SPRING VALLEY, WI - The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) hosts its 23rd annual Organic Farming Conference, February 23-25, 2012, at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, WI.

The annual Organic Farming Conference (OFC) is the nation's largest and foremost educational and networking event for the organic farming community.

The farmer-centered OFC will feature more than 65 informative workshops, 160-plus exhibitors, nationally known keynote speakers, and locally sourced food and live entertainment. MOSES expects attendance to be about 3,000 farmers and agricultural professionals.

Held on Thursday, February 22 prior to the OFC, the Organic University will offer 10 full-day courses on various organic agriculture topics for novices and experts alike.

"We're really focused on farmer-to-farmer education and networking at our conference," notes Conference Co-Director Chris Blanchard.


Keynote Speakers

Two nationally recognized authorities are featured presenters at the OFC.

On Friday, February 23, Margaret Krome, Policy Program Director of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, will present: "Growing Food, Health and Democracy: How Farmers, Activists and Consumers are Finding Our Power and Transforming the Food System."

On Saturday, February 24, Heinz Award-winning filmmaker Curt Ellis will present a rich multi-media presentation titled: "Growing Forward: The New Faces of Food and Farming." King Corn filmmaker Ellis is Co-Founder of FoodCorps.


Organic Farmer of the Year

MOSES also will announce and feature the 2012 Organic Farmer of the Year award recipient. The award is granted annually to an outstanding organic farmer or farm family who are innovators; who excel in managing farm resources; and who serve as educators and examples in their communities and to the next generation of organic farmers.


Young Organic Stewards

Young people have always been at the heart of the OFC.  The Young Organic Stewards program recognizes, honors and supports the next generation of organic farmers through targeted workshops and social activities.


Attendance Details

Cost to attend the conference is $195, which includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, workshops, general sessions, admission to the exhibit hall and evening entertainment. Supper is available at the conference for $15 for adults.

The fee for the in-depth Organic University sessions on Thursday, February 22, is $170.

The deadline for OFC and Organic University advance registration is Monday, February 13. Walk-ins will be accepted after that for an added fee.

There are numerous events for children and teens throughout the conference, including childcare as well as discounted meals and attendance fees.


More information

To learn more, call MOSES at 715-778-5775 or go to our website,
http://mosesorganic.org/conference.html

James Andrew to represent Iowa
on America's Farmers Grow Rural EducationSM advisory council

Advisory council to help distribute more than $2.3 million to rural school districts

JEFFERSON, Iowa (January 25, 2012) -  James Andrew of Jefferson, Iowa, was selected to represent Iowa on the America's Farmers Grow Rural EducationSM Advisory Council, a board of 26 farmer leaders that determines the rural school district recipients of the America's Farmers Grow Rural Education grants. This two-year assignment allows farmers on the council to help select which school districts are most deserving of $10,000 or $25,000 grants.
"America's farmers have told us that nothing is more important than growing the next generation, so the Monsanto Fund created America's Farmers Grow Rural Education as a way to help farmers improve school districts in their rural communities," said Linda Arnold, Monsanto Customer Advocacy Lead. "We asked these 26 farmer leaders to represent the farmers in their state in the decision of how best to award the grant money."
The America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory Council is made up of farmer leaders from across the country, who are actively engaged in their local communities through various leadership positions, such as a member of the local School Board, an active Farm Bureau leader or a member of an educational organization or committee within various organizations. The council is responsible for reviewing the top grant applications to select the winning school district in each USDA-appointed Crop Reporting District (CRD). These individuals are passionate about both agriculture and education, which is essential when choosing the best grant for each CRD.   
"The farmers on the Advisory Council are leaders in their rural communities," said Arnold. "Their passion for both agriculture and education make them well-suited to help us review the grant applications."
Andrew was chosen for his exemplary experience with state and national farm commodity groups including Iowa Corn Growers, Iowa Soybean Association, American Soybean Association and U.S. Grains Council. He cares deeply about the quality of education in his community and is dedicated to helping grow and develop local students. One way to do this is through increasing learning opportunities through additional funding and education projects. Andrews hopes to make a difference for not only local students, but schools across the state through the advisory council.
"I believe in America's Farmers Grow Rural Education," Andrew said. "My work in the soybean and biotech arena has convinced me of the future need for continuing science and math research by our high school graduates in the genetics and products is needed to keep America in the lead to feed an ever-growing and hungry world."
America's Farmers Grow Rural Education, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, is a new program that gives farmers the opportunity to nominate a public school district in their rural community to compete for a grant of either $10,000 or $25,000. The Monsanto Fund will award 199 grants this year. There will be 177 $10,000 grants and 22 grants of $25,000 awarded. Visit growruraleducation.com to see a complete list of eligible states and regions. Grants will be awarded based on merit, need and community support. Overall, the Monsanto Fund will donate more than $2.3 million to school districts in 39 states through this program.
The program was piloted in 165 eligible counties in Minnesota and Illinois, in which more than 11,000 farmers nominated their schools. The Monsanto Fund donated more than $266,000 in total to local school districts in nine CRDs in Illinois and seven CRDs in Minnesota in 2011.
America's Farmers Grow Rural Education is part of a broad commitment by the Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, to support farming communities. Visit growruraleducation.com for a complete listing of school districts, counties and more information about America's Farmers Grow Rural Education.

