The educational part of the National Sunflower Association Summer Seminar is underway. The first session is dealing with “Reversing the Trend of Declining Acres: Will We Have the Tools?” This panel includes scientists from USDA and North Dakota State University as well as representatives of the NSA. They are speaking a language that I don’t have but what I’m getting …
Ethanol Might Be An Issue In Presidential Race
So, “Will ethanol be an issue in presidential race?” Maybe, maybe not. But I’m here to tell you, when I talk to anyone in agriculture this is a very hot topic. So it will be interesting to see how the candidates deal with it. In response to our survey, 58% say yes and 42% say no. What do you think? …
Raising Money For Sunflower Industry Scholarship
The Summer Seminar for the National Sunflower Association got started with a wonderful evening of fun and fellowship. The evening ended with the Curtis Stern Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser. These guys were ticket sellers. I have not participated in a fundraiser quite like this. Prizes were purchased and laid out on three tables. We could purchase tickets for a chance to …
Welcome To National Sunflower Association Summer Seminar
Welcome to Deadwood, SD, “Where Western Legends Were Born.” I’m here for the 2011 National Sunflower Association Summer Seminar. Maybe we’ll create some legends of our own before we’re done! The very first person I met after checking in to the Lodge at Deadwood was Larry Kleingartner, Executive Director, National Sunflower Association. Larry provided a preview of this year’s Seminar. …
Start Your Country Living Blog Today
The Country Living Association has some tips for getting your farm blog “planted online” this week. If you haven’t already, think about starting a blog to tell your farm story and grow your business online. Though it may feel overwhelming to add another farm chore to your list, in reality, a blog is simply a web-published diary or journal usually …
NCYC Early Registration Deadline
The early registration deadline is coming up this Saturday for the National Corn Yield Contest conducted by the National Corn Growers Association. Get your entry in now and save $80 or wait and pay more later :). Growers can do it online now. “With the early registration deadline approaching rapidly, it is a great time for entrants to try out …
Corn Board Manufacturing
We’ve all heard about “new uses” for corn. How about skateboards? That’s just the first of many products planned by Corn Board Manufacturing, Inc. according to founder Lane Segerstrom. I just got off the phone with Lane and our conversation is this week’s program. Lane grew up on an Iowa farm and has founded a company that uses technology developed …
The Future of Food Business
Dr. Marcos Fava Neves, Professor, University of Sao Paulo, is the author of “The Future of Food Business.” He autographed books following the stage celebration last week at Novus International headquarters. I spoke with Dr. Neves while he was signing books. He says his book analyzes the major effects that are happening in the world that we can’t control. He …
Going Social With Sunflowers
Next week I get to do something I love to do. Get up on stage and talk about social media and networking. The venue will be the National Sunflower Association Summer Seminar in Deadwood, SD. The National Sunflower Association (NSA) is a non-profit commodity organization working on problems and opportunities for the improvement of all members. Membership in the NSA …
Sharing The Novus Vision
The President/CEO of Novus International is Thad Simons, seen here addressing the audience for the company’s 20th Anniversary Celebration at the headquarters in St. Louis, MO. Thad says that 20 years “seems like yesterday.” Many of the original founders and Novus team were on hand. He says this celebration provides an opportunity to take a look back and see “where …