Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and its partners will invest nearly $32 million this year in financial and technical assistance for five water quality and wetlands improvement projects in seven Mississippi River Basin states. When fully implemented, the projects will prevent sediment and nutrients from entering waterways, decrease flooding and improve bird and …
Wheat Growers Promote Travis Antonsen
Wheat Growers grain and agronomy cooperative announces that Travis Antonsen has been promoted to lead Wheat Growers’ grain origination efforts as the Producer Marketing Manager. Prior to joining the Wheat Growers team, Antonsen was the head of origination for the Minnesota Soybean Processors plant in Brewster, Minn. Before that he was a merchandiser for the South Dakota Soybean Processors facility …
My First Harvest
I liked it so much last year I had to do it again – plant my loose leaf blend lettuce, that is. It’s taken a little more time and care this year though to get it started since the weather has turned out so dry and I have a sneaky suspicion that for once the climatologist had it right … …
USFRA/Ketchum Receive SABRE Recognition
The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) has received national recognition for its ground-breaking campaign to help improve the dialogue with consumers about how their food is grown and raised. USFRA, along with its agency partner Ketchum Public Relations, won the prestigious Gold SABRE Award for Excellence in the Associations category. The entry, titled “Since When Did Agriculture Become a …
Global Ag Equipment Manufacturing Alliance Formed
Leaders from seven agriculture equipment manufacturing associations from around the world have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to officially launch the Agrievolution Alliance, which will facilitate collaboration and cooperation on a global basis within the ag equipment manufacturing industry. The associations are based in Brazil, Europe, France, India, Italy, North America and Turkey. The founding associations are: • ABIMAQ – …
Zimfo Bytes
The USDA invites individuals to share their expertise in reviewing project proposals for the 2012 Farmers Market Promotion Program grants. Pioneer Hi-Bred will sell its soybean products by seed count per unit, rather than by weight, beginning in the fall of 2012 for varieties sold throughout North America for the 2013 planting season. The California Strawberry Commission is pleased to …
New Alliance Between Demeter Communications and LBL Strategies
A new alliance between Demeter Communications and LBL Strategies, Ltd., offers a distinctive portfolio of expertise to food, agriculture and rural development organizations seeking comprehensive strategic management, governance and leadership development, marketing communications and evaluation assistance. The alliance provides seamlessly integrated services that increase companies’ efficiency and effectiveness by optimizing planning, management, marketing and measurement efforts. Organizations can learn more …
Zimfo Bytes
The U.S. Grains Council is pleased to present the first annual Corn Export Cargo Quality Report for the 2011/2012 corn marketing year as a service to foreign buyers and other interested parties. Sand County Foundation is proud to name the Wineinger-Davis Ranch as the recipient of the 2012 Leopold Conservation Award in Colorado. CustomWeather, Inc., has announced the availability of …
LightSquared Implements Voluntary Chapter 11 Restructuring
LightSquared announced that it commenced voluntarily reorganization cases under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to give it time to resolve regulatory issues that have prevented it from building its coast-to-coast integrated satellite 4G wireless network. The company fully expects to continue normal operations throughout this process. All LightSquared distribution partners and customers, including public safety, emergency response, government …
Kansas Rancher is America’s Farmers Mom of the Year 2012
Debbie Lyons-Blythe, White City, Kansas, is Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Mom of the Year 2012. Lyons-Blythe was nominated by her children (Meghan, Allie, Trenton, Tyler and Eric), and also by her aunt, Mary Ferguson, who she describes as “more of a friend than an aunt.” Both nominations summarized in 300 words what makes Lyons-Blythe so special to her family, farm, community …