Indiana veteran/farmer wins free compact tractor worth 25K

GREENTOWN, Ind. (AP) — An Army veteran who operates a central Indiana farm said he was speechless after learning that he'd won a free tractor.

Randy Ramberger recently became one of four U.S. veterans to receive free compact Kubota brand tractors through an initiative sponsored by the company and the Farmer Veteran Coalition. The Kokomo Tribune reported Ramberger and his family picked up the $25,000 tractor at Dirt-N-Turf in Greentown.

Ramberger served a tour in Afghanistan as an engineer. He raises pastured pork and free-range chickens on his five-acre farm near the Grant County town of Swayzee.

To apply for the chance to win the tractor, Ramberger had to submit a business plan, a résumé including his military and community service and answer some essay questions.

Gottbrath wins Discussion Meet; IFB Young Farmers named

(mug in 6347)

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Deidra Gottbrath is the winner of the 2017 Indiana Farm Bureau (IFB) Young Farmer Discussion Meet. The competition, which was held Dec. 8-9 in French Lick as a part of the IFB state convention, is one of the three major awards presented to Farm Bureau members age 35 and younger.

In it, contestants participate in a group discussion that simulates a committee meeting. Gottbrath and the other finalists and participants discussed common dilemmas and potential problems facing farmers in America. She will advance to the national Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet during the American Farm Bureau annual meeting, Jan. 6-9, in Nashville, Tenn.

She has a full-time job as a stroke clinical operations nurse at a large hospital in Louisville, Ky. She also farms with her parents and is president of the Washington County Farm Bureau. As winner, Gottbrath received a $4,000 cash prize from IFB Insurance and expenses paid to the national convention.

The three runners-up were Rachel Gentry, Delaware County; Amanda Mosiman, Warrick County; and Logan Springstun, Warrick County. They each received a $1,000 cash prize.

Also announced at last year’s state convention was the 2018 IFB State Young Farmer Committee. The committee, by district, is as follows:

District 1: Jake and Jill Smoker, LaPorte County

District 2: Jeremy and Lindsay Barron, Noble County

District 3: Ryan and Marie Hilton, Jasper County

District 4: Jacob and Natalie Slusher, Wells County

District 5: Nick and Beth Tharp, Putnam County

District 6: Aaron and Allison Chalfant, Randolph County

District 7: Justin and Alli McKain, Sullivan County

District 8: Andy and Katie Fix, Shelby County

District 9: John and Abby Michel, Gibson County

District 10: Matt and Nicole Branham, Jennings County

ASA introduces new class of DuPont Young Leaders

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The 34th class of American Soybean Assoc. (ASA) DuPont Young leaders recently began their leadership journey at DuPont Pioneer headquarters in Johnston, Iowa.

The Johnston training session was the first phase of a program designed to identify new and aspiring leaders within the agriculture community and provide them with opportunities to enhance their skills and network with other growers. Representatives from 19 states and Canada participated in the program.

The 2018 Young Leaders include, locally, Joshua Plunk of Illinois, Chris Steele of Indiana, Chris Gaesser and Shannon Lizakowski of Iowa, Clay and Lindsey Wells of Kentucky, Brian and Michelle Washburn and Scott and Polly Wilson of Michigan, Justin Cowman of Ohio, and Charlie Roberts, AJ Teal and Tanner Johnson of Tennessee.

This year’s class will complete their training Feb. 25-March 1 in Anaheim, Calif., with training held in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show.

Indiana’s Hoye inducted into Fairs & Expos Hall of Fame

(mug in 6347)

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — At the International Assoc. of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) 127th Annual Convention, Cindy Hoye of the Indiana State Fair was inducted into the IAFE Hall of Fame.

The highest honor bestowed by the IAFE, the Hall of Fame Award is presented annually in recognition of an individual’s distinguished achievement in, or contribution to, the fair industry. Hoye is an Indianapolis native and grew up 10 minutes from the Indiana State Fairgrounds, where she spent her childhood summers participating as a 4-H member.

