Scholarships now available for Indiana AgrIInstitute

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) and Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) will sponsor scholarships for Indiana soybean and corn farmers who participate in the upcoming class of AgrIInstitute’s Indiana’s Agricultural Leadership Program (ALP).

The ICMC and ISA are offering scholarships to pay up to half of the tuition cost for corn and soybean farmers selected for the class, which begins in July 2010. This premier leadership program is designed to guide Indiana’s promising leaders to new levels of leadership skill and to a heightened awareness and understanding of the issues facing our industry.

ALP is administered by AgrIInstitute, Inc. The two-year program features 12 seminars designed to broaden understanding in important areas of civic engagement and leadership. Ten of the seminars are three days in length, held in locations around Indiana. In addition, the participants study for one week in Washington, D.C., and for two weeks in a foreign country.

AgrIInstitute selects up to 30 individuals to participate in the two-year program. Each class includes a diverse group of agricultural and rural community representation. Tuition is $3,500 per person. The total value of the program is approximately $15,000 per person. Donors cover the additional per person cost for each program participant.

Applications must be submitted with a postmark date of Jan. 15, 2010. For additional information, contact Beth Archer at 317-745-0947 or by e-mail at beth@agriinstitute.org

Hoosier dairy farmers feed Indiana’s hungry

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The American Dairy Assoc. of Indiana (ADAI) wanted to make sure that in these tough economic times, Hoosiers receive the Dietary Guidelines recommendation of three servings of dairy a day.

The ADAI donated 620,000 pounds of milk to food banks across the state. The generosity of Indiana’s dairy producers enabled Hoosiers in need to enjoy the nutritional benefits of 47,699 gallons of milk, 9,276 eight-ounce servings of cheese and 17,772 eight-ounce servings of yogurt.

At a time when food banks and agencies are seeing a heavy increase in demand, this sizeable increase in available protein made a true impact to the 1,500 local charitable agencies in all 92 counties served by Feeding Indiana’s Hungry members (FIsH). FIsH was formed to address the vital concern of feeding Indiana’s residents.

Indiana’s CPS takes home Environmental Respect Award

NEW SALEM, Ind. — Crop Production Services of New Salem has been named the Environmental Respect Award state winner for Indiana in 2009.

The Environmental Respect Awards, sponsored by CropLife magazine and DuPont Crop Protection, are the agricultural industry’s highest recognition for environmental stewardship among U.S. agricultural retailers, those who serve farmers and ranchers with the nutrients, pest control and agronomic information and services critical to effective crop production.

Each year a panel of industry experts gathers to recognize achievement in environmental stewardship, professional excellence and community involvement. Crop Production Services won the award based on excellence in site design, in-plant storage and handling procedures, proper application and leadership in safety and stewardship among customers and employees.