Thursday November 15 Ag News

Rural Mainstreet Index Lowest in 10 Months: Over One-Third of Bank CEOs Want Tariffs Cut

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index for November fell below growth neutral for the first time since January of this year, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.    

Overall: The overall index sank to 49.9, its first sub-growth neutral reading since January of this year, and down from October’s 54.3. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral.

“Our surveys over the last several months indicate the Rural Mainstreet economy is expanding outside of agriculture. However, the negative impacts of tariffs and low agriculture commodity prices continue to weaken the farm sector,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business. 

Approximately 37.5 percent of bank CEOs support reducing recently enacted tariffs on imported goods.

Jeffrey Gerhart, CEO of the Bank of Newman Grove, Newman Grove, Nebraska, said, “Farmers continue to feel the negative impact of tariffs and that impacts their ability to make a buck. Farmers do not need this kind disruption in their markets. This is bad policy from the White House.”

Farming and ranching: The farmland and ranchland-price for November increased to 35.9 from 34.8 in October. This is the 60th straight month the index has fallen below growth neutral 50.0. 

Bank CEOs were asked to estimate the change in farm loan defaults over the next year in their area. On average, bankers project that farm loan defaults will rise by 5.0 percent over the next year.

The November farm equipment-sales index fell to 30.6 from October’s 33.3. This marks the 63rd consecutive month that the reading has moved below growth neutral 50.0.

Below are the state reports:
Iowa: The November RMI for Iowa slumped to 48.7 from October’s 53.5. Iowa’s farmland-price index increased to 35.6 from October’s 34.6. Iowa’s new-hiring index for November climbed to 60.7 from October’s 59.8. Over the past 12 months, Iowa’s Rural Mainstreet economy added jobs at a 0.1 percent pace, while urban areas in the state increased jobs by 1.7 percent.  

Nebraska: The Nebraska RMI for November slumped to 49.5 from October’s 54.2. The state’s farmland-price index rose to 35.9 from last month’s 34.9. Nebraska’s new-hiring index dipped to 64.1 from 64.5 in October. Over the past 12 months, Nebraska’s Rural Mainstreet economy added jobs at a 1.1 percent pace, while urban areas in the state increased jobs by 2.1 percent.  

Each month, community bank presidents and CEOs in nonurban agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of a 10-state area are surveyed regarding current economic conditions in their communities and their projected economic outlooks six months down the road. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming are included.  

This survey represents an early snapshot of the economy of rural agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of the nation. The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) is a unique index covering 10 regional states, focusing on approximately 200 rural communities with an average population of 1,300. It gives the most current real-time analysis of the rural economy. Goss and Bill McQuillan, former chairman of the Independent Community Banks of America, created the monthly economic survey in 2005.



Fueling with ethanol yields $6,100 for local cancer center

Throughout October, drivers raised more than $6,100 for cancer research by choosing American Ethanol blends at select Nebraska retail stations participating in Fuel the Cure.

Fuel the Cure is a Nebraska awareness promotion designed to bring attention to the benefits of cleaner-burning American Ethanol blends available throughout the state. For every gallon of ethanol-blended fuel – E15 to flex fuel E85 – purchased between Oct. 1-31, the participating fuel station donated 3 cents per gallon with proceeds benefitting the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.

While biofuels and cancer research may seem like an unlikely pairing, research shows that using more biofuels leads to less air pollution. According to the American Lung Association, up to 70 percent of ground-level ozone-forming pollutants come from mobile-source emissions.

“Gasoline contains as many as 300 different chemicals,” said Sarah Caswell, Nebraska Ethanol Board administrator. “Some of these chemicals are known and suspected to cause cancer. Higher blends of biofuel dilute the level of toxic additives in our fuel, which helps reduce pollution and the threat to public health. Ethanol is the safest component in gasoline today.”

The mission of the Fred & Pamela Cancer Center is to understand, prevent and cure cancer in Nebraska through premier educational programs, innovative research, the highest quality patient care, and outreach to underserved populations. Representatives from the Nebraska Ethanol Board and Nebraska Corn Board presented a donation check to the Cancer Center Nov. 15.

