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Names in the News - December 13, 2017
 

Indiana scholarships for non-traditional female students

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — If you are a non-traditional female student or a stay-at-home mom joining the workforce, consider applying for a POWER scholarship.

POWER is the General Assembly’s caucus primarily for women legislators interested in improving the quality of life for Hoosier residents, and state Rep. Holli Sullivan currently serves as its president. She stated it is seeking to provide 18 women throughout the state $750 scholarships.

These scholarships are dedicated to non-traditional female students whose education was delayed or interrupted. There is also a high priority placed on women who give back to their communities and whose goals and desires for education align with their passions.

POWER is a 501c3 organization that is funded by private donations. Money to fund the scholarship is raised through membership dues, contributions and through other fundraising efforts. The deadline is Dec. 20; visit www.inpowercaucus.org to apply.

USGC adds overseas staff to boost global presence, grain sales

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is adding a new strategic director in Asia and assistant director in Southeast Asia as part of a global resource expansion meant to capture near-term demand for feed grain sales and build long-term demand for ethanol among global customers.

Over the past year, the USGC leadership has heard that what members want is new demand, and they are willing to invest in it by hiring high-quality people around the world.

Tim Tierney joined as director of strategic marketing/ethanol, North Asia, filling a new role that seeks to capitalize on both longstanding relationships in the region and emerging opportunities for biofuels. He will be based in Singapore.

Tierney came to the organization from Syngenta and DuPont, where he worked on products developed for the ethanol industry. Earlier in his career, he worked for the USGC for more than 10 years as director in Japan, director of international operations based in Washington and as a trade servicer.

Caleb Wurth will join the Southeast Asia regional office in Kuala Lumpur as assistant director. Most recently with ADM, he has experience marketing corn and corn co-products to feedlots and working on containerized grain export logistics, both of which are particularly relevant to the region in which he will be working. As a student at Kansas State, he took part in a Council- and FFA-sponsored I-CAL program to educate young leaders on international trade issues.

These additions complement other staff expansions over the last year that are meant to help find, develop and capture wholly new demand for corn, sorghum, barley, distiller's dried grains with solubles and ethanol.

Fremont hires food industry expert for quality assurance

FREMONT, Ohio — The Fremont Co., producers of Frank’s Kraut and Mississippi BBQ Sauce, has hired Mary Bellerose as director of quality assurance, to oversee quality optimization at all three Ohio plants in Fremont, Rockford, and Willoughby.

Bellerose has held several positions within the food industry, including the management of High Risk Ready to Eat USDA products, bakery and seafood processing, and has consulted in the areas of GFSI certification, manufacturing optimization and FSMA compliance. Additionally, she has worked in thermal processing, natural and organic brands, marinated salads processing and high-speed bottling.

She will be responsible for Quality Assurance across all Fremont plants, interact with customers, represent the company on matters of quality and be involved in plant expansion planning projects, as well as integrating three completely different processing plants into one quality scheme. Bellerose holds degrees in food science, quality, business management and culinary arts.

Quality Technology International welcomes new staff vet

ELGIN, Ill. — Sheilena Brookshire, DVM, has joined Quality Technology International as its newest Technical Sales manager. Her duties will be to support sales managers in the area of technical services.

 

She will maintain relationships with industry leaders, university professors/DVMs and existing and future customers. Before joining QTI, Brookshire worked as a poultry technical consultant, mostly in the southeastern United States.

She completed her bachelor’s of science in agriculture in avian biology at The University of Georgia, and her doctorate of veterinary medicine at its College of Veterinary Medicine.

AEM announces 2018 officers and new directors

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The Assoc. of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) announced its 2018 officers as well as directors elected to the AEM board of directors and AG and CE Sector Boards at its recent annual business meeting.

AEM officers and directors work on behalf of all member companies, giving their time and talent to provide strategic direction and guidance for its business-development initiatives in areas including public policy, market data and exhibitions, as well as technical, safety and regulatory issues and education/training.

