Monday August 31 Ag New

USDA Releases Results of First Farmland Landlord Survey Since 1999

There are 20.1 million acres of farmland rented out by landlords in Nebraska, according to the results of the 2014 Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL) survey released August 31, 2015 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

NASS conducted the survey in cooperation with the USDA’s Economic Research Service to get a better insight into who owns U.S. farmland. TOTAL was the first time NASS surveyed farmland landlords since 1999. The survey results provide analysis of rented farmlands by acreage, as well as by landlords, which include individuals, as well as ownership arrangements such as partnerships, corporations, trusts, and other types of ownership.

According to TOTAL findings, there are 69,112 farmland landlords in Nebraska. Of these, 11,864 were farmers, while 57,248 are non-farming landlords. Cropland made up 62 percent of all Nebraska farmland rented, while 36 percent were pasture acres rented. The rest of the rented farmland in Nebraska were acres used for forests and other land uses.

In the next five years, Nebraska farmland landlords expect to transfer 4.45 million acres to different owners. Of these, 362,462 acres are expected to be sold to non-relatives, 445,253 acres are expected to be sold to relatives, 3.03 million acres are expected to be put in a trust, and 609,402 acres landlords expect to gift away.



Most of U.S. Rented Farmland Owned by Non-Farmers

Agricultural producers rented and farmed 353.8 million acres of farmland, according to the results of the 2014 Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land, or TOTAL, survey results released today by the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Of these acres, 80 percent are owned by non-farming landlords.

According to the survey results, rented farmland acres, combined with buildings on this land, are valued at more than $1.1 trillion. TOTAL counted approximately 2.1 million landlords with various ownership arrangements. In 2014, all of the landlords combined received $31.2 billion in rental income while incurring $9.2 billion in total expenses.

A tenth of the 911 million U.S. farmland acres outside of Alaska and Hawaii, or about 91.5 million acres, is slated for ownership transfer in the next five years, not including farmland that is in or is expected to be put into wills. Landlords expect to keep or put nearly 48 percent of these acres in trusts. Only 21 million acres of land are expected to be sold to a non-relative, while 26 million acres are expected to be sold to a relative or given as a gift. This means that only a small percentage of farmland will be available for new entrants into the farming sector.

In addition to looking at farmland, TOTAL also provides a glimpse into demographic information for 1.4 million non-farming individuals and principals in partnerships arrangements, also known as principal landlords. According to the findings, the average age of these landlords is 66.5 years old. This age exceeds that of the average farmer, who is 58.3 years old, according to the most recent Census of Agriculture. Only 18 percent of all principal landlords were under 55 years old. Nearly 45 percent of all of the principal landlords have never farmed.



LATE PLANTING ALTERNATIVES FOR FALL GRAZING
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

               August is ending; September beginning.  Pasture season is nearly over.  Or is it?

               Most areas have been blessed with summer precipitation and forecasts suggest it will continue into fall.  This is encouraging many folks to think about planting something for fall pasture.  Unfortunately , there is no magic bullet, or should I say magic grass, that can provide grazing instantly.  All plants need some time – as well as the right temperature, moisture, and nutrient conditions – to grow.

               Of all the options available, oats and annual ryegrass may have the best chance of producing enough growth yet this fall to pay for its planting.  Since turnip, forage rape, and radish seeds are relatively inexpensive, they also might work with a warm fall, but don’t count on it.

               Instead of trying to save hay by growing some fall pasture, most of you are likely to save more hay by planting winter rye or triticale for early spring pasture.  Depending on the number of acres you plant and what other spring grazing options you have, these winter small grains should help eliminate the last two to six weeks of hay feeding this winter.  As an added benefit, they also get cows and new-born calves out onto high quality pasture when their nutritional requirements are high enough to make good use of fresh pasture.

               If you still want to try something for this fall, plant a mix of thirty pounds of oats with sixty pounds of winter rye.  This mix should give you some fall grazing plus good spring forage as well.

               Waiting until September to plant usually gives only modest amounts of fall grazing.  And it always will be much less than plantings made in August – when they should be.



ICGA Delegates Move On Issues Impacting Iowa Corn Farmers

The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) Annual Meeting and Policy Conference which took place last week in Des Moines. Delegates had the opportunity to review expiring policies and debate new resolutions. The Annual Meeting and Policy Conference is the year-end event in the policy development process. The process includes a member survey, roundtable discussions held across the state and at the policy conference. Policies that are related to national issues are adopted and brought forth at the Commodity Classic meetings with National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).

