Thanks to Our 2015 Sporting Clays Challenge Sponosors
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The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Bug Blocker Doors & Screens
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McCarthy Drops Out Of House Speaker Race, WI's Ryan Pressured To Run
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 In a shocking move, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., pulled out of the race for Speaker of the House last week. He was believed to be the favorite to succeed current speaker, John Boehner.
Boehner's exit announcement last month left open the top spot in the House, along with the majority leader and whip positions. The official election for House speaker - which is voted on by the full House - had been originally scheduled for the end of the month. Boehner, said he would stay on in the job until there is a replacement.
House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan, R-WI., is under heavy pressure from colleagues to run for speaker. However, he has already issued a statement that he won't run. House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway, R-Texas, is among several other Republicans who are considering the post. Two other Texas Republicans have confirmed they're getting into the game: Reps. Bill Flores and Michael McCaul. Both lawmakers have indicated they will sit out if Ryan gets in - at which point they'd back Ryan.
Congress is currently recess and will return the week of October 19, 2015. Upon their return, members face several looming deadlines, including the need to raise the country's debt ceiling (in early to mid-November possibly), the soon-to-expire surface transportation authority (October 29), and another government funding deadline (December 11).
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Congress To Return From Recess, Ag Biotechnology Hearing Set
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 Next Tuesday, the U.S. Congress returns from its Columbus Day week's recess.
On Wednesday, October 21, the Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing of interest to the food manufacturing industry to examine agriculture biotechnology, focusing on Federal regulations and stakeholder perspectives; 10:00 AM, room 106 Dirksen Senate Office Building.
MWFPA continues to monitor congressional activity realtive to this important aspect of food technology. For more information on the Senate hearing, click
here.
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2015 Dietary Guidelines Will Not Address Sustainability
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In February 2015, the U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee submitted their recommendations and, for the first time, the panel suggested that food system sustainability be incorporated into the federal government's dietary advice.
Addressing this issue, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell published a co-authored blog post on October 6 stating that while issues of the environment and sustainability are critically important, sustainability is not within the scope of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Read more from the Institute of Food Technologists here.
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The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Wisconsin Lift Truck Corp.
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Safe Food Coalition Promotes GMO Labeling Act
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 The Coalition for Safe and Affordable Food (of which MWFPA is a participant) encouraged Senate action on the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act during a lobbying day in Washington, D.C. recently.
The effort featured representatives from 22 states encompassing the entirety of the nation's food supply chain: farming groups, co-ops, seed producers and food companies. In total, the group had more than 140 meetings on Capitol Hill.
The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act (H.R. 1599) was passed by the House of Representatives in July, but has not been introduced in the Senate. Negotiations are under way among Senate Agriculture Committee principals.
If enacted, the bill would give the U.S. Food and Drug Admin-istration authority on the use and labeling of foods containing genetically modified ingredients (GMOs). It would create a voluntary labeling program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agriculture Marketing Service.
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IL Budget Stalemate Drags On
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IL Gov. Bruce Rauner restated his demand recently that curbing collective bargaining among public workers must be part of a deal to end the political stalemate that has kept IL without a budget since July 1.
On October 7, Rauner and GOP leaders encouraged Democrats to compromise on government and business reforms so budget bargaining could resume, but House Speaker
Madigan once again stated he will not consider Republican-suggested reforms.
Democrats say Rauner should drop his push to let local governments opt out of collective bargaining, a move they say would lead to lower wages and a less qualified workforce. They also want him to agree to a tax increase to help balance the budget.
Rauner noted if Democrat legislative leaders will not compromise, they have the majority and the ability to pass a budget and the revenue increases needed to support it.
IL Comptroller Leslie Geissler said Wednesday that the state doesn't have the cash on hand to make its scheduled $560 million November pension payment. The same might be true for December's payment according to Munger.
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Federal Appeals Court Blocks EPA Water Rule
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Recently the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a nationwide stay against the enforcement of the controversial "Clean Water Rule" promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This stay effectively halts the enforcement of the rule until the it is reviewed by the federal courts.
Wisconsin joined one of the many lawsuits filed challenging this rule, and it is now one of eighteen states joined as petitioners in the consolidated case at the Sixth Circuit.
Read more about this decision from our associate member Michael Best & Friedrich LLP here.
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A Day With The Clays For MWFPA
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MWFPA's Sporting Clays Challenge went off with a bang on October 6 at the Whispering Emerald Ridge Game Farm in Menomonie, WI. This year's event was attended by over 50 shooters.
The tournament offered participants an opportunity to experience the challenge of a sporting clay competition in a relaxed, fun filled environment, while at the same time helping MWFPA offer scholarships to the children of members seeking an education after high school. Sponsors, participants, and volunteers all came together to help raise nearly $7,000 for the MWFP
A Scholarship Fund.
