Friday April 7 Ag News

NE FFA CONVENTION, DAY 3

The 89th Nebraska FFA Convention fourth general session took place on April 6, 2017 at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska with State Officer Halle Ramsey serving as the session chairperson.

Nebraska FFA welcomed Lieutenant Governor Foley to give remarks.  Lieutenant Governor Foley shared information about the importance of agriculture to Nebraska, and the role of FFA members in the future of agriculture.

The Governor’s Awards of Excellence, sponsored by NIFA, recognizes outstanding projects and activities of agricultural education programs and FFA chapters in Nebraska. These awards are to encourage programs and chapters to develop programming that engages students in solving problems beyond those that exist today. Students are encouraged to apply technology and scientific principles as well as increase agricultural knowledge through student, chapter and community development activities.

$2,500 NIFA Grant Recipients
Crofton
Nebraska City
Omaha Bryan
West Holt

$1,000 NIFA Grant Recipients
Alliance
Blue Hill
Central
Fillmore Central
Franklin
Gothenburg
Humphrey
Johnson County Central
Keya Paha
Lewiston
Lyons-Decatur Northeast
Rock County
St. Paul
The Career Academy
Wheeler Central

Nebraska FFA welcomed Mr. Greg Ibach, Nebraska Department of Agriculture to give remarks.  Mr. Ibach shared information about how Nebraska agriculture has transformed over the last 150 years. “You are the students, and you have the training, the tools, and the opportunities to...meet and transform that challenge (in agriculture.)”

State Officer Nicholas Taylor gave his retiring address entitled “Value Joy!” during the second general session. He encouraged listeners to focus on the things that matter, and the rest will fall into place.

The Nebraska FFA Association relies on the support of exceptional individuals  to provide positive experiences for its members. The VIP Award honors individuals who have dedicated many years of service to the FFA. Fritz Steinhoff as well as Mat & Kyla Habrock received the VIP Awards this year.

The Distinguished Service Citation honors organizations, agencies, businesses or other groups and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Nebraska FFA Association and agricultural education on a state level. This year, the UNL Animal Science Department has been selected as recipients of the 2017 Distinguished Service Award.

The keynote speaker was DeMoine Adams with The Game Plan. DeMoine helped the audience transform the difference between being a leader, and leadership.  He stated, “Leadership is not a noun; leadership is a verb.”



2017 Ag Champions Winners Announced

The Nebraska Corn Board, in partnership with Nebraska FFA, recently recognized six high school FFA students as Ag Champions at the 2017 State FFA Convention in Lincoln. The purpose of the Ag Champions program is to help FFA students find their voices to help advocate for agriculture.

“People are becoming increasingly removed from the farm and from ag production,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, executive director of the Nebraska Corn Board. “This disconnect can result in confusion or distrust of modern agriculture. It’s reassuring to see the entries we received for the 2017 Ag Champions program. Nebraska’s FFA students are tremendous advocates for agriculture and will no doubt become future leaders in our industry.”

This year’s contest focused on using online tools, such as websites, blogs and social media platforms, to develop consistent, positive messages about Nebraska agriculture. Students were asked to create at least six different posts discussing a wide range of topics, such as current agricultural issues, family farming and modern production practices.

“I learned that you really need to adjust your message for your audience,” said Heidi Borg, FFA member at Wakefield Community High School. “We know our industry, but [when talking to others] we really need to be able to communicate in words people understand.”

Throughout the process, students had to think critically to ensure their messaging fit their audiences, while using appropriate media delivery tactics.

“Using technology, I’ve learned you can connect with people who are outside your community and work to bring them inside your community to create a dialogue,” said Miranda Hornung, FFA member at Raymond Central High School.

This year’s Ag Champions award winners are (in alphabetical order):
-    Heidi Borg, senior at Wakefield Community High School
-    Miranda Hornung, junior at Raymond Central High School
-    Aubyrne McClintock, freshman at Wallace High School
-    Amanda Most, junior at Ogallala High School
-    Isabelle Stewart, senior at Lakeview High School
-    Rebekah Vote, freshman at Wallace High School

The six winners each receive $500 scholarships to be used to further their agricultural advocacy efforts through FFA.

This is the third time the Nebraska Corn Board partnered with Nebraska FFA to host the Ag Champions program.



UNIVERSITY RECOGNIZES FUTURE HUSKERS DURING FFA CONVENTION
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln recognized 78 students from Nebraska FFA chapters April 6 who have committed to attend the university in the fall. The inaugural signing ceremony was part of the 89th Nebraska FFA State Convention in Lincoln.

FFA members, advisers, guests, and several university leaders, including Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Harlan Vice Chancellor Mike Boehm and Executive Vice Chancellor Donde Plowman, participated in the event at the NU Coliseum. Nebraska State Sens. Tom Brewer, Steve Erdman and Steve Holloran also attended.

"It has been wonderful to see so many on campus this week that are excited about agriculture and excited about science," Boehm said. "We're thrilled to welcome you to the Husker family and to the industry."