 “This meeting reaffirmed that our highest priority is ethanol and supporting a strong renewable fuels standard (RFS). Environmental regulation was also very clearly one of our top priorities,” said ICGA President Bob Hemesath.  “It was evident that our farmers believe in continued investment in on farm conservation practices to protect Iowa’s water quality.”

ICGA members that were in attendance also had the pleasure of hearing from guest speakers such as presidential candidate Carly Fiorina, Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds. All guest speakers spoke out in support of a strong and robust RFS. 
The complete 2015-2016 policy resolution book is available upon request by emailing corninfo@iowacorn.org or calling 515-225-9242.



AGP, Monsanto Partnering to Bring Iowa Farmers High Oleic Soybeans

Ag Processing Inc (AGP) announced it will participate in the 2016 pilot introduction of Monsanto's Vistive Gold high oleic soybeans. They are the first processor to offer Iowa growers the opportunity to increase soybean profit potential with Vistive Gold high oleic soybeans. The new soybeans were developed with input from leading food companies over the last decade and offer an improved nutritional profile with zero trans fats and reduced saturated fats that the food industry and consumers are currently demanding.

AGP will partner with two member cooperatives near its Manning, Iowa plant -- Farmers Cooperative Elevator Co., Arcadia and Aspinwall Cooperative Company, Aspinwall -- to offer premiums of 80 cents per bushel for on-farm storage and 70 cents per bushel for harvest delivery to farmers who grow Vistive Gold soybeans under contract. The soybeans will then be processed at AGP's processing plant in Manning and the high oleic oil marketed to interested food manufacturers. AGP and its participating cooperative members will be contracting with Iowa growers on a first-come-first-serve basis.

"AGP is excited about our partnership with Monsanto, local cooperative members and soybean producers in this new opportunity to add value to soybeans and introduce new technology to the industry," said Mark Sandeen, Vice President, Processing Marketing. "We look forward to working with our partners and food customers as Vistive Gold oil is introduced to the marketplace."

The new soybeans will bring the opportunity for nutritionally improved cooking oil for consumers and food companies. Compared to other cooking oils, Vistive Gold also has improved oxidative stability, which reduces buildup on frying equipment and extends its oil fry life. This is important not only for reducing cost but also reducing residues, which can help to make restaurant operations more efficient and sustainable. In addition, the oil profile of Vistive Gold soybean oil has 60% less saturated fat than commodity soy, delivers the same great taste and texture that people expect from cooking oils, and has a shelf life that is equal to or better than traditional oils.

"We are excited to bring Vistive Gold soybeans to farmers in Iowa, and see this as a great opportunity for farmers to maximize their soy acre profit potential," said Sarah Vacek, Monsanto soy product quality traits manager. "Because Vistive Gold soybeans are built on the Roundup Ready 2 Yield platform and feature enhanced breeding and agronomic packages, farmers will see the same yield advantage they have come to expect with their standard Monsanto varieties."

Vistive Gold soybeans also bring opportunity for the soybean industry as a whole in Iowa. "The Iowa Soybean Association looks forward to working with AGP, Monsanto and Iowa soybean growers to expand the production of high oleic soybeans in Iowa," said Iowa Soybean Association Chief Executive Officer Kirk Leeds. "High oleic soybeans are critically important as we recapture market share in the food sector that's been lost due to concerns about trans fats."

Leeds also believes that high oleic soybeans could be of great value in industrial applications as well. "We encourage soybean farmers to take a look at high yielding Vistive Gold varieties and to consider becoming a partner in this important effort to expand demand for soybean oil."

Vistive Gold field trials have taken place for three seasons in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio through Monsanto's Ground Breakers program and growers report successful on-farm performance with the varieties. Ground Breakers trials provide farmers with first-hand experience with pipeline products under commercial-scale planting conditions. This program combines full-field and small-scale approaches to optimize farmers' experiences, training and education opportunities. Monsanto continues to make progress toward commercial introduction of Vistive Gold soybeans in 2016.



ISU Dairy Margin Protection Program Meetings Are Sept. 11

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is holding informational meetings across the state regarding the Margin Protection Program for Dairy on Friday, Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. Special guest Robert Tigner, extension educator at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will present new analysis as well as MPP information for dairy producers interested in signing up or learning more about the 2014 Farm Bill dairy program.

