When Hutchinson, Kansas native John Wildin put his entry form into the I Am FARMLAND sweepstakes box during the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association convention this past February, he never dreamed he would win a John Deere Gator. The promotion was the brainchild of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) to help create awareness about the documentary FARMLAND and encourage …
What Does Sustainable Mean to the Consumer?
The 2015 NAMA Bootcamp was again held in Kansas City, MO. The event attracts those new to the world of agri-marketing or simply new to the agriculture community. Sustainability and the consumer was one breakout session which discussed how farmers and ranchers can communicate with food connectors and millennials about sustainability. U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) CEO, Randy Krotz, …
Priority Issues for Missouri Policy Makers
Missouri State Fair’s legislator day brought policy makers together to talk about issues facing not only Missouri farmers and ranchers but about regulation that affects those involved with agriculture across the country. On that list was immigration. We have heard many of the front running political candidates give their opinions, but few have touched on it’s impact on agriculture. Missouri …
MO Farm Bureau Speaks Out Against Over Regulation
The Missouri Farm Bureau has put together interactive maps to give a feel of how the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule that goes into effect this weekend will impact the state. Well over 95% of the state of Missouri will qualify as a water of the U.S. under this rule. I spoke with Blake Hurst, president of the …
Biodiesel 2015 and Beyond
The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council is conducting a first ever event today in Mankato, MN. The event, “Biodiesel 2015 & Beyond: A Biodiesel/Bioheat Forum,” brings together biodiesel industry market developers, researchers and a number of representatives of east coast oil heat and fuel companies. The open forum is providing an educational look at what’s going on in the …
Missouri’s Agriculture Stewardship Assurance Program
Missouri Department of Agriculture held a press conference on the opening day of the Missouri State Fair about the launch of their Agriculture Stewardship Assurance Program (ASAP). The program goals are to encourage sustainable agricultural practices throughout the state, increase consumer confidence in Missouri agriculture and provide global marketing opportunities for the state’s producers. ASAP is a verification program that …
Farm Bureau: EPA Massively Increasing Its Authority
New maps released by Farm Bureau shows the federal government is massively increasing its authority at the cost of American producers. This news release from the group says the Environmental Protection Agency will radically expand its jurisdiction over land use if its controversial Waters of the United States rule takes effect as expected Aug. 28. That expansion comes even as …
Cheese & Beverage Pairing App
To the delight of cheese-loving smartphone users, the Wisconsin Cheese Cupid cheese and beverage-pairing app from Wisconsin Cheese is now available for Android mobile devices. Developed by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Wisconsin Cheese Cupid takes the guesswork out of pairing cheese with wine, beer and spirits. With its easy-to-use features, the app can help users create expert pairings on …
Partnership Launches No-Cost Farm Transition Project
A group of educators and agricultural consultants is launching a new, no-cost farm transition planning project to make sure farmland stays in families’ hands. Ag Transition Partners, supported by American Agri-Women, a coalition of farm, ranch and agri-business women is offering the project with webinars, on-site or virtual coaching and action plan templates. The project’s multi-layer approach sets it apart …
Food Dialogues – Minneapolis
It is time to talk about food again. So let’s have a dialogue in Minneapolis on “Farm to Consumer: Bridging the Gap between Consumer Concerns and Food Production and Sourcing Decisions.” Thanks to USFRA, we’ll will be there tomorrow to watch, learn, interview, tweet. From environmental sustainability to GMO safety and animal welfare, consumers increasingly want to know if the …