Nominations sought for 2018 CCA of the Year award

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) Program would like your help in nominating a qualified CCA you work with for the Indiana Certified Crop Adviser of the Year Award for 2018. This will recognize an individual who has performed superior service in nutrient management, soil and water management, pest management and crop production.

The award will be presented to the winner at the Indiana Certified Crop Adviser Conference on Dec. 18-19 in Indianapolis. The nominator, if not the nominee’s employer, who submits the winning application will receive $250 and the CCA winner will receive $1,500.

In addition, the winner will be nominated for the International CCA Board for consideration for the International CCA of the Year Award, with an honorarium of $2,000. A CCA must be certified in Indiana and nominated by a client, a colleague or an employer who knows their qualifications.

Indiana Farm Bureau must receive the nomination by Oct. 31. If you have questions, call Justin Schneider at 317-692-7835 or Quentin Rund at 800-387-1283 or email info@indianacca.org

USDA makes Plant Variety Protection Board appointments

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of 14 members to serve two-year terms on the Plant Variety Protection Board. Two alternate members were also appointed.

Newly appointed members include: Katherine White of Detroit, Mich., from the academia sector; Wendell Shauman (Alternate) of Kirkwood, Ill., from the farm sector; from the general interest sector, Heidi Nebel of Des Moines, Iowa; government sector representative Brent Burchett of Frankfort, Ky.; and from the seed industry sector, John Duesing of Johnston, Iowa.

The Plant Variety Protection Act secures intellectual property rights for developers of new varieties of plants. The board members represent farmers, seed industry, trade and professional associations and public and private research institutions.

AgriNovus adds startup, state executives to board of directors

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — AgriNovus Indiana, the state’s initiative to promote and accelerate the growth of the agbiosciences sector, has added new members to its board of directors: Ellie Symes, CEO of The Bee Corp.; Johnny Park, vice president of research for DTN, Inc.; Micah Vincent, director of the Indiana Office of Management and Budget (OMB); and David Roberts, chief innovation officer for the Indiana Economic Development Corp.

Symes is co-founder and CEO of The Bee Corp. Launched in 2016, it assists beekeepers in reducing beehive loss through Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytics. She earned her master of public affairs in information systems in 2018 and a bachelor of science degree in Environmental Management in 2016 from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Park is the vice president of research at DTN and founder of Spensa Technologies, which was acquired by DTN in March 2018. He is passionate about agricultural innovation that will reduce reliance on manual labor, foster eco-friendly farming and enhance crop production efficiency. He received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University.

Vincent previously served as the OMB's general counsel and policy director, and as commissioner of the Indiana Department of Local Governance Finance, among other roles. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Purdue and a law degree from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.

Roberts previously served as president of the Battery Innovation Center at the WestGate@Crane Technology Park, among other appointments. He received a law degree from the McKinney School of Law, where he served on the Indiana Law Review, and a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering from Lehigh University.

Holcomb appoints to soil conservation, ports boards

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

He made two reappointments to the Soil Conservation Board, administered by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Warren Baird of Atlanta, retired, and Larry Clemens of Angola, North American agriculture director with The Nature Conservancy, will continue their board service until Nov. 30, 2021.

Holcomb also made two new appointments to the board, serving until Nov. 30, 2021: Kenny Cain of Darlington, of Cain’s Homelike Farms, and Brad Dawson of Guilford, regional sales manager with FiNN All Seasons.

He also appointed Bob Bowen of Indianapolis to the Ports Commission, through June 30, 2022. Bowen is founder and chair of Bowen Engineering Corp. In addition, Greg Gibson of Brazil was reappointed through the same date; he is president of ReTec Corp.

Cooper succeeding Dinneen as president, CEO of RFA

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Renewable Fuels Assoc. (RFA) announced Executive Vice President Geoff Cooper will assume the position of president and CEO in October, while current President and CEO Bob Dinneen will transition into the role of RFA’s senior strategic advisor.

Dinneen has been with RFA for more than 30 years, including serving as president and CEO since 2001. During his tenure, he led the industry and achieved a number of landmark legislative and regulatory victories for ethanol, including passage of the original Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2005 and significant expansion and extension of the RFS program in 2007.

Cooper joined RFA in 2008 as the organization’s director of research and analysis and ascended to executive vice president by 2016. He previously worked on ethanol issues for the National Corn Growers Assoc. and served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, specializing in bulk petroleum product logistics. In recent years, he has led RFA’s regulatory activities, while also overseeing its research and technical initiatives, supporting public and media relations efforts and managing the Renewable Fuels Foundation.

Stitzlein elected U.S. Grains Council chair at Denver meeting

DENVER, Colo. — Delegates of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) elected as chair Jim Stitzlein, manager of market development for Consolidated Grain and Barge Co., at its 58th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting.

