Food labels and GMO foods have been making headlines again as new legislation was introduced last week into Congress and today the Senate is expected to vote. Honestly, the headlines are misleading because this isn’t just a big food company nor a big agribusiness issue.

GMO food labeling will impact every single American. Our family-owned seed company will feel the effects, and U.S. farmers will have fewer seed options in every product guide. Mandatory food labels will impact American consumers, as well. Grocery bills are expected to increase by $1,050 annually for a family of four!

People who buy Wal-Mart brand products will be hit with even higher prices than they’re accustomed to paying since they’ll be forced to buy name brand, rather than the store brand, products. Executives from major supermarkets and Wal-Mart have already said they won’t carry their own private label foods in Vermont if that state’s GMO labeling law takes effect on July 1.

In an attempt to pre-empt the Vermont law – and to prevent additional states from enacting similar laws – yesterday my husband and I were among 55 seed industry representatives who made approximately 90 visits to congressional offices in Washington, D.C.

Our message to elected officials was clear: We support a uniform, national food labeling standard. Vote “no” for the alternative bill that was introduced last week to protect state-level GMO laws. This alternative bill is backed by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). Vote “yes” to Senator Roberts’ bill, which would create a voluntary USDA labeling standard for GMO foods and prevent states from creating their own labeling standards.

Can you believe that day some elected officials yesterday actually said they don’t care if people are starving because they’re being denied GMO foods? They’d rather people starve than be “subjected to GMO foods.” (This sounds like American lawmakers are taking notes from Zimbabwe government officials who would rather see people starve than eat genetically modified foods.) Say what?! Not one person has died from eating GMO foods but about 2 million deaths could be prevented annually if Golden Rice were available to those living in poverty stricken countries!

If there are no known hazards —after 20+ years of study—and a host of benefits including lower food prices for Americans, why is there so much controversy around GMO food labels? I believe America’s food fights stem from “fear of the unknown.” Here’s what I’d like Americans to know:

• Foods derived from GMO crops pose no threat to human health, and they’ve been studied by virtually every scientific and regulatory agency.
• GMO crops also have a positive impact on the environment, allowing farmers to fight soil erosion by planting high-yield crops that grow more food on less land while using less water.
• GMOs can improve the quality of life for Americans, as well as for people around the globe. Better life comes from science, innovation and caring hands. Better life begins with better seed.

P.S. I am not losing sleep over feeding my family foods derived from GMO crops, but I do have “Mommy Guilt” over not feeding my family enough fruits and vegetables. Click here for tips from a registered dietician on tips for making healthy food choices.

As I write this blog on National Ag Day, I’m thinking about more than my farm. Agriculture is more than one small farm. Agriculture’s importance in providing food, fiber and fuel is being greatly overlooked in this country. Farmers here are doing such a great job of producing food and keeping grocery prices cheap that most people just take it for granted!

Traveling across the U.S. and even to other countries really opens one’s eyes to the challenges of feeding a growing world population. It also opens one’s eyes to the diversity of agriculture. I’ve witnessed farming in Eastern Europe. I spend a lot of time traveling the Midwest for my job, and over the weekend, I drove to Oklahoma. What strikes me most is the diversity in agriculture! In Ukraine, I saw everything from backyard farms to a farm that covered one million acres! The political climate was the most limiting factor for Ukrainian farmers because one-size-fits-all rules and regulations did not fit such diverse farms.

The amount of regulation coming down on U.S. farms from the federal government is also staggering. I have farming friends in all 50 states, and no two farms are the same. Farming operations are even diverse within our own county. My farm, for example, is surrounded by other farms that raise corn and soybeans. Some of my neighbors also raise hogs and cattle. Others have chickens. Pumpkins, apples, sheep and goats are also raised in this county.

Each crop and livestock operation has its unique qualities, but the difference doesn’t stop there. There are thousands of different soil types. Different soil types create different challenges. I have deep black and clay soils, so I am challenged with “puddle farming.” The ground is fairly flat, so ponding is common. Without tile to drain away excess water, crop yields would be very poor. But with proper management, however, we can raise fantastic crops.

