News Update
March 18, 2011

Statement From Vilsack on Tragedies in Japan, Effects on U.S. Food Imports

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today made the following statement on the recent tragedies in Japan:

“I know that there are many questions Americans might have about the terrible tragedies in Japan. I want to reassure the American public that at this time we have no reason to suggest that any of our meat, poultry, dairy or processed egg products are unsafe for consumption due to the recent events in Japan. Our food imports from Japan are quite limited. What we do import must meet the safety standards of this country. We monitor and inspect imports to insure compliance with those standards. Should any risk with imports arise, we have procedures and processes in place to identify problems and deal with them. While we continue to offer aid and assistance to the Japanese we do not intend to lose sight of our core mission, which is to make sure our food remains safe, abundant and affordable.”

— Release by USDA.

Graduate Numbers Exceed 2,000 for Beef Advocacy Program

The checkoff-funded Masters of Beef Advocacy (MBA) program officially surpassed 2,000 graduates this past week and posted a record number of new student applications for a one week timeframe. More than 100 individual applications were submitted the week of March 7.

The program, designed to equip beef and dairy producers across the country to tell their story in presentations to schools and church/civic groups, through local media and in the “virtual” world of the Internet, was launched in March 2009. 

Since then, all walks of life have signed up to be a part of this unique opportunity to be engaged and active in sharing the positive story about beef. The MBA program boasts a graduate base of people from 47 states, the District of Columbia, Mexico, Western Australia, and one on active duty in Qatar. They range in age from 13 to 80, and every farm size and type of operation, raising many choices of beef for consumers including grass-fed, grain-finished, natural and organic; and their product is sold in diners, fine dining restaurants, farmer’s markets and supermarkets.  

Recent MBA graduate Celeste Settrini wears many hats in the agriculture industry: a partner in her family’s California cow-calf operation, a fresh commodity vegetable broker dealing with retail, foodservice and wholesale business, the state president of California Woman in Agriculture and legislative director for the California Cattlewomen.

Yet with all of these different responsibilities on her plate, Celeste still finds time to be an “Agvocate.”

“I found out about the MBA program and immediately decided that I needed to sign up! Why? Because I believe in continuing my education to be as well rounded as I can possibly be. I have lived my experiences on the ranch and tell a pretty good story, but the added benefit of all you learn from the MBA program with facts and figures complements what I already know,” says Settrini. “It is the added boost to give your story the impact that really goes the extra mile. When you can back up experiences with facts and figures I believe it makes it complete!”

Visit www.beef.org/mba for more details on the MBA program or to complete the online application.

For more information about your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.

— Release by Beef Checkoff Program.

Women in Ag Program Scheduled for March 29

The Central Kansas Extension District has teamed up with several agricultural agencies to be a host of the very popular Women in Ag series, which is aimed at educating farm women about the daily business workings of the farm or ranch. “Getting Organized: Keep It or Toss It” will be Tuesday, March 29, at the Ottawa County Courthouse meeting room. Registration will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Starting at 7 p.m., Mary Lou Odle, Extension Family Resource Management agent for the Central Kansas District, will help give some understanding of how to manage farm records and documents including taxes, insurance, contracts, estate plans, leases and others.

Following Mary Lou’s presentation, an expert panel featuring the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), American AgCredit, and the Cooperative Extension Service will give an overview of their agencies and the services that they provide. Dessert, coffee and tea will be served following the program.           

If you are a woman involved in agriculture as an owner, partner, helper, or absentee landlord, plan to attend this free program. Preregistration is requested by Thursday, March 24. For more information or to RSVP, please contact the CKD Extension Office in Minneapolis, Kan., at 785-392-2147 or Salina, Kan., at 785-309-5850.

This event is hosted by the Central Kansas Extension District, Ottawa County Farm Bureau, FSA, American AgCredit, and NRCS.

— Release by K-State Research and Extension.

What Does the Future of Animal Agriculture Look Like?

Agriculture advocates from farm to fork are invited to participate in the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s tenth annual Stakeholders Summit, to be held May 5-6 in Arlington, Va.

The event presents an unparalleled opportunity for food industry leaders to unite and learn about the issues and will empower attendees to speak out about the importance of animal agriculture.

The 2011 Summit’s theme — “United We Eat: Securing Animal Agriculture’s Future” — will bring together leaders from across the food chain to discuss new ways that industry stakeholders can work cooperatively to educate consumers about food production while meeting ever-increasing global food demand.

Featured speakers include Senator Pat Roberts, ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Frank Mitloehner, the University of California–Davis scientist who pointed out important flaws in the United Nation’s report on livestock’s contribution to climate change. Frank Luntz, a highly esteemed political consultant and author, will help attendees understand that when it comes to talking about agriculture with consumers, “It’s not what you say, it’s what people hear.” The event will also include panel discussions to explore common activist campaigns and tactics against animal agriculture and strategies to protect farmers and ranchers at the state level. A full list of the 18 event presenters is available here.

For a second year, the Summit will be at The Westin Arlington Gateway hotel in Arlington, Va. Attendees should book rooms in the “Animal Agriculture Alliance” block at the special rate of $239 by visiting the hotel's website or by calling 703-717-6200. Early registration for the one-and-a-half day event is $325 for Alliance members and $375 for non-members. The Alliance is offering a special rate of $275 for those in government or academia. Registration materials are available at www.animalagalliance.org/register — click on the “tickets” tab to get started. Early hotel and conference registrations are due by April 16.

New for 2011, the Alliance is offering a special adjunct Farm Security Workshop immediately following the Summit’s conclusion May 6. Titled “Protect Your Business from the Inside Out,” this unique and timely training session will feature presentations from security experts, law enforcement, and seasoned media professionals. Experts will examine case studies of farms that have been targeted by activists. This special event is offered for an additional fee of just $50 — registration is available at www.animalagalliance.org/register.

All registration materials must be submitted in advance of the Summit. Credentialed media are invited to attend the Summit but must sign up online. Please note that the adjunct workshop will be open to stakeholders only — no media.

The Summit is fast approaching, but there is still time for agriculture supporters to get involved. Individuals and companies are invited to help ensure the success of this important event by sponsoring a Summit workshop, contributing to the College Aggies Online scholarship fund, or by donating items to the Silent Auction, which funds the Alliance’s internship program. All donations are tax-deductible. Sponsorship levels are available here.

Current sponsors include the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Murphy-Brown LLC, Provimi North America, Pfizer Animal Health, Hy-Line, the American Feed Industry Association, Bayer Animal Health, Cargill, the National Pork Board, the National Pork Producers Council, Potash Corporation, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Cactus Feeders, Diamond V Mills, PIC, Feedstuffs Foodlink, Watt Publishing, Brakke Consulting, and Trufflemedia Networks.

For additional Summit information, contact the Animal Agriculture Alliance at 703-562-5160 or summit@animalagalliance.org. Receive the latest Summit updates on Twitter by searching “#AAA11” or by visiting the Alliance’s Facebook page.        

— Release by Animal Agriculture Alliance.

— Compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.