AFBF Lesson Plan Connects Students to Food

Kelly Marshall October 21, 2016

Photo credit: www.agfoundation.org

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is offering pre-K through first grade teachers a Thanksgiving-themed activity. “Thank an American Farmer or Rancher” explains where food comes and asks students to write, draw or create thank you letters and cards for America’s farmers.

The lesson plan, a letter written by a farmer, suggested reading list, and class discussion ideas are available online.

“Most Americans have never been to a farm and didn’t even grow up near one, but they are ready to learn more about where their food comes from,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “‘Thank an American Farmer or Rancher’ is a fun classroom activity that helps young learners make the connection between farms and ranches and the food they eat.”

Classroom ideas include:
· Complete a free sample lesson from Farm a Month and read a free sample letter from a pumpkin farmer, followed by a discussion about farming in America.
· Pull up a picture of a Thanksgiving Day plate or ask students to name common holiday foods such as turkey, cranberries, green beans, potatoes and stuffing, then discuss the agricultural origins of each item.
· Have students in groups research online to discover where ingredients such as pumpkins, butter, sugar and wheat come from. Give each group one ingredient; don’t tell them what the final product is going to be. Have students present where their ingredient is from and then have the class as a whole guess what the recipe is for!
· Invite a local farmer into your classroom to discuss how he or she produces food, fiber or energy.

Letters produced by the activity will be given to farmers and ranchers at the AFBF Annual Convention in January.

AFBF, Education

AEM Issues Call for Agriculture Infrastructure Ideas

Cindy Zimmerman October 21, 2016

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is asking for help to find answers to the infrastructure challenges facing the U.S. agriculture sector.

On the heels of its recent Rural Infrastructure Summit, AEM has issued a call for papers and research as part of its Infrastructure Vision 2050 thought-leadership initiative.

Specifically, AEM seeks research offering innovative ideas and best practices for how to address the many challenges facing the U.S. agriculture sector and agriculture productivity levels in the context of current and future U.S. infrastructure trends. The call for papers asks for a focus on one of two specific areas: 1) the movement of agriculture products from farm to market or 2) the movement of equipment from farm to farm.

“How we plan to transport agriculture products from farm to market or equipment from one farm to another in the future, relying on our current infrastructure, are crucial questions that AEM wants to help answer,” said AEM President Dennis Slater. “This call for papers provides us with a platform to help shape the future of U.S. infrastructure for both the agriculture community and rural America.”
Participants in the call for papers may be asked to present at 2017 AEM-sponsored events taking place at the National Farm Machinery Show and Commodity Classic.

The call for papers is part of AEM’s broader Infrastructure Vision 2050 initiative, which seeks to elevate the national discussion about the future of infrastructure and ensure that equipment manufacturers are positioned to help the country build its next wave of infrastructure. The deadline for the first round of abstracts is December 1, 2016. Additional information, including complete guidelines and instructions on how to submit can be found at www.aem.org/IV2050AG.

AEM

Summit Agricultural Group Launches Summit Advantage

Cindy Zimmerman October 21, 2016

Iowa-based Summit Agricultural Group has introduced a new service model for farm and agricultural land management that brings the concept of ‘unbundling’ to traditional farm management offerings.

According to Joel Waskow, accredited farm manager with Summit Ag Management, Summit Advantage provides landowners with greater options and flexibility instead of binding them into the current one-size-fits-all approach. “We look at this like a cable company,” explains Waskow. “We all have a lot of channels or services that we don’t use that we have to pay for. With Summit Advantage, landowners can purchase only the services they want.” Summit Ag Management is Summit Agricultural Group’s full-service farm management and advisory unit.

For example, an owner who can manage farm operations but needs assistance in selecting a farm tenant and overseeing the leasing process now has that option through Summit Advantage. Or it might appeal to a landowner who leases the farm on his own, but prefers that others oversee the many aspects of farm operations and management.

Summit Advantage was just launched this month and Waskow says it has already received an enthusiastic response. “Some folks have asked why this hasn’t been offered before,” he said. “We had visited with landowners who only wanted help with one aspect of the management or another … and that’s how we came up with it and the response has been extremely positive.”

Learn more in this interview: Interview with Joel Waskow, Summit Agricultural Group

Agribusiness, Audio

Live in New Holland Booth at #TransformFFA

Jamie Johansen October 20, 2016

Never at a loss for words, New Holland Agriculture’s J Cole Sanford, is the perfect person to toss a mic at. In fact, it has now become a tradition for us to climb a combine or tractor while at events, chat ag and all the new happenings at New Holland. This year at the 98th National FFA Convention we weren’t able to give you a bird’s eye view of the expo floor, but J Cole provided an up close and personal view of their new autonomous tractor, which has caused quite the buzz, and what FFA members can take part in while visiting their booth in Indy.

