USMEF members meet in New Orleans

By Jessica Clowser, USMEF Intern

Greetings from Denver! Today marks the completion of my second week interning at the U.S. Meat Export Federation and what an exciting two weeks it has been! Moving to a new city and starting a new internship definitely brought on some nervous/exciting energy, but thus far, my experience has been amazing. Personally, I believe Denver combines exciting city life with people who are still down to earth.

My first week with USMEF was highlighted by a trip to New Orleans. USMEF hosted their Board of Directors Meeting and Product Showcase May 23-25 in the Big Easy. Having the opportunity to travel and participate was an amazing experience. Meeting USMEF’s directors and staff from their global offices located in Japan, Russia, Hong Kong, South America, and Europe was a thrill; I have never really been exposed to so many different backgrounds and cultures.+

View of New Orleans skyline from the river cruise.

Traveling to New Orleans was an adventure. My flight had a two hour delay at the gate in Denver due to some mechanical issue. But a silver lining emerged; ironically the gentleman sitting next to me pulled out his National Hog Farmer magazine and we began discussing the upcoming meetings in New Orleans to pass the time. Unfortunately, after arriving to the hotel, we came across another road block; the hotel’s computer system was completely down, preventing us from checking into our rooms.

Kelsey and I on the river cruise boat.

Nonetheless, USMEF planned a fabulous river boat cruise Wednesday night on the Mississippi River. Everyone boarded the Creole Queen from the river-walk dock near the hotel and indulged in a night of great food and socializing. It was awesome to see such a great turnout from Nebraska. During the reception, I was able to mingle and network with many other attendees from multiple countries and organizations. After docking, we were able to finally check into our rooms, so the night ended on great note! :)

Thursday’s schedule primarily consisted of meetings. Different trade groups met representing, pork, beef, and feedgrains. I attended and took notes for USMEF during the “Feedgrains and Oilseeds Caucus,” where supply and demand, land prices, and environmental stewardship were all discussed. However, I found the most interesting topic on the agenda to be the possibility of Japan opening its boarders to U.S. beef over 30 months of age. USMEF’s staff from the Japan office outlined their strategy and tactics to introduce this market to Japanese consumers. There is tremendous potential in this market; being from the “Beef State,” I know Nebraska’s beef producers will be at the forefront of this opportunity.

Senior V.P. Export Services Paul Clayton

explaining the difference between USDA

Prime, Upper 2/3 Choice, Low Choice, and Select.

Also on Thursday, I assisted staff with different taste panels for teams from South America, Asia, and Russia. They were given samples of lamb from the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand and asked to differentiate which sample came from the three different countries. Everyone came to the conclusion U.S. lamb is the most tender and has the best taste. Next we conducted another taste panel for beef. The teams were given samples of U.S. Prime, Upper two-thirds Choice, Low Choice, and Australian Grass-Fed. Once again, everyone agreed U.S. Prime was the best.

Even though there was limited free time, I did find time to explore some of the more popular sites in New Orleans.  Kelsey and I went to Café du Monde in the French Quarter where we indulged in Beignets.  Thursday evening, we ate Cajun food at LeBayou with Mark and Suzanne Jagels and explored the sites, sounds, and smells of Bourbon Street.

Beignets at Cafe du Monde!

New Orleans was amazing!  Working behind the scenes and participating in the meetings was a great introduction to USMEF and its membership.  I thoroughly enjoyed assisting staff members with any task along with networking with producers and industry leaders.

My duties in the office throughout the summer will include a variety of tasks; however, my main project will be putting together a Pork Variety Meat booklet for our exporters and importers.  A similar booklet was put together for beef through a joint effort with the Colorado Beef Council. I have compiled a list of the various variety meats, and will write descriptions where they can be found anatomically in the animal, order product, and travel to CSU to arrange the product for the photographer. 

This is an exciting time to be in agriculture; U.S. agriculture is at the forefront of feeding the world with high quality, dependable beef, pork, and lamb products. As a livestock producer, it is truly a privilege to work for an organization whose sole purpose is to put “U.S. meat on the world’s table.”

