Lots of buzz over the weekend about Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey being nominated to a post with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to the point that he had to put a post on Facebook that nothing is official – yet. I appreciate the kind comments and support from so many friends here in Iowa and across the country as …
America’s Farm Mom of 2017
Mother’s Day was extra special this year for Susan Brocksmith of Vincennes, Indiana who was named the 2017 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year. The program, sponsored by Monsanto, honors the significant contributions farm moms make in their communities and beyond. Susan, a farmer, agribusiness professor, mother and active agriculture advocate, received the most online votes to be awarded the …
U.S. Beef Regaining Access to China
Following one more round of technical consultations, China is to allow imports of U.S. beef on “conditions consistent with international food safety and animal health standards and consistent with the 1999 Agricultural Cooperation Agreement, beginning as soon as possible but no later than July 16, 2017.” The announcement was welcome news for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). National Cattlemen’s …
Agri-Pulse Poll: Farmers See New Trade Top Need
A recent survey conducted by Agri-Pulse and the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) in April falls in line with announcements from Washington D.C. this week on the importance of trade to American agriculture. The survey found that more than a third of 133 soybean farmers (34.5 percent) said passing new trade agreements is the most important national issue affecting the profitability …
Three for FMC
FMC Agricultural Solutions has added three team members to its marketing and communications team in Philadelphia. These new team members will support the FMC agricultural crop protection portfolio in the U.S. and Canada. Christina Coen, a veteran agricultural marketer, has been named marketing director for the United States and Canada. Coen will have responsibility for the marketing of the FMC …
Trump Trade Team to Include New USDA Post
President Trump now has a complete cabinet with Senate approval of Ambassador Robert Lighthizer as U.S. Trade Representative, and USDA will soon have an undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs to help with the administration’s international trade goals. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a reorganization of USDA yesterday that includes the creation of the new undersecretary, which was approved …
Meet AgGrad’s 1st Ultimate Ag Intern
AgGrad says Taylor Kennedy will be the first ever participant in the Ultimate Ag Internship. The program was created as a window into agribusinesses across the country which elevates work culture, career opportunities and a bird’s eye view of specific job functions. This summer, Kennedy will travel to various agricultural companies to learn and document these components via videography. Kennedy …
Taking DC Bureaucrats to the Farm
The National Corn Growers Association recently joined with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the American Seed Trade Association to host officials from EPA and USDA for demonstrations on planting practices, seed treatments, and equipment innovations in an effort to help them understand modern farming. The event took place on the working farm of NCGA Chairman Chip Bowling in …
Soil Health Institute to Unveil Soil Health Action Plan
The Soil Health Institute (SHI) will unveil the Soil Health Action Plan at 9 a.m., May 18, at the First Amendment Lounge, National Press Club, Washington, DC. The nationwide plan evolved after four years of stakeholder input, beginning with the Soil Renaissance in 2013. Agricultural industry thought leaders, farmers, ranchers, scientists, government agency leaders, and non-governmental organizations provided input into …
Through the Eyes of a Farmer Series
The Georgia Peanut Commission is showing farming from the perspective of a farmer with a video series titled, “Through the Eyes of a Farmer.” This episode features a visit with Lee Cromley, farmer from Bulloch Co. Cromley in partnership with his brother, farms cotton and peanuts. You can find more in the series on the Georgia Peanuts Facebook page or …