Be sure to check out even more action by viewing the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo Photo Album.

Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by

Agribusiness, FFA, New Holland, Video

Sec Vilsack Says Diversity in Ag Key to Future

Jamie Johansen October 20, 2016

Diversity was the simple message Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack shared with FFA members at the 89th National FFA Convention. He encouraged each young person to be proud of our history in agriculture and to use their voice to tell that inspiring story.

“I am here first and foremost today to thank FFA for it’s commitment to diversity. Each of you has the opportunity in a small but important way to advance the cause of agriculture in this country through diversity.”

Listen to his complete message to FFA members here: Agriculture Sec Vilsack Remarks

Following remarks to FFA members, Secretary Vilsack took time to talk ag issues with members of the agriculture media. He continued on the theme of embracing diversity stating it was imperative for the future of agriculture.

Yesterday, USDA announced that they are awarding $7.6 million in grants to support projects that will grow opportunity in rural America through job training and economic development. The grants will support communities in at least 24 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, with several projects spanning communities in multiple states.

Listen to the complete presser with Secretary Vilsack where he talks on the above grants, consumer perceptions, GIPSA and when the new Farm Bill might be addressed. Agriculture Sec Vilsack Presser

Be sure to check out even more action by viewing the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo Photo Album.

Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by

Ag Groups, Audio, FFA, USDA

Illinois 4R4U Partnership Launched

Cindy Zimmerman October 20, 2016

A partnership has been launched between the Illinois Farm Bureau and affiliated county Farm Bureaus, with GROWMARK and a number of FS companies, designed to demonstrate and investigate at the local level the impact and efficacy of 4R nutrient stewardship practices – the right source of nutrient, at the right time, at the right rate, and in the right place.

The 4R field demonstration program, called 4R4U, includes 14 county Farm Bureaus and 11 FS companies in Illinois. “Our county farm bureaus are working with their neighboring FS member companies to really drill down, demonstrate and investigate 4R nutrient strategies at the local level,” says Lauren Lurkins, director of natural and environmental resources for Illinois Farm Bureau.

The focus of the partnership will be on implementation of the state’s nutrient loss reduction strategy (NLRS) with plot tests at the local level that will compare common practices to advanced practices on nutrient stewardship. “We’re taking it back to our expertise and taking those practices back into the field and figuring out how they work in a farmer’s real life,” said Lurkins.

Each partnership will be putting a strategy in place this winter with field demonstration days to be held next year in spring and summer and Lurkins says they are developing a website and social media channels to communicate with growers about the project. Learn more in this interview: Interview with Lauren Lurkins, Illinois Farm Bureau

Audio, Conservation, GROWMARK, Soil

FFA Takes Lessons from Great American Wheat Harvest

Jamie Johansen October 20, 2016

The story of custom wheat harvesters is one of a kind. That is the simple reason Conrad Weaver quickly grew passionate about telling their story. The Great American Wheat Harvest documentary shares the story of the hard working folks who harvest the wheat we use daily and Conrad knew FFA members from across the country could learn many life lessons through it.

While at the 89th National FFA Convention students will have the chance to receive a LIMITED EDITION copy of the Great American Wheat Harvest movie. This limited edition will only be available to FFA Chapters. They have printed more than 8,500 copies to distribute to chapter leaders so if you know someone who will be at convention, please encourage them to stop by the New Holland Agriculture booth in the exhibit hall to pick up their copy.

I spoke with Conrad to learn more about why he was so motivated to share this story with FFA members and the movies partnership with New Holland Agriculture. “This film in many ways has an education component to it. We divided the DVD into chapters so you can easily start at a particular part you are studying. It shares jobs that are related to the harvesting industry and the process of bringing wheat in from the field to how it becomes a loaf of bread. Plus a few extra features not found in the original DVD.”

Listen to my complete interview with Conrad here: Conrad Weaver, Great American Wheat Harvest

Be sure to check out even more action by viewing the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo Photo Album.

Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by

Ag Groups, Audio, FFA, New Holland, Wheat

Ag Day Announces Photo and Essay Contests

Cindy Zimmerman October 19, 2016

“Agriculture: Food for Life” is the theme for the Agriculture Council of America’s (ACA) 2017 National Ag Day photo and essay contests that will highlight young talent as it educates about American agriculture.

The National Ag Day Photo Contest is designed to showcase the talents of a young amateur photographer enrolled in high school or college who has a passion for modern agriculture. The deadline to enter the National Ag Day Photo Contest is November 30, 2016. The winning entry will be published as the official National Ag Day Poster and the winning photographer will receive $1,000 scholarship sponsored by Meredith Agrimedia. Photo and profile will be prominently featured in Successful Farming magazine and Ag Day correspondence.

