Thursday June 11 Ag News

Agenda released for NE Pork Expo

The NE Department of Agriculture, the Alliance for the Future of Nebraska, and the NE Pork Producers Association will host the inaugural Nebraska Pork Expo. Even though the expo will be online, attendees will have opportunities to submit questions and interact with speakers in real time. Session lengths allow for plenty of time for questions and answers.

Wednesday July 8 -
9:00 am - 10:00 am Integrator/Contract Production Panel
Swine companies are looking for farmers to partner with them in finishing pigs.  Hear what each company has to offer, their business model and outlook for the coming years.

10:00 am- 11:00 am Finance Panel
Discussion from leading lenders and finance experts on how to pay for a new swine building and how adding a swine component could impact your overall farm income.

11:00 am - 11:10 am Break

11:10 am - 12:00 pm Secure Pork Supply - Dr. Patrick Webb, National Pork Board
The secure pork plan is an overall plan to guard and limit impacts to the swine industry. Disruptions or disease impacts can happen to any size operation so whether you are large or small, understanding this industry-wide initiative is critical to the overall success of the industry.

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch Break - viewing of sponsor and vendor videos

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Work Force Panel
Whether you are a large operator or just need part-time help, finding and retaining quality employees can be a challenge. This panel will discuss how they manage their workforce for positive outcomes on all sides.

2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Permitting and local zoning regulations
Regulations and local rules can seem daunting, but they don’t have to be.  Experts will explain the processes and steps to get a new or expanding operation permitted at the state and local level.

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Deep pit and Nutrient Management
Experts in manure management discuss how the manure in your pit becomes money saving fertilizer on your fields.

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Niche Pork Production
Listen to producers who are raising pigs in a variety of innovative ways direct to consumer, into niche markets, and heritage breeding stock.

4:00 pm- 5:00 pm Generation Z: Meeting the Demands of a New Wave of Customers - Carrie Horazeck
As millennials push into middle age, the new class of consumer that will dominate the market are the Generation Z’ers. Who are they and what do they want? Carrie’s years of experience in innovation and foresight planning will help us to better understand what the future holds for the pork industry.

Register ahead of time at www.becomeafan.org. 



Nebraska Farmers Union Supports Grant to Expand Flex Fuel Blender Pumps

In both written and oral testimony Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) supported grant application 20-137 “Nebraska Renewable Fuels and Air Quality Program” before the Nebraska Environmental Trust which was approved by their board. The grant would be used to assist in funding 15-85% ethanol blender pumps at retail locations across the state.  NeFU President Hansen said this represents an historic opportunity for the state of Nebraska to build flex fuel infrastructure that will improve air quality for years to come.

In their testimony, Hansen cited NeFU’s grassroots-driven policy adopted at their 2019 state convention:

“NeFU supports federal and state efforts to aggressively provide incentives for the building and utilization of ethanol blender pumps which provide auto fuel users with expanded fuel blending buying options.”

Earlier this year NeFU called attention to the fact that based on last year’s data from the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, there are over 252,500 flex fuel vehicles in Nebraska, and those flex fuel vehicle owners cannot buy higher ethanol blend fuels if those fuels are not available where they buy their fuel.

Hansen noted that NeFU is a long-time supporter of ethanol for both economic and environmental reasons including air quality. He said that the latest and best data on the air quality benefits of E-10 are clear, and that the higher ethanol blends like E-15, E-30 and E-85 are even better for air quality because they dilute the toxicity of the gasoline and also reduces the use of carcinogenic additives.  Their testimony said:

“The latest and best information on air quality emissions is from a study done by USDA, March 25, 2019.  The study said E-10 reduces tailpipe carbon monoxide emissions by as much as 43%, exhaust VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions by 12%, greenhouse gas emissions by 39%, and toxic and carcinogenic particulates such as benzene, toluene, and xylene that are so hazardous to children, senior citizens and those with respiratory issues by 41%. The data clearly says there are substantial improvements in air quality and health from adding higher levels of ethanol blends to our fuels.”

