Author Chris Butterworth received the Foundation’s fifth annual “Book of the Year” award during the recent AFBF annual meeting. The book shows young readers how each ingredient made its journey to their lunchbox with illustrations by artist Lucia Gaggiotti that highlight many aspects of farming and include information on food safety and nutrition.

Butterworth, a native of England, is the author of more than 70 nonfiction books for children, covering a diverse range of issues.

“There’s always something else to find out about, and writing about a thing is the best way to find out about it,” said Butterworth. “I started writing information books when my own children were little. I couldn’t find the sort of book I wanted them to read, so I wrote one of my own.”

The Book of the Year award is part of the foundation’s effort to identify “accurate ag books,” a data base that now includes more than 400 books for children, teenagers and adults. In addition to their accuracy, Book of the Year selections are educational, reflect farmers’ and ranchers’ love for the land and what they do, create positive public perceptions about agriculture, inspire readers to learn more and touch their readers’ lives as well as tell the farmer’s story.

It was a challenge that the national FFA officer team for 2010-11 took seriously. The students immediately began work- framing key questions, consulting FFA members, engaging leaders in agriculture, compiling input and formulating recommendations.

Okay. On the surface it looks and sounds nice that the government wants to do something to encourage youth in agriculture. We certainly do! But . . . Here’s more from FFA. I’ve highlighted section that immediately drew my attention and comment below.

“Never before had we been invited to submit direct input to the Secretary of Agriculture that could enhance the ability of agricultural education and FFA to help students succeed and strengthen American agriculture,” said Riley Pagett, national FFA President, 2010-11. “We were honored to be invited to be a part of this process.”

Items that were recommended were as follows: USDA and other agencies should encourage and assist beginning farmers to start or continue in production agriculture; USDA should help transition farms from older related and non-related farmers to younger of beginner farmers who may not come from a farm; USDA should help keep young people in rural communities and make rural communities an even more important part of our nation’s economy and society; USDA should support efforts to increase the public’s knowledge of agricultural literacy; USDA should strengthen the capacity of agricultural education o produce more students that pursue production agriculture and other agriculturally related careers and the USDA should provide authority, responsibility and support for school-based agricultural education and FFA.

So, FFA student leaders, everything you mention here is all asking USDA to do something for you. As in “USDA should . . . ” Where’s the money for that going to come from? Are you sure you want more involvement fromt he government in your business or potential business? I think it’s great that the Secretary invited you in but I’d urge caution before you ask for too much, if anything. I think you’d be better off talking with agribusiness leadership about stand alone private practice programs to help you get established in farming or make transitions on your farm. These things are being done. I think most agribusiness companies would be quite willing to talk with you about that. Then maybe we wouldn’t need the government to “take care of us.” What do you think?

Float Mobile’s parent company is the Iona Group. Chad says the company has a deep history working with agribusiness companies like GROWMARK, Pioneer and Bayer. He says, “There’s a great amount of demand in the marketplace to put the right information in the right people’s hands at the right time.” He says that when growers need information they’re often away from the computer and out in the field. Examples include working with clients to put mobile and updated information in the hands of sales staff at a farm show. Tablets like an iPad or Android device are very cost effective for this purpose. In fact, Chad says mobile application development is surprisingly affordable. He says these applications are simple and do one or two things very well. Float Mobile uses a S3D Process with their clients which means Strategy, Design, Develop, Deliver. He says they work quickly since the whole mobile device world is changing rapidly today.

To learn more about Float Mobile Learning listen in to this week’s program: Float Mobile Learning

Check out their 2012 predictions for the Mobile Landscape on their blog.

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our Subscribe page.

He says his job was to talk about why agricultural markets have been so wild the last several years and why they’ll continue to be volatile for years to come. He says one of the reasons is an “ordinary garden variety one” which is weather. Sometimes people forget that he said. He says they’re watching agricultural land markets vary carefully. And of course he mentions farm policy and the farm bill and the efforts in Washington, DC recently. When it comes to tight corn stocks he says the smallest piece of news is having an impact on markets and he expects that to continue for the next several years. Hear some more of his outlook in my interview.

