California Ag Network

Tag: Animal Agriculture Alliance

  • Ryan Goodman and Jen Sorenson to Share Consumer Engagement Tips with 2023 College Aggies

    Ryan Goodman, also known online as “The Beef Runner,” and Jen Sorenson, former president of the National Pork Producers Council, will mentor 2023 College Aggies Online (CAO) participants as they compete for scholarship awards and build resume experience. The 2023 program kicks off on September 11. Registration is now open for undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students studying in the U.S., as well as collegiate clubs and classes. Last year, nearly $20,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded to participants. Sign up for this year’s competition here: https://animalagalliance.org/initiatives/college-aggies-online/.

    Reflecting on the 2022 competition, Morgan Elia, student at California Polytechnic State University and second place individual, said, “I thoroughly enjoyed every week of the competition, and I feel like I walked away with a lot of experience and knowledge. I’m definitely glad I participated. I have had numerous friends and family tell me they learned a lot from my posts and thought it was really cool I was spreading that kind of knowledge.”

    CAO is an initiative of the Animal Agriculture Alliance connecting college students from across the country who are passionate about sharing positive, factual information about agriculture. Participants receive nine interactive and educational weeks of content to help them become confident and effective communicators for agriculture with guidance from farmer and industry mentors. Goodman will support students as they are challenged to write and publish a blog post, and Sorenson will share her tips for engaging online about pork and pig farming.

    Goodman works to bridge the gap between cattle farmers and ranchers in his role as director of communications and community engagement at Certified Angus Beef. He engages the brand’s network of fans to grow its global presence and helps make topics like cattle care and sustainability easier to discuss and understand. He has worked in the beef community with family farmers and cow-calf, stocker, and feeder farms, and as a freelance writer for agriculture publications. Before joining the brand in 2022, he served as director of grassroots advocacy and spokesperson development for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Goodman has been a longtime leader in agriculture advocacy as an early adopter of social media and blogging, reaching global audiences through his writing and digital content.

    Sorenson grew up on a pig farm in southeastern Iowa and has always had a passion for telling the story of agriculture. After receiving degrees in animal science and journalism from Iowa State University, she worked in several communications departments, including at the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Christensen Farms, and McCormick Company. She is now Iowa Select Farms’ director of communications. Sorenson has been with Iowa Select Farms for ten years and is responsible for all facets of internal and external communications, media relations, public relations and industry outreach. She is the immediate past president of the National Pork Producers Council.

    Goodman and Sorenson will help the Alliance in selecting weekly scholarship winners. The top participants at the conclusion of the program will be invited to attend the Alliance’s 2024 Stakeholders Summit, set for May 8-9 in Kansas City, Missouri, for national recognition.

    Students interested in networking with industry professionals and learning from successful agriculture influencers while strengthening their communication skills are invited to sign up today at https://animalagalliance.org/initiatives/college-aggies-online-sign-up/.

    About the Alliance:

    The Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.

  • 539 Attacks from Animal Rights Extremists Targeted Ag in 2022

    Today, the Animal Agriculture Alliance released two reports detailing the interconnectedness of the animal rights movement, as well as tactics targeting animal agriculture. The Animal Rights Extremist Web exemplifies how animal rights groups are strategically connected in many ways, including personnel and financial support. The Radical Vegan Activism in 2022 report highlights efforts to attack animal agriculture and the true intentions of these organizations with quotes from leadership.

    “No matter the animal rights extremist group or the tactics used, they all share the same goal of eliminating animal agriculture and taking meat, dairy, poultry, eggs, and seafood off of our grocery store shelves and family tables,” said Abby Kornegay, manager, issues and engagement, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “These reports succinctly detail those true intentions, the strategic efforts of the animal rights movement to further their agenda, and key tactics for the animal agriculture community to be aware of.”

    Nearly one-third of animal rights extremist attacks documented in 2022 targeted farmers and food workers, putting them and animals in danger. Documented direct actions to animal agriculture include:

    • 95 vandalism incidents
    • 70 stolen animals
    • 60 criminal trespasses
    • 10 arson cases
    • 9 harassment and intimidation incidents

    “Extremists are getting ever bolder in their efforts against animal agriculture, and direct actions at the farm, processing facility, and retail store continue to rise,” said Kornegay. “Farmers, processors, and the entire food supply chain are encouraged to implement security measures that protect against potential threats.”