“A sign up period is underway until Sept. 30 for MPP 2016 participation at designated USDA Farm Service Agency offices,” said Ryan Breuer, DVM, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Tigner will give dairy producers market information and decision-making guides on the benefits of enrollment during the meeting.”

Tigner will be present at the Orange City meeting and connected via webinar to the other locations. ISU Extension and Outreach dairy specialists will lead the morning meetings at all three sites. Registration deadline is Sept. 7.

    ISU Extension and Outreach Sioux County Office, 400 Central Avenue NW, Orange City. To register for the meeting, contact extension dairy specialist Ryan Breuer at 712-737-4230 or rmbreuer@iastate.edu.

    Iowa’s Dairy Center – Room 115, 1527 Iowa Highway 150, Calmar. To register for the webinar, contact extension dairy specialist Jenn Bentley at ISU Extension and Outreach Winneshiek County Office, 563-382-2949 or jbentley@iastate.edu.

    ISU Extension and Outreach Dubuque County Office, 14858 West Ridge Lane, Dubuque. To register for the webinar, contact extension dairy specialist Larry Tranel at 563-583-6496 or tranel@iastate.edu.

Margin Protection Program is an insurance-based 2014 Farm Bill program
The Margin Protection Program is an insurance-based 2014 Farm Bill program that allows dairy farmers a risk management opportunity to protect their income against milk price declines. The MPP uses the difference between a two-month average U.S. milk price and a two-month average feed cost to boost indemnity payments. The 2014 Farm Bill specifies how milk price and feed cost is determined and each is used to calculate a “U.S. milk margin.”

Dairy farmers wanting coverage for 2016, must elect a margin level by completing the registration form and paying the $100 administrative fee. The MPP program replaces the previous Milk Income Loss Contract or MILC.

Farmers can select margin levels from $4 to $8, in 50-cent increments and also must choose the amount of historic milk production covered from 25 to 90 percent in 5-percent increments. The MPP premiums for 2016 have two tiers of cost: less than 4 million pounds of milk production covered; or 4 million pounds and above. Premiums must be paid either fully at coverage election time or 25 percent by Feb. 1, with the remainder by June 1.



Prices Received by Iowa Farmers

The average price received by farmers for corn during July in Iowa was $3.78 per bushel according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Agricultural Prices report. This is up $0.22 from the June price, but $0.28 lower than July 2014.

The July 2015 average price received by farmers for soybeans, at $10.00 per bushel, was $0.50 above the June price, but $3.00 lower than the July 2014 price.

The July average oat price per bushel was $2.55, down $0.91 from June, and $1.40 below July 2014.

All hay prices in Iowa averaged $104.00 per ton in July, $31.00 per ton less than July 2014. Alfalfa hay prices fell $35.00 per ton from one year ago, to $115.00 and other hay prices were $22.00 per ton lower than last year, at $85.00.

The July average price was $17.00 per cwt for milk, down $0.30 per cwt from the June price, and $6.80 per cwt below one year ago.



July Farm Prices Received Index Down 5.7 Percent

The July Prices Received Index (Agricultural Production), at 99, decreased 5.7 percent from June, according to USDA. At 86, the Crop Production Index decreased 2.3 percent. At 115, the Livestock Production Index decreased 5.0 percent. Producers received lower prices for broilers, cattle, strawberries, and lettuce but higher prices for corn, cantaloupes, soybeans, and sweet corn. In
addition to prices, the indexes are influenced by the monthly mix of commodities producers market. Increased monthly movement of wheat, grapes, hay, and cotton offset the decreased marketing of cattle, milk, oranges, and broilers.

The Prices Received Index is down 10 percent from the previous year. The Food Commodities Index, at 105, decreased 7.1 percent from the previous month and is down 13 percent from July 2014.

Crop Production:
The July index, at 86, decreased 2.3 percent from June and is 7.5 percent below July 2014. Index decreases for fruit & tree nut production, vegetable & melon production, and other crop production more than offset the index increase for oilseeds & grains.

Feed grain: The July index, at 64, is up 6.7 percent from last month but is 7.2 percent below a year ago. The corn price, at $3.80 per bushel, is up 22 cents from last month but is down 26 cents from
July 2014. At $7.68 per cwt, sorghum grain is 5 cents higher than June and up 28 cents from July a year earlier.

