Agribusiness

Evaluating Your Estate Plan – A Workshop for Farm Families

News Releases - Agribusiness
Written by Amanda Heitz
Thursday, 29 November 2012 10:08
Talking about estate planning is difficult and implementing an estate plan can be even harder. Questions often include: Who needs to be involved? What information do I need to gather? When is it the right time to start? Where do I start? How do I decide what to do? The Evaluating Your Estate Plan program can help in the planning process. The Evaluating Your Estate Plan workshop will be held Friday, December 14th at the Columbus Junction Civic Center, 232 Second St., Columbus Junction, Iowa, with registration starting at 9:00. The program runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and includes lunch and a 100 page workbook. The program will answer estate planning questions and helps prepare participants to work with their estate planning team. Presenters for the workshop are Melissa O’Rourke and Kelvin Leibold, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach farm and business management specialists. O’Rourke is an attorney experienced in agricultural law and estate planning. Leibold joined ISU Extension in 1987 and has vast experience in working with agricultural clients in farm and business planning. The one-day workshop will cover the language of estate planning, gift, estate and inheritance taxes, calculating retirement costs, and many other areas vital to creating a good estate plan. The workshop helps those who are confused about building a plan for transferring farm assets or unsure what options are best for their farm operation and family. Advance registration for the program is required as space is limited. The Evaluating Your Estate Plan workshop costs $50 per person and includes workshop materials and lunch. To register, call the Louisa County Extension office at 319-523-2371 for more information, or visit the Ag Decision Maker website, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/info/meetings.html#EYEP --30-- Read more Add comment (0) Hits: 175

ISU Scott Co. Extension Calendar December 2012

News Releases - Agribusiness
Written by Amanda Heitz
Monday, 26 November 2012 14:27
Dec. 4, 2012: ISU Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office, 7:00 pm Dec. 5, 2012: Pest Control Operators, Scott County Extension Office, 9:00 am-11:30 am Dec. 7, 2012: Private and Commercial Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension Office-10:00 am- 2:00 pm Visit our events calendar at our web site: http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/ Read more Add comment (0) Hits: 88

IOWA FARM BUREAU NAMES NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, REGIONAL MANAGER AND PRODUCER/WRITER

News Releases - Agribusiness
Written by Heather Lilienthal
Monday, 26 November 2012 14:10
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA – Nov. 20, 2012 – The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) is proud to welcome Farm Bureau employees to new roles this fall. Jim Gardner has been named IFBF chief financial officer and controller, following the retirement of Jim Christenson. Gardner will be responsible for directing all financial and technology affairs of the federation; including finance and accounting, information resources and community resources. He will serve as a member of the IFBF executive team and represent the federation on the affiliated companies’ benefits administration committee. Gardner has been a member of the Farm Bureau family since 1996, serving as the finance and accounting manager. He has worked extensively with the county Farm Bureaus and spearheaded the new county accounting system. He serves as a member of the Insurable Risk, Investment and Exempt Hay committees. Prior to joining IFBF, Gardner served as audit manager with Meriwether, Wilson and Co., P.L.C. in West Des Moines. He currently serves as treasurer of the Iowa FFA Foundation Finance Committee and chairs its finance committee. Gardner has also served on the boards of directors of the Iowa Farm Bureau Foundation Council, Dallas Center-Grimes Youth Football, First Presbyterian Church in Grimes, Valley Apparel Co. in Cedar Rapids, and the Wakonda Christian Church in Des Moines. Gardner became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 1987 and earned his bachelor of arts degree in accounting from the University of Northern Iowa. IFBF also welcomes a new staff member to the organization’s field service team. Jeremy Coyle has been named Regional Manager for region 11, which includes the counties of Boone, Dallas, Greene, Polk and Story. Coyle will work with county officers, committees and members to help develop and carry out program activities, organize and assist with the annual membership campaign and supervise the operation of county Farm Bureau offices in the region. Coyle grew up on a grain and livestock farm near Pisgah in western Iowa. He is a graduate of Iowa State University where he majored in journalism and mass communications with an electronic media emphasis. Coyle joined IFBF in 1997 and served as the senior producer/writer. Aaron Siskow joins the Marketing and Communications staff as producer of digital multimedia services. Siskow comes to the IFBF with nine years of experience in the video and digital multimedia field. He was most recently the senior multimedia developer for Farm Bureau Financial Services. Siskow has extensive experience in writing, producing and directing video and digital multimedia communications. He is the winner of an Iowa Motion Picture Award of Excellence for Lighting Design and the winner of a Research Excellence Award for his outstanding research accomplishments in Iowa State’s graduate program. In his new position, Siskow will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of IFBF’s video/digital multimedia services including the creation of IFBF’s multimedia presentations, video and television and radio content, helping to share agriculture’s story to our members and all Iowans. Siskow grew up in Sheffield and is a graduate of Iowa State University, where he studied journalism, earning a bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees. -30- Read more Add comment (0) Hits: 137

Soy Checkoff Works to Increase U.S. Soy Use in Aquaculture

News Releases - Agribusiness

Written by United Soybean Board

Friday, 16 November 2012 10:46

It’s no wonder that aquaculture is catching on, considering the growing global population, increasing individual incomes and stronger awareness of the health benefits of seafood. In fact, aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing sectors in global animal agriculture. The farmer-leaders of the United Soybean Board (USB) and the soy checkoff are hooked on these prospective customers of U.S. soy.

Watch the video to hear from checkoff farmer-leader Sharon Covert, soybean farmer from Tiskilwa, Ill., about USB’s work to develop the global aquaculture market for U.S. soybean farmers.

Watch this video to learn more.

Add comment (0)

Workshop will focus on Business and Farm Succession Conversations & Planning

News Releases - Agribusiness
Written by Amanda Heitz
Friday, 16 November 2012 10:42
Iowa State University Extension is offering business and farm succession workshops to help business and farm families begin those conversations and start putting transition plans on paper. Gene Mohling, ISU Extension Regional Director, says the Business and Farm Succession Workshops are a result of needs expressed by residents in SE Iowa. “I hear people express concerns about the future, about whether a spouse will be OK with their goals and about parents or children not knowing what the other plans to do – or when,” said Mohling. “As I listen, I hear that the situations involve the whole family – men and women and more than one generation. That is why we are bringing Iowa State University transitioning experts to SE Iowa.” The workshops are planned as a multi-generational event for exiting owners and spouse, and succeeding owners and spouse. The two session workshops will be held on consecutive days to allow for the initiation of conversations and written plans. David Baker and John R. Baker, Beginning Farmer Center Administrator and Attorney at Law, will present the workshops. Workshops are scheduled for Dec. 14-15 at the Washington County Extension Office Over the two days, participants will review the retirement plan concept and receive information on transfer plans, estate plans and a process for creating a family statement of intention. Family groups will be given time to write a statement of intent and vision of the future. “Families will go home with a blueprint to the future – knowing what they need to do, who they need to talk to, and understanding that the plan may need to be adjusted along the way.” Pre-registration can be made by contacting the Washington County Extension Office at 319-653-4811 or email Nancy Adrian at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . This program is sponsored in part by Farm Credit Services. For more information about the workshop contact the hosting county offices. Additional information about the Beginning Farmer Center is available online at www.extension.iastate.edu/bfc/ , by e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or calling 877-BFC-1999. The Beginning Farmer Center is backed by 20 years of research and experience helping farmers with transition plans. --30-- Read more Add comment (0) Hits: 77

More Articles...

<< Start < Prev 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Next > End >>

Page 14 of 109