New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

www.urbanagacademy.com

August 8 – 10, 2013 Renaissance Savery Hotel 401 Locust Street Des Moines, IA 50309

URBAN•AG ACADEMY

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TM

An Initiative of Rellim Group, LLC P.O. Box 371, Fort Dodge, IA 50501 [email protected] 515-650-3320 URBAN•AG ACADEMY New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

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Table of Contents

Mission Statement...... 2

Executive Proclamation...... 3

Letters of Welcome...... 4 - 8

Agenda...... 9 - 10

Presenters...... 11 - 19

Remembering Rep. Lois DeBerry...... 20

Legislative Attendees...... 21 - 24

Sponsor Attendees...... 25

Academy Sponsors...... 26 - 28

Academy Contributors...... 28

Academy Working Group and Acknowledgements...... 29

Notes...... 30 - 31

An Initiative of Rellim Group, LLC P.O. Box 371, Fort Dodge, IA 50501 [email protected] 515-650-3320 URBAN•AG ACADEMY New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

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Mission Statement

State legislative bodies across the country are becoming more urban and inclusive of more minority groups — this is a drastic change from just a few decades ago, and many policy discussions continue to take shape around urban versus rural interests. Agricultural education and outreach have not kept pace with this change in the legislative landscape, as rural legislators have retired or are faced with declining populations.

This urban versus rural disconnect in Iowa is a microcosm of the “Ag vs. Urban” relations in legislatures across the country and at the federal level. Policy makers, both rural and urban, need to have an opportunity to reach outside their traditional audience to new, fresh faces, conduct educational outreach and collaborate on solutions for mutual concerns. Both rural and urban districts stand to reap enormous benefits from increased understanding of the benefits of agriculture to urban economies and the issues faced by rural constituencies.

With the change in the rural-to-urban makeup of the population and their legislative bodies, it is time to create an environment for interactive problem- solving and the exchange of ideas.

Urban-Ag Academy was created in order to: •Bring urban and minority leaders and policy makers together •Inform an ever-increasing number of urban legislators on agricultural issues •Educate non-rural legislators on the often unseen effects and potential benefits to their districts

An Initiative of Rellim Group, LLC P.O. Box 371, Fort Dodge, IA 50501 [email protected] 515-650-3320 2

August 8, 2013

Welcome Colleagues and Friends!

It is my very distinct pleasure to once again have the opportunity to welcome each of you to the Urban–Ag Academy conference. Thank you so much for your interest and commitment to this initiative.

As always, my goal is to provide a real opportunity for urban and minority legislators to learn about agriculture and rural issues. By bringing urban, minority and rural legislative policy makers together to learn about topics which relate to agriculture, we continue to create more opportunities for all legislators to become fully engaged in this area.

New this year is a concerted focus on educational opportunities through our institutions of higher learning. The need for awareness on the part of legislators is well understood, but perhaps not the relationship between education, employment opportunities and careers in this area. We will begin to address these areas while we continue to engage state lawmakers.

When you leave this conference you will better understand the disconnect between urban and rural constituencies and be more aware of issues critical to agriculture. In addition, you will be in a position to continue to learn about agricultural and rural issues and concerns, and to effectively engage in agricultural policy development.

I encourage you to listen, ask questions, seek solutions and engage in this process going forward as an informed and able voice on agricultural issues in your respective legislative bodies. Thanks again for coming.

