The San Joaquin County Agricultural Hall of Fame is requesting nominations for outstanding agricultural leaders and mentors in our community. Now in its 38th year, the Agricultural Hall of Fame honors those individuals who have contributed to agriculture and to their community in significant ways. Each year, awards are given to at least three living recipients, as well as posthumous ones.
The San Joaquin County Agricultural Hall of Fame honors those who have contributed so much to a great part of our heritage. Our Agricultural Hall of Fame marks the efforts and history of those who have gone before, those who have graced our homes and enriched our hearts and those who in the days past laid the foundation upon which we build for today and tomorrow. The agricultural community is a wonderful example of people working together and continuing a tradition that has been handed down throughout the years from people who had to sacrifice a great deal, both personally and physically, to nurture our land and our community.
Nomination forms are available from the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce website (http://stocktonchamber.org/ag-hall-of-fame/), and need to be submitted by 5:00pm, Monday, August 15, 2023 in order to be considered. For more information, please call Carolyn Teixeira Gomes at 209-292-8426 or visit the Stockton Chamber of Commerce website, www.stocktonchamber.org and click on the Ag Hall of Fame link in the signature events menu.
Founded on February 21, 1901, the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce speaks for thousands of local businesspeople. For over 122 years, the Chamber has been the authoritative voice in all business matters throughout the Central Valley. The mission of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce is to aggressively develop and promote an economically vibrant business community.
Close to 2,422 acre-feet of groundwater will remain in the aquifer of the Westside Subbasin thanks to a grant from The California Department of Water Resources (DWR). Farmers in the Westlands Water District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), which manages the groundwater in the Westside Subbasin, and three other GSAs were eligible to receive funding through the LandFlex Program(LandFlex).
During the 2-week application window for the LandFlex program, farmers in Westlands submitted over 40 million dollars worth of projects, spanning 11,100 acres. Eight applications were selected to receive a total of $3,999,523 to implement their projects. The demand for the program led to an increase in available funds, to be distributed amongst the four GSAs, from an initial $12 million to $18 million. Priority was given to projects that would have a positive benefit on drinking water wells. Awarded funds will be used to promote water conservation and climate-resilient agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley by limiting agricultural groundwater use.
“We’d like to extend our sincere congratulations to the 8 farms awarded LandFlex grants and appreciation to DWR for providing these funds,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “Forty-five eligible farmers in Westlands submitted applications for LandFlex grant funding – underscoring the importance of investment in programs that support our farmers’ commitment to improving our region’s climate resilience by implementing practices that promote a sustainable groundwater supply.”
LandFlex incentivizes growers to permanently reduce pressure on aquifers and transition to sustainable farming practices by providing grant funding for the following actions:
· Provide Immediate Drought Relief by Fallowing Land
· Overdraft/Sustainability Payment
· Transition to More Climate-Resilient Ag Practices
The application period for the LandFlex program opened on June 14th and closed on June 28th. Farmers in GSAs submitted their applications and were evaluated per DWR’s guidelines and GSA-specific priorities. Grant recipients plan to use the funding for permanent crop removal and groundwater recharge.
Febbo added, “The District is committed to working with our farmers and District communities on implementing projects and programs including groundwater recharge and land repurposing that both provide for a sustainable groundwater supply and maximize the benefits of the land.”
You can learn more about the LandFlex program here.
About Westlands Water District
Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than seven decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has announced the successful conclusion of LandFlex Phase 2, providing $16,775,162 in grants to support grower contracts within various Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) for the protection of rural at-risk water systems and advancements in groundwater sustainability.
The awarded funds will be allocated to three GSAs as follows:
Lower Tule Irrigation District GSA: Grant award in the amount of $7.7 million
Pixley Irrigation District GSA: Grant award in the amount of $ 5 million
Westlands Water District GSA: Grant award in the amount of $4 million
“At the heart of LandFlex‘s success is its proven effectiveness in addressing critical water resource challenges,” said Anja Raudabaugh, Chief Executive Officer of Western United Dairies. “Initially designed to combat drought conditions, the program has demonstrated remarkable versatility by also proving its mettle in flood protection and identifying active recharge potential. This adaptability has positioned LandFlex as an innovative and indispensable tool for growers to meet sustainability goals in both dry and wet periods.”