    In addition to demanding change through direct actions, animal rights groups are also attempting to force change through fundraising efforts which help fund their various efforts and campaigns. The major animal rights extremist groups included on the Animal Rights Extremist Web are major fundraisers and bring in more than $800 million in income annually. Organizations like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) saw a dramatic increase in revenue between their previous fiscal year and current. In PETA’s 2021 tax filing, total revenue equaled $68 million and according to its website, 2022 revenue equals $82 million, a nearly $14 million increase.

    Several updates were made to the Animal Rights Extremist Web including several new groups for the farm and food community to be aware of, including The Accountability Board and the Organization for Competitive Markets. The Accountability Board, which fronts itself as a non-radical group and invests in over 100 of the largest publicly traded companies to force environmental and animal welfare change, is led by former Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) employees Josh Balk and Matthew Prescott. The Organization for Competitive Markets, which seeks to “enforce” rules within the agriculture community, was added to the web due to Marty Irby’s involvement as a board member. Irby is also a former employee of HSUS with close ties to its former president and CEO Wayne Pacelle. Sentient Media, Animal Partisan, and Farm Action were also added to the web.

    For more information about the Alliance’s work to monitor animal rights extremism, or to view the reports, visit animalagalliance.org/initiatives/monitoring-activism.

    To learn more about proactive security measures to protect against potential threats, visit animalagalliance.org/initiatives/farm-security/.

    About the Alliance:

    The Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.

  • Mentors Announced for 2023 College Aggies Online Program

    Cattle ranchers and social media influencers Natalie Kovarik and Brandi Buzzard are two of the mentors set to advise participants in the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2023 College Aggies Online (CAO) scholarship program, which begins on September 11. Registration is now open for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students studying in the U.S., as well as collegiate clubs and classes. Last year, nearly $20,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded to participants. Sign up for this year’s competition here: https://animalagalliance.org/initiatives/college-aggies-online/.

    CAO connects college students from across the country who are passionate about sharing positive, factual information about agriculture. Participants receive nine interactive and educational weeks of content to help them become confident and effective communicators for agriculture with guidance from farmers and industry mentors. During their scheduled week of the program, Kovarik and Buzzard will share valuable insights and helpful tips when it comes to engaging about agriculture.

    “College Aggies Online equips college students with the tools needed to effectively bridge the gap between farm and table,” said Emily Ellis, manager, communications and content, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “In only nine weeks in 2022, more than 8.5 million people were reached through the program with the students’ social media content and on-campus events. This is thanks, in part, to the opportunities for students to network with and learn from mentors like Kovarik and Buzzard, two fan-favorites who are returning this year.”

    Kovarik is a proud rancher’s daughter, wife, mother, and rancher herself. She works alongside her husband, Luke, and her three sons, where they own and operate Kovarik Cattle Co, a cow calf business with a growing registered herd. Growing up, Natalie was raised on her family’s registered Hereford operation in southwest Montana. She began sharing her ranching story online four years ago to foster a community that trusts and believes in agriculture as much as she does. Today, she is the co-host of the popular podcast Discover Ag as well as the co-founder of Elevate Ag, an online course and community providing farmers and ranchers with the tools needed to successfully advocate for agriculture online.

    Buzzard is editor of the Red Angus Magazine and blogger and speaker under the title Buzzard’s Beat. She and her husband operate a small ranch in southeast Kansas where she spends a majority of her time rodeoing, ranching, and engaging with her rural community. Buzzard started the blog, “Buzzard’s Beat,” in 2009 and focuses on opening the door to American agriculture, how our food is raised, and the people who raise it. She is an active speaker and has been featured on many platforms including CBS News, Fox News, MSNBC News, and many more.

    In addition to sharing tips for communicating about agriculture, Kovarik and Buzzard will also provide feedback on submitted social media posts and challenges and help in selecting weekly scholarship winners. The top participants at the conclusion of the program will be invited to attend the Alliance’s 2024 Stakeholders Summit, set for May 8-9 in Kansas City, Missouri, for national recognition.

    Students interested in networking with industry professionals and learning from successful agriculture influencers while strengthening their communication skills are invited to sign up today at https://animalagalliance.org/initiatives/college-aggies-online/.

