ASTA Goes National

Chuck Zimmerman

The American Seed Trade Association worked hard all day at their 129th Annual Convention. Then it was time to relax a little. Many members did that by traveling by water taxi to Nationals Park on the Anacostia River for a game this evening. You can find photos in the online photo album.

Tomorrow we get back to work after an early morning Gary Arthur Memorial 5K Fun Run/Walk. Yours truly is going to try to participate. This event is named in honor of Gary Arthur, 2006 ASTA First Vice Chairman “who left this life too soon.”

I’ve got interviews from today to share still and we’ll have lots more to come from the ASTA convention during the next several days.

2012 ASTA Convention Photo Album

Ag Groups, ASTA

Winners and Losers in the Senate Farm Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

Most groups are saying very nice things about passage of the Senate Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012 and especially the quick work done by the Senate on the legislation.

“The bipartisan farm bill approved today by the Senate (S.3240) provides farmers improved risk management tools consistent with Farm Bureau’s core principles,” said American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman.

“America’s farmers greatly appreciate the leadership and cooperative work by the Senate to pass the 2012 farm bill in a timely manner,” National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer said. “We would also like to thank Senators Stabenow and Roberts for their bipartisan efforts throughout the process.”

However, since the bill passed by a vote of 64 to 35, there are at least 35 people who are not real happy with the bill, most of them are southerners and Republicans, like Saxby Chambliss of Georgia. “This bill still lacks the regional balance I have advocated for the past several months,” Chambliss said after voting against it. He and others hope that southerners will get a better deal on the House side. One amendment passed that was especially disconcerting to southern states limits marketing loan gains to $75,000.

Of the 73 amendments that were considered by the Senate, about 45 were approved, including a couple on non-germane issues like political convention funding. The Senate rejected two dueling amendments that required 60 vote margins pertaining to EPA aerial flyovers of farm operations.

As the action now moves to the House, committee markup has been scheduled for July 11. If the House can replicate what the Senate did – getting a bill out of committee in 4 ½ hours and get 73 amendments tackled in 2 ½ days – there is still a possibility that a bill could be passed before the current bill expires at the end of September. Anyone want to wager on it?

AFBF, Farm Bill, NCGA

NRCS Chief David White Receives ASTA DSA

Chuck Zimmerman

The American Seed Trade Association presented their Distinguished Service Award this morning to NRCS Chief David White, pictured on right with ASTA Chairman Mike Gumina. Mike says the award recognizes people who have gone above and beyond or made some special contribution to the industry. He says that in the area of conservation ASTA has had very good success.

Chief White talking about cost sharing between NRCS and private land owners says, “You can do whatever you want with public lands but the fate of the environment rests in private hands and voluntary incentive-based conservation is where we should be.” He says ASTA members provide 90% of all the seed used in NRCS programs. He ended his comments quoting a question often posed by former Rep. Kika de la Garza, TX, “How long can a nuclear submarine stay under water?” The answer: As long as they have food.

Listen to Chief White’s comments here: NRCS Chief David White Comment

2012 ASTA Convention Photo Album

Ag Groups, ASTA, Audio, Conservation, USDA

First The Seed Foundation Report

Chuck Zimmerman

Do you know about the First The Seed Foundation? Here’s what it’s about.

First the Seed Foundation (FTSF) is a not-for-profit organization established in 2008 by the American Seed Trade Association, one of the oldest trade associations in America, to inform today’s consumers and tomorrow’s workforce about the importance of the seed industry.

At the American Seed Trade Association convention we got a report on the foundation from board member Karen Withers. She starts her report explaining what the First The Seed Foundation does. Creating a Seed Career Handbook which has been distributed to over 500,000 students across the country is among the projects conducted by the foundation. Karen says the foundation is looking for Seed Industry Ambassadors. You can find a brochure on the foundation here (pdf).

Listen to Karen’s report here: First The Seed Foundation Report

2012 ASTA Convention Photo Album

Ag Groups, ASTA, Audio, Seed

Senate Passes Farm Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) calls it not the best possible bill, but “the best bill possible” – the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012 passed the Senate this afternoon by a vote of 64 to 35.

Both Roberts and Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) stressed the bi-partisan cooperation involved in getting the bill crafted and passed. “We got a 16-5 vote out of committee, bipartisan, and we did it in four and a half hours. That set a record,” said Roberts.

Before the vote was taken, Sen. Stabenow talked about how much the new bill would save the taxpayer. “We have the opportunity to vote on deficit reduction – $23 billion dollars in deficit reduction,” she said.

Listen to comments from Stabenow and Roberts here: Comments from Senate Floor on Farm Bill

Audio, Farm Bill

New Website for Alliance for Potato Research & Education

Melissa Sandfort

The Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE) is pleased to announce the launch of its new website. APRE, a not-for-profit research and education organization established one year ago today, is 100% dedicated to expanding and translating research into science-based policy and education initiatives on the role of all forms of the potato – a nutritious vegetable – in a well-balanced diet.

