National Ag Day observed March 25

National Ag Day is being observed in the United States on March 25. The day, dedicated to increasing the public's awareness of agriculture's vital role in society, has been recognized since the Agriculture Council of America and the National Ag Day program was started in 1973.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, in a radio address, said it is important for people to acknowledge the agriculture industry and its huge social and economic impact on the nation.
"We have the most productive agriculture in the world, which has provided us access to an extraordinary diversity and wide range of food products in this country, which allows us to be food secure," Vilsack said.
Agriculture also serves as a large job creator, with nearly a million jobs supported through ag exports, according to the agriculture secretary.
"With food processing, it represents one of the major manufacturing aspects of our economy.  Nearly 5 percent of our economy is attributed to agriculture and food processing, so we are economically secure because of agriculture," he said.

Agricultural sciences need more scientists, study says

Too few scientists are being trained in the agricultural fields of science, according to a study released by the Coalition for a Sustainable Agriculture Workforce (CSAW). The study, which surveyed CSAW member companies, shows that the agricultural industry anticipates hiring more than 1,000 scientists through 2015, but there is growing concern among the companies that they will not be able to find quality applicants with the education and experience they seek.
The largest numbers of agricultural scientists are needed in the disciplines of plant sciences, plant breeding/genetics and plant protection. Nearly half of those hired will need doctoral degrees, according to the report.
The data suggest there may be both a long-term and near-term issue in finding the skill and talent needed to ensure a sustainable agricultural enterprise.

Agricultural council presents 2013 Borlaug CAST Communication Award

The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) presented the 2013 Borlaug CAST Communication Award to Jeff Simmons, the president of Elanco, at a morning event in conjunction with the World Food Prize Symposium in Des Moines, Iowa, on October 16. Recipients of this annual award are science/agriculture experts who demonstrate an ability to communicate by written material, public presentations, and various forms of media. Simmons is known for his communication skills and praised for his understanding of scientific data, his enthusiasm for agricultural innovations, and his passion about finding solutions for food security.
Both this year's award and the breakfast presentation event were sponsored by DuPont. A roundtable discussion organized by Elanco followed the CAST program. Simmons previewed his new white paper, Enough: The Fight for a Food Secure Tomorrow. The panel of experts included Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, Land O'Lakes CEO Chris Policinski, President and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives Chuck Conner, and President of the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition Sue Finn. They focused on the protein gaps and sustainability issues of the global food security debate.
Simmons began developing his passion for food security as an agriculture student and FFA member in New York. Throughout years of study, international experiences, and leadership roles, he has built a reputation for his writing, speaking, and organizing expertise.
One colleague sums up Simmons' impact this way: "Jeff's affable personality and warmth balance his dynamic energy, intellectualism, and excitement when talking about our food future, so the message is readily received. Jeff can distill data and present it so that it is easily understandable, garnering confidence and trust in the premise conveyed."
Simmons presented a challenge in his reception speech: "Food security is solvable. Unlike many of our world's challenges, there are clear solutions. There is a window of opportunity to meet the challenge. We have enough time if we act now."

University of Minnesota considers consolidating ag, biology colleges

The University of Minnesota is considering consolidating its College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences with its College of Biological Sciences. University of Minnesota Provost Karen Hansen said on September 4 that she would appoint a task force to examine the potential creation of a new college.
Consolidating the two colleges has been discussed for some time, and with biological sciences dean Robert Elde and agriculture dean Allen Levine both retiring, university officials see this as a time of change.
The possibility of a college of agriculture, environmental and life sciences has been under discussion for some time by both Elde and Levine. The two colleges already have a number of cross-appointments and working alliances, and the retiring deans had proposed greater alignment.
Hanson stressed that no decision will be made until all stakeholders have been consulted and all issues from different perspectives are thoroughly weighed. During the consideration period, students will not experience any disruption in their current schedules, majors or services in either college, Hanson said.

The most innovative minds belong in food production

When it comes to the latest breakthroughs in technology, none are more important than those discovered in the agriculture sector. In order to feed a continually growing world population, the most creative and innovative minds need to be involved, said James Borel, executive vice president of DuPont.
"Science can provide universal answers, but we need to find local solutions. We need to ensure that the best minds and the brightest thinkers of the next generation are fully engaged in addressing food security locally," Borel said during the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association's World Forum and Symposium on June 19. "
With the global population at 7 billion now and forecast to reach 9 billion in 40 years, there is urgency in creating a globally integrated food system that's efficient, transparent, barrier-free and consistent across borders and cultures, Borel said. That can be achieved if the great thinkers of the world involved in science and technology, transportation and government work together to address the challenges that result in hunger.
Borel said when many people are asked what they view as a world-changing piece of technology, they will hold up an iPhone. Borel disagrees.
"There's as much technology and there's even more human ingenuity in a modern kernel of seed corn. That corn has something that no iPhone will ever possess. It can feed the world, it can bring the world out of poverty and it can create a better world for all of us," said Borel. "There's so much need for creativity, and as much need for startling world-changing innovation in how we feed the world as there ever could be in the digital world. Food is the great challenge of the 21st century. And make no mistake about it, good ideas and useful innovations travel at the speed of human enthusiasm. We need bright young people to understand how much they can contribute and how rewarding it can be." 