Food grain: At 71, the index for July is 5.3 percent lower than the previous month and 16 percent below a year earlier. The July price for all wheat, at $5.23 per bushel, is down 20 cents from June and 92 cents below July 2014.

Oilseed: At 80, the index for July is up 3.9 percent from June but is 22 percent lower than July 2014. The soybean price, at $9.96 per bushel, increased 38 cents from June but is $3.14 below July a year
earlier.

Other crop: The July index, at 90, is down 1.1 percent from the previous month and 13 percent below July 2014. The all hay price, at $156 per ton, is down $6.00 from June and $29.00 lower than July 2014. At 66.1 cents per pound, the price for upland cotton is up 1.0 cent from June but 18.6 cents below July 2014.

Livestock Production:
The index for July, at 115, is 5.0 percent below the previous month and down 14 percent from July a year earlier. Compared with a year ago, lower prices were received during July for milk, hogs, broilers, and cattle. Prices are higher for market eggs, turkeys, and calves.

Meat animal: At 122, the July index is down 3.9 percent from the previous month and 12 percent lower than a year earlier. At $58.70 per cwt, the July hog price is down $1.20 from June and $34.60
lower than a year earlier. The July beef cattle price of $149 per cwt is $6.00 less than the previous month and $7.00 below July 2014.

Dairy: The index for July, at 83, is down 1.2 percent from the previous month and 28 percent lower than July a year earlier. The July all milk price of $16.60 per cwt dropped 30 cents from June and is down $6.70 from July 2014.

Poultry and egg: At 131, the July index decreased 12 percent from June and is 3.7 percent below 2014. The July market egg price, at $1.81 per dozen, decreased 12.0 cents from June but is 76.0 cents
higher than July 2014. The July broiler price, at 51.0 cents per pound, is down 11.0 cents from June and 15.0 cents less than a year earlier. At 84.8 cents per pound, the July turkey price is up 3.6 cents from the previous month and 10.8 cents from 2014.

July Prices Paid Index Unchanged
The July Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW), at 109, is unchanged from June but is down 3.5 percent from July 2014. Lower prices in July for feeder cattle, feeder pigs, nitrogen, and potash & phosphate offset higher prices for concentrates, complete feeds, feed grains, and milk cows.



ACE elects Board representatives

During the August 19 annual meeting of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), members elected directors to serve three-year terms of service on the organization’s governing board.  

Four individuals re-elected to the ACE Board of Directors are listed below.

Ron Alverson, representing Dakota Ethanol, LLC, an ethanol plant in Wentworth, South Dakota, which produces 50 million gallons of ethanol per year (MGY).   Alverson currently serves as the President of the ACE Board of Directors.

John Christianson, on behalf of Christianson and Associates, a Wilmar, Minnesota based accounting and consulting firm.

Doug Punke, CEO of the Renewable Products Marketing Group (RPMG), an ethanol marketing company in Shakopee, Minnesota.

Brian Wilcox, from the Nebraska Public Power District, an electric utility company in Columbus, Nebraska which serves 87 out of the 93 counties in the state.

ACE members elected two individuals to serve as new board directors.   Kenton Johnson was elected to represent Granite Falls Energy, LLC, a 62 mgy ethanol plant located near Granite Falls, Minnesota, and Mike Clemens, a farmer from Wimbledon, North Dakota, was elected to represent the North Dakota Corn Growers Association.



Webinar to Build a Cow-Calf Expansion Roadmap

Cow-calf margins will shrink as the U.S. beef cowherd expands, but producers can ensure future profitability by adjusting business plans for the supply increase. An upcoming free CattleFax webinar will address the scope of expansion and guide producers through the challenge.

CattleFax is encouraging cow-calf producers to register now for its Trends+ Cow-Calf Webinar at 5:30 p.m. MT, Sept. 10, 2015. To participate in the webinar and access program details, producers simply need to register online at www.cattlefax.com/meetings.aspx.

Record-high profits in the cow-calf segment have created an expansion that is on pace to be the most aggressive U.S. beef cowherd rebuilding effort in four decades. The cowherd could add 2.5 million cows over the next three years and approach 33 million by 2020. Profits could narrow considerably during that time, but well-informed producers can adjust production, marketing and risk management plans with increasing supplies in mind and remain profitable.

