|  As 2008 begins a critical year for all of agriculture, AgNetwork.com reviews the goals and priorities from a select group of advocacy groups and trade associations. Some of those are entirely predictable – such as lobbying for the most favorable version of the farm bill. Others center on policy, marketing of even educational goals. All of the organizations below work hard at a variety of initiatives all aimed at strengthening various segments of agriculture, All deserve the support – monetary, as well as political – of their members and constituents. But can we pause for a brief editorial comment? In contacting the organizations profiled here, too many had “designated spokespeople†solely empowered to discuss the group’s priorities. And if they were unavailable, media inquiries (of any sort) get shelved until such time as the spokesperson resurfaces. That’s a missed opportunity, but more importantly it speaks to one of the most neglected aspects of running an organization that interfaces with the media: internal communications. When the folks answering the phones or responding to emails are unwilling or unable – doesn’t matter which – to verbalize the group’s mission, or its key goals, that’s a red flag. Should receptionists be able to articulate a group’s top priorities? Yes. They’re your de facto spokespeople. Should office managers, entry-level staff, even temporary interns be aware of what they’re working for and to what mission their efforts are supposed to contribute? Absolutely. Unfortunately, the mindset among some advocacy groups and trade associations – and I can say this because I’ve been there – is that we have spokespeople, and we have staff. The former are tasked with articulating the group’s goals; the rest of the organization is on a need-to-know basis. And too often, it’s presumed that they don’t need to know. Yet if there is one factor identified by researchers across the sociological and psychological spectra that enhances morale and productivity it’s empowering all the people who, in fact, comprise the organization. When everyone, from entry level part-timers to the residents of the executive suite, internalizes the group’s values, its goals and the overall mission – which is meant to inspire staff and supporters, by the way – the results can be dramatic. As you’ll see, there is no shortage of meaningful objectives for the agricultural organizations listed below. May we respectfully add one more: Bring all your people onboard in the collective efforts necessary to achieve your goals in 2008. Happy New Year to all those involved in making American agriculture as successful as it can be in the year ahead, and best wishes for all the groups below in accomplishing everything on their 2008 agenda. American Association of Crop Insurers aaci@mwmlaw.com. The Washington D.C.-based group maintains a comprehensive crop insurance program and fulfills agriculture’s information needs about crop insurance with an online blog and forums to convey program benefits and provide opportunities to improve the program for farmers, ranchers and growers. » The group’s “top priority –without question†– is final passage of the farm bill, according to David Graves, AACI director. The group is “much happier†with the Senate version of the bill, Graves said, and hopes that version will prevail in conference committee. Beyond that, Graves said that the group will continue to build greater support and utilization of the crop insurance program as a risk-management tool among all eligible farmers. “We need to maintain a strong safety net, and politically, that’s harder in times of rising commodity prices,†he said. American Farm Bureau Federation www.fb.com. The Washington D.C.-based group is an independent, non-governmental organization governed by and representing farm and ranch families united for the purpose of analyzing problems and formulating action to achieve educational improvement, economic opportunity and social advancement to promote the national well-being. » Passage of the farm bill is key, so that corn growers and marketers can continue to enjoy the recent strength in prices, which are projected to increase by 12 percent to $5.30 a bushel on the futures market by the end of 2008, according to Anne Keller, AFBF director of news services. Biofuel demand should continue to increase and meat exports, although still barred in some Asian countries, should remain relatively strong. But costs for seed, fertilizer, fuel and inputs are more than keeping pace with rising prices, due in part to the soaring price of crude oil. For 2008, AFBF will focus on continuing to support the productivity and resiliency of American farmers and ranchers.  American Soybean Association www.soygrowers.com. The St. Louis-based group’s primary focus is policy development and implementation beneficial to its famer-members, along with lobbying Congress and the administration, contacting members and meeting with the media. » At the top of the group’s agenda is completion of the farm bill, according to Steve Censky, ASA CEO. Plus, the biodiesel extension had the tax provisions stripped out, and those will expire at the end of 2008, Censky said, making the inclusion of tax credits for biodiesel a key legislative priority this year. American Sugar Alliance, www.sugaralliance.org. The Arlington, Va.