Tuesday February 21 Ag News

Repealing The Death Tax
Senator Deb Fischer

Nebraska has a long, proud tradition of family owned businesses. Walk down any street, in any town in our beautiful state, and you’ll find them: the furniture store, the auto parts shop, the dry cleaner, the pharmacy. Like our family owned farms and ranches, each one of these businesses provides a valuable service to our people. Together, they make our communities stronger and more vibrant.

Building a family business is hard work. It demands passion, drive, and an unbounded willingness to work. It means long days and longer nights, the anxiety of meeting payroll, and the pressure of performing well. It is also profoundly satisfying. With that work comes the deep joy of a job well done, the dignity of honest labor, and the knowledge that the business can be passed down to one’s children. More than a job, for these small business owners, their work is part of a legacy that reaches through time, generation to generation.

But because of our broken tax code, many family business owners cannot hand down to their children their life’s work.

The reason? The federal estate tax, commonly called the “death tax.”

To quote the Internal Revenue Service, “the estate tax is a tax on your right to transfer property at your death.” Because of it, those family businesses with property valued above a set amount cannot hand down to their children the family legacy – unless those children pay up.

That’s right. Rising generations of small business owners, the backbone of America’s economy, must pay Uncle Sam before they can take possession of something their family already owns.

The death tax hits these families hard. Their wealth is in their business and the equipment they use to run it. They are cash-poor and asset-rich, but the death tax turns their assets into liabilities. Many times, the children of these families want to follow the path of their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. But those who cannot pay the tax find themselves forced onto a different road.

Often, it takes them far from home.

The death tax harms our Nebraskan way of life. It hurts our economy. It is time for it to go.

In the Senate, I have cosponsored the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2017. Introduced by Senator John Thune of South Dakota, this bill would permanently repeal the federal estate tax.

Our bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. It would also make permanent the maximum 35 percent gift tax rate and the lifetime gift tax exemption.

Repealing this tax is good policy. It’s also the right thing to do.

Government, when at its best, unleashes the human spirit and rewards families for accepting a risk and working hard. It dignifies their labor. The death tax does just the opposite. Government at its worst, it punishes that spirit, seeking instead to take its cut of a lifetime of hard work, risk, and reward. It erodes that proud legacy shared across generations.

By repealing the death tax, we can help strengthen Nebraska’s proud tradition of family businesses. I am hopeful that we will.



NEW COALITION CALLS FOR PROPERTY TAX REFORM & SUSTAINABLE FUNDING FOR HIGH QUALITY K-12 EDUCATION

Taxpayers, local school board members, superintendents, agriculture and education groups from across Nebraska today announced they have joined forces to create a coalition called Nebraskans United for Property Tax Reform and Education. The coalition which was formed in support of these two principles:

PRINCIPLE #1
Adequate and sustainable funding of high quality K-12 education is imperative for the future of Nebraska.
·       A well-educated workforce is essential for economic development and a high quality of life.
·       Education reduces poverty, boosts economic growth and increases income. In sum, education is one of the most important investments a state can make in its people and its future.
·       Low levels of state funding for education is at the heart of Nebraska’s property tax issues, not school spending.

PRINCIPLE #2
Tax reform which reduces the over-reliance on local property taxes is necessary to ensure our tax system is fair to all Nebraska taxpayers.
·       Nebraska must reduce property taxes to ensure a fair and balanced tax system.
   o   Nebraska ranks 49th in the country in the percentage of K-12 funding that comes from the state.
   o   Nebraskans pays the 7th highest effective property tax rate in the nation.
·       To fund the state budget, we need a tax system that is fair and balanced for all Nebraska taxpayers. Nebraska’s taxpayers need a significant reduction in property taxes.
    o   Nebraska K-12 schools receive 33% of their funding from state sources while the national average is 47%.
    o   Nebraska K-12 schools receive 49% of their funding from local property taxes while the national average is 29%.