    About the Alliance:

    The Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.

  • Abby Kornegay Joins Animal Agriculture Alliance as Manager, Issues & Engagement

    The Animal Agriculture Alliance recently hired Abby Kornegay as manager, issues and engagement. Kornegay assumed her new role on May 9. In this role, Kornegay is responsible for shaping the Alliance’s issues management and crisis communications strategy.

    Kornegay joins the Alliance team from her previous role as animal care program manager for Butterball, LLC. She managed the organization’s industry-leading animal care and well-being program, directed innovative strategies within their biosecurity program, and worked closely with auditing organizations for both welfare and marketing program audits. Kornegay also brings experience in project management, leadership and public relations.

    Prior to her work at Butterball, LLC, Kornegay held several internships within the animal agriculture community, including working with large animal veterinarians and research farm positions at North Carolina State University.

    Kornegay is originally from upstate New York. Her passion for agriculture comes from her family and growing up in the restaurant business where she worked with food and local farmers from an early age, sparking her interest in agriculture. In college, she was a member of Alpha Zeta – Professional Agricultural Fraternity.

    “We’re thrilled to welcome Abby to the Alliance team as our manager, issues and engagement,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance president and CEO. “Abby is well-versed in issues and crisis management and will serve as a great addition to the organization. Her background in animal welfare and poultry will add to the strengths of the team and allow us to better serve our diverse membership and the animal agriculture community.”

    Kornegay holds a B.S. and M.A.S. in animal science from North Carolina State University. She currently resides in Raleigh, North Carolina.

    In addition to Kornegay joining the Alliance’s small but mighty team, Emily Solis was promoted to manager, communications and content, effective May 1. In this new role, Solis is tasked with shaping the organization’s brand and proactive communications strategy.

    “Emily has been an incredible asset to the Alliance team and has helped make our communications efforts, including our social media strategy, Annual Report and Sustainability Impact Report, more professional and effective,” said Thompson-Weeman. “This well-deserved promotion comes in recognition of her commitment to excellence, and I’m excited to see what more she is able to accomplish for animal agriculture in her new role.”

    Solis joined the Alliance as communications specialist in 2020. She holds a B.S. in animal science from the University of Maryland and currently resides in east Tennessee.

    About the Alliance:

    The Animal Agriculture Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.

  • Sustainable Food Systems and Farm Security Among Topics Covered at 2022 Animal Ag Alliance Summit

    The Animal Agriculture Alliance held its 2022 Stakeholders Summit recently, themed “Come Together for Animal Ag: Be Informed, Be Ready, Be Here.” The dynamic event, which returned to an in-person format for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, brought together a diverse audience of over 260 attendees to Kansas City, Mo. and included an additional 125 registered virtual attendees. Speakers covered topics including environmental stewardship, food equity, influencer engagement and animal rights extremism.

    Jack Bobo, CEO of Futurity, kicked off the Summit in a keynote session opening attendees’ minds to consider if animal agriculture can save the planet. Bobo discussed beliefs that the food system is broken, which he said stem from issues with food security and equity. He countered that if things are broken, that usually means they were better in the past. In the case of our food system, he stated, “Things are not bad and getting worse; things are good and getting better – just not fast enough.” Bobo finished with, “If we get it right, agriculture can, in fact, save the planet.” Registered dietitian and author Diana Rodgers touched on the food system as well in her session on sustainable nutrition. Diana highlighted the importance of meat, milk, poultry and eggs in a nutritious diet as they are high-quality protein sources and provide essential nutrients that would be hard to replace if these foods were removed from our plates. Rodgers added that we cannot take meat away from people who depend on it for their nutrition or food security.

    Influencer engagement, which has been a growing trend used to reach more people through partnerships and collaborations with those who have already developed a strong following and community, was discussed by several speakers as a way to more effectively communicate messages about sustainability, animal welfare and other hot topics. Former Google executive Steve Lerch of Story Arc Consulting said if you’re not front and center on the platforms consumers care about, they will find somewhere else to get their information. Some of the tips he shared to achieving more influence were to “pay attention to the things your targets are paying attention to” and take advantage of trends in pop culture. In a panel of farmer influencers, speakers stressed the importance of all types of advocacy efforts in bridging the communication gap. “There is no one right way to do advocacy,” said Brandi Buzzard, Kansas cattle rancher and social media influencer. Speakers encouraged attendees to not be afraid to try something new as long as they don’t put down their fellow advocates while doing it. Speakers shared sentiments that doing so creates division between fellow advocates and turns customers off to animal agriculture as a whole.

