What a great day and great enthusiasm by the people at Novus International and the Missouri Colleges Fund scholar students during Novus’ 2nd annual “Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers” days! The Novus staff exuded enthusiasm in their presentations to the students, and the students reciprocated in their enthusiasm for what they learned.
Anna Arthur, a sophomore majoring in biological chemistry and minoring in psychology at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo., was typical of that engaged attitude (you can’t believe how much she wanted to win a t-shirt during the impromptu trivia contests during the tour!). She really seemed to cling to about every word the Novus staff had to say … not bad considering she wasn’t even sure she was going to be able to make it.
“I’m so glad I did because I’ve gotten such a great impression from the people and from even just the facilities themselves.”
In fact, she’s hoping to do an internship with Novus this summer. And Arthur feels that with the wide variety of jobs available, there will be plenty of opportunities.
“It really opened my eyes to the fact that even if your major is in just one area of science that can still be brought into marketing aspects or sales aspects or all different areas which I never really thought about before.” She adds that it’s good to know Novus gives employees chances to advance and move through the company and is the kind of place where she might like to work one day after graduation.
Arthur was also impressed how the Novus labs were a practical application of what she’s learning in the classroom.
“It was fun today to hear them talk about the different tests they’re doing ion the labs and to say ‘I just did some of those tests myself a couple of weeks ago in my [school] lab. It’s really cool to be able to apply what you’ve done in the actual work place.”
More of my conversation with Anna is available in the player below.
One of the important lessons the students learned during the 2nd annual “Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers” days at Novus International’s suburban St. Louis headquarters and rural Missouri research farm was that Novus is more than just an animal agriculture company. It’s a sustainability company.
Experts say the world’s population will be 9 billion by 2050 … but maybe only half the land used for agriculture now will be available to feed that population in 40 years. The point wasn’t lost on Avila University in Kansas City senior Neemah Ngega. The biochemistry major says she was impressed with how Novus is working to get more food out of shrinking resources for the world’s growing population.
“That’s a crucial point that I don’t think a lot of young people understand … including myself. The more I got engaged today, the more I learned how important of a problem we’re going to be facing as a world, not just a nation. For the science [Novus] engages in to help produce more food, I think, is commendable.”
Born and raised in Tanzania, Africa and moving to this country when she was young has given Ngega a unique perspective.
“I think I’ve learned a lot, and there’s so much I could utilize in my future studies and future work… getting other people engaged and teaching other people what I’ve learned today.”
She says Novus’ work to better the world through minimizing the amount of space needed to grow an increased amount of food truly makes Novus a sustainability company.
“The more we become better on sustaining not just the food industry, but all around – water, economic, land and people – it’s going to help.”
Listen to more of my conversation with Neemah in the player below.
Attendees to United Fresh 2010 cast their votes and recognized the winners of the 2010 United Fresh Produce Association New Product Awards.
The Sixth Annual Adult Worldquest Knowledge Competition held on Tuesday, April 12, 2010 brought seven teams from the metropolitan St. Louis area to Maryville University. Two Novus teams participated.
Gold Standard Labs opened its seventh facility – this one located in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
John Deere Agri Services has released the new Pit Monitor feature for the oneWeigh scale automation system. This option enables scale operators at grain handling facilities to automatically convey pertinent load information to operators at the receiving pits by using a pit monitor program and display screen.
Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting one of the most optimistic people I’ve ever seen: Dr. Nasser Odetallah, Product Manager of Enzymes, Probiotics, and Idea Testing Kits for Novus International. His message last year to the Missouri Colleges Fund scholars was, “There is nothing impossible in life.” This year during Novus’ 2nd annual “Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers” days, he added to that message, saying “Charge ahead, and don’t be afraid to fail!”
Odetallah’s talk came in between impromptu trivia contests (for t-shirts and candy!), as the bus full of students rolled down the road from the tour of Novus’ research farm, Green Acres.
“We have to try something to know if we fit into it. And if we fail that’s not the end of the world. The most important thing is do not hesitate and don’t be scared!”
He says the Novus attitude is that failure teaches them more and helps the company reach its goals of providing better animal and human nutritional products. In fact, Odetallah says probably 10 percent or more of the employees at Novus started in a different section of the company and were moved, sometimes several times, to make a better fit for the worker and Novus.
