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Online Tool Measures Farmer Stewardship
Corn farmers and growers producing soybeans, cotton and wheat now have access to a free, confidential online tool that will assess how some of their operational decisions affect natural resource management and stewardship. The calculator was created by the Keystone Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture's Field to Market initiative, of which NCGA is a member.
"The Field to Market Initiative is proving to be a very important and practical source of information for growers," said Garry Niemeyer, an Illinois grower and NCGA Corn Board member active in the Field to Market Initiative. "NCGA is proud to have been involved in this effort, and we are pleased to see the progress corn farming has made to become a more sustainable practice in the United States, reducing impacts while helping feed and fuel the world."
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Growers Encouraged to Join NCGA Teams
Applications are due Monday, Aug. 31, for NCGA members interested in working a one-year term on NCGA action teams or committees starting in October. This work provides growers an excellent opportunity to become better farmers and more involved in shaping the future of their industry.
"Service on an NCGA action team or committee provides a substantive program, policy and communication foundation for the organization," said NCGA First Vice President Darrin Ihnen. "Our 'team way' of doing corn grower business has proved successful, and the coming year will continue to strengthen team and committee program work accomplished on behalf of corn growers."
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Two Join NCGA in Washington, St. Louis
NCGA welcomed two new employees this week - one at each office - this week as it replaces its longest-serving employee, retired Washington office manager Maud Jenkins, and fills a crucial new St. Louis staff position to help the expanding National Corn Yield Contest.  In Washington, Jennifer Holdgreve became the new office manager Monday. Holdgreve previously served as director of operations at the Corn Refiners Association, and was employed by the American Farm Bureau Federation for nine years, where she held several different positions, including director of legislative services and director of conventions and meetings.  In St. Louis, Kyle Fergason joined NCGA's St. Louis-based Research and Business Development team as the National Corn Yield Contest specialist. Fergason will be assisting with all areas of the contest, such as entry and harvest data, communications with participants and industry partners, rules development and implementation, award programs and other responsibilities. The contest has seen remarkable growth in the past few years; the number of entries in 2008 was more than double the 2006 number.
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PROFILES IN AG INNOVATION |
Family Farmer, Technologically Savvy
Every Friday, NCGA features a profile of one of our country's corn farmers that provides a look at how growers are innovating to help feed and fuel the world.
David Fremark marvels at the changes in farming today and the third generation farmer should know because he has lived the tale. Economics and concerns for the environment have made managing change an integral part of being successful in agriculture today, he says.
Fremark's diversified cattle and cropping operation, which he operates with his wife and four children, is a microcosm of the technology and innovation that makes modern farming in the U.S. a model for the world. His farm near Miller, S.D., seamlessly integrates the best management practices and precision farming techniques available today.
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