One of the program’s key achievements is the immediate protection it provides to drinking water wells serving 34,259 households in underserved communities. By swiftly reducing water demand, LandFlex alleviates pressure on these communities and overburdened water systems while simultaneously supporting the sustainability of both the communities and the agricultural industry.
Moreover, LandFlex plays a pivotal role in accelerating compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Growers who participate in the program can plan ahead and explore innovative farming methods that align with long-term sustainability goals, ensuring the resilience of water systems and critical water infrastructure.
“LandFlex owes its success to the voluntary participation of growers who are committed to supporting their communities and farming for the future,” said Aubrey Bettencourt, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Almond Alliance. “The program was oversubscribed, and their active involvement showcases their determination to find immediate solutions rather than waiting until 2040 to achieve sustainability goals. By participating in LandFlex, these growers contribute significantly to the well-being of underserved communities and the long-term resilience of at-risk water systems while investing in new farming practices to ensure California agriculture is leading and vibrant for the 21st century.”
The LandFlex program stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between growers, government entities, and local communities. By focusing on the protection of water resources and underserved communities, LandFlexexemplifies the importance of finding innovative, practical, and actionable solutions to address pressing water challenges.
For more information about LandFlex, please visit landflex.org.
About the Almond Alliance
Almond Alliance is the leading authority in state and national policy, championing American almond farmers, industry, and community for the continued global growth, innovation, and success of American almonds and agriculture. Established in 1980, the Almond Alliance is a non-profit trade association with a local and international network of almond processors, hullers/shellers, growers, and allied businesses. The Alliance is dedicated to providing resources and solutions for our members, ensuring industry success and growth opportunities. Learn more at almondalliance.org.
The Almond Board of California Board of Directors selected Clarice Turner, an experienced global leader in consumer goods, food service and wine and spirits, as the next president and CEO.
Turner is joining the Almond Board of California (ABC) after most recently serving as president of iconic Napa Valley winery Joseph Phelps Vineyards. She has also held CEO and senior executive positions at Boudin Bakery, Starbucks Coffee Company, YUM! Brands, Papa Murphy’s International and PepsiCo.
The ABC Board is excited to welcome Clarice to the California almond industry,” said board chair Alexi Rodriguez. “A tremendous amount of thought and effort went into the search process and we couldn’t be more pleased with the result. Clarice brings extensive knowledge and experience that we believe will be a great benefit to the organization and the industry.
Turner is a ninth generation Californian and has a long history of serving on corporate and non-profit boards including the Culinary Institute of America, Delicato Family Wines, the National Restaurant Association, Washington State University School of Business and San Francisco State University Lam School of Business.
Along with her former global executive positions, Turner was also an international business major at Fudan University in China and understands the role different nationalities play in trade, business and culture.
“I am honored to lead the Almond Board of California,”Turner said. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to combine my California heritage, roots in generational farming and executive experience to build on the strong foundation established in 1950. I look forward to working collaboratively with the staff, board, growers, handlers and industry stakeholders in the coming years.
Rodriguez said that in September, Turner will begin working closely with the board, current President and CEO Richard Waycott and the ABC executive team to ensure a smooth transition over the coming months.
“We are thankful for Richard, not just for his commitment to the industry over the last 21 years, but also for his support during this transition period to make certain Clarice and the organization are set up for success moving forward,” Rodriguez said.
Waycott informed the board of directors in November 2022 that he planned to step away from his ABC responsibilities at the end of 2023 to pursue other interests.
About the Almond Board of California
California almonds make life better by what we grow and how we grow. The Almond Board of California promotes natural, wholesome and quality almonds through leadership in strategicmarket development, innovative research and accelerated adoption of industry best practices onbehalf of the more than 7,600 almond farmers and processors in California, most of whom are multi-generational family operations. The Almond Board of California is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It was established in 1950 and is based in Modesto, CA. For more about the Almond Board or California almonds, visit Almonds.com.
Officers and directors of the USJersey organizations were elected during the Annual Meetings of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ) held on June 23 and 24, 2023 in LaCrosse, Wis., including Tulare dairyman Cornell Kasbergen.
Alan Chittenden, Schodack Landing, N.Y., was elected to his second one-year term as President of AJCA on June 24. He is a fourth-generation breeder and owner of Registered Jerseys at Dutch Hollow Farms LLC. He owns and operates the farm with his parents and two brothers. They milk 900 Registered Jerseys and have the herd enrolled in REAP. In 2012, the family was honored with the AJCA Master Breeder award. In addition, he has served as General Chair of The All American Jersey Shows & Sales in 2018, and chair of The All American Sale Committee in 2016. He served two terms as AJCA Director from the Second District from 2014-2020.
