Here’s an interesting mini documentary of the passing of the Agricultural Act of 2014. It features the work of Rep. Frank Lucas, Agricultural Committee Chairman.
Every few years a farm bill must be passed to ensure the state of American agriculture. Farmers like Danny Davis of Oklahoma rely on the provisions granted in the legislation to maintain their farms, and Americans rely on farmers like Davis for everyday needs like food and clothing. However, with Congress more divided than ever, this nearly annual task is threatened. Rep. Frank Lucas, Agricultural Committee Chairman, put his all into creating a bipartisan solution to pass the 2014 Agricultural Act.
Going Big with the New Holland T9
Looking for a big boy tractor for those large acre row crop applications? Take a look at this New Holland T9 Series tractor that was on display for ag media on La Belotta Sustainable Farm near Turin, Italy. Darragh Mullin, CNH Industrial, APAC Product Marketing< Tractors gave us a walk around tour of the machine.
New T9 4WD tractors give you the power you need and the comfort you want. If the engine and hydraulic power doesn’t turn your head, the sleek design and the largest cab in the industry certainly will. Six new models are ready to fit your farming needs. For those who want a row-crop ready articulated tractor, take a look at one of the four standard 36-inch-wide frame models up to 507 engine horsepower. The slim T9 engine hood provides improved forward visibility and the inboard planetary drive axles allow for narrow wheel width settings. For broad acre work, check out the two higher-horsepower, wide-frame models in the line-up. Their top-level performance is packaged in a new, beautifully balanced chassis that delivers more power to the wheels for improved productivity. Brain and brawn. New Holland knows it takes both to get the job done right.
You’ll get a lot of information on the T9 from Darragh in the video:
Ag Relations Council Annual Meeting
Thank you to Den Gardner and Kristy Mach for some photos from this week’s Agricultural Relations Council Annual Meeting. In the image below the group is in class getting one of many lessons that are on the program.
Of course it’s not all work. The group does know how to have fun as seen in this photo of one of the conference dinners.
I’m hoping to get more images and information on the annual awards soon.
Zimfo Bytes
- The American Farm Bureau Federation announced that Trudy Wastweet has joined the organization as director of congressional relations in the Public Policy Department.
- A corner of downtown Lancaster will transform into a mini music festival when LNP Media Group and New Holland present Live on Vine, a six-hour block party and county music concert event for the 21-and-over crowd.
- West Central Distribution, LLC officially announced the development of an executive team comprised of Dale Engan, chief executive officer; Michael Fiebelkorn, president; and vice presidents: Josh Nuytten, Craig Trettin and Dean Hendrickson.
- Registration is open for the WAF 2015 Congress, which will be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where they will unite world leaders, with a focus on addressing the challenge of climate change for agriculture by the development of new technologies for productivity and prosperity.
And Now, The Rest Of The Story…
This week, Aunt Jeanette writes:
Last week I shared a picture of my clematis and promised “the rest of the story” about the unusual trellis.
A very good friend (who also happens to be my sister-in-law) has exceptionally green thumbs – yep, both of them. Her lawn, flower garden, vegetable garden, and any outside plants are always gorgeous. She can tell you the name of just about every perennial there is, plus where to plant it, and how to care for it.
I should have asked her advice about my clematis before I planted it. It was one of those last minute – half dead, reduced price for quick sale – purchases. The little plastic trellis that was stuck in the pot was about 8 inches high. So, being a sucker for plants, I bought it, took it home, and planted it in what I thought was a good spot – small trellis and all.
I watered it, kept whispering that it was looking great, and watched it start coming back to life. By the end of the summer it actually looked pretty good. The following spring, before I knew it, it started putting on new growth at an amazing rate. I bought a taller trellis and put it behind the first one, not wanting to disturb the vines.
Another year passed and the same thing happened so I put an even taller trellis behind the other two. Are you getting the picture? Yes, I should have asked! Another year – same thing – only this time I bought a very large, tall trellis.
This spring, Dan and I were standing on the deck admiring the first flowers when he said, “Do you think we need to do something with that plant? It is so top heavy it looks like it may fall over.” I told him I didn’t think I wanted to put another trellis behind the plant. He went and found this discarded ladder, put it behind the clematis, and tied the vines up. Oh, thank you, Dan!
Next time I will ask the expert. And, just so you know, there is no room for another trellis!
The picture is of Vicki’s garden. See what I mean?
Until we walk again …
Ag Leaders Recognized for Excellence
The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City honored three individuals whose leadership in agriculture policy, practice and academia have contributed to the growth of the industry. The Jay B. Dillingham Award for Agriculture Leadership and Excellence was awarded to Senator Bob Dole, Dr. Brady Deaton, retired Chancellor of the University of Missouri, and Dee Likes, Chief Executive Emeritus of the Kansas Livestock Association.
“These three individuals have had a positive and lasting effect on our community. They are strong examples of what being an advocate for agriculture can accomplish,” says Mike Johanning, Chairman of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City.
Sen. Dole holds the record as the nation’s longest serving Republican lawmaker. He is a national leader and Kansas legend, as well as 27-year veteran of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. Sen. Dole worked on virtually every major piece of farm legislation during that time, but perhaps none was more important than the 1985 Farm Bill.
