As the 2008 election rapidly approaches do you know who you will vote for?  Does that candidate support agriculture?  What are their views on major industry issues such as trade, the Farm Bill, immigration and labor, estate tax and renewable energy?   

The American Farm Bureau strives to keep agriculturalists informed about John McCain and Barack Obama’s perspectives on agriculture.  In using FB as a source, I hope this post will provide a factual snapshot of the candidate’s agricultural perspectives for you to utilize as you make a decision for the 2008 presidential election. 

John McCain

Trade: “I believe that we need to get our agricultural products into markets all over the world and it will be a great thing for America not to mention our trade deficit…”

Estate Tax: “It’s outrageous that you should not be able to pass on to your children and grandchildren the hard-earned fruits of your labor…”

Agricultural Labor: “We need a temporary worker program associated with tamper-proof biometric documents so that you as an employer will know that that person is a temporary worker in the United States.” 

Barack Obama

Farm Bill: “I would have liked to have seen some additional reforms in the bill. I would like to see some tighter payment limits for example, but on balance the bill did a lot more good than bad because it dramatically increased the funding to fight hunger, it increased funding for conservation and it provided farmers with at least some stability in an increasing volatile market…”

Immigration and labor: “My commitment to you, at minimum, is we would have the AgJobs portion of the immigration reform package done, hopefully by that first year.”  “I think it is very important for us to recognize that if we are going to have a vital agriculture industry this has to get resolved and I intend to resolve it quickly…”

Renewable energy: “My goal would be to phase in a 2 billion gallon cellulosic ethanol renewable fuel standard into the nation’s fuel supply by 2013.” 

To listen to McCain and Obama’s complete comments during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Council of Presidents meeting, click HERE.

Please share your thoughts regarding McCain and Obama’s perspectives on agriculture by clicking on the comments link below. 

Alyssa Bane – AFA Marketing and Communications Intern Summer 2008

Posted on July 24th, 2008 by Alyssa
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To follow up my last post about the importance of reading, I would like to recommend a book that I think EVERYONE should read.  The book “Fish” by Stephen C. Lundun, Ph.D., Harry Paul, and John Christensen is a Wall Street Journal Business Bestseller and has sold more than 2 million copies.  The book is a quick, fun read and is sure to “boost morale and improve results” in every area of your life.   

“Fish” focuses on the admirable work philosophy of the fishmongers at the world-famous Pike Place Fish market in Seattle, Washington.  Learn how to “choose your attitude,” “play,” “make their day” and “be present” in your personal and professional life to live each day to the fullest. 

Enjoy reading “Fish” and make it a great day! 

Alyssa Bane – AFA Marketing and Communications Intern Summer 2008     

Posted on July 11th, 2008 by Alyssa
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A little background – Since the AFA staff is so small (6 including myself), we always eat lunch together in the conference room and usually very interesting conversation ensues.  One day recently, the lunch conversation was particularly thought provoking.  We were on the topic of interviewing and Russ, the president and CEO of AFA, said during every interview he asks the interviewee, “What is the last book you have read?”   

That question really got me thinking.  Not only had I never been asked that particular question in an interview, but I wasn’t even sure what I would say if I did.  As college students we are required to read lengthy text books and scholarly articles.  When we do have free time, the last thing we want to do is read a book… for “fun.”  The more I thought about Russ’s question, I began to feel guilty.  I have always loved to read, but I suddenly realized that reading, just because I enjoyed it, had stopped when I started college. 

I asked Russ the reason he asks this question.  He said the last book a person has read tells him a lot about their character and if they do not have an answer, how they handle the question tells him a lot about their character.   

Lesson One: Reading IS IMPORTANT!  Not just mandatory reading for your classes, but reading because you want to provoke thought, discover unique perspectives and learn something new. 

Lesson Two: Everything you do and say ties back to who you are as a person.  Consider how your actions and words will be interpreted by others – it could make a difference someday. 

Lesson Three: Be ready for anything in an interview.  You never know what will come your way.  Stay calm, take time to absorb the question and come up with a respectable and intelligent answer.    

Alyssa Bane – AFA Marketing and Communications Intern Summer 2008   

Posted on July 10th, 2008 by Alyssa
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Lately, I have come across some really incredible quotes.  You know… the quotes that make you think; the quotes that inspire you to do something about it; the quotes that bring you that much closer to figuring out who you are and who you want to become.  I was inspired, so I went looking for more quotes to complete my little collection and I realized something… everyone should have their own stash of quotes that helps to push them that extra mile.  Here are some good ones to get you started! 