About Monsanto Fund
The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the farm communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work.  Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.

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News from Blue Ribbon Foundation

DES MOINES, IA (01/24/2012)(readMedia)-- There are thousands of things to love about the great Iowa State Fair, where "Nothing Compares!" From funnel cakes and Ferris wheels, food on a stick and free entertainment, to premier livestock events, art exhibits and the country's largest state fair food department, the Iowa State Fair has something for everyone. Again this year, Iowans can continue to show their love for the Fair on their tax returns and help the Fair continue the renovation and preservations of the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds.

Look for the State Fairgrounds Renovation Check Off on line 58b of Iowa Tax Form 1040 or on line 14 of Iowa Tax Form 1040A and check off $1 (or more!) to help preserve the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. Your gift is either deducted from your refund or added to the amount due. Contributions to the Corndog Checkoff are fully tax-deductible.

"The Corndog Checkoff is a simple way for Iowans to show their love for the Iowa State Fair. Funds raised through this program are an important part of the effort to preserve this great institution for future generations," said Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation Executive Director John Putney.

Every dollar donated to the Checkoff is directly allocated to capital improvements. The Corndog Checkoff has raised nearly $1.6 million and has supplemented restoration projects from the Grandstand to Ye Old Mill. In addition, funds generated by the Checkoff have helped improve the campgrounds, parking areas, sidewalks and restrooms.

The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profi t 501(c)3 organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated over $80 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds. For more information on the Corndog Tax Checkoff, please contact the Blue Ribbon Foundation at (800) 450-3732 or email bluerf@blueribbonfoundation.org.

Soybean checkoff study finds that United States could lose global competitiveness

ST. LOUIS (Jan. 24, 2012) - Deteriorating condition of the U.S. lock and dam system puts the competiveness of U.S. soybean farmers at risk according to a study funded by the United Soybean Board's (USB's) and the soybean checkoff's Global Opportunities (GO) program. Entitled "America's Locks & Dams: A Ticking Time Bomb for Agriculture," the in-depth examination coordinated by the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) found American farmers and consumers "...will suffer severe economic distress" if catastrophic U.S. lock or dam failures take place.

More than half of the structures that are part of the U.S. inland waterway system for river barge shipping exceed their 50-year usable lifespan, according to the soybean checkoff-funded report. More than one-third surpass 70 years of age, a concern because major rehabilitation is usually necessary to expand the typical lifespan from 50 to 75 years, according to the study.

"The GO committee invested in this study to calculate the impact of the worsening condition of the lock and dam system and what the impact would be on the rail and highway system if those locks failed," says Laura Foell, soybean farmer from Schaller, Iowa, and chair of the GO committee. "It is important for all in the industry and in the public sector to have the information necessary to make informed decisions when it comes to investing in our locks and dams."

Just on the Ohio River alone, the accumulated shipping delays at broken-down locks has more than tripled since 2000, rising from 25,000 hours to 80,000 annually. And that gets expensive. This study shows that a three-month lock closure would increase the cost of transporting 5.5 million tons of oilseeds and grain, the average shipped by barge during that period, by $71.6 million. A failure at any of the locks examined by the study could cost U.S. farmers up to $45 million in lost revenue.

