Funding for corn marketing threatened by farm bill delay LANSING, Mich. — Important work happening overseas to promote sales of Michigan corn and corn-related products – like ethanol, DDGS and meat – is a joint effort of organizations including the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan (CMPM), the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Each year, CMPM allocates checkoff dollars to USGC and USMEF that, combined with funding from other checkoff organizations, allows them to qualify for competitive grant funds through the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program and the Market Access Program (MAP). Both of those programs are in the farm legislation's trade title, making them among the safety net, conservation and crop insurance programs affected by the expiration of the 2014 farm bill. This cycle, the end of the old farm bill without a new one in place, is a unique and serious challenge to FMD, which is the market development program that pays for the critical human infrastructure needed to effectively promote growers’ grain in new and loyal overseas markets. For instance, USGC uses FMD dollars to pay office rents and expenses and staff salaries in its 13 full-time overseas locations. Because FMD is a small program – just $34.5 million a year, compared to the farm bill as a whole – it has been hit this year by implementation of a 1980s-era law cutting its baseline when its authorization in the farm bill expired. Unfortunately, Capitol Hill and USDA lawyers agree that an extension of the farm bill will not solve this problem – only a new farm bill or some other fix will get FMD running again. Meanwhile, USGC, USMEF and others are turning to their savings accounts to keep promotion and trade policy work at full steam. USGC estimates it can keep all programs running for up to six months without cutting programs – critical time for Hill leaders to finalize a new bill. Meanwhile, the cooperator organizations that help move your crops overseas are seeking funds from the newly established Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP), included as part of USDA's trade aid package. These funds will only be allocated to short-term projects, not long-term or fixed costs like what is covered under FMD. The ATP funds are expected to be awarded in early 2019. Michigan Corn staff, as well as National Corn staff, say they have been working hard to make sure members’ representatives in Congress are aware of these potential impacts at this time of trade policy uncertainty in many markets. Michigan farmers appointed to state soybean board FRANKENMUTH, Mich. — Michigan soybean farmers have their checkoff interests represented at the state level by the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee (MSPC). This fall, three positions on the MSPC board were up for appointment and each of the three current directors was reappointed to the board. Pete Crawford of Dansville represents District 2 (Calhoun, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham and Jackson counties). “I have found being involved in a leadership role in the soybean industry and Michigan agriculture over the past 30-plus years very rewarding and would encourage anybody thinking about stepping up to represent your industry’s future to go for it,” he said. “In our operation we try to keep up with newer technology and farming practices – sometimes I feel this is much easier for younger generations.” Gov. Rick Snyder also reappointed Dennis Gardner of Croswell in District 4 (Huron, Macomb, Oakland, Sanilac and St. Clair counties). Croswell said, “I encourage others to consider becoming involved on a board like MSPC. The connections, networking and experiences you can apply to your own farm are endless. “We are the first to hear of new technologies – new things with soybeans – and are on the cutting edge with projects we are working on.” In District 5 (Arenac, Bay, Lapeer, Saginaw and Tuscola counties), Mike Sahr of Saginaw was reappointed to the board. Sahr, who farms in three counties, said, “Being on the MSPC board is my way to help promote soybean production in my district and across Michigan. We, the farmers, are the only ones that will promote our own products, and we encourage more farmers to step forward to get on these boards and involved in other leadership opportunities with the MSPC.” 5 scholarships to attend ASA Soybean Leadership College INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Indiana soybean farmers interested in attending the American Soybean Assoc. (ASA) Soybean Leadership College may apply for five available scholarships. The College takes place Jan. 7-8, 2019, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Charles in St. Charles, Mo. Interested farmers must submit all scholarship applications by Dec. 7. ASA’s Soybean Leadership College provides ag leaders with training to effectively promote the agriculture and soybean industry, communicate key soybean and farming messages and work to expand markets for U.S. soybeans. This is designed for growers who wish to get more involved in