The national 2017 Ag Day Essay Contest is divided into two categories of competition: written essay and video essay. The contest is open to U.S. students currently enrolled in grades 9 through 12. The National Video Essay Winner will receive $1,000 and the National Written Essay Winner will receive $1,000 plus a trip to Washington, D.C. to be recognized at the Press Club Breakfast on March 21, 2017. The deadline for submitting entries in the essay contest is January 31, 2017.

Find contest details at AgDay.org.

National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America. ACA is a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food and fiber community, dedicating its efforts to increasing the public’s awareness of agriculture’s role in modern society.

Ag Day, Education

Dannon Responds to Ag Groups’ Concerns

Cindy Zimmerman October 19, 2016

The Dannon Company released a statement Tuesday after being called out by agricultural organizations for its plans to phase out GMOs in some major brands for the sake of sustainability.

“We were surprised to receive a divisive and misinformed letter about our efforts to continue to grow America’s enjoyment of dairy products, including yogurt,” reads the company statement release. “Making yogurt begins with the wholesome milk that our farmers sell to us. Unlike any other large dairy processors, we have built direct and transparent relationships with our independent American dairy farmer partners. Together with them we are beginning to implement the Dannon Pledge, announced six months ago, which commits to evolve three of our brands to be made with non-GMO ingredients, as well as non-GMO feed for the cows from which we source our milk, between now and 2018. These three brands – Dannon, Danimals and Oikos – represent about half of our portfolio of products.”

In the letter sent Monday to Dannon head of U.S. operations Mariano Lozano, the farm groups said that the company’s strategy to eliminate GMOs “is the exact opposite of the sustainable agriculture that you claim to be seeking. Your pledge would force farmers to abandon safe, sustainable farming practices that have enhanced farm productivity over the last 20 years while greatly reducing the carbon footprint of American agriculture.”

U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) chair Nancy Kavazanjian says they publicized the letter because they wanted to Dannon to hear the voices of farmers and ranchers. “We talked to them and tried to have some meetings with them and just couldn’t get any response so we really needed to raise our voices and put an end to this marketing ‘puffery’ that’s going on,” said Kavazanjian. “Dannon seems to imply that GMO crop traits make us less sustainable and that’s absolutely the opposite.”

In the statement, Dannon specifically notes “we believe the currently approved GMOs are safe” but at the same time they “believe that sustainable agricultural practices can be achieved with or without the use of GMOs.” The reason they give for “getting rid of GMOs” is “growing consumer preference for non-GMO ingredients.” They want to enable consumers to choose “which agricultural and environmental model they favor.”

Quoted in the release, Lozano said, “We believe strongly that the unparalleled range of choice that Danone’s US affiliates provide, from organic, to non-GMO ingredients, and to conventional dairy is a reason to celebrate rather than criticize.”

Kavazanjian says if people want to know more about how food is produced, they should ask a farmer or rancher directly through USFRA. Learn more in this interview with Nancy: Interview with USFRA Chair Nancy Kavazanjian

Audio, Dairy, USFRA

GROWMARK Makes Energy Investments

Cindy Zimmerman October 19, 2016

GROWMARK announced two major energy-related investments last month that provide benefits for the members of the Illinois-based agricultural cooperative.

First, GROWMARK acquired a propane terminal in Plattsburg, Missouri which is connected to the ONEOK pipeline, has 270,000 gallons of storage and the capability to load out two trucks at once. “It gives us another asset and access to propane,” said Kevin Carroll, vice president, energy and logistics. “Our customers expect us to have it when they need it so we’ve got back up supplies and a lot of alternative sources.” GROWMARK also owns a refined and renewable fuels terminal in Wathena, Kansas near St. Joseph, Missouri. “Marketing propane through the Plattsburg terminal also makes us a more complete supplier in the geography given the proximity to the Wathena refined fuel terminal,” Carroll adds.

GROWMARK also recently reached an agreement with Suncor to purchase 50 percent interest in UPI, Inc. in Ontario, Canada. The transaction, subject to conditions including regulatory approvals, brings GROWMARK’s ownership of UPI to 100 percent. “We’ve been in that joint venture for a little over 20 years,” Carroll explains, noting that it was a mutual agreement for the benefit of both parties. Suncor and GROWMARK have also entered into long-term supply agreements for GROWMARK’s petroleum needs in Ontario. “We wanted assurance from a refiner in the province that we’d have product and Suncor wanted assurance from a distributor or retailer that their product would be put out into the marketplace so it worked out well for both of us,” he said.

Learn more about GROWMARK’s energy outlook in this interview with Carroll. Interview with Kevin Carroll, GROWMARK Energy

Audio, Energy, FS System, GROWMARK, Propane

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