The U.S. inland waterways represent key infrastructure for transporting U.S. soybeans. Up to 89 percent of soybeans exported through the lower Mississippi ports, such as the Port of New Orleans, arrive at those ports in barges that must transit multiple locks for the trip downstream.

The study, conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University, examined the condition of locks on the Upper Mississippi River, Illinois River and Ohio River. The study also calculated the economic impact of specific lock failures on districts within states, showing the effect on agricultural commodity prices?and on fertilizer and coal prices, which also depend on upstream river barge shipping.

"It is important that we have a robust transportation system," adds Foell. "Only by using a combination of the lock and dam system, rail system and truck system can we continue to move our products in a manner that will help us feed the world."

The USB GO program and STC, which is made up of USB, the American Soybean Association and 11 state soybean checkoff boards, plan to examine new and different ways to fund lock and dam and other rural transportation infrastructure improvements. USB made public and private investment in transportation infrastructure one of its top two priority issues.

USB is made up of 69 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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WEST DES MOINES, IOWA -Jan. 20, 2012 - As farmers' costs of production increase, risk management tools, including crop insurance and marketing decisions, are vital to the success of their operations. The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation's (IFBF) Margin Management webinar series highlights these topics and tools at its next webinar offered Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 1-2 p.m. at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

The free, live webinar features Ed Kordick, IFBF commodity services manager, and William Edwards, Iowa State University professor of economics.

"In these volatile times, risk management is more important than ever. Farmers need to understand their options as they look forward to marketing and protecting that next crop," said Kordick. "The webinar will address the changes for 2012 in crop insurance, which is a main component in crop risk management.   We will also discuss how crop insurance can be used to enable farmers to be more confident in marketing the crop before harvest."

Participants can pre-register and access the free webinar at www.iowafarmbureau.com. For more information, contact Kordick at ekordick@ifbf.org or 515-225-5433. The seminar will be recorded and available on the IFBF website, www.iowafarmbureau.com, starting the following day, for Farm Bureau members to view the information on their farm/home computer.

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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 center at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

With the cow herd at its lowest level since 1973, drought in the southern range states and optimism for increased export demand, the stage is set for heifer retention increases into the next few years. To aid in this process, Iowa Beef Center (IBC), Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Cattlemen's Association are working together to host a series of heifer clinics over the next few weeks.

The series focuses on currently available technologies and management to increase productivity and longevity of heifers. Specific topics include health protocols, ration recommendations, heifer development budgets, AI practices and synchronization recommendations, and reducing calving difficulties. Ultrasound demonstration and Q&A also are part of each session.

Cost is $15 per person which includes resource materials and meal. Contact and registration information is included for each location. Preregister by date shown for the desired location to ensure adequate material and meal count.

Session dates, times, locations

Jan. 25, Rockwell City, Expo Building at Calhoun County Fairgrounds, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Register by Jan. 18 by calling 712-297-8611 (snow date Feb. 1).

Jan. 26, Iowa Falls, Ellsworth College Equestrian Center, 6 p.m. Register by Jan. 18 by calling 641-923-2856.

Feb. 6, Spencer, Clay County Regional Events Center at Clay County Fairgrounds, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register by Jan. 30 by calling 712-262-2264 (snow date Feb. 8).

Feb. 7, Postville, Postville Vet Clinic, noon to 4 p.m. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 319-472-7939.

Feb. 7, Richland, Keokuk County (formerly Richland) Veterinary Clinic, 6 p.m. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 641-472-4166.

Feb. 7, Stuart, Stuart Vet Clinic, 6 p.m. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 641-203-1270.

Feb. 9, Chariton, ISU McNay farm, 6 p.m. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 641-203-1270.

Feb. 9, Maquoketa, Jackson County Extension office, noon to 4 p.m. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 319-472-7939.

Feb. 9, Bloomfield, Bloomfield Livestock Auction, 6 p.m. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 641-472-4166.

A listing of all series session dates, times, locations and contact information also is available on the IBC website.

