2025 Tech Hub Live

Perennial and rTek Partner to Regenerate Degraded Grasslands

Cindy Zimmerman

Kazakhstan-based nature-based solutions (NbS) carbon credits project developer rTek has selected Colorado measurement, reporting, and verification company Perennial as its exclusive soil carbon MMRV provider for the next 10 years to deliver high-integrity carbon credits globally.

The goal of the partnership is to regenerate Kazakhstan’s soils through sustainable agricultural land management by leveraging Perennial’s expertise in digital soil mapping (DSM) and advanced soil organic carbon (SOC) modeling with rTek’s local proficiency in land management, design, and implementation of carbon projects.

Supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), this initiative falls under the Kazakhstan Resilient Agroforestry and Rangeland Project, which promotes sustainable pasture management. The activity “Support for Access to International Carbon Markets,” aims to demonstrate how carbon trade can serve as a catalyst for attracting private investments. By doing so, it seeks to enhance sustainable pastureland management, develop critical infrastructure, and facilitate access to international carbon markets for long-term financial sustainability. Set to begin baseline modeling in 2025, this initiative will implement advanced MMRV methodologies compliant with Verra’s VM0032 standards, enabling accurate soil carbon credit generation and enhancing rTek’s capacity to manage and expand grassland restoration.

The partnership is seeking investors and carbon credit buyers to join them in transforming 500,000+ hectares of Kazakhstan’s long-degraded grasslands into a global example for sustainable agriculture and carbon sequestration.

AgWired Precision, carbon, Precision Agriculture, Soil

Industry Ag News 5/27

Carrie Muehling

  • The Make America Healthy Again Commission released its long-awaited report, which denigrates the safety of key pesticides used by corn growers and other farmers. In response, the National Corn Growers Association released the following statement: “The Make America Healthy Again Report is filled with fear-based rather than science-based misinformation about pesticides. We are deeply troubled that claims of this magnitude are being made without any scientific basis or regard for a long history of EPA expert evaluations of these products.”
  • The American Soybean Association strongly rebukes the May 22 Make America Healthy Again Commission report for being brazenly unscientific and damaging to consumer confidence in America’s safe, reliable food system. Should the administration act on the report—which was drafted entirely behind closed doors— it will harm U.S. farmers, increase food costs for consumers, and worsen health outcomes for all Americans. ASA calls on President Trump, who has long been a friend of farmers, to step in and correct the Commission’s deeply misguided report.
  • Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) have reintroduced the Farmer-to-Farmer Education Act (S. 1769). This bill, written in collaboration with American Farmland Trust (AFT) and the National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers), would facilitate farmer-to-farmer conservation education and successful practice adoption by building capacity and increasing support for farmer-led education networks, particularly for historically underserved producers.
  • The World Food Prize Foundation and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) are pleased to announce the creation of the Illinois Youth Institute, as part of the Foundation’s continued expansion of its global Youth Programs. Over the coming year, the Foundation and UIC will partner to plan a one-day immersive event for Illinois students to explore global food security challenges, engage in hands-on science and discover careers in food and agriculture.
  • The AgCareers 2025 Roundtable Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, will feature sessions for attendees to learn about the latest developments in AI and new technology in the agriculture and food industry. The Roundtable education sessions kick off on Wednesday, August 6th, with an “Innovation in the Industry” keynote session. Billi Hunt, Executive Director of America’s Cultivation Corridor, presenting an overview of the industry’s latest technological advancements and trends and how they affect people recruitment, management and retention.
  • Over 100 expert speakers participated in the week-long 2025 Water for Food Global Conference held in Lincoln, Neb. April 28 to May 2, 2025. More than 350 attendees from 23 different countries came together to tackle the critical challenge of ensuring a resilient future with water and food security for all at the event hosted by the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska. All conference sessions were recorded and will be available to view on the institute’s YouTube Channel in the coming months. More information can be found on the conference website.
  • More than 4,700 food safety professionals, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the globe gathered for the 2025 Food Safety Summit, held May 11–15 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. The event brought together 1,210 in-person attendees and 3,546 virtual participants to explore the latest advancements and pressing challenges in food safety. The expanded exhibit hall featured 160 leading vendors—marking a 28 percent increase from 2024—and showcased innovative solutions across the industry.
  • The Southern Peanut Growers Conference is scheduled for July 23-25, 2025 at
    Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort in Panama City Beach, Florida. This year’s theme is “Ridin’ Out the Storm.” View the conference schedule and register online here. Registration rates increase by $75 on June 16, 2025.
  • Texas Tech University graduate Allie Herring has joined the Agri-Pulse team of journalists as an intern this summer in Washington. Herring will write for the Agri-Pulse and Agri-Pulse West newsletters — which are must-read, subscriber-only products offering the latest ag and food policy information — and contribute to the Agri-Pulse DriveTime podcast and Newsmakers TV show available at Agri-Pulse.com. She will also help compile the annual Agri-Pulse CEO salary report.
  • Join the Livestock Publications Council for the next Coffee and Collaboration on Wednesday, May 28 at noon CT. Speakers include Kelsey Vejraska, Audio Visual Specialist, American Hereford Association and Dylan Davidson, Director of Marketing and Creative Design, American Paint Horse Association. This free monthly webinar is moderated by Jennifer Shike and Angie Stump Denton. No registration is necessary. It’s open to members and non-members.
  • The Syngenta RTP Community Grant Program is celebrating 10 years of providing valuable support that has helped address important needs in the community pertaining to agriculture and STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Math) including education, hunger relief, nutrition, and water and land conservation. Over the past 10 years, the RTP Community Grant Program has distributed approximately $222,500 in funding to local organizations engaged in initiatives such as community gardens, food pantries, STEM programs, lake cleanup, land conservation, and agriculture education programs.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Tech Hub LIVE 2025 Marks 5 Years of Ag Tech Innovation

