ARA Lifetime Achievement Award to Gearheard

Cindy Zimmerman December 4, 2015

The Agricultural Retailers Association this week presented this year’s Jack Eberspacher Lifetime Achievement Award to Richard Gearheard, former President and CEO of Agrium Retail.

Gearheard served as Senior Vice President of Agrium, Inc. and President of the Retail Division from August 1996 until his retirement in April 2014. He also worked in various capacities with other Agrium retail companies such as Western Farm Service as Vice President, Northwest Region and Crop Production Services as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In 1983, he participated in the formation of Crop Production Services through a leveraged buyout. During his career, he has been involved with company-changing acquisitions including PureGro, Western Farm Service, Royster-Clark, United Agri Products, Landmark (Australia) and Viterra (Canada).

Reflecting on his accomplishments, Gearheard said he was most proud of the opportunities he helped create for Agrium employees. “We were able to set up an environment at Agrium Retail where people could be very successful – and provide well for their family – when they performed well,” he said. “Even through the confusion of acquisitions and integrations, those who were doing a good job for our customers were able to make a good living.”

Established in 2001, the Eberspacher Lifetime Achievement award was renamed after the late Jack Eberspacher who served as ARA President and Chief Executive Officer from 2001 until his death in 2009. The award is ARA’s highest individual honor, designed to recognize career-spanning achievements in and contributions to the agricultural retail industry. “Richard exemplifies the characteristics ARA is seeking to recognize with the Eberspacher Lifetime Achievement award,” said Daren Coppock, ARA President and CEO. “Mergers, acquisitions and consolidation are challenging aspects of this business and he went about it the right way – with respect, humility and humanity.”

2015 Agricultural Retailers Conference & Expo Photo Album

Agribusiness, ARA

Corn Growers Talk Sustainability at Climate Change Talks

John Davis December 4, 2015

American corn farmers were talking about just how sustainable U.S. agriculture is during the recent COP21 United Nations climate talks in Paris this week. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says the group shared U.S. corn farmers’ perspectives on a wide array of sustainability and environmental issues.

The event, hosted by Field to Market, Business for Social Responsibility and Pepsico, brought together notable dignitaries, including French Foreign Minister and COP21 President Laurent Fabius and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, included discussions on the value of public-private partnerships, reducing greenhouse gas emissions while increasing productivity and collaboration to achieve large scale change.

The international event brought corn farmers interests to the climate change talks on many levels. NCGA is a founding member of meeting organizer, Field to Market, which was represented by CEO Rod Snyder. NCGA participated directly through a presentation by Corn Board member Keith Alverson, a farmer from South Dakota, who received additional support in discussions from Vice President of Production and Sustainability Paul Bertels. Representatives from U.S. soy, wheat and industry also shared their perspectives.

“Many times, discussions on climate change and agriculture either foretell doom and gloom or place blame. In Paris, we explored the opportunities that would have a positive impact on agriculture and on our climate,” said Alverson. “Farmers in the United States and around the world have a vested interest in preserving the air, water and soils that allow us to pass along our farms from generation to generation.

“While I felt the discussions looked at the potential agriculture has in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, our talks were somewhat overshadowed by the EPA’s announcement that indicated weakening support for renewable fuels- such as ethanol. U.S. corn farmers work every day to grow a sustainable crop that provides a cleaner, renewable fuel. If the Administration wishes to publicly support efforts to reduce carbon emissions, it must first take actions which would fight it at home.”

Click here to listen to an exclusive interview with Alverson from Paris conducted by Meghan Grebner-Conant of Brownfield Ag News.

Corn, NCGA, Sustainability

The Debut of Sage – A Creative Marketing Agency

Jamie Johansen December 3, 2015

BCS Communications has changed its name to Sage, A Creative Marketing Agency. The name change reflects a new strategic direction and personality of the agency nearly 13 years after it was founded by company partners Leigh Ann Cleaver and Kelly Schwalbe. Last night the team celebrated the change and I took the opportunity to chat with them both.