Additional series sponsors are ABS Global, Accelerated Genetics, Elanco Animal Health, Genex, Hawkeye Breeders Service, Innovative Ag Services, Land O'Lakes-Purina, Nichols Cryo-Genetics, Pfizer Animal Health, Quality Liquid Feeds, Select Sires and Stuart Veterinary Clinic-Ultrasound Services.

Site specific sponsors are Collison Embryo, Collison Veterinary Services, Innovative Ag Services, Maquoketa Embryos, Novartis Animal Health, Postville Vet Clinic, Spencer Ag Center LLC, Spencer Livestock Sales, and Valley Veterinary Center, PLC.

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??February 8, 2012 - Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, & Plant Disease CIC, Scott County Extension Office - 9:00a.m.

February 22, 2012 - Seed Treatment CIC, Scott County Extension Office - 9:00 a.m.

February 28, 2012 - ISU Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office - 7:00 p.m.

March 8, 2012 - Ornamental & Turf Applicators CIC, Scott County Extension Office - 1:30 p.m.

March 14, 2012 - Certified Handlers CIC, Scott County Extension Office - 9;00 a.m.

March 23, 2012 - Women In Agriculture (Overall Women), I Wireless Center, Moline (More info to come)

March 30, 2012 - Commercial & Private Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension Office - 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Visit our events calendar at our web site: http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

Iowa-Based Project will Create Jobs, Expand Production of Biofuels

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2012 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA has approved a conditional commitment for a $25 million guaranteed loan to build a biorefinery plant with funding support from USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program. The plant will be constructed by Fiberight, LLC based in Blairstown, Iowa.

"This project is another step the Obama administration is taking to support production of a new generation of renewable fuels, in order to build an active biofuels and biomass production industry in every region of the country," said Vilsack. "Investments in renewable energy create jobs and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil."

USDA funding will be used to construct a 55,000 square foot facility that will produce cellulosic ethanol by converting municipal solid waste and other industrial pulps into advanced biofuels, as well as using conventional renewable biofuel derived from seed corn waste. When operational, the facility is expected to produce approximately 3.6 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol per year. The process will use a cellulosic microbe to produce up to 15 percent more ethanol than traditional fermentation technology, and reduce energy inputs in the fermentation and distillation process. Fiberight estimates the project will create 38 jobs and save 16 jobs.

Under the conditional commitment, Fiberight must meet specified conditions before the loan guarantee can be completed. Other funding comes from the State of Iowa.Fiberight also received a $2.5 million grant from the Iowa Power Fund in 2010. The company will work with the Benton County landfill to supply a portion of the feedstock for the project. The total project cost is estimated at $59.5 million. Fiberight, LLC was incorporated in 2007 for the purpose of converting an existing ethanol facility into a cellulosic ethanol facility in Blairstown.

This funding is an example of the many ways that USDA is helping revitalize rural economies to create opportunities for growth and prosperity, support innovative technologies, identify new markets for agricultural producers, and better utilize our nation's natural resources.

The Obama Administration is working to promote domestic production of renewable energy to create jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, combat global warming, and build stronger rural economy. Today, Americans import just over half of our transportation fuels - down from 60 percent when President Obama took office - but we can do more to meet the President's goal of reducing our net fuel imports by one-third by 2025. At Secretary Vilsack's direction, USDA is working to develop the national biofuels industry producing energy from non-food sources in every region of the country. USDA is conducting and encouraging research into innovative new energy technologies and processes, helping companies build biorefineries - including the first ever commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol facilities - and supporting farmers, ranchers, and businesses taking risks to pursue new opportunities in biofuels. Along with Federal partners, USDA is establishing an aviation biofuels economy, and have expedited rules and efforts to promote production and commercialization of biofuels.

USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program was authorized by Congress under the 2008 Farm Bill. It provides loan guarantees to capitalize on the growing opportunities in renewable energy provided by advanced biofuels. The Program is designed to assist with the commercial deployment of production technologies to produce advanced biofuels, and thereby increase the energy independence of the United States; promote resource conservation, public health, and the environment; diversify markets for agricultural and forestry products and agriculture waste material; create jobs and enhance the economic development of the rural economy.

To read more about the Administration's renewable energy accomplishments, click here.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of employees in the nation's capital and state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).


