Thursday January 10 Ag News

Farmland Sales Rush Could Spell Short Supply and Higher Values in 2013

Economic uncertainty had some non-operating farmland owners rushing to sell, which was evident in the last three months of the year, according to Farmers National Company, the largest farmland and ranchland real estate company in the country. Overall for 2012, Farmers National Company reports that sales activity was up 40 percent over 2011.

 “We anticipated another record year in 2012, but what we’ve seen has exceeded our expectations,” said Derrick Volchoff, ALC, vice president of real estate operations at Farmers National Company.
Projected changes in tax laws prompted many landowners who were planning to sell in the next two years to act before new rules take effect. This high level of activity is likely to lead to a short supply of available land as we enter 2013, according to Volchoff, which could drive values even higher.

“Pure economics should dictate that values rise if the supply of available land tightens,” said Volchoff.

The fact that values have stayed strong over the past few years has prompted landowners to sell while the market remains positive. Several market forces such as economic uncertainty in Europe and China, as well as the widespread drought, have not negatively impacted land values to date.

Buyers in the current market are farmers looking to expand their operations, said Volchoff. Non-operating land owners are driving activity, as many sellers are looking to sell inherited or transferred land. High profitability from strong commodity prices in recent years has put many farmers in a strong cash position, reducing purchase risk as debt ratios have been held down. Very few investors are looking to sell at this point. 

“Buyers feel they will still get returns on land well into 2013 as projections for continued profitability are strong,” said Volchoff. “Farm operators feel very comfortable in their situations. They have significant cash and are investing it in their operations buying land and equipment.”

The future of the market, while unforeseen, is not risky, according to Volchoff. “The farmland market has not been highly leveraged, as residential housing markets were when prices skyrocketed. This is not a speculative market and we do not foresee any type of abrupt downturn. People still see land as a safe, tangible investment and are willing to keep their money there over the long term.”

Iowa and Minnesota
Demand for quality land continues to be very strong in the North Central Region including Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota and South Dakota, according to Sam Kain, area sales manager for Farmers National Company in Iowa and Minnesota. Auction numbers in this region were up in 2012, prompting sellers to net top sales prices.

“Farmers National Company completed more than 175 auctions in this region during 2012, which is up 35 percent over the prior year,” said Kain. “Demand is still outpacing the number of properties available, and quality is definitely king.”

Despite higher cash rents and input costs narrowing farmer profits, the majority of buyers in the North Central Region continue to be farmers.

In Iowa, top quality land is selling at more than $12,500 per acre, Minnesota values are reaching $9,500 per acre, and values in eastern South Dakota have reached $8,000 plus in many areas.

Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, Central/Western Nebraska and Wyoming
The western region of the Farm Belt has experienced record volume land sales in the past year, with the number of transactions up 75 percent during the last quarter, according to JD Maxson, area sales manager for Farmers National Company in Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, central/western Nebraska and Wyoming. Record land auction activity in the region continues to set the bar high on prices as farm owners and investors look to add additional acres to their operations/portfolios.

“The strong commodity market continues to be the number one driver of sales levels, as farmers and investors continue to add to acres they own.” said Maxson. “We have seen a 15 to 35 percent increase in high quality land values with location, soils, and topography commanding respect.”

Continued low interest rates are also contributing to demand in the land market. Increased profits prompted by strong commodity prices have allowed farmers to purchase land and leverage owned acres, keeping overall operating costs at a minimum. This has prompted strong returns on investments, according to Maxson.

Extreme drought conditions throughout the central/western Corn Belt in the past year have not stifled demand for cropland. Since inventory of high quality farmland is tight, dry land and underdeveloped farms have sparked the interest of farmers and investors.

“Adding pivot irrigation, where possible, and removing old building sites has increased land values, production, and yields on these particular properties,” said Maxson. “Such improvements are adding profit to the bottom line for such owners.”

Prices in these regions are ranging from $4,000 to $12,000 per acre for high quality tillable acres, with location, soils and topography dictating price.



