INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013/National FFA Organization) - Steven Brockshus of Iowa was to say at least an active high school student.

At Sibley-Ocheyedan High School in Sibley, Iowa, he was active in concert, marching and jazz bands. He was a choir member and performed as lead in several high school plays and musicals. Brockshus was a member of the varsity football, wrestling and track teams. And he belonged to groups including Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, 4-H and more.

"I joined so many activities in high school to find out where I belonged," he said. "While I didn't feel out of place in any of them, I found something special in FFA."

FFA inspired Brockshus, he recalls. "The organization itself is empty without people. FFA creates an atmosphere in which anyone can find their place, regardless of background, family structure, age, skin color, language or accent."

Brockshus was elected to the 2013-14 National FFA Officer team as Central Region vice president at the 86th National FFA Convention & Expo.

Other members of the team are Brian Walsh of Virginia as president, Mitch Baker of Tennessee as secretary, Jackson Harris of Alabama as Southern Region vice president, Wes Davis of West Virginia as Eastern Region vice president and Jason Wetzler of Oregon as Western Region vice president.

Originally from Sibley, Iowa, and today an agricultural education and global resource systems major at Iowa State University, Brockshus previously served as Iowa FFA Association president and northwest state vice president. In high school, he served as his FFA chapter's reporter and secretary.

Each year at the National FFA Convention & Expo, six students are elected by delegates to represent the organization as National FFA officers. Delegates elect a president, secretary and vice presidents representing the central, southern, eastern and western regions of the country.

National officers commit to a year of service to the National FFA Organization. Each travels more than 100,000 national and international miles to interact with business and industry leaders, thousands of FFA members and teachers, corporate sponsors, government and education officials, state FFA leaders, the general public and more. The team will lead personal growth and leadership training seminars for FFA members throughout the country and help set policies that will guide the future of FFA and promote agricultural literacy.

After graduation from Iowa State, Brockshus hopes to develop agriculture, teach and be involved in missionary work in a third-world country to encourage community development, spur innovation and motivate people in need.

"I am excited to help members find their belonging by serving as a role model, unconditionally loving every person I meet," he said. "I want to make every interaction a moment of positive influence by being vulnerable and sharing my passion.

"I hope to foster an atmosphere of belonging in every member I come in contact with while serving as a national officer. I want to empower members by creating opportunities for self-discovery and express the value of living in the moment with every interaction."

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 579,678 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,570 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

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About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 579,678 student members as part of 7,570 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at www.FFA.org, on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.

Governor Proclaims Dec. 2-8 as "Iowa Farm Bureau Week"

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Nov. 11, 2013 - Members of the state's largest grassroots farm organization will gather with excitement to hear nationally-renowned economist and futurist, Dr. Jay Lehr,  keynote the 95^th Annual Meeting of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), Dec. 3 and 4 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines, formerly known as Veterans Auditorium.

To mark the occasion, Governor Terry Branstad has declared Dec. 2-8 as 'Iowa Farm Bureau Week' to honor the many accomplishments and contributions of the 95-year-old grassroots farm organization.

"This year our annual meeting theme, 'Generations of Innovation,' celebrates the dedication, accomplishments, and potential of our many diverse family farmers.  Today's responsible farmers are dedicated members of their communities," says IFBF President Craig Hill.  "They're always looking for better ways to provide safe food choices for today's consumers and embrace innovation and the expertise of others.  That's why we're bringing a high caliber group of experts like Dr. Lehr, an expert in environmental science with five decades of agricultural economics experience, to speak on a variety of timely agriculture-related subjects."

In addition to innovative speakers, the 95^th IFBF annual meeting will also feature several 'hands-on' educational seminars to help Farm Bureau members navigate challenging markets, rules and regulations, the evolution of conservation, as well as preparing for the future and strengthening the family farm legacy.  This year the access to expert advice from noted leaders has been expanded to include three separate sessions on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

In addition, Iowa's best and brightest young farmers will take the stage for the IFBF Young Farmer Discussion Meet Dec. 3, competing for the state title, a John Deere X320 riding lawn mower, and the chance to advance to the national competition during the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention, January 12-15, in San Antonio, Texas.

IFBF President and Milo farmer Craig Hill will address members and special guests on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 8:15 a.m. The organization will celebrate the generations of innovation and contributions dedicated Farm Bureau members have made with a recognition luncheon Tuesday, Dec. 3, at noon and a young farm leaders' achievement luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 12:30 p.m.