The U.S. Meat Export Federation is hosting Jessica Clowser of Seward, Neb., as their first summer intern supported by a partnership between the Nebraska Corn Board and USMEF. Jessica graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in December 2012 with a B.S. in Animal Science and recently returned from a semester internship with Nebraska Senator Mike Johanns in Washington, D.C. In Denver, Jessica will be assisting with promotions and international relationship opportunities.

New intern update!

My name is Melisa Konecky and I’m the new intern here at the Nebraska Corn Board in the Lincoln office.  I have the unfortunate task of trying to replace Lance, who did a fantastic job except for the fact that he forgot to bring brownies for the office after he promised (but eventually did – ha ).

I was born and raised on my family’s registered dairy cow, crop, and hay farm near Wahoo. So I spent my early years pretty much doing chores and getting into trouble. I spent my summers mowing hay, milking cows, and showing cows and that’s the way I liked it. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school, after I attended the Nebraska Agriculture Youth Institute, that I realized I had a passion for agriculture and that I wanted to be involved with it in my future. So I decided to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to study Animal Science and Ag Leadership, where I just finished up my junior year. In the future I have a crazy idea that I might go to Law School and study Ag Law but who knows.

While my main passion is cows I realized that I wanted to know more about other agriculture industries in Nebraska to prepare myself to defend our Number 1 industry in this state. So I got myself involved in all kinds of stuff; a dairy ambassador, Pork mentoring, Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council, 4-H ambassador, and numerous other things. I’ve learned so much through these great programs and gained so many experiences and connections that they led me to this internship.  

I’m really excited and thankful for the opportunity to learn about and represent the 23,000  corn farmers in Nebraska. So far I’ve worked about a week and I’ve loved every minute of it! I’ve already went to check out a possible new ethanol educational display at the Children’s Museum, went on day long farm tours with some high school kids, and of course done LOTS of paperwork . I can’t wait to see what we can do for the great corn farmers in this state, especially with the potential new resources. J

I’m going to leave you with a few fun (slightly embarrassing) facts.

-          A 1300 lb cow doesn’t scare me but a mouse or snake will make me run far, far away

-          I do have a slight love for Justin Bieber,

-          My last name is pronounced Kon –et-skee for all you non bohunks out there

My Capital Commencement

By James Keating, U.S. Grains Council Intern

Adapting to a fresh environment far from home takes a certain kind of fortitude. Yesterday was my first day interning at the U.S. Grains Council and only my second day in the District of Columbia.  Although I am just removed from four months abroad in Latin America, D.C. is a different kind of beast; it is extremely easy to be intimidated by the complexity of the situation. For example, the metro is the only legitimate means of transportation for anyone non-local into the city, and the outlandish cost of living forces subtle poor students like me to the margins of the metropolitan area, thus making for a long commute. Not to mention, when all is said and done I will be 7 months removed from home.

Despite any intimidation or lack of comfort, I am well on my way to the independence I desire and I am definitely experiencing a honeymoon period with our nation’s capital. I have been spending any of my free time mastering the metro and exploring my neighborhood of Fairfax, I have yet to see any nationally recognizable monuments even though I can literally see the Capitol from my office. There will be plenty of time for exploration, but for now it is essential I get settled into my living and working situations. George Mason University (which is across from my townhouse) is satisfying enough for my exploration needs, at least for my first week.

As for the Grains Council, I have to admit my honeymoon period has a lot to do with the people in my office. Although I have only been here one day, the people have been unbelievably great to me and I earnestly believe in their open door gestures. While the office has many different personalities, they have all made me feel at home already and I am comfortable working with any of them formally, informally, and socially although it has only been one day.

As for my duties, I have just only begun to learn the ropes, thus I have only mastered small office duties like the copy machine and processing invoices, but soon I will be doing all sorts of things I could only of imagined about. As a international studies minor I am ecstatic about one opportunity in particular, in August I will be coordinating (in large part, by myself) a trade team from Japan which will include not only hosting them but educating them on grain production in the United States which will include various tours and meetings. Various other responsibilities will be assigned to me as worker confidence grows, but I earnestly just want to make everyone’s job here easier whether directly or indirectly.