Quality education opportunities for our children are critical to the well-being of our communities, our economy and our state. To ensure the future of Nebraska we must provide a more diverse means of funding our schools and end our over reliance on property taxes to carry this responsibility,” said Steve Nelson, President of Nebraska Farm Bureau.

“ICON represents cow-calf operators with hundreds of members across Nebraska.  Our members are enthusiastic supporters of their local schools, which consume the lion’s share of a property tax bill.  Our segment of the cattle industry is at a breaking point.  With gross receipts declining by 50% across the grass counties, property tax reform cannot be kicked down the road any longer, and rural students should not be forced to cut programs because Nebraska is unwilling to step up and provide adequate state support for K-12 education.  We enthusiastically joined this coalition to demand that our Governor and Legislature find a solution,” said Al Davis, Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska.

“Nebraska Farmers Union enthusiastically joins this broad based coalition of education and property tax stakeholders to support appropriate funding for K-12 education and desperately needed property tax relief. Family farm agriculture is facing the worst financial crisis since the mid 1980’s with three years of below the costs of production commodity prices and more low prices forecast. We urge all impacted organizations and citizens to set aside their differences and get involved in the legislative process so that our combined efforts can push for the long overdue reforms in our state tax system.  Now is the time for all of us to work together for the good of our children and property owners across our state,” said John Hansen, President of Nebraska Farmers Union.

“It is an honor to work with this growing coalition to reduce property taxes while protecting funding for our public schools.  Coalition members come from all geographic parts of the state and all economic sectors: from Omaha to Chadron, homeowners, school board members, farmers, small business owners, public school leaders and others.  All believe that adequate and sustainable funding of high-quality K-12 education that will reduce our over-reliance on local property taxes is imperative for Nebraska’s future.  This should be Priority #1 throughout the legislative session,” said Mike Lucas, Superintendent of York Public Schools; President of Schools Taking Action for Nebraska Children’s Education (STANCE).

“The quality of our educational system and staff is threatened now more than ever by surrounding states advancing their educational revenues with increases in state sales tax. Our coalition is expressing the need for dire change now before permanent damage is done to the ones we care about the most, our children across greater Nebraska,” said Boone Huffman, Board of Education Member, Chadron Public Schools.

“Reform of Nebraska's antiquated property taxing system to support local schools is way past due. Taxes on Nebraska's crop and pasture ground bear too large a burden. We strongly support public schools and funding them. We urge protecting two of Nebraska's greatest assets: Our children and agriculture,” said Doug Nienhueser, Nebraska Fair.

“Nebraskans want – and they support – quality public schools for their children and grandchildren. They also want a balanced system for financing schools. But our heavy reliance on property taxes and low state support has created inequities. Let me be clear: Nebraska’s elected school board members are thrifty stewards of tax revenue dollars. The problem driving the increase in property taxes is that the state is not doing its share. Nebraska is 49th in the nation in state aid to education. There is a strong correlation between state aid investment and property tax rates. When state aid does not keep up, property taxes go up that much faster to make up the difference. The solution is evident. If the state hopes lower property taxes, state aid is the answer,” said Nancy Fulton, president of the Nebraska State Education Association.

“The coalition of Nebraskans demanding property tax reform continues to grow. The legislature needs to act this year to balance Nebraska’s tax code,” said Trent Fellers Executive Director of Reform for Nebraska’s Future.

"I’m a retired teacher from Hampton and currently serve on the York Board of Education. We are thankful for this growing coalition that represents over 85% of the school board members and school districts in Nebraska. We're excited to stand together with all of these organizations, and those to come, to encourage our lawmakers to protect high quality public education funding while reducing our over-reliance on local property taxes. This has to be a top priority," said Barb Skaden, York Board of Education, retired teacher from Hampton.