“This has been a great partnership for us because we want to share the positive benefits of cleaner-burning American Ethanol,” said David Bruntz, Nebraska Corn Board chairman and farmer from Friend. “Fuel the Cure helps us achieve this goal while aiding in cancer research. I look forward to seeing this awareness campaign continue to grow with more participating fuel retailers and more drivers choosing ethanol-blended fuels.”

The Nebraska Corn and Ethanol Boards, along with Renewable Fuels Nebraska, sponsor Fuel the Cure in conjunction with retail stations. To see the full list of stations that donated funds, visit www.fuelthecure.pink.



EXPERTS AT NEBRASKA RELEASE ESTIMATED 2019 CROP PRODUCTION BUDGETS

Experts from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln have prepared 78 budgets on 15 crops, predicting price expectations for input costs for 2019.

In comparing several corn and wheat budgets from 2018 to 2019, total costs for field operations, materials and services have increased. For example, with dryland, no-till, continuous corn with a 125-bushel yield, experts estimate materials and services will be $6.89 per acre higher in 2019. Pivot-irrigated corn with a 245-bushel yield would see an anticipated $30.45-per-acre increase in materials and services.

In addition to estimating a total cost of production per acre and per-bushel cost, including opportunity cost for land use, each budget shows the cash costs of production. The budgets do not estimate returns.

The largest increase in costs for the 2019 budgets as compared to 2018 is for nitrogen fertilizer, with a price increase of about 20 percent. Phosphorus fertilizer has increased about 11 percent. Fuel costs were adjusted higher with land costs adjusted slightly lower, based on the Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report. 

Material and service costs for the budgets were researched by a team led by Robert Klein, extension cropping systems specialist. Glennis McClure, extension educator in agricultural economics, and Roger Wilson, retired extension farm management analyst, worked together to format and publish the budgets.

“It’s important to note that the crop budgets include cost estimates based on assumptions,” McClure said. “The prepared budgets are available as a guide and should be examined carefully prior to being used for decision making by individual producers.”

To view the 2019 crop budgets, visit https://cropwatch.unl.edu or https://agecon.unl.edu/budgets.



 2018 Nebraska Farm Bureau Silver Eagle Award Honors Ron Hanson

Nebraska Farm Bureau has selected Dr. Ron Hanson Harlan Agribusiness Emeritus Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) as the 2018 recipient of its highest honor, the Silver Eagle Award. The award will be presented to Hanson on Dec. 4 at the 2018 Nebraska Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Kearney.

Dr. Hanson was raised on an Illinois family farm. He earned his undergraduate BS degree from Western Illinois University and both his MS and PhD graduate degrees from the University of Illinois. He joined the UNL faculty in 1974 and completed a 43-year career teaching and advising agribusiness students in the Ag Economics Department in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

“If you have gone to UNL you have most likely taken a class from Dr. Hanson, and you are a better person for it. During his teaching and advising career he has earned 26 university and national recognitions. He has been selected as the Outstanding College Ag Instructor for the Central U.S. Region and has received the John Deere Agribusiness Teaching Award of Excellence. He has been recognized by the University Parents Association 19 times, the most of any UNL faculty member,” Steve Nelson, president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau said.

Dr. Hanson is regarded as a keynote speaker on the topic of farm/ranch family ownership succession and the transition of management control to the next generation of young farm and ranch producers.  These efforts are directed at identifying planning strategies for success as well as finding solutions to resolve potential family conflicts to help keep a farm/ranch operation in the family so that their family farming/ranching legacy continues for future generations. He recently developed his own website PASSING ON THE FARM and plans to begin writing a book based on his family counseling experiences.

“His efforts have impacted Nebraska farm and ranch families for more than 40 years to help them build stronger and more positive family relationships through better communications. Ron has been honored by the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council, the Nebraska FFA Foundation, the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council, as well as the Nebraska Farm Bureau for his dedicated service to both rural youth as well as farm and ranch families across Nebraska,” Nelson said.

