Cultural Dance at #CFWF16

Chuck Zimmerman October 4, 2016

The 2016 Canadian Farm Writers Federation conference featured a Taste of Saskatchewan reception. During the reception we were entertained by a group of local cultural dancers. These dancers are from St. Mary’s Oskayak Dance Troupe. Their are about forty elementary students involved with the group.

In the video below you’ll see them perform the “Grand Entry.”

2016 Canadian Farm Writers Federation Conference Photo Album

Coverage of the Canadian Farm Writers Federation 2016 Conference is sponsored by

Video

October is “Get to Know GMOs” Month

Cindy Zimmerman October 4, 2016

GMO Answers has proclaimed October as “Get to Know GMOs” month to answer consumers’ most pressing questions about genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

“Since the launch of GMO Answers, we have answered over a thousand consumer questions about genetically modified foods—where they come from, how they’re used, and why they’re an important part of our food supply,” said Kate Hall, managing director of the Council for Biotechnology Information and GMO Answers spokesperson.

As part of Get to Know GMOs Month, GMO Answers conducted a nationwide survey to gather consumers’ top ten questions related to GMOs and then hit the streets of Washington, D.C. to engage directly with consumers about their pressing GMO questions. The video will be posted on GMOAnswers.com later this month.

“The video and results of this survey shed light on what’s top of mind for consumers as they think about GMOs, and also provides a roadmap for GMO Answers’ ongoing journey to increase consumers’ awareness of the facts about genetically modified foods,” said Hall.

The nationwide survey to gather consumers’ top ten questions related to GMOs was conducted by the Opinion Research Council (ORC). The top ten questions in order of consumer interest are:

Do GMOs cause cancer?
Are GMOs safe for human consumption?
How much of our food in the U.S. is genetically modified?
Do GMOs have an impact on the environment?
Have long-term health studies been conducted on GMO crops?
Do GMOs have an impact on allergies?
If livestock eat genetically modified grain, will there be GMOs in my meat?
Do GMOs have an impact on the price of food?
Do seed companies have an influence on whether farmers grow GMOs?
Do GMO crops have an impact on bees or butterflies?

Biotech, Food, GMO

Luke Bryan Farm Tour Sponsored by Bayer

Chuck Zimmerman October 3, 2016

Do you like Luke Bryan? Are you #Thankful4Ag? Then this story is for you. Bayer is presenting the Luke Bryan Farm Tour for the second straight year. The tour has eight stops in cities across the U.S. Bryan launched the tour in 2009 as a way to highlight and celebrate the contribution America’s farmers make in putting food on tables in the United States and throughout the world.

“I come from a farming background so I understand the hard work it takes for farmers to feed America and feed the world,” said Luke Bryan. “Bayer and I did some great things together during last year’s tour including donating to local farmers and raising money to help feed America. I’m excited to do even more good work with them this year.”

Bayer is the title sponsor of the tour and will highlight its annual #Thankful4Ag campaign which activates consumers to provide meals to those in need while thanking farmers for their contribution to feeding the planet. Last year, Luke Bryan and his fans helped Bayer provide over 300,000 meals to families across America—this year’s goal is 500,000 meals. Show stops will also feature opportunities for attendees to learn more about Bayer’s commitment to agriculture through innovation, science and responsibility.

“This tour is all about the farm and the farmer. Given the mutual commitment Bayer and Luke Bryan have towards American farmers, and with how much great work we accomplished together in 2015, we’re proud to team up with Luke for a second year,” said Ray Kerins, SVP for Bayer Corporation. “Once again, for eight nights this harvest season, we’ll join Luke in giving thanks to those in agriculture who dedicate their lives to making everyone’s better. Farming is a 24/7 job so we’re excited to help give them a few nights of fun with one of today’s top stars.”

You can help this campaign by sharing the #Thankful4Ag hashtag. For every share, Bayer Corporation will donate a meal to Feeding America* to help feed families facing hunger. Just do it before November 30, 2016. Visit Thankful4Ag.com for more information.

Agribusiness, Bayer, Video

#Sustainable Farming Info from @USFRA

Cindy Zimmerman October 3, 2016

U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance® (USFRA®) has just released a new animated video short and educational infographics highlighting sustainable farming and ranching practices to help answer questions consumers have about how food is grown and raised, including questions about sustainability practices on and around farms and ranches.

“Sustainability is a vital part of our everyday lives as farmers and ranchers, and we know consumers care about the environment when it comes to how food is grown and raised,” said CEO Randy Krotz. “Since not every consumer has the opportunity to see farming first-hand, our goal is to bring the farm to them. We hope watching this video and sharing these infographics gives people a glimpse into the practices that farmers and ranchers created and adopted to grow safe, nutritional and sustainable food.”

