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 …
Ding Wins National Potato Council Scholarship
The National Potato Council (NPC) is pleased to announce the winner of the 2015-15 $10,000 academic scholarship. Shunping Ding, a PhD. student in Plant Pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is a graduate student who earned the award for her interest in research benefiting the potato industry. Ding is an enthusiastic researcher and dedicated student, who has proven to be a leader both …
Join the Biodiesel & Bioheat Forum
Next week I’ll be attending the Biodiesel and Bioheat Forum, sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. Want to join me? Get registered now. Home heating oil and biodiesel leaders will discuss a biodiesel blend with significant environmental and economic benefits and the role Minnesota soybean farmers can play in meeting the demand of this market. “The Midwest …
Farm Financial Standards Councils Elects Neiffer
The Farm Financial Standards Council has elected Paul Neiffer (center) serve as president for 2015-16. Neiffer is a principal with ClifftonLarsonAllen, LLP, in Kennewick. Neiffer is flanked to his right by Stephen Severe, CFO of Padlock Ranch, Ranchester, WY, who will serve as the organization’s vice president. The secretary/treasurer of the Council is Janice P. Bitter, vice president of Farm …
Tiemann Elected Chairman of U.S. Grains Council
A Nebraska corn farmer and state Corn Board member is the new chairman of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC). Alan Tiemann from Seward, Nebraska, was elected at the organization’s 55th annual board of delegates meeting in Montreal, Canada, after serving as USGC vice-chairman over the previous year. “I have enjoyed addressing issues and helping open markets for the Grains Council …
Farm Foundation President to Retire
The president of Farm Foundation is going to reture. Neil Conklin, who took office in 2008 and is the sixth person to lead Farm Foundation in its 82-year history, says he will retire effective December 2016. “Neil has been key in fulfilling the Trustees’ goal to position the Foundation as the leader in helping public and private-sector leaders address the …
Free Fuel Happy Hours at Sturgis Buffalo Chip
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has been providing free E10 fuel fill-ups for bikers at the Buffalo Chip Campground during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for the past four years, and every year Chip owner Rod “Woody” Woodruff is first in line. Cindy borrowed my new Golden ZimmComm Microphone to interview Woody during her first trip to the annual event. “RFA …
CropLife America Launches Green Thumb Challenge
CropLife America (CLA) is challenging agriculture advocates to paint their thumbs green this August and post a photo on Twitter. The Green Thumb Challenge contest encourages participants to show their support for today’s farmers and the many methods they use to feed communities across the U.S. in an environmentally sustainable way. Everyone is encouraged to give a thumbs up for …
News From Custom Harvesters at #AgMedia
Mark Anderson and Dan Misner with U.S. Custom Harvesters (USCHI) had some news to share at the Ag Media Summit last week. First, Anderson says they just announced a new partnership with Ag in the Classroom to develop two curriculums using footage leftover from “The Great American Wheat Harvest” documentary. “These curriculums will focus on agribusiness, leadership and job opportunities …