Farmers Union President Discusses Sustainability in Ghana

John Davis

nfu-smallNational Farmers Union (NFU) officials made a stop in Africa to talk about how cooperatives can promote sustainability. This news release from the group says NFU President Roger Johnson talked about the development of cooperatives at the National Food and Agric Show (FAGRO) in Ghana.

“I am excited to be able to discuss and promote cooperatives as a means for agricultural sustainability in Ghana,” said Johnson. “Cooperatives provide education and training for members, managers and employees, who can then utilize that knowledge to effectively develop not only their cooperatives, but also their communities.”

Johnson noted that Farmers Union has a rich history of supporting and developing cooperatives, and with that comes the ability to speak to the successes of cooperatives in agriculture. Through the technical assistance and funding provided by Farmers Union, cooperatives throughout the United States have been able to benefit their local communities.

“Ghanaian officials have reached out to NFU in the past to explore the cooperative model in the United States,” said Johnson. “I believe that the successes of the Farmers Union push for cooperatives in the United States can be modeled in Ghana for the betterment of their agriculture industry.”

Johnson noted that Ghana’s economy relies heavily upon its agriculture sector, as it represents 21 percent of the nation’s GDP and more than half of the labor force.

Cooperatives, International, Sustainability

USDA Announces Veterans and Youth Projects

Cindy Zimmerman

vets-2014In observance of Veterans Day, USDA and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) announced partners and projects that will be funded in this fiscal year to provide job and training opportunities to veterans and youth.

“This landmark partnership with AmeriCorps to jointly support service opportunities for youth and veterans is an all-around win for our young people and our public lands,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who frequently notes that the vast majority of those who serve in the U.S. military come from rural areas.

“This is a great example of an innovative partnership that expands economic opportunity for young people, taps the leadership skills of veterans, improves our national forests, and puts a new generation on a lifelong path of service,” said Wendy Spencer, chief executive officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service. “Young people and veterans bring extraordinary skill and passion to conservation service, and we are thrilled to join with USDA to expand service opportunities that strengthen our environment and build economic opportunity for those who serve.”

The projects will create opportunities for 300 youth and veterans who will serve through AmeriCorps and as part of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC), working to restore and conserve natural and historic resources on National Forests and Grasslands in more than 10 states. The $3.7 million in joint funding for this effort was announced earlier this year.

Forestry, USDA

Support the Farmer Veteran Coalition

Cindy Zimmerman

Farmer Veteran CoalitionToday is Veterans Day and one of the sad facts about the men and women who serve our nation is that they often return from active duty with few job opportunities.

That’s where the Farmer Veteran Coalition is making a difference. The coalition is helping to mobilize veterans in the fight to feed America by cultivating a new generation of agriculturalists through the collaboration of the farming and military communities.

Homegrown by Heroes“We’ve got veterans returning to small communities all over this country, and based on my experience in the military and interactions with people in the military, I believe that these people possess the skills and the traits that can contribute in a very positive way,” says Coalition board member Charlie Kruse. Those skills include teamwork, dedication and pride in what you do along with willingness to adapt to different situations.

Kruse, who is a Missouri farmer and former president of the Missouri Farm Bureau who also served 26 years in the Army National Guard, is excited about the work the Coalition is doing, including helping veterans through the Homegrown By Heroes label. “I think it’s a tremendous activity that in some small way let’s all of us in this country pay back to those people in uniform who answered the call and served us proudly,” he added.

Find out more about the coalition at farmvetco.org.

Farming

Slight Decrease in Corn, Increase in Beans

Cindy Zimmerman

usda-logoThe November crop forecast from USDA calls for a slightly lower corn crop but a slightly higher soybean crop.

Corn production is now forecast at 14.4 billion bushels, just a bit lower than last month, but still three percent higher than last year, with yields now expected to average 173.4 bushels per acre. If realized, this will still be the highest yield and production on record for the United States. Soybean production is forecast at a record 3.96 billion bushels, up less than one percent from October and up 18 percent from last year.

