A diverse coalition of agricultural organizations that came together during the 2008 Farm Bill debate under the name Farm Policy Facts announced that they are stepping up education activities during the 113th Congress. Farm Policy Facts will communicate with the media and members of Congress via regular email alerts that will include a mix of farm policy news, detailed analysis …
Agriculture To Be On Display at Smithsonian
Think about putting your farm on display in a museum. You can. The American Farm Bureau Federation is working with the Smithsonian to create a new exhibit focused on agriculture. This spring, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is reaching out to farmers, ranchers and American agri-business to build a collection that reflects modern agricultural practices. Curators are seeking …
Dupont Pioneer Invests in My American Farm
My American Farm, the American Farm Bureau Foundation’s online interactive education program, received a huge investment from Dupont Pioneer that was announced at the beginning of the annual meeting here in Nashville. It is a $250,000 investment that will support new games and resources, increased outreach to K-12 stakeholders and a mobile application. I learned more about it by speaking …
American Farm Bureau Foundation Book of the Year
The American Farm Bureau Foundation has awarded its sixth annual “Book of the Year” award to Cat Urbigkit for her book “The Guardian Team: On the Job with Rena and Roo.” Cat is being interviewed in the photo by farm broadcaster Bob Middendorf. Cat is a western Wyoming sheep rancher who raises livestock protection dogs and burros. Her award winning …
America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education℠ Returns
A movement is underway to improve the math and science aptitude of today’s students. For the second year in a row, the Monsanto Fund is gearing-up to invest $2.3 million to strengthen math and science education in rural communities through America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education℠. Now until April 15, 2013, farmers can nominate their favorite, local public school district. Administrators …
Get Schooled in Ants
The nationwide School of Ants has found a home at the University of Florida. The school is an example of citizen science, a project where anybody can collect and submit data for experts to review and compile. Ants are collected from personal yards and neighborhoods and then entomologists identify each species and plot its location. These digital maps provide a …
Become a Master of Social Media at UF
Think you’re a master of social media? If not, you can become one at the University of Florida, College of Journalism & Communications, my alma mater. I wonder if they’d like a guest lecturer? Think I’ll pursue that idea. The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications is pleased to announce the launch of our online Master of Arts …
Today’s Agriculture Exhibit Expands
Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry joined forces to create the Today’s Agriculture exhibit at the Pennsylvania Farm Show complex. That exhibit has been expanded and will be ready for folks to see starting January 5, 2013. There will be a media unveiling on January 2nd from 10am to noon. What is Today’s Agriculture exhibit? Today’s Agriculture is an exhibit constructed within the …
Get Your MBA and Promote Beef Today
The Missouri Cattlemen’s Convention kicked off the morning with the popular Cattlemen’s College. NCBA’s Executive Director of Communications, Daren Williams, presented to the group on defending animal agriculture. We seem to always be fighting an up hill battle in the agriculture industry, so defending our passion and livelihood is vitally important. Beef has recently been under the spotlight and it …
Social Media/Mobile Tech Webinars for Farm Biz
University of Nebraska Extension is partnering with Ohio State Extension and Penn State Extension to offer a Social Media & Mobile Technology for Ag Businesses webinar series. The series is designed to help small business owners understand how to integrate social media and mobile applications into the company’s marketing plan. Seems like a good idea to me! As more and …