Ron was the first University of Nebraska professor to have received the USDA Excellence in University Teaching Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is the highest national teaching honor granted to a college professor in the area of agricultural and food sciences. His highest career honor was earned by being named the Nebraska Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation.

“Dr. Hanson has been a great friend of agriculture and has helped to shape the lives of students and farm and ranch families across the state of Nebraska. His years of accomplishments make him more than qualified to receive Nebraska Farm Bureau’s highest honor, the Silver Eagle Award. We thank him for his service to agriculture students and farmers and ranchers of Nebraska,” Nelson said.

Ron and his wife Marilyn now reside on the California central coast to be closer to their two children and four grandchildren. Their son Craig and his family live in the San Francisco bay area, and their daughter Melinda and her family live in Portland, Oregon. Ron and Marilyn have been Lancaster County Farm Bureau members for 38 years. Recently Ron established a gift to the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation to award two Ron Hanson Collegiate Leader Scholarships each year to student members of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Collegiate Chapter in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at UNL.



NORTHERN PLAINS FARM LABOR

In the Northern Plains Region (Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota) there were 42,000 workers hired directly by farm operators on farms and ranches during the week of July 8-14, 2018, up 17 percent from the July 2017 reference week, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Workers numbered 40,000 during the week of October 7-13, 2018, unchanged from the October 2017 reference week.

Farm operators in the Northern Plains Region paid their hired workers an average wage of $15.14 per hour during the July 2018 reference week, up 9 percent from the July 2017 reference week. Field workers received an average of $15.12 per hour, up $1.29. Livestock workers earned $13.80 per hour, up 91 cents. The field and livestock worker combined wage rate at $14.40, was up $1.00 from the 2017 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 44.0 hours during the July 2018 reference week, compared with 44.4 hours worked during the July 2017 reference week.

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage of $15.49 per hour during the October 2018 reference week, up 7 percent from the October 2017 reference week. Field workers received an average of $15.93 per hour, up $1.00. Livestock workers earned $13.55 per hour compared with $12.76 a year earlier. The field and livestock worker combined wage rate, at $14.80, was up 80 cents from the October 2017 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 47.4 hours during the October 2018 reference week, compared with 45.8 hours worked during the October 2017 reference week.



IOWA LABOR REPORT

There were 24,000 workers hired directly by farms in the Cornbelt II Region (Iowa and Missouri) during the reference week of July 8-14, 2018, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Farm Labor Report. Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage rate of $13.84 per hour, down $0.14 from July 2017. The number of hours worked averaged 33.4 for hired workers during the reference week, compared with 37.4 hours in July 2017.

During the reference week of October 7-13 2018, there were 23,000 workers hired directly by farms in the Cornbelt II Region (Iowa and Missouri). Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage rate of $14.53 per hour during the October 2018 reference week, up $0.49 from October 2017. The number of hours worked averaged 35.6 for hired workers during the reference week, down from 35.8 hours in October 2017.



October Hired Workers Down 7 Percent, Wage Rate Increases 8 Percent from Previous Year

There were 784,000 workers hired directly by farm operators on the Nation's farms and ranches during the week of October 7-13, 2018, down 7 percent from the October 2017 reference week. Workers hired directly by farm operators numbered 843,000 during the week of July 8-14, 2018, down 4 percent from the July 2017 reference week.

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage of $14.47 per hour during the October 2018 reference week, up 8 percent from the October 2017 reference week. Field workers received an average of $13.74 per hour, an increase of 7 percent. Livestock workers earned $13.38 per hour, up 9 percent. The field and livestock worker combined wage rate, at $13.64 per hour, was up 8 percent from the 2017 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 41.5 hours during the October 2018 reference week, down slightly from the hours worked during the October 2017 reference week.

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage of $14.28 per hour during the July 2018 reference week, up 8 percent from the July 2017 reference week. Field workers received an average of $13.58 per hour, up 8 percent, while livestock workers earned $13.22 per hour, up 8 percent from a year earlier. The field and livestock worker combined wage rate, at $13.48 per hour, was up 8 percent from the July 2017 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 41.2 hours during the July 2018 reference week, down slightly from the hours worked during the July 2017 reference week.