The video, “Farm On: Sustainable Food Production” is narrated by farmer Glenn Brunkow of Kansas and highlights how farmers and ranchers protect and maintain the water, soil and air while caring for their farms. The infographics visually demonstrate, in bite-size information, sustainable farming and ranching practices. USFRA developed these educational tools to demonstrate why and how farmers and ranchers value sustainability and consider it their responsibility to grow and raise food that is nutritional and safe.

Watch the video below:

Education, Food, USFRA, Video

AgCareers.com Offers Leadership Enhancement Workshop

Cindy Zimmerman October 3, 2016

AgCareers.com has a Leadership Enhancement Workshop coming up next month in Omaha for managers interested in taking their leadership to the next level.

This face-to-face workshop is rooted in sound leadership theory but is paired with a unique hands-on, fun approach to reinforce learning principles in a memorable and enriching manner. Participants will gain a holistic view of the importance of becoming an effective manager; key components that play into successful leadership; and practical knowledge and resources to benefit managers at all stages of their managerial life cycle.

AgCareers.com president Eric Spell will present the Leadership Enhancement Workshop. “For new managers finding your stride and leadership approach takes practice and experience. On the other hand, most experienced managers will likely agree that continually fine tuning and revisiting their leadership practices is imperative,” said Spell. “Investing in continuous improvement training benefits everyone involved–the manager, staff and the organization.”

The workshop will be held November 16-17 in Omaha, Nebraska – find out more.

AgCareers, Education

Atrazine Comment Deadline This Week

Cindy Zimmerman October 3, 2016

Growers and other interested stakeholders have until Wednesday of this week to make comments to the Environmental Protection Agency on its review of the herbicide atrazine, which includes a recommendation that could result in a loss of this crop protection tool.

Atrazine is currently under EPA registration review, which is required for all pesticides every 15 years to update and modernize the science and risk assessments. As part of the draft ecological risk assessment, EPA has recommended reducing the aquatic life level of concern (LOC) from 10 parts per billion (ppb) on a 60-day average, to 3.4 ppb. Scientific evidence points to a safe aquatic life LOC at 25 ppb or greater. If this recommendation holds, it would result in a de facto ban on atrazine, according to the National Corn Growers Association.

“EPA needs to be reminded that atrazine has been around for 50 years, and more than 7,000 scientific studies have proven it is safe,” said NCGA Production and Stewardship Action Team Chairman Brent Hostetler. “All farmers should be concerned, because EPA is not basing their risk assessment of atrazine on sound science. That means all crop protection tools are at risk. I urge everyone to step up, and contact the EPA today.” He notes that a 2012 study showed that farming without atrazine could cost farmers up to $59 per acre, which could mean the difference between corn farmers making a profit or loss on their crop.

Agricultural Retailers Association Senior Vice President Richard Gupton says the conclusions drawn in the draft ecological risk assessments are based on “a number of scientific errors and flawed interpretations” which puts the future of some essential crop protection tools at stake. “It is important for our industry to weigh in with EPA to ensure they are following sound science and accurate data prior to making any final decisions,” said Gupton in a call to action for ARA members.

Both organizations have links on their websites to help growers and stakeholders make their comments before midnight on October 5.

ARA, Crop Protection, EPA, NCGA

#CFWF16 Farm Tours

Chuck Zimmerman October 1, 2016

During the first full day of the 2016 Canadian Farm Writers Federation conference attendees had a choice of several tours. As a biker, I chose the Science & Cycling Tour. It is way better than sitting on a bus! Here’s my group in a shot after our last tour stop on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. It was a beautiful day for cycling and visiting the dairy and equine teaching centers as well as the Canadian Light Source (synchrotron).

I am an AgNerd. (Ex. My iPhone 7+ is waiting for me at home.) So the highlight of the day was the synchrotron. Think of it as the biggest, coolest gadget you could imagine. Here is a definition of a synchrotron: A synchrotron is a source of brilliant light that scientists can use to gather information about the structural and chemical properties of materials at the molecular level. Sounds pretty simple, eh? Not.

Our presentation took about an hour and a half and I think we barely scratched the surface of just what this thing does, how it does it and what the value proposition is for industries like agriculture. But speaking of agriculture, the synchrotron is used by many researchers on projects like corn disease and nutrient management.

So, enough on that for now. If you want to know more about it visit their website. And by the way, there are several of these in the U.S. and other countries around the world.

Today is professional improvement day with sessions on topics like the role of freelancers and pitching a story. This evening we have the conclusion of the conference with the CFWF Awards Banquet.

