News Update
September 9, 2013
NJAA Internship Deadline Oct. 1
College students looking for experience planning events and working with youth across the country can apply now for the National Junior Angus Association's (NJAA) January-August internship. The program allows students to spend eight months assisting with junior programs and shows, and traveling to a number of events.
“Internships are a great way to get experience in a real-world working environment,” says Jaclyn Upperman, American Angus Association director of junior activities. “We're looking for a detail-oriented, outgoing individual who would enjoy being part of the Angus team.”
The deadline to apply for the paid internship is Oct. 1. Aimed toward college sophomores, juniors or seniors, applicants must be enrolled in an agriculture-related major and have the ability to move to Association headquarters in Saint Joseph, Mo., during the entire internship.
“The eight-month time period allows for the selected intern to take more ownership in their projects and watch their efforts grow into something successful,” Upperman says.
Responsibilities include daily in-office tasks, preparation for NJAA-sponsored shows and conferences, working with the Green Coats: Coast to Coast program, and more depending on the intern's interests. They will also assist with the NJAA website, Directions newsletter, National Junior Recognition Program, and other programs available to the NJAA membership.
Travel to the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) Conference, and other shows and events is expected.
To apply, submit a cover letter, résumé and references to Jaclyn Upperman, American Angus Association, 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506. All applications must be postmarked by Oct. 1, 2013.
NFU Commences Fly-In with Briefings
by Top Agriculture Officials, Legislators
The National Farmers Union (NFU) Fall Legislative Fly-In commenced Sept. 9 with briefings by top officials from the USDA, White House, and members of Congress and staff of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives committees on agriculture.
“With the 2013 Farm Bill remaining in a holding pattern, this year's Fly-In is more important than ever to the future of agriculture programs,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “We hope that hearing directly from family farmers will encourage the members of Congress to take action so that we can achieve a five-year, comprehensive farm bill this year.”
Nearly 300 Farmers Union members have gathered in Washington for the Fly-In. Tuesday and Wednesday they will visit the office of every member of Congress to highlight the priorities of the NFU and family farmers, ranchers, fishermen and consumers.
“It is important that we continue to tell our story to those who can impact the future of our industry through public policy,” said Johnson. “Hearing from the officials today is an opportunity for our members to ensure that their voices are being heard, as well.”
Fly-In participants heard from many leaders, including Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy, and U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow.
NFU's Fall Legislative Fly-In meetings and events will take place Sept. 9-11. For more information, please view the em>NFU page here.
Meeting the Water Needs of Texans and Wildlife
is Sept. 12 Webinar topic
A Meeting the Water Needs of Texans and Wildlife webinar is set from noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 12. The webinar is the third and final installment of a summer series conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Trinity Waters.
To view the webinar, go to the Forestry Webinars Portal at http://forestrywebinars.net/ and click on the title at least three days prior to the airing date to ensure your Java version is compatible with the webinar system.
Treasuring the Trinity: Challenges and Opportunities and Turning Your Land Into a Sponge, the first two webinars, are also available under the Previous Webinar tab.
Jim Cathey, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist at College Station, will present the upcoming webinar which focuses on how proper land stewardship on private property can enhance wildlife habitat and agricultural productivity while greatly improving the quality and quantity of water coming off the land.
Cathey will focus on the land-management techniques necessary to accomplish those goals. He will also speak on AgriLife Extension and Trinity Waters and other partners' efforts to improve the Trinity River basin's water resources.
Other topics will include prairie restoration for quail, livestock production and water quality, North Texas water districts wetland efforts to enhance water supplies while providing large areas of wildlife habitat, and how the Chambers Creek Water Quality Initiative provides technical and financial help to landowners implementing conservation practices in Ellis and Navarro counties.
For more information on the webinars or the Building Partnerships for Cooperative Conservation in the Trinity River Basin project, visit the Trinity Rivers website at http://trinitywaters.org.
The Building Partnerships for Cooperative Conservation in the Trinity River Basin project is managed by the Texas Water Resources Institute and funded by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board through a Clean Water Act grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal's Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
NFU Beginning Farmer Institute Holds First Session
National Farmers Union (NFU) Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) participants are in Washington, D.C., this week to take part in the first session of the institute. Participants will learn financial, marketing, public speaking and planning skills.
“It has become increasingly difficult for beginning farmers to succeed,” said
NFU President Roger Johnson. “That is why programs like the BFI are so important, because it gives beginning farmers an opportunity to learn some of the important skills that they will need as farmers and ranchers.”
BFI participants include Shannan Tenze of Colorado; Maggie Mills of Maryland; Eric Hoese, Carsten Thomas, Brent Krohn and Bryce Krohn, of Minnesota; Paul Kanning of Montana; Josh Norby, James Hansen and Loretta Hansen of North Dakota; Amanda West of Virginia; and Jennifer Gibson of Wisconsin.
The selected individuals from across the nation range from cattle ranchers and grain farmers to those growing for farmers' markets to urban farmers. The institute is a yearlong program and is sponsored in part by Farm Credit, CHS Foundation, FUI Foundation and the NFU Foundation.
For more information, please view the National Farmers Union education page here.
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