The 2015 date for National Ag Day is set for March 18^th. This is the 42^nd anniversary of National Ag Day and the theme for this year is “Agriculture: Sustaining Future Generations.” The purpose of National Ag Day is to help Americans understand the role agriculture plays in their daily lives.

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) will host events in the nation’s capital including the Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon and the National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner. Also, the ACA will arrange for approximately 100 college students to travel to Washington D.C. and deliver the message of Ag Day to the Hill. In addition to the events in Washington D.C., the ACA will hold an Ag Day Essay Contest and an Ag Day Poster Art Contest for students to get more involved in the efforts behind National Ag Day.

These events and activities mark a nationwide effort to express the importance of agriculture in America today. A number of producers, agricultural associations, corporations, students and government organizations involved in agriculture are expected to participate.

National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America. The ACA is a non-profit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food and fiber communities. The ACA dedicates its efforts to increasing the public’s awareness of the role of agriculture in today’s society.

Be sure to check the Ag Day website for updates on the upcoming events.

The 2014 MoKan NAMA Ag Tour is the first day of NAMA’s Boot Camp. We will be starting bright and early on Tuesday, August 19^th to make sure we can fit all the great activities in before the Boot Camp Welcome Reception that night. Our first stop will be Wade Farms in Stewartsville, MO. We will learn about new technologies and equipment while touring this 15,000 acre corn and soy operation. You will have the opportunity for a hands-on farm experience like none other.

Next, we will head to Shatto Milk Company for a full tour of the dairy operation and lunch will be provided on-site. Finally, we will finish at Jowler Creek Vineyard & Winery. Here we will learn about their unique process that focuses on sustainability. Plus we will get some samples of their award-winning wines! You do not want to miss out on these great stops filled with agriculture, learning and wine!

Please note: The MoKan Ag Tour is prior to the NAMA Boot Camp. While we hope you’ll attend both, you do not need to be registered for the NAMA Boot Camp to attend the Ag Tour.

To get the full schedule and to register for this event visit the NAMA Boot Camp website. You can register for Boot Camp while you’re there!

Get to Fall Conference a day early for the Chicago NAMA Chapter Ag Tour. Even if you are not planning to attend Fall Conference, you can still meet up with us for the tour. We will be departing from The Hotel Chicago on Monday, September 15^th at 12:00 p.m. Lunch will be served on the bus while we are on the way to Fair Oaks Farms where we will be spending the day.

During the tour, you will get the opportunity to see Fair Oaks Farms’ 30,000 cow dairy operation. You will learn how the cows are cared for and visit the rotary milking parlor to learn about this unique milking technology. Then, you will head over to the Pig Adventure to see the interactive displays and observe the gestation and farrowing operations.

The last stop is to the new Farmhouse Restaurant, Bakery and Farmers Market at Fair Oaks Farms where you will get the opportunity to tour the kitchen and interact with the chefs. These chefs will then serve dinner with food produced on-site that is prepared in its completely viewable kitchen.

For a more detailed schedule and to register visit the NAMA Fall Conference website.

On July 28, NAMA and NAFB welcomed Ag Media Summit attendees to a reception at Champion Sports Bar in the Indianapolis Marriott.  Approximately 75 people were in attendance. This reception is the second such event hosted in conjunction with Ag Media Summit.

Attendees had a great time networking with colleagues; here are a few photos of the festivities.

Are you attending the Farm Progress Show? If so, the Iowa and Cornbelt NAMA Chapters are co-sponsoring a reception there for you. They’ll provide an opportunity to take a break and interact with other NAMA members on Wednesday, August 27, 2014, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Exhibitor Building. Appetizers and drinks will be provided (yes, adult beverages, too).

Look for the big building just outside of gate 6 near the intersection of South Avenue and Sixth Street.

Questions about the reception? Contact Kurt Lokenvitz at KurtL@Hertz.ag or at (309) 945-3915.

Word is out that the MoKan Chapter knows how to pick the best weather for their golf outings. Mother Nature delivered a great day for the MoKan Golf Tournament which was held at The Falcon Lakes Golf Course on Thursday, July 24.  Attendees had a great time, but the best part of this event is that all proceeds are used to support NAMA student chapters.

The competition was fierce. The winning team, made up of current Chapter President Scott Lynn of Woodruff Sweitzer; Sam Wineinger of Arysta LifeScience; Justin White and Chris Jones of Woodruff Sweitzer, finished with a smooth 11 under par round. The second place team included Kelly Schwalbe and Kellie Jackson of BCS Communications and Bob Brunker of J.L. Farmakis, Inc.
Congratulations to the winners and the
overall winners will be our student NAMA chapters. The MoKan Chapter looks forward to seeing you all there next year.

The dairy industry drives the economy in America’s Dairyland, contributing more than $26 billion each year in economic activity and providing nearly 5 percent of Wisconsin’s jobs.  Wisconsin leads the nation in cheese production and wins more awards for its cheeses than any other state or nation.  Because dairy is so important to the state, the Badger NAMA chapter recently gave members and young professionals the opportunity to see the industry up-close.

On July 24, about 30 participants attended the Badger NAMA Fond du Lac Farm Tour in eastern Wisconsin.  The day started at Vir-Clar Farm, where the Boyke family milks about 1,300 dairy cows and produces electricity via a methane digester.  Katie (Boyke) Grinstead said the family places immense focus on building good relationships with the local community and educating consumers about modern dairy farming.

Next, the group headed just north of Fond du Lac to visit LaClare Farms, which is owned by Larry and Clara Hedrich.  The farm milks 375 dairy goats and produces national and international award-winning cheeses onsite.  In recent years, the Hedrichs added a retail store and restaurant to the farm so guests can “follow their food” from the milking parlor
to the locally sourced gourmet
meals prepared at the restaurant.

For a sweet end to the day, the group traveled to Kelley Country Creamery.  Karen and Tim Kelley milk 65 cows on their 200-acre farmstead.  Karen always dreamed of opening her own ice cream parlor because the treat is enjoyed by all ages.  Today, the Kelley family greets thousands of guests daily as they choose from a long list of premium ice cream flavors.

After visiting these three diverse farms, attendees appreciated a better perspective of what it takes to produce and market quality dairy products.  One attendee commented, “For those of us that don’t get to a farm very often, it was a great opportunity to learn more about technology, operations
and the innovative spirit that is
keeping the farming industry
alive and prosperous.”