 Congratulations to the Seneca team (pictured right) of Dave Elfstrand, George Sprague, James Ide and Mark Smisek for scoring the highest of all team entrants.
Congratulations also goes to the female and male top guns Erica Berghauer - Seminis and
Mark Smisek - Seneca Foods pictured
below with MWFPA President Nick
George.
 .
Thanks again to all our sponsors who make this event possible.
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Food Safety Preventative Controls Forum Begins Monday!
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Register now for the 2015 Food Safety Preventive Controls Forum
brought to you by AFFI and the Midwest Food Processors Association, scheduled for Oct. 19-22 at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis.
Presented by top experts these two Forums, one and one half day food safety workshops, will address fundamental Food Safety Modernization Act requirements and provide guidance on how these requirements can be blended into existing in-plant food safety programs.
Keynote speakers U.S Food and Drug Administration Deputy Director for Regulatory Affairs, Roberta Wagner and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Food Safety Administrator, Steve Ingham will provide federal and state perspectives on FSMA implementation strategies.
Don't wait - Register today!
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MWFPA HACCP Seminar Less Than 2 Weeks Away!
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There's less than 2 weeks until MWFPA's
Hazard Analysis Critical
Control Points (HACCP): Basic Concepts, Design and Implementation and Refresher for Food Processors, seminar scheduled for October 28-29, 2015 at the Stoney Creek Hotel & Convention Center in Onalaska, WI.
The Food Safety Modernization Act requires risk analysis for all food industries. A good knowledge of HACCP is the foundation for all sound food safety programs.
This two-day course is certified by the International HACCP Alliance and open to all food processors, suppliers and regulators who wish to learn the basics of HACCP in food processing or review associated fundamental principles and concepts.
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Rob "Waldo" Waldman
"The Wingman" |
Rob 'Waldo' Waldman - The Wingman - a professional leadership speaker and author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller Never Fly Solo, will be one of the keynote speakers at this year's MWFPA annual convention being held December 1-3 at the KI Center in Green Bay, WI.
Waldman delivers the message of maximizing performance in competitive environments. Known as "the Wingman," he teaches organizations how to build trusting, revenue producing relationships with their employees, partners and customers while relaying his personal experiences as a combat decorated fighter pilot and businessman. He makes a striking parallel that is memorable and exciting and brings fighter pilot energy and passion into each story and illustration.
We hope you will join us for this exhilarating session and gain insight into the Wingman philosophy of peak performance, leading with courage, building trusting relationships, and working as a cohesive team to win your organization's mission.
View a brief clip of one of Rob's presentations here.
4 Easy Ways to Register
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MWFPA Events You Won't Want To Miss
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October 19-22, 2015:
AFFI/MWFPA Food Safety Preventative Controls Forum, Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva, WI.
Register.
October 28-29, 2015:
MWFPA HACCP Seminar, LaCrosse, WI.
December 1-3, 2015 -
MWFPA 111th Annual Convention and 88th Processing Crops Conference. KI Convention Center, Green Bay, WI.
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Other Educational Opportunities
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November 4, 2015: Export Education Seminar- "Meeting Buyers' Expectations." Northcentral Technical College, 1000 W. Campus Drive, Wausau, WI. Join Food Export-Midwest and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection for a day of education topics on how to meet international buyers' expectations. Don't miss this opportunity to increase your knowledge of becoming a successful exporter. Contact Lisa Stout at: [email protected] , or phone: 608-224-5126
November 10-11, 2015:
Evaporators: Designing, Evaluating and Operating Course.
Madison Concourse Hotel, One West Dayton Street, Madison, Wisconsin. Evaporation is an important process
used in many industries. The efficient operation of evaporators requires a working knowledge of the basics of evaporation, heat transfer, and moisture removal. Attendees will gain a solid understanding of evaporator fundamentals and learn howto apply proven methods to solve practical problems. For more information, click
here.
November 15, 2015:
Private Label Buyers Mission at the PLMA Show. Rosemont, IL. Held in conjunction with the Private Label
Manufacturers Association Show, this mission provides an opportunity to maximize your opportunities at a show where retailers and wholesalers go to source their private label products. You'll meet with pre-qualified buyers from around the world in pre-arranged, one-on-one meetings right here in the U.S., generate new sales leads, and build relationships with key industry players. For more information, click here.
February 15-19, 2016: Industrial Refrigeration Workshop, Charlotte, North Carolina.
This one-week course is intended for those who make decisions such as the purchase of new components, and the enlargement or modification of the plant. Manufacturers of components learn how their products fit into the entire system
.
A thread running through the course is the design of a refrigerated distribution center utilizing an ammonia refrigeration system. New technologies available in ammonia refrigeration reducing the ammonia charge will be explored over the course of the workshop. For more information, click here.
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