Nebraska Farmers Win Nitrogen Efficiency Next Season

Three hundred crop acres just became more nitrogen efficient, and all because three farmers answered some questions on a tablet. During Husker Harvest Days near Grand Island, Neb., this summer, Steven Cappel of Culberston, Neb., Ryan Hoelscher of Bellwood, Neb., and Jeff Leise of Hartington, Neb., entered a drawing for and each won 100 acres worth of free AGROTAIN® PLUS nitrogen stabilizer from Koch Agronomic Services, LLC. 

AGROTAIN® stabilizer is added to urea and urea‐based fertilizers to control costly nitrogen loss on the soil surface due to ammonia volatilization. When volatilization occurs, an average of 40 percent of the nitrogen can be lost if the fertilizer is not incorporated into the soil.

All three farmers will apply liquid nitrogen with free AGROTAIN® PLUS stabilizer added.  It has the same active ingredient as AGROTAIN® stabilizer with additional inhibitor technology to reduce the potential for loss due to denitrification and leaching.

“More farmers understand the problem of nitrogen loss, so we knew there would be a high interest in our products as the grand prize of our drawing,” says Koch Agronomic Services regional manager Tom King. “By reducing the potential for volatilization, denitrification and leaching, AGROTAIN® PLUS stabilizer helps farmers put more of their nitrogen investment to work for their crops.”

The Cappel family grows corn, soybeans and wheat in southwest Nebraska. Hoelscher and his family grower corn and sobyeans in the Octavia‐Bellwood area. In the northeast corner of the state, Leise and his son, Derrick, grow corn, hay and soybeans; have a cow‐calf herd; and a backgrounding facility. 



Heyse Joins Valmont as Executive Vice President

Valmont Industries, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of engineered products for infrastructure, mechanized irrigation equipment for agriculture, and a provider of coating services, announced today that Richard P. Heyse has joined Valmont as executive vice president. In late February, Heyse will succeed Terry J. McClain, Valmont's CFO, who will be retiring after almost 40 years of service.

Richard Heyse has over 20 years of financial, engineering, and information technology management experience. Heyse has held the role of CFO at WESCO International, a Fortune 500 company, as well as Innophos Holdings and Polyconcept. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Purdue University and a Masters degree in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University.

Commenting on the appointment, Mogens C. Bay, Valmont's chairman and CEO said, "I am very pleased to welcome Richard to Valmont's management team. His extensive leadership experience in key finance roles will benefit Valmont as we continue to develop our global markets."

Added Heyse, "Valmont is a great company whose strategic focus has resulted in extraordinary growth and success. I look forward to being an active participant in helping to write the next chapter of its history."



EPA Provides Comments on Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy

U.S. EPA Region 7 is providing comments on the draft Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy released November 19, 2012. Karl Brooks, regional administrator, in a letter commends the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) for developing the strategy that embraces ambitious specific nutrient reduction targets.

“The EPA views the draft Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy as a great start to set in motion actions that will begin to yield measurable nutrient pollution reductions from point and nonpoint sources,” said Brooks. “EPA looks forward to working collaboratively with IDALS and IDNR on implementation of the strategy to achieve our mutual goals of water quality improvement in Iowa.”

Iowa based its draft strategy on EPA’s 2011 memorandum that dealt with how states should achieve long-term reductions in nitrogen and phosphorous pollution in water bodies.

Brooks’ letter notes that EPA supports states leading efforts to reduce nutrient loads from point and nonpoint sources but stresses that EPA is not mandating specific strategies or solutions. The draft strategy raised concerns about EPA’s ecoregional criteria published in 2000. Since then, EPA and some states have identified a range of options that can be appropriately used for development and implementation of numeric nutrient criteria.

EPA does offer recommendations to strengthen the policy considerations and point and nonpoint source sections of the document. And the agency makes a number of recommendations to be addressed during implementation of Iowa’s nutrient reduction efforts.

EPA’s letter provides a more detailed description of EPA’s comments. The letter is available at www.epa.gov/region7/water.