Hansen noted that while Nebraska was the nation’s second largest producer of ethanol, they had less than one fifth of the blender pumps that neighboring Iowa has who is also the nation’s leading ethanol producer. He said that lack of blender pumps deprived Nebraska fuel users of the opportunity to buy home grown higher blend ethanol fuels that burn cleaner and improve air quality. “This one time investment of funds will provide long term air quality benefits,” Hansen said.

NeFU also pointed out that when our nation and state are struggling with the worst medical pandemic in the last century, and since COVID-19 attacks victims with underlying medical conditions, especially people with respiratory issues, and since that air quality directly impacts how many people have respiratory problems, it is appropriate to focus on air quality this year with Nebraska Environmental Trust funding.



Ricketts Proclaims June as “Renewable Fuels Month” in Nebraska

Today, at an afternoon press briefing, Governor Pete Ricketts officially designated June 2020 as Renewable Fuels Month in Nebraska.  The Governor also highlighted three great reasons to use ethanol fuels when filling up a car or truck.  Ethanol saves drivers money at the pump, it cleans up the environment by reducing carbon emissions, and it creates opportunities for Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers.

University of Nebraska President Ted Carter joined the Governor today to celebrate Renewable Fuels Month.  He spoke about the University’s partnership with Green Plains to manufacture hand sanitizers for local businesses, schools, and non-profits in Nebraska communities.

Green Plains President, CEO, and Director Todd Becker also attended the briefing to talk about his company’s program to provide industrial ethanol from its plant in York for use in hand sanitizers.  Additionally, Nebraska Soybean Board Executive Director Scott Ritzman took part in the press event.  He highlighted the economic importance of biodiesels, and the use of soybean oils to produce them.



NeFB Awards Student Project Grants to 4-H and FFA students in Thurston, Chase, and Keith Counties

Nebraska Farm Bureau Student Project Grants, supported by the Charles Marshall Fund at the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation were awarded to four deserving student Farm Bureau members in Thurston, Chase, and Keith Counties. Each student was awarded one thousand dollars to be used to either begin or expand their 4-H project or FFA Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) project.

“We are proud of the entrepreneurial spirt our student members embrace and are very impressed by the passion they have for each of their projects,” said Audrey Schipporeit, director of generational engagement. “We hope these funds will help them achieve their goals and look forward to watching them continue to bring new ideas and ventures in their communities for years to come.”

These grants are awarded to Nebraska Farm Bureau student members each year. If selected, the student must share how they have used the grant towards starting or growing their 4-H or SAE projects. Winners were selected by a Farm Bureau committee.

Grant recipients are as follows:
    Alexis Bodlak is a member of Thurston County Farm Bureau. As part of her SAE project, Bodlak worked at a greenhouse where she was involved with the business aspect of the operation and the physical management of the greenhouse. Due to her employer scaling back the greenhouse portion of the business, Bodlak is transitioning her SAE project to an entrepreneurship project. She plans to continue to work at the greenhouse but will start growing plants on her own. In order to execute the project, she plans on using the grant money to access a space where she can raise her own plants.

    Morayah Cupp is a member of Chase County Farm Bureau. Cupp has a small business where she rents out mobile chicken coops to families in her community. She currently has six mobile coops with a goal to expand to 10 coops by the end of November. Cupp has a passion for poultry and wants others to share her passion as well.

    Makenna Eisenzimmer is a member of Keith County Farm Bureau. Eisenzimmer’s SAE market swine project expanded to a show pig business this year. Her goal is to raise affordable show pigs for area youth and mentor them on how to properly feed and show a pig. Eisenzimmer built a small farrowing barn on her grandma’s farm and plans to use the grant money for construction costs. Her goal is to farrow at least 16 piglets a year from two gilts that she can sell to area youth for 4-H and FFA show pigs.

    Lindsey Mendenhall is a member of Chase County Farm Bureau. As her SAE project, Mendenhall raises and sells American Kennel Club (AKC) registered golden retrievers. As a 4-H participant, she showed dogs for obedience and showmanship and her dog has passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluation. She plans to use the grant money to buy a Cumberland building, dog food, and pay for vet expenses in the future.