She attended Southern Methodist University and interned at the State Fair of Texas. In 1980, she accepted a position as 4-H extension agent in Ozaukee County, Wis. From there, she became the promotions director for the American Dairy Assoc. of Wisconsin and then moved on to the Wisconsin State Fair, accepting the special events director position.

Hoye later moved to her hometown fair and became marketing director for the Indiana State Fair. She led several award-winning marketing efforts, including the “Little Hands on the Farm” program that has been franchised to several other fairs and expos. In 2004, she was appointed executive director of the Indiana State Fair Commission, which oversees operations of the fair and the year-round activities of the Fairgrounds & Event Center.

Hoye received her Certified Fair Executive designation from the IAFE in 1992. She served IAFE in numerous capacities, including as second vice chair in 2008, first vice chair in 2009, board chair in 2010 and past chair from 2011-12.

Perdue announces FSA state committee appointees

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced a slate of Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee appointees. State committees are selected by the secretary, serve at the pleasure of the secretary and are responsible for carrying out FSA’s farm programs within delegated authorities.

The following appointments were made in the Farm World area:

•Illinois: Committee Chair Jim Reed, DeLand; Martin R. Barbre, Carmi; Melanie DeSutter, Woodhull; Ron Moore, Roseville; and Troy Uphoff, Findlay

•Indiana: Committee Chair Ken Rulon, Arcadia; Kim Ames, Fillmore; Bill Gelfius, Hartsville; Clint Orr, Forest; and Kirk Perkins, Wolcottville

•Iowa: Committee Chair Ray Gaesser, Corning; Nathan Anderson, Cherokee; Laura Cunningham, Nora Springs; Jim Stillman, Palo Alto; and Pat Swanson, Ottumwa

•Kentucky: Committee Chair Sharon Furches, Calloway County; Tom Flowers, Shelby County; Kenny Imel, Greenup County; Brenda Paul, Paris; and Bart Peters, Cadiz

•Michigan: Committee Chair Sally McConnachie, Deckerville; Blaine Baker, Clayton; Ben Lacross, Lake Leelanau; Matt Schwab, Standish; and Isaiah Wunsch, Traverse City

•Ohio: Committee Chair Trish Levering, Knox County; Ronnie Clifton, Pickaway County; Kim Davis, Carroll County; Daryl Knipp, Sandusky County; and Joe Steiner, Warren County

•Tennessee: Committee Chair Steve Officer, Dekalb County; Daryl Brown, Maury County; Charlotte Kelly, Tipton County; and Renea Jones Rogers, Unicoi County

Diamond V adds new personnel to roster of expertise

(mugs in 6342)

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Diamond V recently welcomed Karen Lehe, DVM, DACVPM, who has joined the company as director, Swine Business Development.

Raised on a beef cattle and tobacco farm in southwestern Virginia, Lehe earned her B.S. in biology from Virginia Tech and her DVM from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing her studies, she served three years in residency at Michigan State University.

Lehe then worked nine years in veterinary practice, becoming co-owner of Wolcott Veterinary Clinic/Indiana Animal Health in Wolcott, Ind. She provided herd-health veterinary services to pork producers in a six-state area, as well as industry expertise to animal health and genetics providers. Later, she moved to the animal health and nutrition industry. Lehe is based near Monticello, Ind.

The company also welcomed Evan Chaney, Ph.D., who joined the company in the new position of director, Food Safety Microbiology. He earned his M.Sc. in food science from Texas Tech University in Lubbock. He later completed his doctorate at Texas Tech in Animal Science, with an emphasis in food safety and microbiology, and continued post-doctoral research at the university. He is HACCP-certified in Implementation and Management.

Prior to joining Diamond V, Chaney worked at Roka Bioscience as director, Customer Applications and Microbiology, and previously as senior manager, Scientific Affairs, where he worked with industry, academic and government partners to evaluate, develop and implement food safety test method applications across the industry. He is based in Cedar Rapids.

