News Update
June 2, 2011

NCBA Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Environmental Stewardship Award Program

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)  will release a documentary television program celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) during a special episode of NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen, which will debut on RFD-TV Tuesday, June 7, at 8:30 p.m. eastern daylight time (EDT).

Kevin Ochsner, NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen host and Colorado cattleman, will provide an inside look at the past two decades of this important and valuable program that helps the general public understand how farmers and ranchers care for the land and helps producers learn from the success of the award winners.

“We know by experience that many times cattlemen don’t get due recognition for all the stewardship practices that they have on their land,” said Stan Howell, vice president of North America for DowAgrosciences, a primary sponsor of the ESAP award. “We think this award not only honors outstanding cattle-producing families but the program also encourages others to be good stewards of the land.” 

“No one knows how to care for the land better than the families who live and work on America’s ranches and farms,” said Dave Petty, past ESAP winner and current ESAP selection committee chairman. “We’re pleased that this new documentary highlights past winners and recognizes the 20-year history of this program that does so much to tell the real story of how cattlemen care for the land,”

This special edition of NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen will share the history of ESAP and explain how more than 130 regional winners have excelled in the following categories: Caring for the Land; Protecting Water; Enhancing Wildlife; Fostering Innovation; Improving Grazing; Building Partnerships; Telling the Story; and Leaving a Legacy.

The documentary tells the story of ESAP, honoring outstanding cattle producing families and stewards of the environment. Every day, these cattle producers live out their commitment to preserve the environment for future generations. For 20 years, NCBA and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation have honored these innovative, dedicated cattle producers with the Environmental Stewardship Award, sponsored by Dow AgroSciences and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

The 55-minute program is available on DVD. For more information or to order a DVD, visit www.environmentalstewardship.org.

This special edition of NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen will be re-broadcast on RFD-TV Wed., June 8, at 10:30 a.m. EDT and Sat., June 11, at 9 a.m. EDT. In addition, all episodes of NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen are available at www.cattlementocattlemen.org. The program is also on Facebook and can be followed on Twitter.

— Release by NCBA.

NFU Partners with Home Grown Cow to Provide Online Marketplace for Farmers and Ranchers 

The National Farmers Union (NFU) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Home Grown Cow to provide farmers and ranchers with an opportunity to market certain products directly to consumers. Home Grown Cow gives consumers an opportunity to browse products by location and farming style.

“This is a great opportunity for family farmers and ranchers to create additional revenue and market their meat, poultry, and cheeses to a larger market,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “This also gives consumers an opportunity to know the farmer they are purchasing from and what practices he or she uses. It is a very transparent marketplace that benefits both producers and consumers.”

The website helps connect producers directly to consumers. Many consumers are unsure of how to purchase directly from farms, and farmers and ranchers sometimes struggle to find new customers. 

“NFU has been a very strong advocate of connecting producers and consumers, and that is exactly what Home Grown Cow does,” said Home Grown Cow CEO John Aikman. “This opens up many new markets for family farmers and ranchers, providing them with additional sources of revenue. At the same time, it offers consumers an opportunity to know exactly where their food is coming from, so they can be more connected to their food and become more knowledgeable consumers. Everybody wins.”

Visit Home Grown Cow’s website at www.homegrowncow.com.

— Release by NFU.

View The Angus Report

The May 27 edition of The Angus Report, available at www.youtube.com, focuses on the proposed Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rule, the uncoming National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) and Cook-Off competitions, and answering agriculture’s critics.

The American Angus Association’s online news covers a variety of topics in a traditional news format. Watch www.angus.org for reports posted each Friday.

— Release by The American Angus Association.

Agriculture Deputy Secretary to Announce Farmers Market Promotion Program Grants for FY 2011

This Friday, June 3, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan will host a national media conference call to announce USDA’s Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) Grants for fiscal year 2011. FMPP promotes the direct marketing of agricultural commodities from farmers to consumers and increased consumer access to local farm products. This program also responds to growing consumer interest in local foods. Since the start of the program in 2006, FMPP has awarded more than $14 million across the country. FMPP supports the USDA initiative, Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food, which is a bridge between producers and consumers, encourages healthy eating, emphasizes sustainable agricultural practices, and helps to build local and regional food systems that benefit our rural communities.

To take part Friday, June 3, at 2 p.m. EDT in the national media conference call, you will be required to dial in to 1-800-857-5233 and use the passcode SECY (given verbally). For troubleshooting call 202-720-8560.

All callers using the above pass code will be placed in listen only mode. To join the Q&A portion of the meeting, these callers are instructed to press *1 on their touch-tone phone.

— Release by USDA FMPP.

— Compiled by Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, Angus Productions Inc.