Those interested in applying for the Student Project Grants must meet certain requirements. Applicants must hold a current Nebraska Farm Bureau student membership and be ages 16-23 to participate. To join Nebraska Farm Bureau and learn more, visit www.nefb.org. 



Midwest Dairy awards six scholarships to Nebraska college students

Midwest Dairy has awarded $4,500 of scholarship funds across six college students in Nebraska who are or will be working towards dairy or agricultural degrees. Scholarship amounts and recipients were selected based on the applicant’s participation as a leader in their community and their knowledge of the dairy and agricultural industries.

Seth Racicky of Elk-Creek Dairy in Mason City is the recipient of a $1500 scholarship towards his tuition at Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

Eli Wolfe of Wolfden Dairy in Kearney will receive a $1000 scholarship. He plans to attend Northwest Missouri State University this fall.

Students earning $500 scholarships include: Faith Junck of Junck Dairy in Carroll; Sydney Schildt of Schildt Dairy in Pleasant Dale; Blake Racicky of Elk-Creek Dairy in Mason City; and Sarah Lammers of Jedon Farm LLC in Hartington.

“Being selected as a recipient of the Midwest Dairy Nebraska division scholarship is an honor,” said Racicky. “I will continue to advocate for dairy and be involved in the industry. I am funding my own way through college, so this scholarship is greatly appreciated.”

Midwest Dairy is committed to developing the next generation of dairy leaders through its scholarship programs.

“This group of scholarship recipients has demonstrated their commitment to building up the dairy industry,” said Kris Bousquet manager, Farmer Relations – Nebraska. “It’s a privilege to recognize their achievements, hard work and assist with their schooling.”

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must be a full-time student at an accredited college and come from a dairy farm family in Nebraska. Next year’s application process for the Midwest Dairy Nebraska division scholarship starts in January 2021. For more information, please visit the Young Dairy Leaders tab on midwestdairy.com.



NCF AND NARD ANNOUNCE NEBRASKA AS HOST OF 2021 NCF-ENVIROTHON

Today, the National Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) announced that Nebraska will be the host of the 2021 NCF-Envirothon, slated for July 25-31, 2021. Nebraska was slated to host the 2020 NCF-Envirothon competition, but due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the 2020 competition was canceled to protect the health and safety of the general public and participants and to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The 2021 event will be held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus and feature the same resource topic and learning objectives as was planned for the 2020 competition, with the current topic of ”Water Resource Management: Local Control and Local Solutions.”

“It was a natural choice to allow Nebraska the opportunity to host the 2021 competition,” NCF Chairman Steve Robinson said. “We recognize and value the hundreds of hours of planning the Nebraska host team and their volunteers have dedicated to the 2020 event, and it felt only right to honor that by giving them the opportunity to put their plan in action in 2021 instead.”

"Although the pandemic delayed our hosting, it hasn't curbed our excitement," said NARD President Jim Eschliman. "We look forward to welcoming attendees to Nebraska in 2021 and sharing more about the unique ways we manage natural resources in the Cornhusker State."

The top priority for the organizers remains the health and safety of students, advisors, volunteers, sponsors and education partners. NCF and the NARD will be working closely with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln over the next year to ensure that any recommended guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are met when the group gathers together in July 2021.

“As always, we thank the participants and volunteers for their ongoing dedication to the program, and we wish them and their families good health through these difficult times,” Robinson said.

To learn more about the NCF-Envirothon or the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts, visit: www.envirothon.org or www.nrdnet.org.



NEBRASKA CROP PRODUCTION REPORT

Based on June 1 conditions, Nebraska's 2020 winter wheat crop is forecast at 44.4 million bushels, down 20% from last year's crop, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Average yield is forecast at 51 bushels per acre, down 6 bushels from last year. Acreage to be harvested for grain is estimated at 870,000 acres, down 100,000 acres from last year. This would be 95% of the planted acres, compared with last year's 91% harvested.

