USDA: Number of Organic Producers Hits Record

John Davis

USDAThe number of organic producers in the U.S. has hit a record. This news release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says there are 19,474 certified organic operations in the United States and a total of 27,814 certified organic operations around the world.

According to data released by the Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP), the number of domestic certified organic operations increased by more than 5 percent over the last year. Since the count began in 2002, the number of domestic organic operations has increased by over 250 percent. The certified operations list is available at apps.ams.usda.gov/nop.

“As demand for organic products continues to soar, more and more producers are entering the organic market,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA tools and resources have created opportunities for organic farmers and more options for organic consumers. Growing demand for organic goods can be especially helpful to smaller family operations. The more diverse type of operations and the more growing market sectors we have in American agriculture, the better off our country’s rural economy will be.”

To help the organic industry, USDA funds the Organic Integrity Database, a modernized certified organic operations database that will provide accurate information about all certified operations that is updated on a regular basis.

Organic, USDA

Farmers and Ethanol Supporters Meet With Hillary

Cindy Zimmerman

pam-hillaryDuring her visit to Iowa this week, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton discussed issues important to agriculture with a group of farmer leaders, including former National Corn Growers Association president Pam Johnson (pictured) and former Iowa agriculture secretary Patty Judge.

“We had about an hour with her and had a very good discussion with her,” said Judge who is co-chair of America’s Renewable Future, an Iowa-based coalition formed to educate presidential candidates about biofuels and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “I believe that she was supportive of the Renewable Fuel Standard and supportive of continuing the research and development in renewable fuel and renewable energy that we started here in Iowa.”

Clinton supported the RFS when she ran for president in 2007 and Judge expects that to be the case this time as well. “I would like to get her out to see an ethanol plant and see how it works and I think we’ll have that opportunity this summer,” said Judge.

Listen to my interview with Judge here: Interview with Patty Judge, America's Renewable Future co-chair

Audio, Biodiesel, Corn, Ethanol, NCGA

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

Zimfo Bytes

NAMA Presidents Get Together

Chuck Zimmerman

NAMA PresidentsEach year the current NAMA president gets together with the executive committee and past presidents are invited to join for a dinner of fellowship and to remember good times.

This year we went to Manny’s for the best margaritas in town and good food. Do you know who these past presidents are? Leave their names in comments. The man in the beaver hat is our current president Marvin Kokes.

2015 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

Coverage of the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by New Holland and Brownfield Ag News
Coverage of the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by New Holland     Coverage of the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by Brownfield Ag News for America
NAMA

Tweet Your New Holland Tractor – #TractorTweet120

Chuck Zimmerman

#TractorTweet120Here’s Our Tractor of Perpetual Help at Mass this morning during the Agri-Marketing Conference. He’s providing you with early inspiration to get creative with the New Holland tractor in the registration bags for the conference. New Holland will pick one winner a day this week and a Most Creative winner with the prizes being new iPads!

So, get started.

Another way you can keep up with what’s going on is via Max Armstrong’s daily video messages. Here’s his first one from yesterday.


2015 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

Coverage of the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by New Holland and Brownfield Ag News
Coverage of the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by New Holland     Coverage of the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by Brownfield Ag News for America
NAMA, New Holland, Video

FMC Corporation Joins Field to Market

Jamie Johansen

fmc-logoFMC Corporation announced that it has joined Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, a multi-stakeholder initiative working to define, measure and advance the sustainability of food, fiber and fuel production in the United States.

“Sustainability is central to the way we work at FMC, whether we are enhancing food production or influencing the responsible management of natural resources,” said Mark Douglas, president, FMC Agricultural Solutions. “Field to Market offers a very significant opportunity for engagement in supporting the sustainability of agriculture as we seek to lessen our environmental footprint and broaden our sustainable product portfolio.”

Field to Market’s diverse membership of grower organizations, leading companies, academia, conservation groups and public sector partners provides a platform that unites the agricultural supply chain in creating opportunities for continuous improvement in productivity, environmental quality and human well-being.

“We are pleased to welcome FMC to our growing membership and look forward to collaborating on opportunities to help growers identify opportunities for continuous improvement and drive sustainable outcomes for commodity crop production,” said Rod Snyder, president of Field to Market. “FMC, which has a long history of delivering technology and innovation to the agriculture sector, will be a valuable partner for the supply chain as we work to advance sustainability at the farm level.

Agribusiness, FMC, Precision Agriculture

2015 Agri-Marketing Conference Underway

Chuck Zimmerman

#NAMA15Hello from Kansas City, MO and the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference. The ZimmComm Team is here and just getting started.

