Inside:
County Farm Bureaus @ County Fairs Page 3
Agricultural Innovators Pages 4, 5
News in Brief................ 2 Around Indiana............ 3 State & Nation.............. 6 Around IFB............... 7, 8
The Hoosier Farmer
®
A Publication for Voting Members of Indiana Farm Bureau
August 12, 2013 Issue No. 42
Congress must hurry to pass new farm bill before Sept. 30 —From the AFBF Communications Team & Kathleen M. Dutro IFB PR Team Once Congress returns from its August recess, members will have only a few weeks left to pass a farm bill before the current program expires, noted the American Farm Bureau Federation. The farm bill, said Dale Moore, executive director of the American Farm Bureau’s public policy department, is important for the certainty it provides. “It’s not just about commodity programs. It covers conservation, rural development, nutrition, a number of other issues,” he said. “We come back after Labor Day, we’ve got. . .two, three weeks at most in September to get a bill done.” Both the House and Senate have passed their own versions of the farm bill, but the measures are very different. Neither is perfect, but the House version splits nutrition programs away from farm programs, something that Farm Bureau opposes. It also repealed what’s known as “permanent law,” which refers to the permanent authority for agricultural commodity programs that is provided in the Agricultural Indiana Farm Bureau P.O. Box 1290 Indianapolis, IN 46206
Act of 1949. This repeal was done without hearing testimony from any individuals or organizations with a stake in the law. AFBF opposed splitting the nutrition title from the farm program titles for important reasons. First, splitting the nutrition title from the remaining provisions of the bill was more about politics than sound, bipartisan policy. Second, it has been longstanding cooperation between the nutrition and farm communities that has resulted in a partnership that, for decades, ensured all Americans benefited from the farm bill, AFBF said. “We believe that splitting the nutrition title from the rest of the bill could result in neither farm nor nutrition programs passing, and urge you to move a unified farm bill forward,” AFBF and other groups said in a July 2 letter to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. “While we were hopeful the farm bill would not be split, nor permanent law repealed, we will now focus our efforts on working with lawmakers to deliver a farm bill to the president’s desk for his signature by September,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman in a July 11 statement.
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Indiana Farm Bureau’s 2013 resolutions committee met in the home office Aug. 1 and 2 to prepare for the annual delegate session to be held Aug. 24 at the Wyndham Hotel in Indianapolis. From left are Cory Harris, Jay County, representing the Purdue Collegiate Farm Bureau; Don Cook, Crawford County; and Paul Dorsey, Clinton County. Photo by Andy Dietrick
AFBF, 400 other groups call for House immigration reform —From the American Farm Bureau Federation The American Farm Bureau Federation and more than 400 leading U.S. businesses and advocacy organizations have sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives calling on the House to enact immigration reform legislation. The letter, sent July 30, was signed by a broad cross section of industries that includes agriculture, housing, retail, tourism, hospitality, technology, engineering, manufacturing, finance, venture capital, consumer electronics and others with a combined presence in every state in the United States. “We all may have different individual interests, but we all have interest in having immigration reform go forward,” said American Farm Bureau labor specialist Kristi Boswell. “We’ve really focused on joining together over the August recess and having everyone know that not only do we each support immigration reform, but collectively we all need immigration reform for the betterment of the country.” AFBF’s policy on immigra-
tion, which was approved by delegates at the annual policy session in January, says that the U.S.’s immigration policy must include a more efficient temporary worker program for agriculture. “We urge Congress to support agricultural immigration reform which includes the following: a streamlining or replacement of the H-2A temporary and seasonal agricultural worker program, allowing a viable worker program for agriculture and permitting experienced undocumented agricultural workers to earn the right to adjust to legal status,” the policy states. “We do not support a long-term amnesty program, but we can no longer afford, in a post-September 11th world where resources are scarce, to continue focusing on those who would pose no risk to our nation’s security. At the same time we must more effectively enforce our immigration laws to deter the employment of unauthorized workers,” the policy continues. “We deal with an immigration system that is now in its third decade and
completely incapable of being responsive to an everchanging national economy and hypercompetitive global marketplace,” the letter says. “Today, the problems with our immigration system have grown and multiplied to become an emerging threat to the current and future productivity, ingenuity and competitiveness of key sectors of our economy, including agriculture, housing, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, tourism, engineering and technology. “Failure to act is not an option,” the letter concludes. “We can’t afford to be content and watch a generation-old immigration system work more and more against our overall national interest.” A national survey conducted by the National Council of Agricultural Employers showed that administrative delays from the current H-2A program resulted in workers arriving on the job an average of 22 days after the date of need, causing an economic loss of nearly $320 million in 2010 for farms that hired H-2A workers.
