Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, William S. Wallace, General, U.S. Army (Retired), James A. “Jamie” Barnett, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Retired) and School Food Service Director Donna Martin of Burke County, Ga. participated in a media call today to “discuss efforts by some Members of Congress and special interest groups to undermine childhood nutrition standards and the effect that would have …
USDA Ag Trade Mission to China
USDA just concluded a trade mission to China promoting U.S. biofuels and agricultural products. Kelly Davis with Renewable Fuels Association, Jim Miller of Growth Energy and Roger Johnson president of National Farmer’s Union all participated in the trade mission and held a press conference today to discuss the results. Opening comments:
WRRDA Conference Committee Member Interview
The Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) conference report was released by House and Senate negotiators on Thursday. The legislation is designed to “strengthen the nation’s transportation network, keep America competitive in the global marketplace, and reform and streamline the way we move forward with improvements to our ports, locks, dams, and other water resources infrastructure.” Conference committee member …
Ethanol Rail Safety
In the last few weeks there have been two derailments of trains carrying crude oil, one in Virginia and one in Colorado, the latest in a string of rail accidents over the past year from Canada to Alabama. While crude oil has been the common denominator in these accidents, ethanol has been caught in the cross fire despite its nearly …
Senators Speak of Biodiesel Uncertainty
U.S. Senators including Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Al Franken (D-MN), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined the National Biodiesel Board on Wednesday to release the results of a national survey highlighting uncertainty in the biodiesel industry as a result of policy setbacks in Washington this year. The senators called on the Administration to …
2014 Animal Ag Alliance Summit
The 13th annual Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit was held May 8-9, 2014 in Crystal City, Virginia with the theme “Cracking the Millennial Code.” Program highlights included panels on sustainability, antibiotics, farm size, and animal care, as well as expert advice from chefs, restaurants, retailers and trade media on food issues and trends. 2014 AAA Stakeholders Summit Photo Album College …
Deepwater Wind Announces Right Whale Protection
This morning the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and Deepwater Wind held a media teleconference to announce an agreement to implement additional protections for marine mammals, including the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale. Speakers included: Tricia K. Jedele, RI Advocacy Center Director, Conservation Law Foundation Jeffrey Grybowski, CEO, Deepwater Wind Michael Jasny, …
Officials Discuss RFS with Farm Broadcasters
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and EPA administrator Gina McCarthy both talked about the proposal to lower volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) with members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting meeting in Washington DC this week.
Roboflight Interview
RoboFlight is a global company that deals in data acquisition including UAV platforms as well as full scale aircraft and satellite systems. Beyond the agricultural industry, RoboFlight also works in security, search and rescue, utilities, mining and insurance. Chuck interviewed Phil Ellerbroek, Global Director of Sales for RoboFlight, and he shared more about the company. RoboFlight acquired Aerial Precision Ag, …
Call to Reform Immigration for Farm Workers
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined President of the United Farm Workers Arturo Rodriguez and President of Nisei Farmers League Manuel Cunha today on a conference call to discuss the importance of commonsense immigration reform for California’s agriculture economy and rural communities. There are over 81,033 farms in California that sell approximately $33.9 billion in agricultural products. Immigration reform would provide …
2012 Census of Agriculture Report
USDA released the majority of data collected for the 2012 Census of Agriculture on Friday. The data was released at noon via webcast. There are now 3.2 million farmers operating 2.1 million farms on 914.5 million acres of farmland across the United States, according to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The agriculture …
Walmart Sustainability Expo
Kicking off a new Sustainable Product Expo this week, the CEOs from more than a dozen global companies gathered at Walmart headquarters in Arkansas this week to pledge to increase sustainability, starting with the food and agriculture sector. The first CEOs to take the stage were Greg Page of Cargill, Rick Smith with Dairy Farmers of America and Monsanto’s Hugh …
Saudi Oil Money Behind Ethanol Smear Campaign
Americans United for Change and VoteVets.org held a press call today to reveal IRS documents showing how Saudi Oil money is helping to finance the multi-million dollar campaign being waged against ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by the American Petroleum Institute (API). In response to the continued attacks on biofuels, Americans United for Change is launching a Sunday …
Monsanto Makes Sustainability Commitments
Kicking off a new Sustainable Product Expo this week, the CEOs from more than a dozen global companies gathered at Walmart headquarters in Arkansas Tuesday to pledge to increase sustainable food production. Monsanto chairman and CEO Hugh Grant announced two commitments at the event to help address challenges in the areas of water and nutrient efficiency. First, the company will …
Farm Bureau Ditch the Rule Initiative
The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed “Waters of the US” rule was published in the Federal Register last week – all 111,000 words of it. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) responded with just three words – “Ditch the Rule”. Farm Bureau is calling on its members to bring the rule to the attention of local, state and federal lawmakers.