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Applications now being accepted for program to put U.S. soy to work at fairs ST. LOUIS (Jan. 20, 2012) - Soy can be found in many products we might use every day.  The United Soybean Board (USB) and the soybean checkoff want more fairgoers to see the wide variety of soy-based products put to good use this year.

The national soy checkoff plans to deliver this message though its Green Ribbon Fairs reimbursement program, aimed at encouraging fairs across the country to promote and use soy-based products.

Through the annual program, now in its second year, town, county, state and regional fairs compete to be reimbursed for using and promoting soy-based products on their fairgrounds year-round, as well as during the fairs. Soy-based products that could be used include paints, insulation, ink, biodiesel, hand sanitizers, cleaning and maintenance products, dust suppressants and more.

"Partnering with other groups helps us to tell a new audience about the sustainability of soy products," says Geno Lowe, a soybean farmer from Hebron, Md., and USB farmer-director. "What's great about the Green Ribbon Fairs program is we can reach both rural and urban audiences."

The checkoff funds research and development of soy-based products, including many on the market today. Soy products represent renewable, U.S.-grown alternatives that, in some cases, outperform their petroleum-based counterparts.

Applications for the Green Ribbon Fairs reimbursement program will be accepted until Monday, Feb. 6. Participants in the 2012 program will be notified in mid-March. Interested fairs can contact USB for more information.
USB is made up of 69 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org

A new TV feature  is available on the USDA FTP site. The new TV feature can also be seen on USDA's YouTube channel and seen and downloaded as a video podcast.

FTP Download instructions:

The host: ftp://ocbmtcmedia.download.akamai.com

User name: usdanews

Password:  Newscontent1

Filename for TV Feature: GOMI feature

The new file is in QuickTime Movie (H.264 ), MPEG 4, MPEG2 and HDV.

YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/usda/

video podcasthttp://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/usda-down-to-earth-video-podcast/id461819504?uo=4

RSS feed: http://downtoearth.usda.libsynpro.com/rss

Please email bob.ellison@usda.gov if you have problems or suggestions.

Also, use this free ftp client if you have problems.

http://filezilla-project.org/download.php?type+client

 

FEATURE - FIVE STATE USDA INITIATIVE WILL HELP IMPROVE ECOSYSTEM HEALTH OF GULF COAST

INTRO:  U-S-D-A's Natural Resources Conservation Service is launching a water and wildlife conservation effort along the Gulf Coast of the United States. The USDA's Bob Ellison has more. (1:32)

 

A NEW INITIATIVE FROM THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE WILL HELP PRODUCERS PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT BY IMPROVING WATER QUALITY. GOMI (GO-MEE), OR THE GULF OF MEXICO INITIATIVE, WILL HELP PRODUCERS IN FIVE STATES LIMIT NUTRIENT AND PESTICIDE RUNOFF.

 

Will Blackwell, USDA NRCS District Conservationist: The goal of the GOMI is to improve the water quality as it drains off the land before it gets into the rivers, before it gets into the bays and estuaries.

 

TEXAS RANCHER DALLAS FORD PLANS TO USE GOMI ASSISTANCE TO BUILD FENCES TO KEEP HIS CATTLE OUT OF LOCAL STREAM SYSTEMS.

 

Dallas Ford, Refugio Co., TX: The cattle will be on the land, the proper ranch itself and get their water from there and not be in the creek, which they do go into it now and I would like to stop them from doing that.

 

AT THE GOMI ANNOUNCEMENT, AN N-R-C-S OFFICIAL SAID STAFF WILL WORK WITH LANDOWNERS TO DEVELOP PLANS AND GET FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS TO PUT CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN PLACE.

 

Salvador Salinas, USDA NRCS Texas State Conservationist: In some areas a lot of what is going on is we are having a lot of nutrient and pesticide erosion into those river systems and as a result that impacts the wildlife and fish habitat. We hope that by implementing the conservation programs that over a period of time that we will begin to see some possible affects with regard to water quality.

 

GOMI WILL DELIVER UP TO FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS IN COST-SHARE ASSISTANCE OVER THREE YEARS IN SIXTEEN PRIORITY WATERSHEDS. FOR THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE I'M BOB ELLISON.

USDA Down To Earth Video Podcast

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