“A unique relationship has been established amongst urban and rural communities in Nebraska with regard to protecting school funding and property tax relief. GNSA proudly supports this coalition and is encouraged that this partnership foundationally believes adequate and sustainable funding of high-quality K-12 education that will reduce our over-reliance on local property taxes is imperative to Nebraska's future,” said Dr. Rob Winter, Executive Director, Greater Nebraska Schools Association.

Nebraskans United includes property owners, ag and education groups, school board members, superintendents (representing all school districts across the state) and other taxpayers across Nebraska, we urge the Legislature to act and balance the state's property tax system. Nebraska needs a more equitable system to fund the state's education priorities into the state's future.

Groups participating in today’s news conference include:
Nebraska Farm Bureau                                              
Nebraska State Education Association
Reform for Nebraska’s Future                                   
Nebraska Council of School Administrators
Nebraska Corn Growers Association                       
Nebraska Farmers Union
Women Involved in Farm Economics                       
Nebraska Soybean Association
Nebraska Pork Producers                                         
The Nebraska Wheat Growers
Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association  
Nebraska Fair
Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska                        
Gage County Property Tax Group
Greater Nebraska Schools Association: Bellevue, Bennington, Blair, Columbus, Elkhorn, Fremont, Gering, Grand Island, Gretna, Hastings, Kearney, Lexington, Lincoln, McCook, Millard, Norfolk, Norris, North Platte, Omaha, Papillion-La Vista, Plattsmouth, Ralston, Schuyler, South Sioux City, Westside Community Public Schools.
Schools Taking Action for Nebraska Children’s Education: Beatrice, Blair, Chadron, Columbus, Crete, Fairbury, Gothenburg, Holdrege, Nebraska City, Norris, Seward, South Sioux City, Wahoo, Waverly, York Public Schools



New Nebraska Dairy Princess Crowned in Columbus

Marta Pulfer, a 17-year-old from Wayne, Nebraska, was crowned the Nebraska Dairy Princess during the annual Nebraska State Dairy Convention in Columbus Feb. 21.

Pulfer is the daughter of Kent and Jodi Pulfer, and is a senior at Wayne High School. Her role as princess will be to make public appearances to help people understand the dedication of dairy farm families to their cows, their land and the milk they produce. Midwest Dairy Association sponsors the dairy princess program on behalf of Nebraska’s dairy farm families.

The new princess was a state delegate to the National 4-H Dairy Conference and has shown dairy, horses, dogs and cats at the Wayne County Fair, along with exhibiting dogs and a veterinary science project on dairy reproduction at the Nebraska State Fair. Her school involvement has included speech, music, cross-country and National Honor Society, and she is active in her church.

Pulfer plans to attend Texas A&M University next fall to earn a degree in biomedical engineering while pursuing pre-veterinary medicine.

The Nebraska Dairy Princess receives a scholarship from Midwest Dairy Association.



January Milk Production up 2.7 Percent
                       
Milk production in the 23 major States during January totaled 17.0 billion pounds, up 2.7 percent from January 2016. December revised production, at 16.8 billion pounds, was up 2.6 percent from December 2015.  The December revision represented a decrease of 2 million pounds or less than 0.1 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate.

Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,957 pounds for January, 37 pounds above January 2016. This is the highest production per cow for the month of January since the 23 State series began in 2003.

The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.69 million head, 67,000 head more than January 2016, and 5,000 head more than December 2016.

Milk production in Iowa during January 2017 totaled 433 million pounds, up 4 percent from the previous January according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during January, at 215,000 head, was the same as last month but 5,000 more than last year. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,015 pounds, up 30 pounds from last January.



2016 Annual Milk Production up 1.8 Percent from 2015

The annual production of milk for the United States during 2016 was 212 billion pounds, 1.8 percent above 2015. Revisions to 2015 production decreased the annual total 36 million pounds.  Revised 2016 production was down 76 million pounds from last month's publication. Annual total milk production has increased 14.4 percent from 2007.

Production per cow in the United States averaged 22,774 pounds for 2016, 378 pounds above 2015. The average annual rate of milk production per cow has increased 12.7 percent from 2007.

