March 30, 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
 
Association Members Hard at Work

It's been a busy week at the Home Office as association members have been coming together to do the grassroots work that makes AAI strong.

Environment Committee
FieldWatch, Resistance Management, and an update from the Iowa Nutrient Research and Education Council were some of the topics on the agenda at the Environment Committee meeting this past Monday.

Paul Ovrom from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provided an overview of the FieldWatch sensitive crop registry and bee registry and an update on the sign-up progress. A number of agribusiness companies provided startup funding via the AAI Foundation to implement the FieldWatch system in Iowa.

Also discussed at the meeting were the Agribusiness Showcase and Conference, the Iowa Pest Resistance Management Plan, Palmer amaranth legislation, and an overview of the Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) from EPC vice chair Chad Ingels.

The Environment Committee was formed to provide AAI leadership to continue to position agribusiness in a lead role to accelerate environmental advancement by agriculture.

AAI Board of Directors Meeting
The board had a full agenda as they met for their March meeting on Tuesday. In addition to the regular updates from the committees, the board heard about changes within Iowa State University Extension and Outreach as well as updates from AAI Services chair Kevin Drury.

Associate Dean John Lawrence, who has led Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension at Iowa State University, will become the interim Vice President of Extension and Outreach once current VP Cathann Kress moves to her new position at the Ohio State University in April. Lawrence outlined the reassignment  of responsibilities that will take place once he moves into the interim VP position.

Drury provided a report on the Agribusiness Showcase and Conference and other activities that AAI Services has been involved with on behalf of the Association.

The board also heard an update on the activities of the Iowa Nutrient Research and Education Council and a legislative update from our lobbying team at the statehouse.

Showcase Committee 
After a successful Agribusiness Showcase and Conference this past February, the Showcase Committee met to recap the successes and challenges of the event, as well as look forward to 2018.

Most of the reports from the 2017 ASC showed the successes of the past few years are continuing. The results of surveys and other analyses of the event show very positive feedback from exhibitors and attendees. A number of suggestions were discussed to continue to make the event better in 2018 and incorporate some of the useful feedback provided by the surveys.

Mark your calendar ASC 2018 
February 13-14, 2018 - Des Moines

Brinkmeyer Updates Aerial Applicators on DMWW Lawsuit 

Joel Brinkmeyer, AAI CEO, had the opportunity to speak to the Iowa Agricultural Aviation Association (IAAA) members at their March 16th annual safety meeting in Altoona, Iowa.   Over 60 applicators attended this meeting for training and education sessions, as well as learn about major issues affecting agriculture policy in Iowa and the Midwest.   

Brinkmeyer spoke to the group about the history and current status of the Des Moines Water Works lawsuit against 10 Northwest Iowa Drainage Districts, as well as the purpose and the success of the Agricultural Legal Defense Fund. 

Brinkmeyer thanked the organization for the positive relationship between the applicators and AAI, and discussed the history and future of working together. Joan O'Brien, AAI CFO, was also in attendance at the meeting. Joan helps this organization with administration for their association through a management contract of  IAAA  with AAI Services.

Sponsor an ISU Student in Your Life: Winton Etchen Scholarship Deadline - April 24, 2017

As an AAI member do you have a connection to an ISU student pursuing an ag degree? 

Winton Etchen scholarship applicants must be sponsored by an AAI member company, a resident of Iowa, and a full-time student who has been accepted to ISU to pursue a degree in agriculture. Download the 2017-2018 scholarship application here

The primary goal of the Winton Etchen Scholarship is to encourage Iowa youth to prepare for a career in agriculture. This scholarship program is designed to provide college financial assistance to a resident of Iowa or a dependent of an AAI member who chooses to study agriculture.

The AAI  Foundation will award one $1,000 scholarship to a full-time Iowa State University freshman agriculture student. If the student remains in the program, he or she is eligible for $250 in each of the following three years. The student must provide proof of full-time enrollment and maintain a 2.0 GPA. The scholarship is paid at the completion of the student's first semester each year.

Direct questions about scholarships to foundation@agribiz.org OR call 515-262-8323. 

IN THE NEWS
 
Iowa Cattlemen Care Online Auction For Wildfire Relief
by: Iowa Cattlemen's Association 

When: April 7, 2017 - 10 AM


The Iowa Cattlemen's Foundation, Iowa Cattlemen's Association and Dream Dirt are partnering on an online auction to raise funds for victims of the recent wildfires in Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas and Kansas. 

In addition to hay, affected cattle producers are in need of fencing supplies, milk replacer, seed to re-establish pastures, and more. The wildfire recovery will last many months and needs are expected to change throughout that time. Many Iowa cattlemen are eager to help.

There are three ways to help with this fundraising effort:
  1. Donate items to the auction. Contact the Iowa Cattlemen's Association with the terms of your auction donation.
  2. Participate in the auction. 100% of auction proceeds will be distributed to the affected states.
  3. Consider a cash donation. Donors will receive a receipt for tax purposes. Checks may be made out to the Iowa Cattlemen's Foundation and mailed to 2055 Ironwood Ct., Ames, IA 50010
The team at DreamDirt, ICA and ICF are donating all of their services, advertising and auction.  100%, every dollar raised and not a penny less will be sent for direct help of those who need our help.

Your donation will be to the Iowa Cattlemen's Foundation which is a 501C3 charitable organization and you will receive a tax deductible donation receipt for the amount your item sells for after the auction closes.  The auction will go until April 7th, where it will turn into a live auction.

Download  Flyer Here

Harmon Named Interim Associate Dean for Extension in ISU's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Jay Harmon has been named the interim associate dean for extension and outreach programs and the interim director of  Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University.

Harmon fills the positions held by John Lawrence, who on Monday was  named the interim vice president of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Lawrence succeeds Cathann Kress, who is leaving Iowa State for a new position at The Ohio State University.

Harmon, a professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering and extension livestock housing specialist, will assume his new responsibilities effective April 1. Lawrence becomes acting vice president on March 31, and will assume his interim role on April 29. READ MORE

Farm Credit Services of America Returns $1,248,000 to Area Farmers
by: Dallas County News

Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) announced that eligible customer-owners in Dallas County will receive checks this month totaling $1,248,000.00 - their share of the financial cooperative's $160 million cash-back dividend for 2016.

FCSAmerica has distributed a portion of its net earnings to eligible customer-owners for each of the past 13 years, returning $1.3 billion in cash-back dividends to farmers, ranchers and their rural communities.

The share of FCSAmerica's 2016 dividend returned to Iowa customer-owners amounts to $65.6 million. Eligible customer-owners served by FCSAmerica in Central Iowa received a total of $10,813,000.00 million in cash-back dividends as part of the 2016 patronage program. READ MORE


EPA Loses Lawsuit, Now Limited On Farm Data it Can Release
by: National Hog Farmer

A federal judge yesterday approved a settlement agreement between the National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, limiting the EPA's release of information on livestock farmers.


Under the agreement, the agency only may provide under a Freedom of Information Act request the city, county, zip code and Clean Water Act permit status of a concentrated animal feeding operation. The agreement also requires the EPA to conduct training on FOIA, personal information and the federal Privacy Act. READ MORE

RELATED ARTICLES
Judge Approves Settlement to Protect Farmers' Privacy
MEETINGS & EVENTS
Click on the title below to view our info page with sign up and/ or payment options.
Upcoming Events
& Meeting
AAI Office Closed
Good Friday
April 14

Winton Etchen Scholarship Application Deadline
Postmark by:
April 24

AAI Office Begins
Summer Hours
8AM-12PM
FRIDAYS
June 2-Sept 1

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