You can listen to my interview with Patrick here: Patrick Westhoff Interview

St. Louis Agribusiness Club Meeting Photo Album

This is the 19th year for the program, sponsored by the GROWMARK System and FS member cooperatives, in conjunction with state FFA leaders, to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues impacting agriculture, and understand the unique role of cooperatives. This year, students will focus on three questions: What benefits do co-ops provide their member-owners? How do co-ops improve the quality of life in their communities? How do co-ops contribute to economic growth throughout the world?

The contest is open to all high school FFA members in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Essays should be approximately 500 words, typed and double-spaced. The postmarked entry deadline for Iowa FFA members is February 15. The postmarked entry deadline for Illinois and Wisconsin FFA members is March 15. Additional program details have been sent to agriculture teachers and are online at www.growmark.com.

Megan Silcott, the president of the non-profit I Love Farmers…The Feed My Soul organization says, “Our goal is to create conversations about American agriculture with college students and to disseminate materials that will lead them to credible sources of information about food and agriculture.”

“GROWMARK invests more than $45,500 annually on scholarships. We’re investing today for a return tomorrow,” says Steve German, GROWMARK member employment manager, pictured here at the scholarship luncheon during the recent GROWMARK annual meeting. “There’s a need for agriculture businesses to support formal education to strengthen agriculture.”

The students from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin all received GROWMARK-sponsored scholarships this year, joining hundreds more who have been helped by the cooperative over since the early 1960s. Today, they are awarded to students majoring in agriculture or accounting at 15 universities and colleges. Each educational institution is responsible for the selection process and awarding scholarships. University scholarship recipients are honored each year at the GROWMARK Annual Meeting in Chicago.

Find out who all received the awards on the GROWMARK Blog.

The University of Illinois Agricultural Communications Program is a dual program between the College of Media and College of ACES. In recognition of Jim Evans’ many years of exemplary service and as a driving force behind the development of the Agricultural Communications Program, the endowed chair is being established in his name. To achieve this goal, $2 million in funds are needed. To make a gift to the fund, visit http://agcomm.aces.illinois.edu/donate.

Rupert has a charitable organization called, “Rupert’s Kids” which is “dedicated to serving an easily overlooked population of youth: those that have become too old for the youth social service system, but are not old enough for the adult social service system. We teach these youth valuable skills and trades, while also empowering them to discover their inner strengths, passions and interests.” I heard him speak about the work his organization is doing and the fact that they’ve never taken any government money. That message alone was well worth bringing to your attention. With donations lagging due to the economy he’s turned to some very creative ways to create funding that includes his own branded video games.

Rupert is from Indiana and is also a big supporter of home grown fuel like ethanol, one of the sponsors of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Listen to my interview with Rupert here: Interview with Rupert

2011 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Photo Album

During a brief presentation by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) CEO Forrest Roberts, he updated the cattle producers on how the campaign is coming along. Roberts said that this is the largest agricultural communications effort of its kind and the goal is to speak with “one voice”. He said this is not a campaign, but a long-term movement that would foster a two-way dialogue with key influencers, policymakers and consumers.

During the meeting, the first phase of the campaign was officially kicked off – farmer and rancher activation. He stressed that in order for this movement to be effective, ranchers and farmers across the country would need to speak out.

Weldon Wynn, a rancher from Star City, Arkansas who is a member of the CBB Executive Committee, said there are 49 different organizations involved ranging from cattle ranchers to corn and soybean organizations to vegetable growers, and they have a budget of $10 million dollars. This has allowed them to kick off the initiative they are promoting during the conference and that is to get the consumer involved and the producer involved. Wynn said they need to learn about how safe their food is and grassroots efforts are the only way this is going to happen.

Both Wynn and Roberts stressed the importance of getting farmers and ranchers involved, which you can do here. They asked that you fill out their survey here and also sign up to be one of the “voices of agriculture.”

Listen to my interview with Weldon Wynn here: Weldon Wynn Discusses USFRA Efforts

Listen to Forrest Robert’s comments regarding the initiatives of the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance here: Update on USFRA Beef Campaign

Photos from the conference will be posted to this photo album: 2011 Cattle Industry Summer Conference Photo Album. Check it often as we add to it over the next several days.