one of the following: Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA), ASA, United Soybean Board and U.S. Soybean Export Council. Five scholarships covering most costs are available through ISA. To apply, visit https://bit.ly/2RLw76v and fill out the online application by Dec. 7. Five farmers will be selected in mid-December. For more details, visit https://soygrowers.com/learn/soybean-leadership-college Seven elected as Iowa Soybean Assoc. directors ANKENY, Iowa — Seven farmers were elected in August to advance the competitiveness of the Iowa soybean industry as directors of the Iowa Soybean Assoc. (ISA). Brent Swart of Spencer was newly elected as District 1 director and will serve a three-year term. Farmers reelected were: April Hemmes, Hampton (District 2); Suzanne Shirbroun, Farmersburg (District 3); Robb Ewoldt, Davenport (District 6); Jeff Jorgenson, Sidney (District 7); Pat Swanson, Ottumwa (District 9); and Tim Bardole, Rippey (At-Large). Iowa farmers were also elected to state and national leadership positions at the September meeting of the board of directors. Those tapped to serve as ISA officers were: Bardole, president-elect; Ewoldt, treasurer; Dave Walton of Wilton, secretary; and Randy Miller of Lacona, executive committee. Lindsay Greiner of Keota accepted the gavel as president and welcomed the newly elected state soybean leaders to their key posts. ISA directors also reelected Wayne Fredericks of Osage and Dean Coleman of Humboldt as directors of the American Soybean Assoc. USDA makes United Soybean Board appointments WASHINGTON, D.C. — USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of 16 members to serve on the United Soybean Board. Producers newly appointed to serve three-year terms from this region are: •Lynn Rohrscheib, Fairmount, Ill. •Mark Alan Seib, Poseyville, Ind. •April Hemmes, Hampton, Iowa •Brent Gatton, Bremen, Ky. •Jeff Magyar, Orwell, Ohio The board is authorized by the Soybean Promotion, Research and Information Act and is composed of 73 members representing 29 states and Eastern and Western regions. Members must be soybean producers nominated by a qualified state soybean board. USDA appoints members to fruit, vegetable advisory body WASHINGTON, D.C. — USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of 25 members of the recently reestablished Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC). They will serve terms of up to two years beginning immediately and ending in 2020. The appointees were selected from nominations received in May resulting from an April 23 announcement of the re-establishment of the committee and request for nominations. Newly appointed members from this region include: •Molly Gleason, Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Springfield •Julie L. Gordon, Cherry Marketing Institute, Dewitt, Mich. •Steve Smith, Red Gold, Inc., Elwood, Ind. Originally chartered in 2001, the FVIAC advises the secretary of agriculture on issues affecting the fruit and vegetable industry. Committee members represent organic and non-organic growers, shippers, wholesalers, retailers, industry trade associations, importers, processors, foodservice suppliers, food brokers, state departments of agriculture and farmers’ markets. NCGA action teams and committees announced for 2019 ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The National Corn Growers Assoc. (NCGA) announced the slate of new and returning farmer leaders who will serve as members of the organization’s action teams and committees for the next fiscal year, which began Oct. 1. Leadership for NCGA’s nine major teams in FY 2019 are: •Consumer Engagement Action Team: Ted Mottaz, chair; Debbie Borg, vice chair; Bruce Rohwer, board liaison •Corn Productivity & Quality Action Team: Charles Ring, chair; Randy DeSutter, vice chair; Jeff Sandborn, board liaison •Engaging Members Committee: Brandon Hunnicutt, chair; and Denny Maple, vice chair •Ethanol Action Team: Jay Schutte, chair; Mark Recker, vice chair; Tom Haag, board liaison •Feed, Food & Industrial Action Team: Dan Wesely, chair; Chad Willis, vice chair; Chris Edgington, board liaison •Freedom to Operate Action Team: Bob Hemesath, chair; Brent Hostetler, vice chair; Deb Gangwish, board liaison •Market Access Action Team: Mike Lefever, chair; Larry Mussack, vice chair; John Linder, board liaison •Risk Management Action Team: Randy Melvin, chair; Doug Noem, vice chair; Don Glenn, board liaison •Stewardship Action Team: Roger Zylstra, chair; Carl Sousek, vice chair; Ken Hartman, board liaison Leadership for NCGA’s standing committees in FY 2019 are: Finance Committee, John Linder, chair; and Governance Committee, Tom Haag, chair. Lynn Chrisp will serve as president and also as NCGA’s delegate to the U.S. Grains Council. Kevin Ross of Iowa will serve as first vice president and, in this capacity, will chair the Resolutions Committee. Kevin Skunes of North Dakota will serve as chair and, in this capacity, will also chair the Nominating Committee. The FY 2019 action teams and committees will have their first set of meetings in St. Louis in mid-December. |
