I’m excited to share an important update that reflects the growing strength and diversity of our USFRA community.
Please join me in welcoming Patrick Giberson of the United Soybean Board and Greg Shoemaker of Cargill to the USFRA Board of Directors. Both bring a wealth of expertise, perspective, and leadership that will be invaluable as we continue to champion U.S. agriculture. You can read more about Pat and Greg in this newsletter, but their participation will help ensure that the voices of farmers and industry leaders are aligned and advancing together.
As we welcome new leaders and partners, USFRA continues to serve as the platform where farmers, ranchers, and the broader food and agriculture value chain come together to collaborate and solve challenges.
Thank you for your continued support.
Kevin Burkum
CEO
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action
USFRA has elected Patrick Giberson of United Soybean Board (USB) and Greg Shoemaker of Cargill to its board of directors. Pat is a fourth-generation farmer growing soybeans, corn, and hay in southern New Jersey. Greg is North America Commercial Director at Cargill, where he leads a 125+ person commercial sales organization.
USB is the national soy checkoff that works to increase return on investment for all U.S. soybean farmers. Whether it’s through researching production practices, working with the supply chain or finding new markets for soy oil and meal both here and abroad. Cargill is a global company that provides food, ingredients, agricultural solutions and industrial products. Cargill partners with farmers and customers to source, make, and deliver products, from eggs to edible oils, salt to skincare, feed to flooring.
USFRA is fortunate to have these ag leaders on its board.
USFRA’s board of directors is a group of leaders who not only guide the organization but embody the spirit and innovation of American agriculture every day. They bring expertise, passion, and a collaborative spirit that drives USFRA forward.
In this video, Vice Chair Chip Bowling of the Maryland Grain Producers explains how he and USFRA help educate and inform key stakeholders about agriculture, including by hosting a recent demonstration on his farm for the Make America Healthy Again Commission, among others.
The fourth webinar in USFRA’s series on advancing farmer profitability and resilience while reducing greenhouse gas emissions will explore the challenges and opportunities of energy use and efficiency. It will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 9, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. CT.
Speakers include Dr. Tom Richard of the Global Council for Science and the Environment; Dr. Marty Matlock of the University of Arkansas; Marilyn Hershey, a Pennsylvania dairy farmer, chair of Dairy Management Inc. and USFRA board member; and Doug Berven, vice president of corporate affairs at POET, also a USFRA board member.
USFRA launched the five-part webinar series in April, focusing on the key findings from USFRA’s peer-reviewed report, “Potential for U.S. Agriculture to Be Greenhouse Gas Negative,” which was published late last year.
If you’ve missed any of the first three previous webinars, you’re able to view them online:
– The Challenges and Opportunities in Nitrogen Management: Click here.
– The Challenges and Opportunities in Soil Carbon Sequestration: Click here.
– The Challenges and Opportunities in Animal Protein Production: Click here.
If you are a farmer or rancher, can you give 10 minutes so your perspective is included in a global survey on regenerative agriculture?
USFRA is teaming up with research firm Edelman DXI to better understand what regenerative agriculture means for you and your operation. It doesn’t matter whether you’re using regenerative practices, not sure what regenerative agriculture is, or not convinced it applies to your farm. Your input in this anonymous survey will help improve understanding and practical realities.
USFRA is co-hosting an interactive, multi-stakeholder event as part of Climate Week NYC, “Farmers, Our Food and Our Future.” The event will focus on proposing actionable inputs and priorities for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil later this year.
USFRA will join with Bayer, HowGood, Clim-Eat, 4SDFoundation, Cornell Hudson Valley ResearchLaboratory and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development for the event, which will include a field visit to Hudson Valley Sept. 21, followed by a roundtable discussion on Sept. 24. The dialogue will ensure that emerging propositions are rooted in reality and practice, with farmers at the center.
By Tom Steever
of South Dakota Soybean Check-off
Soybean demand comes from a variety of sources, but aside from livestock feed, biodiesel and other soy bio-based fuels are among the top demand drivers for soybean oil. Soy-based biofuels collectively are an essential market for soybean growers.
USFRA’s podcast, Farm+Food+Facts, draws thousands of listeners and is recognized as one of the top podcasts that explore sustainable food systems. This month’s episodes:
Jacqi Coleman, senior vice president of Sustainability Partnerships and Stewardship, and Bridgett Hilshey, senior director of Sustainability Projects, both of Dairy Management Inc., discuss the Dairy Conservation Navigator, a free online platform that consolidates science-based information about dairy conservation topics and the practices and technologies that reduce a farm’s environmental footprint. Listen HERE.
Sept 9: USFRA Webinar Series: Challenges and Opportunities in Energy and Energy Use Efficiency
Sept 21-28: Climate Week NYC
Oct. 14-15: Transform Food & Agriculture USA 2025
Nov. 10-21: United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30)