Farm Bureau's voting delegate session will be held Wednesday, Dec. 4.

Accomplished trumpeter, Jesse McGuire, will provide entertainment on Tuesday, Dec 3, during the Recognition Luncheon.  Michael Sarver, a singer and finalist on the eighth season of American Idol¸ will close out the 2013 Annual Meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 4, following the Young Farmers Luncheon.

Members can register for the 2013 IFBF Annual Meeting at their county Farm Bureau offices. For a complete listing of events and activities, visit www.iowafarmbureau.com.

Editor's Note: Media interested in attending are encouraged to complete the attached registration form and submit to Kim Firebaugh by Wednesday, November 27.

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About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the Newsroom page on the IBF website at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today extended the disaster declaration allowing for more propane transport during harvest. The extension is 7 days, through Nov. 14.

Today's proclamation language is below:

WHEREAS,   a proclamation of disaster emergency was issued on October 24, 2013, as a result of the propane shortage being felt throughout the State of Iowa; and

WHEREAS,   effects of the shortage continue and the circumstances and reasons for issuance of the proclamation remain and continue; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with Iowa Code section 321.449 pertaining to hours of service for drivers of commercial motor vehicles subject to the conditions stated in the October 24, 2013 proclamation will continue to prevent, hinder, or delay timely transportation and delivery of propane throughout the State of Iowa.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TERRY E. BRANSTAD, Governor of the State of Iowa, by the power and authority vested in me by the Iowa Constitution Art. IV, §§ 1, 8 and Iowa Code § 29C.6(1), and all other applicable laws, do hereby extend a State of Disaster Emergency for the entire state of Iowa originally proclaimed on October 24, 2013 for an additional seven days.  All terms and conditions of the proclamation of October 24, 2013 are hereby included by reference and shall apply as if fully set forth in this proclamation.

This extension of the original proclamation shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on November 8, 2013, shall continue for seven (7) days, and shall expire on November 14, 2013 at 11:59 p.m., unless sooner terminated or extended in writing by me.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Senator Chuck Grassley and Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today made the following statements before the first official meeting of the farm and food bill conference committee later today.  Grassley and Fortenberry authored provisions in the Senate and House bills to establish a farm payment cap of $250,000.  The Senate and House bills also tighten loopholes that have allowed some non-farmers to game the system.  In addition, the Government Accountability Office recently released a report outlining many of the current shortcomings of the eligibility rules for farm programs.  The report also says that the legislative language in the Senate and House passed farm bills would be an appropriate fix to the agency's findings.

Grassley and Fortenberry maintain that the farm payment provisions are nearly identical in the two bills, and should not be up for negotiation.

Grassley comment:

"Our reform is common-sense.  Not only does it end some of the most egregious abuses of the farm program and make sure that the farm program payments are going to those who need them most, but it saves money.  It's a win-win for everybody.   When 22 people are getting farm payments for the same farm, and 70 percent of the farm payments go to 10 percent of the biggest farms, we've got a problem.  Some members of the conference committee have already made clear of their intention to remove the reforms.  By removing the payment limits and the provisions to close loopholes, these members are only making the safety net more susceptible to criticism and vulnerable to elimination.  The safety net is important to a safe and affordable food supply for the country, and it would be short-sighted to allow such a parochial mindset to undermine an important and necessary policy."

Fortenberry comment:

"After many years of discussion, farm payment limitations reform finally has a chance to become law.  More robust payment limits help farm supports reach intended recipients and close loopholes. In this time of tight budgets, the need for this type of fair reform is even greater. With the opportunity for new farm policy under negotiation between the House and Senate, payment limits should remain a key piece of the overall package. It is my hope that this important provision will carry forward into the final Farm Bill."

Specifics of the payment limits provisions:

• The bills establish a per farm cap of $50,000 on all commodity program benefits, except those associated with the marketing loan program (loan deficiency payments and marketing loan gains), which would be capped at $75,000.  Thus the combined limit would be $125,000, or, for married couples, $250,000.  The $50,000 cap would apply to whatever type of program is developed as part of the new farm and food bill.

• The bills would define clearly the scope of people who are able to qualify as actively engaged by only providing management for the farming operation.  The bill will allow one off-farm manager, but only one.  Landowners who share rent land to an actively-engaged producer remain exempt from the "actively engaged" rules provided their payments are commensurate to their risk in the crop produced.