On

For Immediate Release

Nationwide Efforts to Battle Mother Nature are Highlighted on This Week’s Episode of America’s Heartland

Sacramento, CA, October 28, 2008: America’s Heartland, the nationally-broadcast, half- hour weekly magazine program produced by KVIE Public Television in Sacramento, will continue its fourth season with a new episode on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 7:30pm. This award-winning program, hosted by Paul Ryan, celebrates American agriculture and features stories about the men and women who provide food, fuel, and fiber to our nation and the world. Locally televised on KVIE’s channel 6 and KVIE-TV 6.1, America’s Heartland airs on PBS stations across the country, as well as RFD-TV, a cable and satellite channel focusing on rural life. Additionally, each episode streams online at www.americasheartland.org.

America’s Heartland episode 408 will feature the following stories:

Illinois Soybean Farm The heavy spring rains in the Midwest caused more damage than what many expected. While overflowing rivers combined with the low lying areas spelled disaster for many houses and communities, it also caused significant delays in the spring farming industry. Dale Hadden, a soybean farmer in Illinois, explains how the rain is forcing him to replant seeds, work 16 or 17 hour days, sometimes even 24 hours, just in an attempt to catch up on the farm’s work.

Nature Challenges Farms Mother Nature constantly reminds farmers throughout the country that no matter what technology they possess, they are at her mercy. Farmers around the country acknowledge this while dealing with natural disasters such as drought, flooding, wildfires or hurricanes. They continue to adapt with both eyes focused on the future, and it’s all they can do prepare themselves for more hardships.

Ag Weather Forecasting The weather forecast on their local TV station usually isn’t enough information for farmers when it comes to knowing what their plants will be subjected to. That’s where Rodger Getz comes in. His Agricultural Weather Information Services (AWIS) tracks weather conditions for farmers and ranchers whose livelihood depends on just how much moisture will fall from the sky, as well as what kind of temperatures will impact crops and livestock. The farmers can’t control Mother Nature, but the more they know ahead of time, the better prepared they can be.

Hurst Family Farm and Greenery The Hurst Family Farm and Greenery in Northern Missouri has faced everything Mother Nature has to offer and has found success through diversification. With assistance from the community, the Hurst family began what has become a successful greenhouse growing business. They grow a variety of bedding, house plants, and tomatoes – which are sold to buyers in Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas.

The Monsanto Company and the American Farm Bureau Federation make presentation of America's Heartland possible. Additional production and promotion assistance is provided by the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, United Soybean Board, U.S. Grains Council, National Association of Wheat Growers, and the National FFA Organization. For more information about America’s Heartland episodes, visit www.americasheartland.org.

About KVIE KVIE Public Television, located in the heart of California’s Central Valley, inspires audiences and enriches their lives through engaging programs and educational services. Established in 1959, KVIE serves more than 1.3 million households in the nation’s 20th largest television market. With one of the largest geographic signals in the country, KVIE can be viewed in 28 counties through its analog signal, more than 60 cable systems and satellite providers, and in high-definition on KVIE-DT. KVIE actively creates original local programming and is one of the leading producers of public television programming in the country. For more information, visit KVIE’s Web site at www.kvie.org.

KVIE Public Television Media Contact: Sheryl Brown Marketing Communications Manager Phone: (916) 641-3535 E-mail: [email protected]

Steven Frith Public Relations Intern Phone: (916) 641-3510 Email: [email protected]