The main reason for the slight drop in the corn forecast is a slow harvest and weather challenges, that are now including heavy snow in the upper Midwest. The latest crop progress report shows Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado and Indiana lagging behind the most in harvest, but significant progress was made in the last week so that the corn harvest nationwide now stands at the five year average of 80 percent.

In the new World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate, USDA slightly increased corn use with corn used in ethanol production now projected 25 million bushels higher. USDA estimates total supply at 15.7 billion bushels, with estimated use at 13.7, leaving ending stocks of 2.0 billion bushels.

“As farmers are working to find storage for record crops and dealing in some areas with transportation issues, we’re delighted to see a slight increase in demand and reduction in forecast ending stocks,” said National Corn Growers Association president Chip Bowling of Maryland. “Along with this, we’re seeing prices bump up slightly.” Average farm price, reported as a range, was increased a dime to $3.20-$3.80 per bushel.

“This is positive news for the market overall as we’re expecting demand to rise to meet these record yields,” said American Farm Bureau Deputy Chief Economist John Anderson. “An estimated increase in ethanol production should also help to absorb this year’s bumper crop.”

The drop in the national production estimate for corn seems to be coming from traditionally high-yield states that are now seeing lower estimates this month, Anderson said. The Iowa yield estimate was shaved by two bushels per acre, and Minnesota’s came down by five.

AFBF, Corn, NCGA, USDA

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

Zimfo Bytes

USFRA Names Executive Committee

Cindy Zimmerman

USFRAThe U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA®) has announced its new 2015 Executive Committee members and Nancy Kavazanjian, farmer director of the United Soybean Board, was named as Board chairperson. As chair, Kavazanjian will work closely with the CEO of USFRA and members of the Board in providing thought leadership and serve as a national consumer spokesperson on behalf of farmers and ranchers across the nation. Outgoing Board Chairperson Bob Stallman and president of American Farm Bureau Federation has served in the role since the organization’s inception in 2010.

Nancy_Kawazanjion1“I am truly honored to have been selected to play such an important role in the consumer dialogue about how our food is produced and reaches our tables,” said Kavazanjian. “As a farmer, I am passionate about sustainably growing safe and nutritious food for America and have seen first-hand the need for an organization like USFRA to help set the record straight for consumers about how our food is actually produced. I look forward to serving as USFRA’s Board Chairperson.”

Other 2015 Executive Committee members include:
• Vice Chair – Brad Greenway, National Pork Board
• Secretary – Mike Geske, National Corn Growers Association
• Treasurer – Dawn Caldwell, Federation of State Beef Councils
• At-Large – Lisa Lunz, Nebraska Soybean Board
• At-Large – Todd Frazier, DuPont Pioneer

Looking forward to seeing Nancy at the NAFB annual meeting this week and congratulating her in person!

NCGA, USFRA

Bayer Launches #Thankful4Ag Initiative

Cindy Zimmerman

be-thankfulBayer CropScience is helping to make the holiday season a bit brighter for Americans struggling with hunger by sponsoring #Thankful4Ag in conjunction with Feeding America®.

The social initiative aims to provide up to 200,000 meals from November 10-December 19. Bayer will donate up to $20,000 towards the effort.

bayer-cropscience“We are all indeed thankful for the contributions of our nation’s farming families and everyone who helps get food from the farm to people’s tables,” said Jim Blome, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience LP. “There is no better way to show our gratitude than to help provide nutritious meals to those who need them. We encourage everyone to join us and share a digital plate today to help those in need this holiday season.”

Launching today, #Thankful4Ag invites people to visit www.Thankful4Ag.com and create a “digital meal” showcasing three of their favorite classic holiday foods. As foods are added to the digital meal, the visitor will be provided interesting facts about the origin of those foods and learn more about their journey from farm to table. Every time someone creates and shares a meal, Bayer CropScience LP will donate 10 meals ($1 per share, $1=10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of member food banks) to food-insecure families through Feeding America.