Rebecca Ferry, Johnstown, N.Y., was re-elected to her second three-year term as a Director from the Second District. She owns and operates Dreamroad Jerseys LLC, an 80-cow Registered Jersey herd, with her sister Sandra Scott. The herd is enrolled in AJCA’s REAP program. Becky was the 2002 National Jersey Youth Achievement winner and received the AJCA Young Jersey Breeder Award with Sandra in 2013. She was co-chair of the 2019 AJCA-NAJ Annual Meetings in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. In addition, she has served as co-secretary and vice president of the New York Jersey Cattle Club. She is a member of the Identification and Information Technology and Development committees.
Ted DeMent, Kenney, Ill., was elected to a three-year term as Director from the Sixth District. Ted and his family own and operate DeMents Jerseys, a 260-acre dairy farm established by his parents, Don and Shirley, in 1955. Ted was an appraiser for the AJCA for six years before returning to the home farm. In 2009, he and his wife, Cheryl, assumed management of the dairy. DeMents Jerseys is enrolled on REAP and uses JerseyTags for permanent identification. Ted and Cheryl received the AJCA Young Jersey Breeder Award in 2005. Ted was named the winner of the Max Gordon Recognition Award in 2021. He succeeded Karen Bohnert, East Moline, Ill., after she completed two consecutive terms as director.
Cornell Kasbergen
John Maxwell, Donahue, Iowa, was elected for his second term as AJCA Director from the Eighth District. He and his family own and operate Cinnamon Ridge Dairy, a 190-cow Registered Jersey herd. The herd is enrolled on REAP. The farm has diversified through the years, adding a large agri-tourism business that hosts an average of 7,000 visitors a year. The tours aim to educate visitors on practices of a modern dairy and row crop operation. John received the AJCA Young Jersey Breeder Award in 1997. He is currently serving as dairy superintendent of the Mississippi Valley Fair, a supervisor for Scott County and fire commissioner for the Donahue Volunteer Fire Department. He is a past president of DHIA and the Outstanding Young Farmers Organization. As well he sat on boards for Dairyland Jersey Sires Inc., Iowa State University Extension Council and River Valley Cooperative. He serves on the AJCA Finance and Development committees.
Cornell Kasbergen, Tulare, Calif., was elected to AJCA Director from the Eleventh District. Kasbergen and his wife, Teri, and son and daughter-in-law, Case and Allison, own and operate Rancho Teresita Dairy. The dairy consists of 1,800 acres of farmland; 3,600 Registered Jerseys and 1,400 Holsteins. The herd is enrolled on REAP and has many animals that rank among the elite of the breed for Genomic Jersey Performance Index. Cornell chairs the Milk Producers Council and recently completed 22 years of service on the Land O’Lakes board of directors. He chaired the audit committee for Land O’Lakes and represented the organization on the National Milk Producers Federation board. Kasbergen is a member of the dairy committee for the Agriculture Council of California and the milk producer review board for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. As well he served on the California Dairy Environmental Justice Fund. He serves on the AJCA Finance and Breed Improvement Committees and the Jersey Performance Index Advisory Committee.
Chairs of standing committees for 2023-24 are Bradley Taylor, Booneville, Miss., Finance; Joel Albright, Willard, Ohio, Breed Improvement; Garry Hansen, Mulino, Ore., Development; Donna Phillips, Newton, Wis., Information Technology and Identification.
National All-Jersey Inc.
John Kokoski, Hadley, Mass., was re-elected as president by the Board of Directors for National All-Jersey Inc., on June 23, 2023. Kokoski has been a member of the NAJ Board since 2007. He and his family own and operate Mapleline Farm LLC. The enterprise includes a 135-cow Registered Jersey herd enrolled on REAP and a dairy plant that processes and distributes a full line of Jersey milk products to grocery retailers, restaurants and university food service. Kokoski is a past director of the Massachusetts Cooperative Milk Producers Federation and has served more than 25 years on the New England Dairy Promotion Board.
James S. Huffard III, Crockett, Va., was re-elected as Vice President of National All-Jersey Inc., and will continue to serve as Finance Chair. He owns and operates Huffard Dairy Farms, an all-Jersey herd enrolled on REAP, with his family.