FARMERS, ANIMAL WELL-BEING EXPERTS, VETERINARIANS & INDUSTRY LEADERS LAUNCH IOWA FARM ANIMAL CARE COALITION (IFAC)

A first-of-its kind effort to provide a centralized resource where Iowans can receive information about appropriate farm animal care was announced today in Des Moines by a unique coalition of farmers, animal well-being experts, veterinarians and industry leaders. The Iowa Farm Animal Care Coalition (IFAC) is designed to answer Iowans’ questions about farm animal care and assist farmers in farm animal care resources to help ensure all Iowa farm animals benefit from the latest science-based animal care standards.

IFAC was launched by farmers for farmers and consumers and is modeled after the 20 year-old Alberta Farm Animal Care program.  “Farmers understand that consumers want to know more about where their food comes from and how it was raised. IFAC is available to help increase public understanding,” said IFAC Executive Director Denny Harding. “Until now, there has not been a centralized place where Iowans could go for farm animal care information. Now, they can visit www.iowafarmanimalcare.org and learn more about how responsible Iowa livestock farmers care for their animals or call our help line at (800) 252-0577 to report a concern if they see something they don’t understand.”

In addition to providing information on farm animal care to consumers and referrals to farmers, IFAC also provides access to animal care experts who specialize in many aspects of animal care, including animal science experts and veterinarians from Iowa State University’s colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the Iowa state veterinarian office at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS).  This independent team of experts makes up the On-Farm Evaluation Team and specializes in performing voluntary on-site evaluations to ensure appropriate farm animal care is being given.

“I think the overwhelming majority of farmers today are doing a great job handling farm animals and have their best interests in mind when it comes to their health and environment,” said Dr. Suzanne Millman, associate professor of animal welfare at Iowa State University. “Different species have different behaviors, thus requiring different care. IFAC can help provide farmers with the latest in animal care research, while ensuring that appropriate care is being given and answering consumer questions.”

IFAC has a four-person Advisory Committee including Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey; Animal Rescue League of Iowa Executive Director Tom Colvin; State of Iowa veterinarian Dr. David Schmitt and Iowa State Sheriff and Deputy Association President Jerry Dunbar.

Colvin applauded the effort. “This is a positive step forward, to reach out to consumers and farmers alike, to provide information about farm animal care or just be there with support if a concern should arise. We’re proud to be a part of a proactive solution that helps the animals and the farmers.”

IFAC is a collaborative effort that includes farmers from the Iowa Farm Bureau and the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa State University colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

For more information about IFAC or farm animal care in Iowa, visit www.iowafarmanimalcare.org or call (800) 252-0577.




Iowa's Governor Leads Biofuels Coalition

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is congratulating Iowa Governor Terry Branstad on his recent selection as chair of the Governors' Biofuels Coalition for 2013.  In a letter to the governor, IRFA president Rick Schwarck thanked Branstad for his leadership in the area of renewable fuels production and policy.

Schwarck says IRFA will work with Branstad to continue to expand E15 availability nationwide and to maintain the federal Renewable Fuels Standard. And he says IRFA will also seek stable, long-term tax policies favorable to the future development and growth of the biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol industries.

Iowa has 41 ethanol refineries capable of producing over 3.7 billion gallons annually, with one wet mill and two cellulosic ethanol facilities currently under construction. In addition, Iowa has 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce nearly 315 million gallons annually.



Capital acquisition is first educational session in new ICA program

Every year has some risks in store for farmers, but weathering financial risks can be possible by bullet-proofing the financial statement. Doing so will also make producers financially fit and provide them a good position to seek capital for a herd expansion, start-up or acquisition.

That’s the focus of the first educational seminar in the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Beef Business Connections. “We are excited about this program,” said ICA CEO Matt Deppe. “It is going to provide the information, training and education that will improve the longevity and profit potential for Iowa’s beef cattle producers.”