Farmers, ranchers join to improve consumer confidence in modern agriculture

Representing more than 49 leading American farmer- and rancher-led organizations, the The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance will lead a public movement to address America's concerns about modern agriculture and convey farmers' and ranchers' commitment to continuous improvement and best production practices.
This movement will give farmers and ranchers a voice in traditional and social media conversations about agriculture – where it doesn’t exist now – as well as with key influencers who are shaping the “good food/bad food” debates in popular culture. Farmers and ranchers will ask consumers about their greatest concerns with today’s food production practices and share the agriculture community’s dedication to continuously improving how food is raised in order to provide healthy choices for people everywhere.
The farming and ranching community is encouraged to "raise their voices" and provide input on what they believe Americans should know about where their food comes from.
"No matter the cause, a knowledge and credibility gap has formed between the American people and their food,” said Bob Stallman, chairman of USFRA and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. "Farmer- and rancher-led organizations have joined forces to create USFRA because it is vital that those closest to the farm work together and lead the conversation about raising food. Our industry is continuously changing – improving how we care for the land, our animals and our communities. Farmers and ranchers want to, and need to, do a better job of answering Americans' questions about their food. With this new movement, we are making a commitment, starting today, to listen to consumers and having vigorous two-way conversations."
In August and September, USFRA will begin reaching out to key influencer audiences through targeted advertising, a new Web presence, top-tier media briefings and a major event in the early fall addressing Americans’ biggest concerns about food production.
"We've allowed a lot of other folks to speak for farmers and ranchers in the past, often inaccurately," said Dale Norton, treasurer of USFRA and board member of the National Pork Board. “It’s time for farmers and ranchers to make their voices heard."

University of East Anglia to offer degree in sustainable agriculture, food safety

The University of East Anglia announced a new master’s degree program in sustainable agriculture and food security. The course will be taught by members of the Center for Contemporary Agriculture, the Institute for Food Research and the National Institute for Agricultural Botany, among other organizations involved in progressive agriculture.
The new course is intended to educate students in advances in agriculture technology including the use of genetically modified crops to address the issue of global food security. The recently published Forsyth Report stressed the need to radically enhance efficiency of food production to cater for the projected increase in world population. Topics which will be considered in the one-year program will include irrigation, mechanization, and plant breeding including genetic modification.
"The world food crisis is almost upon us,” said professor John Turner. "Graduates of this new course will be instrumental in applying the latest scientific methods to tackle this global challenge.”

Future farmers program works with USDA to support industry students

The National FFA Organization and National FFA Foundation have entered into a new alliance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Council for Agricultural Education designed to develop agriculture students’ skills, leadership qualities, personal growth and career success.
Under the agreement, the FFA will work with the USDA to identify the needs and interests of agriculture teachers, students, communities, farmers, agribusiness and related groups. The FFA will also collaborate with other USDA programs, such as 4-H and Agriculture in the Classroom, to extend efforts to educate and inform students about agriculture and promote awareness of career opportunities within the agriculture industry. “The National FFA Organization and National FFA Foundation believe that this new strategic partnership will heighten our collective focus on our common goals and significantly strengthen our combined efforts to effectively train and develop tomorrow’s leaders in the science, business and technology of agriculture,” said Rob Cooper, executive director of the National FFA Foundation. “The FFA is committed to increased collaboration with the federal government and council.”
The agreement was signed by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack after a meeting in Washington with representatives from the FFA, the National FFA Foundation, the USDA and council.

Butterball's 'Celebrate Turkey' competition brings agricultural education to classrooms

Butterball LLC awarded the third-grade winners of its "Celebrate Turkey" art contest while educating students about turkeys, in conjunction with the launch of the company's "Celebrate Agriculture" Weekly Reader program.
Butterball challenged the third-grade classes of Garner, N.C. elementary schools to create turkey-themed artwork to help celebrate Thanksgiving and encourage small-group collaboration. While presenting the winners with their prizes ($20 coupons toward Butterball turkeys and a permanent spot for their artwork in the memorabilia room at Butterball's Garner headquarters), company representatives gave presentations on the care of turkeys. “The contest, like the Weekly Reader program, aims to bring agriculture to the classroom and the community,” said Keith Shoemaker, president and CEO. “Butterball is committed to employing the safest, socially responsible farming practices in the production of its turkeys. We are pleased to celebrate turkey, agriculture and Thanksgiving with students throughout Garner and the nation.”

AFIA offering 'Fundamentals of Feed Manufacturing' distance education program

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) will be offering a new distance learning program, "Fundamentals of Feed Manufacturing," in conjunction with Kansas State University in January 2011.
The five-week course will provide an in-depth look at feed manufacturing and will be offered completely online. It will cost $499 for AFIA members and $685 for non-members, and course size is limited to 50 participants. To register, visit www.afia.org.