    Tying into the Alliance’s mission of safeguarding the future of animal agriculture, Thursday morning’s sessions highlighted how we can do just that. On a panel about trends in activism and security resources, Rebecca Morgan of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center told attendees, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure…the most effective measures are often the simplest and least expensive.” Cybersecurity advisor Andrew Rose added that it’s important to remember even the most well-thought-out plans will have holes in them but running through them in advance can help you identify those weak points. In a legal and legislative update session, experts discussed some of the primary issues on the docket and what attendees can do to help. California Proposition 12 and Massachusetts Question 3 were among the issues mentioned. Attorney Brianna Schroeder of Janzen Schroeder Agricultural Law said, “What’s happening on the west coast moves east…stay active and stay in communication with your local legislators.”

    Tricia Sheehan of Dairy Management Inc. and Iowa Soybean Association’s Aaron Putze rounded out the Summit. Sheehan led a crisis communications interactive workshop, which included a realistic and unexpected protest scenario. Sheehan’s team mimicked common tactics used by animal rights extremist organizations to get attendees considering what they would do in a similar scenario. Sheehan walked through the important components of a crisis communications plan and allowed attendees to put it into practice with an interactive example. In his closing keynote, Putze encouraged the audience to take what they’ve learned in the Summit sessions and apply it moving forward with “mindset relationship.” “What we do matters, but more importantly, it’s how we do it that matters,” he said. Putze recommended prioritizing what’s important over what’s urgent with a focus on being courteous, treating others with dignity, and treating others with respect.

    A highlights report with key takeaways and quotes from each session will be available soon at www.animalagalliance.org. Save the date for the 2023 Summit, slated for May 4-5 in Arlington, Virginia! Stay tuned to #AAA23 for updates.

    About the Alliance:

    The Animal Agriculture Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.

    Find the Alliance on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

  • Animal Agriculture Alliance Releases Sustainability Impact Report

    U.S. farmers’ and ranchers’ world-leading sustainability efforts, including the U.S. beef community’s commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2040, the U.S. pork community’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40% by 2030, and the U.S. dairy community’s commitment to achieve GHG neutrality by 2050, are among the significant contributions highlighted in the most recent edition of the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s Sustainability Impact Report.

    Released in advance of Earth Day, the report provides the latest data on the nutritional benefits of meat, milk, poultry, and eggs and details U.S. animal agriculture’s achievements in modern environmental stewardship, animal care, judicious antibiotic use, and food safety. These achievements contribute to reaching the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

    Less than 2% of Americans work on the farms and ranches that produce food options eaten in nearly all American households (for example, 98% of American households purchase meat).  U.S. farmers’ and ranchers’ world-leading modern practices allow them to produce more food today using fewer resources than at any time in the past, serving as a global benchmark for efficiency.

    “Farming and ranching provide the food, fuel and fiber that millions of families around the world depend on,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance vice president, strategic engagement and incoming president and CEO. “This Earth Day, we are taking stock of the animal agriculture community’s remarkable sustainability achievements and our ambitious commitments for the future. The Sustainability Impact Report clearly demonstrates the unique nutrition and food security benefits of meat, milk, poultry, and eggs and the success of efforts to continuously improve animal agriculture’s contributions to a healthy environment.”

    Report highlights include:

    • Nutrient-dense animal proteins are low-calorie and critical sources of essential nutrients. One 3-ounce serving of lean beef takes up less than 10% of a healthy daily calorie allowance while delivering half the daily protein recommended for adults.
    • The U.S. dairy community supplies the protein requirements of more than half the U.S. population and the calcium requirements of 77% of Americans.
    • The U.S. pork community reduced land use by 76% and water use by 25% from 1960 to 2015, producing more pork today with a smaller carbon footprint per pound.

    Furthering these contributions and achievements, the Animal Agriculture Alliance and organizations across animal agriculture also partner through the Protein PACT, the largest-ever effort to strengthen animal protein’s contributions to healthy people, healthy animals, healthy communities, and a healthy environment.

