Bell earns award from ISDA

ALBANY — Bell Aquaculture, Redkey, was recognized at a luncheon Tuesday for successfully completing the Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s Certified Livestock Producer Program.
The program requires producers to meet high industry standards in environmental protection, animal health, bio-security, emergency planning and good neighbor relations and sign a producer promise to continue to uphold those standards.
Bell Aquaculture is the 29th producer in the state to be awarded the certification and the first fish producer in the state to complete the program.
“It’s a milestone to show out commitment to the quality of our product,” said Bell CEO Norman McCowan about the certification.
Bell Aquaculture grows yellow perch in a controlled indoor farm facility in Albany and the fish are transported to and processed at the company’s plant in Redkey.
The company is the third livestock producer in Jay County to complete the program, joining Jim Zimmerman, Redkey, and Steve Schwieterman, Portland.
Casket combo
Geneva Manufacturing Corp. is joining with VerPlank Enterprises to form a Virginia-based casket hardware manufacturer.
The companies are forming Sterling Hardware, LLC., Abingdon, Va., which will resurrect the Sterling Casket Hardware Company, which closed in the past year. Sterling will produce electroplated casket hardware.

Tyson profit
Tyson Foods reported an increase in third-quarter net income on increased sales. Tyson reported a third quarter net income of 65 cents per share, up from 35 cents per share a year ago. The company saw sales increase 11.6 percent to $7.4 billion.

Appetizer
Bell Aquaculture’s yellow perch will be used to make an appetizer at New York’s prestigious James Beard House.
See Bell page 6
A patron of the Joseph Decuis restaurant in Roanoke mentioned the restaurant to a member of the James Beard foundation which led to the James Beard House executive Chef Aaron Butts offering the invitation.
Ceviche is a raw fish dish marinated in citrus juice and served with lime and chili peppers.

50th year
J&M Manufacturing, Fort Recovery, is celebrating its 50th year in business.
The company started in production of hopper wagons and grain elevators and now produces various farm equipment. The company holds 47 patents and employs 150 people in one shift at its location north of the village on Railroad Street near Wabash Road.

Fort donation
Midwest Electric recently donated $13,500 to 10 west-central Ohio charities including two in Fort Recovery.
The electric company donated $1,900 to the Fort Recovery Ambassador Club for Civil War re-enactment special effect, and to Fort Recovery Band Boosters to purchase new band uniforms.

Chamber seminars
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is offering three safety seminars in September.
Accident Investigation Workshop will take place Sept, 21 at the Indiana Chamber Conference Center, 115 W. Washington St., Suite 850S, Indianapolis. The program will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and cost is $249 for chamber members and $299 for non-members.
An OSHA Recordkeeping Workshop will be held Sept 22 at the conference center from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $249 for chamber members and $299 for non-members.
Forklift Safety: Train the Trainer Workshop will be held Sept. 23 at the center from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost is $249 for chamber members and $299 for non-members.
For more information or to register visit www.indianachamber.com/conferences or call (317) 264-6885 or (800) 824-6885.[[In-content Ad]]