-based group is a national coalition of sugarcane and sugar beet farmers, processors, refiners, suppliers and workers dedicated to preserving a strong domestic sugar industry secure domestic supply of sugar at a reasonable price, and to assure that U.S. sugar industry farmers and workers survive in a world of heavily subsidized sugar. » The consensus priority among the alliance members is completion of the farm bill with the sugar title included, a move that is “critical†to the industry’s future, according to Jack Roney, ASA’s chief economist. “That’s going to be our key focus as 2008 begins,†he said. National Corn Growers Association www.ncga.com. The Chesterfield, Mo.-based group, the largest U.S. trade organization representing corn growers, represents more than 32,300 growers and more than 300,000 farmers who contribute to a corn checkoff in 20 states. The group helps protect and advance corn producers; interests, including increasing ethanol demand through a Renewable Fuels Standard; funding R&D to develop new uses for corn; and working to promote competitiveness and global market access. » Given that the energy bill has passed, the group’s top priority is passage of a Farm Bill with a Revenue Assurance Option, according to Rick Tolman, the group’s CEO. Another top priority is addressing and rectifying the myths and misinformation about corn and ethanol and corn production and corn producers that were rampant throughout the national media in 2007. National Association of Wheat Growers www.wheatworld.org. At the national level, the Washington D.C.-based group serves as the eyes and ears for state wheat organizations, alerting them of issues affecting the wheat industry in a particular state. From its office on Capitol Hill, NAWG is in daily communication with state associations and those in Congress, the USDA and other government agencies and organizations. » The top goal of association members is to finalize a strong new farm bill by early next year. The expedited timeline is essential, according to NAWG officials, so that growers and producers have some certainty about the farm safety net as they begin making financial decisions for the upcoming season. Idaho Barley Commission www.idahobarley.org. The Boise, Idaho-based group works to use and integrate state-of-the-art genomic tools in plant breeding, facilitating development of superior barley and access to agronomic and economically important genes. The commission provides educational tools and extend outreach to breeders and geneticists through meetings, short courses and web-based database and software applications. » The group’s goals for 2008 include funding for R&D to improve barley production and develop new and improved varieties and the  promotion of best practices for barley cultivation, pest and weed management and harvesting and marketing initiatives, according to the its Web site. National Cotton Council of America www.cotton.org. The Memphis, Tenn.-based group’s mission is to ensure that all U.S. cotton industry segments compete effectively and profitably in producing and marketing raw cotton, oilseed and U.S.-manufactured cotton products in markets at home and abroad. NCC serves as a forum for consensus-building among producers, ginners, warehousers, merchants, cottonseed processors/dealers, cooperatives and textile manufacturers.  » The council’s key goals for 2008 include “prompt passage†of the farm bill; continued efforts to ensure fair treatment of U.S. cotton growers under WTO; and making sure that full funding continues for the cotton export promotion programs. National Farmers Union www.nfu.org. The Washington, D.C.-based group has a membership of 250,000 farm and ranch families with a mission to protect and enhance their economic well-being and quality of life. The NFU works to help consumers and producers work together to promote a safe, high-quality quality domestic food supply. » Passage of the farm bill, plus working to ensure permanent disaster programs for farmers, is the top priority, according to NFU President Tom Buis. Second, the group will build support for further production and promotion of biofuels, and the Adoption of locally grown foods and food production as a way to strengthen rural America and support farm families. National Peanut Board www.nationalpeanutboard.org. The Atlanta-based group, funded by a mandatory one percent assessment on U.S. peanut crops, works to support and expand existing markets, develop new markets and facilitate economical production of high-quality, domestic peanuts for consumers worldwide. The Board supports advertising and promotion and explores nutrition research and ways lessen peanut allergies. » Among other initiatives, the board will focus on expanding its efforts to help educators deal with peanut allergy issues and avoid implementing a ban on peanuts as a short-term solution, according to Lisa Agostoni, the board’s Issues Management and Community Health Team Leader. “Bans don’t work; they create a false sense of security,†Agostoni noted. “We want to help schools and other organizations implement individual management plans that provide protection people with allergies while still allowing use of healthful peanut products in their nutritional programs.â€Â National Sorghum Producers www.sorghumgrowers.com. The Lubbock, Texas-based group is in the USDA comment period for the sorghum checkoff proposal through Jan. 22.  » With a 20-year decrease in sorghum plantings reducing production significantly, the sorghum checkoff is an opportunity for the industry to invest in new research, education and development to revitalize the industry, according to NSP’s leadership. National Sunflower Association www.sunflowernsa.com. The Bismarck, N.D.