The Southwest NAMA Chapter hosted NAMA Day at the State Fair of Texas on October 11.  Chevrolet and the Chapter invited NAMA members to a VIP event in Chevy Town Square at the Fair. The event kicked off with the opportunity to test drive cars that many of the State Fair public didn’t have access to, including Camaro Convertible, Cruze Eco, Silverado 2500 HD, Sonic, and their new electric car – the Volt.

Following the test drives, attendees enjoyed food and drink while listening to Chevy representatives share information about their program that takes cars to public events, allowing consumers to become more familiar with their cars without the pressure of test driving in a retail environment.

The Agri-Business Educational Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is pleased to announce that Charleston/Orwig is the first to make a major contribution to the Foundation’s recently developed fundraising program targeting Ag advertising agencies — A.S.A.P. (Agencies Supporting ABEF Programs). The $5,000 initial gift will be used to help support ABEF college student scholarships, the National Student NAMA Marketing Competition, and other programs benefiting students and young professionals in ag marketing. “We’re very pleased to play a part in helping this Foundation that continues to support so many in the ag marketing industry,” said Lyle Orwig, Charleston/Orwig CEO.

Mick Sibbel, Chair of the Board of Trustees for ABEF, commented, “The A.S.A.P. initiative was developed to bring ag ad agencies together to build financial support while becoming advocates for ABEF. Charleston/Orwig’s commitment to the program is a great first step.”

Agencies who sign up for A.S.A.P. follow certain guidelines in support of ABEF. In addition to an unrestricted gift to the Foundation ($500 to $100,000), agencies agree to provide information about ABEF to clients, employees, and suppliers, asking for their financial support of the Foundation. Agencies may also match employee contributions.

“We’re challenging all other ag marketing and advertising agencies to join us with A.S.A.P. We truly need to develop the next leaders in ag. ABEF is great way to do so,” states Orwig.

Interested agencies can get more information about ABEF and A.S.A.P. by contacting Michael Gustafson, Deer’s Landing Communications, at 217-251-3659 ([email protected]) or Jenny Pickett at the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) office at 913-491-6500 ([email protected]).

ABOUT ABEF

Established in 1991 by members of the National Agri-Marketing Association. ABEF – the Agribusiness Educational Foundation – is a 501(c))3 non-profit foundation with the mission to help provide financial support, learning opportunities, and professional networking experience to students and entry-level employees in marketing and communications for agri-business.

We do this by working exclusively with and through the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA), the nation’s largest professional association for professionals in marketing and Agri-business. With our focus on NAMA and NAMA Student Chapters, we can provide college scholarships, financially support a national Student Marketing Competition, provide materials and seminars for leadership training, and offer support and guidance for internships, all with a primary focus on the business of agriculture.

ABOUT ABEF VISION2020

VISION2020 is a new initiative that seeks to raise up to $4 million over the next 10 years for college student scholarships, student and young professional development programs, and support of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) Student Program. Funding may also be made available for outreach to high school juniors and seniors, promoting careers in Ag business, marketing and communications.

Much of American agriculture is dependent on international trade. What does this mean for the future if the ag industry in our country? NAMA Trends in Agriculture explored that issue with a panel that included Tom Dorr, the President and CEO of the U.S. Grains Council. Dorr shared his thoughts on what solid export policy for the U.S. should look like.

NAMA Trends in Agriculture examined that issue with a panel that included Dan Basse, President of AgResources, who talked about the state of export markets going forward.

NAMA Trends in Agriculture also delved into that issue with a panel that included Bailey Ragan, Vice President, Grain, Biofuels and Fertilizer for Bunge North America, who talked about how the shape of U.S. infrastructure will determine progress and success in our export future.

Day two of 2011 NAMA Trends in Agriculture kicked off with a discussion of Productivity in the Field, with a panel of producers and growers sharing their thoughts on what they use now and what they will need to stay ahead of the curve. Theran Null works for Gages Fertilizer and Grain in northwest Missouri. Debbie Lyons-Blythe is a cattle rancher and blogger in the Flint Hills of Kansas and Terry Jones farms 7,000 acres in eastern Iowa and owns and operates Circle J Grain.

A growing wave of food insecurity threatens more than 1 billion people around the world. Solutions exist today to help meet food needs. Jeff Simmons, President, Elanco, talked about the real issue we have today is feeding ourselves and how techology can play a major role in accomplishing that.

The second panel of 2011 Trends in Agriculture dealt with Trends in Energy and Alternative Fuels. Dr. Matt Roberts, an Associate Professor of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics at Ohio State University was one of the panelists. Dr. Roberts talked about the short- and long-term economic future for ethanol.

The other member of the Energy and Alternative Fuels panel was Nathan Schock, Public Service Director for POET. He shared some insight on what government’s role in the ethanol industry will be moving forward.

Paul Burton kicked off 2011 NAMA Trends in Agriculture in Kansas City this afternoon. He’s a nationally recognized authority on productivity and the challenges facing today’s busy executives and professionals.