Undersecretary Michael Scuse Addresses Ag Day

Chuck Zimmerman

The annual Celebration of Agriculture dinner at the USDA was an opportunity for many agricultural leaders and students to gather and hear about the work being done by the agency. Our keynote speaker, Michael Scuse, Undersecretary for Farm & Foreign Ag Services used the opportunity to highlight many of the accomplishments and programs of USDA The program also featured some …

Ag Day, Ag Groups, Audio, USDA

Listen to Ag Day Essay Contest Winner

Chuck Zimmerman

The winner of the 2015 Ag Day Essay Contest is Theresa Seibel. During last night’s Celebration of Agriculture Dinner we heard her read that essay which focused on this year’s theme, Agriculture: Sustaining Future Generations. Theresa is pictured with Annette Degnan, marketing communications director, CHS Inc., one of this year’s essay contest sponsors. The theme presented an opportunity for students …

Ag Day, Ag Groups, Audio

Charles Eastin Award Presented on Ag Day

Chuck Zimmerman

The recipient of the 2015 Charles Eastin Award is Dennis Pennington, Michigan State University Extension. The Eastin Award presented by the Agriculture Council of America and honors an individual who stands out as an advocate for accurate communications between rural and urban audiences. Dennis was presented his award by Colin Woodall, NCBA and Chair of the Agriculture Council of America …

Ag Day, Ag Groups

American Agri-Women Veritas Award

Chuck Zimmerman

During the National Ag Day Celebration of Agriculture Dinner Orion Samuelson received another award. This time Sue McCrum, President of the American Agri-Women presented him with their Veritas Award. The award is given annually to a person who has given public witness to “the pursuit of truth” in accordance with the principles enunciated in the AAW Statement of Philosophy, The …

Ag Day, Ag Groups, Audio

FFA Takes Message to Capitol Hill on National Ag Day

John Davis

The future of farming is in Washington, D.C., this week to bring the message of agriculture to those who govern this country. Thirty-six FFA state officers are on Capitol Hill for the the 42nd anniversary of National Ag Day, which is celebrated today in classrooms and communities across the country. “Agriculture plays a key role in all of our everyday …

Ag Groups, FFA

Eggs and Kevin Bacon

Chuck Zimmerman

Please don’t make puns about Kevin’s last name. He would appreciate it. I’m sure he’s also appreciating the American Egg Board for including him in their latest campaign, Wake up to Eggs with Bacon. Nobody knows eggs better than bacon, which is why America’s egg farmers are teaming up with the most famous bacon of all, Kevin Bacon. The new …

Ag Groups, Video

Letter Calls for USDA, HHS to Reject Dietary Report

Jamie Johansen

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined 29 of her colleagues in objecting to a report on food guidelines that advises Americans to decrease consumption of red meat. In a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell, the senators condemn the report’s conclusions, which ignore relevant scientific evidence on nutrition. Senator Fischer released the following statement regarding …

Ag Groups, Food, USDA

Pig Farmer of the Year Award

Jamie Johansen

Outstanding pork producers have one thing in common: they cultivate customer trust every step of the way. The Pork Checkoff’s new America’s Pig Farmer of the Year award program will honor the U.S. pork producer who best excels at raising pigs using the We Care ethical principles and wants to share this with consumers. “The public is the main audience, …

Ag Groups, Animal Health, Pork, Swine

Farm Families Coalition Receives National Recognition

Jamie Johansen

Marla Behrends, left, and Linda Olson were presented with the Meritorious Service in Communications award from the American Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers for the Illinois Farm Families Chicago Moms Program by Jerry Hicks, regional Council member for ASFMRA during the annual meeting of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Manager and Rural Appraisers in East Peoria. …

Ag Groups

“Rev It Up” My ROI Checkoff Challenge

Jamie Johansen

The Beef Checkoff Program has a unique opportunity to encourage checkoff investors to share how they personally benefit from checkoff efforts, thanks to a generous donation from Yamaha of a three-passenger VikingT EPS 4×4 with specialized accessories and a total value of $21,728.07? Starting March 16, beef and dairy producers can enter the “Rev It Up” My ROI Checkoff Challenge …

Ag Groups, Beef, Beef Checkoff