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NEWS in brief
News Bites —Compiled by Kathleen M. Dutro
Donnelly, Grassley introduce bill to protect farmers’ personal information—Senators Joe Don-
The 2013 resolutions committee gathers for a group shot in the lobby of the IFB headquarters. Top row (from left) Scott Trennepohl (consultant), District 6 director; Jim Loughmiller, Hendricks County; Gene Whitehead, Delaware County; Casey Evans, Clay County, Young Farmer representative. 2nd row: Duane Rinker, Hamilton County; Phil Flint, Daviess County; Steve Maple (consultant), District 4 director. 3rd row: Chris Hendricks, Johnson County; Phil Ramsey, Shelby County; Kevin Ousley, Whitley County; Paul Dorsey, Clinton County. 4th row: Jerry Hartman, Howard County; Don Cook, Crawford County; Scott Burton, Kosciusko County; Michael Andrews, Ohio County. Front row: Marybeth Feutz (consultant), Gibson County, district 9 woman leader; IFB President Don Villwock; Harold Parker, LaPorte County; Cory Harris, Jay County, Collegiate Farm Bureau representative; Julie Bommer, Franklin County; Bobbi Kincaid, Sullivan County; IFB Vice President Randy Kron, who chaired the committee. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro
American Farm Bureau acquires leading events, publications —From the American Farm Bureau Federation The American Farm Bureau Federation announced today the acquisition of Cygnus Business Media’s agricultural events and publications. The purchase includes five IDEAg-branded farm shows – Minnesota Farmfest, Dakotafest, Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show, Northern Illinois Farm Show and the IDEAg Interconnectivity Conference. The business also publishes Feed & Grain Magazine and Case IH’s Farm Forum magazine. “This acquisition is the union of very strong brands that are deeply-rooted in agriculture,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. “By joining the Farm Bureau
family, these publications and events create additional opportunities for us to serve farmers, ranchers and the stakeholders looking to connect with them.” The events and publications will operate as part of IDEAg Group LLC, which is wholly owned by the American Farm Bureau Federation. All of the current managers and staff of the events and publications agreed to continue in their positions. Minnesota Farmfest, held in Redwood County, Minn., is one of the largest agricultural events in the world. Dakotafest, held in Mitchell, S.D., is the premiere agricultural event in South Dakota and attracts attendees from the entire Northern Plains region. Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show has been the essen-
tial ag show for High Plains farmers and ranchers for 28 years. The Northern Illinois Farm Show in DeKalb, Ill., has attracted farmers and ranchers from throughout the Midwest for 31 years. Launched in 2012, the IDEAg Interconnectivity Conference is held in Altoona, Iowa. Feed & Grain Magazine is the leading publication and digital news service for the grain processing industry, with almost 16,000 subscribers. Farm Forum is a magazine published on behalf of Case IH and Case IH dealers. For more information about the IDEAg Group publications and events, visit: www.ideaggroup.com/.
nelly, D-Ind., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, recently introduced the Farmer Identity Protection Act, which would protect farmers and ranchers by prohibiting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from disclosing their private and confidential information to the public. Earlier this year, the EPA released the personal and private information of 80,000 livestock and poultry owners from across the nation, including Indiana. Sensitive information including names, phone numbers, and email addresses of the farmers and ranchers, their spouses, and employees on these farms or ranches was made available to the public. “This blatant violation of privacy must not happen again, which is why I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this common-sense legislation,” Donnelly said. According to Donnelly and Grassley, the bill would provide clear protections moving forward for farmers and ranchers across the country. It would limit the EPA to disclosing information about farming operations only when all personally identifiable information is removed to prevent the identification of farmers and ranchers and their families and employees. Donnelly and Grassley offered similar legislative language as an amendment during floor debate on the farm bill; however, the Senate did not vote on the amendment. (Offices of Sens.