The first event about Capital Acquisition will be held at two locations. The first is Tuesday, Jan. 29 at the Hurstville Interpretive Center in Maquoketa; the session will be repeated Thursday, Jan. 31 at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. Both sessions will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and include a meal. Seating is limited at both locations, so registration for the no-cost event should be made by Jan. 24. Call 515-296-2266, or email iacattlemen@iabeef.org with the names and hometowns of those attending.

Speakers at the Capital Acquisition meetings are Moe Russell, a risk management consultant well-known in agriculture circles; and Tim Wells, vice president of ag and commercial lending for First Midwest Bank.

Russell will talk about the steps any producer can take to build and bullet-proof his balance sheet Wells will talk about a bank’s approval process and the risk rating model that many bankers use.

“We are bringing in some of the best talent on this subject to provide information to Iowa’s cattle producers. ICA is dedicated to advancing the economic strength of our members by connecting them to resources that help them grow their beef business,” Deppe said.

Summit Livestock Facilities, an FBi Buildings company, has worked with ICA on developing Beef Business Connections. “We greatly value our relationship with ICA and welcome this opportunity to contribute resources to provide Iowa cattlemen and women with the information needed to improve their profit potential," said Miles Ridgway, President of Summit Livestock Facilities.



UNL-ISU Alum to Head SDSU Animal Science Dept.

Dr. Joe Cassady has been selected as the new Animal Science Department Head at South Dakota State University, pending the approval of the South Dakota Board of Regents. His appointment is effective June 22, 2013. Dr. Cassady previously served as executive director of the Beef Improvement Federation.

"I am very excited that a person of Dr. Cassady's outstanding background and qualifications is joining our team. He has not only excelled as a researcher and teacher, but has also provided exceptional service to the food animal industry in multiple outreach capacities," said Barry Dunn, dean of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences and Director of SDSU Extension.

Joe Cassady received his Ph.D., in Animal Science in 1999 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He also received his master's in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and his bachelor's in Animal Science from Iowa State University in 1993.

As the Head of the Department of Animal Science at SDSU, Cassady will provide effective management of the department; provide leadership to develop and maintain strong, relevant research, teaching, and extension programs stressing excellence across the programs.

He will provide leadership to establish goals and objectives for the department and build strong working relationships; recruit, evaluate and retain faculty, SDSU Extension Field Specialists, staff and students; develop and manage budgets; coordinate department fundraising efforts; oversee management of departmental facilities; represent the department in all official communications with the college and university; foster and build strong working relationships with other disciplines and stakeholders.

Prior to joining the faculty at SDSU, Cassady was the executive director of the Beef Improvement Federation, served as an associate professor in Animal Science at North Carolina State University, was an assistant professor in Animal Science at North Carolina State University and worked as a research associate in genetics and breeding for the Agricultural Research Service with the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the Meat Animal Research Center, in Nebraska.



EPA Releases November Biodiesel Volume of 69 Million Gallons

The EPA said Thursday that 69 million gallons of biodiesel were produced in November, reporting year-to-date production of more than 994 million gallons through the end of November.  Biodiesel production is reported under the EPA's Biomass-based Diesel category in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). To view the figures, visit the EPA's website here. The EPA numbers show a total of almost 87 million gallons of Biomass-based Diesel for the month of November, but that figure also includes renewable diesel production.

With December production figures still pending for 2012, the biodiesel industry is on pace to again produce more than 1 billion gallons of Advanced Biofuel during the year, supporting more than 64,000 jobs across the country. Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats, biodiesel is the first and only EPA-designated Advanced Biofuel that's produced on a commercial scale across the U.S. It is produced in nearly every state in the country and is used in existing diesel engines without modification.



Farmer co-op CHS reports $343.7 million earnings for first quarter fiscal 2013

CHS Inc., an energy, grains and foods company and the nation's leading farmer-owned cooperative, today reported earnings of $343.7 million for the first quarter of its 2013 fiscal year.  Earnings attributed to CHS operations for the period (Sept. 1, 2012 through Nov. 30, 2012) declined 17 percent from $416.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2012.  Revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 reached $11.7 billion, compared with $9.7 billion for the first three months of fiscal 2012. This primarily reflected continuing strong values for the energy, grain and crop nutrients products that comprise the majority of CHS business.