I spoke with Nancy Barcus, Director of Leader Development Programs for Agriculture Future of America. “AFA works with college men and women and young professionals just entering the work force to provide academic scholarship support, career and leader development training, and assist finding intern or other work experiences to help them get into full time employment,” Nancy told me.

AgCareers.com is one of the industry partners that support AFA’s career development and scholarship program. “We’re really well aligned organizations,” Nancy says. “A lot of things that AgCareers is trying to do for the industry to understand what the needs are and bring colleges and universities to the table at a roundtable like this with employers are similar to what we do.”

Listen to my interview with Nancy here: Nancy Barcus with AFA

Nancy reminded me that Chuck interviewed her just recently at the NAMA where she was a hall monitor!

2011 AgCareers Ag HR Roundtable photo album.

Both Igo and Howard have grown up in the beef industry and since doing their undergraduate work, Igo at Texas A & M University and Howard at CSU, they have known they would build careers in the industry. Igo’s thesis is focused on the National Beef Quality Audit and is conducting face-to-face interviews in phase 1. She is talking to everyone from the feeders to the grocery stores to restaurants to see what they want from their beef products. Howard’s research is focused on beef tenderness and is in the process of conducting a beef tenderness survey.

“These two outstanding students are very deserving of the W.D. Farr Scholarships,” said Linda Davis, a NCF Trustee and chair of the W.D. Farr Scholarship Committee. “They not only excel academically, but also have demonstrated true leadership qualities and the character needed to stand out in their fields after finishing their degrees. The beef industry will be well-served by furthering the educations and careers of these fine young people.”

During an interview I asked both Igo and Howard how winning the scholarship will help move their academics forward. Howard said it will allow him to become engrossed in his research and give him the ability to commit wholeheartedly to his project. Igo hopes that the scholarship will help her research make a difference as well as give her a springboard for her entry into the industry.

Igo is graduating in May of 2012 and Howard in 2013. I anticipate they will both be in high demand, so the beef industry will need to take note – there will be some great competition to hire these amazing young students.

Listen to my interview with Jessica Igo and Scott Howard here: W.D. Farr Scholarship Winners

Photos from the conference will be posted to this photo album: 2011 Cattle Industry Summer Conference Photo Album. Check it often as we add to it over the next several days.

AgCareers president Eric Spell says they had over 145 attendees on Monday and today about 190 are at the 9th annual event to discuss recruitment and retention of talent in the agribusiness industry. “Some companies are sending 3, 4 or even 5 attendees,” Eric says. “We do have 90 employers represented, which is by far the most we’ve ever had.”

While higher education for agribusiness executive positions is always important, Eric says there is a bigger focus on careers in skilled labor jobs. “Skilled labor is custom applicators in the agronomy sector, service technicians in the farm equipment industry, GPS positions in the equipment industry,” Eric says. “They’re skilled trade positions, they’re valued, and sometimes they even pay more than a four year degree.” He notes that about a third of the 2300 jobs listed on AgCareers.com right now are skilled labor positions.

Listen to my interview with Eric here: AgCareers president Eric Spell Interview

2011 AgCareers Ag HR Roundtable photo album.

At the opening of the AgCareers.com North American Ag HR Roundtable on Monday, Dr. Allan Gray, director of the Center for Food and Agricultural Business at Purdue, presented some new findings from a survey of agribusiness company CEOs on what they consider the most important internal and external factors impacting human resources in the industry, as well as what leadership competencies they expect to need in the future.

“From an external perspective, not a lot of surprises,” Gray says. “The economic environment we’re in and the uncertainty associated with that and what’s happening with farmers” were most important. On the internal side, Gray says he was surprised by the importance the CEOs placed on marketing functions. “I suspect that’s a reflection of the changing nature of their customer base as farmers are becoming more differentiated, larger and more sophisticated.”

Under leadership competency, the clear front runner is people leadership, but Gray was interested to see that the CEOs ranked thought leadership – strategic and innovation thinking – lowest. “It was a bit surprising to me because we think that thought leadership is going to be critically important in an environment with so much uncertainty and so much change taking place,” he said.

So far, Gray says 59 agribusiness CEOs have responded to the survey and they expect more yet. The purpose of the survey is to “measure the gaps between what we need in the industry” and what our current levels of leadership competency are, and then develop educational programs to fill that gap.

