Industry Ag News 11/19

Carrie Muehling

  • The American Farm Bureau Federation sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives stating its opposition to the Build Back Better Act, also known as the reconciliation package.
  • With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, it’s time to give thanks for each other and what we have…and to show our gratitude for the farmer veterans who once protected us and now put food on our plates. This Thanksgiving season, the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) wants Americans to support farmer veterans by including one Homegrown By Heroes branded item in their Thanksgiving dinner. The logo is used to designate veteran-produced commodities across the country.
  • GROWMARK, Inc. announced that Mark Orr will become Chief Executive Officer of the North American agriculture and energy cooperative effective March 1, 2022. Orr will succeed Jim Spradlin, CEO since September 2014, who retires February 28, 2022.
  • GROWMARK and CHS announced the formation of Cooperative Ventures, a new capital fund that will focus on creating advancements in breakthrough technologies for the agriculture industry. The fund will provide differentiated value to startups in the agricultural ecosystem by leveraging the expansive, connected networks, unparalleled access to the farmgate and proven success of the two agricultural cooperatives.
  • The Northern Soy Marketing group has announced that Katelyn Engquist has been elevated to serve as the organization’s Market Development Program Manager. Engquist assumes the role after serving as Communications Specialist for NSM and Ag Management Solutions (AMS), which oversees NSM’s daily operations. Engquist has also worked with other AMS clients, including the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association welcomed Clariant as its newest associate member. The global company recently completed a biorefinery in Romania that will use its sunliquid technology to convert straw into cellulosic ethanol.
  • CHS Inc. announced the appointment of Kirstie Foster as senior vice president, marketing communications.
  • The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is expanding the lineup of popular educational games on its My American Farm platform with a new game that introduces players to how cotton is planted, grown, cared for, harvested and turned into clothes. The game, titled “From Seed to Shirt,” is generously sponsored by Nichino America and encourages players to solve math problems to earn clothes for their in-game character. From Seed to Shirt is best for students in third through fifth grade.
  • Bayer announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft to build a new cloud-based set of digital tools and data science solutions for use in agriculture and adjacent industries, bringing new infrastructure and foundational capabilities to accelerate innovation, boost efficiency and support sustainability across value chains.
  • UPL has named Bryan Brochin as Commercial Head of U.S. Agriculture, leading the U.S. Agriculture sales team.
  • National Farmers Union has announced the 2022 Women’s Conference to connect women in agriculture and provide education on applicable business skills and innovative marketing tactics.
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