Agribusiness Council of Indiana Newsletter
December 11, 2017
ACI's Presents 4th Graduating Class of
Emerging Professionals
On Wednesday, December 6th, the 4th class of ACI's Emerging Professionals Leadership Program graduated at Purdue University.  ACI realized in 2014 that there was a significant need for a leadership program focused on opening doors for a new generation of ag leaders.  This year 28 Emerging Professionals participated in six sessions beginning at the Indiana Statehouse in February and ending at Purdue.  If you know of someone interested in our 2018 class, click HERE for more information and HERE for an application. Congratulations to the 2017 EPLP class!
ACI Merger Ballots
Must Be Postmarked TODAY!
ACI has presented for member consideration and approval a merger of ACI with the Indiana Seed Trade Association (ISTA).  All members in good standing should have received via mail  information about the merger, nomination of directors, and voting ballot.  For your vote to be counted, your completed ballot must be post-marked TODAY, December 11, 2017.  Your written ballot, once submitted, is not revocable.

If you have questions regarding these documents or the merger process, do not hesitate to contact Amy Cornell, acornell@inagribiz.org or ACI Board Member included on the roster available HERE.
Save the Date: ACI Legislative Reception - January 25, 2018
As many of you know, it is imperative to engage with elected officials on issues affecting your business. The ACI Policy Committee strives to engage with state legislators and decision makers during the Indiana General Assembly and throughout the year. In 2018, ACI will be hosting a Legislative Reception before the Annual Conference to introduce our members to state policymakers and the government affairs process. Please mark your calendars for Thursday, January 25from 8:00-10:30 a.m. at the Indiana Statehouse. More details will be coming soon!
ACI Exhibitors - Register TODAY!
The 2018 Agribusiness Council of Indiana Conference and Expo is scheduled for January 25-26, 2018 at the Downtown Marriott in Indianapolis.  The Expo hall is filling with exhibitors from a variety of vendors - why not join the group!  Click HERE for registration information and don't delay!
NGFA Annual Convention Registration Opens Today
Registration for the NGFA's 122 nd Annual Convention at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Ariz., opens today - Monday, Dec. 11. The NGFA already has confirmed several headline speakers, including Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Bunge Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Soren Schroeder and Dow/DuPont Agriculture Division Chief Operating Officer James Collins to explore the most important issues facing the industry in the year ahead. For more information or to register, click here.
Indiana Land Resource Council Meets
The Indiana Land Resource Council   (ILRC) was created in state law to assist local and state decision-makers with land use tools and policies. The ILRC is composed of representatives from county and municipal governments, home building and land development, business, environmental interests, soil and water conservation districts, and forestry, as well as a land use expert and a farmer. The ILRC's mission is to evaluate all types of land use, not just agricultural land use. The council met in November to discuss a variety of topics and heard presentations regarding a legislative report, an update from the Purdue Land Use Team, model zoning ordinances and an update on a Purdue CAFO study. Amy Cornell attended on behalf of ACI.
Senators discuss NAFTA with President Trump, Commerce Secretary Ross
Source: NGFA President Randy Gordon
Six Republican U.S. senators met on Dec. 5 for lunch with President Trump and several key administration officials to discuss the importance of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) amid concerns the president continues to evaluate whether at some point to issue a notice to withdraw from the accord. Led by Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Deb Fischer, R-Neb., the luncheon reportedly included specific discussion about agricultural-related manufacturing jobs that NAFTA has contributed to the U.S. economy.  A bipartisan group of 18 senators from states with significant agricultural economies also followed up in a Nov. 20 letter to Ross calling for an economic analysis illustrating the impact on the full supply chain before any changes were made to NAFTA or "any other free trade agreement." In the letter, the senators specifically requested such an economic analysis be conducted evaluating the impacts to crop and livestock sectors that would result from any change to NAFTA.  Read the full article on NAFTA and more policy news, by clicking HERE for the ACI Policy Newsletter. Please contact Mark Shublak at mark.shublak@icemiller.com or Lesa Dietrick at lesa.dietrick@icemiller.com if you have any questions.
Join Us for the Indiana Ag Industry and Rural Community Opioid Addiction Symposium
Understanding the impact of opioid addiction on business economics, community services, law enforcement and the overall health of the county population is a start to community conversations that can lead the way to positive outcomes. Join us in this much needed conversation and learn more about the true impact and the opportunities for action. For complete details and to register, click here.
Weekly Washington Report - 12-11-17
(by Steve Kopperud)
Click  HERE  to access the full Washington Report featuring these important stories:
  • Congress Passes CR Through December 22; Democrats Demand Immigration Fixes, Disaster Funds
  • House Appoints Tax Conferees; Tax Credit Extenders Bill Evolving 
  • Cruz Gets RFS Meeting with Trump; Next Steps Uncertain as Northey Nomination Remains Captive
  • Texas Wants RFS Waiver 
  • E15 Year-Round Sales Will Happen if CAA Allows:  Pruitt
  • Trump Meets with Senators on Trade; Cargill Goes Grass Roots to Promote Trade
  • Monsanto Asks Judge to Stop Arkansas on Dicamba
  • OSHA Injury/Illness Tracking Rule Compliance Date Extended
  • FDA Says Antibiotic Sales to Ag Declined in 2016
  • State California Egg Law Challenge Heading to SCOTUS? 
ACI Board of Directors
  
ACI/IGFA Chair
Dave Reichhart
AgPlus
  
IPFAC Chair
Michelle Vigna
Monsanto
  
ACI Treasurer
 Mike Hucker
CGB Enterprises

 ACI/IPFACA 
Past Chair
Sal Sama
Winfield Solutions
  
IGFA Past Chair
Alan Lowe
Lowe's Pellets & Grain
  
IGFA BOARD MEMBERS

 Max Deatsman
Deatsman Grain

George Greenwood
ADM Grain 

Mike Hucker
CGB Enterprises

 Ed Korniak
Iroquois Bio-Energy
  
Alan Lowe
Lowe's Pellets & Grain

Brad McCord
Co-Alliance
  
Mike Schweickert
J. P. Morgan Securities, LLC

Brad Sommer
Bunge
 
IPFACA BOARD MEMBERS
  
 Justin Daugherty
GROWMARK
  
Drew Garretson
Winfield/Land O'Lake

Jennifer Long
Dow AgroSciences

Rod Miller
Crop Fertility Specialist

 Scott Sharp
Premier Ag
  
Marv Ulmet
Bane-Welker Equipment

 Jackson Umbarger
Roy Umbarger & Sons

 Phill Zimmerman
AgWorld


Our Vision:  
The Agribusiness Council of Indiana will be the premier advocate serving members' business interests.
  
Our Mission: 
 The Agribusiness Council of Indiana supports members with legislative representation, industry insight and regulatory guidance.





Follow us! 

Follow us on Twitter