Ten miles away, there are very sandy soils. This means the soil particles are very large, while mine are very small. This type of soil cannot hold water in reserve as well as mine, but these farms can also grow terrific crops if managed properly. Farmers with sandy soils use different methods than I do, even though our farms are very close together.

Now imagine a farm a couple states away… They grow crops different than mine. They might grow wheat, rice, cotton or peanuts. In other areas of the country, agriculture is dominated by nut trees and vegetable crops like potatoes or onions. The climate is totally different across our nation, and some places are made just right to graze cattle. Their soils are very different. The landscape is very different. This again takes different management! As a result, conservation practices must be very different.

My point is that not one type of farming works across one county, the nation or even across the world. The same goes for regulations and farm programs! One size does not fit all.

During National Ag week, let’s celebrate the diversity that feeds our world. Let’s not regulate ourselves into starvation!

RELATED BLOG POSTS:

• Ag Week 2015 Showcases Sustainability
• Celebrate Ag Week in a Big Borlaug Way
• Help Us Celebrate National Ag Week
• Kicking off National Ag Week

By Kilah Hemesath, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds Marketing Intern

There is a college fit for everyone, and I can confidently say I found mine. Because I’ll be graduating in May, I find myself appreciating my experiences at Iowa State University a little bit more every day.

Looking back on the last four years, there are a few things I wish I would have known earlier:

1. Buy proper attire for ALL seasons.

There are countless joys to living in Iowa, including the weather. There’s no denying that Iowa experiences weather as hot as Texas and as cold as Alaska. You’ll be a lot more comfortable if you prepare for it all! Buy a winter coat, boots, umbrella and comfortable walking shoes. With those options in your closet, you will be set!

2. The Parking Division is pitiless.

Nothing is more disappointing than walking to your car and finding a little yellow envelope with a ticket in it. The parking division is fierce! Parking on campus is very limited, and the parking division offers no pity when writing tickets. My best advice is to take advantage of the CyRide Service, and avoid parking on campus.

3. Study abroad early.

Because you get busier each year, study abroad during your first two years of college. I will be studying abroad for the first time in May after graduation! I couldn’t be more excited to do so. So many times I’ve wished that I had given it a chance in my first year of college. Time goes quickly, so live in the moment.

4. ISU Campus is not as big as it appears.

Attending a school that is 4.5 times bigger than my hometown was most intimidating! Once you know your way around campus, it makes the experience a lot more comfortable. This year ISU has a record enrollment of 36,001. View this number as an opportunity instead of a scare; that is 36,000 other people you can interact with and learn from! Once your major is declared, you’ll meet more people who share your same interests. Campus clubs are another great way to create a smaller environment.

5. Campus dining is the ticket to quick and tasty meals.

There is a smorgasbord of both dining centers to choose from, as well as options inside each dining center. My favorite dining hall is Conversations. It is a smaller scale dining center that usually features meals that are made right in front of you! Even with the smallest dining package, I still had ample amount of meals left over! After freshman year, you’ll have the chance to cook for yourself. Think about simple meals you and your roommates could make together!

My time at Iowa State has served me well. I’ve formed so many relationships and have had so many great experiences. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, and I’m especially grateful that attending ISU helped me find my career path. I’m really looking forward to starting full-time in May with Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds!

Pig farmers from across the U.S. met March 3-5 in Indianapolis for the Pork Industry Forum. Elected representatives for our grassroots organization get together annually to make pig farming better. Like any organization, not everyone agrees all the time. Last week, however, there absolute agreement by all delegates on one issue.

