Badger NAMA Chapter Volunteer Event

Written by NAMA on Thursday, January 4, 2018 , 12:21 pm

Hunger is a major challenge for many families in all parts of the U.S. According to Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, one in nine people in its service area are food insecure, which means they don’t know where they will get their next meal. One in six children under age 18 are food insecure.

The mission of Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin is “to end hunger in southwestern Wisconsin through community partnerships.” The organization serves 16 counties in southwestern Wisconsin and works with more than 200 partner agencies, such as food pantries, shelters, and meal sites.

Badger NAMA members recently pulled together to help Second Harvest in its mission. Twelve Badger NAMA members visited Second Harvest in Madison, Wisconsin on December 13 to volunteer for 2.5 hours. According to Pam Higham, volunteer services coordinator, the total volunteer time equated to 1,950 meals served. Badger NAMA members networked and shared laughs while sorting more than 8,000 pounds of frozen food to be distributed throughout southwestern Wisconsin.

In addition, Badger NAMA pledged to donate $20 to Second Harvest on behalf of each volunteer who participated in the event. That donation will provide an additional 720 meals.

Badger NAMA members commented that it was a fun opportunity to do good in the local community and get a real picture of hunger issues throughout the area. They encourage others to get involved in hunger action initiatives.

Region I Best of NAMA Awards

Written by NAMA on Thursday, January 4, 2018 , 12:20 pm

In conjunction with the Almond Conference in Sacramento, the Western Pacific NAMA Chapter held a lunch reception and site tour at Bayer’s West Sacramento research site on Wednesday, December 6,  2017, organized by membership chairperson, Sandy Fiack. The chapter winners of the “Best of NAMA” awards for this year were announced and recipients had the honor of describing their most esteemed project or entry. Congratulatory pictures were taken of winners receiving a plaque with President, Greg Hains. All of the commemorative plaques have been mailed to winners from the National NAMA office and should be arriving soon!

The host for the day was Kelly O’Halloran, who provided an overview of Bayer’s Biologics and Vegetable Seeds research facility. The group learned that the site employs about 195 folks with roughly 52% of them millennials and 25% of them with degrees from UC Davis, located 12 miles away. The company has a community outreach focus, with an emphasis on encouraging students to explore science. Bayer’s mission is centered on the challenges facing our world’s increasing food demand and customers’ needs by developing seeds and traits, biologicals, chemicals and services for growers.

Dr. Heemanshu Patel walked attendees through much of the 175,000 foot lab and research facility explaining in more detail the value of beneficial microbes and the fermentation process as related to plant nutrient uptake and soil health. The group also touched on the vegetable seed market where tomatoes reflect 27% of their market, followed by peppers, cucumbers, onions, watermelons, melons and carrots. Their research and development strategy is focused on integrated breeding for specific desirable traits.

2018 will be a year of change, with the anticipated acquisition of Monsanto. The Bayer team remains optimistic and convinced that the new company will create a global leader in sustainable agriculture as they work to shape the future of farming.

Pictured here in no particular order are Sarah Baker and Allison Chen, Archer Malmo; Marcie Rhind, Compass Minerals; Callie Borror, California Cattlewomen; Sandy Fiack, Zenith Agribusiness Solutions; Renee Smith and Bruce Freeby, Virtus Nutrition; Greg Hains, Capitol Press; Carrie Isaacson, broadhead.; Maureen Nassie, Netafim USA; and Kelly O’Halloran and Dr. Heemanshu Patel, BayerCrop Science.

 

 

 

 

Deadline for NAMA Awards

Written by NAMA on Friday, December 15, 2017 , 9:15 am

Celebrate the achievements and impressive careers of the very best in agriculture. NAMA has FOUR different opportunities, including a new award, with upcoming deadlines.

Winners of these prestigious awards will be honored at the 2018 Agri-Marketing Conference, April 11 – 13, in Kansas City, MO. Check them out below.

NEW! Ag Association Leader of the Year Award:
This new award recognizes outstanding achievement in association or commodity organizations. Click here to find more information about this award and fill out the online nomination form.

Agribusiness Leader of the Year Award:
Nominate a leader with amazing achievement in agriculture and the food and fiber industry. Click here to find more information about this award and fill out the online nomination form.