Dr. Deaton served as chancellor of the University of Missouri (MU) from 2004-2013, after joining the University as a professor and chair of the agricultural economics department in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources in 1989. In 2011, President Barack Obama appointed Deaton the chairman of the Board for International Food and Agriculture Development (BIFAD). He is Director of the Deaton Institute for University Leadership in International Development at the University of Missouri.
Known as the “face of the Kansas livestock industry,” Thomas “Dee” Likes served as CEO of the Kansas Livestock Association for three decades, working tirelessly on behalf of Kansas livestock producers. During his tenure, Likes positioned KLA as one of the most respected lobbying organizations in Kansas. Most recently he received a commendation by proclamation from Governor Sam Brownback and the Kansas Senate and House of Representatives for the leadership he provided to cattle ranchers and the beef industry in the state.
The event was sponsored by John Deere and JE Dunn Construction. Tom Brand, Executive Director of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, served as master of ceremonies.
Fast Track Makes it to the Finish Line
After lots of drama and much political posturing, Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) finally cleared the final hurdle before being sent to the president’s desk, passing the U.S. Senate Wednesday by a vote of 60-38.
“The Senate’s bipartisan passage of Trade Promotion Authority today sends a strong signal to foreign governments that we mean business at the bargaining table and are ready to complete new agreements that will break down trade barriers and open new markets from Asia to Europe,” said American Farm Bureau president Bob Stallman.
“Today is a huge victory for America’s corn farmers and the entire agricultural industry,” said National Corn Growers Association president Chip Bowling of Maryland. ““With major trade negotiations underway in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe, today’s vote could not have come at a better time. The U.S. is back in the driver’s seat, negotiating the best possible deal for American farmers and livestock producers in these and other future trade agreements.”
The National Farmers Union, which is opposed to TPA, issued no comment after the vote on Wednesday. Fast track authority allows for the administration to negotiate trade agreements with other countries and allows Congress to only vote them up or down with no amendments. Every president since Franklin Roosevelt has been granted such authority by Congress.
Interns at O+B Advocate for Agriculture
Catalina, an aspiring art director from Argentina, sits down beside Laura, a Midwest farmer’s daughter. Nearby, former FFA state officer Jacob rubs elbows with a songwriter-turned-journalist, Zach. What unites this eclectic group? A passion for agriculture and an internship with St. Louis marketing and communications firm, Osborn Barr (O+B).
Eighteen of the best and brightest interns joined O+B in St. Louis this week. They were chosen from more than 600 applicants and hail from 12 universities in six states.
“These students are our upcoming industry leaders, and we rely on them to tell the stories of agriculture, lead the way for rural America and connect with urban consumers,” said Michael Turley, CEO at Osborn Barr. “We value our responsibility to invest in them, and we hope to give them a robust and rewarding experience during their time at O+B.”
Participants pair with a mentor who helps them complete real client assignments. They will focus on their own specialty areas; public relations, art direction, social media, account services, and so on. Interns attend industry courses, learning to blend ag and communications. The program also includes a hands-on visit to CEO Michael Turley’s dairy farm.
Historically up to 25% of the class will be hired as full-time associates at the end of the summer.
MZA+Co to Lead Public Relations for AgriGrowth
Minnesota AgriGrowth Council announced it has hired MZA+Co to lead its communications and public relations efforts.
Founded in 1968, AgriGrowth is a non-partisan, non-profit member organization representing all areas of Minnesota’s food and agriculture sectors. AgriGrowth is the only organization in Minnesota whose diverse membership and public policy work is solely devoted to ensuring a pro-business environment for the food and agriculture sector, the second largest sector of the state’s economy.
“AgriGrowth has a long history of effective engagement and advocacy on public policy issues and we’re excited to bring the experienced team at MZA+Co on board to continue to strengthen our outreach,” said AgriGrowth Executive Director Perry Aasness. “Kurt Zellers, Brian McClung and Chas Anderson have decades of experience at the highest levels of government and working with media around the state. We are looking forward to partnering with them on our communications efforts.”
MZA+Co is a public relations and public affairs company known for its strategic approach to helping clients meet their goals. The company began in January of 2015 and boasts a leadership team with many years of experience in public relations, business, government crafting, communications and public affairs initiatives.
FFA Members Learn Leadership in Washington D.C.
More than 2,100 FFA members from throughout the country are gathering in Washington, D.C. this summer to hone personal skills, grow leadership abilities, and create a meaningful community-service plan designed to make a difference in their home communities.
The 2015 Washington Leadership Conference is the second-largest student experience that the National FFA Organization hosts each year. Participants spend a week learning from educators, counselors, and FFA staff in workshops, seminars and small groups. The students learn personal and leadership skills to help them as they return to their local FFA chapters and their communities.
“Students who attend the Washington Leadership Conference learn their purpose, how to value people, how take action and the importance of serving others,” National FFA Organization CEO Dr. Dwight Armstrong said. “They leave with the knowledge and the confidence to act in ways that help their schools, communities and their country.”
Agricultural education teachers attend the conference as well, learning how to motivate and help develop their students’ personal growth and leadership potential and how they can help maximize their local FFA chapters’ community-service initiatives throughout the year.
At the conclusion of each weekly session is a civic engagement activity where participants apply what they have learned at the conference to a real, hands-on service activity. In a partnership with Meals of Hope, students will pack approximately 60,000 highly palatable meals that will be delivered directly to the food insecure of Washington, D.C.
Participants will also visit many of the sites of D.C., as well as visit with members of Congress.