2018 AEM Officers are: Chair Richard M. Goldsbury, regional president, North America & Oceania, Doosan Bobcat, Inc.; Vice Chair Jim Walker, VP Case IH N.A., CNH Industrial; AG Chair John D. Lagemann, Sr. VP Sales & Marketing, Regions 3 & 4, Deere & Co.; CE Chair Jeffrey R. Reed, president/CEO, Reed International/VSS Macropaver; Treasurer Todd H. Stucke, Sr. VP Sales, Marketing & Product Support, Kubota Tractor Corp.; and Secretary Dennis J. Slater, AEM’s full-time president.

To view those elected to the board of directors and sector boards, visit www.aem.org

Diamond V adds new personnel to roster of expertise

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Diamond V recently welcomed Karen Lehe, DVM, DACVPM, who has joined the company as director, Swine Business Development.

 

Raised on a beef cattle and tobacco farm in southwestern Virginia, Lehe earned her B.S. in biology from Virginia Tech and her DVM from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing her studies, she served three years in residency at Michigan State University.

Lehe then worked nine years in veterinary practice, becoming co-owner of Wolcott Veterinary Clinic/Indiana Animal Health in Wolcott, Ind. She provided herd-health veterinary services to pork producers in a six-state area, as well as industry expertise to animal health and genetics providers. Later, she moved to the animal health and nutrition industry. Lehe is based near Monticello, Ind.

The company also welcomed Evan Chaney, Ph.D., who joined the company in the new position of director, Food Safety Microbiology. He earned his M.Sc. in food science from Texas Tech University in Lubbock. He later completed his doctorate at Texas Tech in Animal Science, with an emphasis in food safety and microbiology, and continued post-doctoral research at the university. He is HACCP-certified in Implementation and Management.

Prior to joining Diamond V, Chaney worked at Roka Bioscience as director, Customer Applications and Microbiology, and previously as senior manager, Scientific Affairs, where he worked with industry, academic and government partners to evaluate, develop and implement food safety test method applications across the industry. He is based in Cedar Rapids.

Indiana veteran/farmer wins free compact tractor worth 25K

GREENTOWN, Ind. (AP) — An Army veteran who operates a central Indiana farm said he was speechless after learning that he'd won a free tractor.

Randy Ramberger recently became one of four U.S. veterans to receive free compact Kubota brand tractors through an initiative sponsored by the company and the Farmer Veteran Coalition. The Kokomo Tribune reported Ramberger and his family picked up the $25,000 tractor at Dirt-N-Turf in Greentown.

Ramberger served a tour in Afghanistan as an engineer. He raises pastured pork and free-range chickens on his five-acre farm near the Grant County town of Swayzee.

To apply for the chance to win the tractor, Ramberger had to submit a business plan, a résumé including his military and community service and answer some essay questions.

NRWA partners with DOL on apprenticeship program

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Rural Water Assoc. (NRWA), the nation’s largest water utility association with more than 31,000 members, announced a partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to launch a nationwide apprenticeship program.

The WaterPro Apprenticeship Program, tailored to water and wastewater system operations specialists, is now a nationally-recognized standard with the DOL. CoBank, a cooperative bank serving agribusinesses, rural infrastructure providers and Farm Credit associations throughout the United States, will underwrite $250,000 to help establish the program.

It takes more than 380,000 highly skilled water and wastewater personnel to ensure the public supply of safe drinking water and to protect lakes, streams and groundwater. Advancements in water treatment and supply technology have increased the skills and training required of this workforce.

In addition to increasing professional demands, utilities will soon be forced to replace many of their most experienced employees. Over the next decade, the water sector is expected to lose between 30-50 percent of the workforce to retirement. To learn more about the program, visit https://nrwa.org/initiatives/apprenticeship-program

National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board appointments

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of six members to serve on the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board. The terms for these appointees are effective immediately and expire on June 30, 2020.