Jason Cast, Beaver Crossing, Neb., was re-elected for his third four-year term as Director from District One to the NAJ board. Cast owns and operates JJC Jerseys with his wife and six children. The herd was been enrolled on REAP since 2013.
Appointed to the NAJ Board of Directors as an at-large director by AJCA President Chittenden was Tom Seals, Beaver, Ore. He succeeded retiring director Walter Owens, Frederic, Wis. Tom served on the AJCA board from 2013-2019. Along, with his wife Jennie and son Coltan, Tom operates Legendairy Farms LLC, a 300-cow Registered Jersey™ herd enrolled on REAP. Tom was a member of the AJCA Type Advisory Committee from 2006 to 2010. He has served on the board of the Oregon Dairy Farmers Association and as president of the Oregon Jersey Cattle Association. Tom is currently a board member of Tillamook County DHIA and Tillamook County Creamery Association.
Ex officio directors on the NAJ Board for 2023-2024 are AJCA President Alan Chittenden and AJCA Board committee chairs Bradley Taylor, Finance, and Garry Hansen, Development.
The American Jersey Cattle Association, organized in 1868, compiles and maintains animal identification and performance data on Jersey cattle and provides services that support genetic improvement and greater profitability. Since 1957, National All-Jersey Inc. has provided services that increase the value of and demand for Jersey milk and milk products and Registered Jersey™ cattle and genetics. For more information on AJCA and NAJ services for dairy business owners, visit the website at www.USJersey.com or connect at facebook.com/USJersey.
Cutline: The Board of Directors of National All-Jersey Inc., for 2023-24 is pictured following its 65th Annual Meeting in LaCrosse, Wis., on June 23. Pictured, front row, from left: Neal Smith, Executive Secretary & CEO; President John Kokoski, Hadley, Mass.; and Vice President James S. Huffard III, Crockett, Va. second row: John Marcoot, Greenville, Illinois; Corey Lutz, Lincolnton, N.C.; Bradley Taylor, Booneville, Miss.; and Jason Cast, Beaver Crossing, Neb.; back row: Sam Bok, Defiance, Ohio; Alan Chittenden, Schodack Landing, N.Y.; Garry Hansen, Mulino, Ore.; and Roger Herrera, Hilmar, Calif. Not pictured: Tom Seals, Beaver, Ore.
The U.S. dairy industry grew significantly over the past two years, adding nearly 60,000 new jobs, increasing average wages by 11%, and increasing its total impact on the U.S. economy by $41 billion, according to the latest economic impact report from the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA).
IDFA’s 2023 Economic Impact Study, which measures the combined impact of the dairy industry—including the milk, cheese, ice cream, cultured dairy products, and ingredients sectors—showed the U.S. dairy industry’s economic impact totaled $793.75 billion. The report is conducted every two years to quantify the industry’s impact on local, state and national economies.
The newly released figures indicate that the U.S. dairy industry now supports:
3.2 million total jobs, including 1.078 million jobs in dairy product manufacturing, up from 1.018 million jobs in 2021
$49 billion in direct wages for workers in the dairy industry, up from $42 billion in direct wages in 2021
$72.0 billion in federal, state and local taxes (not including sales taxes paid by consumers), up from $67.1 million in 2021
3% of U.S. GDP
“The U.S. dairy industry is growing to keep pace with intense global demand, and that means more jobs, higher wages, more tax benefits, and more economic growth for communities across the United States,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., IDFA president and CEO. “Consumers here in the U.S. and around the world recognize U.S. dairy products for their nourishing and delicious qualities, and they are purchasing U.S. dairy products in record quantities. In turn, American dairy companies are delivering economic benefits to the communities they operate in.”
The report also demonstrates how dairy product categories contribute directly to the U.S. economy, including:
Cheese: Adds $64.5 billion in direct economic impact and supports 59,538 dairy industry jobs
Milk: Adds $50.9 billion in direct economic impact and supports 67,995 dairy industry jobs
Dairy Ingredients: Adds $20.4 billion in direct economic impact and supports 16,552 dairy industry jobs
Ice Cream: Adds $11.4 billion in direct economic impact and supports 27,066 dairy industry jobs
Yogurt & Cultured Products: Adds $8.3 billion in direct economic impact and supports 10,867 dairy industry jobs
The growth in jobs and economic impact comes as demand for U.S. dairy continues to grow. In September 2022, the USDA reported that U.S. per capita dairy consumption jumped 12.4 pounds per person in 2021, continuing a 50-year growth trend that started in 1975 when USDA began tracking annual consumption.
