The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released a comprehensive report that synthesize the scientific literature on climate change effects and adaptation strategies for U.S. agriculture. The report, “Climate Change and Agriculture in the United States: Effects and Adaptation,” was created a an input to the National Climate Assessment with scientists from the federal service, universities, non-governmental organizations, industry, tribal …
Use Ethanol Save a Car – Great Biofuels Video
LOVE IT! The winners of the 3rd Annual High School Renewable Fuels Video Contest hail from Muscatine, Iowa and wow are they clever. Alli Burns, Ana Arzate and Sariah Garrido of Muscatine took the top price in the “Fuel the Future” video contest for high school students that was sponsored by Faegre Baker Daniels, LLP. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association …
Consider Joining a CSA
It may be a bit chilly in the Midwest, but it’s never to early to think about spring planting and fall harvest. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey, is encouraging Iowans to consider joining a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program that will give them access to fresh, locally grown produce throughout the growing season. “CSAs are a great opportunity …
Book Review – Demystifying Food From Farm to Fork
This week I read, “Demystifying Food from Farm to Fork,” by Maurice J. Hladik. Many of you may be familiar with Hladik, an agricultural expert who has spoken at events all around the world including Commodity Classic. The goal of the book is to take a look at food production from “farm to fork”. As with many concepts, farm to …
Iowa Wind Energy Day Attracts Good Crowd
January 16, 2013 was Iowa Wind Energy Day, and dozens of companies showcased their wind energy technologies to Iowa Governor Terry Branstad along with state legislators. The second annual event was hosted by the Iowa Wind Energy Association (IWEA). Branstad gave remarks as part of the program, and congratulated IWEA for its fifth year of continuous operations. “You sure have …
Book Review – Remember Roscoe Filburn
I recently read the book “Remember Roscoe Filburn,” by Douglas J. Lising. I felt that there was a bit of a bait and switch going on but in reality, I guess I just wasn’t paying enough attention. The premise of the book is to revise the Commerce Clause and the basis for Lising’s argument was in 1941, the Commerce Clause …
Book Review – The Year God Forgot Us
Pssst…I have the secret recipe for renewable fuel. Want to know where I found this recipe that will take down big oil? In the novel, “The Year God Forgot Us,” by Dennis Nau. Ok, so I don’t really have some super duper secret renewable fuel recipe, but this week’s book was a fictional look at 1936, during the Great Depression, …
Meet the Who’s Who at NBB Conference
There are more than 10 reasons to attend the National Biodiesel Board’s Conference: Momentum, and here is reason number 5: Meet People. This conference marks the 20th Anniversary of the event and is still the place to meet and greet the real players in the biodiesel industry. The event is being held in Las Vegas (how apropos they would offer …
Support for Plumpy’nut Increases
It was announced during the Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines in conjunction with the World Food Prize 2012 last week, that the makers of Plumpy’nut, Nutriset, will contribute an additional $5.8 million over the next two years to combat severe acute malnutrition in the developing world. The main ingredients include peanuts, vegetable oil, sugar, vitamins, minerals, cocoa, whey and maltodextrin. …
Total Factor Productivity Key Indicator of Growth
Productivity is back on the policy agenda with rising food prices, heightened concerns about resource scarcity and increase risk from climate change, according to Dr. Keith Fuglie with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. During the release of the 2012 GAP Report published by Global Harvest Initiative during the 2012 World Food Prize, Fuglie said it’s being realized more and more that we …