CattleFax analysts will discuss a variety of topics in the one-hour session, including:
-    Cattle and feedstuff market projections for the next 12 to 18 months
-    Supply and margin expectations based on U.S. beef cowherd expansion estimates
-    A roadmap to keep U.S. ranches economically viable during the expansion and beyond

The Trends+ webinar series informs cattle producers about current market conditions and provides decision-friendly advice regarding management decisions. The analysis and strategies shared through this webinar series has reached more than 2,500 producers, and sponsorship from Elanco Animal Health is making the seminar free for all attendees.



What's Down the Pike for Beef Demand?

What's going to happen to beef demand as the cattle industry continues to expand the breeding herd?  How will rebuilding affect the strong prices we've been receiving for our animals and our end product?  What should we focus on to maximize our opportunities for maintaining or growing beef demand during this expansion?

Virtually every member of the beef community, from farm to fork, has asked that question in recent months -- hopeful but hesitant to believe that the tremendous marketplace the cattle industry has enjoyed lately will continue.

That's apparently why two renowned Kansas State University (KSU) ag economists just posted a Beef Demand Prioritization fact sheet to help cattle producers and all other segments of the beef industry understand what's likely on the horizon.

KSU Associate Professor of Livestock & Meat Marketing/Price Analysis Glynn Tonsor and Professor of Livestock Marketing Ted Schroeder posted the analysis on AgManager on Aug. 28, laying out possible scenarios and, maybe more important, opportunities and priorities for maintaining a strong beef marketplace in the years ahead.

http://www.agmanager.info/livestock/marketing/Beef%20Demand/BeefDemand_08-28-15.pdf. 

Download the fact sheet and read it carefully to see how the experts answer the questions everyone is asking about beef demand!



NMPF Asks EPA, Army Corps to Suspend National Enforcement of New Water Regulation Pending Resolution of Court Cases

The National Milk Producers Federation urged the Obama Administration to hold off on the national enforcement of the new Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) regulation, in response to a court decision last week suspending the regulation in some states, but not others.

Last Thursday the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota halted implementation of the water regulation, granting a temporary injunction in favor of 13 states that brought suit in North Dakota against the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Army Corps of Engineers. The EPA said after the court ruling that it would not implement the rule in the 13 states that were part of the suit: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

In light of the potential for confusion and inconsistent application of the regulation following the court’s ruling, NMPF said in a letter sent Monday to the EPA and the Army that the government should suspend enforcement of the WOTUS nationwide.

“The EPA implementation schedule for the Clean Water Rule now treats dairy farmers differently nationwide, and clearly falls short of the EPA’s goals of ‘greater clarity, consistency, and predictability when making jurisdictional determinations,’” NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern said in the letter.  “Therefore, we ask that EPA and the Corp of Engineers use their enforcement discretion and cease application of the recent WOTUS rule in all 50 states, until such time as it can be evenly applied in every state.”

NMPF submitted comments on the proposed rule to the EPA and Corps of Engineers in November 2014, outlining its concerns with the lack of clarity and certainty for dairy farmers should the rule proceed. The final rule “left many of our concerns unresolved,” NMPF wrote today, although the organization had been hoping to work with EPA to address those concerns going forward.

“The opinion last Thursday by Judge Ralph Erickson brought forth many of the same concerns we relayed in our comments last November and should be taken seriously,” NMPF wrote.

NMPF’s letter today said that the organization and its members “are committed to protecting U.S. waterways through voluntary efforts, as well as through regulatory compliance with the Clean Water Act (CWA). Clean water is central to healthy ecosystems, secure water supplies for human and animal consumption, and to the production of milk and other dairy products. We are committed to working with the EPA and COE to find effective ways to achieve these important goals.”

Several other lawsuits against the EPA, from other states and also from farm and business groups, are still pending.



 NFU Encourages USDA to Utilize and Expand Mediation Program
Cites Increased Financial Distress in Farm Country

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson today encouraged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prepare for increased economic instability and financial stress for American family farmers and ranchers through the USDA Certified Agricultural Mediation Program.

“USDA’s August 2015 net farm income forecast confirms anecdotal evidence of increasing financial distress for producers,” noted Johnson in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “NFU encourages USDA to prepare for increased activity of direct and guaranteed loan applications, loan servicing and mediation services. We recommend the USDA utilize the USDA Certified Agricultural Mediation Program and expand the agricultural issues that are eligible for mediation services.”

Johnson noted that after several years of strong and record high net farm incomes, production costs also enjoyed an upward income trend.