Energy segment earnings led the company's performance for the quarter, but declined from the same period a year ago due to reduced margins at CHS refineries in Montana and Kansas. Earnings improved for CHS propane, renewable fuels and transportation businesses, but declined slightly for its lubricants operations.

While soundly profitable, earnings also declined within the CHS Ag segment primarily due to lower margins for the grains and oilseeds the company markets and processes, as well as the crop nutrients it handles. Within the segment, quarter-over-quarter earnings increased for the company's Country Operations retail locations which reported higher volumes for the retail products and grain it handles. The CHS processing and food ingredients businesses also recorded improved margins for its soybean crushing and refining operations.

CHS reports results for its business services operations, as well as two food processing-related joint ventures, under the Corporate and Other category. CHS-owned financing businesses recorded higher earnings for the quarter, which were partially offset by slower hedging activity in the first three months of fiscal 2013. The company's share of earnings from its 50 percent ownership of Ventura Foods, LLC, a vegetable oil-based food manufacturing business, improved due to stronger margins, while those from its 24 percent CHS share of Horizon Milling, LLC, the nation's leading wheat miller, remained flat compared to the same period in fiscal 2012.

CHS Inc. (www.chsinc.com) is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States. Diversified in energy, grains and foods, CHS is committed to helping its customers, farmer-owners and other stakeholders grow their businesses through its domestic and global operations. CHS, a Fortune 100 company, supplies energy, crop nutrients, grain marketing services, livestock feed, food and food ingredients, along with business solutions including insurance, financial and risk management services. The company operates petroleum refineries/pipelines and manufactures, markets and distributes Cenex® brand refined fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products.



U.N.'s Food Price Index Dropped in 2012

The FAO Food Price Index dropped for the third consecutive month in December 2012, edging down 1.1 percent.

The decline in December, when the Index averaged 209 points, was led by drops in the international prices of major cereals and oils and fats. The Index's previous low in 2012 was in June, at 200 points.

For 2012 as a whole, the Index averaged 212, that is, 7.0 percent less than in 2011, with the sharpest falls year-on-year registered by sugar (17.1 percent), dairy products (14.5 percent) and oils (10.7 percent). Price declines were much more modest for cereals (2.4 percent) and meat (1.1 percent).

"The result marks a reversal from the situation last July, when sharply rising prices prompted fears of a new food crisis," said Jomo Sundaram, Assistant Director-General in charge of FAO's Economic and Social Development Department. "But international coordination, including through the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS), as well as flagging demand in a stagnant international economy, helped ensure the price spike was short-lived and calmed markets so that 2012 prices ended up below the previous year's levels."

The FAO Cereal Price Index averaged 250 points in December, down 2.3 percent, or 6 points, from November. In 2012 as a whole, the index averaged 241, or 2.4 percent below 2011.

After surging between July and September 2012 due to production uncertainties and tightening supplies, cereal export prices dropped because of weaker demand for feed and industrial uses.

In December, maize prices fell sharply as large export supplies in South America relieved market pressure. Rice prices also dipped in December on expectation of good harvests, but wheat values changed little as trade remained subdued.



China Soybean Imports Up

China's December soybean imports rose 9% from a year earlier and 42% from November to 5.89 million metric tons while annual imports rose 11.2% last year to 58.38 million metric tons, the General Administration of Customs said Thursday.  The customs department disclosed the data in a press release preceding the actual publication, due later Thursday, of more detailed preliminary commodity trade data for the month.

Data in such press releases are generally rounded up or down, making them slightly less accurate than the actual reading.  China is the world's biggest importer of soybeans and gets most of its supplies from the U.S., Brazil and Argentina.



Global Corn Demand Spurs Historic Shift in China 

For the first time in history, China will produce more corn than rough rice, according to reports by the U.S. Grains Council. This change, first projected in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate, comes as the growing affluence of the Chinese middle class spurs for a protein-rich diet.