He advises the students to come up with ideas outside of the norm.
[While it's important to meet certain standards], if you want success in life, you have to think outside of the box, outside of your outline.”
Odetallah adds that you have to keep in mind how the world is getting smaller through all the connections people make, and look for ways to enhance those connections through learning new languages and cultures.
“The more you plant, the more you reap.”
Great words of wisdom.
It’s a great conversation, and you can hear more of it in the player below.
Our friends at Farm Foundation are hosting another one of their talks that help bring out a variety of viewpoints to solve the problems facing agriculture today. This latest one will focus on trade issues and will take place on Tuesday, May 4 and will include the following presenters:
* Richard Fritz of Global AgriTrends, who will focus on global trade issues in the meat and poultry sectors,
* David Abler of Penn State University, who will discuss non-tariff measures,
* John Wainio of USDA’s Economic Research Service, focusing on regional trade agreements, and
* Jean-Philipe Gervais of North Carolina State University, whose essay, “Moving Agricultural Trade Liberalization Forward to Improve Global Food Security,” won the Global Food Security Category of Farm Foundation’s 30-Year Challenge Policy Competition.
Farm Foundation President Neil Conklin will introduce the presenters. Following the presentations, the discussion will be moderated by Charlotte Hedebrand of the International Food & Agricultural Trade Policy Council.
The forum runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington D.C. But you need to hurry and make your reservation by noon tomorrow, April 30. More information is available on Farm Foundation’s Web site. It’s free, and they’ll even provide the coffee.
This is how you celebrate National Hamburger Month. How about a Culvers BBQ Cheddar Butterburger? I wonder when the nutrition police will decide it’s illegal? Think Demolition Man.
Culver’s introduces a new ButterBurger to help celebrate National Hamburger Month in May. Culver’s is now serving the BBQ Cheddar ButterBurger with fresh, never-frozen 100 percent U.S. beef, savory BBQ sauce, Wisconsin Cheddar cheese and cooked-to-order with a choice of your favorite condiments. In fact, the variety of topping choices at Culver’s should keep a ButterBurger enthusiast busy for the entire month, given there are 5,040 unique combinations.
After enjoying the ButterBurger, guests are encouraged to visit Culver’s on Facebook at www.culvers.com/facebook to share thoughts about the new ButterBurger and take the Burger versus Brisket poll.
“The ButterBurger is Culver’s signature sandwich and the cornerstone of our menu,” says Jim Doak, Culver’s Director of Research and Menu Development, and Executive Chef. “What a better way to help our guests celebrate National Hamburger Month than with a new ButterBurger.”
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has just released its latest National Resources Inventory, which shows the amazing environment success that is American agriculture.
American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman did a nice little editorial about why the nation’s farmers and ranchers should be proud to show this environmental report card to Mother Nature.
The latest National Resources Inventory (NRI) report, released April 27 by the Agriculture Department’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, puts some substantial meat on the bones of an environmental message farmers and ranchers have long conveyed—that they are careful and caring stewards of our nation’s natural resources.
After scanning the massive NRI survey results, another very clear message has emerged: American agriculture is producing more with less. After looking over the NRI and the latest USDA productivity figures it becomes apparent that the shrinking environmental footprint of food and fiber production in the United States is the envy of the world.
The NRI is a compilation of a broad range of 50 years of data related to the environment, U.S. land use and productivity, water consumption and many other factors.
Analysis of the data by AFBF quantifies how farm and ranch productivity has increased over the past two and a half decades, while at the same time environmental performance and water quality have been improving. Again, more with less. (more…)
Growers have just two weeks left to take advantage of Headline Advantage.
The BASF Corporation Headline Advantage program offers eligible growers to opportunity to receive $75 per gallon back from BASF on purchases of Headline® fungicide.
To qualify, growers need to purchase their Headline fungicide by May 15, 2010 and submit a receipt along with a completed application to BASF. Complete terms and conditions are available on headlineadvantage.com, or ask your local authorized BASF retailer for details.
