For the third year in a row, the Corn Farmers Coalition (CFC) is targeting policy makers with information about the nation’s corn crop and the people who produce it. The new ads highlighting corn farming families showed up this week all over Union Station, an important venue for reaching policymakers inside “The Beltway,” as well as in Capital Hill publications, …
USDA Replaces Pyramid with Plate
Nutrition has a newer, rounder shape. Fruits and vegetables should make up half of our plates under the more user-friendly nutrition image released today by First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. USDA is ditching the long-used food pyramid for a plate. “I can already tell you how much this is going to help parents across the country,” …
AgChat Foundation Agvocacy 2.0 Conference Planned
The dates and place for the second AgChat Foundation Agvocacy 2.0 Conference are set. This year’s conference will be held August 22 and 23 in Nashville, Tennessee. We are excited to expand the conference by opening it up to 75 people who are passionate about agriculture and interested in learning how social media can be used to tell their stories. …
Angus Cattle History
From the basement archives of the American Angus Association, comes this great historical video that cattle producers are sure to enjoy. Originally shot and edited in 1941, this historical film tells the story of Loyal Alumnus IV, the grand champion steer at the International Livestock Exposition in Chicago. The Angus steer was produced by Purdue University.
Monsanto Names 2011 Farmers Mom of the Year
A Wyoming cattlewoman has been named Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Mom of the Year for 2011. Bette Lu Lerwick of Albin was nominated by her daughter, Kosha Olsen, who visited AmericasFarmers.com earlier this spring and submitted a 300-word nomination describing a few of the contributions her mother makes to her family, farm, community and the agricultural industry. She was selected as …
Illinois Farm Families Open Gates to City Moms
Illinois Farm Families are offering mothers from the Chicago area a chance to see first-hand what farmers do, ask questions and connect with the people who produce food for their families and then share what they learn with others as Field Mom reporters. Illinois Farm Families (IFF) will equip the “Field Moms” with video cameras so they can record and …
FFA Names 50 New Century Farmers for 2011
The National FFA is preparing 50 young people from 23 states this year to take on the challenge of new century farming. The FFA’s 2011 New Century Farmer program is designed to help young men and women who are pursuing a career in production agriculture. The participants will take part in an intensive seminar July 24-30 in Johnston, Iowa where …
Budget Cuts for Agriculture
The budget deficit is taking its toll on agriculture programs. The House Appropriations Committee approved a spending bill last night that includes major cuts to food safety and nutrition programs, as well as an amendment that would end direct farm payments for those with adjusted gross income over $250,000 per year. The appropriations bill also includes cuts in research, food …
FarmVille Fanatics to Plant Real Crops
The top players of the popular on-line game FarmVille will get a taste of reality as they leave the virtual farm this month to plant a real fruit orchard in the real town of Farmville, Virginia – courtesy of Edy’s Fruit Bars. The new orchard in Farmville, VA commemorates a branded integration between Edy’s Fruit Bars and FarmVille. From June …
AgriSafe Network Seeking Partners for Farm Safety
Most everyone knows what a dangerous occupation farming can be, but the AgriSafe Network does something about it, and safety product companies can help. The AgriSafe Network is a national nonprofit organization that represents health professionals who provide agricultural occupational health and safety services to farmers and their families. To help out with this mission, AgriSafe has developed a social …