The USDA report, which upwardly revised Chinese corn production projections by 300 million bushels, illustrate how the economic trends of the world's most populous country could create opportunities for well positioned corn producers.

"Dramatic shifts in corn production are taking place across the globe" said Kevin Roepke, USGC manager of Global Trade. "This is stark evidence that today's corn producer is well poised to take advantage of growing global consumerism."

Demand for meat in China experienced explosive growth over the past 20 years, with poultry consumption increasing by 300 percent.  During that period, pork consumption increased by 85 percent, and beef consumption has increased 155 percent.

At the same time, demand in the United States has remained relatively static for pork and beef, which have risen only by six and three percent respectively. Only the poultry sector made major gains, but with only a 45 percent increase in demand, the gains seem paltry in comparison to those made in China.

Rice remains a dietary staple for more than two billion people, including India and China. As diets in China shift toward protein-rich foods, the livestock sector demand for feed ingredients such as corn will increase both in the United States for export and overseas for domestic industries.

The U.S. Grains Council has operated in China for more than 30 years with a country office located in Beijing specializing in technical demand building programs and market intelligence.



NCBA Environmental Stewardship Award Program Winner to be Announced at Cattle Industry Convention

Among the many activities and events happening during the 2013 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show in Tampa, Fla., will be the announcement of the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) national award winner. The winner will be announced during an evening reception on Thurs., Feb. 7, 2013.

Established in 1991 by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the program has recognized the outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of U.S. cattle producers for more than two decades. Award winners are honored for their commitment to protecting the environment and improving fish and wildlife habitat while operating profitable cattle businesses.

During the 2012 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver, Colo., seven regional winners were announced. Bold Ranch, Winifred, Mont.; Circle Square Ranch, Ocala, Fla.; Funk Farms Trust, Shirley, Ill.; Glenowen Farm, Round Hill, Va.; Slovek Ranch, Philip, S.D.; Sparrowk Livestock, Clements, Calif.; and 77 Ranch, Blooming Grove, Texas will be judged on management of water, wildlife, vegetation and soil, as well as the nominee’s leadership and the sustainability of his or her business as a whole, with a national winner chosen from the seven finalists.

“America’s farmers and ranchers are passionate about their land, and it shows through conservation and environmental stewardship efforts,” said NCBA President J.D. Alexander. “The cattle industry is continually improving upon our environmental sustainability, and these seven finalists set an example that we should all strive to achieve. We look forward to naming one of these operations as our national ESAP winner next month in Tampa.”

The ESAP award reception will begin at 6 p.m., and is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences; the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS); the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF); and NCBA. For more information, visit www.environmentalstewardship.org.



Early Registration for 2013 Cattle Industry Convention Ends Friday

Friday, Jan. 11, is the last day for cattlemen and women to get their boots on the bay and register early for the 2013 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show, taking place Feb. 6-9 in Tampa, Fla. Registration after Jan. 11 will only be available onsite at the Tampa Convention Center, and late registrants will need to call area hotels directly for a reservation.

The Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show create a great environment for cattle industry members to come together to network and create policy for the industry. This year’s convention participants will hear from industry leaders, gather insight on industry trends, take part in NCBA’s grassroots policy process and enjoy Tampa’s Gasparilla Pirate Fest, a night full of lively pirates, sounds from the Caribbean Chillers and plenty of local eats. The convention will close on Feb. 9 with the Cattlemen’s Beach Bash featuring music from the Beach Boys.

NCBA encourages all cattlemen and women to register by Friday, as onsite registration fees will increase. For more information about the convention and how to register, visit www.beefusa.org.



America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education returns for second year

Nationwide, a movement is underway to improve the math and science aptitude of today’s students. For the second year in a row, the Monsanto Fund is gearing-up to invest $2.3 million to strengthen math and science education in rural communities through America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education.

Now until April 15, 2013, farmers can nominate their favorite, local public school district. Administrators of nominated school districts can then submit grant applications through April 30, 2013 to enhance their math and/or science programs.