Stitzlein has more than 40 years of experience in the commodity grain handling and export business, including local origination programs, hedging and merchandising, transportation, logistics and facility management and export trading and documentation.

Involved with the USGC for more than 20 years, he has traveled extensively for it, is active in the National Grain and Feed Assoc., from which he received the NGFA Distinguished Service Award, and has broadly participated in other activities related to quality and biotechnology as they impact the grain trade.

Stitzlein grew up working on his family farm in Ohio where he was active in 4-H and FFA. He earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural economics from The Ohio State University.

In addition, USGC delegates elected Jim Raben from the Illinois Corn Marketing Board as secretary/treasurer, sector directors and three at-large directors. The new board of directors will serve until July 2019.

Barr and Kober selected as Michigan assistant state vets

LANSING, Mich. — State Veterinarian James Averill, DVM announced the selection of Nancy Barr, DVM, and James Kober, DVM, for the two assistant state veterinarian positions within the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Animal Industry Division.

The positions were open due to the retirements of Nancy Frank, DVM and Rick Smith, DVM.

Barr will lead the ruminant programs (cattle, sheep, goats and farmed deer) within the division, which includes the Bovine Tuberculosis Program. She has more than 21 years of combined veterinary experience. After beginning her career at a small animal clinic, she began working at MDARD as a field veterinarian.

Barr has a bachelor of science in zoology from Michigan State University and a doctorate of veterinary medicine from MSU’s College Veterinary of Medicine.

Kober will lead the non-ruminant programs (cats, dogs, horses, pigs and aquaculture). He has more than 30 years of experience. He started at the Bergman Veterinary Medical Center in 1987 with a primary focus on swine. In his most recent role, he was the owner of Swine Veterinary Services of Michigan.

Kober has a bachelor of science in animal science from Michigan State University and a doctorate of veterinary medicine from MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Three reappointed to Michigan Beef Industry Commission

LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Rick Snyder announced the reappointments of Jon Haindl of Cooks, Leonard Brown of Sandusky and Dale Oeschger of Bay Port, Mich., to the Michigan Beef Industry Commission.

Haindl is the owner of a 225-head cow-calf operation in the Upper Peninsula.  He has more than 50 years of experience as a cattle producer.  He represents the cow-calf segment of the beef industry and serves as the commission’s treasurer.

Brown farms with his brother and their three sons at Brown Brothers Dairy in Sandusky.  The family milk approximately 100 Holstein cows, feed their bull calves to market weight and manage a diversified cropping system.

Oeschger is a cattle feeder from Huron County, where he finishes approximately 800 beef cattle each year and raises crops.  He is a leader in the Michigan Cattlemen’s Assoc. and the Michigan Farm Bureau.  He is chair of the commission and a director of the Federation of State Beef Councils.

Members will serve three-year terms expiring May 31, 2021.

Land O'Lakes names Beth Ford president and CEO

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — The Land O'Lakes, Inc. board of directors announced its selection of Beth Ford as president and CEO of one of the nation's largest food and agricultural cooperatives and No. 216 on the Fortune 500.

Ford assumed leadership of the company on August 1, following the retirement of Chris Policinski. She comes to the CEO role after a series of successful executive postings within the company.

Prior to joining Land O'Lakes in 2011, Ford excelled in executive operations management and supply chain roles at International Flavors and Fragrances, Mobil Corp., PepsiCo and Pepsi Bottling Co. and Scholastic. Ford has more than 20 years' experience specifically in the areas of technology and R&D across these four companies.

An Iowa native, she earned an MBA at Columbia University Business School and a BBA at Iowa State University. She becomes the ninth CEO of Land O'Lakes, which was founded in 1921. Ford and her spouse, Jill Schurtz, have three teenage children and live in Minneapolis.

Heater joins Ceres Solutions team in Indiana

ROCHESTER, Ind. — Ceres Solutions has announced the acquisition of local agriculture professional Marc Heater to the Ceres Solutions Cooperative team. He has accepted an ABM (agronomy business manager) position and will serve the company’s Rochester and Mentone areas.

Heater holds a bachelor’s degree in ag business management from Purdue University, and has extensive experience in his field having worked as a Master Agronomy Advisor for Winfield United prior to joining the local Ceres Solutions team.

Family farms receive Hoosier Homestead Award

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — At the Indiana State Fair, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler honored 88 families with the Hoosier Homestead Award for their longstanding commitment to Indiana agriculture.

To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years, and consist of 20 acres or more in size or produce more than $1,000 in agricultural products per year. Families are eligible for three different distinctions, based on age of the farm: Centennial (100 years), Sesquicentennial (150 years) and Bicentennial (200 years).

Since the program's inception in 1976, more than 5,500 families have received the award. Families are recognized semiannually, at the Indiana Statehouse in the spring and at the state fair in the fall.