I did a quick interview this afternoon with BASF Technical Market Manager Nick Fassler about the program and why BASF is offering the cash back to growers, which you can listen to here:
Thanks to alert AgWired community member Leigh Ann we now know that there is a Keep Food Safe Blog. She retweeted someone who tweeted the alert originally. Are you getting this viral thing?
Practical information and tips from the experts to help you and your family stay food safe.
The original tweet comment was, “Who knew?” Yes indeed. How does anyone know it’s there? Did you? I didn’t. But now we all do.
Follow our government as it tweets on food safety on Twitter too. First time I’ve seen a Twitter profile disclaimer about their followers: “Our follows are not endorsements of contents/authors” Must be a govt. atty. thing.
As if you can’t tell already, I had a blast during the NAMA conference last week in Kansas City. I especially had fun spending time with the 31 student teams that competed in this year’s Student Marketing Competition. I did, however, have a special place in my heart for my Alma mater, Iowa State University. I had an opportunity to spend some time with them during the week and they are a fantastic group of students. I look forward to working with them, as well as all the students at the conference, in the near future.
“The check is in the mail” or so the student scholarship winners were told as their names were announced during the student luncheon that was held last week during the 2010 National NAMA conference. Fifteen students won scholarships that ranged from $500 to $4,000 and knowing how college students can be, Curt Blades, with Successful Farming, joked that the envelopes were empty so that they didn’t blow their money on extra-curricular activities. However, the plaques – they were real!
Now, announcing the 2009-2010 Student Award Winners:
$4,000 Scholarship Successful Farming/Fergie Ferguson
Amanda Sollman – Michigan State University
$1,000 Colle+McVoy/New Holland Scholarship
Melissa Short – University of Florida
$1,000 MoKan Scholarship
Kerri Bates – Kansas State University
$1,000 ABEF Scholarships
Danielle Brown – University of Wisconsin – Madison
Carly Cummings – Iowa State University
Katie Dogs – University of Wisconsin – Madison
Sarah Butterfield – The Ohio State University
Kayla Lehman – Michigan State University
Jamie Thomas – New Mexico State University
Lauren Tatum – New Mexico State University
$500 ABEF Scholarships
Kristin Witte – University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Kelsey Olson – University of Wisconsin – Madison
Elizabeth Burns-Thompson – Iowa State University
Scott Henry – Iowa State University
Karoline Kastanek – Univ. of Nebraska – Lincoln
Last week during the National Agricultural Marketing Association’s (NAMA) annual conference the students arrived in mass to compete in the Student Marketing Competition. But that is not all they engaged in while they were in Kansas City. They were also honored with dozens of awards and scholarships including five chapters who were honored with the John Deere Signature Awards that were started by Michael Gustafson, who also won the “Hard Ass” award for his role as a judge in the competition.
The awards are given to the student chapters based on a scale that includes student participation in NAMA activities.
This year the winners are….
1st Place – Iowa State University -$3,000
2nd Place – University of Florida – $2,000
3rd Place – New Mexico State University – $1,000
4th Place – Illinois State University – $500
5th Place – University of Wisconsin Madison – $500
If you weren’t one of the select few invited to see President Obama speak at the POET Biorefining plant in Macon, MO yesterday then don’t despair (you probably weren’t anyway). I’ve got you covered. Here’s his full remarks in video for you.
Cindy has written a good editorial on his remarks on Domestic Fuel you might want to read. I agree with her that his message really lacked substance and was disappointing to corn growers and farmers. He had a great chance to bring a really positive message and perhaps use the stage to announce some progress in the politics of ethanol and other biofuels like biodiesel. However, he didn’t. I think it’s great that the President chose to visit and bring attention to ethanol but he only mentioned the word agriculture in referring to the state and national directors of agriculture in attendance and never mentioned corn even though he was standing next to a full bucket load of it. I take it that the industry still has its work cut out for it in Washington, DC.
I recently spoke with Sara Truesdale-Mooney, the Show Director for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). This past January, AEM held its first agricultural trade show, the Ag Connect Expo. Sara told me that it was a great first show. “We are very pleased with the results and it really exceeded all of our expectations for a first-time event.”
