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Business Briefs - Oct. 15, 2008

20 Indiana counties eligible for emergency farm loans

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — As a result of a major disaster in Indiana due to severe storms and flooding that started on Sept. 12, President Bush gave six Indiana counties primary disaster designation and 14 counties contiguous designation.

The designation makes farmers eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). The following six counties received primary disaster designation: Harrison, Jennings, Lake, Jefferson, LaPorte and Porter.

The following 14 counties received contiguous disaster designations: Bartholomew, Jackson, Scott, Clark, Jasper, Starke, Crawford, Newton, Switzerland, Decatur, Ripley, Washington, Floyd and St. Joseph.

Farmers in primary and contiguous disaster areas may contact their local FSA office for further information on emergency loan programs. FSA will consider each application on its own merit by taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.

The Indiana FSA office can be reached by calling 317-290-3030 or visit www.fsa.usda.gov and click on “State Offices.” For more information on disaster programs available in the state, contact the Indiana State Department of Agriculture at 877-4IN-AGRI (877-446-2474) or e-mail recovery@isda.in.gov

Iowa soy farmers renew
challenge to end hunger

URBANDALE, Iowa — The Iowa Soybean Assoc. (ISA) board of directors has issued a challenge to fellow Iowans to join the fight against malnutrition and hunger, in the United States and across the globe.

The ISA board is renewing its initiative titled, “Acres of Giving: Harvest an Acre, Feed the World,” in conjunction with the Iowa Hunger Summit and the World Food Prize’s Borlaug Discussion scheduled for Oct. 14-17 in Des Moines. Farmer-leaders who serve on the ISA board are individually donating the equivalent of an acre of soybeans.

They challenge Iowans to contribute the equivalent of 10,000 acres of soybeans in the coming year. With soybeans valued at approximately $400 per acre, the goal is to raise $4 million, with proceeds going to the World Soy Foundation and the Soy for Life Foundation.

The Soy for Life Foundation funds research to further the many health benefits of soy. The foundation also funds programs to reach malnourished, underserved and hungry populations in the U.S., as well as developing programs to further educate consumers, food industry professionals and the media on soy protein usage.           

The World Soy Foundation, founded by U.S. soybean farmers, works collaboratively with humanitarian organizations, corporations, public and private foundations, international organizations, U.S. and international governments and individuals to deliver soy protein and nutrition education to people in developing nations.
To donate, visit www.iasoybeans.com and click on the “Acres of Giving” icon. For more information about the Soy for Life Foundation, visit www.thesoyfoods council.com and to learn more about the World Soy Foundation, visit www.worldsoyfoundation.org

Ohio Proud signs its 300th
business partner

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Agriculture’s (ODA) Ohio Proud program recently approved its 300th partner, making Ohio-made and grown products easier to identify in participating establishments across the state. The program, originally created in 1993, has nearly doubled its number of partners since February 2007.

“In a time when food safety is at the forefront of consumers’ minds, the Ohio Proud program allows Ohioans to easily locate locally-produced, wholesome products,” said ODA Director Robert Boggs. “We are happy that the program has grown to more than 300 partners that employ more than 50,000 Ohioans across 75 counties.”

Ohio Proud partners have the chance to participate in domestic marketing opportunities such as in-store and restaurant promotions as well as product demonstrations. Additionally, all partners are listed in the Online Ohio Proud Directory, a guide to help consumers purchase Ohio products.

Partners may also take advantage of the Ohio Proud network by participating in seminars and workshops that educate about sales, marketing and strategic planning for agribusinesses. Communication with fellow partners is also encouraged, to share successful ideas and develop business relationships.

For more information about the Ohio Proud program, visit www.ohioproud.org or call the Ohio Proud office at 614-466-8798.
Dow AgroSciences expands business in western Corn Belt
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Dow AgroSciences LLC announced it is acquiring the majority of Renze Hybrids, Inc. assets. The addition of the newly formed Renze Seeds LLC will build upon Dow AgroSciences’ current seeds business and will expand its broad range of product offerings. The transactional close is expected in the near future.

Under the terms of the agreement, Dow AgroSciences will acquire all sales, marketing and agronomy assets related to the Renze brand as well as all soybean production assets. Dow AgroSciences will continue to independently market seeds under the Renze brand and product offerings in 2009 will not be affected. Renze will continue to be headquartered at its existing location near Carroll, Iowa.

Craig Williams, operations manager for Renze, will remain with the business to lead Renze Seeds as general manager. Tim Renze and Jeff Renze will serve as consultants. In addition, they and their father, Cyril, have formed RenPro, Inc., a new seed corn production company to provide hybrid corn for Renze Seeds. Cyril, 82, entered the field of seed production in 1939 and is one of the industry’s original seedsman.

Renze is the sixth acquisition, including Agromen, MTI, Duo Maize, Triumph Seed and Dairyland Seed Co., in the last 12 months as Dow AgroSciences builds a global seeds platform.

10/15/2008