Newly appointed members are Randell W. Eronimous of Seattle, Wash. (Region 13) and Erin S. Sharp of Cincinnati, Ohio (at-large, processor).

Reappointed members are: Lynne M. Bohan, Lynnfield, Mass. (Region 2); Jeffrey D. Stephens, Lakeland, Fla. (Region 5); Edward L. Mullins, Carlinville, Ill. (Region 11); and Evan L. Rainwater, Boise, Idaho (Region 14).

The board is composed of 15 fluid milk processors from 15 geographic regions and five at-large members. At least three at-large members must be fluid milk processors and at least one must be from the general public. The board was established by the Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990.

The National Fluid Milk Program is financed by a mandatory 20-cent per cwt. assessment on all fluid milk processed and marketed commercially in consumer-type packages in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia. Processors who commercially process and market 3 million pounds or less per month, excluding those fluid milk products delivered to the residence of a consumer, are exempt from assessments.

AgriNovus Indiana announces three new board members

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — AgriNovus Indiana is announcing new members to its board of directors – Kess Berg, Gil Farley and Randy Kron.

Berg is the CEO and managing partner of Advanced Agrilytics and Ag Ingenuity Partners, headquartered in Huntington. Created in 2014, the companies were co-founded by Berg and three partners. He serves as CEO of both organizations.

Advanced Agrilytics and Ag Ingenuity Partners are affiliated companies that specialize in the elucidation and application of spatial agronomic science and research. Berg received his undergraduate degree in agronomy from The Ohio State University and his master’s and doctorate degrees in plant physiology and mineral nutrition from Purdue University.

Farley, founder and president of Biodyne Midwest, recently transitioned from an AgriNovus Innovation Council member to the board of directors. Launched in 2012 in Fort Wayne, Biodyne Midwest is an innovative and fast-growing environmental biotechnology company focused on using the power of beneficial microbes to enhance crop productivity and to benefit the environment. He received a bachelor of science degree from Indiana Tech.

Kron is president of the Indiana Farm Bureau (IFB), elected in January 2016. Founded in 1919 and present in all 92 counties, it is the state's largest general farm organization. He previously served as vice president and, with his wife, Joyce, farms about 2,000 acres near Evansville, raising yellow corn, white corn, soybeans and wheat.

Kron has been on the IFB’s ELECT Oversight Committee and on the U.S. Grains Council, serving on the Biotechnology Advisory Team. He received his bachelor of science degree in agriculture economics from Purdue.

Alltech honors 21st master’s grad in brewing, distilling

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Alltech is proud to congratulate Kendon Jacobson, its 21st employee to receive a master’s degree in brewing and distilling from Scotland’s Heriot-Watt University, known for graduating some of the foremost brewing and yeast fermentation experts in the world.

Heriot-Watt’s course offers the most practical advanced education for employees, given Alltech’s focus on yeast fermentation technology. Alltech is currently collaborating with Western Kentucky University to offer a similar degree. The program would serve the rising craft beer industry in the United States, as well as the burgeoning bourbon industry.

USFRA names new board members at November meeting

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance's (USFRA) newest board members are critical to ensure farmers and ranchers are present in influential conversations about food and agriculture. USFRA elected these four board members at its fall board meeting on Nov. 7 in Kansas City, Mo:

•James Adams, former chair of U.S. Poultry & Egg Assoc. He currently serves as the vice chair of the board of the Wenger Group and acting chief operating officer of Wenger Feeds, LLC in Rheems, Pa.

•Steve Geick is the director of Industry Relations for John Deere's Agricultural and Turf Division. He works with stakeholders across North America who share an interest in the future of agriculture, and he proactively builds and promotes influential relationships, programs and policies in his role.

•Amanda Rinehart is the U.S. marketing leader for DuPont Pioneer, where she manages a team focused on seed product strategy and promotion as well as strategic account sales management. She also serves as vice chair of the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation.