U.S. Winter Wheat Production Up 1 Percent from May Forecast
Winter wheat production is forecast at 1.27 billion bushels, up 1 percent from the May 1 forecast but down 3 percent from 2019. As of June 1, the United States yield is forecast at 52.1 bushels per acre, up 0.4 bushel from last month but down 1.5 bushels from last year's average yield of 53.6 bushels per acre.

Hard Red Winter production, at 743 million bushels, is up 1 percent from last month. Soft Red Winter, at 297 million bushels, is down slightly from the May forecast. White Winter, at 225 million bushels, is up 1 percent from last month. Of the White Winter production, 16.6 million bushels are Hard White and 209 million bushels are Soft White.



Conservation Best Practices Manual the Subject of June 17 Webinar

Iowa Learning Farms will host a webinar on Wednesday, June 17 at noon about the Whole Farm Conservation Best Practices Manual. 

The Whole Farm Conservation Best Practices Manual brought together many experts with the sole purpose of developing best management practices for the successful adoption of cover crops, no-/strip-tillage, diverse rotations and edge-of-field practices. This manual is designed to be a useful tool for farmers and crop advisers.

It includes decision tools that guide operators, landowners or conservation professionals through the decision-making process for adopting and implementing conservation practices.

Mark Licht, assistant professor in agronomy and cropping systems specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will discuss the manual and how it can be used to guide adoption of conservation practices.

“It is my intention that participants will gain an understanding of what is included in the manual, but also how to use the manual to increase and improve that adoption rate of conservation practices,” said Licht, whose research and extension program are focused on corn and soybean management practices, particularly developing practices for the successful adoption of cover crops.

The full manual is available as a free download from the Iowa State University Extension Store or the Iowa Learning Farms website. Ideas and feedback on the manual will be welcome during the webinar, so participants should consider downloading the manual in advance.

To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon CDT on June 17, Click the following URL, or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172.

Or, go to https://iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID: 364 284 172. Or, join from a dial-in phone line, dial +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923. The meeting ID is: 364 284 172.

The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time. Archived webinars are available at https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.



USDA Announces Improvements to the Livestock Risk Protection Insurance Program This Summer

USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced changes to the Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) insurance program for feeder cattle, fed cattle and swine starting this summer with the 2021 crop year. Changes include moving premium due dates to the end of the endorsement period and increasing premium subsidies to assist producers.

“These changes will make these policies more usable and affordable for livestock producers,” RMA Administrator Martin Barbre said. “We are working to ensure these improvements can be implemented by July 1 so producers can take advantage of these changes.”

Specifically, the changes:
    Allow premiums to be paid at the end of the endorsement period, putting it in line with other policies.
    Increase the premium subsidy for coverage levels above 80 percent. Those with an 80 percent or higher coverage level will get a 5-percentage point subsidy increase.

Producers may buy LRP insurance throughout the year from Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs), with coverage prices ranging from 70 to 100 percent of the expected ending value of their animals. At the end of the insurance period, if the actual ending value is below the coverage price, producers will be paid an indemnity for the difference. Premium rates, coverage prices and actual ending values are posted online daily.

RMA is authorizing additional flexibilities due to coronavirus while continuing to support producers, working through AIPs to deliver services, including processing policies, claims and agreements. RMA staff are working with AIPs and other customers by phone, mail and electronically to continue supporting livestock insurance coverage for producers. Farmers with livestock insurance questions or needs should continue to contact their insurance agents about conducting business remotely (by telephone or email). More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.



June 30 Last Day to Complete Enrollment for 2020 Agriculture Risk Coverage, Price Loss Coverage Programs

Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2020 must do so by June 30. Although program elections for the 2020 crop year remain the same as elections made for 2019, all producers need to contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to sign a 2020 enrollment contract.

“The Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs are critical safety-net programs for farmers, helping producers weather market distortions resulting from natural disasters, trade disruptions and, this year, a pandemic,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “Contact your FSA county office today to complete enrollment before June 30. This can be done in concert with filing your acreage report and applying for other FSA programs.”