Even though it has only been a short time, I already have subtle experiences I struggle to put into words, like Robert Brault said “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”

The U.S. Grains Council is hosting James Keating of Ogallala, Neb., as their first summer intern supported by a partnership between the Nebraska Corn Board and USGC. David is a senior in political science at the University of Nebraska – Kearney. He will be working with policy, assisting with international trade teams and helping to develop promotions and international relations.

New interns broaden scope of Nebraska Corn Board programs

The Nebraska Corn Board is supporting five internships starting this summer. Three of these interns are part of a new program in partnership with cooperators of the Nebraska Corn Board (NCB).

The new interns will be hosted by national cooperators of NCB: National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) in St. Louis, MO, the U.S. GrainsCouncil (USGC) in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) in Denver, CO. The internship program in the NCB office in Lincoln and the National Corn Growers Association intern in Washington, D.C. are programs that have been in place for several years.

“Nebraska has been a leader in providing quality interns for the NCGA Washington, D.C. internship, so it was no surprise that our other cooperators took advantage of the opportunity to receive interns from Nebraska,” said Don Hutchens, executive director for the Nebraska Corn Board. “Our board has witnessed the educational and career advantage that internships provide and regard the sponsorship of internships as an investment into Nebraska’s agricultural future. Plus, it is just good work experience for these Nebraska students.”

The NCB office in Lincoln welcomed Melisa Konecky of Wahoo, Neb. for a year-long internship. Melisa will be a senior in animal science and agriculture leadership at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. As part of her internship, she will oversee crop progress report placement, contribute to communication and market development programs and help with education and promotion activities.

The National Corn Growers Association office in Washington, D.C. will host David Bresel of Lincoln, Neb., as their summer intern supported by a partnership between NCB and NCGA. David is a student in at the University of Nebraska College of Law. He will be involved with a variety of issues related to environmental regulations, transportation, free trade agreements, biotechnology, ethanol and energy.

The National Corn Growers Association headquarters office in St. Louis will host Sandra Kavan of Wahoo, Neb., as their first summer intern supported by a partnership between NCB and NCGA. Sandra will be a senior in agribusiness at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. She will be assisting with membership and communication programs, as well as participating in committee meetings.

The U.S. Grains Council will host James Keating of Ogallala, Neb., as their first summer intern supported by a partnership between NCB and USGC. James is a senior in political science at the University of Nebraska – Kearney. He will be working with policy, assisting with international trade teams and helping to develop promotions and international relations.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation will host Jessica Clowser of Seward, Neb., as their first summer intern supported by a partnership between NCB and USMEF.  Jessica graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in December 2011 with a B.S. in animal science and recently returned from a semester internship with Nebraska Senator Mike Johanns in Washington, D.C. In Denver, Jessica will be assisting with promotions and international relationship opportunities.

Summer Olympic Trials - by Curt Tomasevicz

This is one of my favorite times of the 4-year Olympic cycle. It’s approximately 620 days until the Opening Ceremonies in Sochi, Russia for the winter Olympics I hope to take part in. But it’s only about 60 days until the Opening Ceremonies in London for the summer games. The Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs where I train is electric. With the vast majority of the athletes at the training center being summer athletes, it’s easy to see the anticipation growing. For most, this time period of competition is more important than the actual Olympics. This is make or break. To some, these trials will determine if all the sacrifices of the past years have been worth it. I’m fortunate to be able to watch as an outsider and absorb the buzz and excitement knowing that my time will come in just under two years when the winter Olympic trials take place.

Some sports like triathlon, shooting, and wrestling have just completed their Olympic team trials. They know who will be going to London and who will either retire or try again in four years. It’s sometimes easy to pick out those going to London by the look on their faces. It’s a combination of excitement, eagerness, and relief. Other athletes carry a look of discouragement because they simply fell short of their goal.

