It’s Election Day and we all have a lot at stake with current issues facing the industry, including farmers and ranchers. American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman says voting is not only a right but a duty for America’s farmers. If you haven’t voted yet, make sure you do – if you have, good for you!!!
Farm Bureau Opens Online Registration for Convention
The American Farm Bureau Federation has opened online registration for its 96th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show, Jan. 10-14, 2015, in San Diego.
“The 96th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show offers a preview of the future of agriculture,” said John Hawkins, AFBF’s senior director of conventions and events. “The IDEAg Connect Conference, thought-provoking educational workshops, and precision agriculture and technology displays will provide exciting opportunities for attendees to get a sneak peek at what’s next in agriculture.”
About 7,000 Farm Bureau members from across the nation are expected to gather for the convention, where they will hear from distinguished leaders and participate in a grassroots policy setting process that will guide the American Farm Bureau Federation through 2015.
AFBF President Bob Stallman will give his annual “State of Farm Bureau” address to members at the opening general session of the convention on Jan. 11. On Jan. 12, Commander Rorke Denver will give the general session keynote address, and acclaimed late night TV host Jay Leno will give the closing session keynote address.
AFBF officials recommend that farmer and rancher members check with their state Farm Bureau office to see if they have already been registered. The full Farm Bureau member registration fee is $100 and includes the IDEAg Trade Show and Young Farmer & Rancher competitive events (Saturday, Jan. 10 through Monday, Jan. 12), general sessions, workshops and the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture Silent Auction.
2014 National Agricultural Proficiency Winners
Winners of the 2014 National Agricultural Proficiency Awards were announced during the sixth general session at the 87th National FFA Convention & Expo on Friday. Awards were given in 49 categories from agricultural communications and education to veterinary science and wildlife management.
Among the talented winners was Jordan Cadle of the Paoli Indiana FFA Chapter in Indiana in the category of Agriscience Research—Plant Systems, sponsored by FMC Corporation and Monsanto.
Jordan began conducting scientific research in the sixth grade as an extra credit assignment when he studied nitrogen application rates on corn seedling growth. Eventually these research interests led him to look at other agricultural production practices such as no-tillage and foliar fertilizing. “In recent years, I looked at the front end of a double crop system – alternative fertilizers on wheat plants,” said Jordan.
Jordan is supported by parents Kathryn and Danny Cadle and FFA advisors Kerry Wyatt and Cory Scott, and he appreciates the support of companies like FMC as well. “It’s nice to have an agriscience company support our agriscience program,” he added. Interview with Jordan Cadle, FFA Proficiency Award Winner
87th National FFA Convention Photos
Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by
New FFA Officer Team
Students from Georgia, Arkansas, Colorado, Tennessee, Kentucky and New Mexico were elected to serve on the 2014-15 National FFA Officer team.
From left to right they are:
Andy Paul of Georgia, an agricultural education major at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, was elected president.
Caleb Gustin of New Mexico, an agricultural business and agricultural economics major at New Mexico State University, will serve as western region vice president.
Stephen McBride of Tennessee, an agricultural business major at University of Tennessee at Martin, will serve as southern region vice president.
Ruth Ann Myers, an agricultural education major at University of Kentucky, was elected eastern region vice president.
Victoria Maloch of Arkansas, an agricultural business and pre-law major at University of Arkansas, will serve as secretary.
Kristen Schmidt of Colorado, an animal science and agricultural business major at Colorado State University, was elected central region vice president.
National officers commit to a year of service to the National FFA Organization. Each travels more than 100,000 national and international miles to interact with business and industry leaders, thousands of FFA members and teachers, corporate sponsors, government and education officials, state FFA leaders, the general public and more.
87th National FFA Convention Photos
Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by
Zimfo Bytes
- New Century FS, Grinnell, Iowa, was named the Environmental Respect Award winner for the state of Iowa.
- The American Soybean Association (ASA) will present its Soy Champion Award to Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas.
- MGEX has concluded the 2nd-best October in its long history.
- The National Wheat Foundation (NWF) has partnered with BASF to give away four scholarships for students with connections to the wheat industry.
30 Days of Agvocacy and Social Media
Speaking of the AgChat Foundation . . .
Thanks to a heads up from Charleston Orwig, I see that the AgChat Foundation has started their first “30 Days” series. This is inspired by a series started by Holly Spangler of Farm Progress.
For our first series, we’ll be talking about 30 Days of Agvocacy and Social Media – Join us on AgChat.org for different topics or issues related to agvocacy and social media with some outstanding contributors. The goal of this series is to provide you with instruction and how-to help when you are advocating for agriculture and making connections to non-agriculture friends, family and even strangers.
We will offer topics which appeal to both advanced agriculture advocates and for those who are new to sharing their stories with eaters of all kinds. These topics will include trainings which are often requested by the community such as the basics of Twitter, resources for free photos, how to become a better writer, photo tips, blog post ideas and more. More advanced topics will include increasing your followers on Instagram, WordPress widgets, strategies for starting conversations in public and the use of LinkedIn. We’ll also address concerns such as bad bloggers, what do consumers really want to know, tips for promoting a pro-foodchoice view, advocating without undermining other farmers and ranchers and more.
A way you can participate is not only to read but share using the #AgChat and #30DaysAgSoMe hashtags.