We are not animals. We are not a product of what has happened to us in our past. We have the power of choice.
Stephen Covey 

Anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.
J. K. Rowling 

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world. The unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.
George Bernard Shaw 

It’s easy to have faith in yourself and have discipline when you’re a winner, when you’re number one. What you’ve got to have is faith and discipline when you’re not yet a winner.
Vince Lombardi 

I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.
Albert Einstein 

Sandwich every bit of criticism between two thick layers of praise.
Mary Kay Ash 

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
Thomas Edison 

Failure is the opportunity to begin again, more intelligently.
Henry Ford 

My success, part of it certainly, is that I have focused in on a few things.
Bill Gates 

The true measure of a career is to be able to be content, even proud, that you succeeded through your own endeavors without leaving a trail of casualties in your wake.
Alan Greenspan 

When you undervalue who you are, the world will undervalue what you do and vice versa.
Suze Orman 

I don’t see challenges, I see ways around them.
Graeme Gibson

A goal without a plan is a wish.
Hal Becker

For a little extra motivation, click on the author names to learn more about these incredible, inspirational people. 

Alyssa Bane – AFA Marketing and Communications Intern Summer 2008 

Posted on June 25th, 2008 by Alyssa
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SHOCKING FACT: According to an article by Hal Becker in the Kansas City Business Journal, more than 70 percent of people think they are good listeners, but the truth is that more than 90 percent of us need improvement. 

So now you’re probably thinking, am I one of those people who THINKS they are good at listening, but really isn’t?  Yeah, that was my first thought too and don’t worry Hal included a listening test in the article, so here it goes…

• You just met several new people and were briefly introduced.  Do you remember all of their names?  Any of their names?
• You got lost and stopped for directions which you did not write down.  Did you find your way?  Are you still lost?
• Someone else is talking and is in the middle of a sentence.  Do you interrupt?  Or do you let the other person get to end of their sentence?
• You are listening to someone when a thought pops into your mind.  Do you interrupt so you won’t forget?  Or do you concentrate on your thought and wait until the other person is done without paying much attention to what is being said?
• You are listening to someone who is speaking v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y, and it’s driving you crazy.  Do you interrupt and finish the sentence?

If you could relate to most of the situations above, then you just flunked the good listener test.  In the article, Hal goes on to offer some advice to break free from the statistics and benefit from listening.

• Practice listening.  If you are caught in one of the situations mentioned in the quiz, correct the behavior and then concentrate on listening.
• Favorable attitudes affect listening.  If a person does not agree with what is being said, then they are probably formulating objections rather than listening.
• Listening builds trust.  Typically, the people you trust the most are those who have listened to you over time and know the most about you.
• Quit talking.  We all know that you can talk yourself out of a successful outcome, but it is unheard of to listen yourself out of a successful outcome.
• Spare-time thinking.  We think much faster than we speak, so put that time to good use instead of trying to think and listen to someone at the same time.

 Alyssa Bane – AFA Communications and Marketing Intern Summer 2008

Posted on June 18th, 2008 by Alyssa
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AFA is excited to announce their new Campus Ambassador Program which will provide student support for the Campus Champion Program at universities across the country. AFA Campus Ambassadors represent AFA on their respective campus by promoting AFA to faculty, staff and students at their university.  They also organize student informational meetings, speak to clubs and organizations, and are a resource to their peers who are interested in personal and professional development opportunities AFA provides.  The AFA Campus Ambassadors Program is supported by the Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM).           

In order to apply to be an AFA Campus Ambassador, you must be attending a school participating in the Campus Champions Program (IA State, KS State, Mizzou, CO State, Purdue, U of IL, NW MO State, SD State, U of NE Lincoln, OK State and TX A&M) that does not have representation on the Student Advisory Team.  It is also essential that candidates have attended at least one track of AFA Leaders Conference and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. 

AFA offers a variety of benefits to the selected Campus Ambassadors as a thank you for their time and hard work that helps make AFA a successful organization.  Some of the benefits are registration to AFA Leaders Conference or AFA Alliance membership/Forum registration, additional professional training, and recognition at AFA Leaders Conference.

Alyssa Bane - AFA Communications and Marketing Intern Summer 2008

Posted on June 17th, 2008 by Alyssa
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While many of us may be knowledgeable about a certain area of agriculture, it is difficult to know everything about this multi-faceted industry.  The Agriculture Council of America provides numerous facts about agriculture on their Ag Day website.  So, read up on your Ag trivia… some of them may surprise you!

• In Michigan, there are almost 4 million cherry trees which annually produce 150 to 200 pounds of tart cherries.
• Michigan and New Jersey produce 66% of all the blueberries in the United States, followed by North Carolina, Oregon and Washington.
• Egg yolks are one of the few foods that naturally contain Vitamin D.
• Honey bees must tap two million flowers to make one pound of honey. Each worker honey bee makes 1/12th teaspoon of honey in its lifetime.
• There are over 500 different types of bananas. That means if you ate a different kind of banana everyday, it would take almost a year and a half to eat every one!
• An acre of trees can remove about 13 tons of dust and gases every year from the surrounding environment.
• In a year’s time a dairy cow produces 1,500 gallons or 6,000 quarts of milk. A
  Jersey cow will give as much as 3 to 4 gallons or around 16 quarts of milk each day.
• Apples are a member of the rose family.
• Noodles got their start in China, not
  Italy as many people might think.
• It takes just 40 days for most Americans to earn enough money to pay for their food supply for the entire year. In comparison with the 129 days it takes the average American to earn enough money to pay federal, state and local taxes for the year.
• Farmers and ranchers provide food and habitat for 75% of the nation’s wildlife.
• Onions contain a mild antibiotic that fights infections, soothes burns, tames bee stings and relieves the itch of athlete’s foot.
• It takes a combine 9 seconds to harvest enough wheat to make 70 loaves of bread.
• One bushel of corn will sweeten more than 400 cans of pop.
• One bushel of wheat will produce 73 one-pound loaves of bread.
• A pig can run a 7-minute mile.
• Soy crayons have been created to replace toxic petroleum-wax crayons, soy crayons are safer to use, brighter in color, and less expensive to produce.
• If all of the cotton produced annually in the U.S. were used to make one product, such as blue jeans, it would make 5 Billion pair.

