BASF, the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced this year’s scholarship winners for both organizations at the 2009 Commodity Classic. The scholarships are awarded to tomorrow’s agricultural leaders pursuing a degree in an industry-related field.
Adam Burnhams (center) with U.S. Crop Protection Products at BASF presented the students with their awards on Friday. Four of the five students were able to attend this year’s Commodity Classic. They are pictured here, left to right – Michael Sukalski of Minnesota, Rita Cook of Iowa, Emily Treu of Wisconsin and Alex Coughlin of South Dakota. Not pictured is Elias Klokkenga of Illinois. Listen to interviews and get more information about the winners here on Corn Commentary.
Adam also presented the 2009-2010 Secure Optimal Yield (SOY) Scholarship, managed by the ASA and sponsored by BASF, to Brent Larson, a high-school senior from Canby, Minnesota, who plans to major in agronomy and minor in agricultural economics and agricultural marketing at South Dakota State University.
Listen to an interview with Brent here:
cc09-asa-scholar-brent.mp3
Adam says BASF has made a five-year commitment to each organization to support higher education in agriculture for members’ families. “We believe that the future of agriculture is in the hands of our leaders,” Adam says. “We need strong leaders in our industry and we need to invest in those leaders.”
Listen to an interview with Alex here:
cc09-basf-adam-scholars.mp3
2009 Commodity Classic photo album
BASF at Commodity Classic photo album.
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This afternoon I finally got to meet the 
Growing up on a cattle ranch was tough at times, but looking back now, I realize that it gave me a sense of responsibility and a hard work ethic that transfers into the other things I do in life. More importantly, living on a farm gave me a passion for this industry that would be hard to walk away from. I don’t think there is a better place to be than agriculture, and I’m excited to start my career working for America’s food producers.
I will be graduating from South Dakota State University in May, and hopefully, I will be ranching with my parents and working as a freelance writer once I hit the “real world.” When I’m not outside helping with cattle chores, I hope to get a lot of writing and photography work done. As I embark on my career as an agricultural journalist, I have decided I need to invest in a few pieces of equipment. On my wish list (based solely on need, of course…) is a new laptop computer, an audio recorder, a wide angle lens for my Canon and video editing software. 
Here’s an example of how the stimulus is stimulating. I’m betting there will be other groups formed to help spend that money. I’m not saying this is a bad thing necessarily. Someone sure needs to provide advice to the government officials who are going to be making spending decisions.
As the world population explodes, producing food, feed, fuel, and fiber in a sustainable manner throughout the world will be paramount to success. “We’re adding three China’s in our children’s lifetime,” said Marty Matlock, Director of the Center for Agriculture and Rural Sustainability at the University of Arkansas. “Today, the U.S. is top of its game globally.”
“This tool will hope us demonstrate how the U.S. measures up when talking about sustainability,” said Doug Goehring, who grows corn, soybeans and wheat in North Dakota. “This tool helps a grower re-affirm how sustainable he is. The feedback is vitally important.”
Our opening general session has just ended and once again we got a chance to hear from the Presidents of the commodity groups involved in Classic. This year there are four. Pictured (l-r) are Moderator, Mark Mayfield, NSP Chairman Toby Bostwick, NAWG President, David Cleavinger, NCGA President, Bob Dickey and ASA President, Johnny Dodson.
At the 2009 Commodity Classic trade show, growers are finding that the BASF exhibit not only features new products to help them be more productive, it is also showcasing new products made from the corn they grow.
There’s not really a story for this photo. I just thought it was a very cool looking promotion.