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Two decades of growth

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AMES, Iowa — Zions Agricultural Finance is marking 20 years of growth this month, although its legacy of agricultural lending dates back to Zions Bank’s establishment in 1873.

The Ames, Iowa-based division of the bank has grown to be the leading originator of loans through the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, known as Farmer Mac. Since its launch two decades ago, Zions Ag Finance has originated nearly $2 billion in Farm and Ranch purchase loans across 44 states.

Over the course of its operations since 1998, Zions Ag Finance has ranked No. 1 each year in originating secondary market Farm and Ranch loans.  As of year-end 2016, Zions Ag Finance had $843 million in loan balances of Farmer Mac’s total $3.5 billion portfolio, or 24 percent.

“Zions currently services the largest portfolio of Farm and Ranch loans, and provides great service to its customers,” said Patrick Kerrigan, director of business development for Farmer Mac.

Zions Ag Finance serves primarily as a wholesale lender, working with a strong network of more than 300 correspondent banks and agricultural lending professionals nationwide to offer unique financing options.  Zions Ag Finance focuses on providing long-term land financing for farm and ranch acquisitions, refinancing and capital expansion. Its offerings include 30-year fixed rate ag loans and adjustable rate mortgages. It also provides real estate secured Ag-Equity Revolving Lines of Credit with five and ten-year draw periods as well as Lifestyle Ranch Loans for recreational and hobby farm purchases.

In 1996, when legislative changes streamlined the operating structure of Farmer Mac, allowing its guaranteed securities to be more competitive, Zions Bank sought to enter the field by acquiring the agricultural lending division of Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company based in Ames. Since it began originating loans through this division, Zions Ag Finance has grown to service a portfolio of approximately $1.6 billion.

“We’re working to support America’s farmers and ranchers that are raising corn and beans in the Midwest, running cattle in Texas and Montana, planting potatoes and sugar beets in Idaho, or growing pistachios and citrus in California,” said Gary Guy, senior vice president and division manager for Zions Ag Finance.  “We have a long history of helping people make their ideas a reality, and we plan on serving the farming and ranching communities with innovative long-term ag loans for a long time to come.”

Dedicated to supporting the long-term success of Farmer Mac, Zions Bank is also among its large shareholders, holding more than 31 percent of shares of Class A Common Stock in Farmer Mac, based on the 2015 proxy statement.

— Zions Bank via PRNewswire

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MFBF golf scramble fundraiser June 27

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ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) Foundation will hold its 16th annual golf scramble fundraiser at River Oaks Golf Course in Cottage Grove on Tuesday, June 27. All proceeds from the event help fund MFB Foundation programs focused on agricultural education, safety education and leadership development.

The format will be a four-person scramble with a shotgun start at noon. The entry fee covers 18 holes of golf, two carts per foursome, a box lunch, banquet meal and prizes. Other contests will take place throughout the course.

The cost for the event is $150 for individuals and $500 for teams. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

For more information, download a brochure and registration form at www.fbmn.org/golf-scramble or contact Michelle DeGeest at 651-768-2151 or michelle.degeest@fbmn.org.

Other MFB Foundation fundraisers include sporting clays tournament on June 8, the pork chop stand at FarmFest, August 1-3 and an auction held at the MFB Annual Meeting on Friday, November 17.

The MFB Foundation’s mission is to provide opportunities for supporters of agriculture to invest in people and programs focused on supporting active farmers and agriculturalists, better connecting agriculture to consumers and serving rural communities. Examples of some of the programs currently funded include: The Farming Today program, agriculture in the classroom outreach, leadership development programs, academic scholarships, grants and the Agriculture Transportation Handbook. For more information or to donate, contact the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation at 651-768-2115, ruth.meirick@fbmn.org or log onto www.fbmn.org.

— Minnesota Farm Bureau

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Beef Quality Assurance training scheduled

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JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is a national program that provides training to beef and dairy cattle producers in food safety, proper cattle handling techniques, handling of animal health products, injection sites, and record keeping. The goal of this program is to maximize consumer confidence and acceptance of beef by focusing the producer’s attention to daily production practices that influence the safety, wholesomeness, and quality of beef and beef products. This BQA Program is being sponsored by the New York State Beef Producer’s Association, in cooperation with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties.

