Two important pieces of information were released this week at the 17th Annual National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, Florida. The 2012 Ethanol Industry Outlook was released. It catalogs the important statistics for America’s domestic ethanol industry while providing the most recent, up-to-date graphs, charts and facts about the production and use of fuel ethanol. Also released was the Pocket Guide to Ethanol, which puts a wealth of industry information right at your fingertips.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen says – from production to use to market access, ethanol producers around the country are making meaningful contributions to America’s economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental health.

The annual outlook covers numerous topics including: the ethanol industry’s economic impact and contributions, value in rural markets, next generation biofuels, building new markets, progressive policy, ethanol blended fuels, indirect land use change, food and fuel, world markets, and consumer awareness. The Pocket Guide covers domestic market expansion, increasing national security, stimulating America’s economy, expanding the global marketplace, statewide efforts made across the nation, and food vs. fuel.

Source: NAFB News Service

The U.S. & South Korea Free Trade Agreement faces possible repeal by South Korea’s opposition party. However, analysts watching those developments, tend to think such rhetoric is political in nature and repealing the pact would actually be costly economically and politically. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says the government will take the necessary steps to “maximize benefits” to South Korean companies and the general public.

For U.S. pork, complete tariff implementation will take up to 10-years. Still, the National Pork Producers Council is pleased. U.S. pork products have significant tariffs on them– 25 percent on frozen product and 22.5 percent on fresh or chilled pork. Under the KORUS FTA, tariffs would be eliminated on all U.S. frozen pork and some processed frozen pork by January 1, 2016. Fresh-chilled pork would be duty-free within 10 years after implementation.

More Reaction to U.S. & South Korea FTA

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says – this is good news – the fact the U.S. – South Korea Free Trade Agreement will be implemented on March 15^th. Mr. Grassley is a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee with jurisdiction over international trade. He points out – there could be future trade disputes between the two countries because some items may not be spelled out in the agreement. Still, Grassley believes – U.S. workers deserve the boost from this new market access.  They’ll rise to the challenge with quality goods and services.

Meanwhile, Chad Blindauer, Chair of the National Corn Growers Association’s Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team, says – developing new markets for our country’s agricultural products is vital to producer income and also helps our sector lead the nation in economic growth and international competitiveness. Imports of U.S. corn for feed, as well as distillers grains, will now be guaranteed to enter South Korea duty free immediately.  The United States exported 241-million bushels of corn to Korea in marketing year 2010-11.

Source: NAFB News Service

Responding to the needs of a growing population of farmers and ranchers living with a disability, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wednesday awarded 23 grants to organizations to help thousands of people with disabilities continue their chosen agricultural professions. USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded the grants, totaling $4.1 million, through the AgrAbility program.

“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of all Americans devoted to agriculture, U.S. agriculture is a bright spot in our economy and provides a livelihood for 1 in 12 Americans,” said Dr. Catherine Woteki, USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. “Nearly 2 million individuals working in agriculture in the United States live with a disability that affects their work and daily life. The AgrAbility program provides these producers with the training and resources they need to remain profitable, to maintain their quality of life, and to continue to contribute to our nation’s supply of food, feed, fiber and fuel.”

NIFA awarded the funds to land-grant universities that have joined with nonprofit disability organizations to address the specialized needs of American farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Projects include educating professionals on how to assist those with disabilities and directly training disabled agricultural workers. Past AgrAbility projects have improved customers’ financial stability, access to life activities and the ability of states and regions to deliver timely services to those with disabilities.

Since initial funding in 1991, NIFA has awarded grants to more than 35 states resulting in on-farm assistance to more than 15,000 farmers while educating thousands of professionals on how to accommodate those with disabilities in agriculture. The typical award provides up to $180,000 per year for up to four years to qualifying universities.

In addition to the state project grants, one national grant provides additional support for a National AgrAbility Project, which is directed jointly by Purdue University and Goodwill Industries. These national partners joined to provide technical assistance and professional training for the state projects, produce resource materials and distribute information related to the project. For more information, visit www.agrability.org.

Fiscal Year 2011 grant recipients are:

1. University of Arkansas, Little Rock, Ark., $180,000
2. University of California, Davis, Calif., $180,000
3. Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo., $180,000
4. University of Delaware, Newark, Del., $180,000
5. University of Georgia, Athens, Ga., $180,000
6. Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., $180,000
7. Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan., $180,000
8. University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky., $180,000
9. University of Maine, Orono, Maine, $165,716
10. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn., $180,000
11. University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo., $180,000
12. University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb., $180,000
13. North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, N.C., $179,975
14. Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, $180,000
15. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla., $180,000
16. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn., $180,000
17. Texas AgriLife Extension, College Station, Texas, $178,002
18. Utah State University, Logan, Utah, $180,000
19. University of Vermont, Burlington, Vt., $180,000
20. Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., $180,000
21. West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.V., $180,000
22. University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisc., $180,000
23. University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyo., $172,153

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people’s daily lives and the nation’s future. For more information, visit www.nifa.usda.gov.

During FFA Week, there will be a lot of Blue Jackets worn, along with T-shirts, hoodies, and other FFA  clothing; and many pins and personalized awards will be handed out.  Ever wonder where all that comes from?   Tucked away on the west side of Indianapolis is a nondescript building which  houses all the official, and not so official, dress items of the national FFA organization. Leann Shiller, manages the FFA merchandise center where all the pins, plaques, and awards are made, “About half of all the items ordered here at the center require some kind of personalization.  We work very hard to get it right and get it shipped out fast.” In a modern and efficient operation, the center turns around hundreds of thousands of individual orders in as little as 48 hours. Computerized engravers and laser devices turnout a wide variety of plaques and awards, all personalized for the student or chapter. A staff of 25 full time employees operates the 5 year old facility.

Leann Shiller

But the most important job of the center, according to Shiller, is designing and safeguarding the quality the most visible symbol of FFA, the blue jacket, “We make sure the fabric is right, the color is right, and the fit and feel is right.” She told HAT that over the years the basic design of the jacket has changed but design and quality is very tightly controlled. She says while the fabric for the jackets is imported, they are assembled in the US in Van Wert, Ohio.

As for the rest of the FFA wardrobe, there is an enormous amount of creative design and high fashion research that goes into anything that has the FFA name on it, “We are always working to find new items for our students and trying to figure out what they want and need.” Schiller, whose background is in the high fashion trade, tracks current fashion trends for young people and works to adapt those styles to items that fit the FFA image. During the national convention, the merchandise center will sell over $700,000 in FFA merchandise to students.

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