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Tech Hub LIVE Conference and Expo returns to the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines July 21-23 to mark five years of delivering real-world ag tech solutions under the theme “TECH THAT WORKS: Driving Efficiencies for Retailer Success and Farmer Resilience.”

    Powered by the CropLife Media Group™, in partnership with the Global AgTech Initiative and AgriBusiness Global brands, Tech Hub LIVE continues to grow as the industry’s largest gathering of ag retailers, dealers, agronomists, distributors, manufacturers, consultants, and tech providers committed to advancing practical innovation in agriculture.

    Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, will officially welcome attendees and open the conference with a forward-looking conversation on innovation, sustainability, and the future of farming while Jeff Blair, President and CEO of GreenPoint Ag, will headline the keynote presentation, “Beyond the Headwinds: Adapting & Advancing.”

    The 2025 event will feature an active exhibit hall showcasing the latest technologies, along with a dynamic lineup of breakout sessions, panel discussions, expert exchanges, Tech Talks, and fireside chats with CropLife editors—offering unique insights into the future of ag retail and data-driven farming, while giving attendees the flexibility to tailor their experience across a wide range of sessions and formats.

    Partner sponsors include Agri-Access and the Greater Des Moines Partnership, further reinforcing the event’s strategic focus on innovation and community impact.

    Registration is now open, with Early Bird Rates available through May 30 at www.TechHubLIVE.com.

    AgWired Precision, Precision Agriculture, Tech Hub LIVE, Technology

    MAHA Creates Concerns for Farmers

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Ag Secretary Rollins, President Trump and HHS Sec. Kennedy

    President Donald Trump’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission issued its first report on childhood health Thursday, creating concerns in the agriculture community about what it could mean for the future of crop protection tools.

    Making the announcement at the White House with President Trump, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy said the report is a call to action for common sense. “It’s common sense that we can celebrate the innovations of modern life while also demanding fearless inquiry into ameliorating the negative effects of medication, agriculture and farming practices,” said Kennedy.

    Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins stressed the role of farmers and ranchers in the MAHA movement. “We all know that at the center of making America healthy again is making American agriculture great again,” said Rollins.

    “I have to say we have the greatest farmers in the world and we love our farmers and we want to pay respect to our farmers and we always will,” said President Trump as he introduced Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), who also stressed the farmers’ role.

    “It does start with the farmer, it starts with soil health and I just want you to know that our farmers are so committed to this as well and and so many of them are already doing great things,” said Marshall. “They’re making the soil healthier, they’re using less pesticides, they’re doing all the right things. It’s going to take a little bit more effort and time to get everybody with those practices. But the American farmer and rancher were the original environmentalists, the original conservationists.”

