AgWired

The International Farm Management Association Congress began Monday, July 20 at Illinois State University. Gregory Traxler was one of several speakers discussing global agriculture issues on the opening day of the IFMA Congress. His presentation, “Toward World Food Security” highlighted the complexity and causes of the issue of food security.

Food security refers to the right to food for all human beings worldwide, that no one should go hungry, in Wexler’s words. The issue is a global problem, yet it is still relevant in the United States and locally. Local food security can be guaranteed by social programs and local government infrastructures. Without government support of research and development, countries cannot improve their agricultural yield, and thus cannot improve their overall food security. Developing technologies and making agricultural changes are “not something you ‘do’ to a country,” Wexler said, but rather choices that countries should make.

Globally, over 870 million people are hungry each day, a number that has increased by 50 million people in the last year alone. The main problem in solving hunger is not greater production of food, but better, more efficient distribution of food, according to Wexler. “Agriculture is the key to reducing hunger and poverty,” Wexler stressed.

Other causes of the global food crisis include rising fuel costs, urbanization, growing world population, and most importantly, neglect of agriculture in developing countries.

After highlighting the causes and the depth of the problem of world food security, Wexler briefly touched on the efforts of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in solving the global issue. He and his colleagues’’ work focuses on the policy and statistics portion in research and development of agricultural practices.

Wexler’s presentation is a prime example that many people, in a variety of fields other than agriculture specifically, can take part in solving the world food crisis.

For a review of the complete itinerary, visit: http://www.ifma17.org/

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As we’ve mentioned earlier, our coverage of the IFMA 17 Congress is being produced by student correspondents in the IFMA 17 newsroom and delivered to AgWired for posting.

It’s always nice to see the students in action like in this photo.

Those same student correspondents are contributing to the Congress Twitter Feed too. So over the coming days we’ll have lots of stories for you.

IFMA runs July 19 through July 24 at Illinois State University. For a review of the complete itinerary, visit: http://www.ifma17.org.

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-Delegates from over 26 countries met Sunday evening, July 19, at Miller Park for the International Farm Management Association Congress picnic.

This is only the second time the Congress has been held in the U.S., and at the opening picnic, delegates from South Africa to Ireland were able to experience a Midwest American meal.

Good food followed with good conversation. Lindsay Jarvis, an Australian dairy farmer from Victoria, Australia explained “The dinner and upcoming events provide an opportunity to talk to people all around the world from Ethiopia to Canada.”

In these tough economic times and a world threatened by climate change, Jarvis emphasized the dialogue between the 26 countries is critical to meeting the challenges of the industry.

“This conference is one focusing on the future,” Jarvis added.

Having attended seven previous conferences, Jarvis is a veteran of IFMA. However, the location of the Congress offers the chance for local agriculture professionals to have the international experience.

John Croft of Soy Capital Ag Services, who is attending his first Congress, said the week will allow him to gauge the attitudes and opinions of his colleagues from around the world.

“It gives you an idea of what its like in other parts of the world…I can get a perspective from all over the world rather than having to travel to all 26 countries,” Croft said.

Following dinner, the evening concluded with fireworks.

IFMA runs July 19 through July 24 at Illinois State University. For a review of the complete itinerary, visit: http://www.ifma17.org.

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The International Farm Management Association Congress focuses on the future of the agriculture industry. And as delegates from across the world enter the Brown Ballroom on Illinois State University’s campus on Monday, July 20 for the IFMA 17 opening ceremony, attendees are sure to notice the work of future professionals.

For the past 10 to 12 weeks, ISU students have spent their summer days in Ropp greenhouse planting soybeans, wheat and corn. From soil to center stage, these plants are a reflection of the American heartland delegates will call home for the next week.

Switchgrass and cotton seed from Memphis, Tenn. are also on display.

These plants also provide the opportunity for ISU to showcase the university’s horticulture program, which consists of approximately 40 undergraduate students. The program is continuing to expand both in its depth of study and the breadth of its professional experiences.

Classes include landscape design, plant propagation and nursery management.

This past spring the ISU horticulture department celebrated the graduation of its first master’s degree student.

To see what the future of the agriculture industry and the ISU horticulture program have to offer, the public is invited to attend the IFMA 17 Congress. Bloomington, Ill. is only the second U.S. city to host this event in the Congress’ 38 year history. IFMA runs from July 19 to July 24.

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The Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGEX) is the latest ag-related biz to go Twitter.

According to a news release: With the creation of the MGEX site, anyone subscribing to view information on MGEX can receive up to date information in a timely manner. The page can be accessed at: http://twitter.com/MGEX1.

“Twitter provides us with a tool to stay connected with our members and market participants and gives us the opportunity to reach out to a larger audience,” Rita Maloney, Director of Marketing and Business Development, MGEX said. “We are always looking for ways to build brand identity and enhance existing relationships. Twitter offers that in an extremely convenient, cost-effective way.”