Stallman to Retire as AFBF President

Cindy Zimmerman

afbf-stallmanAmerican Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman announced today that he will not seek re-election in January 2016. Stallman, a cattle and rice producer from Texas, has served 16 years as the organization’s 11th president.

“It has been a tremendous honor to serve the nation’s Farm Bureau members and represent agriculture and rural America,” Stallman said. “After 16 years as AFBF president, six as Texas Farm Bureau president and several more in other Farm Bureau roles, it is time to hand over the reins of leadership—a decision that is made easier by knowing the great leadership and foundation that exist to continue moving Farm Bureau forward. I am as optimistic as ever about the future of American agriculture and Farm Bureau.

“On the wall of the AFBF office is a quote by President Thomas Jefferson: ‘Agriculture is our wisest pursuit because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals and happiness.’ I couldn’t agree more, and I would add that a most rewarding pursuit is working for the men and women who make up American agriculture. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to do so.”

Under Stallman’s presidency Farm Bureau membership nationwide has grown by more than one million member families. Programming has grown to include more efforts to build rural communities and economies and more leadership development programs to help farmers and ranchers become advocates for agriculture. AFBF acquired the IDEAg farm events and publications business in 2013.

A new AFBF president will be elected to a two-year term at the 97th annual meeting of voting delegates, Jan. 12, 2016, as part of the AFBF Annual Convention and IDEAg Tradeshow, Jan. 10-13, 2016, in Orlando, Florida.

AFBF, Ag Groups

Preview of NAMA Fall Conference 2015

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 482It’s not too early to look ahead to the National Agri-Marketing Association Fall Conference. This year it is taking place in Denver, CO, September 22-14.

NAMA Fall ConferenceTo learn what it’s all about I spoke with Committee Chair Alison Berry, HLK. She says the theme, “Reach New Peaks,” really hits on the location and on the fact that since everyone is trying to reach a new level in their career, this conference will help them reach new peaks! If you haven’t attended a NAMA Fall Conference you’ll find it more relaxed than the spring convention which has much more activity surrounding it. Alison says this year’s Fall Conference features an early arrivals reception. I have to say that more parties sounds good to me. But it does allow for more networking which is one of the best things about attending any NAMA function.

Alison reviews the program this year including all the speakers who are on the schedule. To get registered just go to the NAMA website.

Listen to my conversation with Alison in this week’s program: Preview of NAMA Fall Conference

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

The ZimmCast

sponsored by
The ZimmCast podcast is sponsored by GROWMARK
Locally owned, globally strong.
Audio, NAMA, ZimmCast

Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Rep. Cheri Bustos

John Davis

Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features Rep. Cheri Bustos.

open-mic As a member of the House committees on Agriculture as well as Transportation and Infrastructure, the Illinois Democrat is positioned to cast important votes for farmers and rural America. In this informative interview you’ll hear her thoughts on congressional consideration of trade agreements and angst against the EPA on implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard. Bustos wants a long term fix for highway spending and believes the charter for the Export/Import Bank should be renewed.

Click here to listen to Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Rep. Cheri Bustos.

Agri-Pulse, Audio

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • Go straight to the source of your favorite Vermont food during Vermont Open Farm Week, August 3-9, taking place across the state.
  • DuPont Pioneer opened a new research facility in Lethbridge, Alberta, that will focus on providing growers additional, higher-value crop choices and fueling growth of the Western Canada agricultural landscape.
  • Dow AgroSciences announced that its new corn herbicide, previously referred to as GF-3471, will be named Resicore™ herbicide.
  • Mycogen Seeds is helping growers in the western Corn Belt manage multiple environmental variables with a holistic solution: its new stress-tolerant corn portfolio.
Zimfo Bytes

IFAJ Congress 2016 Announced

Chuck Zimmerman

IFAJ Congress 2016We still have a 2015 IFAJ Congress coming up but now you can look ahead to 2016. The 2016 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress is being hosted by the Association of German Agricultural Journalists (VDAJ). Here’s an excerpt from the welcome letter by Joachim Rukwied, President of the German Farmers Association (DBV).

It is an honor for the German agricultural sector to host the 2016 Congress of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists. This meeting offers us the perfect opportunity to show our international guests the efficiency and competitiveness of the German agricultural economy. Our farmers will present its model of agriculture with its rural entrepreneurial structure and sustainable, future-oriented economic systems.

With the slogan “Sustainable Agriculture – Made in Germany” agricultural media representatives from across the globe will attend the pre-congress in Berlin, the main congress in Bonn, and visit farms and companies in the various federal states.

You can find the program here.

IFAJ, International, Media

Osborn Barr Participates in MAIP Intern Program

Chuck Zimmerman

Laura GonzalezOsborn Barr is hosting Laura Gonzalez, summer intern via the 4A’s Multicultural Advertising Internship Program.