NRWA partners with DOL on apprenticeship program

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Rural Water Assoc. (NRWA), the nation’s largest water utility association with more than 31,000 members, announced a partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to launch a nationwide apprenticeship program.

The WaterPro Apprenticeship Program, tailored to water and wastewater system operations specialists, is now a nationally-recognized standard with the DOL. CoBank, a cooperative bank serving agribusinesses, rural infrastructure providers and Farm Credit associations throughout the United States, will underwrite $250,000 to help establish the program.

It takes more than 380,000 highly skilled water and wastewater personnel to ensure the public supply of safe drinking water and to protect lakes, streams and groundwater. Advancements in water treatment and supply technology have increased the skills and training required of this workforce.

In addition to increasing professional demands, utilities will soon be forced to replace many of their most experienced employees. Over the next decade, the water sector is expected to lose between 30-50 percent of the workforce to retirement. To learn more about the program, visit https://nrwa.org/initiatives/apprenticeship-program

AgriNovus Indiana announces three new board members

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — AgriNovus Indiana is announcing new members to its board of directors – Kess Berg, Gil Farley and Randy Kron.

Berg is the CEO and managing partner of Advanced Agrilytics and Ag Ingenuity Partners, headquartered in Huntington. Created in 2014, the companies were co-founded by Berg and three partners. He serves as CEO of both organizations.

Advanced Agrilytics and Ag Ingenuity Partners are affiliated companies that specialize in the elucidation and application of spatial agronomic science and research. Berg received his undergraduate degree in agronomy from The Ohio State University and his master’s and doctorate degrees in plant physiology and mineral nutrition from Purdue University.

Farley, founder and president of Biodyne Midwest, recently transitioned from an AgriNovus Innovation Council member to the board of directors. Launched in 2012 in Fort Wayne, Biodyne Midwest is an innovative and fast-growing environmental biotechnology company focused on using the power of beneficial microbes to enhance crop productivity and to benefit the environment. He received a bachelor of science degree from Indiana Tech.

Kron is president of the Indiana Farm Bureau (IFB), elected in January 2016. Founded in 1919 and present in all 92 counties, it is the state's largest general farm organization. He previously served as vice president and, with his wife, Joyce, farms about 2,000 acres near Evansville, raising yellow corn, white corn, soybeans and wheat.

Kron has been on the IFB’s ELECT Oversight Committee and on the U.S. Grains Council, serving on the Biotechnology Advisory Team. He received his bachelor of science degree in agriculture economics from Purdue.

Alltech honors 21st master’s grad in brewing, distilling

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Alltech is proud to congratulate Kendon Jacobson, its 21st employee to receive a master’s degree in brewing and distilling from Scotland’s Heriot-Watt University, known for graduating some of the foremost brewing and yeast fermentation experts in the world.

Heriot-Watt’s course offers the most practical advanced education for employees, given Alltech’s focus on yeast fermentation technology. Alltech is currently collaborating with Western Kentucky University to offer a similar degree. The program would serve the rising craft beer industry in the United States, as well as the burgeoning bourbon industry.

USFRA names new board members at November meeting

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance's (USFRA) newest board members are critical to ensure farmers and ranchers are present in influential conversations about food and agriculture. USFRA elected these four board members at its fall board meeting on Nov. 7 in Kansas City, Mo:

•James Adams, former chair of U.S. Poultry & Egg Assoc. He currently serves as the vice chair of the board of the Wenger Group and acting chief operating officer of Wenger Feeds, LLC in Rheems, Pa.

•Steve Geick is the director of Industry Relations for John Deere's Agricultural and Turf Division. He works with stakeholders across North America who share an interest in the future of agriculture, and he proactively builds and promotes influential relationships, programs and policies in his role.