The event took place just a few hours after Ronnie Green was installed as the university's 20th chancellor. Plowman told the FFA members about a special connection they have with Nebraska's new leader.

"It’s a great time to be a Husker. Today we installed a new chancellor who was not only involved in FFA, but he was also an FFA state officer," Plowman said. "Chancellor Green and all of us at the university celebrate you and your commitment to come to campus this fall.'

Following the opening remarks, John Baylor, the voice of Husker volleyball, announced each student along with their hometown and intended major. As the names were announced, they were met with cheers from their fellow FFA members watching in the crowd. After the students signed a large N, Boehm, Plowman and the other dignitaries lined up to congratulate them with a high-five.

"I've always loved the atmosphere at Nebraska, and this event gets me even more excited to come here this fall," said Eric Kovarik of Alma, who participated in the event. Kovarik plans to major in turfgrass and landscape management at Nebraska.

Heidi Borg of Wakefield didn't look at other colleges when deciding on her academic future. She calls herself an advocate for agriculture and plans to major in agriculture business at Nebraska.

"I'm really looking forward to being on East Campus and surrounded by people who are passionate about the same things I'm passionate about," she said.

The state convention brought over 7,000 FFA members, advisers, parents and guests to Lincoln. It featured educational sessions, workshops, a career fair, a leadership academy, interviews and leadership skill sessions. The events are designed to prepare high school students for careers in agriculture, Nebraska's largest and most essential industry.



USDA COLLECTING DATA ON FARMLAND RENTAL RATES

In February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service began contacting Nebraska farmers and ranchers to gather land rental rate information. The results of the Cash Rents and Leases survey will serve as a valuable decision-making tool for farmers and ranchers. Additionally, the results will be used to help establish government payment rates for CRP and other Federal programs.

“This brief survey is our best source of county cash rental rates,” said NASS’ Northern Plains Director Dean Groskurth. “By responding, producers help ensure USDA publishes the most accurate data possible.”

NASS will release State level cash rental rates on August 3, 2017. County level rates for non-irrigated cropland, irrigated cropland, and pastureland will be published on September 8, 2017.

More than 15,700 Nebraska farmers received the survey forms. In addition, NASS offers the option of responding online via a secure internet connection. In April, NASS representatives will begin calling and visiting land operators who have not yet responded.

“NASS will summarize producer responses, providing estimates of average rent and lease rates at the State and County levels,” Groskurth added.

For more information about NASS’ Cash Rents and Leases program, call our Northern Plains Regional Field Office at 800-582-6443. All NASS reports and data are available online at www.nass.usda.gov.



April 8-15 is CASNR Week

The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska--Lincoln has designated April 8-15 as CASNR Week. The 17th annual event celebrates the successes of all CASNR students, faculty, staff and alumni.

The CASNR Week Program Council, a student organization, has planned several events during the week to showcase and honor the college. According to Amanda Clymer, a senior agricultural economics major and member of the organization, the team has been making plans for CASNR Week since last fall.

"This week of celebration is planned, organized and executed by CASNR students. The events are really meant to bring everyone together to celebrate what makes this college so special," she said.

CASNR Week kicks off on April 8 with a 5K Fun Run beginning at 9 a.m. on the East Campus Mall. No preregistration is required to participate. For event information and a course map, visit http://go.unl.edu/fun17.

The CASNR Week Awards Banquet will be held on April 9 at the Nebraska Union. In addition to awards presented to current students, faculty and staff, the CASNR Alumni Association will also honor distinguished alumni.

A blood drive with the Nebraska Community Blood Bank, free lunch at the Nebraska East Union and a community night involving elementary schools near East Campus are other events scheduled for the week. CASNR Week will conclude with the 59th annual UNL Rodeo April 14-15 at the Lancaster Event Center.

"With a variety of events and opportunities, there are numerous ways students can participate and celebrate CASNR," Clymer said.

CASNR Week Schedule:
April 7: 6-8 p.m., Love Hall Chili Feed, Love Hall Memorial
April 7: 7-11 p.m., Bull-a-Thon Bowling Tournament, Lanes 'N Games, Nebraska East Union
April 8: 9 a.m., CASNR 5K Fun Run, East Campus Mall
April 8: 4-8 p.m., Burr-Fedde-Love Bull Fry, Burr Hall
April 9: 5 p.m., CASNR Week Banquet, Nebraska Union, City Campus
April 10: 9 a.m. -- 3 p.m., Nebraska Community Blood Bank Blood Drive, mobile unit on East Campus Mall
April 10: Noon -- 12:50 p.m., CASNR Education Abroad Leaders Luncheon, Nebraska East Union
April 10: 2-4 p.m., Hospitality, Restaurant and Tourism Management Cookie Bake-Off, East Campus Recreation and Wellness Demonstration Kitchen
April 11: 11 a.m. -- 1 p.m., Lunch on the Lawn, Great Plains Room, Nebraska East Union
April 11: 5-7 p.m., Community Night, Great Plains Room, Nebraska East Union
April 12: Noon -- 12:50 p.m., Club Advisor Luncheon, Nebraska East Union
April 12: 4:30 p.m., Heuermann Lecture, Nebraska Innovation Campus
April 12: 5-7 p.m. p.m., Spatterganza Forensic Science Fundraiser, Filley Hall
April 13: Noon-12:50 p.m., Ron & Marilyn Hanson Undergraduate TA Luncheon, Nebraska East Union
April 13: 5-8 p.m., Sigma Alpha/Alpha Gamma Rho Hog Roast, AGR House, East Campus
April 14: 7 p.m., University of Nebraska Rodeo Association Rodeo, Lancaster Event Center
April 15: 1 and 7 p.m., University of Nebraska Rodeo Association Rodeo, Lancaster Event Center

