Fields of soybeans surround the newly re-opened Renewable Energy Group REG Albert Lea biodiesel plant in southern Minnesota, serving as a reminder of where the renewable fuel is rooted. Christina Connelly with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Ag Marketing and Development Division attended the grand re-opening Monday of the 30 million gallon a year plant, which was shut down in …
NAFB Foundation Seeking Auction Items
Gift certificates, gift baskets, sports tickets, electronics, art work … got any you would like to donate to support the future of farm broadcasting? The NAFB Foundation is seeking items for its annual fundraising auction at the convention in November. Generous donations in past years have helped provide financial support and educational opportunities for young people in pursuit of careers …
Ruhland Named CEO of Cattlemen’s Beef Board
The national beef checkoff is entering its second quarter century with a new CEO. The Cattlemen’s Beef Board has announced the hiring of Polly Ruhland as Chief Executive Officer for the organization that administers the national checkoff program established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. Ruhland has been serving as the interim CEO since the resignation of Tom Ramey …
Minnesota Biodiesel Plant Means Jobs
The one four-letter word we hear more than any other these days is “JOBS” and that is what the re-opening of a southern Minnesota biodiesel plant this week is all about. At the opening celebration of the Renewable Energy Group (REG) REG Albert Lea facility on Monday, Minnesota state representative Rich Murray (left) and local Chamber of Commerce Executive Director …
Biodiesel Adds Value to Minnesota Soybeans
The Renewable Energy Group (REG) celebrated the official grand opening of REG Albert Lea biodiesel plant in Minnesota on Monday, with representatives of the state and local community and agriculture industry. REG President and COO Dan Oh (right) says the plant was shut down in 2008 when economic woes hit the biodiesel industry, but REG felt it was a significant …
Minnesota Soybean Growers to Celebrate Biodiesel Plant Re-Opening
Minnesota soybean growers will be in attendance Monday at the grand re-opening of a soy biodiesel plant in Albert Lea that was shut down in 2008. The Renewable Energy Group (REG) acquired the former SoyMor production facility earlier this year, which is now known as REG Albert Lea, LLC. The company will be celebrating the grand re-opening of the plant …
USFRA Partners with AgChat Foundation
The AgChat Foundation (ACF) and the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) have partnered up to help farmers and ranchers share their stories with the general public. “The core vision of the AgChat Foundation is to empower farmers and ranchers to share their stories,” said Darin Grimm, Kansas farmer and AgChat Foundation president. “We are excited to partner with USFRA …
Biotech and Trade on Minds of Soybean Farmers
One of the many farmer leaders who stopped by the media tent at Farm Progress show was Steve Wellman, a soybean producer from Syracuse, Nebraska who is First Vice President of the American Soybean Association (ASA). I chatted with Steve about some of the issues on his mind these days. At the top of the list is approval of biotech …
Putting a Face on CommonGround
What is not to like about finding CommonGround? National Corn Growers Association Communications Manager Cathryn Wojciki recently did a post on Corn Commentary about how farmers can start a conversation with a simple photo. From Main Street to MTV, everyone is talking about food. Unfortunately, this conversation does not often include the people who grow it. CommonGround Conversations creates a …
Farm Foundation Dialogue Project
Farm Foundation has launched a new initiative for stakeholders to discuss issues related to food and agriculture. According to Farm Foundation, “A Dialogue on Food and Agriculture in the 21st Century” will involve multiple activities designed to promote discussions across the food and agriculture value chain—from producers to consumers. Foundation president Neil Conklin says the project will use such tools …