Some sports like track and field and swimming will have their trials in the next few weeks. These athletes are a little on edge and are extra cautious in everything they do. It would be horrible if they experienced some freak accident that would keep them out of their team trails. So they spend their time training and recovering with no extracurricular golfing or pickup basketball games. They take all precautions necessary to avoid getting sick at the wrong times. I urge all Nebraska farmers to take a few days out of the field and go to Omaha at the end of June to watch the swim trials and see the emotional effort by all the athletes. You’ll see what I mean. The swimmers’ effort and drive is contagious and inspirational.

Some see it as unavoidable, but I don’t like how some athletes can define their career as a success or a failure simply if they made an Olympic team or not. Yes, I’ll admit that the Olympics can change a person’s life in some ways but they cannot (and should not) change who a person is. My heart goes out to those athletes that don’t make their goal, but life is about setting a series of goals and going for the next one. Those that don’t make it should never use the word failure to describe their effort. There is success in learning the life lessons that come with competing in sports, especially at the highest level. It may take time to realize this, but there are more important things in life.

So as the next few weeks determine who will compete for the USA in London, I would like to congratulate all the athletes that gave their best effort to make their goals. To those that made it, I wish you the best and I know you’ll compete proudly for your country. To those athletes that may be forced to watch at home with the rest of us, I hope you hold your head high and know that by your effort, you’ve shaped your character to be the person you will be long after the London games have been forgotten.

Meet Nebraska Corn Board Director, Curt Friesen

Curt Friesen represents District 3 for the Nebraska Corn Board and has been serving as a director on the board since 2008. He is also serving as the current secretary-treasurer of the board as well. Curt has over 35 years of experience operating and managing his farm near Henderson and is fourth generation farmer in Hamilton County. He and his wife, Nancy, raise white corn, yellow corn, and soybeans on irrigated land. They utilize gravity, pivot, and drip irrigation systems to increase yields while also conserving water that comes from the Ogallala aquifer.

Curt has been very active in the agriculture industry in local, state, and national organizations. He is a graduate of the Nebraska LEAD XXVII (27) program and is now an alumnus. Locally, he has represented agriculture by serving on the Hamilton County Groundwater Conservation District, Blue River Association of Groundwater Conservation Districts, Upper Big Blue Natural Resource District, and is currently the chairman of the Hamilton County Corn Growers Association. On the state level along with serving on the Corn Board, Curt has been part of the League of Nebraska Municipalities, Senator Stuhr’s Advisory Committee, Governor’s Water Policy Task Force, and a member of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. Not only has Curt represented agriculture in Nebraska, but he has also represented agriculture on the national level by serving on Congressman Tom Osborn’s Ag Advisory Committee and currently serving on the National Corn Growers Association’s Public Policy Action Team.

Curt’s role in agriculture has been tremendous, but has also been very active in his local community. He is the former mayor of Henderson, served on the Henderson City Council and is a former volunteer firefighter with Henderson Fire and Rescue. Curt is currently part of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson.

Curt has been married to his wife Nancy for 36 years and they have three married daughters; Shannon and husband Travis of Omaha, NE; Kori and husband Jason of Atascadero, CA; and Tiffany and husband JR of Washington D.C.; and a son, Neal, who is also from Washington D.C. Curt and Nancy are the proud grandparents to five grandkids.

Reaching Energy Independence

By Kim Clark, ag program manager for the Nebraska Corn Board

“And I’m proud to be an American,

where at least I know I’m free.

And I won’t forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.”  -Lee Greenwood

Did you ever think these words would be so true.  Memorial Day is a day to remember those that have served our country and fought for the freedom we have today.  Some of those soldiers never returned home to their loved ones.  They died serving our country.  For what? – our independence! 

What does independence mean to you?  Is it your freedom of religion, choice, speech, right to bear arms? 

The definition of independence according to the Microsoft Encarta Dictionary is: “Freedom from control: freedom from independence on or control by another person, organization, or state.”  This independence includes energy independence. 