Legal Affairs Team
Public Relations Team
Regional Managers
President..................................... Don Villwock Vice President................................ Randy Kron Second Vice President.................Isabella Chism Chief Operating Officer/Treasurer... Mark Sigler Receptionist......................................Kim Duke General Fund Accountant..............Tiffanie Ellis Office Manager & Meeting Planner... Kay Keown Controller...................................... Elaine Rueff Administrative Assistant................... Jill Shanley Executive Secretary.....................Beverly Thorpe Professional Dev. Program Dir...... Julie Volbers-Klarich
Director & General Counsel......................... Mark Thornburg Staff Attorney.............................................. Sara MacLaughlin Legal Assistant................................................. Maria Spellman Law Clerk............................................................... Aly Blume Law Clerk..............................................................Laura Buck
Director & Editor ...................... Andy Dietrick Web Designer/Developer............. Diane Brewer Administrative Assistant.................. Charla Buis Publications Managing Editor & Media Relations Specialist........Kathleen Dutro Marketing & PR Specialist..............Mindy Reef Intern.......................................... Hannah Klare
Wayne Belden (1 & 3) Greg Bohlander (6) Jennifer Chandler Gish (9) Andrew Cleveland (4 & 6) Janice Deno (3) Seth Harden (7 & 9) Amy Hutson (5) Susan Lawrence (2) Chancey May (10) John Newsom (1 & 2) Kermit Paris (8) Keegan Poe (5 & 8) Brad Ponsler (10) E.B. Rawles (7) Allie Rieth (4)
District Directors Larry Jernas (1) Kerry Goshert (2) Kevin Underwood (3) Steve Maple (4) Dave Wyeth (5)
Scott Trennepohl (6) Jeff Gormong (7) Mark Bacon (8) Philip Springstun (9) Robert Schickel (10)
August 12, 2013
Director..............................................................Megan Ritter Policy Development & Industry Relations............ Bob Cherry National Government Relations Policy Advisor....... Kyle Cline State Government Relations Policy Advisor & Counsel................................ Amy Cornell Administrative Assistant ..........................................B.J. Fields State Government Relations Director......................Katrina Hall Political Education Specialist............................. Pete Hanebutt Administrative Assistant .................................. Wanda Hunter Public Policy Advisor................................................ Bob Kraft Senior Policy Advisor & Counsel.................... Justin Schneider Livestock Development Specialist........................... Greg Slipher Direct Retail Business Specialist..............................Bob White Public Policy Advisor............................................. Kent Yeager
tions at this year’s Indiana State Fair, the World’s Largest Popcorn Ball, will be available as a free livestock feed alternative. Weighing more than 6,000 pounds, the popcorn ball (which is presented by Indiana’s Family of Farmers) will be broken down and made available to farmers to feed as a bakery byproduct. It’s recommended for cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses and poultry, IFOF said. Call Stephanie DeCamp, (317) 927-7566 or sdecamp@indianastatefair. com, to request pick-up time and the pounds desired. It will be available for pick-up on Aug. 20 and 21 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. (IFOF 8/1/13)
Farmers, ranchers share tax reform priorities with Congress—As the Senate
Finance Committee takes a hard look at what should stay and what should go in the tax code, farmers and ranchers are urging lawmakers to consider comprehensive reforms that address individuals as well as corporations. More than 96 percent of farms and 75 percent of farm sales are taxed under IRS provisions affecting individual taxpayers, according to Farm Bureau. Any tax reform proposal that fails to include the individual tax code will not help, and could even hurt, the bulk of agricultural producers who could lose business deductions but not benefit from lower corporate rates. Read more on the FBNews website, http://fbnews. fb.org/Templates/Article. aspx?id=37303. (AFBF 7/30/13)
Donnelly and Grassley, 7/23/13)
Administrative/Finance Team
Public Policy Team
World’s largest popcorn ball to be available as livestock feed—One of the attrac-
Organizational Development Team Director.............................................. Kim Vail Field Services Program Director........ Chris Fenner Program Assistant ...........................Tina Nunez Program Assistant......................Kathryn Rogers Education Coordinator....................Julie Taylor Member Services Coordinator.......... Anna Todd Administrative Assistant..................Tracie Trent Intern........................................Samantha Lowe
Indiana Agricultural Law Foundation Director..................... John Shoup
Address Letters & Questions To: Indiana Farm Bureau Inc. Box 1290, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1290. Phone: 1-800-327-6287 or (317) 692-7776 E-Mail Address: askus@infarmbureau.org Duplicate Magazines If you are receiving more than one copy of The Hoosier Farmer®, please cut out both labels and return them to the address above. Magazine Design and Layout Davis Graphic Design www.davisgraphics.com The Hoosier Farmer® is published 14 times per year by Indiana Farm Bureau Inc., P.O. Box 1290, Indianapolis, IN 46206, and is furnished as a service to voting members and others. Controlled circulation. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Hoosier Farmer® P.O. Box 1290 Indianapolis, IN 46206-1290. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved.
