- Farm Foundation, an accelerator of practical solutions for agriculture, is now accepting nominations for its Young Farmer Accelerator Program, aimed at helping young farmers grow their knowledge, experience and network. The deadline to nominate a young farmer is May 15, 2020.
- The Alabama Peanut Producers Association and its farmer members have donated 5,760 jars of peanut butter to regional food banks across Alabama to help with the demand for food due to COVID-19. The peanut butter was provided by Peanut Proud, Inc., the non-profit industry organization dedicated to humanitarian efforts.
- The American Soybean Association (ASA) COVID-19 Task Force conducted a survey in April regarding the effects of COVID-19 on soy growers, their operations, employees, and families. Stress reported by the 86 farmer respondents from across the soy-producing states was high. ASA, state soybean affiliates, and the United Soybean Board (USB) want to help. This May, during Mental Health Month, ASA is launching a proactive communications campaign to combat #FarmStress and offer #SoyHelp.
- The Nebraska Power Farming Show is now called the Nebraska Ag Expo and the Iowa Power Farming Show is the Iowa Ag Expo. The Nebraska Ag Expo will be held December 8-10, 2020 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln, NE. The Iowa Ag Expo will be held February 2-4, 2021 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, IA.
- House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson of Minnesota and Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway of Texas, issued a statement Wednesday commemorating the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the House Committee on Agriculture.
- The Chicago Farmers presented 2019-2020 scholarships to: Caroline Treadwell, Iowa State University; Noah Poynter, Purdue University; John Searl, University of Illinois; Ben Mrotek, University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Joliet Junior College students Brooklyn Tice, Abigail Wagner, and Jillian Camp.
- American Farmland Trust’s Farmer Relief Fund started sending out $1,000 grant checks to 1,000 farmers across the country as Americans witnessed unprecedented disruptions to the food system. A huge thanks goes out to donors, members and the host of corporate contributors who stepped up when farmers needed it most. The funds are going to help small to mid-size producers that sell direct to consumers, to food services businesses, or to institutions. All funds raised by AFT are being put in the hands of farmers with no restrictions on use, only that they use the money to support modifications to their business model that will get them through until their normal markets return.
- Thirty-eight agriculture groups and businesses including the American Farm Bureau Federation sent a letter to congressional leaders requesting changes to the Paycheck Protection Program. Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sectors received only 1.3% of the original $349 billion in approved funding.
- The deadline to submit entries for the Golden ARC Awards is May 4. Put together your best work from 2019 and enter today! If you have any questions, please contact Sandra O’Rourke at sandraorourke@gandgcomm.com.
- Calyxt, Inc. has launched a retail offering of Calyno® cooking oil, the company’s first commercial product, a premium, high-performing oil, through the company’s newly launched e-commerce website calyno.com.
- Save the date for two special events honoring 100 years of the American Soybean Association. A celebration on the Indiana farm where it all began will take place on August 4, 2020, at Fouts Farm in Camden, Ind. Or, attend the Next Soy Century Symposium on August 5, 2020, at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.