He also talked about the importance of partnerships between educational institutions and corporations, such as LEAP, an Executive Agribusiness Program at Purdue sponsored by Land O’ Lakes.

Find out more in my interview with Dr. Gray here: Dr. Allan Gray Interview

2011 AgCareers Ag HR Roundtable photo album.

That’s really what the 2011 AgCareers.com North American Ag HR Roundtable is all about. To kick off the 9th annual event, being held this year at Purdue University, we were welcomed Monday afternoon by the Dean of Agriculture for the university Dr. Jay Akridge.

“Really the long term prospects for this industry are so bright, dealing with a growing population and increased need for food,” Dean Akridge said. “At the same time, it’s an industry that’s buffeted by tremendous change. So, this idea of how we manage for today, yet keep our eyes on tomorrow is really a fundamental issue as we prepare talent for the next generation.”

Dr. Akridge says Purdue was pleased to host the Ag HR Roundtable. “This is what we do, we’re an educational institution, we develop human capital,” he said. In addition, the event has become a great way to bring educators and employers together to work in partnership for the future of the industry.

Listen to or download my interview with Dr. Akridge here: Purdue Dean of Agriculture Interview

The Ag HR Roundtable continues through Wednesday – twitter hashtag is #AgRT if you want to follow along. Check out photos from the event in the 2011 AgCareers Ag HR Roundtable photo album.

GROWMARK, Inc. announced today a $100,000 award to the University of Illinois initiative between the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) and the College of Media designed to address the growing need for effective communications in the fast-changing world of agriculture, food, feed, fiber, bio-energy and rural development.

“There has never been a more critical time for agriculture to speak clearly and effectively as an industry,” says Ann Hastings Kafer (Ag Comm ’86) and GROWMARK Director of Corporate Communications and Marketing Services. “GROWMARK is excited to support the Evans Endowed Chair in Ag Communications because this faculty position will advance such clarity through undergrad curriculum and professional education for all involved in this great industry. I know our investment will yield great returns.”

“I just feel like it’s a very exciting time to be in agribusiness,” says Eric Spell, president of AgCareers.com. He should know, since they have been specializing in human resource services to the agriculture and food industry for nearly 15 years now, starting out as a print newsletter. “Year to date, we’ve had 23,000 jobs posted on our site, and we’ve had just over 50,000 applications to jobs on our site,” said Eric. In 2010, there over 36,000 agribusiness jobs in North America were posted on AgCareers.com with nearly 22,000 jobs posted in the Midwest region alone!

In addition to the job board, AgCareers.com offers a number of other services and tools for human resource professionals, including the upcoming 9th AgCareers.com Ag HR Roundtable, August 1 – 3, 2011 in West Lafayette, Indiana, which is being hosted this year by ADM and Purdue University. Eric says the event brings together agribusiness employers, professional organizations and college career counselors “to talk about issues facing the recruitment and retention of entry level and professional level talent in our industry.”

This year for the first time, the HR Roundtable will be followed by the 2011 National Academic Programs Summit with the theme of “Creating Change: Reforming Curricula for a 21st Century Education” where participants will be able to receive input from the agribusiness employers at the roundtable on what changes they would like to see in preparing young people for careers in the industry.

AgWired will be blogging the Ag HR Roundtable this year and finding out more about this important topic that impacts everyone in the agribusiness industry. In the meantime, listen to this edition of the ZimmCast featuring my interview with Eric Spell of AgCareers.com: Growing AgCareers with Eric Spell

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our Subscribe page.

Rebecca says the devastation in the Gulf of Mexico last year spurred them to look into more alternatives to oil. So they did some checking to find out the truths about our main alternative fuel source, ethanol, and had their eyes opened when they looked into the myths surrounding the industry and the fuel. They spoke to experts on all sides of the debate including the authors of anti-ethanol studies.

They chose the title, “FREEDOM,” because event though we were promised by our current President in his election campaign that he would bring our troops home from the Middle East, we have actually increased the number of our soldiers there. Developing our own renewable fuel choices would give us freedom from that situation. They also point out the complete lack of a fuel choice at the pump and say that’s not freedom either.