The average number of milk cows on farms in the United States during 2016 was 9.33 million head, up 0.2 percent from 2015. The average number of milk cows was revised down 5,000 head for 2016. The average annual number of milk cows has increased 1.5 percent from 2007.



Scholarships Available from Iowa State Dairy Association

The Iowa State Dairy Association (ISDA) will award 14 $500 college scholarships to those associated with the organization. The scholarships are available to members, or to children or grandchildren of an ISDA member, as well as to employees or the children of employees. The deadline for applications is March 17.

The ISDA is a membership organization of dairy producers and industry members. Those who wish to join or to renew are invited to access the membership information at IowaDairy.org.

Applicants for the scholarship must be full-time students at an accredited college or university, or be planning to attend next fall. Applications and guidelines for an essay can be found at IowaDairy.org.



Save the date for Iowa Swine Day 2017 - June 29 in Ames, IA

Please be advised that Iowa Swine Day 2017 will be held on June 29th starting at 9:00 am in the Scheman Building on the Iowa State University campus; this maintains our practice of holding the event on the last Thursday in June.

This year’s conference – the 6th – will follow the same structure as in past years, with a plenary session in the morning followed by 3 concurrent sessions in the afternoon. There will be 16 presentations in total.  Topics include:
·         Planning for a secure pork supply in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak (Dr. Jim Roth, Iowa State University)
·         The future state of the U.S. pork industry (Mark Greenwood, AgStar Financial Services)
·         Gene editing for animal agriculture: Practice and possibilities (Dr. Randy Prather, University of Missouri)
·         Can diet be used to improve gut health? What role does drinking water play? (Dr. John Patience, Iowa State University)
·         Countering misperceptions about the use of science in meat production (Dr. Joe Schwarcz, McGill University)
·         VFD’s: What have we learned in their implementation (Dr. Jeff Verzal, Iowa Dept. of Agriculture and Land Stewardship)
·         Update on viruses: Seneca, PRRSv, PEDv, etc (Dr. Pablo Pineyro, Iowa State University)
·         What is on the horizon for new engineering technologies applied to hog barns (Drs. Jay Harmon and Steve Hoff and Brett Ramirez, Iowa State University)
+ 8 other topics

More than 500 people registered last year, about a quarter of whom came from outside Iowa. More than 2.5 million sows were represented, along with many major feed, pharmaceutical, genetics and equipment companies.

Sponsorship has been very, very important to the success of Iowa Swine Day. Some 40 sponsors help to keep our registration costs very low, while at the same time providing top quality speakers.

As in previous years, a Program Committee made up of pork producers from across the state selected the topics and in many cases the speakers invited to Iowa Swine Day again this year.

The Organizing Committee consists of Drs. Jason Ross, Jay Harmon, Chris Rademacher, Ken Stalder and John Patience, with tremendous administrative support from Brent Pringnitz, Dessie Schroeder and Julie Roberts.

Further details will follow.  As in previous years, a BBQ organized by AB Vista and Techmix will follow the program.



2016 U.S. Pork Exports Show Impressive Progress

At year-end 2016, U.S. pork exports showed impressive progress following a challenging 2015. In 2016, 5.1 billion pounds of pork and pork variety meats valued at $5.94 billion dollars were exported, up 8 percent and 7 percent respectively from 2015, according to the USDA.

“We saw a strong 2016 for U.S. pork exports, but we still face challenges with increased global competition and a stronger U.S. dollar,” said Becca Nepple, vice president of international marketing for the Pork Checkoff. “The Checkoff is committed to bolstering its partnership with international customers through additional funding of in-country promotions of U.S. pork with the U.S. Meat Export Federation.”

On average, U.S. pork and pork variety meat exports accounted for 25.8 percent of total pork production in 2016. Export value returned an average $50.20 per head back to producers.

