Good morning from the beautiful Leola Inn, Lancaster, PA. Agricultural media representatives are gathering for a couple of days to lean what’s new with New Holland. We will get started mid day today and conclude tomorrow afternoon. I’ll be covering the event right here on AgWired.
I want to have the gardener for the Leola to come visit my house. I need a much greener thumb than the ones I have!
See you from here this week . . .
The American Soybean Association has honored Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) with the Soy Champion Award for her outstanding public advocacy for soybean farmers. As a member of the Senate Ag Committee, Heitkmap has done considerable work for biodiesel, farm programs, and trade and transportation.
“Senator Heitkamp has proven herself to be a strong voice for North Dakota soybean farmers,” said Ed Erickson, Jr., a soybean farmer and ASA Director from Milnor, N.D. “She has relentlessly and consistently reached across the aisle to fight for the priorities of soybean farmers, both in North Dakota and across the country.”
ASA presented Sen. Heitkamp with the award during the association’s annual July board meeting and Legislative Forum, in which the ASA directors and representatives from 30 soybean-growing states gather in Washington to meet with lawmakers and raise the profile of public policy issues impacting soybean farmers.
“Growing up in a small town in rural North Dakota, I understand the importance of farms to supporting our way of life. And throughout my career in public service, including in the U.S. Senate, I’ve been an advocate for rural America,” said Sen. Heitkamp. “I greatly appreciate this award which reinforces that the work we do in Congress has serious impacts on farmers and our communities. We need strong policies that give soybean farmers and all farmers the certainty to do their jobs, help biodiesel production grow, and enable farmers to export their products around the world. Working together in a bipartisan way, we can accomplish these goals to support our farms, families, and our country.”
“Senator Heitkamp is a great example of why this week in Washington is such an important one for soybean farmers,” added Erickson. “She grew up in a rural community and throughout her career she has sought farmer insight and input through meetings like the ones we’re having here with week to make sure she represents North Dakotans in the best way possible. Senator Heitkamp quickly made her voice known on the Senate Committee on Agriculture as she helped craft a bipartisan Farm Bill. And she has remained a staunch advocate for our farmers through her work pushing for a strong Renewable Fuel Standard and her efforts to change the Waters of the U.S. rule. Those efforts make a difference for our farmers and families throughout the U.S., and with this award we aim to show our support and gratitude for her work.”
ASA will continue to meet with lawmakers and administration officials in D.C. through Wednesday.
American 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.
It’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.
To 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.
Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features Rep. Cheri Bustos.
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.
We 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.
Osborn 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.
The 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.
Dr. 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.
