Gil Gullickson
ZeaKal is creating what it terms as a “NewType” of agriculture – based on higher value and supply chain harmonization – to expand its advisory board and partner with Gro Alliance, an independently owned contract seed corn and soybean seed production company. “To meet the needs of today’s growers, producers, and consumers, we need a more equitable, resilient food system that prioritizes value over volume without overwhelming our planet,” said Han Chen, ZeaKal cofounder and CEO, in a news release. “By building a NewType of agriculture that is more attuned to the end user, we can fully realize the value of our innovations and do our part to sustainably nourish the world’s growing population.”
A growing focus on climate change continues to include agriculture as part of the solution, and sitting at the table is the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) who also is expanding its membership. As Congress and the White House look to tackle the impact of climate change and the role government plays, the initial 40 plus recommendations offered last fall by FACA will take on increasing importance in guiding the discussion for agriculture’s role.
Meanwhile, the House Agriculture Committee plans to host its first hearing on climate change on Thursday at 12:30 ET. (Note this is an updated time, changed from originally scheduled on Tuesday.) The livestream of the hearing can be viewed here. It’s likely the hearing will feature questioning on USDA’s ability to create a carbon bank and tapping into the Commodity Credit Corporation to make payments to farmers. The CCC currently pays out farm bill programs and also the pot of money tapped into for recent ad hoc payments i
The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) Monday announced expanding membership and new policy working groups focused on developing a set of more specific policy proposals that drill down on the 40+ recommendations released by FACA in November 2020.
FACA’s eight founding members American Farm Bureau Federation (co-chair), Environmental Defense Fund (co-chair), FMI – The Food Industry Association, National Alliance of Forest Owners, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (co-chair), National Farmers Union (co-chair) and The Nature Conservancy welcomed 14 new groups to the Steering Committee.
New Steering Committee members are: the American Seed Trade Association, American Sugar Alliance, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau, Ducks Unlimited, Farm Credit Council, National Cattlemen
MCIA
HIGHEST CROP ACHIEVEMENT HONOR: At its annual meeting last year, the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association gave its highest honor, the Achievement in Crop Improvement Award, to Dahlco Seeds of Cokato. Honored were (from left) Tammi and Duane Dahlman and Kevin and Nancy Dahlman. The 2021 winner will be announced Jan. 13. The two-hour virtual meeting will include recognition of award winners.
Jan 12, 2021
The Minnesota Crop Improvement Association will convene its 118th annual meeting Jan. 13.
The meeting, which all MCIA members are encouraged to attend, will be held virtually, via Zoom. For those who have not been able to attend an MCIA annual meeting in the past, the virtual format provides an opportunity to participate.