2015 AgChat Foundation National Collegiate Congress
The AgChat Foundation has announced the 2015 National Collegiate Congress. This social media and agvocacy workshop is scheduled for January 17, 2015 at the Dow AgroSciences headquarters in Indianapolis. There will be an optional tour of Fair Oaks Farms on January 18. Approximately 165 students are expected to attend. The goal of the workshop is to challenge college students who are passionate about agriculture to expand their social media experience and help bridge the gap between consumers and their food.
“Social media is always fun for learning about new ways to connect, but in the long run finding the right
balance is what determines success,” says Lela Perez, a Texas A&M senior studying Animal Science. “I
would try to inform those needing to connect with consumers of what to actually say, rather than just
teaching them how.“
“I have been to many social media seminars, but most, if not every, teaches to an older audience. They
come off as elementary to a person in my demographic that uses and grew up with social media,” says
Clayton Glazik, a University of Illinois senior studying Agricultural Communications and Advertising.
“It’s refreshing to find a conference focusing on agriculture advocacy geared to my age group.”
“The collegiate demographic is an integral part of the agriculture industry. They are firmly tied to digital connections and when compared to all other demographics, are leading the way in social media. It is only natural that the AgChat Foundation offer an inaugural event targeting college, agriculture students across the U.S.,” replied AgChat Foundation’s Executive Director Jenny Schweigert. “Our training will focus on translating their current social media experiences to an understanding of how to tell agriculture’s story. Essentially, we are taking a proactive approach by fostering the future of the agvocacy community while connecting partners with the best and brightest recruits.”
The Congress is receiving support from Dow AgroSciences, National FFA and Animal Agriculture Alliance. Additional sponsors are needed to help make this event a big success. If you or your company is interested please contact the AgChat Foundation asap!
ENOUGH – #Feedthe9 with Jeff Simmons
Jeff Simmons, President of Elanco, delivered a powerful call to action to over 60,000 FFA members on Friday, October 31 during the 4th General Session of the 87th Annual National FFA Convention & Expo.
Elanco has developed a campaign to bring awareness and solutions to those facing hunger and malnutrition around the world. Those behind the ENOUGH movement, and the thousands who have since joined the campaign, are committing to build a food secure world by 2050. Mr. Simmons spoke about ensuring not only safe, but affordable, nutritious food for our communities. He offered statistics on a growing population and the impact that this will have on our food system; malnutrition is the number one disease in the world. He encouraged FFA members across the nation to take action and improve food security and support for farmers in their own communities, on their farms, and in social media by using their voice to share the story of food.
“Do something. Tell your story like you’ve never told it before and tell it to people who don’t know our story. Then do something to activate a solution now, don’t wait.”
Mr. Simmons evoked a range of emotions in the crowd when he shared stories of families unable to feed their kids and themselves. Many were brought to tears and motivated in a way that they never had been before. The passion that Jeff has for increasing food security and ending hunger is only matched by his belief that the FFA members he addressed on Friday will be the ones who take action and change the lives of millions.
“The theme of this FFA Convention is ‘Go All Out’ and we need to go all out.”
Find out more about the ENOUGH movement and commit to helping end hunger issues by visiting SensibleTable.com. Check out #Feedthe9 on social media to follow the conversation.
Listen to my complete interview with Jeff here:Interview with Jeff Simmons, Elanco
Find all our photos from the event here: 87th National FFA Convention Photos
Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by
National Model of Excellence Award Winner
The Ponchatoula FFA Chapter (Louisiana) was selected as the National Model of Excellence award winner at the 2014 National FFA Convention. This award is highly competitive and sought after by chapters across the country; the Ponchatoula FFA Chapter had to complete an extensive application process that included a detailed application, a speech, and a 10 min interview. Two members of the Ponchatoula FFA Chapter were on stage to accept the award on behalf of their chapter and fellow members. Brooke Hoover, a college freshman, and Joshua Ippolito, a high-school junior, were very proud and excited to be here at the 2014 National FFA Convention. When asked what the best part of being at convention was, they shared their appreciation and enthusiasm for the alumni and community support that brought them here.
“Just being able to be here and representing because our FFA Alumni sponsored us to be here and its such an honor to be able to bring this back and say thank you so much for sponsoring us and I hope that we did you proud,” said Brooke.
“With this money we can go out and implement more important community service projects that we have wanted to do so much, but haven’t been able to do,” added Joshua.
The Ponchatoula FFA Chapter looks forward to using the scholarship money to further projects that will have a lasting impact on their community.
Listen to my complete interview with Brook Hoover and Joshua Ippolito here:Interview with Ponchatoula LA FFA
Find all our photos from the event here: 87th National FFA Conventions Photo
Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by
Zimfo Bytes
- A new leadership team was elected by the members of the American Society of Agricultural Consultants while at the organization’s annual conference.
- Farm Journal Media announced that it has acquired the highly-regarded The Kiplinger Agriculture Letter, a well-known bi-weekly newsletter published continuously since 1929.
- DRYLAND will be showing at 3:30 PM, Saturday, November 15 in the 41st Northwest Filmmakers’ Festival Portland Art Museum’s Whitsell Auditorium.
- Adoption of Agricultural Conservation Practices: Insights from Research and Practice, developed by the department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University, is available for free download from The Education Store.