WINTER 2020
NEWS BULLETIN
ISA News & Updates
Inside This Issue: 
  • Save The Date! Annual Seed Forum & Annual Meeting
  • Join Us To Recognize The ISU Scholarship Recipients
  • Thank You To Renewing 2021 Members
  • Hours Of Service Waiver Extended By FMCSA Until February 28, 2021 For Livestock And Feed
  • Nutrien Launches CarbonProgram
  • IDALS Cover Crop Insurance Discount Sign Up
  • Pesticide Applicators Recertification Deadline
  • Iowa Seed Association Building Update 
  • Iowa Seed Association Reminders And Events
  • Thank You To Our Sponsors!
SAVE THE DATE!
ANNUAL SEED FORUM & ANNUAL MEETING
The Iowa Seed Association Annual Meeting and Seed Forum will be held virtually on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. The 118th ISA Annual Meeting will begin at 9 am on February 10, and will include the election of new board members and officers for the upcoming year. Partnering with the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference (ASC) will allow ISA to once again expand the education and networking opportunities available at our Seed Forum and Annual Meeting.

The 2021 ASC will also be held virtually. Through the partnership with the ASC, ISA members will have the opportunity to attend a wider variety of workshops and network with all facets of the ag industry. The Seed Forum workshops are dedicated solely to information pertinent to the seed industry. Registration information will be sent out soon to all ISA members. Please feel free to share with others in the industry that you think would benefit from these sessions.
JOIN US TO RECOGNIZE THE
ISU SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Each year we recognize the Iowa State University students who received an Iowa
Seed Association scholarship for the current academic year. The Bill Latham scholarship will be awarded at this time as well. This year’s recipients will be recognized at the Seed Forum to be held virtually on February 10, 2021. We plan to have the students join virtually and we will have the opportunity to learn a little about their education and future plans. This is a great opportunity to recognize the future leaders of the seed industry.
THANK YOU TO RENEWING 2021 MEMBERS!
Thank you to all that have renewed your 2021 ISA membership. We look forward to serving all of you. Membership packets were mailed that included a membership invoice and ISA sponsorship form. If you have not done so, please return to the ISA office. Be sure to look over your company contact information, indicate changes before returning your forms. Each company is allowed to have up to five additional contacts, which will receive correspondence from ISA. To ensure the best possible service please provide accurate information on all additional contacts. Dues payments for the 2021 membership year need to be received by December 31, 2020. If you have a referral or know of anyone who is interested in becoming an ISA member, please let us know! Call the office at 515-262-8323. Questions about your dues packet or sponsorship? Contact the office or email joano@agribiz.org. See member information online www.iowaseed.org.
Hours of Service Waiver Extended by FMCSA Until February 28, 2021 for Livestock and Feed
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued an extended and expanded national emergency declaration to provide hours-of-service regulatory relief to commercial vehicle drivers transporting vaccines and emergency relief in response to the nationwide coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency.

FMCSA’s expanded and extended declaration provides for regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts intended to meet immediate needs for:

  • Vaccines, constituent products, and medical supplies and equipment including ancillary supplies/kits for the administration of vaccines, related to the prevention of COVID-19.

  • Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19.

  • Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and disinfectants.

  • Livestock and livestock feed.

  • Food, paper products, and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores.

To ensure continued safety on the nation’s roadways, the emergency declaration stipulates that when a driver is moving from emergency relief efforts to normal operations, the driver must receive a minimum of 10 hours off duty if the total time a driver operates conducting emergency relief efforts, or a combination of emergency relief and normal operations, equals 14 hours.

Read the full press release here:

Full declaration can be found here:
Nutrien Launches Carbon Program
Nutrien announced the launch of a comprehensive carbon program, providing end-to-end support for growers to drive improved sustainability and boost profitability. The company will partner directly with growers to plan, plant and track sustainable farming practices and improve carbon performance.

As part of the new program, Nutrien will provide sustainable products and solutions, year-round dedicated agronomic counsel and the industry’s leading digital platform to track and measure results. Additionally, the company will enable growers to monetize their improved carbon performance at the farm level by facilitating the purchase and sale of carbon credits from its grower customers to value-chain partners.

Working with select growers, Nutrien will design programs that facilitate climate smart products and sustainable practices to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, sequester carbon, and measure the resulting improvements in financial, productivity and environmental performance. The program will pilot across North America in 2021 with plans to further scale the to South America and Australia in the years ahead.

For more information on the carbon program, visit Nutrien’s website at www.nutrien.com/carbon-program
IDALS Cover Crop Insurance Discount Sign Up
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced farmers and landowners can begin signing up for the cover crop crop insurance discount program at apply.cleanwateriowa.org. Farmers who plant cover crops this fall may be eligible for a $5 per acre discount on their spring 2021 cash crop insurance premiums through the IDALS partnership with USDA RMA. Applications will be accepted through January 15, 2021.
Any questions about the program can be directed to Matt Lechtenberg at matt.lechtenberg@iowaagriculture.gov.

More Information:

Program Sign Up Website:
Pesticide Applicators Recertification Deadline; Online Services from IDALS Include Fertilizer, Grain, and Pesticide Applicators and Dealers
The December 31 deadline for renewal of pesticide certifications is approaching. Earlier this year, pesticide applicators who had expiring certifications in 2020 were given until the end of the year to renew due to the coronavirus pandemic. With the deadline less than a month away, certified applicators who have not already renewed should take advantage of options to maintain their certification.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) has two testing dates and sites available during the month of December with limited seats. There will be three in-person exam periods scheduled per site per day. Each time slot will have applicants scheduled, as determined by site location capacity with social distancing (6 ft). The exam sessions are 90 minutes in length. The first session will start at 9:00 AM. The second exam session will start at 11:00 AM. The third exam session will start at 1:00 PM. The end of the third session will be 2:30 PM.

Visit this link to sign up for testing. Advance registration is required.

Additional information about testing, including alternate testing sites, can be found here:

IDALS Online Services - Pesticide Applicators, Grain and Fertilizer
It is now possible to check on your pesticide applicator certification and licensing online as well as apply for certification or a license. Those who have registered can visit this link:

Those who have not yet registered on the site can use the "First time to our site?" link above the login to register.

Also, as reported last month, a new portal has been launched for feed, fertilizer, and egg handling licensing in the state of Iowa. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) Feed and Fertilizer Bureau has moved the application, renewal, and reporting system online.

Anyone who needs to complete reporting for the January 1, 2021 deadline should use the portal. Also, applications and renewals should be handled through the portal as well.

Feed, Fertilizer and Egg Handling Portal:

Licensee who do not have email or internet access or an electronic payment method can contact the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Feed and Fertilizer Bureau at (515) 281-5321 for assistance.
Iowa Seed Association Building Update
The home office remodeling project has moved from the demolition phase to the building phase. Footings have been poured and some structural pieces have been erected for the front entrance addition and the north side expansion.

How will others know the importance of your company to agriculture in Iowa? Making an investment as part of the Growing Iowa's Future capital campaign will allow your company to be recognized proportionately for its importance and impact in the state.

To make and investment, or to increase your current investment for proper recognition, contact Joel Brinkmeyer - jbrinkmeyer@agribiz.org.
Iowa Seed Association Reminders & Events
February 10, 2021
ISA Seed Forum & Annual Meeting
ISU Scholarship Recognition
Virtual Event | Des Moines, IA
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
Platinum Sponsors
Popp Engineering, Inc.
Iowa Crop Improvement Association
Silver Sponsors
Peterson Genetics, Inc.
Syngenta
Did you miss an issue? You can view all 2020 ISA News Bulletin publications here. 
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