During 2016, more than 100 countries around the world imported U.S. pork.
-    The top five markets by volume were Mexico (1.61 billion pounds), China/Hong Kong (1.21 billion pounds), Japan (854.8 million pounds), Canada (452.2 million pounds) and Central and South America (299.7 million pounds).
-    The top five markets by value were Japan ($1.56 billion), Mexico ($1.355 billion), China and Hong Kong ($1.075 billion), Canada ($798.5 million) and Korea ($365.1 million).

With more pork available in the U.S., the National Pork Board recently approved an increase of 12.7 percent in funding for 2017 export market activities. This financial commitment translates into tangible marketing activities that increase U.S. pork exports to emerging and developing markets.

According to Nepple, promotions and marketing activities will focus on displacing other proteins and global competitors and on promoting larger pork cuts.



House Ag Committee Chairman to Speak at Commodity Classic

U.S. Congressman Mike Conaway, chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, will address the thousands of attendees at the 2017 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, March 2-4, 2017.

Congressman Conaway will speak during the popular General Session, which takes place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 3.

Serving his seventh term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Conaway represents 29 counties in Texas’ 11th congressional district, including the cities of Midland, Odessa and San Angelo.  A native Texan, he grew up in Odessa and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from Texas A&AM University-Commerce.  A conservative Republican, Rep. Conaway’s background as a CPA gives him a unique perspective on fiscal responsibility.

In addition to his role as chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Conaway also serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

“We are very pleased that Congressman Conaway has agreed to address Commodity Classic attendees,” said Ed Erickson, Jr., a North Dakota soybean farmer and co-chair of the 2017 Commodity Classic.  “With the change in administration in Washington, DC, the next Farm Bill due for debate, and discussions on international trade policy, the farmers attending Commodity Classic will be very interested to hear from one of the nation’s ag policy leaders on a wide range of issues.”

In addition to Congressman Conaway’s remarks, the General Session will include a presentation from John O’Leary, one of the most popular inspirational speakers on the circuit.  After suffering severe burns and amputations as a child, O’Leary shares a message of navigating adversity through decision-making, revealing a brighter vision for what’s possible and living boldly to impact others.

The General Session also features comments from the leadership of the four presenting commodity associations:  American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Sorghum Producers.   A representative of the fifth Commodity Classic sponsor, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), will also make remarks.

All registration and housing reservations for Commodity Classic should be made online at www.commodityclassic.com.  Experient is the official registration and housing provider for Commodity Classic.  Check the website for a listing of the official Commodity Classic hotels to secure your hotel accommodations.

Attendees may register for all three days of Commodity Classic or register for one day only.  For example, Friday registration includes the General Session, the early morning live taping of U.S. Farm Report, access to the huge Commodity Classic trade show with 425 exhibiting companies, the AG CONNECT Main Stage programs, and a wide range of educational sessions and technical presentations.  After the event, registrants will also be able to access on-line videos of selected educational sessions that took place on the days for which they were registered.

The 2017 Commodity Classic will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.  The convention center will house most Commodity Classic events, including the Opening Reception, General Session, Evening of Entertainment, Trade Show, Learning Center Sessions and What’s New Sessions.

A detailed schedule of events is also available on the website.

Established in 1996, Commodity Classic is America's largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and trade show, produced by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers, and Association of Equipment Manufacturers.



AFBF Joins Groups in Support of Farm Bill Funding

Reduced spending under the 2014 farm bill contributed greatly to the nation’s deficit reduction effort. However, additional cuts to the 2018 farm bill would present perils on many fronts, a diverse coalition today told congressional appropriations and budget leaders.

In a letter, 502 different groups, representing a wide range of constituents – from agriculture and nutrition assistance to rural development, conservation and local governments, said additional funding cuts would “hinder development and passage of the 2018 Farm Bill.”

Support for the letter was spearheaded by the American Farm Bureau Federation, Bread for the World, Feeding America, the Food Research & Action Center, the National Association of Counties, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.