“We believe bright futures start in the classroom,” said Deborah Patterson, Monsanto Fund president.  “Building a strong math and science foundation for today’s youth is great preparation for future success.”

The America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program is part of a broad commitment by the Monsanto Fund to highlight the important contributions farmers make every day to society. Following a successful pilot in Minnesota and Illinois, America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education debuted nationally last year in 1,245 counties across 39 states. Its reach has grown to include 1,271 counties this year.

America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education offers farmers the opportunity to nominate rural public school districts to compete for a grant of either $10,000 or $25,000. Nominated school districts can then submit an application for either grant amount. Winners will be announced in August 2013.

School districts that apply for a $10,000 grant will compete against other school districts in the same USDA-appointed Crop Reporting District (CRD). CRDs with fewer than five eligible school districts will compete against each other for a single, $10,000 grant. School districts that apply for a $25,000 grant will compete against schools that are located in the same state or designated region.

Grants will be awarded by the Monsanto Fund based on merit, need and community support. The America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory Council, a group of 30 farmer leaders from across the country, will select the winning grant applications. Advisory Council members were selected based on their passion for agriculture and education, as well as experience in rural school districts.

America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education at a Glance:
-    Farmers in 1,271 eligible counties can nominate their local public school districts to apply for a $10,000 or $25,000 grant focused on math and/or science.
-    The nomination only takes a few minutes by visiting www.growruraleducation.com or calling 1-877-267-3332.
-    The Monsanto Fund will award 194 grants this year. There will be 172 $10,000 grants and 22 grants of $25,000 awarded.
-    The Monsanto Fund will invest up to $2.3 million in school districts across 39 states this year.
-    A list of eligible states and regions can be found at www.growruraleducation.com.



150th anniversary of veterinary association launches education programs

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) turns 150 in 2013, and the AVMA will be using this significant anniversary as an opportunity to educate the public about the important role veterinary medicine plays in society with a traveling Smithsonian exhibit and coffee table book.

“I’m extremely proud that the AVMA is turning 150 this year, but even more than that I’m extremely proud of the accomplishments of our members over the past 150 years,” says Dr. Douglas G. Aspros, president of the AVMA.  “Our members have done critical research on deadly pathogens, like Salmonella—named for an early AVMA president—typhus, malaria, bubonic plague, yellow fever and, more recently, West Nile Virus, HIV and Ebola virus. A veterinarian invented the hypodermic needle.  Veterinarians keep our food safe, maintain the health of our livestock and pets, and serve our country in the military. In short, they’ve saved many lives and made the lives of innumerable animals and people far better.  Our 150th anniversary is an opportunity to remember these accomplishments, and to thank our members for everything that they do.”

The AVMA was founded as the United States Veterinary Medical Association at a meeting at the Astor House in New York City on June 9 and 10, 1863, during the

U.S. Civil War.  Representatives of seven states attended, including New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maine, Ohio and Delaware.

The AVMA is undertaking a number of efforts to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Association and the long and impressive history of the profession:

*The AVMA has secured a partnership with the Smithsonian Institution to create a 1,000-square-foot exhibition on wheels that will tour the country from coast to coast, introducing visitors to innovative fields of veterinary medical research and application, and giving them new ways to look at the enduring relationship between animals and people. This traveling exhibit will begin its two-year, 75-city tour during the AVMA’s annual convention in Chicago July 19-23, 2013, and it will include visits to state and county fairs, science museums, university campuses, veterinary schools, zoos and other animal-related locations in American cities.

*“The AVMA: 150 year of Education, Science and Service” was recently published as a celebration of the profession. It features a history of the AVMA, including the association’s role in improving veterinary education, and a history of progress made by the profession since 1863.

The book will be available for sale at www.avma.org, with proceeds directed to AVMA future-generation programming, which includes support of initiatives such as the Early Career Development Committee and the Compass Mentoring Program.

For more information about the AVMA and its 150th anniversary, visit www.avma.org.