Six #AgVocates To Follow

Ag Groups Praise Senate Vote on #GMO Labeling

Cindy Zimmerman July 8, 2016

The Coalition for Safe Affordable Food (CFSAF), which has been actively campaigning on behalf of food and agriculture groups for a sensible national labeling standard for genetically modified foods, was one of the first organizations to praise Senate passage of the Roberts-Stabenow compromise legislation.

“The Senate has provided all Americans a transparent and consistent system of disclosure that will give consumers access to more product information than ever before, and we urge the House to consider this legislation next week” said CFSAF co-chair Pamela Bailey of the Grocery Manufacturers Association. “Nearly 1,100 organizations in the food-producing community are united behind this bill to set a uniform, national standard that protects American family farmers and small businesses.”

“We will now turn our full attention to working with the House and explaining why this is the right solution for farmers, food companies and consumers,” added CFSAF co-chair Chuck Conner with the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. “This bill is simply too important to let sit until after the summer recess.”

American Farm Bureau Federation president Zippy Duvall also urged the House to move quickly on the bill. “The Senate has voted to move us one step closer to a uniform, national plan that will provide consumers easy access to information about genetically modified food,” said Duvall. “Now that the Senate has done its job, we ask the House to move swiftly so this needed legislation can be delivered to the President for his signature.”

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard passed the Senate late Thursday night by a vote of 63-30, well beyond the simple majority needed. The legislation preempts individual state laws to require labeling of foods containing genetically engineered ingredients.

AFBF, Biotech, Food, GMO

#Biobased2016 Helps Build Demand for #Soybeans

Cindy Zimmerman July 8, 2016

Lewis Bainbridge is a farmer from South Dakota who serves on the United Soybean Board and is one of the stars of a new video touting the benefits of biobased products for the nation – Red, White and Biobased.

“That video is a neat tie-in to show different partnerships,” he told me during the Biobased Stakeholders’ Dialogue this week in Washington DC. “It shows many of us that have served our country and gives our thoughts on how important it is to have biobased products.”

Bainbridge says the growing biobased products industry, with the help of the soybean checkoff, is creating new demand for soybeans. “We have worked with a number of companies in partnership to look at the potential for developing new products and we have a number of success stories,” he said.

In this interview, Bainbridge talks about how events such as the stakeholders’ dialogue have helped create awareness of biobased products and how USDA initiatives are helping increase use of these products: Interview with USB Director Lewis Bainbridge, South Dakota

Watch the Red, White and Biobased video:

USB Biobased Stakeholders’ Dialogue photo album

Audio, Soybean, USB, USDA, Video

Senate Passes #GMO Disclosure Bill

Cindy Zimmerman July 7, 2016

Late Thursday evening, the U.S. Senate voted 63-30 to pass the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard that preempts individual state laws to require labeling of foods containing genetically engineered ingredients.

Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow spent 24 minutes before the vote laying out logical reasons for the legislation, not the least of which was that it requires the labeling of over 25,000 more food products than the law in Vermont that recently went into effect. “In Vermont, meat, eggs, dairy are exempt – some have called it the Vermont meat loophole,” said Stabenow. “You’ve got a vegetable soup labeled, but if it’s beef vegetable, it’s not. If there’s even beef broth in it, it’s not. I don’t see how that makes sense.”

The bill now goes to the House, which passed a voluntary labeling law last year.

Listen to Stabenow’s remarks on the floor here: Sen. Stabenow's floor speech on labeling bill

Audio, Biotech, Food, GMO

Secretary Vilsack Addresses #Biobased2016

Cindy Zimmerman July 7, 2016

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, USB director Lewis Bainbridge, USB contractor Karen Edwards

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was the keynote speaker at the United Soybean Board 2016 Biobased Stakeholders’ Dialogue at USDA headquarters today.

Vilsack was impressed with the wide range of biobased products on display at the event. “You all are helping to transition our entire economy,” he said.

He called the whole biobased products initiative over the past several years a “holistic effort, but we wouldn’t be able to do it without the great farmers in this country and without the promotion and marketing activities that we see here today.”

During his address, Vilsack talked about some of the advancements that USDA has made recently in getting other government agencies to use biobased products. Secretary Vilsack addresses Biobased Stakeholders' Dialogue

See photos from the event here:
USB Biobased Stakeholders’ Dialogue photo album

Audio, Soybean, USB, USDA

Meet the 2016 FFA New Century Farmers

Lizzy Schultz July 7, 2016

The National FFA Organization has selected 33 young people as participants in the 2016 New Century Farmer conference, an exclusive, highly competitive program designed to develop the young men and women committed to pursuing a career in production agriculture.

Participants will attend an intensive seminar this month in Johnstown, Iowa, where they will learn from industry experts during a series of workshops and sessions. Session topics will include the global marketplace, farm financing, demographic trends and risk management.

New Century Farmers will hear from a variety of keynote speakers who will educate them on the risk and rewards involved with production agriculture, and students will also get the chance to experience the latest developments in agricultural technology. Participants will also build a network of colleagues that will benefit them throughout their careers.

The conference is sponsored by DuPont Pioneer, Case IH, CSX Corporation, and Farm Credit with media partner Successful Farming as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

A list of the 2016 New Century Farmers can be found here.

Ag Groups, Events, FFA, University

FB Challenge Moves Into Judging Phase

Lizzy Schultz July 7, 2016

Entry submissions are now closed for the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) third annual Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge, and AFBF is pleased to announce that they have received 355 applications from 39 states.