Let me first provide a little background information…

When you hear, “pork,” chances are that you think, “The Other White Meat.” A study conducted by Northwestern University found The Other White Meat to be the fifth most memorable promotional tagline in the history of contemporary marketing. This tagline successfully positioned pork as a healthy, lean protein that is versatile and easy to prepare. Six common cuts of fresh pork are leaner today than they were 15 years ago. In fact, a 3-ounce serving of pork tenderloin contains only 2.98 grams of fat and a 3-ounce serving of skinless chicken breast contains 3.03 grams of fat.

This sounds like a great success story that should be included in textbooks, right? Unfortunately, the success of this marketing campaign drew unwanted attention from the Humane Society of the United States. HSUS announced in September 2012 that it was suing the USDA over the payments the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) receives via the national pork checkoff.

Why sue? Checkoff money is collected by a board, and the USDA oversees the collection and spending of checkoff funds to provide programs that will increase demand for farmers’ products. Checkoff monies can fund marketing tools such as promotion, research and new product development.

Increasing pork consumption is just the opposite of what HSUS wants to see happen. Truth be known, HSUS would like to end animal agriculture. HSUS also wants to end hunting and animal circus acts, as well as close zoos. Anyone who thinks the $18 per month he or she donates will help save cute little puppies or kitties is sadly mistaken. Only one half of one percent of HSUS funds raised go toward animal care! (Donate to local pet shelters instead.) Most HSUS donations are used to influence political agendas and the media, and HSUS is trying to trap the pork industry in a web of activities.

You see, the National Pork Board (NPB) and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) used to be one entity. Checkoff dollars were being used for “The Other White Meat” campaign, so the NPB leased the other white meat tagline to NPPC. After several years, it was agreed that NPPC should buy the tagline instead of leasing it. Appraisals were done. The necessary approvals – including from the USDA – were granted. This arrangement worked well until HSUS filed a lawsuit against the USDA.

Instead of defending what it had approved, the USDA appears to be caving to a special interest group. Sec. Vilsack, during a U.S. House Agriculture Committee held last week, said the decision to settle the lawsuit was made with pork industry officials. During the annual pork industry forum, however, not one pork industry representative says he or she was contacted by the USDA about the settlement. As a result, pork industry officials cried foul over the USDA’s move.

Every delegate to the Pork Forum wants this lawsuit fought to the fullest extent of the government’s power. Not one single delegate agreed with Sec. Vilsack!

“In an action for the record books, delegates of the NPB — appointed by the USDA — not only unanimously approved the advisement but also unanimously co-sponsored the petition [of Secretary Vilsack to preserve and defend National Pork Board statutory authority and independence]. One strong voice with true grit signaled the industry is prepared to fight against any entity trying to damage the ability to exercise its judgment in marketing pork.” writes Cheryl Day on the National Hog Farmer blog.

We must keep an eye on government agencies, even if they’ve been given the power to oversee us! As with all government agencies, look for connections. Connect the dots. Follow the money. Consider the source. Find the motive.

There is an election on the horizon. Read. Learn the issues. Talk to people who actually farm and learn how they take care of livestock. We want to share what we do every day, and we can explain why we care!

By Kilah Hemesath, Latham Hi‑Tech Seed’s Marketing Intern

If you don’t live for the here & now, what are you living for?

Last week I had the opportunity visit the Twin Cities with fellow members of the ISU National Agri-Marketing Association club. After the vans were packed and we had our Casey’s breakfast pizza, we were off! In addition to traveling with a fun group of people, I got the chance to meet people in the industry who have interests similar to mine.

We started off Thursday by visiting CHS Inc. in St. Paul. CHS encompasses all parts of agriculture: energy, grains and food. I enjoyed hearing about the coordination between these three area and CHS’ strategies to serve its members while increasing stakeholder value. The importance of thorough communication was highly emphasized as the millennial generation finds it too easy to stay behind a screen. Communicating virtually often times relates in simplicity, but it lacks the irreplaceable value of face-to-face communication.