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around indiana
County Farm Bureaus find many ways to participate in their local fairs
Ohio County Farm Bureau’s porkchop barbecue crew. From left: Matt Phillips (insurance agent in Ohio County), Allan Kirkpatrick, Linda Phillips, Allen Cutter, Franklin Weaver, Vincent Owen, Gordon Ramsey, Michael Andrew, Judy Andrew, Sandy Ward and Carroll Moore. Not pictured: Raymond Kirkpatrick. Photo by Brad Ponsler
Two recipients of the Farm Bureau sponsored Champions of Animal Care awards ceremony show off their earned T-shirts at the Tippecanoe County Fair. In order to get a T-shirt, kids had to be nominated by their 4-H barn superintendent. Photo by Hannah Klare
Evan Schilmiller shows off the new picture boards that the Floyd County Farm Bureau placed at every barn during the county fair. Photo by Jamie Schilmiller
Velvet Cantonwine of Greencastle serves chocolate milk to a visitor to the Putnam County Fair. Ice-cold chocolate and white milk were sold to fairgoers from Putnam County Farm Bureau’s Milk Barn with the proceeds going to the county Farm Bureau programs. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro
Dubois County Farm Bureau gave buckets emblazoned with the Farm Bureau logo to 4-H’ers who participate in livestock contests at their county fair. Here, Farm Bureau volunteers finish preparing buckets for 325 4-H’ers. From left: Greg Gentry, Duane Gress, Terry Hoffman, Steve Buechler, Mary Verkamp and Sylvia Recker. Photo by Jennifer Gish
White County Farm Bureau sponsored its 3rd Barnyard Olympics at the White County Fair on July 14. Games like water relays, egg toss, and pig sounds were included. Everyone who participated received a coupon for a free pork burger. Photo by Marla Storm
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August 12, 2013
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SPECIAL feature
Agricultura Goat Getters
Scottsburg family turns goat milk into soaps, candles – and a business —By Hannah Klare Public Relations Intern “Work Hard. Get Dirty. Use Good Soap.” What an appropriate motto for family goat farmers Jim and P.J. Jonas, the founders of Goat Milk Stuff, also known as GMS. In 2005, P.J. started making her own soaps so she could bathe her kids with products she could source naturally. After good results, the Jonas family decided to start a business selling their homemade goods. “It [making goat milk products and having a family business] is very much a life style,” said P.J. “I didn’t go and see or visit anyone else about the trade. I knew I wanted to be big and wanted to be everyone’s competition.” The Jonases officially launched their business in 2008 and have since graduated from the original 3-acre residence and two goats to a 36-acre operation and a small herd of Alpines located in Scottsburg, Ind. Currently they hand-milk 19 goats but have a total of 40 at the farm. Most of the milk goes to their products; any excess milk is consumed by the family. The family of 10 works together producing and selling handmade goat milk products such as lotion, lip balm, bar soaps, “fizzies” (bath powder that releases moisture and scent into the water, creating a fizz when
wet), sugar scrubs, scented candles and bulk laundry soap. The children – Brett, 16; Colter 14; Emery, 12; Fletcher, 11; Greyden, 10; Hewitt, 8; Indigo, 7; and Jade, 5 – are homeschooled by P.J., who incorporates real-world business techniques into their curriculum. No family member is too small to begin learning or helping: Even 5-year-old Jade bags soap bars for the business. The soap is made from a mixture of natural oils, strained goat milk and lye through a process known as saponification, a chemical reaction where no extra heat is added. Every 4.5-5 ounce soap bar contains approximately one ounce of raw goat milk, cured for a minimum of six weeks and hand cut. P.J. originally spearheaded the operation, having learned soap making from her own research and testing. Her first batch was only 21 bars. Now she produces 300 bars a batch. “People don’t realize that I made soap for two years before I started the business,” said P.J. “I had a great formula. I had already made all my mistakes.” GMS has 30 regular fragrances and various limited-edition scents, such as lavender peppermint, dessert tray, and strawberry Champagne and vanilla, depending on the time of year. Since dyes are not used, natural substances like food products, oxides and ultramarines color the soap.
Some of the Jonases’ goats surround 10-year-old Greyden in the lot outside the milking parlor. Photo by Mindy Reef
Goat Milk Stuff August 12, 2013
Goat Milk Stuff & Jonas Family
“We don’t keep mistakes from happening,” said P.J., because they’ve learned that errors are bound to happen. But when such instances do arise, good customer service is key to minimizing the problem, and they handle situations quickly. For example, this past May a few customers did not receive their online orders as expected. Through a little research, the Jonases learned that the eight packages, which were valued at a total of $500 in merchandise, were lost in a truck fire on the interstate. Although they ate the loss, GMS quickly replaced all of the orders to ensure customer satisfaction. Marketing and connecting online are essential to the family. GMS is primarily-
P.J. Jonas explains her history with making soap. Logs of soap can be seen on racks in the background. Photo by Mindy Reef
The Jonas family gathers for a family photo. Top row (from left): Brett, 16; Jim; and Colter, 14. Second row: Fletcher, 11; Hewitt, 8; Indigo, 7; P.J.; Jade, 5; Emery, 12; and Greyden, 10. Photo courtesy of the Jonas family
focused on online retail. The GMS presence spreads across Pinterest, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, the company website, an electronic newsletter, blogs and podcasts. However, “Word of mouth is primarily how we work,” said P.J. “People love our story and love our children.” Although craft shows, farmer markets and local festivals were the avenues in which GMS entered the
market, they now focus on getting their product into the hands of the customers directly through Internet sales. They have shipped their products to all seven continents, including a memorable shipment to Antarctica, and all 50 states. In the current facility they have a retail room, where 7-year-old Indigo is a favorite salesperson among the customers. As they continue to grow, they will likely fo-
cus on getting their product into stores. Goat Milk Stuff is named for the simple fact that P.J. and the Jonas family has big plans to continuing doing “stuff” with goat’s milk, including cheese, fudge and eventually building a learning center. As 10-year-old Greyden explained, “It’s always been goat’s milk for us.” According to the family’s plans, the future will be about goat’s milk, too.