•Blair Van Zetten is the president of Oskaloosa Food Products, a processor of liquid, frozen and dried eggs. He is the immediate past chair of the American Egg Board and works with his son on their third-generation family farm in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Holcomb makes appointments to boards, commissions

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Gov. Eric Holcomb recently announced several new appointments to various Indiana state boards and commissions.

Indiana State Fair Board appointments are:

•District 2: Jeanette Merritt (Peru), director of checkoff programs for Indiana Pork, will join the board. Her term expires Sept. 30, 2021.

•District 4: Michael Sprinkle (Indianapolis - Shelby County), lecturer at the School of Physical Education & Tourism Management, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, will join the board. His term expires Sept. 30, 2019.

•District 5: Melissa Huff (Brownstown), closing specialist with Farm Credit Mid-America and owner/operator of Huff Appraisal Services, Inc., will join the board. Her term expires Sept. 30, 2020.

•District 7: Olgen Williams (Indianapolis), former deputy mayor of the city of Indianapolis, will join the board. His term expires Sept. 30, 2018.

Indiana Tourism Council appointments are:

•Julie Basich (Valparaiso), chief operating officer of Fair Oaks Farms, will join the council. Her term expires Oct. 31, 2019.

•Matthew Bell (Brownsburg), president and CEO of the Casino Assoc. of Indiana, will join the council. His term expires Oct. 31, 2018.

•Cynthia Hoye (Fishers), executive director of the Indiana State Fair Commission, will join the council. Her term expires Oct. 31, 2018.

Alcohol & Tobacco Commission appointment is John L. Krauss (Indianapolis), attorney, mediator and arbitrator with Krauss Group LLC, former founding director of the IU Public Policy Institute and former deputy mayor of Indianapolis. He will serve as chair pro tempore. His term expires Jan. 31, 2022.

RFD-TV takes home three 2017 NAFB Awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The National Assoc. of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) held its annual awards luncheon as part of the national convention on Nov. 8-10, in Kansas City, Mo.

RFD-TV News was pleased to announce that Markets Editor Mark Oppold won the first-place award. In addition, Markets Editor Marlin Bohling took a second-place Video Marketcast Award, and meteorologist Christina Loren was honored with a second-place win for the Video Newscast Award.

Award criteria were based on content, delivery, professionalism and the quality of information delivered by each news outlet. The NAFB stated there were a record number of entries submitted in 2017.

Perdue announces United Soybean Board appointments

WASHINGTON, D.C. — USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of 19 members and three alternate members to serve on the United Soybean Board. The producers appointed to serve three-year terms are:

Annie Dee, Aliceville, Ala.; Robert Stobaugh, Atkins, Ark.; Gary Berg, Saint Elmo, Ill.; Tom Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind.; Thomas E. Oswald, Cleghorn, Iowa; Larry K. Marek, Riverside, Iowa; Dennis Gruenbacher, Andale, Kan.; Keith N. Tapp, Sebree, Ky.; Belinda Burrier, Union Bridge, Md.; Herb Miller, Niles, Mich.; Lawrence Sukalski, Fairmont, Minn.; Philip Good, Macon, Miss.; Lewis Rone, Pontageville, Mo.; Mike Korth, Randolph, Neb.; Dave Dotterer, Rittman, Ohio; Ellie W. Green Jr., Lynchburg, S.C.; Marc V. Reiner, Tripp, S.D.; David Nichols, Ridgely, Tenn.; and Andrew W. Scott Jr., Monte Alto, Texas

The three alternates are: Colt Clemmons, Killen, Ala.;    Fitzhugh Bethea, Dillon, S.C.; and Daniel C. Berglund, Wharton, Texas

The board is composed of 73 members representing 29 states and Eastern and Western regions. To become a member, you must be a soybean producer and nominated by a qualified state soybean board.

12/14/2017