    For more information, including resources and to read the full report, click here.

    About the Alliance:

    The Animal Agriculture Alliance is an industry-united, nonprofit organization that helps bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.

  • Hannah Thompson-Weeman named President and CEO of Animal Agriculture Alliance

    The Animal Agriculture Alliance board of directors has announced that Hannah Thompson-Weeman, currently serving as the Alliance’s vice president, strategic engagement, has been named the organization’s new president and CEO. Thompson-Weeman will assume the role on May 1 prior to the departure of longtime president and CEO Kay Johnson Smith later that month to join the staff of Alliance member organization Dairy MAX, one of the leading regional dairy councils in America representing more than 900 dairy farmers and serving communities in eight states.

    Thompson-Weeman joined the Alliance in 2014 as director of communications and since that time has been promoted to vice president of communications before assuming her current role leading strategic engagement. She has led the Alliance’s issues management, crisis communications, animal rights extremist monitoring and influencer engagement work, as well as played an integral role in connecting with supporters and developing Alliance programs such as the Stakeholders Summit, Animal Ag Allies and College Aggies Online. Thompson-Weeman’s expertise and passion in these areas has made her a sought-after columnist for various publications and speaker for national and even international events, helping to build the Alliance brand. She holds a B.S. in agricultural communication with a minor in agricultural business and an M.S. in agricultural and extension education, both from The Ohio State University.

    “Hannah’s history with the Alliance and energy for taking its mission to new heights make her the ideal choice for both a seamless transition and a bright future for the organization,” said Christina Lood, senior director, sustainability and innovation communications, Zoetis, and current Alliance chairperson. “The board of directors offers Kay the deepest gratitude for her nearly 28 years of commitment to the Alliance. The organization would not be what it is today if it weren’t for her pouring limitless time and energy into growing the Alliance’s resources, team and programs. We wish her all the best in her new role and look forward to continuing to engage with her both personally and professionally.”

    Johnson Smith is departing the Alliance to join longtime Alliance member Dairy MAX as chief operating officer. A nonprofit organization headquartered in Texas and with operations in Colorado, southwest Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, western Oklahoma, and Wyoming, Dairy MAX is part of a nationwide effort to promote dairy, develop new dairy foods, provide educational information and increase consumption.

    “While it is certainly bittersweet to leave the Alliance after so many years, I am looking forward to remaining in the animal agriculture community and continuing to be the Alliance’s strongest advocate, now as part of a member organization,” said Johnson Smith. “The Alliance will be in exceptional hands with Hannah leading a strong team with deep roots at the organization. It has truly been an honor to have served the Alliance, our members and the broader animal agriculture community for all these years, and I’m thrilled to be able to continue to do so in a new role going forward.”

    Thompson-Weeman will begin her new duties just prior to the Alliance’s 2022 Stakeholders Summit, set for May 11-12 in Kansas City. Both Johnson Smith and Thompson-Weeman’s time at the Alliance and new roles will be celebrated during the Chairperson’s Reception at the event. For more information on the Summit, themed “Come Together for Animal Ag: Be Informed, Be Ready, Be Here,” and how to register, visit bit.ly/AAA22Summit.

    About the Alliance:

    The Animal Agriculture Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.

  • “Ag-vocates” to Share Lessons Learned at 2022 Animal Ag Alliance Summit

    Ballot initiatives. Undercover videos. “Pink slime.” Animal agriculture has gone through the ringer when it comes to activist actions and misinformed marketing schemes, subsequently adding a new role for farmers and ranchers who feel compelled to speak up for the community they love. At the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2022 Stakeholders Summit, three rockstar “ag-vocates” will break down how engagement has evolved, share their success stories and discuss what response methods and tactics we should perhaps leave behind as we continue to stand up for our livelihood. Early bird registration rates have been extended through March 16 at bit.ly/AAA22Summit.

    “Just as social media and other communication vessels evolve, so do the best practices for those wanting to connect and engage via those channels,” said Emily Solis, Alliance communications specialist. “Brandi Buzzard, Debbie Lyons-Blythe and Carrie Mess are long-time advocates for agriculture who have tweaked and adapted their methods of communication to earn attention and resonate with the general public – and now, they’re ready to share what they’ve learned with others at the 2022 Summit.”