For more information about the Hoosier Homestead Award program and a list of this year’s recipients, visit www.in.gov/isda/2337.htm

Newest Certified Livestock Producers honored at state fair

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana State Department of Agriculture announced the newest members of the Certified Livestock Producer (CLP) program during an awards luncheon at the Indiana State Fair.

The program, open to all livestock operations, recognizes producers who go above and beyond in their farm management in the areas of environmental stewardship, animal well-being, biosecurity, emergency planning and community relations.

To complete the certification, producers must develop a biosecurity plan with their veterinarian, meet with their local fire department to create an emergency plan, complete self-assessments in various subject areas and participate in their industry’s quality assurance program, such as Beef Quality or Pork Quality Assurance.

The following are the newest members of the CLP program: Tony Buechler, Aaron Ingle, Kip and Whitney Schlegel, Dave Mathers, Kevin and Trisha Zike, Joe and Joyce Peden and Jonathan and Kelly Shannon.

Visit www.in.gov/isda/2395.htm to learn more about the program.

Mehta tapped as new leader of Soil Health Partnership

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Shefali Mehta had a fascination with plants from early in her childhood. From her time growing up in New England, through her education and work in agriculture in the United States and around the world, she followed her passion, launching a notable career as an agricultural and environmental economist.

Mehta has been tapped as the new executive director of the Soil Health Partnership (SHP), a long-term data project that measures and quantifies the impact of farm management practices known to promote healthy soils. Practices that improve soil health include growing cover crops, reducing tillage and taking a science-based approach to nutrient management.

The SHP is a farmer-led initiative of the National Corn Growers Assoc (NCGA). More than 100 working farms are enrolled in 14 states. Mehta’s first priority is to ensure farmers get the full potential of the data collected so far. In the immediate months, the SHP will analyze these data and begin sharing those insights with farmers.

Mehta fills the position after Dr. Nick Goeser’s promotion to NCGA vice president of Production and Sustainability earlier this year. She received her Ph.D. in agricultural and applied economics and a master’s degree in statistics from the University of Minnesota. She also holds an MPhil in Economics from Cambridge University and a B.A. in Economics from New York University.

Mehta is currently the co-founder and CEO of an agricultural technology start-up, Ceres Wave, and also founded and leads Open Rivers Consulting Associates. She resides in the Washington, D.C., region.

National Corn Growers names Doggett its new CEO

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Corn Growers Assoc. (NCGA) Corn Board has named Jon Doggett as the organization’s new CEO. Doggett is the fifth CEO in the organization’s 61-year history. The change is effective immediately.

Doggett has served in the capacity of NCGA interim CEO since August 1 and as executive vice president since late 2014. Prior to that, he served as vice president of public policy, and has continuously managed the organization’s 11-person Washington, D.C., office and led its public policy efforts since joining NCGA in July 2002.

Raised on his family’s Montana ranch, Doggett has substantial knowledge of production agriculture and agribusiness, as well as more than 30 years of agricultural policy and leadership experience, after moving to Washington in the late 1980s. Before joining NCGA, he served 11 years at the American Farm Bureau Federation, where he was its lead lobbyist on a number of public policy issues.

Doggett attended the University of Montana majoring in journalism and finance. He and his wife, Nancy, have two adult children and two grandchildren.

Entrepreneur in agriculture technology chosen as WHIN CEO

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Johnny Park, one of the nation’s premier agriculture technology entrepreneurs, has been chosen to lead the Wabash Heartland Innovation Network (WHIN) as CEO, working to develop the region into a global epicenter of digital agriculture and next-generation manufacturing empowered by smart Internet of Things (IoT) platforms.

Park’s success as an ag-tech entrepreneur combined with his experience with sensory data analytics and IoT is a perfect match as the WHIN team works with Purdue University, Ivy Tech Community College and the region’s 10 counties to enhance the overall quality of place and quality of life in north-central Indiana.

The founder and former CEO of Spensa Technologies, Inc., Park raised $8 million in investments and grants, achieving 98 percent average annual revenue growth in the last five years. A precision ag company focused on smart IoT devices and data analytics to help growers better manage agronomic pests such as insects, weed, nutrient deficiencies and disease, Spensa was named one of the Top 25 Most Innovative Ag-Tech Startups by Forbes last year.

A 1998 Purdue graduate, Park also received his master’s degree and Ph.D. from Purdue. He, his wife and their four children reside in West Lafayette.

Cornell wins Women in Agribusiness Demeter Award

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Amy Cornell, president of the Agribusiness Council of Indiana, has been selected as one of three recipients for the 2018 Women in Agribusiness Demeter Award of Excellence.

