Indiana Soy, Corn name Grain & Biofuels director INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Rosalind Leeck joined the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) and Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) as the director of Grain Marketing and Biofuels.
Leeck has more than 10 years of experience in the grain marketing field. Most recently, she worked for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture as program manager for the Division of Soil Conservation and the Indiana On-Farm Network. In addition, she will be working to strengthen Indiana’s ethanol and biodiesel industry, as well as working with stakeholders to garner support of in-state biofuel production and to improve the infrastructure that allows more consumers access to biofuel.
Leeck is originally from southern Illinois, where she is still a partner in her family’s grain and livestock farm. She received her bachelor of science degree in economics from Millikin University in Decatur, Ill., and her MBA from Butler University. She is working toward a master of science in agricultural economics from Purdue University.
Indiana environmental agency adds ag liaison INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (AP) — The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has added a new agricultural liaison responsible for managing the agency’s relationship with farms and ag-related businesses, groups and agencies.
The agency announced the liaison, Steven Howell, also will advise the agency about federal, state and local agriculture-related trends and issues. IDEM stated Howell has experience in agriculture and conservation as a congressional aide and as a field representative with the Indiana Farm Bureau. He also was part owner and operations manager of a family grain and livestock operation in western Indiana’s Jay County.
ICGA honors three for service to corn farmers BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Steve Pigg, former Illinois Corn Growers Assoc. (ICGA) president and Bushnell farmer, was the recipient of the group’s top award presented at the organization’s annual meeting Nov. 22.
The World of Corn Award goes to individuals, organizations or businesses for making significant contributions to the corn industry. Pigg served as president in 2003 and on the National Corn Growers Assoc. Public Policy Action team from 2001-07, serving as chair from 2004-07. He is a University of Illinois graduate with a B.S. degree in agriculture economics and operates an independent insurance profession.
Jim Kinsella, a Lexington, Ill., farmer, was the recipient of the ICGA’s 2011 Environmental Award, which recognizes individuals who exhibit commitment to conservation and environmental preservation. He farms with his wife and family, using both strip-till and no-till methods to minimize soil erosion. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and a master’s in soil science.
Dr. Glenn Poshard was recognized for his work in support of the ethanol industry and was presented with the ICGA Ethanol Award, which seeks to celebrate the contributions of individuals who promote the ethanol industry. Poshard has spent over 40 years in public service, the latter of which he has served as president of Southern Illinois University.
He also spent four years in the Illinois State Senate and 10 as a U.S. Congressman. While a member of Congress, Poshard helped to grow a fledgling ethanol industry into the real economic engine for Illinois that it is today.
Hall to lead American Agricultural Law Assoc. COLUMBUS, Ohio — Members of the American Agricultural Law Assoc. (AALA) elected Peggy Kirk Hall of The Ohio State University as its president during the organization’s annual conference in late October. Hall is the director of OSU’s Agricultural and Resource Law Program.
Hall administers the legal research and outreach program for OSU extension and teaches agricultural law in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. She and her family own and operate a grain farm in Union County.
Hall earned her law degree at the University of Wyoming law school; her three-year term with AALA began at the association’s annual conference Oct. 20-22, 2011. |
