Arthur joins Indiana Soybean and Corn as project manager</p><p>

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Cathy Arthur of Indianapolis, Ind., has joined the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) as a project manager. Arthur, who will also work with the Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC), will provide support for Grain Marketing, Soy and Corn Technology Commercialization, Biofuels and Leadership Programs.</p><p>
“As the farmer-leaders of the ICMC begin to build a strategic plan for the new Indiana corn checkoff, Cathy’s experience in project development and implementation will be instrumental in creating programs that can build demand and increase the productivity and profitability of Indiana corn producers,” said Chris Novak, executive director for the Indiana soybean and corn organizations.</p><p>
Arthur has 14 years of direct marketing experience, including 12 years as an account supervisor for The Jackson Group/Total Response, an Indianapolis-based public relations firm. Prior to joining ISA, she was Marketing Director for Wabash Work Trucks in Indianapolis. She has a bachelor’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University.</p><p>
ODA lab director wins award</p><p>

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — The American Assoc. of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians recently recognized Dr. Beverly Byrum, director of laboratories at the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), with its most prestigious honor, the E.P. Pope Memorial Award.</p><p>
Byrum, who oversees the ODA Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) and the Consumer Analytical Laboratory (CAL), has been with the department since 1994. Under her, the labs have attained national accreditation of the ADDL since 1997; the addition of the ADDL to the National Animal Health Laboratory Network and the membership of the CAL as a cooperative laboratory within the Food Emergency Response Network; the integration of the Analytical Toxicology Laboratory; three capital improvement projects, resulting in a combined 75,000-square-foot renovation and building additions that include a state-of-the-art necropsy suite, an alkaline hydrolysis unit and Biosafety Level 3 laboratories; and the co-location of the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency in a new laboratory housed at the ODA campus.</p><p>
The ADDL members conduct diagnostic tests for avian influenza, chronic wasting disease, West Nile virus, scrapie and others. The ADDL, under the office of the state veterinarian, works in conjunction with federal partners like the USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for better surveillance and response.</p><p>
Boyd to head Illinois Farm Managers/Rural Appraisers
URBANA, Ill. — Mac Boyd, ARA, was elected president of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers at the organization’s 80th annual meeting Oct. 26. Boyd, who is managing broker of Farmers National Co. in Arcola, Ill., previously served as the Society’s vice president and president-elect.</p><p>
This is one of 37 chapters of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. The chapter, founded in 1928, is the oldest and largest state organization of its kind in the United States. Members are professionals devoted to the management and appraisal of rural property and agricultural consulting.</p><p>
Bright earns top honors</p><p>

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Several members of the Co-Alliance energy team were honored at the recent CountryMark Awards Celebration.
Energy Professional Wayne Bright, who serves customers in Putnam and surrounding counties, was named Top Energy Sales Representative of the Year for 2007 in the region. Co-Alliance was also honored as the second largest supplier of CountryMark fuel in the entire Cooperative System. In total, the company delivered well over 48 million gallons of premium diesel fuel, soy biodiesel and ethanol-blended gasoline this year alone.</p><p>
The annual celebration recognizes outstanding sales and achievement on behalf of the professionals who deliver gasoline, diesel fuel and lubricant products to area farms, commercial accounts and homeowners.</p><p>
More than 40 guests from Co-Alliance were present and many received awards. Other recipients who were recognized included Delbert Foulk, Danny Dale, Jeff Kail, Jack McCoy, Chuck Boyd, Kenny Morris, Bill Wallace, Ted Haynes, Tom Wetherald, Jim Geib, Steve Linton, David Irwin, Marvin Michiaels, Frank Pearson, Steve Sheets, John Badger, Gary Crawford, Stan Cooper, Keith Hefner, Don Stoner, Mark Charles, Terry Anderson, Kenny Troutman, Bob Shipley and Richard Sottong.</p><p>
Indiana man wins New Holland GPS mapping system</p><p>

RACINE, Wis. — Gerald Yanos, of Straughn, Ind., hit pay dirt at this year’s Ohio Farm Science review. He is the winner of a New Holland EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar  GPS mapping system, worth $3,000.</p><p>
This system is the world’s first GPS lightbar with color display, mapping and one-inch steering accuracy. This cutting-edge technology represents the latest innovation in lightbar guidance systems, with a color screen that is 300 percent larger than the EZ-Guide Plus. It also features multiple accuracy options, and data logging functions to record data and transfer via USB flash drive for generating printed maps and reports.</p><p>
Yanos and his family grow corn, soybeans and alfalfa, and raise cattle and hogs on nearly 900 acres. He’s been relying on a GPS system for three years to increase his productivity and reduce costs. He will pick up his prize at Benson Equipment, a New Holland dealership in Centerville, Ind.