@goatmilkstuff
Goat Milk Stuff
www.goatmilkstuff.com www.thehoosierfarmer.com
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SPECIAL feature
al Innovators New facility helps three growers stay in the cantaloupe business —Story & Photos By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team Indiana’s cantaloupe growers had a difficult decision to make following last year’s salmonella outbreak in cantaloupes and the subsequent food safety crackdown by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Should they stop growing cantaloupes or should they figure out a way to comply with the strict new standards? Three Knox County farms – J&J Farming Co., Melon Acres and Williams Produce – decided to continue growing cantaloupes despite the challenges. Their solution was to jointly build a stateof-the-art cantaloupe cleaning and packing facility that meets today’s food safety standards. “A lot of cantaloupe growers went by the wayside, but we decided to be proactive,” said Kent Williams of Williams Produce. The salmonella outbreak originated from Chamberlain Farms of Owensville, Ind., but before the specific source was identified, many stores pulled from their shelves all cantaloupes that came from Indiana. In total, according to the Centers for Disease Control, three people died and more than 250 became ill. “After a wintertime discussion, we all decided that we wanted to stay in the
Wagonloads of cantaloupes wait outside the new Oaktown Produce Depot in Knox County to be cleaned, binned and readied for shipping to customers. A joint venture of three Indiana melon farms, the depot markets the cantaloupes under the name Hoosier Fresh Farms. “We’ll run 300 acres of cantaloupes through this facility,” said part-owner Kent Williams, adding that while that might not sound like many acres to a grain farmer, that acreage should produce a minimum of 1.5 million cantaloupes.
cantaloupe business, so we came up with the idea of joining together,” Williams said. “We were all on the verge of quitting cantaloupes when we came up with this idea.” The facility, known as the Oaktown Produce Depot, is jointly owned by the three farms, and the cantaloupes that come through there are marketed under the name Hoosier Fresh Farms. The farms brought in Kelly Tyner
to manage the sales and marketing for Hoosier Fresh Farms. Customers include Meijer’s and Kroger’s as well as many small and independent outlets. Together the three farms produce around 300 acres of cantaloupes. Williams declined to say how much the facility cost but he admitted that the investment is “sizeable.” It has improved the three farms’ efficiency, he added.
As the cantaloupes roll down the conveyor belt, workers sort them by size and for quality control.
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All three farms also raise watermelons, but the machinery is set up exclusively for cantaloupes. “Cantaloupes are a little more sensitive (to contamination) due to the netting on the outside,” Williams said.
Oaktown Produce Depot opened for business in midJuly – just a week before Williams was interviewed for this article – but the goal is to run a minimum of 1.5 million cantaloupes through the facility, Williams said.
Cantaloupes are gently rolled into the facility by the wagonload and then soaped, sprayed with a chlorine dioxide solution and rinsed.
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State & nation
Ohio State, Purdue to present Farm Science Review —From Purdue University Purdue University will once again partner with Ohio State University to help present educational programing and exhibits at the 2013 Farm Science Review. The review runs Sept. 1719 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio. This year marks the 51st time Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences will offer the farm trade show, which merges agricultural education, science and technology through presenters, exhibitors, vendors and field demonstrations. “Farm Science Review is a premier event and a great way to showcase the partnerships between Purdue and
Ohio State, which extend well beyond the event,” said Jay Akridge, Glenn W. Sample Dean of Purdue Agriculture, which will be a partner for the ninth consecutive year. “We’re proud to be part of the mission of the review, which brings together education and technology in agriculture to help ensure a successful future for this industry.” More than 130,000 visitors from the U.S. and Canada attend the show each year to learn about advances in agricultural research, conservation, family and nutrition, landscape and gardening. Nearly 4,000 product lines will be on display by 600 vendors. Each day, review attendees can participate in a variety of harvest, tillage, global positioning and manure
demonstrations. Cooperative Extension Service educators and other agricultural experts from both universities will present daily on a variety of agricultural topics. Also available will be an array of exhibits showcasing Purdue Extension and research, including To My Plate and Beyond. Purdue Extension educational sessions and presenters: • “Why They Won’t Buy from You: Marketing Tips” and “The Economics of Local Foods” by Roy Ballard, Hancock County agriculture and natural resources educator. • “Native Grass and Wildflower ID” by Rob Chapman, wildlife specialist. • “Small Farm Financial Management” and
“Choosing a Production System: Organic, Sustainable or Conventional” by Steve Engleking, LaGrange County agriculture and natural resources educator. • “Conservation Tree Planting” by Lenny Farlee, sustaining hardwood specialist. • “Managing your Woods for Wildlife” by Jonathan Ferris, Wayne County agriculture and natural resources educator. • “Understanding Animal Behavior” by Mark Kepler, Fulton County agriculture and natural resources educator. • “Controlling Invasive Plants in Conservation Plantings” by Brian MacGowan, wildlife specialist. • “Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) for the Small Farmer” by Scott Monroe,