The letter strongly urged the congressional leaders “to reject calls for additional cuts” during a time when the agricultural and rural economies are showing stress, a significant number of American households financially are struggling to meet basic nutrition needs and U.S. farm income has declined 46 percent from only three years ago.

The last farm bill contributed $23 billion in savings to deficit reduction over 10 years at the time of passage, the letter states. That was the first time when spending for a farm bill was voluntarily reduced before Congress even began considering the measure.

“It was the only reauthorization bill in that Congress that voluntarily offered savings,” the letter said. “These difficult cuts resulted from hard choices made to reform and reduce the farm safety net, conservation initiatives, and nutrition assistance.”

In reality, savings from the 2014 farm bill was far more. The Congressional Budget Office’s January 2017 baseline estimates spending on nutrition and crop insurance alone was nearly $100 billion less than projected, while mandatory‎ federal spending outside the Agriculture Committees’ jurisdiction has risen over the same time period.

“We have all begun preparing for the 2018 Farm Bill and recognize that passing a bill with additional funding reductions would be extremely difficult, if not impossible,” the letter said. “Therefore, as the Senate and House Agriculture Committees begin preparing for the 2018 Farm Bill, it is imperative that the committees not be hamstrung by further budget or appropriations cuts to any farm bill program.”

The groups strongly encourage congressional leaders “to recognize the substantial savings already achieved, which far exceed expectations, and to provide the (Agriculture) committees the opportunity to complete their work through regular order, without arbitrary budget cuts or caps.”

“We know the (Agriculture) committees will once again face challenging budgetary and policy choices in the development of the 2018 Farm Bill,” the letter said. “That is why it is so important you ensure the committee process for the farm bill can proceed with some budget flexibility.”



American Ethanol Fuels NASCAR for 7th Season
   
The 69th NASCAR season kicks off this weekend during the Daytona 500. Amid all of the usual team, driver and sponsor paint-out design changes, Monster Energy also takes over as the Cup Series title sponsor, replacing Sprint. One thing that remains unchanged, however, is American Ethanol's footprint in the sport. "For the seventh straight year in a row, Sunoco Green E15 - a fuel blended with 15% American Ethanol - will power NASCAR," commented NCGA President Wesley Spurlock. "It's clear NASCAR is sticking with this winner. With over 500 million miles driven on E15 by American consumers, it looks as if E15 is also a proven winner at the pump." 

Also unchanged this season is American Ethanol's partnership with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) driver Austin Dillon. Last year, Dillon's racing accomplishments raised American Ethanol's exposure on the track. In last season's first American Ethanol paint-out, Dillon won the pole position in the Cup race at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. He picked up another pole award at Texas Motor Speedway, secured his first Chase berth, advanced to the championship's Round of 12 and finished the season 14th in point standings. Dillon's achievements coupled with NASCAR surpassing 10 million successful miles racing on E15, made 2016 a seminal year for American Ethanol.

American Ethanol also enjoyed an elevated profile off-track. Over the past year, the number of states selling E15 doubled. Consumers can now purchase E15 in 28 states at more than 630 gas stations, and can expect E15's availability to expand even more in 2017. 

Be sure to catch Austin Dillon in the No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet at the following 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races:
March 26 - Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California
May 13 - Go Bowling 400 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas
July 1 - Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida
July 30 - Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania
September 3 - Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina
October 15 - Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama



CWT Assists with 1.3 Million Pounds of Cheese Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 6 requests for export assistance on contracts to sell 1.347 million pounds (611 metric tons) of Cheddar cheese to customers in Asia and Oceania. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from February through May 2017.

