#FeedNThrive Launched During #FoodPrize15

Joanna Schroeder

STEM was a hot topic during the World Food Prize in Des Moines with the kick-off session focused on how to encourage young women to go into STEM careers including science, technology, engineering and math. The STEM Food and Ag Council (SFAC) has launched Feed, Nourish, Thrive, a STEMconnector initiative that aims to inspire the next generation of innovators in food and agricultural production.

The program is designed to develop the workforce pipeline in the food and agricultural sectors. According to a recent USDA report, only 61% of STEM food and ag labor demand is currently being met through schools of food, ag and renewable natural resources. Feed, Nourish, Thrive aims to increase awareness of study and career opportunities that exist in the field through a dynamic interactive online platform.


“The challenge of sustainably feeding the world will require the best and the brightest innovators,” said Dr. Sherri Brown of Monsanto, SFAC Chair. “We must inspire the next generation to take on this challenge. Feed, Nourish, Thrive connects young people and those around them to high quality resources about exciting careers in food and agriculture. This resource will help raise awareness that careers in food and agriculture are not only fun and high-tech but also impactful.”

The initiative focuses on three characteristics of STEM careers in food and agriculture:

  1. Make a Difference – STEM Careers in food and agriculture are on the front line of helping sustainably and healthily feed the world’s growing population.
  2. Have Fun – STEM careers in food and agriculture are interesting and fulfilling.
  3. Earn a Living – STEM careers in food and agriculture pay well.

An interactive web portal for Feed, Nourish, Thrive features videos from young professionals and students from member organizations of the STEM Food and Ag Council. The videos link to career profiles developed by AgCareers.com. In addition, the platform will connect users to high quality, age-appropriate, interactive STEM resources. The platform is open for submissions of materials to be included in the site as well and will continue to add new materials and engagement opportunities with partner organizations. A social media dialogue with the hashtag #FeedNThrive, will encourage students, young professionals and the broader industry to join in the conversation on Twitter and Instagram.

AgCareers, Education, Video, World Food Prize

ZimmPoll Results – TPP Good for Ag?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Is TPP good for US agriculture?”

Most agree that the Trans-Pacific Partnership is full of winners for agriculture, but few believe all of it is good for the industry. Whichever you currently believe, you can’t argue that the future of U.S. agriculture must include trade.

Here are the poll results:

  • Yes, all of it – 18%
  • Some winners – 73%
  • Most losers – 0%
  • Bad deal for all – 9%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, How do you pass the time flying?

The ZimmComm Team really racks up some miles in the skies each year. Chuck and Cindy are currently in New Zealand and are experts when it comes to passing time in the air. So, we want to know how you pass the time when flying. Do you read, work or play?

ZimmPoll

John Deere Int’l Mobile Training Unit Sees Success

Joanna Schroeder

Geoff Andersen John DeereDuring the during the World Food Prize I had the opportunity to learn about a new mobile training unit pilot program from Geoff Andersen,  director, Global Citizenship and Strategic Planning with John Deere. The unit was first used in Ghana and Kenya to help more than 60,000 farmers learn how to increase productivity. Andersen was in country to work with the farmers and he said the program was a huge success and TechnoServe has been a great partner.

Rather than displace farmers to get training, the mobile unit was designed to take the training to them, to their farms, the fields and their communities. Andersen said they have really seen tremendous improvement in how farmers grow their crops and sell them at a higher price and reduce post-harvest lost. On average, farmers have increased their income up to two-fold in a matter of a couple of years.

They also supplement the grants with demonstration plots and provided equipment to TechnoServe to do demo plots right in these communities. This enables farmers to see right there how what they are getting trained on really works in their own fields.

Andersen said John Deere plans to expand the program and they appreciate any support that can be offered by other companies, governmental organizations and NGOs. He noted that there are other companies doing similar small-scale programs but to meet goals, they need to do more. “I really believe in this opportunity to come together to try to solve things on a much broader scale and optimize our collective levels of resources,” adds Andersen who encourages people to get in touch directly with him through the John Deere website.

