- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) mailed survey codes to all known agriculture producers across the 50 states with an invitation to respond online to the 2022 Census of Agriculture at agcounts.usda.gov. The ag census is the nation’s only comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every state, county, and territory. By completing the survey, producers across the nation can tell their story and help generate impactful opportunities that better serve them and future generations of producers.
- Multi-platinum Southern Rock band 38 Special will close out the 2023 Commodity Classic during Saturday night’s Evening of Entertainment. Commodity Classic will be held Thursday, March 9 through Saturday, March 11 in Orlando.
- The National FFA Foundation announced its new chair for the Sponsors’ Board during the 95th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis this fall. David Hollinrake, global head of strategy and portfolio management for Syngenta, was named chair for the upcoming year. Mary Snapp, vice president of strategic initiatives for Microsoft, was named chair-elect.
- Trust In Beef announced that Syngenta has joined as a partner of the collaborative value chain program helping ranchers integrate climate-smart agriculture systems into their operations while sharing their learnings and success stories.
- From farm to frontline, the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) has taken another giant leap forward to highlight environmentally friendly investments from the soybean checkoff. In summer 2022, the Council, which directs the state’s soybean checkoff resources, launched the Stepping Up campaign to boost farmer profitability and promote the value-added uses of the “miracle bean” while making community connections.
- The RaboAgriFinance Marketing and Communications department welcomes a new leader to their team, Melanie Bernds. Melanie previously served as the Director of Communications at Benson Hill, one of the fastest-growing food tech companies in the country, backed by Google Ventures, and a member of their core IPO team that led the company to go company in the fall of October 2021.
- American Agri-Women (AAW) presented the LEAVEN Award, its highest honor for members, to Rose Tryon VanCott of California Women in Agriculture at its 2022 National Convention held recently in Bozeman, Montana.
- While American families are spending 20 percent more for their holiday dinners this year and farmers are struggling to keep their doors open, the Department of Labor announced the new seven percent to 15.5 percent spike in Adverse Effect Wage Rates for farm guest workers that will drive up costs for farmers and American consumers. New research from ABIC Action breaks down the significant costs per employee and per state for farmers and agricultural producers using the H2A program.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of 19 new farmer-leaders to serve on the United Soybean Board (USB). In addition, 24 farmer-leaders were reappointed. Forty-six leaders and alternates will serve three-year terms, and one new appointed member will serve a one-year term. Leaders will be sworn in for service during the USB December Meeting in St. Charles, Mo.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is seeking nominations to the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics. Members of this committee advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the scope, timing and content of periodic agricultural censuses, surveys of agriculture, and other related industries. The committee also makes recommendations on the content of agriculture reports and represents the views and data needs of suppliers and users of agricultural statistics.
- The Renewable Fuels Association welcomed Pearson Fuels as its newest associate member. Established in 2002, Pearson Fuels became a pioneer in the alternative fuel industry in California and is the largest and fastest-growing distributor of E85 in the state.