“Bayer has been such a great partner to Feeding America in our ongoing fight to end hunger,” said Nancy Curby, vice president of corporate partnerships for Feeding America. “They continue to find creative ways to engage the public in hunger relief and spread awareness about our cause. The #Thankful4Ag campaign will benefit families in need this holiday season.”

Feeding America is the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, and its network of 200 local food banks serves 46 million Americans struggling with hunger.

Bayer, Food, Social Media

Role of State FFA Officers on National Level

Cindy Zimmerman

ffa-14-statesWith FFA organizations in 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, there are well over 1,000 state FFA officers who play a role as delegates at the National FFA Convention. State FFA officers lead the membership of the state associations and are elected by state FFA convention delegates.

Samantha Marre of Elsberry, Missouri who represents Area 5 in the northeast part of the Show-Me State has been involved in FFA since her freshman year of high school and is very active with her fellow officers in representing the nearly 25,000 members of Missouri FFA.

ffa-14-marre“Some of the committees we have been on include the contest team evaluation committee, the ag career network committee (and) agriculture education committee,” Marre said at the convention.

Marre says the words purpose and persistence, talked about by national adviser Dr. Steve Brown, resonated with her as an FFA officer. “We have to remember our purpose as Missouri FFA officers to serve the members of Missouri,” she said. “And persistence, meaning to never give up and to continually ‘go all out’ for our chapter, our state, our nation, and our communities.”

Listen to Jamie’s interview with Samantha here: Interview with Missouri FFA officer Samantha Marre

87th National FFA Convention Photos

Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by FMC
Audio, FFA

Purpose, Passion and Persistence Makes FFA Proud

Cindy Zimmerman

ffa-14-brownWhen National FFA Advisor Dr. Steve Brown talked to the thousands of students in attendance at the recent convention, he summed up the mission of FFA in three simple words – purpose, passion and persistence.

“We also talked about being “FFA Proud,” said Brown in an interview with Jamie Johansen. “They’re here for a purpose, to learn about agriculture and pursue their dreams. They have that deep passion about FFA that shines every time they put on that blue and gold jacket. And they know to be persistent because that helps them to be recognized in future years.”

Jamie has known Dr. Brown for many years in her experience with FFA and agricultural education and she was pleased to have this opportunity to share his thoughts: Interview with National FFA Advisor Dr. Steve Brown

87th National FFA Convention Photos

Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by FMC
Audio, Education, FFA

Ag Groups Urge President to Reject Biofuels Cuts

Cindy Zimmerman

mess-rfsThe National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and several other agricultural sent a letter to President Obama last week asking him to intervene with the Environmental Protection Agency regarding its proposed cuts in the 2014 volume obligations for the Renewable Fuel Standard.

“The blending targets and the methodology in your administration’s proposed rule are already causing significant harm to the biofuel sector,” the letter states. “These impacts are reverberating throughout the U.S. agriculture economy, and we expect this trend to continue if the targets and the methodology in the rule are not corrected.”

The letter discusses how the ag sector has met its responsibility in growing sufficient feedstock for biofuels, but is also working with the ethanol industry on infrastructure and advanced fuels. The letter concludes: “The EPA’s proposed policy decision is driving one of our key economic engines – the biofuel sector -¬‐ overseas. We have invested in response to the signals in the RFS and are poised to deliver the very low carbon fuels you have sought for so long. Instead of reaping the economic benefits of this investment with a build-¬‐out of a domestic biofuel industry, the methodology proposed by EPA is offshoring the industry – and our market. This is a decision we cannot afford in America’s heartland.”

In addition to NCGA, organizations sending the letter included the Agricultural Retailers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, National Association of Wheat Growers, the National Farmers Union and National Sorghum Producers.

AFBF, Ag Groups, ARA, Corn, EPA, Ethanol, NCGA