Tom Sleight, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Grains Council since 2012, will retire this summer following the appointment of his successor, the Council’s Board of Directors announced this week at the organization’s membership meeting in Cartagena, Colombia. American Vanguard Corporation, parent company to AMVAC Chemical Corporation, is celebrating 50 years in business. The milestone is being honored …

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) molecular biologist, Elizabeth Ainsworth, is receiving the National Academy of Science’s Prize in Food and Agriculture Sciences. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer announced that the USDA, in cooperation with the Office of the United States Trade Representative, is accepting nominations for new members to serve on its agricultural trade …

During the past two weeks, 83 FFA members visited South Africa for a 12-day educational and cultural experience. Members participated in the 2019 International Leadership Seminar for State Officers as an annual, international opportunity through the National FFA Organization. K2 Insurance Services, LLC has announced the completion of the acquisition of the assets and operations of Mid-America Risk Managers, Inc. …

Nineteen innovation pioneers were announced as the 2019 Class of the National Inventors Hall of Fame®. 2019 Inductee David Walt invented Microwell Arrays, which help to improve crop disease resistance. The Corn Refiners Association announced that it has joined Farmers for Free Trade. U.S. Representatives Mike Bost (R-IL) and Al Lawson (D-FL) introduced bipartisan legislation to make more United States …

Farm Foundation‘s Food and Agricultural Trade Resource Center has released four new papers focused on trade principles shaping international agreements, as well as an analysis of the importance of trade to the U.S. economy. Rhea + Kaiser has added Debbie Cozzi to its Media team as a Media Buyer and promoted Sarah Sikorski to Digital Media Planner/Buyer. Bunge Limited announced …

NAMA has FOUR different award opportunities with upcoming deadlines. Winners of these prestigious awards will be honored at the 2019 Agri-Marketing Conference, April 10-12, in Kansas City, MO. Submission deadline is January 18, 2019. Contact Jenny Pickett at jennyp@nama.org for more information. Agri-Pulse is pleased to announce that Philip Brasher will be promoted to Executive Editor, expanding his role in …

The American Farm Bureau Federation is accepting online applications through Jan. 7, 2019, for five paid summer internships. The dates of AFBF’s internships are between mid-May and mid-August, depending on schedules, and will last 8 to 10 weeks. Visit https://www.fb.org/about/careers/category/internship for information on how to apply. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 7, 2019. MGEX, a Designated Contract Market and …

International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) announces the 2019 Exposure-4-Development tour, to Brazil, March 31-April 7, 2019. This week-long tour will provide an opportunity for 14 journalists to explore production, processing, and exports in Brazil’s Parana State. Renewable Energy Group, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has named Cynthia (CJ) Warner to the position of President and Chief Executive …

The National Corn Growers Association Nominating Committee reminds interested members that it is now accepting applications for the 2020 Corn Board. Click here for the application. The American Soybean Association Board of Directors elected its governing committee this week during the annual winter board meeting in St. Louis, and new board members immediately began their terms. Davie Stephens of Clinton, …

IDEAg Group LLC announces that the Northern Illinois Farm Show will take place Jan. 9-10 at the NIU Convocation Center. The event will feature approximately 100 companies showcasing the latest innovations available to farmers in the Midwest. The National Corn Growers Association has promoted Fred Stemme to Chief Operating Officer of the organization. Previously, the Vice President of Marketing and …