BQA in a Day training will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2017, from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm, in Cattaraugus County. The program will begin at the Mansfield Fire Hall, 7960 S Maples Road, Little Valley, NY at 9:00 am with the classroom training and continue after lunch with the hands-on Chute Side Training hosted by Williams Ranch and Cattle, Jeff and Vicky Williams, 7860 Maples Road, Little Valley, NY. Dr. Shannon Carpenter, Veterinarian with the NYS Department of Ag & Markets, will teach this Beef Quality Assurance program.

The cost for the training for the first person from a farm is $25 which will include the program, BQA manual and lunch, and $15 for each additional person from the same farm. If you already have a BQA manual, the cost is $15 each for the program and lunch. The cost for youth is $8 to cover lunch. This educational program is open to anyone involved in the beef and dairy industry, including 4-H youth. Youth 14 years old and above can participate in this training and receive their BQA certification. Youth under 14 years of age are welcome to attend the training, but cannot receive the formal BQA certificate.

By attending this BQA training, a producer will receive Level 1 Certification. After signing a Veterinarian Client/Patient Relationship (VCPR), a producer will be Level 2 Certified. The producer then has the opportunity to purchase a farm sign verifying the BQA certification. To maintain the BQA certification, producers should attend a training every three years. The Beef Quality Assurance Program is supported by the Beef Checkoff. Pre -registration and payment for this BQA program is required by Wednesday, June 7, 2017 by sending names of participants and a check payable to Cornell Cooperative Extension and mail to CCE, 28 Parkside Drive, Ellicottville, NY 14731.

Please contact Jeff or Vicky Williams at williamsranchandcattle@outlook.com or 716-257-9176; Ted Card at lvg1259@netsync.net or 716-664-3339; or Lisa Kempisty, Extension Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County at ljk4@cornell.edu, or 716-664-9502 Ext 203, if you need more information or have any questions.

We look forward to having beef and dairy producers attend this important educational program to learn more to ensure the safety and quality of the beef we produce and market.

The BQA Training is one of the many Agricultural educational programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

–Lisa Kempisty, Community Educator
Cornell Cooperative Extension Chautauqua County

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CVMHA donation funds Vitamin E research

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CHAZY, N.Y. — Miner Institute recently received a $500 donation from the Champlain Valley Morgan Horse Association to support a Vitamin E research trial that is currently underway with the Institute’s Morgan horse herd.

The vitamin E project came about after Miner Institute Equine Manager Karen Lassell realized several horses within the herd were vitamin E deficient. The research is comparing natural versus synthetic sources of vitamin E and also looking at dosing strategies and what provides the best response. “Funding sources for horse research are few and far between, but after hearing from local veterinarians that our horses weren’t the only ones struggling with this problem, we felt it would be worth the expense. We are grateful for the support offered by the CVMHA. We are hopeful that the results of this research will be of benefit to the whole equine community,” Lassell said.

The Champlain Valley Morgan Horse Association (CVMHA) is a local club for horse enthusiasts and Morgan Horse lovers. The group hosts an annual horse show, which will be held May 27-28 at the Clinton County Fairgrounds and is a fundraiser for the club. Funds raised help to support two annual $250 scholarships, and to offset costs for clinics and other educational events the group hosts throughout the year.

The horse show is free and open to the public. Events start each day at 8 am and include a variety of styles of riding and competing events. Food is available for purchase on the grounds.

–Miner Institute

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GreenStone awards 21 scholarships

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EAST LANSING, Mich. — As part of GreenStone Farm Credit Services’ scholarship program, the cooperative recently selected 21 recipients to receive either a $2,000 or $1,000 award to assist with the cost of higher education. Since 2010, GreenStone has presented more than $175,000 in undergraduate college scholarships to students who plan to make a positive impact on the agricultural industry.