The study’s findings are available in an interactive economic impact tool on IDFA’s Dairy Delivers® webpage where users can click on an interactive map of the U.S. to learn how dairy impacts their community. Just select an area of the country that interests you—options include the full U.S., any of the 50 states, or any of the 435 Congressional districts. Once you click on the state and/or district that interests you, select View/Print to generate your own detailed fact sheet or economic impact report.
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3.2 million jobs that generate $49 billion in direct wages and $794 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA’s diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent most of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.
Sorghum industry leaders are marking a milestone in the industry as July 1, 2023 marked the 15th anniversary of the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, the leading producer-funded organization championing the sorghum industry in the United States. Since its founding, the Sorghum Checkoff has dedicated its efforts to advancing sorghum profitability through innovative research, promotion and education.
“We’ve made significant strides in the past 15 years, and we’re deeply committed to continuing to advance the crop for U.S. sorghum producers and end-users across the world,” Sorghum Checkoff CEO Tim Lust said. “Our 13-member board of sorghum producers located across the U.S. has invested over $46 million into research aimed at optimizing sorghum as a robust, profitable crop for several value-added end-use markets. These strategic projects and collaborations in research, education and market development have been pivotal to the sorghum industry’s success and are anticipated to stimulate further growth.”
Over the past decade-and-a-half, the Sorghum Checkoff has made significant strides, including funneling resources into cutting-edge research to advance production techniques. Key agronomic milestones include the introduction of the first-ever over-the-top weed and grass control in sorghum, the development of sugarcane aphid-tolerant hybrids and the potential to fast-track breeding methods due to the discovery of doubled haploid in sorghum.
The Sorghum Checkoff has also played a key role in expanding international markets, specifically in countries like China, and it has significantly boosted public awareness about the nutritional and environmental benefits, establishing sorghum as a versatile crop.
A recent return on investment study revealed the significant positive impact of expenditures towards promoting sorghum exports on the total export of sorghum. Between 2008 and 2021, an approximate investment of $44.5 million yielded an impressive return of $376.7 million, reflecting a robust return on investment ratio of 7 to 1. This study also highlighted the Sorghum Checkoff’s investments in crop improvement activities, resulting in a noteworthy increase in sorghum production from 133.3 million to 166.8 million bushels during the same period.
“Sorghum is a crucial crop for the U.S., and it holds immense potential for growth and expansion,” Sorghum Checkoff Executive Director Norma Ritz Johnson said. “Our work in the last 15 years has laid a strong foundation and promising future for the sorghum industry, and we are eager to continue that success as we amplify our mission to support and promote The Resource Conserving Crop™.”
With a clear focus on the future, the Sorghum Checkoff continues to place strong emphasis on expanding the demand for sorghum within premium markets. This objective will be pursued through the establishment of robust strategic partnerships, the implementation of compelling marketing campaigns and the provision of targeted technical assistance programs. These efforts aim to not only increase demand but to also have a tangible impact on acreage yields and allow for significant growth and progress in the sorghum industry.
Grounded in breakthrough nutritional research, the Sorghum Checkoff plans to promote the potential of sorghum as a healthy, versatile food source for consumers. Simultaneously, the growing pet food market presents a prime opportunity for introducing more sorghum-based products.
On the production side, the Sorghum Checkoff is dedicated to fostering innovative practices and technologies aimed at increasing sorghum yields. This commitment to enhancing productivity will play a crucial role in meeting the rising demand for sorghum. Moreover, the Sorghum Checkoff is actively promoting the utilization of sorghum in various industries, including aquaculture and dairy. By exploring and embracing new applications, the Sorghum Checkoff aims to unlock additional market opportunities and drive further growth within the sorghum industry.
For further insights into the accomplishments of the Sorghum Checkoff over the past 15 years, as well as its efforts to enhance the sorghum industry, please visit the following link: SorghumCheckoff.com/celebrating-15-years-of-innovation/
The United Sorghum Checkoff Program is a producer-funded organization that is dedicated to improving the sorghum industry through research, promotion and education. For more information about the USCP and other sorghum promotion projects please visit SorghumCheckoff.com.