    Brandi Buzzard has been a passionate agriculture advocate for more than a decade, helping others to share their story. She has spoken on MSNBC, FOX, and CBS addressing issues like conservation, beef sustainability and nutrition. She has also visited the White House and spoken to senior White House officials about agriculture and sustainability. She is currently the director of communications for the Red Angus Association of America and editor of the Red Angus Magazine. Buzzard farms in southeast Kansas with her husband and two daughters.

    Debbie Lyons-Blythe is a cattle rancher in the Flint Hills of Kansas. She and her husband run a registered Angus cowherd as well as a crossbred herd and raise 300 heifers that they sell as bred heifers across the nation. Blythe Family Farms is a founding member of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, and Debbie is the chairman-elect for the organization.

    Carrie Mess is a dairy farmer in Wisconsin, working alongside her husband and his parents. In 2011, she started her “Dairy Carrie” blog to share more about her life on the farm and address common misconceptions about food and agriculture. She now splits her time between being a mom, working on the farm, and sharing what she’s learned about food, agriculture and engaging with consumers.

    The Alliance’s annual Summit brings together thought leaders in the agriculture and food communities to discuss hot-button issues and out-of-the-box ideas to connect everyone along the food chain, engage influencers and protect the future of animal agriculture. The 2022 event, themed “Come Together for Animal Ag: Be Informed, Be Ready, Be Here,” is scheduled for May 11-12 in Kansas City, Missouri. Preconference webinars will be held in the weeks leading up to the main event. In-person and virtual attendance options are both available.

    Be sure to check the Summit website for the most up-to-date information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA22 for periodic updates about the event. For general questions about the Summit, please contact summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-5160.

    The Alliance thanks the following members for their continued support of Summit and other Alliance programs: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Zoetis, Merck Animal Health, C.O.nxt, Diamond V, Genus PLC – PIC/ABS, Aviagen Group, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cargill, Dairy Farmers of America, Hendrix Genetics, Hy-Line North America, LLC, Iowa Soybean Association, Kanas Soybean Commission, Midwest Dairy, National Turkey Federation, Nutrien, Provimi North America, Inc. and Seaboard Foods.

    About the Alliance:

    The Animal Agriculture Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.

    Find the Alliance on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

  • Jack Bobo to Explore at Stakeholders Summit if Animal Ag can Save the Planet

    Jack Bobo, food futurist, author and CEO of Futurity, is slated to speak at the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2022 Stakeholders Summit. In his keynote presentation, Bobo will explore the forces that will shape the future of food. From growing populations and shifting demographics to consumer demands for healthy and sustainable food products, Bobo will examine the trends and attitudes that drive behavior and what organizations and producers can do to get ahead of them. Bobo joins many other noted experts on the Summit agenda, which is now available along with registration details at  bit.ly/AAA22Summit.

    “The topic of sustainable food systems has been huge over the last few years and especially in 2021 with the culmination of the inaugural United Nations Food Systems Summit,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance vice president, strategic engagement. “We’re thrilled to have Jack Bobo provide an informative and energizing session that discusses emerging trends in the food space and how to create the future we want – for ourselves, our businesses, and our planet.”

    Jack Bobo is CEO of Futurity, a food foresight company that advises companies, foundations and governments on emerging food trends, consumer attitudes and behaviors related to the future of food. He is also the author of “Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices.” Recognized by Scientific American in 2015 as one of the 100 most influential people in biotechnology, Bobo is a global thought leader who has delivered more than 500 speeches in 50 countries. He previously served as the chief communications officer and senior vice president for global policy and government affairs at Intrexon Corporation. Prior to joining Intrexon, Bobo worked at the U.S. Department of State for thirteen years as a senior advisor for global food policy. An attorney with a scientific background, Bobo received from Indiana University a J.D., M.S. in environmental science, B.S. in biology and B.A. in psychology and chemistry.

    The Alliance’s annual Summit brings together thought leaders in the agriculture and food communities to discuss hot-button issues and out-of-the-box ideas to connect everyone along the food chain, engage influencers and protect the future of animal agriculture. The 2022 event, themed “Come Together for Animal Ag: Be Informed, Be Ready, Be Here,” is scheduled for May 11-12 in Kansas City, Missouri. Preconference webinars will be held in the weeks leading up to the main event. In-person and virtual attendance options are both available.