“Providing these scholarships is a way to invest in the next generation of leaders and GreenStone is proud to lend support to youth who have a passion for agriculture,” said Dave Armstrong, President and CEO. “These students demonstrate a high level of leadership in school, community, and agricultural activities and will help sustain the industry’s success.”

This year’s 21 scholarship awardees are: Courtney Allen (Ithaca, MI), Hannah Booms (Harbor Beach, MI), Spencer Brown (Saint Louis, MI), Miriah Dershem (St. Johns, MI), Jace Feldpausch (Fowler, MI), Torey Fischer (Battle Creek, MI), Elizabeth Fishler (Green Bay, WI), Meghan Goretski (Port Austin, MI), Emma Gwidt (Pulaski, WI), Callie Halsey (Adrian, MI), Jacob Irrer (St. Johns, MI), Caitlin Lane (Scottville, MI), Kelsie Letts (Marshall, MI), Aaron Maust (Bay Port, MI), Anthony Neitzke (Egg Harbor, WI), Keeley Pape (Palmyra, MI), Taylor Paye (Casco, WI), Makenna Schwass (Scottville, MI), Alyssa Seitz (Seymour, WI), Miles Wixom (Bloomingdale, MI), and Madeline Zutz (Valders, WI).

To be eligible, applicants must reside within GreenStone’s territory, including Michigan and northeast Wisconsin, be a full-time high school graduating senior, have at least a 3.0 grade point average, and plan to study an agriculture-related field. In addition, selected students demonstrate participation and leadership in school, community and agricultural activities.

About GreenStone Farm Credit Services

GreenStone Farm Credit Services, based in East Lansing, Michigan, is Michigan and northeast Wisconsin’s largest agricultural lender and the country’s seventh largest association in the Farm Credit System. A member-owned cooperative, GreenStone owns and manages over $8 billion in assets and serves 24,000 members with 36 branch locations in Michigan and northeast Wisconsin. More information on GreenStone can be found at www.greenstonefcs.com.

— GreenStone Farm Credit Services

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Jeffrey P. Smith Farm Scholarship

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WALPOLE, N.H. — The Monadnock Localvores are proud to announce the following twenty-two recipients of the 2017 Jeffrey P. Smith Farm Scholarship award. Congratulations to Brayden Audet of West Swanzey, Bryan Brown of Keene, Cameron Brown of Spofford, Estrella Cannon of Alstead, Emily Chalice-Throop of Keene, Ella Hansen of Surry, James Harrison of Marlborough, Addison Howard of Keene, Aidan Howard of Keene, Bryce Mackey of Westmoreland, Logan Majoy of Troy, Cadence Manuel of Stoddard, Liam Manuel of Stoddard, Mia McGilvery of Keene, Isaiah Merrill of Stoddard, Negev Moon of Harrisville, Stav Moon of Harrisville, Deeanna Nicol of Stoddard, Serenity Russell of Keene, Rylee Tosto of Keene, Teagan White of Marlow, and Henry Wichland of Keene,

All scholarship recipients demonstrated a desire to learn more about farming and gardening and they will have the opportunity to attend a farm camp of their choice this summer. As one of the young recipients put it “for a long time I’ve been wanting to do gardening and farming so this is the perfect chance to do it!” Many thanks go out to the Monadnock Food Coop, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Cheshire County Farm Bureau, Westmoreland Lions Club, Keene Lions Club, and other generous donors that have made these scholarships possible.

The Jeffrey P. Smith Farm Scholarship endeavors to connect young people with agriculture and the natural world around them. We hope to inspire the next generation of local farmers and local food supporters, by giving regional children an opportunity, through summer camp, to experience sustainable farming practices first-hand and watch their efforts bear fruit. For more information or to donate to the scholarship fund, please contact the Cheshire County Conservation District at 603-756-2988 ext.116 or amanda@cheshireconservation.org. More information is also available online at www.cheshireconservation.org.