For more information, contact CASNR Week Program Council advisors Karen Jackson at 402-472-7903 or Diane Wasser at 402-472-6251.

CASNR is in the University's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.



Borlaug to Address Biotechnology Topic April 12 @ SDSU

The South Dakota State University Swine Club, along with various campus organizations and industry partners, will host a presentation by Julie Borlaug on April 12 to address the controversy surrounding the use of biotechnology in food production.

Her presentation takes place at 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center on the SDSU campus. There is no charge to attend the event, but a free-will donation of canned goods for the Brookings Food Pantry is appreciated.

"As society moves farther and farther away from modern production agriculture, it creates a potential disconnect between the people who raise the food and the ones that consume it," explains Madelyn Regier, SDSU Swine Club President and an Agricultural Education and Animal Science major. "The SDSU Swine Club believes that it is essential for consumers and the general public to better understand modern agriculture so we can all work together in feeding the world's growing population in a safe and sustainable manner."

Julie Borlaug is the granddaughter of Norman E. Borlaug, Father of the Green Revolution. She serves as the Assistant Director of Partnerships at the Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture at Texas A&M University.

Since the passing of her grandfather, Julie has worked to continue his legacy through developing agricultural partnerships between public, private and philanthropic groups to further the Borlaug legacy and expand upon his mission to feed the world's hungry. She has spent her career in the nonprofit sector and has worked for organizations such as the Salvation Army and the American Cancer Society as Director of Development. She recently transitioned into her new role as Assistant Director of Partnerships in order to champion her grandfather's legacy and lend a voice to his desire to create more successful collaborative partnerships between the public and private sectors in order to ensure the continuation of breakthroughs in international agriculture.

Co-sponsors of this event include the South Dakota Pork Producers Council, the SDSU College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, the South Dakota Farm Bureau, the South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, the South Dakota Wheat Commission, and SDSU Collegiate FFA.

The SDSU Swine Club is a student-led organization dedicated to generating interest, building understanding and providing opportunities for growth in the swine industry. For more information contact Madelyn Regier, SDSU Swine Club President, by email, or 507-822-5944, or Swine Club Advisor Robert Thaler, professor and SDSU Extension Swine Specialist by email, 605-688-5435.



PORK PRODUCERS LOBBY CONGRESS ON IMPORTANT ISSUES

The National Pork Producers Association this week held its spring Legislative Action Conference in Washington, D.C., with about 125 pork producers from 19 states attending the biannual fly-in.

Among the issues on which producers lobbied their congressional lawmakers were getting a free trade agreement with Japan and maintaining in the North American Free Trade Agreement zero-tariff market access for pork being exported to Mexico and Canada. They also urged members of Congress to support establishing a Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccine bank, repealing a U.S. Department of Agriculture regulation – the so-called GIPSA rule – that would restrict the buying and selling of livestock and reforming the immigration system to ensure that the industry has access to a stable workforce.

The organization’s Capitol Hill-famous congressional reception, renamed the Congressional Bacon Fest, drew a large crowd of pork producers, congressional staffers and members of Congress.



Senate to Vote on Perdue Nomination on April 24

Following a unanimous consent request from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Senate is now scheduled to vote at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 24, on President Trump's nomination of former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue to be Agriculture Secretary.

The vote comes after the Senate Agriculture Committee held a confirmation hearing on his nomination on March 23, and a vote out of Committee on March 30. Last Friday, a coalition of 16 agriculture organizations sent a letter to Senate leadership urging them to bring up Governor Perdue for a vote as quickly as possible.

The Department of Agriculture has been without a confirmed Secretary for over two months. This week, the Senate has been debating the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to fill the vacant seat on the U.S. Supreme Court, which has consumed most of the floor time for the week. Additionally, the Senate Finance Committee was slated to hold a vote on the nomination of Robert Lighthizer to serve as the U.S. Trade Representative this week, but the Committee vote was unable to move forward. Following this week, both the Senate and House of Representatives will have two weeks of recess before returning into session on April 24. That week will be busy, starting with a confirmation vote on Perdue followed by necessary action to pass a funding bill for the remainder of FY 2017 prior to the expiration of the current Continuing Resolution on April 28.