The couple is embarking on a 30-city FREEDOM bus tour to promote their new film and you can see the schedule and find out more about the project on their website. You can watch and purchase the film there. They are producing a 90 minute theatrical version of the film too.

You may want to consider purchasing the film to show to your neighbors and friends or your favorite skeptic. How about sending a copy to your elected leaders? It’s great for generating conversation!

2011 FEW Photo Album

Our coverage of the 2011 Fuel Ethanol Workshop was made possible by the Renewable Fuels Association.

Selected for the Glenn Kummerow Memorial Scholarship of $5,000 is Carah Hart of the University of Missouri-Columbia. Carah is a junior, majoring in Agricultural Journalism, and has been patiently awaiting the year when she could apply for the scholarship—as she’s dreamed for some time of becoming
a Farm Director for a Midwest station or network.

Columbia University Graduate Student, Nathan Vickers, is a recipient of one of two $4,000 scholarships. Nathan plans to graduate from Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism in New York in June of 2012. He received his undergraduate degree in Communications/Journalism from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri.

Nathan’s family farm roots run deep in Southwest Missouri and he is excited about the prospect of applying his hard-work ethic toward his goal of becoming an ag journalist on the national stage.

The Foundation’s second $4,000 awardee is Texas Tech Junior Lauren Bogel. Lauren, who is majoring in Agricultural Communications, grew up on her family crop farm and cattle and horse ranch in New Mexico.

When she is home she works with the family company to manage and maintain farm equipment, and also has her own detailing business. During her time at Texas Tech, she has worked with Ramar Communications and Ag Talk 950 in Lubbock, getting experience in reporting, writing, sales, editing, scheduling and research.

You can read more about these scholarship recipients in the NAFB Foundation newsletter (pdf).

The FFA’s 2011 New Century Farmer program is designed to help young men and women who are pursuing a career in production agriculture.

The participants will take part in an intensive seminar July 24-30 in Johnston, Iowa where they will learn from each other and industry experts during a series of workshops and sessions. Topics will include the global marketplace, farm financing, demographic trends and risk management. New Century Farmers will hear from motivating and informative keynote speakers who will educate them on the risks and rewards involved with agriculture production. In addition to classroom learning, students will experience the latest developments in agricultural technology.

The New Century Farmer program is sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business; Rabo AgriFinance; Case IH; and CSX Corporation; with media partner Successful Farming as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

The Undergraduate Winner is Yakov Cepilov – Novosibirsk State University, Russia. Yakov will receive a $5,000 scholarship as part of his award.

Listen to an interview with Wai-Fun: Yakov Cepilov Interview

Presenting the awards were Dr. Mark Lyons and Dr. Inge Russell.

The Graduate Winner is Wai-Fun Leong – Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia. She will receive a $10,000 scholarship.

Listen to an interview with Wai-Fun: Wai-Fun Leong Interview

The Alltech Young Scientist Award brings together the world’s brightest scientific thinkers from colleges and universities across the globe. To compete for the top prizes, undergraduate and graduate students are asked to register and submit a scientific paper on an agricultural topic such as veterinary science, animal feed technology, agricultural developments or agriculture management.

The 2012 competition will comprise of 10 regions. The 3 best regional winners on each category will then have the opportunity to compete in the Global Phase, which will take place in Lexington, Kentucky, USA at Alltech’s Annual International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium in May 2012. Undergraduate and graduate students will compete separately at each phase.

Follow the action on the Alltech Innovations Blog, including photos, interviews and there will be live streaming of certain sessions.

2011 Alltech Symposium Photo Album

“It really is an exciting year,” Novus International Chief Sustainability Officer Joyce Cacho said during the company’s recent “Science in Action” day. “We started celebrating in January in India, we’re currently celebrating in China and we will have a really wonderful celebration here at global headquarters with our customers in June and the fun continues throughout the year.”

You can listen to or download my interview with Joyce here: Joyce Cacho

Part of the celebration will be the long-awaited unveiling of Leo the water organ. The students who visited Novus as part of “Science in Action” day got a sneak preview of Leo from Tricia Beal, Global Communications Director.