Doctoral students in the laboratory of nematologist Shahid Siddique, associate professor in the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, excelled at the 62nd annual meeting of the Society of Nematologists (SON), held July 9-14 in Columbus, Ohio.
It was the lab mates’ first-ever conference, and they brought home first- and second-place awards, in addition to a second-place tie in the Cobb Bowl competition which memorializes Nathan Cobb (1859-1932), the father of nematology.
Alison Coomer Blundell, who will be a fourth-year doctoral candidate in Plant Pathology this fall, won first place in the three-minute student competition with her presentation on “Trade Offs Between Resistance Breaking and Fitness Cost in Root-Knot Nematodes.” She received a $250 award and a plaque.
Alison Coomer Blundell, first place winner in the three-minute student competition with her presentation on “Trade Offs Between Resistance Breaking and Fitness Cost in Root-Knot Nematodes.”
Ching-Jung Lin, who will be a fourth-year doctoral student this fall, won second place in the 12-minute category with her presentation on “Elucidating the Role of MigPSY Peptides in Interactions Between Plants and Root-Knot Nematodes.” She received a $250 prize.
The six-member Siddique lab team, “Meloidogyne Gang Gang,” which included Blundell, Lin, third-year doctoral student Pallavi Shakya, and second-year doctoral student Veronica Casey, tied for second place in the Cobb Bowl, a jeopardy-like competition that can include both students and postdoctoral fellows on the teams.
“I am very humbled by the award and recognition but am very proud of seeing all my lab mates accomplish their presentations and get good feedback and recognition as well,” said Blundell, who seeks a PhD in plant pathology. She holds two undergraduate degrees–a bachelor’s degree in biology and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry–from Concordia University, Seward, Neb.
“I was first introduced to nematodes in my undergraduate studies where I maintained C. elegans (Caenorhabditis elegans) cultures, but was introduced to plant parasitic nematodes when Dr. Siddique reached out to me about becoming a member in his lab,” Blundell said. “This was my first time at SON, and for all my lab mates. SON has allowed me to meet people I have heard about or have talked to on Zoom, email, or twitter and also make new connections with many U.S. states and universities.”
Lin enrolled in the UC Davis Plant Pathology doctoral program, with a designated emphasis in biotechnology, in 2020. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in agronomy in 2015 from the National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, and her master’s degree in plant biology in 2018 from National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. She recently received a two-year, $32,000 Ministry of Education Taiwan Government Scholarship to Study Abroad (GSSA).
Lin, a first-generation international student, credits co-principal investigator Professor Gitta Coaker of Plant Pathology and the Coaker Lab with mentoring her, offering presentation suggestions. “It was very much appreciated,” she said.
Six teams competed in the Cobb Bowl. The study material is based on six decks of nematode trading cards created by Jon Eisenback, professor in Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. He also hosted the game as “SmartAlex EisenTrebeck.” He asked questions in the form of an answer, such as”
Question: “The Guava root-knot nematode.”
Answer: “Meloidogyne enterolobii“
Question: “First report of root-knot nematodes.”
Answer:”Who is Miles Joseph Berkeley?”
“The most difficult question, said team member Veronica Casey was: “The color of the first edition of the Journal of Nematology.”
“The answer was simply, ‘What is orange?’ but many teams thought it was green,” Casey related. “Another difficult question was ‘The full species name of the Beech Leaf disease nematode.’ The answer: “What is Litylenchus crenatae mccannii?”
The University of Idaho team won the Cobb Bowl. The UC Davis team, which also included a postdoctoral fellow from the University of Illinois and a graduate student from Montana State University, tied for second place with two other teams: AlohaNema, comprised primarily of students from the University of Hawaii, and Nemafolks, comprised of students from a number of universities, including Michigan State, Oregon State and Texas Tech. The other two teams represented the University of Florida and The Ohio State University.
Also at the SON meeting, Siddique participated in a session titled “Nematology Faces of the Future.” In his five-minute self-introduction, he displayed a map showing how far he has traveled. A native of Multan, Pakistan, he received two degrees in Multan: his bachelor of science degree from the Government College Bosan Road in 2001 and his master’s degree in botany from the Bahauddin Zakariya University in 2004. Then it was off to Vienna, Austria to receive his doctorate in 2009 in agriculture and biotechnology from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences. After serving as a research group leader for several years at the University of Bonn, Germany, he joined the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology faculty in 2019 as an assistant professor and advanced to associate professor this year.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor will lead an agribusiness trade mission to Malaysia and Singapore on Oct. 30-Nov. 3. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service is now accepting applications from U.S. exporters who wish to participate in the trade mission.