•Amanda Rinehart is the U.S. marketing leader for DuPont Pioneer, where she manages a team focused on seed product strategy and promotion as well as strategic account sales management. She also serves as vice chair of the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation.

•Blair Van Zetten is the president of Oskaloosa Food Products, a processor of liquid, frozen and dried eggs. He is the immediate past chair of the American Egg Board and works with his son on their third-generation family farm in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Holcomb makes appointments to boards, commissions

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Gov. Eric Holcomb recently announced several new appointments to various Indiana state boards and commissions.

Indiana State Fair Board appointments are:

•District 2: Jeanette Merritt (Peru), director of checkoff programs for Indiana Pork, will join the board. Her term expires Sept. 30, 2021.

•District 4: Michael Sprinkle (Indianapolis - Shelby County), lecturer at the School of Physical Education & Tourism Management, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, will join the board. His term expires Sept. 30, 2019.

•District 5: Melissa Huff (Brownstown), closing specialist with Farm Credit Mid-America and owner/operator of Huff Appraisal Services, Inc., will join the board. Her term expires Sept. 30, 2020.

•District 7: Olgen Williams (Indianapolis), former deputy mayor of the city of Indianapolis, will join the board. His term expires Sept. 30, 2018.

Indiana Tourism Council appointments are:

•Julie Basich (Valparaiso), chief operating officer of Fair Oaks Farms, will join the council. Her term expires Oct. 31, 2019.

•Matthew Bell (Brownsburg), president and CEO of the Casino Assoc. of Indiana, will join the council. His term expires Oct. 31, 2018.

•Cynthia Hoye (Fishers), executive director of the Indiana State Fair Commission, will join the council. Her term expires Oct. 31, 2018.

Alcohol & Tobacco Commission appointment is John L. Krauss (Indianapolis), attorney, mediator and arbitrator with Krauss Group LLC, former founding director of the IU Public Policy Institute and former deputy mayor of Indianapolis. He will serve as chair pro tempore. His term expires Jan. 31, 2022.

RFD-TV takes home three 2017 NAFB Awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The National Assoc. of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) held its annual awards luncheon as part of the national convention on Nov. 8-10, in Kansas City, Mo.

RFD-TV News was pleased to announce that Markets Editor Mark Oppold won the first-place award. In addition, Markets Editor Marlin Bohling took a second-place Video Marketcast Award, and meteorologist Christina Loren was honored with a second-place win for the Video Newscast Award.

Award criteria were based on content, delivery, professionalism and the quality of information delivered by each news outlet. The NAFB stated there were a record number of entries submitted in 2017.

Perdue announces United Soybean Board appointments

WASHINGTON, D.C. — USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of 19 members and three alternate members to serve on the United Soybean Board. The producers appointed to serve three-year terms are:

Annie Dee, Aliceville, Ala.; Robert Stobaugh, Atkins, Ark.; Gary Berg, Saint Elmo, Ill.; Tom Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind.; Thomas E. Oswald, Cleghorn, Iowa; Larry K. Marek, Riverside, Iowa; Dennis Gruenbacher, Andale, Kan.; Keith N. Tapp, Sebree, Ky.; Belinda Burrier, Union Bridge, Md.; Herb Miller, Niles, Mich.; Lawrence Sukalski, Fairmont, Minn.; Philip Good, Macon, Miss.; Lewis Rone, Pontageville, Mo.; Mike Korth, Randolph, Neb.; Dave Dotterer, Rittman, Ohio; Ellie W. Green Jr., Lynchburg, S.C.; Marc V. Reiner, Tripp, S.D.; David Nichols, Ridgely, Tenn.; and Andrew W. Scott Jr., Monte Alto, Texas

The three alternates are: Colt Clemmons, Killen, Ala.;    Fitzhugh Bethea, Dillon, S.C.; and Daniel C. Berglund, Wharton, Texas

The board is composed of 73 members representing 29 states and Eastern and Western regions. To become a member, you must be a soybean producer and nominated by a qualified state soybean board.