    Listen to the announcement here:
    MAHA Report Announcement 19:54

    The report itself talks about the potential health issues in children exposed to chemicals such as pesticides, but makes it clear that food production needs must be weighed. “American farmers rely on these products, and actions that further regulate or restrict crop protection tools beyond risk-based and scientific processes set forth by Congress must involve thoughtful consideration of what is necessary for adequate protection, alternatives, and cost of production. Precipitous changes in agricultural practices could have an adverse impact on American agriculture and the domestic and global food supply. The federal government will continue to regularly review the safety of these important crop protection tools.”

    Despite such assurances, agricultural groups have been unanimous in raising concerns about the report. Read More

    Audio, Farming, Food, USDA

    Farm Groups Praise House Passage of Big Beautiful Bill

    Cindy Zimmerman

    President Donald Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill” passed in the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday morning on a vote of 215-214, with all Democrats and two Republicans voting against. Agricultural organizations are pleased with several of the bill’s provisions.

    American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall says the bill “modernizes farm bill programs and extends and improves critical tax provisions that benefit America’s small farmers and ranchers. Updated reference prices will provide more certainty for farmers struggling through tough economic times. Making business tax deductions permanent and continuing current estate tax exemptions will ensure thousands of families will be able to pass their farms to the next generation.”

    National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President and Nebraska cattleman Buck Wehrbein says they are pleased that the bill includes key cattle health, disaster recovery, and tax priorities crucial to the success of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers.

    “Cattle farmers and ranchers need Congress to invest in cattle health, strengthen our resources against foreign animal disease, support producers recovering from disasters or depredation, and pass tax relief that protects family farms and ranches for future generations,” said NCBA President and Nebraska cattleman Buck Wehrbein. “Thankfully, this reconciliation bill includes all these key priorities. NCBA was proud to help pass this bill in the House and we will continue pushing for these key policies until the bill is signed into law.”

    The bill includes an increase to the estate and gift tax exemption amounts to $15 million per individual and $30 million per couple, adjusted for inflation annually and makes this exemption permanent.

    Other provisions include a permanent increase to the Section 199A Small Business deduction from 20% to 23%, expanding the limitation on Section 179 from $1 million to $2.5 million, reinstating the 100% bonus depreciation for five years and extending the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023.

    The bill now goes to the Senate where changes are anticipated.

    AFBF, NCBA

    Syngenta Opens South Carolina Biologicals Plant

    Cindy Zimmerman

    South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster joined Syngenta CEO Jeff Rowe this week for the grand opening of Syngenta’s new biologicals production facility in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

    “Farming is vital to this nation and we are strongly committed to American farmers,” said Rowe. “The new biologicals facility not only underscores a commitment to our footprint and economic development in South Carolina, but also supports farmers all across this great nation.”

    The Syngenta facility is located in Orangeburg County and highlights the significance of science, research and technology to the area. “The opening of this Orangeburg facility is a win for both South Carolina and Syngenta. It reflects the strength of our workforce and the value of our partnerships. We are proud to support a company that is not only innovating in agriculture but investing in our people and our future,” said Governor McMaster.

    In addition to Rowe and McMaster, speakers at the opening event included Quinn Showalter, head of North America Seedcare and Biologicals for Syngenta and Roberto D’Addario, Syngenta Biologicals plant manager.

    “We are proud of our long-standing commitment to farmers, empowering their choices and supporting their freedom to operate,” remarked Showalter. “The Orangeburg facility will continue to connect the supply chain to customers more directly – enhancing our distribution capabilities in the region and meeting growing market demand.”

    The facility will introduce cutting-edge technologies to produce plant biostimulants, meeting current and future demand for innovative sustainable agriculture solutions in the United States. “Collaboration across Syngenta teams, local contractors and suppliers, and South Carolina authorities was essential in every stage of the site’s development,” said D’Addario. “By accelerating progress towards a shared goal, we were able to engineer the plant to meet high levels of automation, process control and safety standards that effectively handle production volume, which is expected to nearly double from 2025 to 2028.”

    Biologicals, Seed, Syngenta

    Several Applications Available at the ACN – Agricultural Communicators Network

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Multiple ACN Award Applications Open!

    Here’s a list.

    • 2025 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders Program
    • ACN is offering eight, PIF-funded stipends to help members attend the 2025 IFAJ Congress in Kenya October 15–18
    • IFAJ Star Prize 2025
    • Design ideas for an ACN sticker
    • Andy Markwart Horizon Award

    Find more information on all of them here.

    ACN, IFAJ, Journalism, Media

    ACES, IFAJ commit to launching a Certificate in Global Ag Comm

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ASES and IFAJGreat news for international ag journalists. Find all the details here.