Today the golfers golfed and the students arrived and are practicing their presentations for the start of the Student Marketing Competition tomorrow. Other meetings will be taking place tomorrow before things kick into high gear with the Best of NAMA Awards and opening of the Connection Point.

You might want to get the NAMA app as another way to keep up with the activities. And follow the conference hashtag at #NAMA15.

I’ve started our online photo album and we’ll be adding to it as the week progresses. Feel free to download, enjoy and share.

2015 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

I want to say a special thanks to New Holland and Brownfield Ag News for being the sponsors of our coverage of this year’s conference.

Coverage of the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by New Holland and Brownfield Ag News
Coverage of the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by New Holland     Coverage of the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by Brownfield Ag News for America
NAMA

Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Mitch McConnell

Cindy Zimmerman

Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

open-micCongressional leaders return to Washington this week with an agenda bordered by trade, appropriations and a pushback against overregulation. The Kentucky Republican sees opportunity to work with the Obama administration on Trade Promotion Authority and cyber-security legislation, but expects push back over regulations that GOP leaders will try to repeal through a series of policy riders on appropriations bills.

Click here to listen to Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Sen. Mitch McConnell.

Agri-Pulse

RFD Radio Network Moves Frazer to Director Position

John Davis

frazerIllinois-based RFD Radio Network (RFDRN) moves Rita Frazer to Director of Network and Audio Services, as the company gets ready to say goodbye to a retiring Alan Jarand. This news release posted on AgriMarketing.com says Frazer will oversee all RFDRN operations, including programming and affiliate relations for the network and FarmWeekNow.com/RFDRN digital platforms that include its mobile app, daily e-newsletter, and website.

With more than two decades of experience, Frazer joined the network full-time in 2011 after serving as farm director for WSMI-AM/FM in Litchfield, and helping produce RFDRN’s daily “RFD Illinois” morning program and “RFD Livestock Report.”

rfd-radioVeteran farm broadcaster DeLoss Jahnke joins the network as Network Anchor and Editor. Jahnke’s experience includes service as agribusiness director with WMBD-AM/FM and WIRL-AM/FM in Peoria, communications specialist with the National FFA Organization and as a farm broadcaster with the Brownfield and Kansas Agriculture Networks. WMBD/WIRL now broadcasts RFDRN’s Illinois-focused farm and rural issues programming.

Jarand, a three-decade veteran farm broadcaster, will serve the Bloomington, Ill.-based RFDRN part-time as he transitions to retirement. Jarand helped build RFDRN from a handful of affiliates and programs to over 80 stations and more than 20 long- and short-form programs broadcast Monday thru Saturday. Jarand continues to help produce and serve as lead host of the network’s hour-long “RFD Today” talk show and provide content for other network programs and digital platforms.

Agribusiness, Media

Elanco ‘HATCHes’ Egg Plan to Fight Hunger

John Davis

hatch1aElanco has teamed up with the Kroger Co.’s Central Division, Rose Acre Farms, Gleaners Food Bank and Midwest Food Bank to help fight hunger by providing eggs to undernourished people of all ages. This company news release says HATCH is an innovative partnership of community leaders, government officials, association representatives and food shoppers that will provide one egg to a local food bank for each dozen Kroger-brand medium eggs purchased at 66 central Indiana Kroger stores through June 20.

“Fighting hunger and undernourishment through sustainable, local partnerships is a priority for Elanco, and is at the very heart of the HATCH initiative,” said Jeff Simmons, president of Elanco, the company that developed HATCH. “We believe HATCH will become a model for how communities can come together to create food security. That’s why we are thrilled to partner with Kroger, Rose Acre Farms and Central Indiana food banks to bring this first HATCH project to life.”

Undernourishment is a worldwide problem that affects people’s health, and how they remember, solve problems and make decisions. In the United States, one in five people do not have access to enough protein and other nutrients to meet their body’s needs. Indiana faces a similar challenge, with undernourishment affecting children, senior citizens and their families.

“Hunger is a daily reality for too many neighbors in the local communities Kroger serves,” said Jeff Burt, president of the Kroger Central Division. “Programs like our Perishable Donation Partnership® — and now HATCH — are important ways we help families put nutritious food on their plates every day. HATCH will allow us to focus the generosity of Kroger customers and associates on providing critically needed protein. Kroger has been fighting hunger for 132 years. It’s time to take that fight to the next level and HATCH will do that. Simply by buying a dozen medium eggs, we can ensure our neighbors in need benefit from the nutrients eggs provide.”

The project starts off with 2,880 dozen eggs from Elanco, Rose Acre Farms and Kroger.

For more information is available at HATCHforHunger.com or through social media – #HATCHforHunger.

Agribusiness, Elanco