The 2018 all hired worker annual average wage rate was $14.17 per hour, up 6 percent from the 2017 annual average wage. The 2018 field worker annual average wage rate was $13.32 per hour, up 6 percent from the 2017 annual average. The 2018 annual average combined wage for field and livestock workers was $13.25, up 6 percent from the 2017 annual average of $12.47 per hour.



CHS Foundation Announces $1.5 Million Gift to Support SDSU Precision Agriculture Program

The CHS Foundation, funded by charitable gifts from CHS Inc., announced today a $1.5 million grant to support the South Dakota State University (SDSU) precision agriculture program and construction of the new Raven Precision Agriculture Center on campus.

"The gift from the CHS Foundation is pivotal in allowing us to make our globally preeminent precision agriculture program a reality," says John Killefer, the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council Endowed Dean of the SDSU College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.

The gift aligns with CHS priorities around ensuring that educating the next generation of ag leadership includes technology and tradition.

"The CHS Foundation is committed to supporting projects that cultivate opportunity for students interested in the agriculture industry," says Nanci Lilja, president, CHS Foundation. "By supporting the precision ag program at SDSU, there will be more qualified graduates entering the agriculture industry."

SDSU is the nation's first land-grant university to offer a bachelor's degree and minor in precision agriculture. The degree is a collaborative effort encompassing the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department and the Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, as well as the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering.

SDSU's precision agriculture degree will provide students with access to cutting-edge developments in the rapidly evolving intersection of agronomics, high-speed sensor technology, data management and advanced machinery development. Students will be prepared for lifelong careers that support economically and environmentally sustainable agriculture.

This facility will allow the state to lead the nation in precision agriculture research, teaching and innovation.

"The gift in support of the Raven Precision Agriculture Center will positively impact our students and industry for decades to come," says Killefer. "This commitment from the CHS Foundation illustrates the leadership role and vision they have within the agricultural industry."

The building has 129,000 square feet of floor space that will be able to house modern precision farm equipment and will provide collaborative learning spaces for student design projects. Flexible space will give scientists from a variety of departments and industry space to collaborate on research and education.

"Precision agriculture technology is ever-changing," says Lilja. "It's exciting to envision the impact students will have by developing new technologies through collaboration with their peers and industry leaders in this new environment."

Final construction plans are in-progress. Some ground work is expected to begin this fall, with construction starting in the spring of 2019.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 11/9/2018

 According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol production averaged 1.067 million barrels per day (b/d)—or 44.81 million gallons daily. That is down 2,000 b/d from the week before. However, the four-week average for ethanol production increased to 1.055 million b/d—the highest average in 8 weeks—for an annualized rate of 16.17 billion gallons.

Stocks of ethanol were 23.5 million barrels. That is a 1.3% increase from the prior week.

Imports of ethanol were 37,000 b/d after recording zero the prior week. This is the third time in six weeks to log foreign gallons. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of September 2018.)

Average weekly gasoline demand expanded 1.0% to 9.192 million barrels (386.1 million gallons) daily. This is equivalent to 140.91 billion gallons annualized. Likewise, refiner/blender input of ethanol increased 1.0% to 926,000 b/d, equivalent to 14.20 billion gallons annualized.

Expressed as a percentage of daily gasoline demand, daily ethanol production decreased to 11.61%.



ASA Among Industry Groups Urging Congress to Extend Tax Credits

The American Soybean Association signed on to a coalition letter this week urging action on expired tax credits—such as the biodiesel tax credit—during the 115th Congress’ lame duck session. The letter urged the House and Senate to retroactively extend the expired tax provisions, or tax extenders, which have remained lapsed since the end of 2017.

Industries affected range from energy and transportation to real estate and agriculture, with the uncertain nature of the incentives’ fate potentially affecting jobs and economic growth. National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and ASA have directly advocated for the biodiesel tax credit extension to help soy farmers, truckers, blenders, and in turn, consumers.



