It’s okay to talk about Mark Bloom. I think he’s actually in Brazil right now with an Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation group. Mark is one of the staff members of IALF and he was exhibiting at the recent Chicago Farmers Farmland Investment Fair. Mark says it’s a great time for IALF since they’ve got an overlap in last year’s leadership …
Land Values
Farmland values was a very important topic of discussion at the Farmland Investment Fair put on by the Chicago Farmers. One of the educational sessions on the topic was conducted by Mike Shane, First Farm Credit Services. Mike told me they focused on what land values are now and what drives them. They can’t predict them of course. He says …
Need For More Exports
The new U.S. Grains Council senior vice president of operations and industry relations is Keith Heffernan, pictured in the middle here. He was chief of staff for the Farm Credit Administration. Keith was also the first executive director for the Iowa Corn Growers Association; director of public affairs for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation; assistant director for the Center of …
Learn About Trade With Mexico
Here at the U.S. Grains Council International Marketing Conference n this morning’s general session we had a panel discussion on trade with Mexico. In the discussion attendees were able to ask questions and answers. In fact, it was mostly a Q&A session. Allan Mustard, Minister Counselor, Office of Agricultural Affairs, US Embassy, Mexico City, introduced our panel. Our panelists and …
Live From USGC International Marketing Conference
We’re going to be broadcasting the final general session from the U.S. Grains Council Marketing Conference. Post Update We were live. Now we’re recorded. The Chairman for the U.S. Grains Council is Rick Fruth. Rich took the stage today to speak to attendees of the International Marketing Conference and Membership Meeting. I have recorded his comments for you in video …
USGC Is International Marketing Partner for NCGA
One of the founding members of the U.S. Grains Council is the National Corn Growers Association. Attending the USGC International Marketing Conference is NCGA CEO Rick Tolman, seen here addressing one of the meetings. Rick, who worked for USGC for many years, says that NCGA considers the Grains Council their international trade partner. The two organizations have a very strong …
Carole Brookins Keynotes USGC Conference
The Hon. Carole L. Brookins, Managing Director of Public Capital Advisors, LLC, gave the keynote speech at 7th International Marketing Conference in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Her presentation is filled with facts, figures and her personal outlook on the future. She brought the group a unique perspective about how we may not agree with a lot of what is happening on …
USGC 50th Membership Meeting
We’re celebrating 50 years at the U.S. Grains Council. I’m in Puerto Vallarta for the 7th USGC International Marketing Conference and 50th Annual Membership Meeting. Tomorrow morning I’ll be going AgWired Live TV with the opening general session starting at 8am, central. So tune if you’d like. I’ll also be recording the session too. If you’re an ag journalist please …
Social Media Presentation at Biodiesel Conference
The east coast weather has sure created some problems. We felt the impact here at the National Biodiesel Conference when some of the presenters couldn’t make it here. I volunteered to fill in on an afternoon panel with a focus on new consumer messaging research and the use of social media. I was social media. Like my session with Chicago …
Biodiesel Industry Future Is Bright
The CEO of the National Biodiesel Board, Joe Jobe, was on stage to welcome a standing room only crowd at the opening general session to the Conference. He opened up with a political theme to his remarks. As the folks in the opening video stated very clearly, this last year has been a huge struggle for our industry. With the …