Biotech industry begins a ‘new dialogue’ about how food is grown —From GMO Answers www.GMOAnswers.com It’s no secret: the biotechnology industry hasn’t done the best job communicating about GMOs. That’s about to change with GMO Answers, a new joint initiative by the agricultural and biotechnology companies that create genetically modified seeds. On July 29, the industry launched www.GMOAnswers.com, a new resource committed to transparency about the use of GMOs in agriculture, research and data – all in one public place for the first time. Research shows that there is a need for this conversation: 49 percent of people surveyed either don’t know or are unsure of what a genetically modified crop is, and most have very little understanding of what GMO
products are on the market today. This lack of knowledge is a breeding ground for confusion and misconception, fueling negative perceptions and fear of the unknown. GMO Answers is inviting the world – including GMO critics – to ask the tough questions, be skeptical, and evaluate the information on biotechnology. As public debate grows on genetically modified foods, our goal is to make information not only easier to find, but easier to understand. The scientists who develop biotech seeds, along with the farmers who grow them, are committed to a new standard of transparency and access, as outlined in the GMO Answers core principles: • Welcoming and answering questions on all GMO topics.
• Making GMO information, research and data easy to access and evaluate, and supporting independent safety testing of GM products, including allowing independent safety testing of our products by using validated science-based methods. • Supporting farmers as they work to grow crops using precious resources more efficiently with less impact on the environment and producing safe, nutritious food and feed products. • Respecting farmers’ rights to choose the seeds that are best for their farms, businesses and communities and providing seed choices that include making non-GM seeds based on market demands. • Respecting people around the world and their right
to choose healthy food products that are best for themselves and their families. • Respecting people around the world and their right to choose healthy food products that are best for themselves and their families. “Ask tough questions. Be skeptical. Evaluate the information for yourselves and make up your own mind. We look forward to sharing answers,” Cathleen Enright, Ph.D., spokeswoman for GMO Answers, said in inviting the public to visit GMO Answers. GMO Answers is funded by the members of the Council for Biotechnology Information, which includes BASF, Bayer CropScience, Dow AgroSciences LLC, DuPont, Monsanto Company and Syngenta.
Daviess County economic and community development educator. • “Park the Cultivator: Advancing No-till in Organic Agriculture” by Michael O’Donnell, Delaware County agriculture and natural resources educator. Purdue Extension’s The Education Store will be on hand in the Firebaugh Building selling educational products related to production agriculture and relevant to some of the presentations. “Ag Answers,” a production agriculture news publication partnership between Purdue and Ohio State, also will have a booth in the Firebaugh Building where attendees can sign up for a free electronic subscription. “Farm Science Review is unique in that we’re able to offer the best in agricultural education and focus on furthering the land-grant mission by combining the expertise of both Purdue and Ohio State,” said Chuck Gamble, review manager. “Our partnership adds credibility to the review, and there’s no other farm show in the nation that can offer visitors this amount of education and expertise on so many topics related to the latest in agriculture. Farm Science Review tickets are $7 in advance and can be found at many agribusinesses and online at http://fsr.osu.edu/visitors/ tickets. Tickets are $10 at the gate. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. The Molly Caren Agricultural Center is at 135 State Route 38 NE, London, Ohio. The show runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 17-18, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 19. More show information is available at http://fsr.osu.edu, where a schedule of events will be posted in August.
Indiana Ag Law Foundation hires director —By Hannah Klare Public Relations Intern John Shoup has recently been named the in-house director of the Indiana Agricultural Law Foundation. In 2005, Indiana Farm Bureau established the IALF as a charitable organization promoting a better understanding to the agricultural community of legal issues that directly affect them. Although a separate entity, Indiana Farm Bureau has been supportive of the IALF since its creation. The mission of IALF is
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to develop legal and policy initiatives that support the advancement of agricultural enterprises in Indiana. The IALF focuses on educational programs and the distribution of materials for a wide range of farmers, landowners and attorneys regarding legal issues that impact agriculture and rural communities. The IALF may also support litigation to help educate the court on a resolution of a case which would be precedent setting and favorable to agriculture. As the director of IALF, Shoup “will bring additional
focus to the strategic planning, educational programming and fundraising efforts of the IALF,” said Mark Thornburg, director of legal affairs at Indiana Farm Bureau. Shoup earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Butler University and continued his education at the Drake Law School in Iowa with a concentration in agricultural law. After graduating, he returned to his family’s swine genetics company, Premier Pork Systems, as corporate counsel and general manager. He has worked as an attorney in
John Shoup
private practice since 2007 with Ryan, Moore & Cook. Shoup currently serves on the Ivy Tech Community
College Regional Board of Directors, is a member of the agricultural law section of the Indiana State Bar Association and president of the Clinton County Community Foundation. In the past, he was the president of the Clinton County Bar Association and was the 2008 Clinton County Pro Bono Attorney of the Year. Shoup enjoys running, playing tennis and following college sports. He resides in Clinton County with his wife, Sonya, 10-year-old son, Jake and 4-year-old son, Jackson.
