The American Soybean Association recognized outstanding volunteers and leaders at its annual awards banquet in San Antonio on Feb. 28, honoring individuals for state association volunteerism, distinguished leadership achievements and long-term, significant contributions to the soybean industry. The Pinnacle Award Winner was Kenlon Johannes from Kansas. Recognized with the Distinguished Leadership Award was Steve Wellman of Nebraska, and the Outstanding …

MGEX, a Designated Contract Market and Derivatives Clearing Organization, announced its best February in history with a total volume of 261,762 contracts. Alongside this accomplishment, this past month also entered the record book as the 10th best month of all time at the Exchange. BRANDT has created a new global environment, health and safety function. Rick Cathcart, formerly BRANDT’s Director …

Farm Bureaus across the nation are mobilizing for Agricultural Safety Awareness Program Week, which takes place March 1-7. U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers will join Farm Bureau in promoting the week with its theme “20:20 Vision on Ag Safety.” From seed to harvest, the National Farm Machinery Show displays the latest equipment, showcases the most innovative technology and offers …

Sunny skies, large crowds and optimistic attendees defined the 53rd edition of World Ag Expo. The world’s largest annual outdoor agricultural exposition came to a close on Thursday, February 13 and boasted 1,442 exhibitors on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space. The three-day show hosted 106,357 attendees representing 46 states, the District of Columbia and 56 countries. Creative Art …

The annual Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) Scholarship is open and accepting applications until March 15. Each year, one college student studying agricultural communications and public relations, is awarded a $1,500 scholarship. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is March 15, 2020. The Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) is in year four of the ARC/Gardner & Gardner Communications internship program. The …

Throughout February, FFA chapters can apply for the 2020-21 Turn the Bag Blue & Gold program. Sponsored by Mycogen Seeds, this fundraising opportunity with the National FFA Organization is in its fourth year and has raised more than $93,000 for local FFA chapters, state FFA associations and the National FFA Organization. FFA chapters can apply for the program by visiting …

Are you planning on entering the 2020 IFAJ awards? The application deadline is Feb. 21, 2020. While 2019 was a challenging year for many farmers, photographers shared their stories in the sixth National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Fields-of-Corn Photo Contest. This year, NCGA awarded two Grand Prizes. One selected by a panel of judges, submitted by Harlen Persinger from Wisconsin …

Lessing-Flynn took home nine trophies recognizing the agency’s recent success on behalf of its clients at the National Agri-Marketing Association Region III Best of NAMA Awards Celebration held Wednesday, January 15, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The American Farm Bureau Federation presented its highest honors, the Distinguished Service Award and the Farm Bureau Founders Award, to Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Barry …

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson of Minnesota introduced legislation that would provide the Food and Drug Administration with the flexibility to allow hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) to be marketed in dietary supplements. The bill would also require a study and report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the production of hemp, on the regulatory and market barriers for …

The 36th class of American Soybean Association (ASA) Corteva Agriscience Young Leaders recently began its leadership journey at the Corteva Agriscience Global Business Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Andrew Wheeler has been appointed Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Public Relations manager starting Jan. 13. He will replace Laurie Johns, who is retiring. The American Farm Bureau Federation is pleased to welcome two …