We are already up to episode number seven in our SMART Farmer podcast series and this week our subject is John Deere, the company. John Deere was not a farmer, but he was a real person who started innovating for farmers back in 1837 when he designed a newfangled kind of plow that helped pioneers break through rich Midwest soil. …
A Secretary Sonny Day in Iowa
It was a sunny day in Iowa Friday for the visit of new Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue at Couser Cattle Company. The Secretary was welcomed by Bill, Nancy and Tim Couser, as well as Iowa Senators Joni Erst and Chuck Grassley, and Rep. Steve King. Looking comfortable in worn jeans, the new secretary bragged about the value of American …
Set Sail on a Voyage of Better Seed
With the theme “Voyage of Better Seed,” the 2017 American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Annual Convention June 21-24 in Minneapolis will focus on science and policy issues related to the development and free movement of quality seed worldwide. ASTA president and CEO Andy LaVigne says a number of special sessions and tours are planned for the week, including an Opening …
Branstad Wants “Fair and Open” Chinese Market
The longest serving governor in the country will be drawing on his agricultural trade experience and 30 year friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China. During his confirmation hearing Tuesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad was asked by Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE) what he will do to get more …
Grassland Oregon Offers Pastures for Pollinators
In response to the need to protect pollinators and support sustainable livestock farming, Grassland Oregon has introduced a new seed mixture called Pastures for Pollinators that will benefit bees, livestock and sustainable agriculture. Risa DeMasi, co-founder of Grassland Oregon and immediate past chairman of the American Seed Trade Association says proceeds from the sales of Pastures for Pollinators will be …
Passing of the NAMA Gavel
Just back off the agriblogging highway from the 2017 AgriMarketing Conference in Dallas Texas where we talked a lot about podcasting and agriculture’s virtual newsroom AgNewsWire. We also did a lot of Facebook Live video from NAMA this year – the first time Best of NAMA and Student NAMA finals have ever been broadcast live. The annual conference marks the …
First Next Gen NAMA Winners Honored
The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) honored the first winners of the Next Gen NAMA Award at the 2017 Agri-Marketing Conference in Dallas last week. This new award was developed to celebrate the next generation of agribusiness marketing industry leaders. Honorees were nominated by their company supervisor or through chapter or national leadership and must be NAMA members. The five recipients …
Agribusiness Leader and Marketer of Year Honored
The recipients of NAMA’s Agribusiness Leader and Marketer of the Year are announced months in advance, but they receive those awards and the recognition that comes with them at the annual conference. Mike Stern, CEO of Monsanto’s The Climate Corporation, received the 2017 Agribusiness Leader of the year award, which is NAMA’s highest honor, recognizes outstanding industry leadership. Mike Stern …
Herm Edwards Addresses #NAMA17
On his way to Philadelphia yesterday to do commentary for NFL Draft Day, former NFL coach and ESPN analyst Herm Edwards visited the 2017 Agri-Marketing Conference to provide some game winning tips for life. Edwards emphasized teamwork, integrity and effective communication and talked about his career as one of five head coaches in NFL history to take two different teams …
Secretary of Ag Answers Questions on NAFTA & More
Yesterday newly confirmed Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue spent his third day on the job visiting the USDA office in Kansas City, Missouri. He also addressed members of the press, answering questions on topics from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to wildfires. “I was a grain trader, and President Trump is a trader,” Perdue said when asked about …