The new U.S. farm bill is already a year behind schedule so what’s one more month? Negotiators said that the work for the legislation to cut food stamps for the poor and expand crop insurance for farmers won’t be completed prior to Congress adjourning for the year. This farm bill will cover topics from farm exports and food aid to crop subsidies.
The delay is nothing new for the farm bill. Since mid-2012 Congress has asked for massive cuts in the food stamp program. The House is asking for the largest amount of cut with a $40 billion cut over the course of the next ten years. The Senate is a little more liberal with a recommended cut of $4.5 billion.
According to Insurance Journal,
“We will be ready to vote in January,” Debbie Stabenow, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, told reporters.”
Many components of the farm bill are up in the air, including food stamps.
The Proposal
The new farm bill would spend some $500 billion over five years, three-quarters of it on food stamps.
Specifically, the Insurance Journal reports,
“Both chambers would trim spending on traditional farm subsidies, conservation programs and food stamps, while expanding outlays for crop insurance by up to 10 percent. One crop insurance proposal would assure grain and soybean growers of up to 90 percent of average revenue from a crop.”
This December 14th Second Saturday features a wide variety of old-fashioned holiday crafts for kids and adults, caroling, hayrides, hot cider and popcorn.
Come hear carolers between 12pm – 2pm. Kids will be able to drive the tractor, pump water, and play with hoops at the Agricultural History Project. Our Gift Shop and Museum and all exhibit buildings will be open as well! Tractor driving and hayrides are available weather permitting.
Activities for kids will be ongoing 11am – 3pm. String cranberries, popcorn, create paper chains, puppets, bird ornaments and all kinds of other fun decorations.
Who: Family
How much: FREE!
When: ,
Where: Agricultural History Project, 2601 E Lake Ave, Watsonville, CA 95076
Happiness is not elusive. In fact, it’s pretty easy to attain. Follow the steps below to happiness.
Take time to just breathe. In this crazy world, we are trying cram 1,000 things into our lives. The one thing we really need to do is take 15-20 minutes out of your day and just sit and meditate and breathe.
Sitting down all day. It’s no secret that sitting down all the time isn’t healthy. It restricts blood flow, doesn’t burn any or very little calories, and increases your chance of cardiovascular disease.
Be a social butterfly. People with strong social connections tend to be much happier. That’s what life is all about, so get connected.
Join a spiritual community. Religion has played a huge role in a person’s happiness by offering a place to share their struggles and joys. Not holding onto life’s stressors and giving them over to a higher power releases stress and anxiety.
Feed your creativity. Take time out and paint a picture, write a story, enjoy an art museum, whatever feeds your creative soul.
Get outside! Not getting fresh air can make a person grumpy. Just ask any of the kids today that never leave their X-Box. They are cramped, unhappy and need to get out and play.
Love your job or quit. When you have a job that you love, you’ll be happier. Considering you have to spend 8 hours of your day at your vocation.
The more the merrier! Italians love to eat together and they know that eating together makes people happy.
Believe in yourself! You deserve happiness, yes, it’s for you. Believe that you are entitled to be happy. Because you are entitled to have joy in your life.
Homeowners insurance coverage can be tricky. Some claims that one would think would be considered in the original homeowners insurance policy, are not (i.e. earthquakes, floods, etc.). Here are a few of the possible scenarios that are covered:
1. The sky is falling!
Chicken Little was onto something there. If meteors or UFO’s fall from the sky and crash into your house, your homeowners policy will have “open perils” policies to protect you from anything that isn’t specifically excluded. Falling objects are included in the policy. So if Marvin the Martian crashes into your home, theoretically, you are covered.
2. The volcano is going to blow!
We love the “open perils,” policies. Should Dante’s Peak destroys your house, aside from tremors or earthquakes, your homeowners policy should theoretically, cover your loss. Including if your house gets swallowed in a lava flow.
If you live in Hawaii, chances are you will also have a state-run volcano insurance coverage that you will need to look into.
3. It’s a Stampede!
We are being invaded by goats and cows! The cows just ran through home but the goats came and ate our sofa, gnawed on our furniture and well, destroyed everything.
Your homeowners insurance can over stampeding animals, as long as the animals do not belong to you. The animals must be wild and not domesticated.
4. Your loved ones tombstones.
Tombstones are a reminder of the loved ones we once lost. However, there are pranksters that will deface and defile tombstones, especially around Halloween.
Your loved ones tombstones are covered by your homeowners insurance.
5. The truly frightful
Some homeowners policies will cover certain costs related to a murder, suicide or an unattended death in your home. Not all homeowners policies have this option, best bet is to get a policy review and make any necessary adjustments.
Give us a call today for a complete homeowners policy review.
The Corralitos Festival of lights kick off Saturday, December 7th at 10:00 a.m. It’s a family-friendly fun filled day and the best part? It’s FREE!
The Corralitos Festival of Lights will feature a country kitchen, a “Baked for Books” bake sale, live music, bounce house and a petting zoo! From 3:00 pm-6:00 pm, we will be serving a tri-tip dinner and have Christmas caroling!
So come on down for some family fun!
Where: Corralitos Convention Center
Date & Time: Dec. 7th starting at 10:00 am
Cost: FREE!
Kids: Yes! This is a family-friendly event for all ages!
Scurich Insurance Services know that there is so many different types of insurance needs that everyone has. Commercial insurance needs are different than personal insurance needs and of course specialties. We also know that running around to different agencies for different needs is inconvenient, that’s why we have such a large array of services that we can provide you with. Look below and see just a few of the insurance needs we can accommodate:
Commercial Insurance
Commercial packages
Business auto
Workers Compensation
Umbrella
Directors & Officers
Professional liability
Employee practices liability
Personal Insurance
Auto
Home
Umbrella
Recreational vehicle
Watercraft
Life & health
Individual medical
Individual life
Group Medical
Group benefits
This December 14th Second Saturday features a wide variety of old-fashioned holiday crafts for kids and adults, caroling, hayrides, hot cider and popcorn.