The next Ag Connect Expo will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, January 7-10, 2011 at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. So far, the educational program is taking shape and Sara said it will be bigger, better and have more offerings. AEM is also planning to expand the Innovations Center as well as adding days and sessions on the show floor as well as more seating. Sara noted that all the sessions were full this past January.
While next year’s show is still a work in progress, Sara said that they are taking into account all the feedback from the attendee surveys and focus groups to ensure that the next show will be even better. Next year there will be a broader scope of exhibits, more floor space and they will bring back their signature elements.
On a closing note, Sara mentioned that Ag Connect Expo has been selected to participate U.S. Department of Commerce’s Buyer Program. Approximately 35 shows are selected for the program each year, and this will be the second year Ag Connect has been selected.
Registration opens in August but you can pre-register now by going www.agconnectexpo.com.
You can learn more about the Summit by listening to my interview with Sara.
Agricultural communications is an important and broad industry and there are several organizations that focus on professional development for ag communicators. One such organization is the American Ag Editors’ Association (AAEA), but don’t let the name fool you. This organization is made up of people involved in ag communications from editors to public relations professionals to designers to publishers and once a year, they get together for the Ag Media Summit. (You can follow Cindy Zimmerman each year who attends the event.)
I caught up with Den Gardner, the Executive Director for the organization, during the 2010 National Agricultural Marketing Associations annual conference in Kansas City. He told me that their 12th Annual Ag Media Summit will be in St. Paul, Minn. July 24-28, 2010. AAEA collaborates with the livestock publications as well as the Agri Council of Business Media to put on the conference that is growing each year. Gardner expects that more than 600 people will attend this summer and just in case you can’t tell, Den is a HUGE Minnesota Twins fan and the attendees have the opportunity to “go to the ballgame.”
However, you don’t have to be a professional to learn a lot during the summit. The AAEA student organization is the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) and they hold their conference in the same location just prior to the summit. Many of the students stay for the Ag Media Summit as well.
All told, Gardner said that they are becoming one of the largest ag communicators events in the country. So if you don’t want to miss out, registration opens on May 1, 2010 and you can learn more about the conference and register online at www.agmediasummit.com.
You can also listen to my interview with Den below.
“I feel like I’ve made 300 of the best friends I’ve ever had,” said Paul Mobley, author of the new photographic book, “American Farmer” when describing how photographing farmers around America has changed his life. Paul never set out to put together a collection of photos taken of farmers around the world – he happened upon the opportunity when he went up to his cabin to get away from his career as a portrait photographer.
As the story goes…he walks into a cafe one morning for breakfast and sees four farmers gathered around a table having breakfast. One of the men hadn’t shaved for a week and suddenly, he felt compelled to take their photo. Three plus years and 37 states later, the result is a stunning collection of photography and stories that tell the story of the American Farmer.
I had the opportunity to speak with Paul after the closing luncheon during the 2010 NAMA conference. I asked him how this book has changed his life. “I feel like its changed me on so many levels….I walk the earth with so much kindness grace and humility and I got it all from you guys,” he said.
However, what he has enjoyed the most are the people outside of agriculture who have come to embrace the industry since reading his book.
I asked Paul about any future projects and he said that he has been approached by several people who would like to turn “American Farmer” into a documentary and he is also exploring the opportunity for a traveling exhibition. You can order a signed copy of his book at www.paulmobleystudio.com and you can listen to Paul’s interview below.
Today President Obama made his first visit to an ethanol plant since taking office. His message focused on achieving the American dream and rebuilding the economy with renewable fuels playing a key role. The photo below is me with the podium behind me. I got too busy when he was here to get it done again.
Here are some excerpts from his prepared remarks (Word doc). He didn’t stick to it completely but you can listen to his recorded remarks below.
I’ve also got a photo album from today too: President Obama POET Biorefining Photo Album
Ten years ago next month, this plant produced its first gallon of ethanol. Today, 45 employees produce 46 million gallons a year. So one of you is overachieving. Congratulations to all of you.
In the two years I spent running for President and visiting towns like these, a lot of folks talked about how the American Dream was getting harder and harder to reach. Families were having a tough time getting ahead. Farmers were having a tough time getting by. And worse, many of our young people grew convinced that their only chance to find opportunity was to seek it someplace else.