 Alyssa Bane - AFA Marketing and Communications Intern Summer 2008

Posted on June 13th, 2008 by Alyssa
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We’ve all been there… you are juggling one too many things and all of the sudden, a ball drops.  Then it hits you, you’re life is so far out of wack it might be near impossible to fix.  Finding balance between work, family, school, clubs or whatever else you may be involved in is never easy, and don’t get frustrated, many people struggle with this on a day-to-day basis.

An article by Jeff Wuorio, on Microsoft.com, provides 7 tips to help you achieve that work-life balance that many of us seek.  Wuorio’s 7 tips are:

1. Don’t overbook: assume only 50% of the things you plan on doing today will actually get done.  If you don’t, you’ll just waste valuable time trying to determine why things didn’t happen.
2. Prioritize ruthlessly: learn to ask questions to determine a project’s level of urgency.  Treating everything at top priority is draining and depleting.
3. Learn how to say NO: Identify requests that aren’t worth your time.  Saying no to one thing opens the door to saying yes to something else.
4. Organize: According to Peggy Duncan, Atlanta-based personal productivity authority says, “Eliminating clutter will give you an extra 240 to 288 hours every year.”
5. Use technology: Don’t overlook technology as another weapon to make the most effective use of your workday.
6. … but don’t overdo it: Part of effective time management is knowing when to shut things down.  Turing off a cell phone or other wireless means of communication establishes boundaries and helps you balance your personal and professional time.
7. Know it won’t always be perfect: According to Krista Kurth, “Be grateful for what goes right and learn from your mistakes.”

So find that balance, and don’t worry about making mistakes… it happens, and there is always next time to get it right!

Alyssa Bane - AFA Communications and Marketing Intern Summer 2008

Posted on June 6th, 2008 by Alyssa
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No matter where you live in the United States, it has certainly been an interesting year in terms of weather.  With nearly 500 tornadoes in the month of May and the annual total climbing to over 1000 (Weather Channel), people have definitely been on their toes and wondering what will happen next.  With planting delays in the Midwest due to saturated farmland, one expert’s prediction may come as a surprise…

According to research conducted by Elwynn Taylor, 20 year agricultural meteorologist at Iowa State University, there is a significant chance of drought this year.  Specifically 1 in 3, about double the usual risk (Chicago Tribune article).  Taylor’s prediction is based on various factors including weather conditions, air flow, surface temperatures and historical records. 

The possibility of drought is high this year due to the presence of La Niña, a drop in ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific which includes North America.  Historical data that shows a major drought strikes the Midwest every 18 or 19 years, the last one hit in 1988.  In addition, Taylor’s research shows that the last 17 droughts in history were preceded a year earlier by dry conditions in the Southeastern United States, similar to last year.

While Taylor points out that droughts don’t arrive by clockwork, the data shows that there is in fact, “A legitimate concern.”

Alyssa Bane - AFA Communications and Marketing Intern Summer 2008

Posted on June 5th, 2008 by Alyssa
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While I am sure many of you are well aware of the major agricultural issues circulating in Washington, I will be the first to admit that I don’t know as much as I should about Ag politics.  This post is for everyone who needs a quick refresher on the priority issues that are currently being discussed in Congress.  These are issues that we in the agriculture industry should understand and continue to learn about to help educate the general public.

The American Farm Bureau Board of Directors adopted the following priority issues at their Annual Meeting on January 13th-16th, 2008 in New Orleans, La.

• Animal Agriculture
  • Animal Care
  • Regulation of Manure  
• Environment and Land Use
  • Air Quality and Climate Change
  • Clean Water Act Implementation
• Farm and Food Policy
  • 2008 Farm Bill
  • Food Safety and Labeling
• International Trade
  • Expand Export Markets
• Labor and Immigration
  • Ensure a Legal Workforce for Agriculture
• Rural Development
  • Strengthen Rural Communities
• Tax Policy
  • Death Taxes
  • Renewable Energy Tax Incentives
  • Repeal of the Alternative Minimum Tax
• Transportation
  • Uniform Trucking Regulations

Take a little time each day to Google one of these topics–making an initiative to learn what our industry is working towards will help to unify our voice and reach our goals professionally and as an industry. 

Alyssa Bane - AFA Communications and Marketing Intern Summer 2008

Posted on June 4th, 2008 by Alyssa
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