The APRE website is designed as the go-to online resource for all nutrition science related to the potato.

Visitors will have access to a wealth of regularly updated news and information on the site, including original scientific briefs, a video library featuring potato nutrition advice from registered dietitians, and comprehensive industry and government links. Other features include ongoing updates about APRE’s partnerships with USDA’s MyPlate and the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Kids Eat Right program, a full calendar of scientific and professional conferences, meetings, and more.

Agribusiness, Potato

Chairman’s Outlook for ASTA Convention

Chuck Zimmerman

American Seed Trade Association Chairman, Mike Gumina, Pioneer Hi-Bred, welcomed everyone to this morning’s general session at the ASTA convention. I visited with him to find out to learn more about ASTA and what to expect at this year’s meeting. Mike says ASTA is a broad based organization representing over 700 companies. “We like to say everything from alfalfa to zucchini.” He says that ASTA deals with four main areas that include intellectual property rights; state & local issues; federal issues and the international realm.

Mike provided me with an overview of this year’s convention. About 100 ASTA members participated in yesterday’s Storm the Hill Day to tell the seed industry story. After listening to Sec. Vilsack’s presentation this morning there will be discussions on each of the different areas (state/federal/international issues). Then he says we’ll get into how ASTA will deal with these policies through the organization’s different divisions.

Looking back over the last year Mike says ASTA has been very successful. He notes one issue which is “how do we transition patented biotech traits into a generic mode.” He says they’ve made good progress on this complex issue. Another area is the issue of “co-existence.” The co-existence of biotech and organic which has long been an issue. Learn more about ASTA by listening in on our conversation.

Listen to my interview with Mike Gumina here: Interview with Mike Gumina

2012 ASTA Convention Photo Album

Ag Groups, ASTA, Audio, Seed

Ag Secretary Addresses ASTA

Chuck Zimmerman

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, addressed the American Seed Trade Association this morning during their 129th Annual Convention. I’ll have audio of his remarks posted here shortly.

The theme of the start of Sec. Vilsack’s comments is “you can’t have it without seed,” which ties right in with the theme of the convention, First-the Seed. He used this line along with quoting statistics about U.S. ag exports and jobs created in rural America for example. He was here to provide the group with his perspective on the political lay of the land. He says there are challenges that include recent years of flat budgets for agricultural research and competition for water resources. He also challenged ASTA’s members to spur innovation and redefine “rural economy.” He said, “What extraordinary power you have.”

Post Update:

Listen to Secretary Vilsack here: Sec. Vilsack ASTA Address

2012 ASTA Convention Photo Album

ASTA, Audio

Knee-Deep (Not the Zac Brown Band Song)

Melissa Sandfort

Maybe it was the 90th birthday party that perked him up, or maybe the hospital trip where they took him off all the unnecessary meds (thank goodness), but my grandpa is back at it, his voice is 100 percent and we’re recording audio about life on the farm back in the late ‘30s and early ‘40s.

Even though I grew up on the farm and still live on the farm, I find his stories fascinating. Farming has advanced over the years and the efficiencies they have multiply daily, but I think it’s a nice reminder to look back and appreciate where we came from and how we got to where we are today.

This week, grandpa explains a little about having to move wooden cattle feed bunks by hand. I often think about what kept my great-grandparents alive to 100 years old and what keeps my grandparents ticking right along, and I think hard work lends a big hand in it. There isn’t a lazy bone in either of my grandparent’s bodies, they’ve always been healthy and at an ideal weight. There’s something to be said for physical labor, working up a sweat and getting your hands dirty. There’s also a lot of respect in that.

So take a listen as grandpa takes another “AgWalk” with us today. Listen to Grandpa explain

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

ASTA Storms The Hill

Chuck Zimmerman

The heat is on in Washington, DC for the members of the American Seed Trade Association. Today was “Storm the Hill” day and members took to the streets to visit their elected officials and talk about issues important to the seed industry. It could not be a better time for the organization to pick this location as the new farm bill is being worked on at both the Senate and House level.

At the end of a day of update sessions and office visits ASTA held a Storm the Hill Reception on Capitol Hill at the House Longworth Bldg. The event was well attended by members of the organization and various Representatives and their staff.

Following this reception members got to head back to the Gaylord National to freshen up before attending the ASTA Welcome Reception which was held at Oxon Hill Manor, a local historical site and beautiful location for some fellowship and relaxation.

You can see photos from all the activities here at the ASTA Convention online: 2012 ASTA Convention Photo Album

Feel free to download and share.

Ag Groups, ASTA