During his lifetime, Jeff Smith, a former member of the Monadnock Localvore Steering Committee, was an enthusiastic supporter of sustainability and local agriculture. He firmly believed in the connection of all living things, and stressed the importance of working in harmony with the systems of the universe. Seeing himself as a “steward” instead of an “owner” of the land, he felt the earth was entrusted to us for safe keeping during our lifetimes, to be passed along intact to future generations. With an eager and vibrant sense of life, his every activity was geared towards improving the lives of others and the environment through giving freely of his time and efforts. To keep alive that vision, the Jeffrey P. Smith Farm Scholarship Program was initiated in August 2009. The program’s purpose is to send children to an area farm camp to discover the inherent rewards that come from cultivating with one’s hands and heart.

Food travels an average of 1500 miles before it ends up on your dinner plate. The Localvore movement is working to change this statistic, for the benefit of our health, palate, local farms, the environment and the community. Now in its twelfth year, The Monadnock Localvores are focused on encouraging the eating, growing, and buying of more local food.   2017 sponsors for the Monadnock Localvores include Hannah Grimes and the Cheshire County Conservation District.

–Cheshire County Conservation District

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ISU joins Challenge of Change Commission

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AMES, Iowa — Iowa State University is taking part in the Challenge of Change Commission, a new effort to address food nutrition and security challenges by leveraging the academic, research and community expertise and experience of land-grand universities.

The commission was convened by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and includes leaders from university, government, non-governmental organizations and business.

The Challenge of Change Commission’s report (PDF) addresses the findings of the working groups, outlines conclusions and suggested actions.

Who: Kendall Lamkey, Iowa State Department of Agronomy chair and professor, is a commission member and chair of the Sustainable Production Systems working group
Steven Leath, former Iowa State University president, is a commission member

When: Released today (news release)

Quotes: “What I like about this report is that it embraces systems thinking and modeling,” Lamkey said. “We need this kind of strategy to understand how production systems work, to define appropriate measures of sustainability and to appropriately account for the spatial and temporal scales of agriculture operation. If implemented at the federal and state levels, this kind of thinking could usher in a new era of agricultural research and have tremendous impacts for the people involved in food production.”

“This report lays out pathways and tactics for these pathways that show how public universities can leverage their research, teaching, and extension mission to increase yields, profitability, and environmental sustainability simultaneously to improve our food production systems,” Lamkey said.

— Iowa State University
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

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Get to know your checkoff leader

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MANKATO, Minn. — To say Jim Willers isn’t involved in the farm community would be a far cry from the truth.

Willers has an outstanding track record when it comes to his involvement with farmer advocacy groups. In 1999, he became involved with the Minnesota Soybean Grower Association Board and in 2005 was elected to the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council (MSR&PC). He’s been involved with the United Soybean Board (USB) as a board member for seven years and to top it all off, he’s also chairman of the Minnesota Biodiesel Council.

All the while, he’s been farming in Minnesota for more than 40 years, growing soybeans, corn and hay. His family has also raised hogs and stock cows.

Willers’ vast leadership experiences have lead him to a number of passions he practices on his own farm. For 30 years, he’s practiced conservation tillage in order to preserve the soil on his operation.

“As farmers, we need to take steps to minimize erosion and leave the land as good or in better shape than when we started farming,” says Willers.

Not only does Willers find a passion in soil preservation, he’s an expert when it comes to new uses and the growing market for biodiesel.

“When we transition to a B20 mandate, it’s likely we’ll use another 45 million gallons of soybeans in Minnesota every year,” says Willers. “And in the Northeast, there’s a growing market for biofuel to help heat older buildings and in turn, reduce pollution.”

Willers is excited not only for the opportunity biodiesel presents for cleaning our air, but for the environmental and cost benefits of soy-based road sealants like RePLAY Agricultural Oil Seal and Preservation Agent, a product manufactured by BioSpan Technologies, Inc. RePLAY is a bio-based sealant that preserves and protects asphalt paths and roads, and it takes the soybean oil from 200 bushels to cover a one-mile, two-land road.

“Cities who have used soy-based road sealants like RePLAY have reported very positive feedback,” says Willers. “Plus, it’s great to see another product that supports the production of Minnesota soybeans, and continues to grow demand for our crop.”