“Leo is a water organ based on the codexes of Leonardo da Vinci,” Tricia explains in the video. “We are composing music and actually creating a documentary on the history of this water organ.” The instrument, which is really a work of art, will make music depending on the amount of water flowing through the pipes. It will be officially unveiled, with music, May 6 at the Novus Annual Art Walk benefiting the Arts and Education Council.

Novus Science in Action Day 2011 Photos

Get a sneak peak of Leo here:

This is the eighteenth year for the program, sponsored by the GROWMARK System and FS member cooperatives, in conjunction with state FFA leaders, to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues in agriculture, and understand the unique role of cooperatives.

Russ is a board member of the ABEF and I visited with him at the recent Agri-Marketing Conference. He says he got involved because he was a student NAMA member and got hired right away into the job he still holds today. He sees the ABEF as a way to give something back for having such a rewarding career. He is a judge for the student NAMA marketing competition and that allows him an opportunity to see prospective new hires for not only his company but perhaps recommendations he can make to other agrimarketing professionals and clients.

Russ also points to the Vision2020 project which was launched earlier this year:

Named ‘Vision2020,’ the new initiative seeks to raise up to $4 million over the next 10 years for college student scholarships, student and young professional development programs, and support of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) Student Program. Funding may also be made available for outreach to high school juniors and seniors, promoting careers in Ag business, marketing and communications.

Listen to Russ give you some good reasons to support the ABEF: Russ Parker Interview

The science scholarship students from Missouri colleges included: Jacob Cook, Southwest Baptist University; Jania Billups, Avila University; Rebecca Brehe, Central Methodist University; Gina Osburn, Culver Stockton College; A. J. Exner, Southwest Baptist University; Joshua Kling, Westminster College; Andrea Weed, William Woods University; Kristen Bailey, Central Methodist University; and Hannah Crain, Hannibal-LaGrange College. The professors who were able to attend were Dr. Bob Powell, Avila University; Dr. Perry Tompkins, Dean, Southwest Baptist University; Dr. Angela Bowzer, Westminster College and Dr. Katricia Pierson, William Woods University. We already met the FFA representatives Christopher Bell, FFA Regional Director and National Officers Shannon Norris and Landan Schaffert.

Yesterday, I featured some of the career possibilities these participants heard about during the Science in Action day. Today, we hear from the students and the professors about their experience.

Dr. Powell says it was a valuable education for the students to see science-based careers in the private sector. “That’s where many of the jobs are, and the best paying jobs,” he said. Dr. Pierson, who is chair of science and humanities at William Woods, says she learned a lot at the event. “What I found most interesting is that people with science backgrounds don’t get stuck in labs, they do a lot of other things.”

Andrea, a double major in English Literature and Biology, liked meeting the people in different departments at Novus. “It’s been really interesting seeing how passionate they all are,” she said. A.J., who has done mission trips to other countries, was fascinated by the important part that agriculture and companies like Novus play in helping to feed the world. “I’ve seen hunger firsthand, seen the kids on the streets, starving and asking for food,” he said. “And I see the hope in a company like Novus.”

“I learned more about how science really connects with business,” said Gina, who is majoring in biology and chemistry. Jacob, a biology major who hopes to become a teacher, was impressed by the variety of career opportunities. “I enjoyed learning about different things that I can do with science,” he said.

For most of the students, this was their first time taking part in the event and learning more about Novus International, but it was the third time that Hannah attended. “Every year it just gets better,” she told me. “It’s just so interesting to see how Novus is broadening their horizons.”

You can listen to comments from Science in Action participants here: Science in Action Participants

See more photos from the event here: Novus Science in Action Day 2011 Photos

Novus’ Senior Manager of Biology Research Jim Richards gave the students a glimpse into how Novus is using science to develop nutrition solutions to help feed a growing world population. “The thing that’s been been really interesting about being here is learning how I can apply my skills in cellular and molecular biology to very important problems in agriculture,” he said.

Research engineer Oriana Obiri-Ampomah told the students about growing up in Ghana and deciding to become a chemical engineer. “My vision has been to make a lasting impact on people’s lives and growing up in Africa, I know what it means for people to not necessarily have three square meals a day,” Oriana said. “So, to know that everyday the little work I do here will help change someone’s life is so important.”

