Companies Lie
A San Francisco Newspaper did some interesting research. They compared testimony given in hearings held by House Republicans with what they reported in their SEC filings. Every publicly traded company must file quarterly reports with the SEC, which then become a matter of public record. Testimony in hearings is also public record. Comparing the two depositories of public information, the enterprising reporter on this story discovered that companies were telling the House hearings that EPA regulations were going to kill jobs, and drive them out of business. (I exaggerated a little in that last sentence, but not by much.) But, when the same companies filed their quarterly reports with the SEC, sometimes within days of their House hearing testimony, they told their shareholders that their cashflow would not be impacted by proposed EPA regulations. Since they are persons now, these companies should be prosecuted either for contempt of congress or investor fraud.
Homework
San Francisco Newspaper Story of Companies Differing Stories
USDA Looking at Local Foods
As consumers become aware of the impact of their carbon footprints on the health of the planet, they are increasingly turning to locally produced foods. This movement is relatively small in the world of agriculture, and data has not been systematically collected over time, but a recent USDA study found some interesting facts.
Marketing local foods grossed $4.8 billion in 2008.
Small farms, defined as those with gross revenues of less than $50,000 in annual sales, accounted for 81% of farmers reporting local food sales. They primarily sold their food at farmers markets and roadside stands. The average annual revenue from local food sales for these farms is $7,800.
Medium sized farms, defined as those with gross revenues of $50,000 to $250,000, represented 17% of farmers reporting local food sales, using the same marketing channels as the small farmer. The average revenue from local food sales for the medium sized farm is $70,000.
Farmers with gross revenues greater than $250,000 represented 5% of farmers producing local foods. They had $770,000 in average annual local food sales, using the same marketing channels. Because of their higher volumes of production, they accounted for 92% of the $4.8 billion.
The report issued by the USDA opines that there is too little data to know how the local foods movement is impacting local food systems, local economic development, or nutrition. They also say the jury is still out on the idea that local farms reduce energy consumption or greenhouse gas emissions.
Homework
Minnesota Newspaper Story of USDA's Look at Local Foods
USDA Report
A San Francisco Newspaper did some interesting research. They compared testimony given in hearings held by House Republicans with what they reported in their SEC filings. Every publicly traded company must file quarterly reports with the SEC, which then become a matter of public record. Testimony in hearings is also public record. Comparing the two depositories of public information, the enterprising reporter on this story discovered that companies were telling the House hearings that EPA regulations were going to kill jobs, and drive them out of business. (I exaggerated a little in that last sentence, but not by much.) But, when the same companies filed their quarterly reports with the SEC, sometimes within days of their House hearing testimony, they told their shareholders that their cashflow would not be impacted by proposed EPA regulations. Since they are persons now, these companies should be prosecuted either for contempt of congress or investor fraud.
Homework
San Francisco Newspaper Story of Companies Differing Stories
USDA Looking at Local Foods
As consumers become aware of the impact of their carbon footprints on the health of the planet, they are increasingly turning to locally produced foods. This movement is relatively small in the world of agriculture, and data has not been systematically collected over time, but a recent USDA study found some interesting facts.
Marketing local foods grossed $4.8 billion in 2008.
Small farms, defined as those with gross revenues of less than $50,000 in annual sales, accounted for 81% of farmers reporting local food sales. They primarily sold their food at farmers markets and roadside stands. The average annual revenue from local food sales for these farms is $7,800.
Medium sized farms, defined as those with gross revenues of $50,000 to $250,000, represented 17% of farmers reporting local food sales, using the same marketing channels as the small farmer. The average revenue from local food sales for the medium sized farm is $70,000.
Farmers with gross revenues greater than $250,000 represented 5% of farmers producing local foods. They had $770,000 in average annual local food sales, using the same marketing channels. Because of their higher volumes of production, they accounted for 92% of the $4.8 billion.
The report issued by the USDA opines that there is too little data to know how the local foods movement is impacting local food systems, local economic development, or nutrition. They also say the jury is still out on the idea that local farms reduce energy consumption or greenhouse gas emissions.
Homework
Minnesota Newspaper Story of USDA's Look at Local Foods
USDA Report
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