So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 8.374 million pounds of American-type cheeses, and 1.323 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) to 10 countries on three continents. The sales are the equivalent of 107.057 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program in the long term helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively affects all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



Feed a Bee launches RFP for $500,000 pollinator forage initiative

Bayer, in coordination with the new Feed a Bee steering committee, today announced a call for proposals to establish additional forage for pollinators in all 50 states by 2018. Bayer’s Feed a Bee program, currently in its third year, has rallied more than 900,000 individuals and 117 partner organizations to plant more than 2 billion wildflowers across the U.S., creating and expanding forage areas for pollinators. Through this new initiative, Feed a Bee will build on the success of the program to fund forage initiatives and plantings for pollinators in every state in the U.S., working with organizations across the nation.  

To further the reach of Feed a Bee and contribute to additional forage development, the Feed a Bee Steering Committee, comprised of more than a dozen Feed a Bee partners, including R.D. Offutt Company, Sweet Virginia Foundation, Project Apis m., amongst others, as well as representatives from the Bayer Bee Care Program, will distribute $500,000 in funding over the next two years.

“We convened the steering committee to address an extreme need, now more than ever, to invest in forage and planting initiatives across the country,” said Dr. Becky Langer, project manager, North American Bee Health, Crop Science, a division of Bayer. “Today’s announcement represents a collaborative effort of some of the leading bee health stakeholders who are making it our mission to support the expansion of these programs and make sure organizations in every state in the U.S. have the opportunity to bring their pollinator initiatives to life.”

The committee is requesting forage initiative proposals that will promote pollinator health and help provide a tangible solution to the current lack of forage. Organizations including, but not limited to, nonprofits, growers (individual and trade groups), beekeepers (individual and associations), businesses, schools, clubs, gardening groups, government agencies, etc. are encouraged to submit a proposal.

Forage initiatives in each state must include the following priorities to be considered for funding:
1. Establishing pollinator forage via a dedicated planting or habitat restoration led by the applying organization. Examples of activities may include but are not limited to establishing a pollinator garden, increasing acreage of existing forage, management of right of way vegetation, restoration of native habitat land, etc. Location must be viable and able to support pollinator forage plants (wildflowers, ornamentals or trees) and pollinators, including (but not limited to) farms, community/urban gardens, schools, rights-of-way, etc.
2. Education initiative encouraging others to establish pollinator forage. Promote pollinator education to third parties, sharing with them the importance of planting diverse, abundant forage to provide pollinators with enough food.

Proposals should address one or more of the above priority areas and include:
Executive project summary (500 words max.)
Requested dollar amount with itemized budget
Proposal – background, objective, methods, results
Partners involved in project
Project site – If requesting funds for planting, is the site currently available or still to be identified? How will it be maintained after installation?
Funding will be distributed in grants of $1,000; $2,500 or $5,000, and proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis. Proposals submitted before March 31, 2017 will be considered for initiatives and events to occur July – September 2017. The first projects funded will be announced during National Pollinator Week, June 19-25, 2017.   Visit FeedABee.com/Impact beginning March 3, 2017, for more information on how to submit proposals.

The Feed a Bee Steering Committee members forging this program forward with the help of facilitator Sarah Myers, education lead at the Bayer Bee Care Center, include:
Barry Nevaras, Massey Services
Becky Langer, Bayer Bee Health
Billy Synk, Project Apis m.
Dan Price, Sweet Virginia Foundation
Diane Wilson, Applewood Seed
Doris Mold, American Agri-Women
Keith Norris, The Wildlife Society
Nikki Hindle, Ernst Conservation Seed
Rick Johnstone, IVM Partners
Sandy Farber, University of D.C.
Scott Longing, Texas Tech University
Scott Witte, The Bee Barometer Project at Cantigny Golf
Vince Restucci, R.D. Offutt Company
Zac Browning, Honey Bee and Monarch Butterfly Partnership

Feed a Bee is one of several programs sponsored by Bayer’s Bee Care Program, continuing its nearly 30 years of supporting bee health. For more information on Bayer’s bee health initiatives, please visit: http://beehealth.bayer.us. You can also follow and share with us on Twitter @BayerBeeCare, on Facebook at facebook.com/BayerBeeCareCenter and view photos on Flickr.