Listen my interview with Geoff Andersen to learn more about their small-holder farmer mobile training unit: Interview with Geoff Andersen, John Deere

2015 World Food Prize photo album.

Coverage of the World Food Prize Global Harvest Initiative is sponsored by Coverage of the World Food Prize Global Harvest Initiative is sponsored by John Deere
Agribusiness, Audio, Education, John Deere, Precision Agriculture, World Food Prize

FFA Encourages Students to #SpeakAg

Kelly Marshall

ffa_logoThe National FFA Organization is encouraging students to share how they are growing their knowledge of agriculture with a social media challenge entitled

Members may participate by tweeting or instagraming a photo, video or story of how they are using knowledge gained in the classroom, from an SAE project or other FFA activity to inform their communities.  Once they’ve posted with the hashtag members should submit their post to the FFA website.  The current theme for October 11-24 is “Government.”

National officers will be sharing their favorite entires, so posts will be seen by hundreds of thousands of people.

speakag_logo_773x211The purpose of the project is to increase member’s ability to be fluent in the language of agriculture and sharing their knowledge.  By working to improve these skills they will be better able to make a difference in closing the communication gap between producers and consumers.

Ag Groups, FFA, Social Media

New Zealand’s Trade Minister at #IFAJ2015

Cindy Zimmerman

ifaj-groserOne of the hard news highlights of the 2015 IFAJ Congress was hearing from the man who was responsible for holding up the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement to get New Zealand’s dairy industry more access to other markets.

“The fundamental reason why New Zealand agriculture is so strong is we don’t have a choice, it’s export or die for us,” said Tim Groser, New Zealand Minister of Trade.

He calls New Zealand a “virtual water exporter” because the country is fortunate enough to have an abundance of water. “Water is central to the issue and we do not lack water,” he said. “We are gifted with water – we think we use only 3-5% of the water we have.”

In his address to the IFAJ Congress, Groser provided a long history of international trade negotiations, starting with the GATT Uraguay round where he was chief negotiator for New Zealand. He is considered to be one of the world’s leading experts on international trade. New Zealand Minister of Trade Tim Groser

2015 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Audio, IFAJ, International, Trade

Farm Bureau Releases Food & Ag Resource Guide for Education

John Davis

afbfAg educators will have another tool in their belts to teach young rural and urban students agricultural literacy. This news release from the American Farm Bureau Foundation says the group has released a new Food & Ag Resource Guide, a curated list that features top recommended resources by age group.

“People in the agricultural community are often invited into local classrooms but do not have access to resources appropriate for students,” said Julie Tesch, executive director of the Foundation. “The Food & Ag Resource Guide provides appropriate and accurate activities and resources developed to help students learn about agriculture.”

The top-rated resources will be recognized at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention each year. The goal of the guide is to save educators time and energy by bringing the most relevant resources to their attention.

The guide provides a unique, easy-to-navigate source of activities that will be reviewed, commented on and rated by educators. Each year new submissions will be considered and the guide will be updated with the top 10 resources in each age group and area. The resources will be selected based on their ability to communicate key messages about the agriculture industry, as introduced in the Pillars of Agricultural Literacy http://www.agfoundation.org/resources/ag-pillars.

AFBF, Ag Groups

Check out the My New Holland Mobile App

Joanna Schroeder

Our phones are king and we get loads of information through them and now you can access additional agriculture information via New Holland’s My New Holland app. My New Holland is a personalized space for New Holland customers and a user can access instructional videos, operating and maintenance tips from New Holland product experts, educational white papers, and more.

Screen Shot 2015-10-16 at 4.26.28 PM“Our customers can now take their passion for farming and access very useful, informative, and personalized content related to their New Holland equipment while they operate from the field.” says Dawn Pelon, New Holland Brand Marketing Communications Manager. “The My New Holland community can now stay connected from their mobile devices.”