NMPF Thanks FDA for Extending Milk Labeling Comment Period

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) thanked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its announcement today that it will extend by 60 days, until Jan. 25, the public comment period during which the agency is seeking information on the proper names for plant-based beverages. The original deadline was Nov. 27.

“It is crucial that all interested parties have adequate time to more fully address FDA’s extensive list of questions about the labeling issue, and why it matters from a nutrition and public health standpoint,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF, which has long urged FDA to enforce existing rules on what should and shouldn’t properly be called “milk.” “This extension will allow the dairy community, as well as health professionals, to fully explain why consumers deserve accurate and honest information about their food options.”

A survey conducted by the research firm IPSOS, commissioned by Dairy Management Inc., found that misperceptions were common regarding the nutritional value of true milk versus imitators that are industrially produced by mixing water with small amounts of a plant-based product – along with various whiteners, stabilizers, emulsifiers and other chemical ingredients. For example:
-    73 percent of consumers believed that almond-based drinks had as much or more protein per serving than milk, even though milk has eight times as much protein.
-    53 percent said they believed that plant-based food manufacturers labeled their products “milk” because their nutritional value is similar, which is incorrect.

Even research funded by plant-drink processors shows confusion. According to a study from the International Food Information Council Foundation, one-quarter of consumers of coconut, soy and almond beverages either thought that or weren’t sure whether those drinks contained milk.



Grain industry testifies on benefits of USMCA trade agreement

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) would bring about several significant advancements in facilitating the trade of grains, oilseeds and their derived products in the North American marketplace, said National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) President and CEO Randy Gordon in testimony before the U.S. International Trade Commission today.

Gordon testified on behalf of NGFA and the North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA) during the commission's public hearing conducted as part of its investigation into the impact of the USMCA on the U.S. economy, selected industry sectors and consumer interests. As required by law, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) requested a report on the investigation, which is due to the president and Congress 105 days after the president enters into the agreement.

"The NGFA and NAEGA are pleased USMCA maintains and expands current agricultural market access and preserves the dispute-settlement process for antidumping and countervailing duty cases, while modernizing the agreement to address the challenges of 21st century global trade," Gordon said, noting that NGFA and NAEGA recommended throughout the negotiation process that USTR preserve and build upon current market access and tariff concessions achieved for U.S. food and agriculture under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Gordon highlighted several provisions of USMCA that will benefit the future competitiveness and economic growth of the U.S. grain, feed, and oilseed sectors. He said the new trade deal preserves and expands upon current agricultural market access; maintains the dispute-settlement process for antidumping and countervailing duty cases; and makes significant improvements to reduce non-tariff trade barriers.

Gordon cited several "significant improvements" in USMCA that would reduce non-tariff trade barriers that can result when export shipments are detained by customs officials at the border. For instance, the accord includes a rapid-response mechanism recommended by NGFA and NAEGA that would require a party that prohibits or restricts importation of an agricultural product to notify and explain the reasoning within five calendar days. USMCA also establishes dispute-settlement rules to resolve sanitary and phytosanitary disputes in a timely and transparent manner, the NGFA and NAEGA noted.

"NGFA and NAEGA believe USMCA will help facilitate cross-border trade flows by addressing significant non-tariff trade barriers through higher levels of regulatory coherence and cooperation, the implementation of timelines and notifications for adverse import checks, the inclusion of steps to reduce the likelihood of trade disruptions involving products derived from agricultural biotechnology, the use of technical consultations to resolve sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues, and by requiring that SPS standards be grounded in science, based upon appropriate risk assessments and implemented using accepted risk-management procedures," Gordon said.

As for shortcomings, NGFA and NAEGA said they are disappointed USMCA does not provide access to investor-state dispute-settlement procedures that can be used in the event a party provides less favorable treatment for foreign versus domestic investors. While the USMCA preserves these protections for some industries, including oil and gas, power generation, telecom, transportation and infrastructure, U.S. companies investing in food and agriculture would be denied such protection beginning three years after NAFTA's termination.