When Willers attended his first Council meeting in the 90s, the board spoke about the market in China opening up and a new use for what was called soy diesel at that time. He heard about the demand for soybeans abroad and the potential uses for soybean oil – farmers just needed a producer and a user. Years later, both of those uses have come to fruition.

“China now buys half of all soybeans we export in the United States and we use about six billion gallons of soybean oil to make biodiesel,” says Willers. “I’m proud to say I had a part in all of that.”

— Minnesota Soybean

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Funds support rural business growth

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WASHINGTON — Acting Deputy Under Secretary Roger Glendenning today announced that USDA has certified the Innova Ag Innovation Fund IV LP as an investment pool for small and startup rural businesses.

“This certification is another tool USDA provides to help rural businesses, to create jobs and to attract private-sector capital to rural communities,” Glendenning said. “Geography should not be a barrier to economic success. This pool will offer rural business owners the same access to capital as their counterparts in metropolitan areas.”

The fund will support 30 to 45 companies that have the potential to generate more than $200 million in economic activity and create 600 jobs. It will provide capital for high-growth companies in the biosciences, technology and agricultural technology industries. The fund is the second USDA has certified under the Rural Business Investment Program (RBIP). RBIP funds support USDA’s strategy for rural economic growth.

For a fund to receive USDA certification, its managers must demonstrate that they have venture capital experience and that they have successfully worked with community development organizations.

The Ag Innovation Fund is being managed by Innova Memphis RBIC, LLC. Innova has three other funds that are not part of the Rural Business Investment Program. Those three funds collectively have invested $20 million in 75 startup companies, attracted $90 million of outside capital and created approximately 250 jobs.

Farm Credit System members are contributing $31 million to the Ag Innovation Fund. The Farm Credit System is a nationwide network of banks and lenders specifically chartered to serve agriculture and the U.S. rural economy.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; homeownership; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

–USDA

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FAO helps farmers in Peru recover

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LIMA — FAO is working with the government of Peru to assist some 7,000 mostly small-scale farmers restore their capacity to produce crops and feed their families in the wake of heavy rains, floods and landslides that hit the country earlier this year.

The adverse conditions were caused by the “Coastal El Niño” phenomenon in January-March. In the worst-hit northern coastal areas of the country some 445 000 people – 59 percent of affected households – preliminary estimates indicate.

According to Peru’s Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, more than 60 000 hectares of crops have been severely or partially affected and 18 000 hectares were left completely unusable.

To address this situation, the government has approved the Agrarian Reactivation Plan with an investment of $76 million. FAO seeks to complement this by requesting some $ 3.1 million from the international community to support activities aimed at restoring family agriculture in the remote areas of Piura, Lambayeque and La Libertad.

The FAO recovery project will provide the necessary inputs to establish orchards, recover irrigation infrastructure and provide technical assistance in animal health.

These activities will be implemented directly with affected farmers through cash-for-work transfers, ensuring household income generation and access to food, to mitigating the abandonment of plots and migration to cities.

Integral recovery

In Piura, Lambayeque and La Libertad FAO will support the rehabilitation of local supply markets, to ensure that farmers and fisher folk can quickly reinsert themselves into these marketing channels so that they obtain direct sources of income.

The organizations of the Humanitarian Network of Peru have identified urgent food assistance interventions to assist the victims in the three departments most affected by rains and flood which require $4.9 million to finance proposed interventions in food and nutrition security.

FAO is calling on the international community to support the recovery of the livelihoods of affected small farmers and aquaculture farmers, coordinated with the national government and subnational governments.

FAO supports the creation of a regional strategy for disaster risk management

Climate disasters are the emergencies that most impact food security and agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean.

According to FAO, addressing these challenges requires adequate risk governance, early warning and monitoring systems, implementation of good practices and risk prevention and mitigation technologies in the agricultural sector, to ensure a rapid response focused on saving lives and livelihoods.

FAO, together with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), is supporting countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to develop a Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Management in the agricultural sector and food and nutritional security, in response to a request by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, CELAC.

The strategy will be instrumental in guiding national risk management policies, harmonizing regulations and methodologies, and fostering synergies among countries.

–FAO

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