    Farmers and ranchers interested in attending the 2022 Summit are invited to enter the Alliance’s Instagram photo and video contest for the chance to win free registration, a two-night hotel stay, and $300 travel stipend. Share a photo or video of you, your farm or ranch and a caption explaining why it’s important for you to “Be Informed, Be Ready, Be Here” in-person in Kansas City. Entries are due by February 7. Full contest details are available at animalagalliance.org/resource/2022-stakeholders-summit-photo-contest/.

    Refer a friend and you could both win $100! If you refer a friend to attend the 2022 Summit who has never attended a previous Summit and they list your name as the person who recommended them when they register for the event, you’ll both be entered in a drawing to win a $100 gift card! Each referral will count as one entry and there is no limit on the number of entries for referrers. All registrations for the in-person event with a referral listed made until online registration closes on May 6 will be entered. Both the referrer and the person referred must be registered to claim the gift card.

    Be sure to check the Summit website for the most up-to-date information. A preliminary agenda has now been posted. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA22 for periodic updates about the event. For general questions about the Summit, please contact summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-5160.

    Get involved:

    Show your support for the Alliance’s outreach efforts by becoming an official Summit sponsor today! For 2022 sponsorship opportunities, please visit animalagalliance.org/initiatives/stakeholders-summit/. For more information, contact Casey Kinler at ckinler@animalagalliance.org.

    About the Alliance:

    The Animal Agriculture Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.

    Find the Alliance on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

  • Animal Agriculture Alliance Virtual Summit to Help Turn “Obstacles to Opportunities”

    Today, the Animal Agriculture Alliance announced that its 2021 Stakeholders Summit, set primarily for May 5-6, will be hosted virtually and themed “Obstacles to Opportunities.” The annual Summit brings top thought leaders in the industry together to discuss hot-button issues and out-of-the-box ideas. In addition to announcing the theme and virtual format for 2021, the Alliance also issued a call for proposals to speak at the event.

    The Summit is a one-of-a-kind conference attended by a diverse group of decision makers, including representatives from farms, ranches, allied industries, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, legislatures, universities, government agencies and media. The 2020 event (also hosted virtually) was the largest yet, attracting 515 attendees from around the world.

    “I think we are all ready to turn the page on the obstacles of 2020 and seek opportunities to ensure a bright future for animal agriculture in 2021 and beyond,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “Our Virtual 2021 Summit will help everyone in the food chain work together toward that goal. We’re excited about building on the smashing success of our 2020 Virtual Summit to host another top-notch virtual event and hopefully set another attendance record.”

    Challenging times. Unprecedented times. Uncertain times. We’re all over the clichés. But we’re far from over the impact COVID-19 and 2020 in general have had on agriculture and the food industry. However, there is hope. With the right tools we can ensure the food chain is stronger than ever. We can use this time to hone our messages, fine-tune our strategies and connect, engage and protect like never before. Now is the time to turn the obstacles of 2020 into opportunities for the decades to come, and 2021 Virtual Summit attendees will leave with the right tools and ideas to do just that.

    “Hosting our Summit virtually is a perfect example of turning an obstacle into an opportunity,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance vice president of communications. “We deeply wish we could host our traditional in-person Summit. Nothing beats the energy of being in a room together sharing our passion for animal agriculture. However, the ongoing public health situation is making that look like an impossibility for May 2021, as the health and safety of our attendees will always be our top priority. While it isn’t our first choice, the virtual setting will allow us to be safe while also making our Summit content accessible to a broader audience.”

    The Alliance is seeking proposals for keynote presentations and panel discussions that fit this theme. Proposals to speak at the event are being accepted through December 31, 2020. For more information, visit the proposal guidelines and form at https://animalagalliance.org/resource/request-for-speakers-2021-stakeholders-summit/. For questions about the speaker proposal process, contact Hannah Thompson-Weeman at hthompson@animalagalliance.org.

    Registration for the Virtual Summit will open in early 2021 and a tentative schedule will be shared at that time. Check the Summit website for the most up-to-date information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA21 for periodic updates about the event on social media. For general questions about the Summit please email summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-5160.

    About the Alliance:

    The Animal Agriculture Alliance is an industry-united, nonprofit organization that helps bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. Weengage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.
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