2016 Canadian Farm Writers Federation Conference Photo Album

Coverage of the Canadian Farm Writers Federation 2016 Conference is sponsored by

International, Media

Welcome to #CFWF16 – Saskatchewan Surprise

Chuck Zimmerman September 30, 2016

We’re getting a Saskatchewan Surprise in Saskatoon for the 2016 Canadian Farm Writers Federation annual meeting. Our reception and dinner were held in the Western Development Museum. The opening reception featured welcoming comments from the Honorable Lyle Stewart, Minister of Agriculture, Province of Saskatchewan.

Stewart says, “Agriculture in Saskatchewan is part of our identity here. To some we’re known for the wheat in their bread, for the oats in their Cheerios. Others think of us as yellow fields of canola or mustard. Still others are reminded of Saskatchewan each time they dip their spoon into a bowl of lentil soup.” But he went on to say that there’s a lot more to agriculture in the province.

You can listen to his remarks here: Lyle Stewart Remarks

Also welcoming us to the meeting was Crystal Jorgenson, CFWF President. Crystal was on our pre-conference tour with me which some of us dubbed the #LuckyBastardTour. That’s because our first tour stop was the Lucky Bastard Distillery where there was ample sampling. The next stop was at 9 Mile Legacy Brewing Company. We survived and she gave us an overview of the rest of our program.

You can listen to her remarks here: Crystal Jorgenson Remarks

I have started a photo album for the conference which you can find here: 2016 Canadian Farm Writers Federation Conference Photo Album

Coverage of the Canadian Farm Writers Federation 2016 Conference is sponsored by

Audio, International, Media

USDA Announces Grants for Veteran Farmers

Lizzy Schultz September 30, 2016

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced $8.4 million in grants that will be used to provide training, outreach and technical assistance for the nation’s socially disadvantaged, tribal and veteran farmers and ranchers.

“USDA was created to be ‘The People’s Department,’ and in the past eight years we have made tremendous progress in correcting past mistakes and creating a more inclusive culture within our organization. Part of that legacy includes supporting farmers and ranchers with diverse backgrounds and experience levels,” said Vilsack. “The grants announced today will be leveraged by local partners and help bring traditionally underserved people into farming, as well as veterans who want to return home to rural areas.”

The grants have been provided through USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, also known as the 2501 Program, and the program is administered by USDA’s Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO). The program has invested more than $83.8 million since 2010 to leverage the work of local partners. The 2014 Farm Bill reauthorized the program and expanded the program mandate to include military Veterans.

OAO works across USDA agencies to improve the viability and profitability for the operations of small and beginning farmers and ranchers. It also aims to improve access to USDA programs for historically underserved communities, increase agricultural opportunities for farm workers, and close the professional achievement gap by maximizing the opportunities available to diverse, talented young people to support the agricultural industry in the 21st century.

Ag Groups, Farming, USDA

Shake Up on NAFB Board

Cindy Zimmerman September 30, 2016

If you are a member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB), you probably received an email yesterday from the organization that there will be a special election at the annual convention next month to replace Tony St. James as 2017 NAFB president.

According to the email, This action is the direct result of the NAFB Board of Directors’ recent dismissal of St. James from his duties and responsibilities as Director and Executive Committee member. Citing unsolvable conflicts, the Board unanimously approved and the President supported this action on September 16. A number of issues drove the decision including a loss of trust and confidence among Board and staff members, and violations of the NAFB Commitment to Serve agreement. St. James’ removal was effective September 27.

Tony is a 34-year broadcasting veteran & farm broadcaster on All Ag, All Day who was elected as vice president of NAFB in 2014. When I called him to get his side of this story, Tony was very gracious and kind, as he always is, and said nothing negative about NAFB leadership or staff.

“I am obviously disappointed,” Tony said. “I was elected to serve at the pleasure of the membership of NAFB to identify problems and find solutions. I feel there are certain things that you stand up for and that is not always at a cheap price.”

Tony said he was contacted by NAFB on September 8 with a complaint of “harassment” but that he was denied any opportunity to get specifics or to defend himself prior to being informed that he was being dismissed from the board. The harassment charge was not sexual in nature, but that is all we know about it.

In the email to members, NAFB President Brian Winnekins said, “This was a very difficult decision—one that was heavily considered…The Board’s focus is to always act in the best interest of the association and its membership.”

Would be interested to know the reaction of the NAFB membership about this. Since this is a legal matter, the members of the NAFB board have been instructed not to comment on it much beyond what was stated in the email. Comments are open – what say you?

NAFB

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