-based group is a non-profit commodity organization focused on problems and opportunities for the its members, including market development and promotion; production research in cooperation with universities and USDA; education for producers, industry partners and media; and legislative and policy development affect members, from farm legislation to international trade. » In 2008, the association will continue to promote sunflower oil as a valuable, healthy vegetable oil and sunflower seeds as a tasty snack and nutritious food ingredient, according to association officials. Currently, sunflowers are an important crop for producers in the northern plains, the Dakotas and the panhandle of Texas, and the association will help growers maintain acreage, despite rising prices of competing commodity crops. The Northeast States Association for Ag Stewardship www.csgeast.org. The Dresden, Maine-based group is a key supporter of the innovative Northeast Ag Works! Project, a region-wide initiative to promote and support policies that will sustain and foster the region’s agricultural base and food production systems. Northeast Ag Works! includes Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia. » NSAAS in 2008 will focus on energy costs as they affect members’ operations, according to spokesperson Marge Kilkelly. Additionally, the group will work to promote and sustain Northeast agriculture and address key production issues, such as the burden of milk transport costs now borne by producers, as opposed to processors. U.S. Grains Council www.grains.org. The Washington, D.C.-based group is a private, non-profit corporation with nine international offices and programs in more than 50 countries and develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, grain sorghum and related products. The council’s membership includes producer organizations and agribusinesses with an interest in developing export markets.  » The council has a multi-faceted agenda, including supporting WTO negotiations to ensure the continuation of viable U.S. export credit programs; greater use of agricultural biotechnology and voluntary food product labeling; encouraging the federal government to defend U.S. agricultural biotech products from unreasonable testing, labeling and other non-tariff trade barriers; and encouraging the United States and other countries to develop agreements for accepting equivalent standards for crops, plants and commodities entering international commerce. U.S. Canola Association www.uscanola.com. The Washington, D.C.-based group’s mission is to increase U.S. canola and promote conditions favorable to greater production, marketing, processing and utilization of canola in the United States, including equalizing farm program eligibility and benefits; establishing and expanding federal crop insurance coverage for canola; expanding the availability of crop protection products; and increasing canola research funding. » Key goals for 2008, according to spokesman Steve Kakela, include maintaining acreage planted in canola in the face of rising prices for competing commodities and educating growers on the benefits of canola. “It’s a ‘high-management’ crop,†Kakela explained. “But with proper rotation with other crops, and in some cases by utilizing newer varieties, such as winter canola, farmers can profit from canola’s biofuel potential and often increase yields of other crops in their rotations.â€Â USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council www.pea-lentil.com. The Moscow, Idaho-based group is a non-profit organization founded in 1965 to promote and protect the nation’s more than 5,000 growers, processors, wholesalers and merchandisers of peas, lentils and chickpeas. The council supports research, new market development and increased awareness of the benefits of dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas. » The council will focus on getting a crop loan program established in 2008. “We want to eventually become a program crop,†said Todd Scholz, director of research and information. With domestic per capita consumption of peas and lentils hovering at only one pound a year and the weak dollar, the council’s focus will be on expanding export markets – particularly in Europe where plantings are down significantly. The group is also working to fund a Pulse Quality Lab to research new products and new uses of pulse crops and will work with growers to maintain U.S. acreage planted in peas and lentils. USA Rice Federation www.usarice.com. The Arlington, Va.-based group is the national advocate for all segments of the rice industry, conducting activities to influence government programs, developing and initiating programs to increase worldwide demand for U.S. rice, and providing other services to increase profitability for all industry segments. » First, the federation will work to achieve “satisfactory†completion of the farm bill, according to spokesman David Coia, that will not be marred with last-minute changes. Secondly, the federation will work to re-open markets that have been closed, such as Europe, due to GMO concerns, by making sure rice has favorable terms in trade agreements. Additionally, the group will work politically to expand sales of rice to Cuba, one of the larger U.S. export markets. Source: Dan Murphy Dan Murphy is a veteran food-industry journalist and commentator, whose latest book is “The Meat of the Matter†(www.themeatofthematter.com). |