“Malaysia and Singapore are important markets in our efforts to diversify prospects for U.S. food and agricultural exports in Southeast Asia. These markets provide both a source of stability for American exports and a tremendous opportunity to further expand U.S. trade in the region,” Taylor said. “Consumer demand for U.S. products in both Malaysia and Singapore are on the rise, making this agribusiness trade mission extremely timely. It gives U.S. exporters a wonderful opening to build and strengthen their relationships with local importers.”
Trade mission participants will travel to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, connecting with key importers and learning first-hand from government and industry leaders about local market conditions. They will also take part in one-on-one meetings with potential customers and have the opportunity to visit local retail stores and food manufacturers to round out the program.
Malaysia relies on imports of many key agricultural products, including wheat, rice, protein meal, dairy products, beef, and most deciduous and citrus fruits. U.S. agricultural and related products exports to Malaysia reached $1.13 billion in 2022. Consumer-oriented products represent nearly half of the total U.S. food and agriculture exports to Malaysia, reflecting growing consumer demand and the burgeoning food service sector. Other U.S. products, including soybeans, processed fruits and, vegetables, tree nuts, and prepared foods also remain popular in the country. Malaysia is a major food processing hub, re-exporting throughout Southeast Asia and beyond.
Singapore is an important logistical hub, hosting headquarters for many key buyers of agricultural and food products in the Asia-Pacific region. U.S. agricultural exports to Singapore grew 190 percent from 2012 to 2022, reaching a record $1.4 billion in 2022. Small and highly urbanized, Singapore depends on food imports from a wide variety of suppliers. Singapore classifies as a high-income country, providing a sophisticated market for many U.S. consumer-oriented products.
Following today’s Senate introduction of bipartisan legislation to support farmers, ranchers, and rural homeowners, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) released new polling conducted by Morning Consult showing broad support for the legislation.
The Access to Credit for our Rural Economy (ACRE) Act — introduced in the Senate by Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and Angus King (I-Maine) following the House introduction earlier this year by Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and Wiley Nickel (D-N.C.) — would exempt from taxation interest income on farm real estate and rural mortgage loans, allowing community banks to lower loan rates and more efficiently serve these borrowers.
New ICBA polling conducted by Morning Consult shows strong bipartisan support for the legislation:
70% of U.S. voters said providing tax relief to lending institutions in rural communities would help preserve family farms if these benefits are passed along to borrowers.
59% of voters said providing tax relief to local lending institutions to promote lower interest rates on loans for borrowers in rural communities would have a positive impact on these communities.
“ICBA strongly supports the ACRE Act to help community banks offer lower rates to rural borrowers and homeowners — and our polling shows that bipartisan majorities of U.S. voters agree,” ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said. “With community banks making 80% of banking industry agricultural loans, this important legislation will help revive and sustain rural economies struggling to overcome the impact of higher interest rates while providing community bank lenders with benefits they can pass on to customers, like other rural credit providers. ICBA and the nation’s community banks thank Sens. Moran and King for supporting a common-sense solution that benefits rural Americans, especially young, beginning, and small farmers and ranchers.”
The ACRE Act would also provide relief for loans secured by agricultural and aquaculture real estate or by rural single-family homes that are the borrower’s principal residence and below the value of $750,000 in towns with populations under 2,500. ICBA looks forward to advocating for the ACRE Act’s passage on behalf of rural community bankers and the customers and communities they serve.
About ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America® creates and promotes an environment where community banks flourish. ICBA is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education, and high-quality products and services.
With nearly 50,000 locations nationwide, community banks constitute roughly 99 percent of all banks, employ nearly 700,000 Americans and are the only physical banking presence in one in three U.S. counties. Holding nearly $5.9 trillion in assets, over $4.9 trillion in deposits, and more than $3.5 trillion in loans to consumers, small businesses and the agricultural community, community banks channel local deposits into the Main Streets and neighborhoods they serve, spurring job creation, fostering innovation and fueling their customers’ dreams in communities throughout America. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at www.icba.org.
About the Almond Alliance
