The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) attended this year’s NAFB Trade Talk event and I spoke with Colin Woodall, Vice President of Government Affairs, while stopping by their booth. Colin voiced that it is an exciting time to be part of the beef community. He admits herd numbers are down, but that it means people are making money. Beyond cattle …
ASFMRA Speaker Interviews
Last week I posted podium remarks from Monsanto’s Dr. Robert Fraley and from California Secretary of Agriculture, Karen Ross at the Agronomics Vision 2014 conference in Reno, NV. After their presentations I sat down with them for a short interview which focused not only on their presentations but in more personal detail about what they see for the future. Feel …
USDA’s Drive in Support of Rural Communities
USDA Rural Development was on hand during last week’s NAFB Trade Talk to share their work with rural communities across the United States and promote the use of #MyFarmBill. I spoke with Colleen Callahan, Illinois State Director for Rural Development, during the event and she was eager to express their commitment to rural communities and their passion for brining value …
NAFB President Passes the Gavel
As tradition has it, the gavel was passed during NAFB’s Friday night banquet. Mark Oppold with RFD-TV has greatly served the organization as the 2013 NAFB President. Emcee for the entertaining evening was Ken Root of Root Communications, a former colleague of Mark’s at AgriTalk. Friends and family of Mark took turns toasting his accomplishments and sometimes even roasting a …
Ag Secretary Visits NAFB
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack made a trip to Kansas City to visit with farm broadcasters during the 70th National Association of Farm Broadcasting Annual Convention. The Secretary centered his comments around the RFS announcement, record levels of exports, drought issues and of course, the farm bill. Vilsack started off by thanking all the farm broadcaster for the work that they do …
EPA Unveils 2014 RFS Renewable Fuel Volumes
Today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its proposal for the 2014 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for the amount of renewable fuels to be blended into gasoline and diesel. The EPA has proposed to set the cellulosic biofuel category at 17 million gallons, biomass-based diesel at 1.28 billion gallons, advanced biofuel at …
ASFMRA Providing Continuing Education
One of the first persons I met at the Agronomics Vision 2014 conference was JoAnn Wall, Central Coast AgAppraisal, Inc. JoAnn moderated a technology panel during the conference this year. We had a great conversation about the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers in which she is actively involved. JoAnn is an accredited rural appraiser and says the …
BASF Gives Back to NAFB
The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) is blessed with the support of many agricultural companies and organizations and BASF is one of the best. Our wonderful friend Pat Morrow (aka Queen of Half the Universe) took their support of the organization to another level this year by being elected to the board as an Allied Industry Council representative. “I …
NAFB Reporting Award to Honor Stewart Doan
Since the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences took exception to the use of the word “Oscar” for NAFB’s annual reporting awards that had been presented since the 1970s, a new name has been bestowed for the awards that will pay tribute to one of organization’s past presidents who passed away last year. During the NAFB Foundation luncheon, chairman …
New ASFMRA President
The new president of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers is Jim Rickert, AFM, ARA co-owner of Western Agricultural Services. I visited with him at the Agronomics Vision 2014 conference taking place in Reno, NV, to find out what his goals are for his year as president. Rickert, AFM, ARA is the co-owner of Western Agricultural Services, …