The National FFA Organization announced that its new membership number reflects more than one million FFA members nationwide, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Membership reached 1,042,245 this year with 9,407 chapters.
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) released numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture today showing there are 526,263 farmers in the U.S. growing corn. NCGA has long said it represents the interest of over 300,000 corn growers. But that number, published by USDA, is the number of farms in the country, not the number of farmers making the decisions on the farm.
The Farm Progress Show launches an exclusive American Lager in partnership with Illinois-based Riggs Beer Company, available now at the brewery and select locations, ahead of the show’s 20th anniversary at its permanent biennial Decatur site. The beer features Illinois-grown grains and hops and will be available at the 2025 Farm Progress Show, scheduled for Aug. 26-28 in Decatur. Advance tickets cost $15 plus fees, with gate admission priced at $25.
Farm Journal Foundation is launching a new partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to bring its Voice of the Farmer Garden exhibit to USDA’s headquarters on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) applauds the bipartisan, bicameral reintroduction of the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act, led by Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE). A companion house measure is led by Reps. Mark Alford (R-MO), Angie Craig (D-MN), Mark Messmer (R-IN), and Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI). This legislation will strengthen America’s leadership in biomanufacturing, expand markets for corn-based bioproducts, and support job creation across rural America.
Rusty Rumley, JD, LL.M, National Ag Law Center; James Mintert, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University; and Donald Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, are among the speakers confirmed to make presentations at the 2025 Annual Conference of the American Society of Agricultural Consultants (ASAC) in Indianapolis, Ind., November 2-4.
Dr. Temple Grandin, world-renowned animal behaviorist, author, and autism advocate, will keynote the upcoming Livestock Publications Council regional workshop. Learn from one of the most influential voices in agriculture, livestock handling, and neurodiversity. Her insights are practical, powerful, and unforgettable. Registration is now open!
Join a special University of Illinois Homecoming Huddle on Friday, September 26, to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Jim Evans and those helping bring the vision of the James F. Evans Global Center for Food and Agricultural Communications to life. Special programming for Evans Center donors will be part of this year’s event — more details to come!
Auburn University Professor Charles Chen was recently recognized for outstanding contributions to his field of peanut breeding and genetics. At the 57th annual meeting of the American Peanut Research & Education Society (APRES) July 15-17 in Richmond, Virginia, Chen was awarded the APRES Fellow award. APRES Fellows are active members of the society who have made outstanding contributions in an area of specialization, whether in research, extension or administration.
It’s not just about conversions anymore. This webinar explores how to read between the lines of your paid media data — tracking impressions, engagement and assisted conversions to uncover meaningful insights. Learn how to connect the dots between platforms, campaigns and business goals to get a true picture of your brand’s digital momentum. Join the upcoming National Agri-Marketing Association webinar From Clicks to Clarity: Using Analytics to Gauge Brand Momentum with Laura Baumhover and Shannon Hughes from Lessing-Flynn on August 14, 2025 at 11 a.m. central. Register here.
VANE Agricultural Insurance Solutions, a leading provider of custom agricultural insurance, announced the appointment of Clayton Becker as Chief Operating Officer. Becker will be responsible for overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations, driving business development, and accelerating sales growth while ensuring operational excellence.