Leigh Ann said the name Sage was selected because of its double meaning and relevance to agriculture. “Sage means wise, learned, perceptive, and that’s the type of strategic communications insights, service and experience we believe we offer our clients. It’s also a popular herb that enhances the flavor and taste of food – making something good even better.”

Kelly added, “We have had twelve years of wonderful growth and experience with our clients and we just want to continue that into 2016. We want to serve our clients and provide the best Sage counsel that we can whether it’s through PR, event planning, advertising, digital marketing or social media.”

Looking into the future Leigh Ann summed it up perfectly by saying the goal for Sage is simply to do good business with good people and to have fun in the process.

Listen to my complete interview with the marketing duo here: Interview with Leigh Ann Cleaver and Kelly Schwalbe - Sage

You can view and download photos from the debut here: 2015 Sage Debut Photo Album

Advertising, Agribusiness, Audio, Marketing, Public Relations

November Best Month Ever for MGEX

Cindy Zimmerman December 3, 2015

November 2015 was the biggest volume month in history for MGEX, with a total volume of 272,202.

This surpassed the previous record set in August by more than 6,000 and is a 39 percent increase from November 2014. This marks the fifth time this year MGEX has reported a monthly volume greater than 200,000, doing so for the first time in the history of the Exchange. Electronic volume from November also set a new all-time record, coming in at 244,288 contracts traded.

Total volume for the year now stands at 2,150,976 and is on pace to set a new annual volume record in early December. Electronic volume has already set a new annual record with 1,875,702 contracts traded through 11 months.

Markets

USDA: Climate Change to Impede Global Food Security

John Davis December 3, 2015

A new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture says climate change will likely impede progress on global food security. This news release from USDA says the “Climate Change, Global Food Security and the U.S. Food System” report identifies the risks that climate change poses to global food security and the challenges facing farmers and consumers in adapting to changing climate conditions and was released during the COP-21 Paris Climate Conference.

In the absence of response measures, climate change is likely to diminish continued progress on global food security through production disruption that lead to constraints on local availability and price increases, interrupted transport conduits, and diminished food safety, among other causes. The risks are greatest for the global poor and in tropical regions.

President Obama has pledged to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in the range of 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. U.S. agriculture is helping meet this goal, and American farmers, ranchers and foresters have demonstrated their leadership in recognition that their contributions send a strong message to the rest of the world.

“The past six years have been a success story in terms of global food security. Two hundred million fewer people are food insecure today than they were six years ago. The challenge we now face is whether we can maintain and even accelerate this progress despite the threats from climate change,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The report we are releasing today highlights these challenges and offers pathways to avoid the most damaging effects of climate change.”

“The report found that climate change is likely to cause disruptions in food production and a decrease in food safety, which in turn leads to local availability limitations and increases in food prices, with these risks greatest for the global poor and in tropical regions,” said Dr. John Holdren, Assistant to the President or Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. “Accurately identifying needs and vulnerabilities, and effectively targeting adaptive practices and technologies across the full scope of the food system, are central to improving global food security in a changing climate.”

This past April, USDA launched its 10 Building Blocks for Climate Smart Agriculture, a comprehensive set of voluntary programs and initiatives that is expected to reduce net emissions and enhance carbon sequestration by over 120 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent by 2025 – about 2 percent of economy-wide emissions. The ten “building blocks” span a range of technologies and practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase carbon storage, and generate clean renewable energy. USDA also supports global food security through in-country capacity building, basic and applied research, and support for improved market information, statistics and analysis.

USDA

Farm & Food Partnerships – A New Paradigm

Chuck Zimmerman December 2, 2015

The topic was “The New Paradigm: Farm + Food Partnerships to Meet New Consumer Demand.” Our opening keynote speaker at the Agricultural Retailers Association Conference & Expo was Steve Peterson, Retired Director of Sourcing and Sustainability, General Mills. Steve actually just recently retired and is now farming full time on his farm in Minnesota.