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around ifb
IFB’s Public Policy Team announces personnel changes National government relations policy advisor Kyle Cline —By Hannah Klare Public Relations Intern When implementing Farm Bureau policy regarding national government relations policy advisor, Indiana Farm Bureau turns to Kyle Cline, newly appointed policy advisor. “My job is to work with our membership, consisting of farmers and agribusinesses, to develop and advocate sound public policy that benefits the agriculture industry and all of society. We all eat, fuel up, and benefit from agriculture,” said Cline. In his role, Cline will promote and lead “Indiana Farm Bureau’s government relations efforts with the Indiana congressional delegations
and work with members and county Farm Bureaus to implement policy at the national level,” said Megan Ritter, public policy director. Cline graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master of public affairs. Before his position with IFB, he was a market research associate at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, the general manager at the Richard G. Lugar Center for Renewable Energy at IUPUI and, most recently, a fellow in the Robert Bosch Fellowship Program in Germany. In his previous position, Cline developed sound policy knowledge of Germany’s energy transition to a low-carbon economy,
the first of its kind in the world. The policy advisor position which oversees national government relations “ensures that our members’ voices are heard…at the national level with the goal of supporting the development, vibrancy, and future sustainability of the agriculture industry,” said Cline. His favorite part of the job is the opportunity to work at a grassroots level with IFB members and the challenge to “create positive change that helps American agriculture to remain resilient and at the top of the class globally,” said Cline. Outside of the office, Cline enjoys spending time with his wife, Kristina, and
Kyle Cline
their two children – Anya, 2 ½, and Henry, 4 months; at their home in Tipton, Ind. He also enjoys traveling, reading, watching films, playing basketball, spending time on the Monon Trail,
Twitter, good food and volunteering with the Heartland Film Festival. Cline is very passionate about renewable energy, clean technology/ ag-technology and sustainability.
Amy Cornell, state government relations policy advisor, counsel —By Hannah Klare Public Relations Intern Hardly a novice to Indiana Farm Bureau, Amy Cornell has joined the public policy team as state government relations policy advisor and counsel. Cornell was born and raised on a farm in Indianola, Illinois. She later ventured to the Hoosier State and received a bachelor’s degree in management from Purdue University and a law degree from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. In 2007, she also acquired her master of law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law.
Cornell has had a strong working relationship with Indiana Farm Bureau for a number of years, employed as a law clerk and serving in a number of professional and volunteer groups within the organization. She is also a member of the AgrIInstitute Agricultural Leadership Program Class 15. After three years in private practice with Baker & Daniels LLP, Cornell took her first position with Indiana State Department of Agriculture as the program manager of regulatory affairs, later accepting the position of director of policy and regulatory affairs. While in that position, Cornell “worked to address the
legal and regulatory challenges facing agriculture, including work on the CFO rule, fertilizer use rule and agriculture sales tax exemptions,” said Megan Ritter, public policy director. Cornell will be an important asset of Indiana’s Farm Bureau state government relations efforts, implementing policy at the state level. She is looking forward to the excitement of the legislative session and wants members to know that her position with IFB will directly benefit them. “It can be difficult to get to the statehouse [and] I will meet with members of the General Assembly on behalf of members,” said Cornell.
Amy Cornell
In her spare time, Cornell enjoys running, spending time with her husband, Matt and dog, Splash Pants Fancy Dance. She also has a passion for the Indiana Canine
Assistant Network, which trains and places assistance dogs with persons with disabilities throughout the state.