But success stories like POET prove that doesn’t have to be the case. And I believe we can help companies like yours replicate them across the country.
So there shouldn’t be any doubt that renewable, homegrown fuels are a key part of our strategy for a clean energy future – a future of new industries, new jobs in towns like Macon, and new independence.
Here at POET, you do more than just help stake America’s claim on that future. You stake Macon’s claim on America’s future. And I’m committed to making sure that communities like this one have a bright future of opportunity to look forward to. Thank you, everybody.
One of the big highlights of Novus International’s 2nd annual “Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers” days was the time the students were able to spend with the horses at Novus’ research farm … AKA Green Acres. And let’s face it, meeting the Missouri Colleges Fund scholars sure seemed to be a treat for the horses.
One person who dived right in, literally both hands, was Hannibal-LaGrange College in Hannibal, Mo. junior Hannah Crain … who it was easy to tell has horses of her own (gotta love the expression on her face … and the face of the horse!).
But while giving the horse a good rub down was fun, she says she was most impressed with Novus’ commitment to the environment.
“Today, I’ve been learning about the importance of using and protecting what your environment has given you,” and she’s impressed with how Novus is helping to take care of the Earth, while building the ag economy.
Crain, who is majoring in biology education and pre-med, sees a real, practical application of what she’s learning at Novus.
“[The farm] shows that they care about real-life applications and that they are trying to connect with the general public and their customers and are willing to do everything they can to make products that are safe and healthy.”
She says Novus is definitely the kind of place she could see herself working at one day. Maybe if they give her her own horse, that might seal the deal!
We are going to try and bring you live audio of President Obama’s speech at the POET ethanol plant in Macon, Missouri via cell phone and Ustream since there is no good internet access at the site and aircards don’t work well for live broadcasts. Speech is scheduled to begin at 12:55 central time.
Post update: Way better audio available now for download in player below.
Students taking part in Novus International’s 2nd annual “Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers” days have had the chance to tour the animal health company’s research farm, better known as “Green Acres,” in Montgomery County, Missouri … a rare treat for visitors to Novus.
Meeting the group at the farm was Novus’ manager of product research, Skip Hampton, who was able to give the students some insight into how the company operates their facilities, in particular, their poultry product testing areas.
“Really, what we wanted to show them is what we do at Novus, how we do things, and how you can do agriculture in a sustainable fashion and generate as little waste as possible and do it economically.”
Hampton says the setup at the farm is close to how the industry operates.
“We’re trying to mimic things that are done in industry so it’s comparing apples to apples, to make sure that what’s relevant here is relevant in the industry.”
He adds that a tour of Novus’ research farm is just another example of how the company can educate in more ways than one.
More of my interview with Skip is available in the player below.
In this week's program Chuck talks with David Armano, Global Innovation and Integration.
David conducted a presentation on delivering expert opinion via social media to an audience at the start of International Poultry Expo week. He's got some great information about who consumers trust and how you can use today's consumer behavior to help communicate your message.
Anna Arthur, a sophomore majoring in biological chemistry and minoring in psychology at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo., was typical of that engaged attitude (you can’t believe how much she wanted to win a t-shirt during the impromptu trivia contests during the tour!). She really seemed to cling to about every word the Novus staff had to say … not bad considering she wasn’t even sure she was going to be able to make it.
“It really opened my eyes to the fact that even if your major is in just one area of science that can still be brought into marketing aspects or sales aspects or all different areas which I never really thought about before.” She adds that it’s good to know Novus gives employees chances to advance and move through the company and is the kind of place where she might like to work one day after graduation.
The 
“I feel like I’ve made 300 of the best friends I’ve ever had,” said Paul Mobley, author of the new photographic book, “American Farmer” when describing how photographing farmers around America has changed his life. Paul never set out to put together a collection of photos taken of farmers around the world – he happened upon the opportunity when he went up to his cabin to get away from his career as a portrait photographer.
I had the opportunity to speak with Paul after the closing luncheon during the 2010 NAMA conference. I asked him how this book has changed his life. “I feel like its changed me on so many levels….I walk the earth with so much kindness grace and humility and I got it all from you guys,” he said.
In this week's program Chuck talks with David Armano, Global Innovation and Integration.
