The thesaurus, which has grown to 73,194 total terms (69,118 in the Spanish edition), not only points you to the appropriate terminology to use, but also shows equivalent or hierarchical relationships between those terms.
The glossary, on the other hand, delivers over 2,500 terms and definitions.
To many these might be considered geeky librarian toys or working tools for specialists who organize or search for information, but their ease of use and breadth of coverage also make them appropriate for students, teachers and anyone who works in agriculture and its related fields.
And should you find yourself in a vicious logomachy, either or both might help settle the dispute. After all, you never know when you'll find yourself debating the meaning of "quarg," right?
Lively discussions and different opinions are encouraged within the bounds of respectful civil discourse. Questionable language, personal attacks, off-topic comments, and gratuitous links will either be edited or deleted. Comments are moderated and will not appear on InfoFarm until they have been approved.
Mary Ann,
Nice notes on a fine piece of ongoing work! And, thanks for the "logomachy" link!
Marcia Wood also has neat notes on NALT in her note, above on homepage.
Thanks! -to all, for the NALT, it's a great growing bud-opening knowledge-flower.
Note: I think I originally imagined "agricultural logohile" to be a preoccupation with ag logos, or images - duh, :(/:). Anyway, the image at the top of your NALT piece was neat. Are ag-clip art / logo ideas cataloged anywhere?
Submitted by: Karl Schneider on January 16, 2009 07:47 PM
A fine collection of new words for the ag vernacular. People find it hard to understand us already.
Angel Ramirez
Wapato, WA
Farm Loan Program
Submitted by: Angel on January 26, 2009 08:03 PM
Hi, cool site, good writing ;)
Submitted by: idoradsespoto on February 9, 2009 06:16 AM
Thanks for sharing this, today I learnt a new word!
Glyn
Submitted by: webmaster on February 11, 2009 03:41 AM
I love the human language so am glad to see this here.It can also help dispel the 'dumb farmer' myth.Kudos
Submitted by: justin on February 27, 2009 09:23 AM
This blog does not represent official communications from the National Agricultural Library, the Agricultural Research Service or the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Yesterday, the Senate held its confirmation hearing for Gov. Tom Vilsack, President-elect Obama's pick for the next Secretary of Agriculture.
The hearing touched upon the most, if not all, of the major agricultural issues facing the new administration, including renewable energy, food safety, sustainable ag, rural development, trade issues, farm subsidies and commodity programs.
But some of the most enthusiastic language came in support of childhood nutrition and school lunches.
We can work with our schools to make sure fruits and vegetables are available. . . . We will be very aggressive in this area. . . . It’s going to be important for us to promote fresh fruits and vegetables as part of our children’s diets. . . . That means supporting those who supply those products.
Such ideas are in keeping with Obama's plan to work through the USDA's various nutrition programs to end childhood hunger by 2015.
The hearing, which ran just over two hours, is available as a Webcast from the Senate Ag Committee's site.
From all reports, Gov. Vilsack is expected to be confirmed as the new Secretary of Agriculture as early as Tuesday and sworn in soon after.
Lively discussions and different opinions are encouraged within the bounds of respectful civil discourse. Questionable language, personal attacks, off-topic comments, and gratuitous links will either be edited or deleted. Comments are moderated and will not appear on InfoFarm until they have been approved.
Will my daughter eat fruits and vegetables? Nutrition is good, as a small farmer I really would like more support. How are they going to get kids to eat fruits and vegetables though?
Submitted by: BradJ on February 26, 2009 05:51 PM
This blog does not represent official communications from the National Agricultural Library, the Agricultural Research Service or the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Secretary Schafer's Farewell
In case you missed it, Secretary Schafer held what was likely his final teleconference last week, where he reviewed the current administration's accomplishments in the agricultural sphere and looked ahead to what issues the new Secretary might face.
Lively discussions and different opinions are encouraged within the bounds of respectful civil discourse. Questionable language, personal attacks, off-topic comments, and gratuitous links will either be edited or deleted. Comments are moderated and will not appear on InfoFarm until they have been approved.
This blog does not represent official communications from the National Agricultural Library, the Agricultural Research Service or the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Lively discussions and different opinions are encouraged within the bounds of respectful civil discourse. Questionable language, personal attacks, off-topic comments, and gratuitous links will either be edited or deleted. Comments are moderated and will not appear on InfoFarm until they have been approved.
This blog does not represent official communications from the National Agricultural Library, the Agricultural Research Service or the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Somehow it seems appropriate that after a long blog-writing hiatus following election day I return with news -- not so fresh, admittedly -- that President-elect Obama has nominated Tom Vilsack to be the next Secretary of Agriculture.
In announcing Vilsack's selection last week, Obama praised his vision and his commitment to biotechnology. He also said of the former Iowa governor, "Tom will not only help ensure that rural America has a true partner in implementing the Farm Bill and pursuing agricultural research, but that Washington is looking out for everyone from the small family farms that are feeding our communities to the large farms that are feeding the world."
But what do folks in Iowa say about Vilsack?
I find it informative to check out the hometown paper for a different, perhaps more familiar, perspective on the nominee. In the case of Vilsack, here are a few articles from the DesMoines Register:
Be sure to check out the sidebar on the first story for a nice recap of Vilsack's personal and professional life, along with snippets from various ag groups regarding his appointment.
Finally, on the lighter side, browse the pics accompanying the Iowa Ear column on Vilsack: The secretary of hats. Looking at those, I can't help but think Vilsack might be the early favorite for next year's Halloween costume competition. At minimum, it shows he's willing to do what it takes to advance a cause, and that, to me, is a good trait to have in a Secretary of Agriculture.
Lively discussions and different opinions are encouraged within the bounds of respectful civil discourse. Questionable language, personal attacks, off-topic comments, and gratuitous links will either be edited or deleted. Comments are moderated and will not appear on InfoFarm until they have been approved.
This blog does not represent official communications from the National Agricultural Library, the Agricultural Research Service or the U.S. Department of Agriculture.