The sponsor of the IFAJ Master Class program is Pioneer Hi-Bred. Representing Pioneer here at the Congress is Lonetta Ragland, seen here talking to the Master Class a few days ago. I visited with her about the Master Class program. She says that Pioneer is proud to sponsor the program because they fully understand the importance of agricultural journalists especially …
GIPSA Proposal an Example of Flawed Regulation
USDA’s proposed Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard’s Administration (GIPSA) proposal was one example of “How A Broken Process Leads To Flawed Regulations” at a House Committee hearing today, and the committee chairman apparently thinks its a good one. “GIPSA’s proposed rule change under the Packers and Stockyards Act is a blatant attempt to regulate livestock marketing practices that could literally …
IFAJ Strategic Survey Results
IFAJ conducted a survey of membership by a strategic committee and providing some results from the survey today was IFAJ Senior VP, Markus Rediger, LID Agricultural Information Center. The focus was on how to make IFAJ even more global. I’m sure information will be coming out of the IFAJ office after the conference and a report is being produced to …
IFAJ Japan Relief Effort Very Successful
During the delegate meeting of the IFAJ Congress we heard how things are going in Japan following the earthquake and tsunami disaster. As you may know, IFAJ helped organize a call for support and the results were €12,072 Euros being contributed to relief efforts! The donation will be managed by the Japan Agricultural Journalists Association. With us is a delegation …
IFAJ State of the Union
The 2011 IFAJ Congress kicked off formally today after a meeting of the executive committee. For the delegates meeting the officers got on stage to provide reports on various aspects of IFAJ business. This is the annual business meeting. At the podium is Mike Wilson, Farm Futures, IFAJ President. I asked him for a state of the union report after …
Canadian Potatoes Debut for IFAJ Dinner
During pre-IFAJ Congress activities we were treated to dinner in downtown Guelph at the Woolrich Arrow. We were also being used in an experiment with a local potato grower. Here’s Kevin Smith, Smoyd Potato Farm, holding some of his product while he talked to us about a new variety we were to have served with our dinner. So we ate …
Alltech Sponsoring IFAJ Boot Camp
The IFAJ Boot Camp participants, seen here, heard from their sponsor during their pre-Congress program in Guelph. My good friend, Aidan Connolly, Alltech VP, was able to be with us for a while this week. Aidan told our participants that “food and food policy has never been more critical, has never been more relevant, has never been more times on …
Farmers Fighting Poverty
One of the organizers for the IFAJ Master Class and Boot Camp program is Cees van Rij (pictured left), Agriterra. Cees is from the Netherlands. Cees says his organization is guided by Dutch farmer groups and cooperatives and believes that farmers can do a lot to work with people in poverty stricken areas to help them. That led to the …
IFAJ Congress Overview
The 2011 IFAJ Congress gets into full swing today. There are some business meetings for the organization as well as an afternoon session called Canada Agriculture 101. I visited with Co-Chair Owen Roberts, faculty instructor at the University of Guelph. We were on the bus last night on our way to Mohawk Racetrack. In the program you can hear Owen …
National Corn Growers Unveils Farm Bill Proposal
The National Corn Growers Association has officially unveiled its idea for a new disaster assistance title in the next farm bill. NCGA is proposing the Agriculture Disaster Assistance Program (ADAP) “that will modify and replace the existing Average Crop Revenue Election Program and provide a more effective and responsive safety net for growers.” “Responding to a charge by our voting …