“We are ecstatic and pleased with the great applications and innovations occurring in rural communities across the country!” said Dr. Lisa Benson, AFBF’s director of rural development. “We exceeded our goal for the number of applicants and doubled submissions compared to last year.”

All applications include a business plan, video pitch and photo, and will be reviewed by judges and provided with feedback. The top 10 teams will be announced in October. The bottom six teams from the final ten will each win $10,000 in startup funds, and the final four teams who will advance as finalists.

“Our judges will be looking for solid business and financial plans,” Benson said. “Innovation is one thing but the numbers are important in a competition like this. Those who can provide statistics that back their business plan will do well.”

The competition is an opportunity to showcase ideas and business innovations that strengthen and build strong, prosperous rural communities. It is the first national rural business competition focused exclusively on entrepreneurs working on food and agriculture businesses.

The final four teams will compete in a live competition at AFBF’s 98th Annual Convention in Phoenix on Jan. 8 to win the Farm Bureau Entrepreneur of the Year award of $30,000 (chosen by judges), the People’s Choice award of $25,000 (chosen by public vote), the first and second runner-up prizes of $15,000.

AFBF, Agribusiness

Illinois Ag Communications Releases Promo Video

Lizzy Schultz July 7, 2016

Rhea + Kaiser (R+K) has produced a new video that promotes the expected and unexpected opportunities awaiting students and graduates of the Agricultural Communications Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The video features candid interviews with Ag Communications students and alumni, and will be utilized on social and digital channels as well as recruitment meetings at high schools and community colleges.

The video opens with Ag Communications senior Kendall Herren, who states: “Ag is so much bigger than what is on that tiny little farm.”

Other spokespersons take turns describing the program’s curriculum, and how it is sponsored jointly by the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) and the College of Media.

Award-winning videographer and editor Patrick Barkley heads up the video team. His talents with the camera and in editing have earned him three Emmy awards, and his work has been featured in Chicago-based television programs such as “1st Look,” “Open House,” “Living Healthy” and “Your Money.”

Ag Groups, University

Senate Advances #GMO Labeling Bill

Cindy Zimmerman July 7, 2016

Not intimidated by anti-GMO activists throwing $2000 in “Monsanto Money” on the floor, the U.S. Senate Wednesday voted 65-31 to limit debate on a bipartisan National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard that would preempt individual state laws to require labeling of foods containing genetically engineered ingredients. With cloture invoked, the Senate is expected vote on final passage as early as today.

“This clears the pathway for a final vote on passage, and I remain optimistic sound science and affordable food will prevail,” said Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS). “Both farmers and consumers deserve this certainty.”

During his floor speech on the legislation, Roberts stressed the importance and safety of crops developed through biotechnology. “Over the past 20 years, agriculture biotechnology has become an invaluable tool in ensuring the success of the American farmer in meeting the challenge of increasing yield in a more efficient, safe and responsible manner,” Roberts said.

Listen to the senator’s comments on the floor Wednesday. Sen. Roberts floor speech on labeling bill

Food and agricultural organizations were quick to praise the Senate action and call for passage of the bill.
American Farm Bureau Federation president Zippy Duvall says the Senate did the right thing in moving the bill forward. “The legislation is not perfect, but it does take critical steps to prevent a confusing 50-state patchwork of laws disclosing the presence of entirely harmless ingredients,” said Duvall.

“The legislation is a common sense, practical solution to prevent the consequences of a costly and confusing patchwork of state food-labeling laws, like we’ve already seen set into motion in Vermont,” said American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) president and CEO Andy LaVigne.

“The Roberts-Stabenow agreement brings consistency to the marketplace, ensuring that consumers have the access to product information they deserve without stigmatizing this safe, proven, technology valued by American farmers,” said National Corn Growers Association president Chip Bowling.

The protesters who threw money on the Senate floor were organized by the Organic Consumers Association and accused the lawmakers of taking money from Monsanto instead of “listening to the people.”

AFBF, ASTA, Audio, Biotech, Corn, Food

IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders Ready for 2016 Boot Camp

Chuck Zimmerman July 6, 2016

It is almost time for the 2016 IFAJ Congress in Bonn, Germany. I’m making final preparations for the trip thanks to our sponsor, Bayer. In advance of the Congress there are some pre-tours as well as some additional activities that include the journalism Master Class sponsored by Dupont and the Boot Camp. The Boot Camp participants are winner of the IFAj-Alltech Young Leaders Award. Here is some information on the Boot Camp. I will add that some of the things these “students” will learn and experience are the same as any of us attending the Congress itself.

Ten international agricultural journalists are packing their bags for boot camp, a special ag media tactical training in Bonn, Germany, just prior to the annual congress for the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ).

The lucky travelers are winners of the 11th annual IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders Award, which recognizes 10 exceptional communicators from across the globe. This year’s group will represent North America, Belgium, Ghana, Australia, Austria, Norway, Burkina Faso, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

According to the participants, the international diversity and interaction is a major attraction. They are eager to strengthen their reporting skills, but they also hope to learn about the agriculture industry in the boot camp’s host country of Germany and trade information with other attendees on agricultural issues from their home countries.

“My expectations are to learn a lot from other outstanding agricultural journalists, network with my international peers at the event and enjoy learning more about German and European agriculture on the tours,” said Sarah Hill, a freelance journalist from South Dakota.

Hill is specifically hoping to learn more about what the dairy and beef industries are like in Germany and Europe. She also said she hopes to hone her skills as a writer, photographer and marketer.

IFAJ, Media

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