Next up was a General Mills Inc. tour and presentation. A former ISU NAMA member hosted us at General Mills, which was great! He kept the conservation relatable and light hearted. Plus he’s a Marketing Associate for the baking division, so we got to take home some baking treats. J I was amazed by the General Mills facility, as every floor was a different division: baking, cereal, yogurt, etc. We also toured General Mills’ in-house kitchen spaces for testing and photography.

Friday kicked off with a visit to Martin Williams Advertising in Minneapolis. There was a panel of about six employees from different departments. It was interesting to see how an agency runs, as well as experience the creative thinking environment! We connected with the Martin Williams Adverting agency through a member of the ISU NAMA, which confirms the importance of networking.

Our last stop was a USBank Stadium Marketing tour. Our tour guide worked with SMG, a worldwide entertainment and convention management business. I was amazed by the infrastructure of the new USBank Stadium; I had never seen anything like it! Secondly, it was intriguing to hear about SMG’s role in managing events and marketing the space.

As a senior in college, this trip to Minneapolis was a fulfilling experience because of the applicable advice I received from all business professionals. I am looking forward my full-time position with Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds and being on the other end of the table!

As farmers, we hear over and over how important it is to be involved in the political process, talk to legislators and tell our story. Finding the time to commit to that effort is the hard part with livestock, day jobs and families to care for. If you own a business, farm, or teach in the classroom the time has come for you to join in the conversation!

At the close of December 2015, small business owners and farmers across the nation breathed a sigh of relief as the federal government passed a bill to permanently provide for Section 179 small business expensing and Bonus Depreciation. We now had certainty in two key planning tools for making capital improvements to our businesses. Step two of the process when the feds finish their work, is to wait for Iowa to follow suit and “couple” those tax provisions into the Iowa code.

What nobody saw coming was our state leader, a long-time supporter of small business and agriculture, recommending that Iowa leave these essential tools out of the Iowa code for 2015 taxes. (Yes- 2015. The fiscal year that’s already passed!) That means a year of consistently monitoring financials, carefully planning purchases and doing all we could to keep our business in the black on a down year was for naught. I felt like the rug had been pulled right out from under me. A bit dramatic? Here’s why it matters to me this year in particular:

In 2014 we suffered a fire on the farm. Our grain dryer went up in flames totaling the entire unit. We waited months for the insurance company to make their evaluation and deem the fire an accident. Meaning our purchase for this critical piece of equipment had to fall in the 2015 crop year whether it was a good year to purchase it or not. (If you haven’t been following ag economy lately- the answer is NOT!) Our purchase and rebuild of our grain dryer is done, but now we must figure out how to come up with funds to cover an extra $60,000 in tax liability. Yes, with the exclusion of this tax code, the governor just asked us to write a check to the state of Iowa for just over that amount. This means we either take out a loan to pay Iowa, OR sell stored grain at an extremely depressed price just to cover this bill. Neither of which we had planned to do at this point in 2016! (Did I mention we just rebuilt the dryer that prepares our grain to be stored until we ARE ready to sell it?)

So why am I asking my Senator to help? Let’s first rewind to January 28th.  The House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee put together a proposal to get Section 179 expensing back into Iowa’s Tax Code- House File 2092. On January 28^th the Iowa House of Representatives passed the plan with overwhelming BI-PARTISON vote of 82-14. This bill is important to Iowa Farmers, but also includes provisions of support to other groups including:

• Deductions up to $250 for out-of-pocket expenses for teachers
• Tuition and Fees deductions for high education expenses
• Nontaxable IRA transfers to eligible charities

Last week I was asked to take part in a press conference to share my story about how Section 179 affects my small (farm) business. On the panel alongside me was a CPA, owner of a few Des Moines based fitness franchises and a teacher. During that press conference, several key points were brought up:

• The house bill only extends these provisions to January 1, 2017. Responsible business owners plan their finances (including fulfilling tax liabilities) at the beginning of each new year. If our state leadership believes decoupling is a critical part of maintaining a balanced budget, compromise on the year Iowan’s were already planning on and make your decision NOW for 2017 so we have a chance to put proper plans in place. Don’t pull the rug out on a year that’s already come to a close!
• This code is important for SMALL business. It’s easy to assume that tax codes only benefit huge farmers and big business. Research shows that those business owners and teachers utilizing Section 179 fall in lower tax brackets (lower net income levels). The very groups that these codes were created to help are the same that will be hurt the most if our Senate doesn’t move on this legislation.
• The governor is now on board! The same day as the press conference, our own Governor who first proposed a budget without coupling, voiced his favor for the House Bill. This combined with his willingness to delay the March 1 filing deadline shows all hands on board for Coupling, just waiting for our Senate’s answer.

Education, Small Business and Agriculture are some of the most important assets we have in rural Iowa communities. This is legislation that affects 177,000+ people. Senators, the ball is in your court. We’re asking you, please to do what’s Right for rural Iowa and move on House File 2092!

Yesterday I drove from North Central Iowa to southern Illinois where I’m overseeing a major remodel of a sow farm. As I drove, I couldn’t help but think about the calendar changing to March, which brings the countdown to spring and of course, a new planting season.

I took notice of farm fields as they passed by, fresh field tile being installed, spring tillage beginning as farmers ready their seed beds for new seed. I am always intrigued by the different methods of conservation in place as the landscape changes from our prairie pothole region of North Central Iowa to the rolling hills and river bluffs of Eastern Iowa and Illinois.

I could also see riverbeds in need of attention after a winter season of freezing, melting and erosion had taken its toll. Is it livestock or tillage causing this erosion? No. The same erosion cycles can be found on the grounds of the Des Moines Water Works facilities in Des Moines. It’s none other than the power of Mother Nature herself. Water has incredible power. After all, it created the Grand Canyon over time! Water itself can dissolve rock and mineral.

Water quality is no new concern for Iowans and farmers alike. But recent headline news stories in our state make it seem as though farming practices have altered in recent years causing more nutrients are ending up in our water system. When in reality, the converse is true.

Spokespeople involved in the Des Moines Water Works lawsuit believe a permitting process is the way to regulate nutrient runoff into water, but what they’re failing to take into account is the very nature in which Iowa soil and nitrogen co-exist. Soils here in Iowa are naturally nitrogen-rich. Snow melt and large rain events cause water-soluable nitrates to move throughout the soil and collect in our water. Studies conducted by the Clean Water Alliance help support the fact that this natural process is a primary contributor to our water quality issues and it’s simply a function of Mother Nature!

The research shows:

• Corn acreage increased from 1994-2014, which meant the need for fertilizers to grow these acres increased.
• No correlation was shown between this increased fertilizer use and the amount of nitrate in the Raccoon River.
• Study supported that nutrient levels were best during the drought of 2012
• Also showed that nutrient levels were worse during the wet Spring of 2013 (I remember this one, over 30 inches of rain fell on my farm that month!)

The Des Moines Waterworks discharges their nitrate waste from the water treatment plant back into the river from a point source. They hold a permit to do so and it’s easy to measure compliance. Drainage districts collect water from miles and miles of farm fields. Nitrates that end up in these drainage districts are a function of Mother Nature moving them. So if farmers must comply with a permit, do regulators have a way of turning off the rain?

A headline I read a couple months back said it best “Farmers are cooperating even when nature isn’t.” Billions of dollars have been spent on conservation research, and billions more will be spent. Ag technology is moving fast: saturated buffers, cover crops, wetlands, no-till, seed technologies… new ways are being dreamed up every day to combat water!

We are blessed with an abundance of innovation in agriculture than allows us to continually produce more food, fiber and fuel with less resources. Farmers have done this job so well that food is just expected to be abundant, readily available, and cheap! It’s the disconnect between food production on the farm and food preparation in the kitchen that causes confusion. Have questions about water quality or what farmers do or could do to care for our environment? Talk with a farmer! It’s collaboration that will ensure clean water for the future of Iowa, not a courtroom.