The students learned about a non-traditional veterinarian job from Dr. Miguel Escobar, Global Director of Animal Utilization with the US Soybean Export Council, who appreciated the effort by Novus to expose science-minded college students to a variety of potential career paths. “I talked about what a veterinarian can do in his or her life,” he said. “It was a learning experience for me because it was the first time I thought about how I can help young people to go to the sciences in the future.”

You can listen to Jim, Orianna and Miquel’s comments here: Jim, Orianna and Miguel

The Novus “Science in Action” day also included a trip to the St. Louis Science Center, where the students heard from five staff members with a variety of different backgrounds in science and responsibilities at the center.

Life Sciences Gallery Lead Beth Prakash (pictured) showed off one of the center’s axolotl, a Mexican salamander. “We’ve got a project called ‘Axolotls in the Classroom’ where we loan these axolotls out to teachers and we provide them with care instructions and lessons plans on a variety of subjects,” she said.

Sarah Schoenlaub, Gallery Leader Physical Science, was a science education major with an emphasis on biology and now has a really fun job. “This has probably been the most fun job I’ve ever had,” she said. “I usually have to stop in the middle of meetings and say ‘Sorry guys, I have to go blow something up on a stage in front of a bunch of kids.”

The students also heard from Ecology and Environment Gallery Leader Kat Golden, who majored in environmental studies at Truman State; David Ritchey, associate director of the planetarium, who always had a love for astronomy even though his first career was in communications; and Jarel Loveless, manager of Annual Giving, who started as a journalist and now is a grant writer for the center.

You can listen to comments from Sarah, Kat, David, Jarel and Beth here: St. Louis Science Center

Next we’ll here from the participants of the 3rd annual “Science in Action” day.

See more photos from the event here: Novus Science in Action Day 2011 Photos

Christopher Bell with the FFA Foundation said it was a good opportunity for the officers to visit an agricultural company that is making a difference in the world. “Novus has put a lot of emphasis on sustainability in agriculture and that’s becoming one of our big initiatives in the FFA is making sure that our 523,000 students are practicing sustainable agriculture,” he said.

“I’m very passionate about agriculture and it’s great to come here today and visit with people from Novus and see the passion that they have for making a difference in the agriculture industry,” said National FFA Secretary Landan Schaffert of Colorado, pictured on the right next to Christopher listening to Novus’ Jim Richards on the laboratory portion of the tour.

Shannon Norris of New Mexico, who serves as Western Region Vice President for FFA, is pursuing a career in agricultural communications and possibly a doctorate in ruminant nutrition so she was very interested in getting to know the people at Novus. “It’s interesting to see how the mission of the company is intertwined with the values of each individual employee,” she said.

You can listen to my interview with Christopher, Landan and Shannon here: Interview with FFA representatives on Novus Science Day

Novus Science in Action Day 2011 Photos

The mission of the Missouri Colleges Fund is to acquire resources to help educate students at 16 member private liberal arts colleges in the state. President Mike Backer says they do that mainly through donations from companies like Novus. “Their first gift to the Missouri Colleges Fund was a check for student scholarships, but after they handed me the check, they said ‘what else can we do?’” Mike said. “This science day gives the students an opportunity to get out of the classroom and get more information about what they can do with their degree after they leave school.”

Each year, the Fund provides Novus with a book that includes student bios and photos and thank you cards, which Mike is shown here presenting to Dr. Joyce Cacho, Chief Sustainability Officer for Novus.

You can listen to my interview with Mike here: Interview With Mike Backer

Novus Science in Action Day 2011 Photos

About 20 students, teachers and advisors gathered for a little social last night near Novus headquarters in St. Charles and got to know a little more about each other and Novus. Dr. Scott Carter, Novus’ global poultry market manager, told them about his background and journey through academia into the world of global animal nutrition. “I have a PhD in nutrition and biotechnology and a BS degree in biochemistry,” Scott told them. “In agriculture we’re doing something very important. We’re feeding a hungry world and that’s going to be even more important in the future.”

You can listen to my interview with Scott here: Interview With Scott Carter

Kelly says these students represent “the fantastic future of agriculture.” She got involved to give back to the organization and see the ideas these students come up with. Listen in to our conversation: Kelly Loganbill Interview

2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album