Playing a critical role, American farmers are stepping up to help solve global hunger

Noah Buscher/Upsplash

StatePoint Media -- With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, supply chain problems stemming from the global pandemic, and the world struggling under escalating inflation and a rapidly changing climate, the global hunger crisis has reached new levels.

Every night, more than 800 million people go to bed hungry, with the number of severely food-insecure people more than doubling from 135 million before COVID-19 to 345 million today, according to the World Food Program. At the same time, American agricultural exports of farm and food products shattered records in 2021 to total $177 billion, according to the USDA, demonstrating the instrumental role American farmers play in the U.S. economy, and in feeding the world.

"It’s more important than ever that the United States continues to lead globally to protect food systems abroad and our citizens at home from supply chain disruptions and rising prices," said Dan Glickman, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Senior Advisor at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. "As we face growing threats and crises on the global stage from wars, drought, climate change and food insecurity, farmers are part of the solution and will play a key role helping to save lives."

This is the driving idea behind a newly-launched initiative: Farmers for Prosperity. This network of agribusiness leaders is committed to U.S. global engagement by harnessing American resources to feed the world. Convened by the USGLC, Farmers for Prosperity will also shine a spotlight on both the role farmers play in solving critical global issues, and on why U.S. global leadership is essential to protect the security, health and economic interests of American families.

The launch of Farmers for Prosperity recently took place at USGLC’s Heartland Summit, hosted in Minnetonka, Minnesota, West Lafayette, Indiana, and Wichita, Kansas. The Summit, an annual event, convenes leaders this year from across the heartland with the aim of unpacking how strategic investments in agriculture, digital technology and global development help create jobs, feed the hungry, reduce poverty and keep America safe. Advocates are highlighting this year’s biggest takeaways:

• When communities are food insecure, it can lead to instability, slowing economic growth, perpetuating conflict, impacting child development and worsening malnutrition. Working with partners around the world, American farmers can help feed the world and save lives.

• U.S. leadership on the global stage is vital to advancing national economic and security interests, and agriculture is a part of that equation. Farmers have unique and important views on what it takes for the United States and the world to prosper, making it important for them to help shape foreign policy by educating policymakers on the challenges on the ground.

• Ensuring that American farmers have access to developing and emerging markets around the world is critical for the domestic economy. U.S. agricultural exports support over 1.3 million jobs on the farm and in related industries such as food processing and transportation.

To watch the 2022 Heartland Summit or learn more about Farmers for Prosperity, visit heartland.usglc.org

"Farmers around the world are not all that different. Together, they grow the food that sustains communities. At a time of global crisis, American farmers can lead the effort to tackle hunger and food insecurity," says Glickman.

Shike wins national title, Unity's FFA teams make their mark

Olivia Shike poses with her gold medal at the 2021 National Agriscience Fair. Photo courtesy Rich McCabe

Unity FFA member Olivia Shike won the national title in the Animal Systems division at the 2021 National Agriscience Fair in Indianapolis.

The fair was held in conjunction with the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo in October. The annual Agriscience Fair encourages the use of scientific principles and emerging technologies by students to investigate complex issues related to agriculture, food, and natural resources. The competition starts at the local level and progresses to the state and ultimately to the national level each year.

Shike's project, which studied the effects of trace mineral injections on the conception rates of cows, also included submitting a 14-page research paper and creating a display detailing her research. "She started her agriscience fair project in the fall of 2020 and has progressed through the local and state judging rounds," according to Unity High School Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor Rich McCabe. One of three finalists at the national level, her research project was chosen as the best, beating out student researchers from South Dakota and Wyoming.

Shike, a sophomore who also runs cross country for the Rockets, was named National Agriscience National winner in Divison 3.

"Olivia was obviously excited to be named the national champion for her agriscience fair project," McCabe said.

Unity's FFA program's Farm Agribusiness and Management team also earned recognition at the national competition. Phillip Hartke, Delaney Kamradt, and Emma Felsman earned Gold Awards and Destiny Williamson earned a Silver Award. As a team, the group representing Unity finished in 8th place overall nationally.

Unity FFA Agribusiness team. Photo courtesy Rich McCabe

The National FFA Farm Agribusiness and Management Career Development Event (CDE) tests the ability of student FFA members to analyze farm and ranch management that challenge modern-day operations by using sound economic principles and agribusiness concepts. In addition to undergoing a problem-solving test, students must answer questions specific to economic principles in farm management.

"The Farm and Agribusiness Management team had to study through the summer and take a very detailed test for over three hours reading a variety of financial statements," McCabe explained.

Unity's Horse Evaluation team also placed at the national event.

"The horse evaluation team members qualified last fall and have been working on and off ever since," McCabe said. "The horse evaluation competition involves delivering a set of oral reasons for their placing to a judge. Some of the members of our team are very shy and I am proud of them for stepping out of their comfort zone."

Olivia Shike, Emma Aders, and Rachel Aders received Gold Awards for their effort, and Marie Baxley brought home a Silver Award from the National FFA Horse Evaluation CDE.

The Unity Horse Evaluation Team ... Photo courtesy Rich McCabe

The horse evaluation event tests each student's ability to select and evaluate horses based on breed characteristics, conformation and performance. Students look at eight selection classes, four performance classes, four sets of oral reasons, and two sets from each evaluation class. Teams also work together to give a presentation to defend their decisions before a panel of expert judges.

"I am extremely proud of the students' accomplishments," McCabe said. "The farm and agribusiness management and horse evaluation teams were thrilled to be named as gold teams.

"This is the first time any of them has participated in a national contest, and they didn't know what to expect. We would have loved to be in the top four and receive the results during the on-stage recognition, but placing gold is the next best opportunity."

IDOA cover crops discount application now available

Applications for the Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program became available online yesterday. Funding of eligible acreage will be on a first come, first serve basis according to a press release from the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA).

This year, applicants will be required to certify that their cover crops are approved through their local Farm Service Agency office before applying. Applicants will also need their current FSA-578 and federal crop insurance policy number(s) for the 2021 application process which can be downloaded here. Applications will be available until January 15, 2021.

The goal of the program is to encourage farmers to plant additional acres of cover crops that are not covered by other state or federal incentives. It allows eligible farm operations to receive a premium discount of $5 per acre on the following year's crop insurance for every acre of cover crop enrolled and verified in the program. The program is only applicable for those with coverage through the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency (USDA-RMA) crop insurance program.

"Cover crops are a great way to keep soil anchored, salvage nitrogen, capture carbon and create weed suppression," said Jerry Costello II, IDOA Acting Director in September. "In the long run, cover crops will help Illinois farmers reduce the need for fertilizer and reach the goals of the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy."

The discount program debut last year to promote additional acres of cover crops that are not covered by other state or federal incentives. The IDOA will to verify that acres applied for through this program are planted in cover crops.

Confirmed applications will be forwarded to the USDA-RMA for processing and for application of premium discounts to 2021 crop insurance invoices.

For more information interested parties can contact IDOA at (217) 782-6297.