Energy independence is reducing our dependency on imported oil-the oil that some of our soldiers are protecting overseas.  Last year, 13.9 billion gallons of ethanol displaced 485 million barrels of imported oil.   According to the Energy Information Administration, each day, the US imports over 8.9 million barrels of crude oil of which 4 million barrels are from OPEC countries, but this number is decreasing with ethanol fuel.  Of the oil imported, 71% is used for transportation. 

The best and easiest way to reached energy independence is to take advantage of our home-grown, renewable fuel produced right here in United States-ethanol.  Nebraska is the second largest producer of ethanol, about 2 billion gallons each year. 

There are over 120,000 flex fuel vehicles (FFV) in Nebraska that can use up to 85% ethanol fuel and this number is increasing each day.  FFV owners have a choice at the pump.  This choice reduces the amount of crude oil the US needs to import each year.   Even if you don’t drive a FFV, you can still fill up your gasoline vehicle with E10-a blend of 10% ethanol.   You, too, can reduce the US foreign oil dependency.

Energy independence reduces our dependence on imported oil, creates thousands of jobs, contributes to local, state and federal tax revenue, increases household income, reduces the price at the pump, and more.

As you remember the Memorial Day and the reason for the holiday, you can help the US achieve energy independence by filling up with ethanol fuel.  

Podcast: RFS has done a lot to diversify fuel supply, reduce oil imports

This podcast features Dan Wesely, a farmer from Morse Bluff and member of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, discussing the Renewable Fuels Standard, or RFS.

The Energy Independence and Security Act became law five years ago, Wesely said. The act included an expanded Renewable Fuel Standard and built on the progress made by the 2005 Energy Policy Act, the first comprehensive energy legislation the nation saw in more than a decade.

"These energy independence acts are important, and the RFS is a key component and has done a lot to diversify our fuel supply and reduce oil imports," Wesley said. "In fact, the production and use of 13.9 billion gallons of ethanol last year helped reduce the need for imported oil by 485 million barrels. That saved us nearly $50 billion in oil imports."

He also noted that American-made ethanol contributed more volume to our fuel supply than the gasoline refined from oil imports from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and other OPEC nations.

Nebraska Corn Kernel podcasts are also available on iTunes! Click here to subscribe.

Take a look at the corn nook

The University of Nebraska–Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) campus in Curtis, Neb., saw four new facilities open in the last year – an education center, an addition to the veterinary hospital, a residence hall and a biomass project.

These new facilities will benefit all NCTA students and Nebraska agriculture as a whole, just as NCTA has benefited the state (and world) since it founding in 1968.

The Nebraska Corn Board played a role in the
transformation of the NCTA campus by being the first major agriculture organization donor. In response, the Corn Board was allowed to leave its mark on a small area – nook – in the education center. The area will include tables and seating for students and visitors.

Highlighted by "theCORNer," the nook includes images of Nebraska farm families sharing some of the Nebraska Corn Board's Sustaining Innovation messages. The families represented and messages are designed to be changed out every few years to keep the area up-to-date.

On the additional wall are two hands (see below), with one handing a kernel of corn to the other. The line of text is "Raising The Bar For The Next Generation Of Nebraska Agriculture."

Click on any image to enlarge.

Corn messages 'delivered' to Berkshire Hathaway meeting

Those making the annual pilgrimage to the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting in Omaha earlier this month may have caught sight of a delivery truck wrapped with Sustaining Innovation messages.

The truck is part of the Nebraska Corn Board's Sustaining Innovation program, which shares information about how corn farmers have an unwavering commitment to doing a better job in every row, on every acre, on every farm, every season. It’s how family corn farmers in Nebraska and the nation are ensuring the long-term viability of their industry and our natural resources.

There will be several trucks with different corn-related messages in Omaha this summer, and you may even spot one in Lincoln should the delivery route include a trip down I-80.

Another special event scheduled for a truck to "hang around" is the College World Series, which is scheduled to begin June 15 in downtown Omaha.