Attendees of the upcoming Commodity Classic will have an easier time planning their schedules during the event. The mobile app, which can be downloaded from a variety of operating systems’ app stores, will give attendees fresh information on sponsors, trade show floor events, locations for sessions and exhibits, and other up-to-the-minute information on the nation’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and …
Wrapping up Ag Retailers Association Convention
Daren Coppock, President/CEO, Agricultural Retailers Association, gave us a preview of last week’s convention and now you can hear his review. I told him I look at these interviews as the bookends for my coverage! Although I might still have a couple more stories to share. Daren says, “We’re really pleased and the basis for that opinion is the feedback …
AAW Elects National Officers
American Agri-Women (AAW) kicked off its year-long celebration of its 40th anniversary at its annual convention held recently in College Corner, Ohio. The organization also elected its national officers and recognized outstanding advocates for agriculture. AAW is the nation’s largest coalition of farm, ranch and agribusiness women representing more than 50 state, commodity and agribusiness affiliates. The 39th annual convention’s …
Alliance to Feed the Future’s Communicator of the Year
The Alliance to Feed the Future has announced that Diana Prichard is the second recipient of its Communicator of the Year Award. The award, given in collaboration this year with the American Meat Institute, recognizes effective and innovative new voices that are enhancing the public dialogue about modern food production through multi-channel communications, including social media. Prichard, a farmer and …
ASTA CSS Focus on Pollinators
There has been an increasing focus on pollinators lately, but the Pollinator Partnership has been working on pollinator health issues for the past 18 years with a diverse set of partners. Partnership executive director Laurie Davies Adams was on a panel focused on keeping pollinators safe during ASTA CSS in Chicago this week providing an update on the organization’s latest …
Samuelson Honored by American Agri-Women
Award-winning ag broadcaster Orion Samuelson has been honored by the American Agri-Women (AAW) with its VERITAS award. This AAW news release says the group handed at the award at its 39th annual convention in Ohio. Its VERITAS award is the highest award given to a non-member. It is given annually to a person who has given public witness to “the …
Simplot CEO Speaks at ASTA CSS
The opening session of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CSS and Seed Expo was highlighted by keynote speaker J.R. Simplot president and CEO Bill Whitacre. Since inventing the first viable frozen french fry the J.R. Simplot Company, has become one of North America’s largest, privately held food and agribusiness companies, with over $4.5 billion in annual sales. Simplot has …
New Chairman of the Ag Retailers Association
Now that we’ve heard from the past Chairman let’s hear from the new Chairman of the Agricultural Retailers Association. He’s Dave DuFault, Simplot, pictured on the left presenting a gift to now past Chairman Gary Farrell. Before the ceremonies took place I talked with Dave. In the coming year Dave says ARA will continue to move forward with the ResponsibleAg …
Past Chairman of the Ag Retailers Association
He’s now the past Chairman of the Agricultural Retailers Association. He’s Gary Farrell (pictured left), Ag Enterprise Supply, who passed the gavel to the new Chairman, Dave DuFault, Simplot at the annual meeting in New Orleans. Prior to the ceremonies I visited with Gary and asked him what he was most proud of accomplishing during his term. He says it …
2015 Designated as International Year of Soils
The United Nations has designated 2015 as the International Year of Soils (IYS) to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of healthy soil for food security and essential ecosystem functions. Soil Renaissance, a group led by our friends at Farm Foundation, is celebrating IYS and its first year in existence as a movement to make soil health the cornerstone …