NAMA Marketer of the Year Award:
Can you think of a NAMA member who has outstanding accomplishments in the field of agri-marketing? Click here to find more information about this award and fill out the online nomination form.

Next Gen NAMA Award:
Know someone with a bright future in the industry? Now’s the time to shine the spotlight on them! Click here to find more information about this award and fill out the online nomination form.

Submission deadline is January 19, 2018.

Contact Jenny Pickett at [email protected] if you have any questions.

18 in ’18!

Written by NAMA on Friday, December 15, 2017 , 9:14 am

We’ve set a goal of 1800 NAMA members by the end of 2018 – 18 in ’18.

Our latest membership survey proves that word-of-mouth marketing is the best way to let people know about the great programming and networking opportunities in NAMA.

We challenge everyone in the organization to recruit a new member. Just have your recruit(s) list your name in the “Referred by” field on the registration page https://nama.org/NAMA.OrchardWeb/MemberRegistration/Register. We’ll draw names of “Referrers” each month for a special gift.

We’ll update this chart each month.

Register Now for the 2018 Agri-Marketing Conference

Written by NAMA on Friday, December 15, 2017 , 9:14 am

We’ve recruited the first female F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot to serve in the U.S. Navy, a business author acclaimed by The New York Times, and a successful Hollywood actor to serve as keynote presenters. Details on top notch breakout sessions will be available soon.

Don’t forget about the other conference events! Support Student NAMA at the ABEF Topgolf Outing, get your company noticed in the Connection Point and bid on the great Silent Auction items in Kansas City. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Jenny Pickett at [email protected].

Check out the website to find information, hotel reservations and much more!

Register Now for Best of NAMA Regional Events

Written by NAMA on Friday, December 15, 2017 , 9:13 am

Regional Events:

Region II
(Cornhusker, Gateway, Great Plains, Missouri-Kansas, Rocky Mountain and Southwest Chapters)
January 10, 2018
6:00 p.m.
Grand Street Café
Kansas City, MO
Tickets: $75
Click here to register.

Region II Hotel:
Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza
4445 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64111
Guest Room: $149
To reserve: 1-800-810-3708 and identify as NAMA group
Cutoff Date: December 20, 2017

Region III
(Cornbelt, Iowa, North Central and Northern Prairie Chapters)
January 18, 2018
6:00 p.m.
Securian Club at CHS Field
St. Paul, MN
Tickets: $75
Click here to register.

Region III Hotel:
Intercontinental Saint Paul Riverfront
11 Kellogg Boulevard East
St. Paul, MN 55101
Guest Room: $139
To reserve: (651) 292-1900 and identify as NAMA group
Cutoff Date: December 21, 2017

Region IV
(Badger, Chicago, Heartland and Mid-America Chapters)
January 25, 2018
6:00 p.m.
The Orpheum Theater
Madison, WI
Tickets: $85
Click here to register.

Region IV Hotel:
Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club
One West Dayton St.
Madison, WI 53703
Guest Room: $139
To reserve: 800-356-8293 and identify as NAMA group
Cutoff Date: January 5, 2018

 

Chapter Events:

Carolinas/Virginia Chapter
January 17, 2018
MEZ
Durham, NC

Midsouth Chapter
January 22, 2018
Porcellino’s Restaurant
Memphis, TN

Southeastern and Florida Chapters
January 25, 2018
Cinco’s
Suwanee, GA

Visit the NAMA calendar frequently for updated information and links.

If you have any questions, please call us at (913) 491-6500.

Last Day for ABEF Media Auction

Written by NAMA on Friday, December 15, 2017 , 9:12 am

Buy some of your advertising for next year from the best ag media companies at prices more competitive than normal while donating to a great cause!

The Agri-Business Educational Foundation Media Auction is open for bidding! The deadline to submit your bids is TODAY!

Proceeds from the Media Auction support the Student NAMA Careers Program. ABEF is the backbone of Student NAMA. ABEF is ensuring a strong future for the agri-marketing industry by providing students with the tools they need to succeed.

The Media Auction is available online through the NAMA website. Click here to view the media packages and start bidding!

For questions, call the NAMA office at (913) 491-6500 or email Sherry Pfaff.

This Web site is hosted by the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA).
NAMA is not responsible for comments or views expressed by users.