- Farmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 104th Convention adopted policies to guide the organization’s work in 2023. Key topics ranged from expanding risk management programs and improving dairy pricing transparency to battling hunger. Delegates were polled regarding their farms at the beginning of the voting session. The results show almost 99% (334 delegates) of those who cast votes operate family farms and almost 65% represent small- to mid-size farms as defined by USDA.
- Only a few days remain to take advantage of early registration discounts for the 2023 Commodity Classic to be held March 9-11 in Orlando. Friday, January 20, 2023, is the last day the early registration discount will be in effect.
- Once again, the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) invites all its guilds to participate in the IFAJ Star Prize. Online entry forms are now open, and entries will be accepted until February 28, 2023. New this year, individual members of IFAJ member guilds can nominate themselves and enter their work directly into the online form.
- Yield10 Bioscience, Inc., an agricultural bioscience company, announced that it has signed with Mitsubishi Corporation a Memorandum of Understanding to evaluate the establishment of a partnership to supply, offtake and market Camelina as a low-carbon feedstock oil for biofuels. Mitsubishi Corporation recently announced its aim to mass produce sustainable aviation fuel to decarbonize commercial aviation.
- The American Feed Industry Association is pleased to announce the promotion of Sarah Novak to chief operating officer. Novak has served the association for over 15 years as the vice president of membership and public relations.
- Farm Journal’s 26th annual Top Producer Summit is set for Jan. 23-25, 2023, at the Grand Hyatt in Nashville. The event will bring forward-thinking farmers and ranchers together to share business opportunities and ideas to take their operations to the next level.
- Minneapolis Grain Exchange, a Designated Contract Market and Derivatives Clearing Organization, reported full-year 2022 trading volume of 3.3 million contracts, representing a 15.0% year-over-year decrease from the same period in 2021 and the second highest annual volume total in its history.
- Mike King has joined Blank Page Marketing (BLNKPG) as a new Account Director. King brings more than 25 years of experience in both agricultural communications and public relations to BLNKPG. In his new role, King will assist in managing BLNKPG’s client services team and its members.
- The Ag Innovation Campus (AIC) is excited to announce a major sponsorship to ring in the new year. Farmers Union Enterprises, which comprises Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Wisconsin’s Farmers Union organizations, is lending substantial financial support to the future crush and research facility in south Crookston.
- The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is excited to announce Jared Palmer as its new Communications Manager. Palmer’s responsibilities will include overseeing IRFA’s social media networks and press communications.
- KCoe Isom, doing business as Pinion*, and Anderson ZurMuehlen, two leading U.S. accounting and business advisory firms, announced they have combined businesses, effective January 1, 2023. Pinion will provide expanded advisory services, resources, and outstanding career opportunities, building the foundation required for long-term growth and a stronger national presence with a gateway to global expansion. *Pinion is a public-facing brand under the legal entity KCoe Isom, LLP. Attest services provided by KCoe Isom, LLP.
- The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) Government Relations department has hired four new team members whose expertise and relationships will strengthen advocacy efforts with policymakers and stakeholders that will benefit Illinois soybean farmers by developing and executing complex policy initiatives.