She is the sole representative from the United States, with fellow award winners hailing from Canada and the United Kingdom. The award recognizes those who have achieved excellence in their field or demonstrated an extraordinary contribution to the agribusiness industry.

Cornell was nominated as a leader in the areas of agricultural law and policy, and as the “greatest champion” for Indiana’s 90,000 farmers and the 245,000 people who work in the sector. She facilitated a critical merger during her first year as president of the Agribusiness Council, and she is developing the state’s first ag law program at the request of the Indiana University McKinney School of Law.

Four industry leaders elected to Farm Foundation Board

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Four leaders working in diverse areas of the nation's food and agriculture sector have been elected to serve on the Farm Foundation board of directors:

•Dan Basse, CEO of AgResources Inc., is a commodity analyst advising domestic and international companies across the food value chain

•Robert Jones, chancellor of the University of Illinois, is a crop physiology scientist who has spent the majority of his academic career working in land grant universities

•Jackie Joyner-Kersee, a six-time Olympic medalist, works to provide youth, adults and families with the resources to improve their quality of life through her leadership of the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation

•Andy LaVigne is president of the American Seed Trade Assoc., with expertise in government relations, agriculture, food policy and international trade

In addition to the four new members, Jerome Lyman, a retired executive of McDonald's Corp., and Bill Buckner, CEO of Noble Research Institute, were reelected to their second three-year terms on the board.

The four new members of the board succeed John Hardin of Hardin Farms, Danville, Ind.; Wendy Wintersteen, president of Iowa State University; and Mike Martin, president of Florida Gulf Coast University, whose terms on the board expired; and Dan Glickman of the Aspen Institute, who stepped down from the board.

Spencer, LaGrange counties’ farmers win INFB awards

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Jonathan Spaetti and Derika Lynam-Spaetti of Spencer County and Neal and Lydia Wolheter of LaGrange County are the winners of two of Indiana Farm Bureau’s (INFB) top awards for young farmers in 2018 – the Excellence in Agriculture Award and the Achievement Award.

Excellence in Agriculture candidates were judged on their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability and involvement and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations, while the Achievement Award candidates were judged on their leadership abilities and on what they have achieved with their farms.

Spaetti and Lynam-Spaetti won the INFB Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award, which recognizes young farmers who do not derive the majority of their income from an owned production-agricultural operation. They will receive a John Deere Gator (courtesy of Farm Credit Services), a $3,000 cash prize (courtesy of INFB Insurance) and an all-expenses-paid trip to compete at the American Farm Bureau Foundation (AFBF) annual convention.

The Wolheters won the INFB Young Farmer Achievement Award, which recognizes young farmers who earn the majority of their income from their farms. They will receive a $6,000 cash prize (courtesy of INFB Insurance), 250 hours of free use of one M-Series tractor (courtesy of Kubota Tractor Corp.) and an all-expenses paid trip to compete at the AFBF annual convention.

The winners also will be awarded the David L. Leising Memorial Award.

These couples will represent Indiana in AFBF’s Young Farmer & Rancher Achievement and Excellence in Agriculture competitions at the AFBF Annual Convention in January in New Orleans. They will compete against young farmers and ranchers from across the country.

AgVenture McKillip welcomes Sharrett as yield specialist

WABASH, Ind. — Indiana-based AgVenture McKillip Seeds Co. continues to grow. The independently owned and operated regional seed company has welcomed Cory Sharrett of Mount Summit to serve as an AgVenture yield specialist for east-central Indiana.

Farming and seed always attracted Sharrett, who remembers spending his younger years watching his grandpa and uncle farm. For the past few years, he has worked in the ag retail industry in the west side of the state.

Sharrett was born and raised in Mount Summit, along with two brothers by his mom, a schoolteacher, and his father, who also works in the farming industry. After graduating from high school, he went on to attend Purdue University, earning degrees in agricultural economics and agronomy.

Four take top honors in Indiana ‘Make It With Wool’ contest

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Four Hoosiers took first place at the Indiana state “Make It With Wool” competition. The state contest is sponsored by the Indiana Sheep Assoc. and affiliated with the National “Make it With Wool” sewing competition.

The contest showcases and promotes the beauty and versatility of wool fabrics, yarns and fibers and encourages personal creativity in sewing, knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving and other needlework arts. All contestants must select, construct and model their own garment(s) made from more than 60 percent wool content.

The state winners by age division were:

•Pre-Teen Division: Katherine Jackson of Martinsville

•Junior Division: Sophee Dull of Zionsville

•Senior Division: Molly Grotjan of Zionsville

•Adult Division: Kathi Roman of Columbia City

The junior and senior category winners will represent the state of Indiana at the national contest at the American Sheep Industry annual convention in New Orleans in January 2019. The adult winner will compete nationally via video and photographs in early 2019. Adult winners will be announced at the same time.