Owners of New Holland equipment can also gain access to premium content to help them get the most from their machines. By registering their equipment on their My New Holland profile, operators can download operator manuals and other useful materials from our training courses. They can also upload their PLM product information so the machines will appear on My New Holland.

New users who register from their desktop are invited to download the app available on iTunes and Google Play, and current app users are also encouraged to visit www.MyNewHolland.com.

Apps, Equipment, Farming, New Holland, Precision Agriculture

Don’t Forget- AgGateway Early Bird Ends Soon

Kelly Marshall

AgGateway conferenceDon’t miss your opportunity to receive the early bird discount for the AgGateway Annual Conference!  Register by Friday for the best rates for your team and trading partners.  You’ll also be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a free hotel upgrade.

This year’s AgGateway Conference is November 9-12 in San Antonio, Texas.  The theme is “Business Agility –The Power of Collaboration and eConnectivity.”  The Conference promises great speakers, working session, networking opportunities, and special opportunities for first time attendees.

Check out the website for a PDF brochure with lots of details and information to make planning your trip a cinch.

Agribusiness, Events

Georgia Peanut Farmer in NHRA Title Bid

John Davis

georgiapeanuts1Hot rods on the track and peanuts in the stands is probably the norm for most race fans. But this year, the Georgia Peanut Commission is getting peanuts on the track by sponsoring a peanut farmer in an NHRA series. This news release from the commission says it is backing Jeff Adkinson, longtime NHRA Lucas Oil Series competitor and a lifelong farmer who operates a peanut farm in his home town of Damascus, Georgia, for both his Stock and Super Stock entries. The new alliance comes as Adkinson and his team are in the middle of a hotly contested battle for the 2016 NHRA Southeast Division Super Stock championship.

“We’re really excited about this cooperative effort with the Georgia Peanut Commission,” Adkinson says. “Georgia peanut farmers invest $2 per ton each year to the commission that is used in the program areas of research, education, promotion and communication. The NHRA and the NHRA Lucas Oil Series provide a wonderful platform to promote peanuts; and we’re honored to be flying the Georgia Peanut Commission colors for the remainder of 2015, all of 2016, hopefully on into the future.”

The Georgia Peanut Commission is currently involved in countless promotional efforts, and has been an active marketing partner in various motorsports including the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

“The Georgia Peanut Commission is proud to partner with Georgia peanut farmer Jeff Adkinson. He has been a longtime competitor in the NHRA series and we are honored to promote peanuts at the races with him,” says Tim Burch, Georgia Peanut Commission board member from Baker County, Georgia. “The Georgia Peanut Commission is very excited about this new opportunity and we certainly hope Jeff wins as he competes this weekend.”

Ag Groups, Peanuts

Food Dialogues Heading to South Carolina

John Davis

FD_SouthCarolina1The next edition of the Food Dialogues travels to South Carolina to discuss the non-agricultural needs for water and the needs of the ag industry to use water to raise the food we all eat.

Water is a precious commodity and there have been local, state and federal solutions to making water available to all. In South Carolina, one such solution was the Surface Water Act of 2010, which made the state’s riverways available for agricultural use. Yet, there is a continued debate on the amount of water available for agricultural purposes.

Join the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance and South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation for a Food Dialogues discussion on water use in South Carolina featuring farmers and ranchers and experts on water and sustainability.

During two separate panels, moderated by David Stanton, former broadcast news anchor, public affairs program host and political debate moderator, we’ll address the following questions:
Panel 1 – A Closer Look at South Carolina’s Water Needs

What are the state’s water needs? What options, such as the Surface Water Act of 2010, have been employed or evaluated to address those needs?
Panel 2 – Balancing the Demands for Water with the Need to Grow and Raise Food
Is agriculture the biggest user of water in the state? Are there technologies we can employ to better manage water being used by agriculture? What more can agriculture, business and residential users of water do to be more efficient users of this precious commodity?

More information, including registration to attend the event at the Brookland Baptist Banquet and Conference Center
at 1066 Sunset Blvd. in West Columbia, South Carolina, or to watch it via livestream is available here.

Ag Groups, Food