Members of the FFA community will miss Bill Stagg, 40 year director of strategic communications of the National FFA Organization. Stage has announced that he will retire at the end of this month. He has been with the National FFA Organization since November of 1978, dedicating his life to the motto “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living …
New Biodiesel Board Chairman from ADM
Kent Engelbrecht of ADM was elected chairman of the National Biodiesel Board in November, marking the first time that company has moved into the leadership position for the organization. “We’ve been involved in biodiesel since 2006,” said Engelbrecht. “We’ve got four plants in North America producing a lot of biodiesel, and that uses a lot of soybean oil, and that …
Most Ag Groups Pleased with Ag Secretary Choice
The agriculture industry had to wait until right up to the end to learn Trump’s choice for Secretary of Agriculture, but now that he’s nominated former Georgia Governor, Sonny Perdue, the agriculture groups seem generally pleased. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association calls him “an excellent pick” to head USDA. “As a lifelong agri-businessman and veterinarian, as well as the two-term governor …
Presidential Inaugural Parade to Highlight Agriculture
RFD-TV has invited every tractor manufacturer in the nation to participate in the Rural Tractor Brigade that will be participating in the 2017 Presidential Inaugural Parade. Case IH, Challenger, John Deere, Kioti, Kubota, Mahindra, Massey-Ferguson and New Holland have all confirmed that they will be showcasing modern tractors when the parade broadcasts live on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC at …
John Deere Showing Biodiesel Support
There was some John Deere green during the National Biodiesel Conference Vehicle Showcase this year. Chuck Studer, Director of Industry Relations, highlighted John Deere’s vast diesel equipment product line and long-standing involvement with biodiesel. John Deere was one of the first original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to get involved with biodiesel, approving B5 biodiesel blends for use in its engines in …
Trump EPA Nominee Questioned on Ag Issues
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt answered questions about regulatory overreach and his support of renewable fuels during his Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday to serve as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President-elect Donald Trump. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, first asked Pruitt about making sure the agency is “open, …
Groups Welcome Plant Breeding Policy from USDA
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) has been actively engaged with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in developing a rule regarding plant breeding innovation. The rule-making notice was officially released yesterday, and ASTA, along with other organizations like the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), are pleased with the recognition of plant breeder’s history of safety and quality. “The farm and food value …
USDA Seeks Comments on Organic Check-Off
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is moving forward with a proposal for a nationwide check-off program for the organic industry. The USDA announced a public comment period for what is referred to as GRO Organic (Generic Research and Promotion Order for Organic) earlier this week. Commenters have until March 20 to weigh in on the topic. As it currently stands, all …
Trump Ag Secretary Pick Comes at Last Minute
President-elect Donald Trump will officially round out his cabinet by nominating former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as Secretary of Agriculture just a little more than 24 hours before the inauguration. As word about the choice spread Wednesday evening, most agricultural groups were waiting until the official announcement to respond, but one of the first was American Farm Bureau president Zippy …
Sage is a 25 Under 25
Those wise, as a result of experience, people at Sage, a creative marketing agency, are now a Kansas City 25 Under 25 company. The awards are presented to 25 local businesses with fewer than 25 employees. An independent panel of judges consisting of area business leaders chooses the winning companies. Nearly 1,500 nominations were submitted. The Sage staff have 120 …