The Agricultural Retailers Association recently recognized two legislators who have lead efforts to defend the industry’s freedom to operate: Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.). Both were named ARA’s 2015 Legislator of the Year. ARA recognized Sen. Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, for his determined efforts on behalf of the agricultural industry during his years …
Kenna Lewis Earns Top Honors at YF&R
Kenna Lewis, a senior at Cal Poly San Lois Obispo, was named the American Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Collegiate Discussion Meet winner. The meet, designed to simulate a committee meeting to exchange ideas and find solutions to a topic of concern to agriculture, was held last week at the #ShowMeYFR Annual Leadership Conference. Lewis is currently working towards a degree …
Common Ground Takes Families Out To Ranch
CommonGround has launched a new video on animal welfare, highlighting how ranchers care for their animals. The short piece features Colorado CommonGround volunteer and rancher Kelsey Pope and her mother, Cindy Frasier, and helps consumers that are actively looking for the story behind their food. The video shows Pope and her family out together working on their ranch. Together, Frasier …
Corn Growers Focused on Expanding Trade
Remarks made by National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Chip Bowling at the U.S. Grains Council’s 13th International Marketing Conference this week emphasized the importance of trade to corn growers. “We have set an ambitious goal of building demand in the years ahead, and it’s a goal we cannot meet without looking outside our nation’s borders,” Bowling said. “Exports or …
Celebrate National FFA Week
Next week, February 20-27, more than half a million students will celebrate the role of agriculture in our daily lives. National FFA Week encourages students to raise awareness and share the message of agriculture throughout the country. The week, chosen to encompass George Washington’s birthday, runs Saturday to Saturday. The weeklong tradition, which began in 1948, was designated by the …
USB Educates Growers on Global Markets
The United Soybean Board (USB) invites soybean farmers with a desire to take a look at their customers beyond the elevator and to learn more about the soy checkoff’s role in marketing U.S. soy, to take part in their See for Yourself program. Tina Holst, Chilston, Wisconsin soybean farmer, took advantage of this opportunity last year and I caught up …
ACA Names Christina O’Brien as Award Recipient
Christina O’Brien has been an outstanding advocate for agriculture and now she is being recognized for her efforts. The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) is awarding her the Charles Eastin Award for 2016. This award is for an individual who works to accurately communicate between rural and urban audiences. She will be honored at a Celebration of Agriculture Dinner at …
Break the Rules at #ShowMeYFR
Lindsay Calvert of the American Farm Bureau Federation told attendees of #ShowMeYFR Annual Leadership Conference to break the rules. Not all the rules, exactly, but the rules of public speaking. Public speaking is the most commonly requested topic for Calvert, whose job is to train Farm Bureau leaders nationwide. Members want to know, how do you connect with an audience? How …
Our Important Voice
From the time Roger Rickard was 13 years old he was driven by causes and has been politically minded ever since. His experiences along the way lead him to start Voices in Advocacy and write a book, “7 Actions of Highly Effective Advocates.” He brought his expertise to the stage addressing attendees of the 2016 National Young Farmers & Ranchers …
#ShowMeYFR Reaches Young Farmers & Ranchers
The American Farm Bureau Federation hosted their annual Young Farmer & Rancher Leadership Conference in Kansas City, Missouri this weekend. According to coordinator Marty Tatman, more than 1,100 attendees gathered from across the nation to learn, network, and be inspired. “Advocacy, Leadership, and Motivation were the three key areas that the committee wanted to focus in on this year. So …