On balance, Gordon said, NGFA and NAEGA believe USMCA represents a "significant advancement in facilitating the trade of grains and oilseeds and their derived products within North America, and in many respects can serve as a model for future state-of-the-art trade agreements."



Living Soil Film Documents Soil Health Movement

The Soil Health Institute (SHI) today released a 60-minute documentary that captures the history – and significance – of the soil health movement.

“Never have I seen, among farmers, such a broad quest for (soil health) knowledge as I’m seeing now,” says Barry Fisher, United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service.  “And this interest in soil health extends far beyond the farm gate,” adds Bill Buckner, President of the Noble Research Institute and Chair of the Board of SHI. “Consumer packaged goods companies, environmental groups, financial investors, and many others are recognizing the importance and value of improving soil health.”

Living Soil captures the background of the current soil health movement and its momentum, beginning with painful images of the Dust Bowl, and then transitions to personal experiences of innovative women and men who are managing their land to enhance soil health. The film features rural and urban farmers from Maryland to California, selling everything from corn to bouquets, united by their care for the soil.

The documentary is directed by Chelsea Myers, founder of Tiny Attic, a video production company located in Columbia, Missouri that specializes in documenting real moments and real people. Myers has evolved as a visual storyteller for a diverse range of projects as a director, producer, editor, illustrator, cinematographer, and animator. With a fiercely creative spirit, Myers and her Tiny Attic crew pursue meaningful work regionally and around the world.

“This is a film for everyone who cares about our natural resources,” says Wayne Honeycutt, President & CEO of the Soil Health Institute. “The innovative farmers in this documentary are showing us the way to grow our food in concert with the environment.”

The documentary is available online. To download the documentary, visit https://livingsoilfilm.com.



American Farmland Trust Partners with Smithfield Brand, Farmland to Save the Land that Sustains Us
Today, American Farmland Trust, the organization behind the national movement No Farms No Food®, announces its partnership with Farmland, maker of high-quality, popular consumer goods such as bacon and sausage, to save farmland and ranchland. Now through Dec. 31, 2019, Farmland has pledged to protect one square foot of American farmland for every Pure Farmland item purchased, by donating funds from these products to AFT to further its mission.

The loss of America’s farmland is an urgent issue. AFT’s “Farms Under Threat” report--  the most comprehensive report ever released on the loss of farmland and ranchland in the U.S -- revealed we are losing farmland at an alarming rate: 31 million acres lost between 1992 and 2012, 175 acres per hour, 3 acres per minute,  lost forever. Land no longer available to produce the food, fuel and fiber that sustains our society.

“Our future depends on having enough farmland to both feed us and restore our planet. And this requires a holistic vision of the future: one that acknowledges farmland as irreplaceable infrastructure we cannot afford to lose; that sees farming practices that improve soil health as necessary for that land to serve us in perpetuity; and that views farmers as the stewards of that land, worthy of our fervent support –because at heart, what these farmers do is for all of us,” says John Piotti, president and CEO, AFT.

He continues, “This partnership will help consumers understand the threats to American farmland and further AFT’s mission of protecting the nation’s farmland and ranchland, promoting sound farming practices and keeping farmers on the land. We are grateful for Farmland’s support.”

Farmland has a long-standing dedication to working farmers and offers products that people can feel good about serving to their family. For every package sold in its new product line, Pure Farmland, Farmland will donate the cost of protecting one square foot of farmland, up to $140,000. These donations will help AFT continue to further its mission of not only protecting the nation’s farmland and ranchland, but also promoting sound farming practices and supporting farmers.

“For nearly 60 years, Farmland has relied on the tireless work of farmers to offer our loyal consumers products that they can trust,” said Megan Thomas, senior brand manager for Smithfield Foods. “As we enter this next chapter for our brand, we’re honored to partner with American Farmland Trust to further showcase the fundamental role our nation’s rich farmland plays in offering our consumers a wholesome protein option for every meal.”

For more information on Farmland and how to give back to American Farmland Trust, visit FarmlandFoods.com, Facebook.com/FarmlandFoods, or @FarmlandFoods. Farmland is a brand of Smithfield Foods.