March 2, 2017
WHITE
A five-minute summary of AAI, regulation, and industry activities for members of the largest state agribusiness association in the nation.
In This Issue
AAI IN ACTION
 
Membership Renewal Deadline Approaching

Please contact the office or update your information online by March 20, 2017. If your information is not received or no communication is made with the home office, we can not guarantee accuracy in the 2017 directory. 

March is here! We have recently sent out a reminder to renew your 2017 AAI dues. If you have remitted your 2017 dues THANK YOU! 

We are currently in the process of publishing our 2017 Membership Directory. We strive to have the most accurate information in our publication. We know 2016 was a big year for a lot of our members. New employees? New addresses? Or additional locations? Contact us today!

All members can update or pay for dues with our hassle free online payment tool, see below: 




FSMA Covered by Dr. Hurburgh at the 2017 ASC

During the 2017 Agribusiness Showcase & Conference (ASC) Dr. Charles Hurburgh, Iowa State University Grain Quality Research Lab, brought an interesting and timely session to the main event. 

Dr. Hurburgh manages the  Iowa State Grain Quality Research Laboratory  & the extension-based Iowa Grain Quality Initiative at the university. Dr. Hurburgh designed a two part session to cover the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) current issues. The morning session covered connecting with FSMA in the grain handling business and the afternoon session covered the compliance and risk management under FSMA.

The sessions were designed for grain managers, feed mill managers, and CEO's who wanted a high level overview of the FSMA responsibility and compliance guidance. 

Industry professionals also presented during the afternoon session on Wednesday. Collin Freeburg, risk management specialist from Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance, Randy Watts , Feed & Fertilizer Bureau Chief, and FDA Trainer, Jeff Verzal both of Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship also spoke. 

Overall, it was a robust program held by Dr. Hurburgh. We greatly appreciate his expertise in the industry. More about the workshop can be found here
AAI MEMBERS: Your Expertise is Needed!

We know that our member companies are leaders in the ag industry. Your knowledge and expertise in your field is needed here at AAI.  Currently AAI has seven grass roots committees that work day in and day out to provide ag a seat at the table for our members. Read full committee descriptions here. Our committees cover the feed and livestock industry, grain, transportation issues, and so much more. 

We encourage our members to reach out and contribute to our industry. Committee members do not need to have a nomination or go through our official ballot process. It is very easy to get started! Each committee meets approximately 4 times a year (once a quarter) here at the home office in Des Moines or by teleconference. 

Curious to learn more? Visit our website or email Reilly Vaughan reilly@agribiz.org to learn more about our committee structures and successes.  

#2017ASC Sponsors 

Thank you for your leadership and support to the association! Save the date for next year - Feb 13-14, 2018!

Gold Sponsors: 
   

Silver Sponsors:
    


IN THE NEWS
 
WOTUS at the Supreme Court
by: Washington Post 
The US Supreme Court is also addressing WOTUS during their upcoming session, but not to deal with the content of the rule. Rather, the case concerns whether, under the Clean Water Act, jurisdiction to hear a challenge to the lawfulness of the WOTUS rule lies in the courts of appeal or federal district courts. [...] READ MORE.

Trump Dials Back WOTUS
by: DTN

With much expected delight from the farm community, President Donald Trump followed through on a campaign promise Tuesday by signing an executive order requiring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to begin withdrawing the controversial Obama-era Clean Water Act rule, defining waters of the United States.

Commonly called WOTUS, the waters of the U.S. rule is considered as one of the defining regulatory orders under the Obama administration tied to the term "regulatory overreach."

WOTUS was issued initially in 2015 as a way to clarify EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authority over areas around waterways where the federal government has authority to either require a federal permit or stop any activity that would disturb the waterway. Yet, under the detailed description by EPA in the Federal Register and the unclear term "significant nexus" for a waterway, EPA maps have suggested nearly any waterway in the country could come under federal jurisdiction [...] READ MORE.

MEETINGS & EVENTS
Click on the title below to view our info page with sign up and/ or payment options.
Upcoming Events
& Meeting
Agronomy Committee Meeting
10:00 AM
March 16
AAI Board Room

AAI Executive Committee Meeting 
10:00 AM
March 23
AAI Board Room

AAI Services Board Meeting
10:00 AM
March 24
AAI Board Room

Environment
 Committee Meeting
10:00 AM
March 27
AAI Board Room

AAI Board Meeting
10:00 AM
March 28
AAI Board Room

Legislative Committee Meeting
10:00 AM
June 16
AAI Board Room

AAI Services Board Meeting
10:00 AM
June 22
AAI Board Room

AAI Executive Committee Meeting
10:00 AM
June 29
AAI Board Room

Agronomy Committee Meeting
10:00 AM
July 6
AAI Board Room

AAI Board Meeting
10:00 AM
July 11
AAI Board Room

Golf Tournament #1
Fox Ridge Golf Club
Dike, IA
July 25
Co-Hosted w/ AGP

Golf Tournament #2
Emerald Hills Golf Course
Arnolds Park, IA
July 26
Co-Hosted w/ AGP

Golf Tournament #3
TBD
August 3
Co-Hosted w/ United Services Association

Sponsors
Thank you for making AAI great!
Education & Foundation











Agribusiness Association of Iowa 
515-262-8323 |   aai@agribiz.org www.agribiz.org
900 Des Moines Street |  Des Moines, IA 50309