WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - May 10, 2012 - Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), the largest grassroots farm organization in the state, applauds Iowa lawmakers for measures passed this year which protect property owners, increase conservation funding and protect responsible Iowa livestock farmers from fraud.

Several measures passed in this legislative session that impact property taxes paid by landowners and homeowners.  IFBF applauds two legislative issues that directly impact property owners including a combined $27 million increase to the homestead property tax credit and ag land and family farm property tax credit, providing for direct property tax relief,"  said IFBF President Craig Hill, a Milo crop and livestock farmer.  Additionally, the legislature reinstated the statewide dollar cap to ensure that property tax contributions to the mental health system remain limited and controlled.  "These efforts, along with fully funding the legislature's K-12 education commitments, provide protections for property taxpayers and assure limited and controlled use of property tax dollars for these services."

While IFBF had several priority issues win bi-partisan approval in the 2012 legislative session, members are particularly pleased to see increased conservation and water quality cost-share funding for programs which are currently experiencing a backlog of unfunded projects.  "Farm Bureau members are pleased that lawmakers decided to increase state funding for incentive-based, voluntary conservation and water quality programs, including the Ag Drainage Well Closure program.  Farmers know a 'one size fits all' approach doesn't work when it comes to conservation measures, but they do know what works best on their land.  Conservation measures such as buffer strips, terracing and other soil-protection and water quality measures have helped Iowa farmers reduce erosion by more than 30 percent since 1982, but requests for cost-share dollars to implement them have been grossly underfunded," said Hill.   The increase in the Ag Drainage Well Closure program and Conservation Cost-Share program will translate into enhanced water quality and soil conservation in Iowa.

Another high priority issue for Iowa family farmers which won passage in the 2012 legislature was the Agriculture Protection Bill.  The bi-partisan House File (HF) 589 creates penalties for those who fraudulently gain access to a farm with the intent to cause harm.   "It's about misrepresentation of character," said Hill.  "Good farmers don't want to think that someone is sitting on the sidelines, watching bad things happen, just because they have some covert motive."   HF 589 creates new penalties for those who make false statements to gain access to a farm, or misrepresent themselves on an employment application to hide their intended misconduct or purpose.   It also penalizes organizations or persons who aid or abet someone who misrepresented facts to gain access to a crop or livestock farm.

Farm Bureau members will continue to work towards improving Iowa's infrastructure, an area which was not addressed by this year's legislature.  "Many of Iowa's roads and bridges are in need of significant structural improvements, and we continue to fall further behind every year.  Clearly, this problem will not go away without additional funding; that's why Farm Bureau members have identified a fuel tax increase as the most equitable, feasible funding method," said Hill.

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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 online media room at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

ST. LOUIS (May 10, 2012) - More than 75 million bushels of whole U.S. soybeans made their way to Japan last year, thanks to strong demand for quality soy. Next week, a delegation of U.S. soybean farmers representing the United Soybean Board (USB), the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) plan to honor the 50th anniversary of the Japan Oilseed Processors Association (JOPA). The organization has worked with U.S. soybean farmers to meet demand for U.S. soy in Japan.

Today's strong trade relations with Japan started in 1956, when a team of representatives of the Japanese soy industry visited the United States. Ever since, JOPA, which represents 20 Japanese oilseed processors, has been a key ally for the U.S. soy industry. Today, nearly 70 percent of Japanese soybean imports originate from the United States.

"Japan has grown to be one of our most valued customers," says Vanessa Kummer, USB chair and a soybean farmer from Colfax, N.D. "Because customers in Japan serve as one of our largest markets abroad, soy ranks as the top U.S. agricultural export and makes a large net contribution to the U.S. agricultural trade balance. The soy checkoff, along with my fellow farmers representing ASA and USSEC, mark this very symbolic milestone with our Japanese customers and remain committed to meeting their soy needs."

"Japan's oilseed processing sector has long been a trusted partner for American soybean farmers," says ASA First Vice President Danny Murphy, a soybean farmer from Canton, Miss. "The American Soybean Association opened its first overseas international market development office in Japan in 1956, and U.S. soy exports to Japan have grown to more than $1 billion annually today. We are honored to join our Japanese counterparts and colleagues in celebrating the accomplishments of the Japanese Oilseed Processors Association as it celebrates its 50th anniversary, and we look forward to continuing the Japanese-American partnership."

"Our partnership with the Japanese crushing industry, which is the third largest buyer of U.S. soybeans, is stronger than ever," says Roy Bardole, USSEC chairman and soybean farmer from Rippey, Iowa. "U.S. soy farmers take the relationship with JOPA very seriously. We are committed to do what we can to ensure another 50 successful years as their partner."

Prior to formal recognition marking JOPA's anniversary, the U.S. group plans to visit a soy processing plant and feed mill at a major port near Tokyo.

The 69 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
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Farmers Market Promotion Program helps fund farmers markets, local food projects

SPRINGFIELD - May 3, 2012. An advocate for local foods, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon is urging local food producers to apply for a federal grant that promotes farmers markets.

The United States Department of Agriculture recently announced the availability of $10 million in competitive grants for FY 2012 through the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP). Grants are targeted at projects that help improve and expand farmers markets, community supported agriculture and road-side stands. The deadline to apply for FMPP funding is May 21.

"I encourage Illinois' local food producers to take advantage of this opportunity to grow and gain access to new markets," said Simon, the only statewide elected official from Southern Illinois. "As a state we spend more than 95 percent of our food dollars on products grown outside of Illinois. Strengthening our local food system will keep dollars in our local communities and help grow our economy."

Priority status will be granted to those projects that expand healthy food choices in food deserts or low-income areas where the percentage of the population living in poverty is 20 percent or above. Entities eligible to apply for grant funding include agricultural cooperatives, local governments and nonprofit corporations.

As chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council Simon has advocated for expanded use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at farmers markets. SNAP sales at farmers markets totaled nearly $70,000 in 2011, an increase of over 522 percent since 2009. The number of farmers markets and direct-marketing farmers certified to accept the Link cards that access SNAP benefits has increased from 35 in 2009 to 49 in 2011.

"SNAP use at farmers markets benefits the health of SNAP recipients, local economies, and farmers," said USDA Food and Nutrition Service Midwest Regional Administrator Ollice Holden. "These grants will put resources into rural and urban economies, and help strengthen efforts to provide access to nutritious and affordable food."

In 2011, four grants from the FMPP were awarded to organizations in Illinois: the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees, Food Works of Carbondale and Chicago organizations, Growing Home Inc., and Faith in Place. The SIU board is using a $81,000 grant to establish the Illinois Farmers Market Association, which will provide professional development, resources and support for farmers, markets and community members, including a farmers market manager training manual and a statewide database to connect farmers to markets. The association expects to start accepting members in January 2013.

"The Illinois Farmers Market Association will help provide resources and solutions to the challenges markets face in administering federal nutrition programs such as SNAP, WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs," said Pat Stieren, coordinator of the Illinois Farmers Market Association. "With over 20 percent of the population in Chicago living in 'food deserts' without access to fresh, healthy foods, and with 1 in 10 Illinoisans receiving SNAP benefits, creating a Farmers Market Association is a crucial step toward helping markets learn how to expand fresh food access and improving health outcomes while supporting local agriculture."

For additional information on grant eligibility and how to apply, visit www.grants.gov.