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ASA
farmer-leaders are often asked to serve as spokespersons in
addressing environmental and regulatory issues on behalf of
soybean producers. The ASA/Dow
AgroSciences Environmental Leadership Training Program helps
prepare farmer-leaders for this important role.
Part I of the Environmental Leadership Training Program
took place in January 2006 in Washington, D.C. This year's class
included Randy DeSutter (IL), ASA Vice President; Gerry
Hayden (KY) immediate Past President, Kentucky Soybean
Association; Alan Kemper (IN), ASA Director; Bob Metz
(SD), ASA President; Rob Joslin (OH), ASA
Director; Neil Caskey, ASA Director of Industry Relations;
Ted McKinney, Dow AgroSciences; and Mark Palmer,
ASA Washington Representative.
The group kicked off Part I with a dinner and lively discussion on
the Endangered Species Act with the CropLife America Oversight
Council. Participants also met with the Biotechnology
Industry Organization (BIO) to discuss environmental contributions
biotech crops have made over the past ten years.
Other meetings included the Environmental Protection Agency, the
Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association,
and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.
At
the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, discussion focused on
coarse particulate matter.
Randy DeSutter noted, "This
discussion was very timely and helpful as I was recently asked to
testify at an EPA hearing in Chicago on clean air rules regulating
particulate matter."
"The Environmental Leadership Program gives all of us a broader
appreciation of issues facing our industry," said Rob Joslin. "In
addition, it helps us identify opportunities where farm groups can
work together to implement policy to the benefit of our
memberships."
The group traveled to Capitol Hill on their last day to discuss
the Conservation Title of the Farm Bill with staff from the House
Agriculture Committee.
ASA President Bob Metz summed up the experience saying, "The
Environmental Leadership Training Program is key to
maintaining a team of well-informed soybean leaders to speak on
important environmental issues. We thank Dow AgroSciences
for sponsoring this valuable program."
For
more information, contact ASA Corporate Relations Manager Kathy
Grunz at 314-754-1301 or
kgrunz@soy.org.
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