To date, more than 1.4 million ARC and PLC contracts have been signed for the 2020 crop year. This represents 89 percent of expected enrollment. FSA will send reminder postcards to producers who, according to agency records, have not yet submitted signed contracts for ARC or PLC for the 2020 crop year.

Producers who do not complete enrollment by close of business local time on Tuesday, June 30 will not be enrolled in ARC or PLC for the 2020 crop year and will be ineligible to receive a payment should one trigger for an eligible crop.

ARC and PLC contracts can be mailed or emailed to producers for signature depending on producer preference. Signed contracts can be mailed or emailed back to FSA or, arrangements can be made in advance with FSA to drop off signed contracts at the FSA county office – call ahead for local drop off and other options available for submitting signed contracts electronically.

Producers are eligible to enroll on farms with base acres for the following commodities: barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium- and short-grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.

For more information on ARC and PLC including web-based decision tools, visit farmers.gov/arc-plc.



RFA Calls on President to Reject Refinery Waivers
   
In an open letter to President Trump timed to today’s anniversary of his appearance at an Iowa ethanol plant, the Renewable Fuels Association called on him to reject attempts to grant the oil industry more waivers from renewable fuel obligations.

“One year ago today, you visited Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy in Council Bluffs to join us in celebrating a monumental achievement,” wrote RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “At your direction, EPA had just completed regulatory changes finally allowing year-round sales of gasoline containing 15% ethanol—called E15. But E15 growth would have been exponentially larger if not for your EPA continuing to excuse oil refiners from their legal obligations to blend renewable fuels. As we told you a year ago, EPA’s refinery waivers have caused devastating demand losses for ethanol and corn, and they undermine the expansion of E15.”

Cooper also described the impact of more recent crises, such as the Saudi-Russia oil price war that decimated fuel costs and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Mr. President, we need your help,” he concluded. “We ask that you stand up for the Renewable Fuel Standard. Please direct your EPA to abide by the January court ruling and end the abuse of the refinery waiver loophole. You stood by us, farmers, and consumers when you directed EPA to allow year-round E15. Now, we humbly ask that you stand with us again and ensure ethanol demand is not eroded by illegal refinery waivers.”

On Wednesday, a guest essay by Mike Jerke, the CEO of the ethanol plant President Trump visited, appeared in the Des Moines Register titled “A year after Trump visit to Iowa plant, ethanol industry faces unparalleled crises.”



Register Now for the Next NCBA webinar Series!

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association invites you to register for the next webinar in the series... the topic is "Today's Volatile Cattle Market And How To Navigate It," which will be held on June 17, 2020 @ 7:00 p.m. Central time.  The webinar will feature Don Close, senior animal protein analyst with Rabo AgriFinance, who will provide an updated cattle market outlook, and Derrell Peel, PhD, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist who will share strategies for managing risk through turbulent markets with a focus on the cow-calf producer.  Register at https://www.ncba.org/cattlemenswebinarseries.aspx. 



E10 Flows Into Mexico Following U.S. Ethanol Industry Educational Effort

Taking advantage of the economic benefits and support shared during educational workshops in Mexico, Grupo Topete started importing pre-blended E10 gasoline in May 2020 to its already-built rail track to distribute to independent retail stations.

Five railcars of U.S. gasoline pre-blended at an E10 rate arrived in Guadalajara in May 2020, which will be delivered to retail stations within a four-hour drive of Grupo Topete's terminal in Jalisco.

Five railcars of U.S. gasoline pre-blended at an E10 rate arrived in Guadalajara in May 2020 – 14,500 gallons of ethanol (5,300 bushels in corn equivalent) - a direct success of the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) collaboration with the Mexican Association of Service Station Providers (AMPES) to demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of increased ethanol use. The delivery exemplifies the importance of continued engagement in the Mexican market, including an in-country presence, to realizing increased ethanol use.

“The economic benefits keep proving themselves load-by-load,” said Stephan Wittig, USGC director in Mexico. “Despite the adverse conditions due to COVID-19, ethanol is supporting the Mexican environment, gasoline distributors, fuel retailers and most importantly, the Mexican consumer.”