“The projected 36 percent decrease in net farm income with expenses projected to drop only 0.5 percent is certain to cause significant financial distress, particularly among beginning and financially leveraged producers,” he said. “National Farmers Union has received reports of difficulties in obtaining operating loans, spikes in ‘Hotline’ calls regarding financial stress and concerns of loan repayments following the 2015 harvest.”

Johnson noted NFU’s strong support for the USDA Certified Agricultural Mediation Program, a program that helps producers and lenders agree on solutions to conflicts with farm loans.

“We recommend that USDA work with the state mediation programs to assess the adequacy of state program grant funds for preparation and delivery of the likely increased workload of credit related mediation services,” said Johnson.

Johnson also noted that NFU supports the expansion of agricultural issues eligible for mediation that ultimately affect the financial viability of family agricultural operations. “Any type of dispute or disagreement exacerbates financial distress when cash flows are tight or non-existent,” he said.



NCBA Members Receive up to 20 Percent off at Cabela’s
 
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has announced a new member benefit in partnership with Cabela’s Corporate Outfitter. NCBA members can take advantage of the Cabela’s Corporate Outfitter program by receiving an Outfitter Card that will provide up to a 20 percent discount on business purchases made at Cabela’s stores, as well as access to Cabela’s customization services.

“We are thrilled to announce this new benefit for our members,” said Marvin Kokes, NCBA Industry and Member Service Senior Vice President. “We have a strong organization with members who work each and every day to provide for others and this partnership is not only a thank you, but just one more incentive to join an organization that fights for the future of this industry every day and in the face of well-financed activist opposition. Cabela’s has been a strong partner with NCBA for many years, and we appreciate the continued partnership.”

NCBA was established 1898 and is the oldest and largest national trade association working on behalf of all segments of the cattle industry. With over 117 years’ experience, NCBA is a trusted voice in the cattle industry and on Capitol Hill.

“Your NCBA membership not only helps support efforts in Washington, D.C., but comes with so many other great benefits including a one liter bottle of Dectomax® pour-on from Zoetis, and discounts from John Deere, New Holland Agriculture, Roper and Stetson boots and apparel, Caterpillar and of course Cabela’s Corporate Outfitter for your business,” added Kokes. “You will also receive a subscription to National Cattlemen and updates from Washington.  If you are not already a member, this is just one more incentive and I encourage you to join today.”

 For complete information and to join visit www.beefusa.org or call 1-866-BEEFUSA (1-866-233-3872).



California FFA Member Receives 1,000 Blue Jacket Through Give the Gift of Blue Program

Today, Casey Custer was able to zip up his very own FFA jacket for the first time. The junior, who attends Waterford High School in Waterford, Calif., was the proud recipient of the 1,000 FFA jacket through the FFA program, Give the Gift of Blue.

FFA has more than 610,000 members nationwide; however, not all members own the esteemed blue jacket. In fact, more than 50 percent of FFA members don't have an FFA jacket. This jacket is traditionally worn at official functions at the local level and for state and national conventions, competitions and special events. Many borrow jackets from the chapter or from past FFA members. The moment they zip up their own jacket is priceless.

"The blue jacket means a lot to me," Custer said, "as it represents the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge, especially as I play a role in our Waterford's FFA Ag Mechanics team."

On Jan. 1, 2014, the National FFA Organization and National FFA Foundation began the Give the Gift of Blue program. Funded by individual donors and sponsors, the program provides members with blue jackets, which is part of FFA Official Dress. Members apply for a jacket by visiting FFA.org/GIVEBLUE to share their story of what the jacket means to them. Along with an essay, members also share information on what they have been doing in FFA, their communities and in their schools.

"For so many, the blue corduroy gives a sense of belonging," said Joshua Bledsoe, the chief operating officer for the National FFA Organization. "Thanks to this program, we are able to bring this sense of pride and belonging to more of our members, who are part of our FFA family."

Along with applying for a jacket, now others can nominate members they believe should be gifted a jacket.

"We've had so much success with the program," said Lee Anne Shiller, merchandise and membership services division director at national FFA. "We thought this would be a nice addition to the program and let others share stories of what our FFA members are accomplishing."

The funding for the program is thanks to corporate sponsors – CSX Transportation, Valent U.S.A. Corporation and their parent company Sumitomo, Ram Trucks, Tractor Supply Company – and donations from individuals. In addition, an endowment created by Donald and Mira Ball continues to fund the program as well. For more information on how to donate to the program, visit at FFA.org/GIVEBLUE.