This prestigious program had over 1,000 student applicants from all over the country and only 155 were selected. The goal of MAIP is to share multicultural talent with the advertising industry. It offers agencies the opportunity to gain top talent and enhance workforce diversity.

According to Talent Acquisition Manager, Erin Barr, this is O+B’s first year with MAIP. “We are always looking to have the most diverse intern class, in a number of ways,” said Barr. “Agriculture is an international industry, so we want interns from various universities, degree programs and backgrounds.”
At the end of her internship, Laura will travel to New York City to meet with 4A’s career professionals and MAIP fellows at the Face of Talent 2015. Laura will be in New York City for one week to go through professional development training. Workshops and activities include leadership development, career readiness, a diversity career fair and more.

Agencies

Farm Foundation to Host Forum on Drought

John Davis

farmfoundationlogo3The multi-year drought in the western United States has impacted that region’s farmers and ranchers,and government officials have had to take extensive measures to deal with water shortages. This coming Wednesday, July 15, Farm Foundation will host a free forum at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to discuss how lessons being learned in the West may help the rest of the nation prepare for water management challenges in the future. The Forum will also examine tools public and private decision makers across the country are already using to address such issues as access to water, regulation of water use, water quality and water quantity.

Agri-Pulse Senior Editor Philip Brasher will moderate the discussion with panelists:

Richard Howitt, Ph.D., professor emeritus of agriculture and resource economics at the Center for Watershed Sciences, University of California, Davis, and a specialist in water markets.
Lynn Broaddus, Ph.D., of Broadview Collaborative, will discuss water sustainability and resiliency.
Barry Bogseth, Managing Director of MetLife, will offer a lender’s perspective.
Betsy Hickman of Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, will discuss perspectives from across the agriculture and food value chain.

Register online to attend the Forum in person at the National Press Club.

Audio from the session will be posted on the Farm Foundation website.

Ag Groups, Farm Foundation

Johansson Picked as USDA Chief Economist

John Davis

johanssonDr. Robert Johansson has been selected as U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Chief Economist. Working for USDA for nearly 15 years, Johansson has been USDA’s acting chief economist since Jan. 3, 2014, and as Deputy Chief Economist since 2012.

“I am pleased that Dr. Johansson’s leadership will continue to guide informed decision making at USDA to benefit American agriculture,” said [Agriculture Secretary Tom] Vilsack. “Dr. Johansson is highly respected for his analysis and experienced insight, and extremely well prepared for the demands of this position.”

As Chief Economist, Dr. Johansson is responsible for USDA’s agricultural forecasts and projections and for advising the Secretary of Agriculture on economic implications of programs, regulations, and legislative proposals. His responsibilities include the Office of the Chief Economist, the World Agricultural Outlook Board, the Office of Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit analysis, the Global Change Program Office, and the Office of Energy Policy and New Uses. He also serves as Chairman of the Federal Crop Insurance Board of Directors.

During his federal career, Dr. Johansson also worked as an economist at USDA’s Economic Research Service, as well as in the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget, and at the Congressional Budget Office. In 2011, he was appointed senior economist for energy, environment, and agriculture on the President’s Council of Economic Advisers where he also participated on the White House Rural Council and the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.

Johansson has a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Northwestern University. He also served with the U.S. Peace Corps from 1990 to 1995 as an extension agent in Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

USDA

Bayer CropScience Opens SeedGrowth Center

Chuck Zimmerman

Bayer ShakopeeThis week Bayer CropScience celebrated the grand opening of its SeedGrowth Equipment Innovation Center in Shakopee, MN. The center is a $12 million, 135,000-square-foot facility.

This center, focusing on the equipment design and manufacturing business promotes advanced research and development on seed treatment products, seed coatings, equipment and services to provide holistic agricultural solutions to customers around the world.

“Our SeedGrowth Equipment Innovation Center brings together significant technological, scientific and manufacturing resources to support sustainable agriculture initiatives and global product stewardship for our SeedGrowth business,” said Jim Blome, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience LP. “The work done by our team in Shakopee continues to drive innovation in our equipment, services and technology, while also serving as a training center for our customers and employees all under one umbrella.’”

Agribusiness, Bayer

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • Lessing-Flynn’s 2015 Battle of the Brands is set to begin on Monday, July 13th at 8 a.m. with 32 Iowa based brands are set to go head-to-head in this year’s battle.
  • Midwestern BioAg, Inc., announced that it has acquired Meeker Farms Trucking, Inc. Located in Davenport, Iowa, Meeker Farms is the exclusive manufacturer of Midwestern BioAg’s calcium-based soil amendments, Bio-Cal® and OrganiCal.
  • Verdesian Life Sciences has signed a commercial agreement with Agroalfa in Central America to bring the company’s patented polymer technology to farmers in Nicaragua (headquarters), Panama and Costa Rica.
  • Consistent with the National Pork Board’s five-year strategic plan to build consumer trust and grow consumer demand, the organization is updating its food chain outreach structure.
Zimfo Bytes