CountryMark recognizes outstanding energy professionals

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — CountryMark recently honored five energy professionals for outstanding performance and leadership during the annual CountryMark Awards Banquet in Indianapolis.

Award recipients were nominated by their member cooperative and were evaluated against a set of desirable criteria and traits. The criteria included, but were not limited to, professionalism, superior customer relations, leadership characteristics and the implementation of innovative ideas. The 2017 CountryMark Achievement Award winners included:

•Energy Support Representative of the Year: Paula Fry – Co-Alliance

•Energy Sales Representative of the Year Winners: Brent Stang – Harvest Land Co-op; Gary Austin – Ceres Solutions

•Energy Sales Specialist of the Year: Mark Burch – Ceres Solutions

•Energy Department Manager of the Year: Mike Riggins – White River Co-op

Additional recognition was given to CountryMark’s 13 member cooperative energy teams for their outstanding sales accomplishments this past year. Special awards were presented to Ceres Solutions, North Central Co-op and Co-Alliance for achieving the highest overall liquid fuel sales volume.

Ceres, North Central and Harvest Land Co-op were also recognized for their overall lubricant sales volume, and North Central was awarded for highest percentage increases in lubricant sales. In addition, Superior Ag was awarded for achieving the highest-percent increase in fuel sales in the past 12 months.

CoBank announces 2018 officers, including Co-Alliance CEO

DENVER, Colo. — CoBank announced board officers for 2018. The board elects its officers to serve a one-year term commencing Jan. 1 and expiring Dec. 31 each year.

Kevin Riel will serve as board chair, succeeding longtime board chair Everett Dobrinski. A director since 2014 and first vice chair in 2017, Riel is the president and CEO of Double “R” Hop Ranches, Inc. and managing partner of WLJ Investments, LLC, a land holding and management company, all located in Harrah, Wash.

Jon Marthedal will serve as first vice chair. He is the owner and operator of Marthedal Farms in Fresno, Calif.; president of Marthedal Enterprises, Inc., a provider of farm management and custom agriculture services; and owner and operator of Keystone Blue Farms, a blueberry farming operation.

Kevin Still will serve as second vice chair. He is president and CEO of Co-Alliance, LLP, a partnership of five cooperatives supplying energy, agronomy and animal nutrition, producing swine and marketing grain in Avon, Ind. He is chair of Local Harvest Food, a food broker, vice president and director of Connexities, LLC, a technology provider, an officer of Agronomy Services, LLP and president of Northwind Pork, LLC, a pork producing operation. He is also the owner and president of Still Farms, LLC, a grain farm.

Dobrinski, a farmer from North Dakota, remains a member of the board with a term expiring in 2019. Directors Gary Miller, Ken Shaw and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin will be stepping down from the CoBank board on Dec. 31.

Land O'Lakes promotes Ford and Oelmann as of Jan. 1

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — As Land O'Lakes, Inc. continues its strong growth trajectory, the company announced the promotions of Beth Ford and Brad Oelmann. Ford will head all Land O'Lakes Businesses and Oelmann heads all Land O'Lakes Services, effective Jan. 1.

Ford has been promoted to chief operating officer, Land O'Lakes Businesses. Since being named the head of the food and feed businesses, she has guided successful strategic and financial years. She joined Land O'Lakes in 2011 from International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF). She earned an MBA from Columbia University Business School and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Iowa State University.

Oelmann has been promoted to chief operating officer, Land O'Lakes Services. He was named EVP, Member Relations, Business Development Services in the spring. His new role will bring together all services Land O'Lakes offers to its valuable co-op members. In addition to being CEO of both United Suppliers, Inc. and Aligned Ag Distributors, he played key marketing roles for United Suppliers and spent a year with United Agri Products (UAP) as director of products and markets. He holds a bachelor of science degree in ag business from ISU and grew up on a farm in north-central Iowa.