Poverty affects families and communities in rural areas in a disproportional way. On Monday, April 18 the Farm Foundation Forum is hosting a discussion on the role of public policy in the fight against poverty. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will open the discussion and be joined by Bill Bynum, CEO of Hope Enterprise Corporation/Hope Credit Union of Jackson, Mississippi and …
CommonGround Recognized at NAMA
The National Agri-Marketing Association recognized the advocacy group, CommonGround during their National Awards Ceremony. The group won first place in the Social Tactic category, as well as Best of Show- Digital and the first-ever NAMA Grand Champion award for their video, “Ask a Farmer.” Their newly redesigned website also won first place in the Website Directed to Consumers category. CommonGround …
Farmers Face Financial Pressure, AFBF Tells Congress
The continued commodity price slump is hurting American farmers and Zippy Duvall is trying to make sure Congress understand just what that means to agriculture. The American Farm Bureau Federation President (AFBF) explained to the Agriculture Subcommittee that, while all farmers and ranchers will be affected, new and young farmers will struggle most as they work to build equity, write …
Corn Prices Projected to Decrease
While optimists hoped the increased demand for ethanol would help drive corn prices, the USDA reports say it won’t be enough to off-set other factors. Demand estimates are lower by 24 million bushels of corn, and ending stocks are higher by 25 million bushels. Production estimates remain unchanged from March. “U.S. corn farmers have indicated their intention to grow another …
McCornick Named Water for Food Executive Director
The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute at the University of Nebraska has announced a new executive director. Peter G. McCornick, an expert recognized internationally for his research in water, food, and the environment, will be taking the reins for the institute on September 1. Currently McCornick is serving as the deputy director general for the International Water Management …
Korean Cotton Executives to Visit US
Textile executives from 10 Korean companies will tour the U.S. Cotton Belt on April 17-22. The executives will observe U.S. cotton production, processing and marketing and will meet with U.S. cotton exporters. This Cotton USA Korean Special Trade Mission is being conducted by Cotton Council International (CCI), the National Cotton Council’s export promotions arm. Korea currently ranks as the sixth …
Farm Foundation Forum Discusses Poverty in Rural America
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and two rural community experts are joining together to discuss the cost of poverty in rural America at the Farm Foundation Forum on Monday, April 18, 2016. The Forum will be held at 9 am in the Holeman Lounge of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. A free, live audiocast will also be …
Seeking Future Giant of the Seed Industry
Seed World and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Future Seed Executives are looking for those poised to make an impact on the seed industry. The Future Giant is an award given to an early-career individual who is passionate about the seed industry. The award will be given at ASTA’s Annual Convention, June 18-22 in Portland, Oregon. The winner will …
Do Americans Trust Their Food?
Producers today face challenges of water shortages, urban sprawl, weed and antibiotic resistance, and the never ending battle with Mother Nature, but possibly the biggest hurdle to agriculture is consumer trust. More than ever consumers are asking questions and requesting transparency in the food process. How is the industry doing? Research provided by FoodThink offers new insights into Americans’ understanding of …
Wheelchair Accessible Indoor Farm Designed
Indoor Farms of America recently announced the arrival of a new farm model to their product line. The state of the art Container Farm is specially designed to be fully operated by a person in a wheelchair, expanding the population of users who are able to enjoy the fulfillment of operating a vegetable farm that can produce a substantial income …