Senior policy advisor and counsel Justin Schneider —By Hannah Klare Public Relations Intern Justin Schneider, who until recently was one of Indiana Farm Bureau’s staff attorneys, has moved to the public policy team and has been named the organization’s senior policy advisor and counsel. In his new position, Schneider is responsible for implementing Farm Bureau policy with respect to environmental, natural resource and water issues. “I use legislative, regulatory and legal strategies to achieve the results our mem-
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bers seek,” said Schneider. Over the past few years, the regulatory and judicial components of many IFB issues overlap between the three branches of government. In order to be successful, Mark Thornburg and Megan Ritter, who head the legal and public policy teams, have recognized the need to have staff members assigned to specific issues to stay effective. “We recognized the important work Justin has done to increase our activity over the past few years” in environmental and natural resource regulatory issues,
Thornburg said. “In many cases, with the issues he addresses, it is impossible to separate the regulatory and legislative work that needs to be done to successfully protect member interests or implement Farm Bureau policy.” The senior policy advisor and counsel position directly benefits IFB members, especially farmers, who need a voice in discussions about protecting the environment and natural resources. “Farmers need a voice to tell of the good things they do and for someone to fight on their behalf to ensure
that regulations pass the common sense test,” said Schneider. A Columbus, Ind., native, Schneider earned his bachelor’s degree in agribusiness management at Purdue and his law degree from IU School of Law Bloomington, during which time he interned at IFB. After college, he was a judicial law clerk at the Indiana Court of Appeals before coming to Indiana Farm Bureau in October 2005 as staff attorney. During those eight years, Schneider said he has enjoyed “working on challenging issues that posi-
Justin Schneider
tion agriculture to be in a better place tomorrow than it is today.” In his spare time, Schneider enjoys spending time with his wife of almost 5 years, Tammy, and kids, Jackson, 3 ½, and Blake, 17 months.
August 12, 2013
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around ifb
Convention on the road again: Navigating to Fort Wayne —By Mindy Reef Public Relations Team Farm Bureau members who attend the organization’s annual convention this year will return to Fort Wayne in the northeast corner of the state rather than Indianapolis, where the event is held most years. “We had a great experience there in 2009,” said Chris Fenner, director of field services and chairman of the convention committee. “The convention center is a perfect size for our group, and the city offers other experiences for members to enjoy.” One element that returns from the last convention in Fort Wayne is a show with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic on Friday night. Holiday Pops, the philharmonic’s seasonal performance, features traditional holiday standards as well as newer musical traditions. Proceeds from Farm Bureau member ticket sales will go to the Community Harvest Food Bank. While the lowest price for some-
one off the street buying a ticket is $28, Farm Bureau tickets start at $10, with premium seats available for a greater donation to the food bank. Tickets will only be available on-site during the convention. “We’re excited to once again make a donation to the food bank,” said Fenner. “Farm Bureau members are known for their generosity and this gives them an opportunity to help those in need while seeing a great show.” While the philharmonic show is during the convention, there are many other activities in the Fort Wayne area that are worth traveling early or staying late for: DeBrand Fine Chocolates, www.debrand.com: DeBrand is a must-stop for chocoholics. High-quality truffles, creams, caramels and gifts are available from the company’s three locations around the city. Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, www. botanicalconservatory.org: Plant lovers, this is the place for you. Seasonal displays, gardens and events are fea-
tured. The conservatory is within walking distance of the convention center. Jefferson Pointe, www.jeffersonshopping.com: If you need to do holiday shopping while you’re in town, outdoor mall Jefferson Pointe features many of the stores you’re looking for, including Vera Bradley, the purse and accessories company headquartered in Fort Wayne. The Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library, www.genealogycenter. org: Fort Wayne has one of the largest genealogy collections outside of Utah. Staff is on-site to help you explore where you came from. County Heritage Winery, www.countryheritagewinery.com: Just north of Fort Wayne near LaOtto, this winery opened in 2011. Its tasting room is open seven days a week and wines range from dry to sweet. IFB state convention runs Dec. 13-14 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne. Keep reading The Hoosier Farmer for more information. Online registration begins Sept. 1 at www. infarmbureau.org/convention.
Counties to be recognized for making an impact —By Mindy Reef Public Relations Team County Farm Bureaus create and execute programs all year long that make a difference for agriculture. These programs educate, increase awareness, improve understanding and contribute to a greater appreciation of what
farmers and Farm Bureau do for communities. If your county has a program that you think stands above the rest, contact your regional manager about filling out an Impact Award. Up to three Impact Awards will be given in each County Recognition Program category: membership, influential
organization, issue engagement, youth outreach and public relations/education. To be eligible to enter the Impact Awards, a county must have reached Cardinal level in the recognition program. Applications are due Oct. 1. Contact your regional manager for more information and an application.
Calendar of Events August 2-18 13-15 14 23 24 27 28
Indiana State Fair. Taste from Indiana Farms, Indiana State Fair. IFB’s Old-Fashioned Pancake Breakfast, Indiana State Fair. IFB board meeting, Indianapolis IFB summer delegate session. District 1 fall meeting, Pulaski County. Drainage school, IFB home office.
September 4 5 4, 5 9 9-11 18, 19
Natural Resources Enterprises Program Workshop, Ripley County. Natural Resources Enterprises Program Workshop, Montgomery County. Women’s Leadership Committee meeting, Indianapolis. District 4 Fall Family Seminar, Wabash. IFB Leaders in Action trip to Washington, D.C. IFB board of directors meeting, Indianapolis.
August 12, 2013
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