Steve told us that he has been wanting to talk to ag retailers. He believes these companies will be key to the scaling of true sustainability across U.S. agriculture. As trusted advisors with farmers he thinks that those precious relationships need to be leveraged. He sees it as a business opportunity for retailers.

Listen to my interview with Steve here for more takeaways: Steve Peterson, General Mills, Retired

2015 Agricultural Retailers Conference & Expo Photo Album

Ag Groups, ARA, Audio, Sustainability

Agricultural Retailers Gather in California

Chuck Zimmerman December 2, 2015

The 2015 ARA Conference & Expo is underway in Palm Desert, CA. Opening the general session this morning is Steve Peterson, Retired Director of Sourcing & Sustainability, General Mills. I’ll share an interview with him later.

We have a big crowd attending again this year. The theme is Performance. Precision. Passion. and the conference programs reflect those concepts. After a morning general session we’ll have afternoon breakouts on topics like millennials, using data, banking and finance.

This evening we’ll have an auction to raise money for ARAPAC, ARA’s political action committee.

I’ve got an online album of photos for your viewing and sharing pleasure here: 2015 Agricultural Retailers Conference & Expo Photo Album

Here’s more on the theme:

Ag Groups, ARA

Farm Journal Purchases Assets of Vance Publishing

Kelly Marshall December 2, 2015

Farm Journal Media, along with Bobit Business Media and CCI Media, have announced they are each acquiring assets from Vance Publishing Corporation. The agreement states that Farm Journal will receive the agricultural properties of the company while Bobit purchases the beauty market portion and CCI obtains Woodworking Network and related assets.

Farm Journal will obtain a portfolio that includes 21 leading websites, online databases, publications and trade shows in produce, livestock, ag retailer and row crop markets.

Andy Weber, CEO of Farm Journal, explained: “Vance is a perfect fit to add market-leading brands in important ag sectors that are new to us. By acquiring these top brands, we become market leaders in the important Produce sector, combine to become the leader in the Livestock sector and now have the leading voice to Ag Retailers, an area in which we have already heavily invested.”

Weber went on to state, “The Vance portfolio complements our existing No. 1 media position in the large row crop market, and we’re honored to bring the Vance brands into the Farm Journal family.”

William C. Vance, Chairman and CEO of Vance Publishing Corporation, added: “I have known the Farm Journal Media, Bobit Business Media and CCI Media organizations for years. I am gratified the products and services we have worked so hard to build here at Vance have found new homes with companies that share our values and commitment to quality. Our employees and customers are in good hands.”

Agribusiness, Journalism

Potato Expo Hosts First Food Truck Chef Competition

Kelly Marshall December 2, 2015

The largest conference and trade show for the potato industry will be hosting a food truck chef competition a their 2016 Potato Expo. The Spud Nation Throwdown will be held January 12. Three food truck chefs have been selected from a national competition to bring their most creative and flavorful potato dishes. Judges will chose one “Top Spud” and award a prize of $5,000.

Almost half the population will purchase a meal from one of the nations 4,500 food trucks this year. This growing segment has challenged chefs to create new offerings. “The growing number of adventurous diners combined with the universal appeal of potatoes, both as center of the plate and side dish recipes, is the perfect storm,” said Phil Lempert, Supermarket Guru. “We predict big things for these food trucks.”

Watch Lempert introduce the competition in a video here. You don’t have to miss the energy these chefs bring! Live coverage will be streamed via Periscope on January 12.

The chef finalists are:
· Heather Banter from Circle City Spuds – Indianapolis, IN
· Daniel McCarthy from Tato Heads – Columbus, OH
· Bridgett Blough from The Organic Gypsy – Kalamazoo, MI

Watch their video for more information and be sure to follow on Periscope to see the results!

Events, Potato

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