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Ag Growth is a leading manufacturer of portable grain handling and conditioning equipment, including augers, belt conveyors

Ag Growth Income Fund (TSX: AFN.UN) ("Ag Growth" or the "Fund") announced today the successful completion of its previously announced acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Hansen Manufacturing Corp. of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Company Profile

Ag Growth is a leading manufacturer of portable grain handling and conditioning equipment, including augers, belt conveyors, grain handling accessories and grain aeration equipment. Ag Growth's sales, marketing, and distribution system includes approximately 1,400 dealers and distributors in 48 states and nine provinces.

Non-GAAP measures

References to "EBITDA" are to earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Management believes that, in addition to net income or loss, EBITDA is a useful supplemental measure in evaluating its performance. Specifically, management believes that EBITDA is the appropriate measure from which to make adjustments to determine the Fund's distributable cash. EBITDA is not a financial measure recognized by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. Management cautions investors that EBITDA should not replace net income or loss as an indicator of performance, or cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities as a measure of the Fund's liquidity and cash flows. The Fund's method of calculating EBITDA may differ from the methods used by other issuers.

Distributable cash is a non-GAAP measure generally used by Canadian income funds as an indicator of financial performance. The Fund defines distributable cash as EBITDA less interest expense, maintenance capital expenditures, and current taxes. Distributable cash is not a financial measure recognized by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. The method of calculating the Fund's distributable cash may differ from similar computations as reported by similar entities and, accordingly, may not be comparable to distributable cash as reported by such entities.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our expectations regarding the future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects, and opportunities of the Fund. Forward-looking statements contain such words as "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "could", "expects", "intend", "plans" or similar expressions suggesting future conditions or events. Such forward-looking statements reflect our current beliefs and are based on information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including changes in national and local business conditions, decreased crop yields, industry cyclicality, and competition. These risks and uncertainties are fully described in our 2005 Annual Report and our Annual Information Form dated March 16, 2006. Further information about these and other risks and uncertainties can be found in the disclosure documents filed by Ag Growth Income Fund with the securities regulatory authorities, available at www.sedar.com.



The Blues prefer proposals that assure parent and community engagement, and schools proposing community partnerships have better chance of funding

Childhood obesity in America is a major public health issue. Blue Cross Blue Shield, committed to building a healthier Michigan, is partnering with schools across the state to get kids moving and eating healthier. The Blues are accepting grant proposals from public and nonprofit private elementary schools in Michigan for programs that increase physical activity and improve nutrition among their student population. The grants are part of the Blues' 2010-2011 Building Healthy Communities: Engaging Elementary Schools and their Community Partners program. Funding amounts are anticipated to range from $20,000 to $50,000 per school.

Proposed programs require four elements: health assessments, physical activity and nutrition education, a walking club and a 5K run or walk. Together, these elements are most successful in helping elementary students, staff and parents achieve healthier lifestyles, according to environmental assessments by the Blues' Health Policy and Social Mission department.

The Blues prefer proposals that assure parent and community engagement, and schools proposing community partnerships have better chance of funding. The company encourages and supports collaborative approaches to obesity prevention and aims to build partnerships that continue past the grant period.

"Blue Cross is committed to building a healthier Michigan. By targeting childhood obesity, we believe we can positively impact behavior and healthy choices because lifestyle habits are formed at an early age. This will increase the likelihood of a healthier adult population, leading to improved quality of life and reduced health care costs," explained Lynda Rossi, Blues vice president for Social Mission and Public Affairs.

Grant information and downloadable forms are available at bcbsm.com/buildhealth. Schools must submit an online notice of intent to apply for the grant by Feb. 12. The full grant proposal is due online by midnight on Sunday, March 14 and postmarked by Monday, March 15 by postal mail. Both forms of submission are required.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has a unique mission that is different from other health insurance companies. The company is committed to focusing on reducing health care costs and improving quality, increasing access to health care coverage and services, and improving the health status of Michigan's residents, particularly children.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit organization, provides and administers health benefits to 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to members of Michigan-headquartered groups who reside outside the state. The company offers a broad variety of plans including: Traditional Blue Cross Blue Shield; Blue Preferred(R), Community Blue(SM) and Healthy Blue Incentives(SM) PPOs; Blue Care Network HMO; BCN Healthy Blue Living(SM); Flexible Blue(SM) plans compatible with health savings accounts; Medicare Advantage; Part D Prescription Drug plans, and MyBlue(SM) products in the under-age-65 individual market. BCBSM also offers dental, vision and hearing plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more company information, visit bcbsm.com.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

CONTACT: Helen Stojic, +1-313-549-9884, newsroom@bcbsm.com

Web site: http://www.bcbsm.com/

Did You Know?
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  • Canada is a world leader in distance education. Because of its vast expanse and sparsely populated areas, nearly all provinces have developed various media to bring university programs to remote areas that might not otherwise have access to a university education
  • Eduventures, a Massachusetts firm that does studies of educational trends, is now predicting that one out of every 10 college students will be in an online degree program by 2008.