    The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has announced a new international education partnership between the college’s Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications (ALEC) program and the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ). The agreement formalizes plans to launch a Certificate in Global Agricultural Communications, a milestone initiative of the proposed James F. Evans Global Center for Food and Agricultural Communications.

    The partnership was unveiled recently at a ceremonial signing between ACES Dean Germán Bollero and IFAJ Vice President Adalberto Rossi. Signing together in the photo.

    The certificate — which will be delivered online and available broadly — is being developed by ALEC faculty and is informed by research conducted with IFAJ members. It is designed to be globally accessible, career-relevant, and aligned with the needs of agricultural communicators working across languages, geographies, and media platforms.
    Read More

    IFAJ, Media

    Precision Ag News 5/21

    Carrie Muehling

  • The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 9 for the 2026 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its 12th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
  • An estimated 14 percent of produce is lost between harvest and retail, in part due to spoilage from mold and rot. To help address this global challenge, Biotalys, an agricultural technology company developing protein-based biocontrol solutions for sustainable crop protection, and AgroFresh Solutions, Inc., a global leader in post-harvest solutions for fresh produce, announced a new collaboration to develop and commercialize sustainable biological fungicides for post-harvest use. Fungicides are already essential to protect fresh produce after harvest, and this collaboration will expand the industry’s toolbox with environmentally friendly biological solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of markets around the world.
  • The 2025 Horizon Ag Field Day, scheduled for June 23 at Richard Farms in Kaplan, is the place to be for updates on the top rice varieties planted in Louisiana this season as well as new Provisia lines expected to be available in 2026. Farmers can hear from industry and university specialists how high-yielding Clearfield and Provisia varieties, like CLL19, PVL03 and CLL16, are faring this year and best practices for maximizing yield potential the last weeks of the season.
  • As part of U.S. Sugar’s commitment to sustainably producing sugar for American consumers over the next 100 years, the Company announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with Everglades Equipment Group, one of the nation’s leading provider of John Deere equipment and precision agriculture technology solutions. The partnership includes the use of the latest John Deere solutions on sugarcane harvesters and tractors used by U.S. Sugar farmers and technicians across the company’s South Florida farms.
  • CNH announces that it has signed an agreement with Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, to bring industry-leading satellite connectivity to farmers. This collaboration will provide customers of CNH brands, Case IH, New Holland and STEYR, with robust and affordable high-speed connectivity – further unlocking the benefits of a fully connected fleet – even in the most remote rural locations around the world.
  • The National Corn Growers Association proudly kicked off the 61st annual Yield Contest. For six decades, this landmark event has celebrated the ingenuity, resilience, and drive of America’s corn growers— those who continuously push the limits of what’s possible in modern agriculture.
  • As part of its ongoing commitment to support dealerships and grow its retail footprint, Stine Seed Company is proud to announce the structure of its retail development leadership team. This strategic alignment is designed to deliver enhanced support and resources to Stine’s expanding network of retail partners across the United States.
  • Ethanol Producer Magazine announced the six companies selected to pitch to a group of angel investors and venture capital firms at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo, taking place June 9-11, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Land O’Lakes CEO on Fortune’s 2025 Top Powerful Women List

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Fortune released its Most Powerful Women of 2025 list Tuesday and named Land O’Lakes, Inc. President and CEO Beth Ford as number 12 on the annual compilation of the 100 most influential women in global business who are recognized for their leadership, impact and the strength of the organizations they oversee.

    This year’s recognition highlights Ford’s steadfast commitment to strengthening America’s food system by tackling the complex challenges facing the agriculture industry. From advocating for legal immigration reform and advancing trade efforts, to improving access to healthcare and supporting the vitality of rural communities, Ford’s leadership reflects a deep dedication to working Americans. For example, in her role as chair of the Business Roundtable’s immigration committee, she is a leading voice in discussing policies critical to the future of our workforce in the agriculture industry and beyond.

    “This recognition is an honor and showcases the strength of Land O’Lakes’ entire cooperative network,” Ford commented. “My Land O’Lakes team and I are honored to represent our cooperative members and their communities who inspire our mission to strengthen America’s food system together.”

    Ford has served as president and CEO of Land O’Lakes, Inc. since 2018, leading the cooperative that operates in all 50 states and more than 60 countries.

    Agribusiness, Cooperatives