- The American agricultural sector posted its best export year ever in 2022 with international sales of U.S. farm and food products reaching $196 billion, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced. Final 2022 trade data released earlier this week by the Commerce Department shows that U.S. agricultural exports increased 11 percent, or $19.5 billion, from the previous record set in 2021.
- Registration is now open for the IFAJ 2023 Congress in Canada — New Frontiers in the West, hosted by the Canadian Farm Writers Federation. To kick off the start of registration, the 2023 IFAJ planning committee is pleased to offer a welcome week savings of $300 CAD off the base price of $1,323 CAD until March 1, at 11:59 p.m. MST. For one week, members can use the promo code, EAGERBEAVER, to receive the discounted price. After that, stay tuned for an early bird pricing special.
- At the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture 2023 Winter Policy Conference, NASDA CEO Ted McKinney announced the organization is welcoming eight new members since the 2022 midterm elections. Two states elected new commissioners of agriculture, and governors in six states have announced the appointment of new NASDA members.
- The Renewable Fuels Association announced that BIOFerm and RCM Thermal Kinetics have joined the organization as its newest associate members.
- For its 56th year, World Ag Expo hosted exhibitors, attendees, and media from around the world in record numbers. This year’s show marked a 10-year high in show attendance with 108,233 people on the grounds over the three-day run. The event ended on Thursday, February 16, and reported 1,225 exhibitors on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space. Attendees represented 49 states, the District of Columbia, and 56 countries.
- Annie’s Project, a national non-profit to educate and empower women in agriculture, is celebrating 20 years since its founding. The program has over 19,000 graduates across 38 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- The Illinois Agri-Women (IAW) organization is offering 4 scholarships for females studying
agriculture. One $1,500 IAW Helen Henert Agriculture Education Scholarship will be offered to a student who is an agriculture education major who will be finishing their undergraduate degree in the next year. Three $1,000 WCFA Agent of Change Scholarships are offered to students who have attended at least one Women Changing the Face of Agriculture Conference. Eligible applicants include past WCFA attendees and students who participated in the 2021 WCFA Online Curriculum. One scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior, one will be awarded to a current college student, and one scholarship will be awarded to a current graduate student. - The Minore Scholarship Committee of the National Wheat Foundation selected two recipients to receive a $2,500 scholarship each. Christopher Barron is a Texas A&M student pursuing a Plant and Environmental Soil Science degree. Chris intends to pursue a career in plant breeding and is interested in drought-tolerant crops with improved nutrition. Ella Martin is a Kansas State University student pursuing a degree in Bakery Science and Management, Food Science-Industry. Ella is passionate about educating consumers about wheat and agriculture.
- The National Cotton Council’s 2023 Economic Outlook sees world consumption rebounding but economic pressure remaining.
- The National Cotton Council’s annual planting intentions survey suggests U.S. producers will plant 11.4 million cotton acres in 2023.
- The National Cotton Council announced it will be led in 2023 by Shawn Holladay, a Lubbock producer who will serve as chairman of U.S. cotton’s central organization.
- The Journal of Agromedicine has named Brian Kuhl, president and chief executive officer of the Progressive Agriculture Foundation (PAF), as its 2023 “Leader in the Field,” for his contributions to agricultural safety and health practice, policy and research.
