Heard on the Street

DISASTER

All 114 Missouri counties have been declared disaster areas by the U.S. Agriculture secretary. "This declaration will make many Missouri farmers and ranches eligible for much-needed financial assistance," said Sen. Jean Carnahan in praise of the action. The dry weather during the summer and fall caused feed and water shortages and low yields, especially soybeans, Carnahan said. The declaration is the fist step for eligibility in the Livestock Assistance Program that offers low-interest emergency loans.

LIFESAVER

Businesses can improve the health and safety of their workplaces by sending members to classes starting this month. Health and safety training classes will be offered in various time slots through June. The American Red Cross sponsors the classes which teach CPR, first aid and disease transmission-prevention, as well as instructor courses for those classes. To register, call 832-9500.

JUNIOR BUSINESSPEOPLE

Celebrating 25 years in 2001, Junior Achievement of the Ozarks Inc. announced it has moved its annual bowl-a-thon fund-raiser to February and calls it the Hula Bowl. The fund-raiser previously was held in October. Teams will compete Feb. 2-3 at the Sunshine Lanes, according to a JA news release. JA states that its mission is to "educate and inspire young people to value free enterprise, business and economics to improve the quality of their lives." In the past, JA has sponsored after-school company programs where young people gain a working knowledge of creating and running a business. However, a lack of local company commitment has forced JA to drop the after-school program and concentrate on programs during the school day, the release said.

KEEPING OSHA HAPPY

Want to know about the new workplace ergonomic standards? Learn about the impact on your business 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. Attorney Frank Pellegrini will discuss legal and practical aspects of the new standards and how they impact your business. A follow-up workshop Feb. 6 at the Safety Council office will be taught by Nancy Dickey, who will share the science of ergonomics, how to develop a program and reduce physical strain on the worker. The Safety Council office is at 1111 S. Glenstone. Call 800-334-1349 to register.

MO WINE, PLEASE

Grape growers from 28 states and Canada are expected to converge Feb. 3-5 at Tan-Tar-A at the Lake of the Ozarks for the 16th annual Midwest Regional Grape and Wine Conference, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Grape and Wine Program. "The conference is a showcase for Missouri's respected wine industry, which has grown to include 35 established wineries," said Jim Anderson, program coordinator. "(It) allows grape growers and winemakers from across the country to come together and share their ideas and experiences." Southwest Missouri boasts many grape growers, and two established wineries, the Stone Hill Winery in Branson and the Gloria Winery in Mountain Grove. The latter is the state's hub of grape and other fruit research as the site of the Southwest Missouri State Experimental Fruit Research Station. Missouri is the eighth largest wine producer and 10th largest grape producer in the country, bottling 415,000 gallons of wine a year, Anderson said. Conference topics include the history of marketing, the health benefits of wine, vineyard floor and weed management, water status in vineyards, and how to be wine-savvy.