The Council - together with U.S. ethanol industry partners Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and state corn organizations - are providing information to Mexican stakeholders on the benefits of ethanol use, including savings at the pump, improved air quality and a long-term commitment to the environment.

As part of that education effort, the Council developed a strategic partnership with AMPES to offer educational workshops. This series updated Mexican gasoline station owners on developments in fuel regulations, dispelled myths about ethanol use and encouraged distribution companies to ask for quotes on ethanol and how to incorporate ethanol tanks in their facilities. In 2019, the groups – including the Council, AMPES, Growth Energy, RFA and the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) – conducted 11 workshops throughout the country.

Grupo Topete, a family-owned gasoline trader building a fuel terminal in Jalisco near Guadalajara, attended two of these workshops. The Council also connected the company with Petrorack, a fuel retailer in northern Mexico supportive of E10 following USGC programs like the 2019 Global Ethanol Summit.

Taking advantage of the economic benefits and shared support the company learned about during the seminars, Grupo Topete started importing pre-blended E10 gasoline in May 2020 to its already-built rail track to distribute to independent retail stations.

“Despite the steep decrease in gasoline demand in Mexico due to coronavirus restrictions - down 70 percent at the lowest point - ethanol realized competitive advantages in the Mexican market,” Wittig said. “Enough margin was offered to deliver the pre-blended E10 gasoline to retail stations within a four-hour drive of the Grupo Topete terminal in Jalisco.”

While these sales are only a small part of the overall ethanol sales to Mexico, this success demonstrates the effectiveness of the Council’s approach to provide technical education and support within the Mexican fuel industry. Each is a step toward encouraging increased ethanol use through a mix of growing quantities of locally produced ethanol with U.S. ethanol filling in the missing demand.

To accomplish that goal, the Council will continue to help fuel retailers, station equipment installers and local fuel station owners learn more about the advantages of selling ethanol-blended gasoline as Mexico’s transportation fuel sector continues to evolve.



Farmers, Scientists, and Ag Industry to Advance the Science and Practicality of Soil Health During Online Meeting

The non-profit organization’s 5th Annual Meeting July 30 – July 31 will provide the latest information on how soil health influences carbon dynamics, water cycling, soil microbiology, and on-farm economics; all critical components of a regenerative agricultural system.

Research Triangle Park, NC – June 11, 2020 – The Soil Health Institute (SHI), a non-profit organization charged with safeguarding and enhancing the vitality and productivity of soil, today released its 5th Annual Meeting Agenda. Registration is open for Soil Health: The Foundation for Regenerative Agriculture, SHI’s first-ever virtual annual meeting. There is no registration fee; however, registration is required to attend. The online meeting will be held July 30 and 31, 2020.

The annual meeting will host 28 distinguished panelists and speakers, including farmers, soil scientists, food manufacturing leaders, and policy experts. The keynote will be provided by Jay Watson, Sourcing Sustainability Engagement Manager at General Mills, Inc., who leads General Mills, Inc.’s greenhouse gas reduction and regenerative agriculture commitments.

Among the meeting topics:
    Comprehensive Strategy for Advancing Soil Health
    Determining Effective Measurements of Soil Health
    Dimensions of Adoption
    Filling the Economics Gap for Farmers
    Soil Health Policies and Programs in Action

In addition to the plenary sessions, a virtual Video Poster Session will feature up to 80 3-minute video research presentations.

“The level of enthusiasm we have received for Soil Health: The Foundation for Regenerative Agriculture is very inspiring,” said Dr. Wayne Honeycutt, SHI president and CEO. “We are excited at the opportunity for reaching a broad, and hopefully global, audience with the latest information for advancing the science and practicality of soil health.”

For more information and to register for the annual meeting, please visit https://soilhealthinstitute.org/annual-meeting-2020/.

The Soil Health Institute (www.soilhealthinstitute.org) is a non-profit whose mission is to safeguard and enhance the vitality and productivity of soil through scientific research and advancement. The Institute works with its many stakeholders to identify gaps in research and adoption; develop strategies, networks and funding to address those gaps; and ensure beneficial impact of those investments to agriculture, the environment and society.