Warmest regards,

Helen Miller Iowa State Representative House District 9 Founder, Urban–Ag Academy LETTER FROM HARKIN

URBAN•AG ACADEMY New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

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Welcome to the 2nd National Urban-Ag Academy Convened by Iowa State Representative August 8 – 10, 2013 • Renaissance Savery Hotel 401 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309

Thursday, August 8 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Welcome Dinner and Reception (Savery 1)

6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Joe Hrdlicka, Director of Government Relations, Linked Up

8:00 p.m. – TBD Getting Together in the Penthouse

Friday, August 9 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Travel to Iowa State Fairgrounds (Richard O. Jacobson Exhibit Center)

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m Breakfast Welcome: Representative Helen Miller

9:00 a.m. – 9:20 a.m. Water Quality Issues and Strategies: Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture

9:20 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. Role of State Fairs: Gary Slater, CEO, Iowa State Fair

9:40 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. Proclamation and International Developments and Opportunities: Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds

10:10 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. Labeling: Rachel Hurley, Executive Director, Iowa Biotech Association and Jim Eichhorst, Director of Government Relations, BIO

10:40 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Break

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Ag Educations and Careers, HBCUs, ISU and MANNRS: Theressa Cooper, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Agriculture and Life Sciences Administration, Iowa State University and Vareva Harris, Associate Vice President for Government Sponsored Programs, Community Relations and Institutional Scholarships, Benedict College

9 URBAN•AG ACADEMY New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

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Friday, August 9 (continued)

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Animal Welfare Issues: Leon Sheets, Iowa Pork Producers Association Lunch (Blue Ribbon Complex)

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Tour of Iowa State Fair

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Travel to Nevada, Iowa

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tour of Lincolnway Energy

4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Cattle Production: Bill Couser Dinner

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Return to Savery Hotel, Des Moines, Iowa

8:00 p.m. – TBD Getting Together in the Penthouse

Saturday, August 10 Terrace Ballroom, Savery Hotel

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast at Savery Hotel

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Impact of Agriculture, Focus on Webster County: Bill Horan, Calhoun County

9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Developments in Urban Agriculture: John Lawrence, Associate Dean, Iowa State University

9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Liability Issues in Ag Promotion Efforts (Agritourism, Petting Zoos, State Fairs, etc.): Roger McEowen, Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation, Iowa State University

10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Break

10:30 a.m. –11:00 a.m. Addressing Constituent Concerns Regarding Food and Food Production: Jodi Sterle, Animal Science, Iowa State University and Ruth MacDonald, Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Weather Prospects for the Nation: Policy Considerations: Elwynn Taylor, Professor of Ag Meteorology, Iowa State University

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch and Debriefing 10 URBAN•AG ACADEMY New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

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2013 Presenters

Iowa State Representative Helen Miller Urban–Ag Academy Founder Contact: 515-570-3535, [email protected] P.O. Box 371, Fort Dodge, IA 50501

As state representative, Helen Miller (D-Fort Dodge) is serving her 5th term in the Iowa House of Representatives where she represents House District 9 (formerly 49). As a member of the House, Miller serves on the Economic Growth, Transportation and National Resources committees and is the Ranking Member of the House Agriculture committee.

Representative Miller is the founder of the Urban–Ag Academy, an initiative with the mission to inform an ever-increasing number of urban and minority legislators on agricultural issues and encourage dialogue between rural and urban policy makers. Representative Miller is a member of the State Agricultural and Rural Leaders (board member 2008–2010); the Agriculture Committee Chair for the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, a member of its executive committee; and a member of both the District of Columbia and Iowa State Bar Associations.

Brooke Miller Urban–Ag Academy Associate Contact: 515-650-3320, [email protected] P.O. Box 371, Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Brooke attended Franklin and Marshall College (Lancaster, PA) graduating in 2003 with a major in philosophy and a minor in Asian Studies. Brooke resided in Japan for four years teaching English as a second language with the Japanese Exchange Teaching Program (two years), studying the Japanese language through intensive course work (one year) and as an employee of a major Japanese travel agency in Tokyo (one year).

Upon returning to the United States, Brooke was employed as the Central Western Iowa Coordinator for the African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Iowa. During the 2009, 2010 and 2011 sessions of the , she was employed as a clerk for Representative Helen Miller (D-Fort Dodge) in the Iowa House of Representatives. Brooke received her Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School in May of 2012 earning certificates in Agricultural Law and Legislative Practice.

She became a member of the Iowa State Bar in September of 2012. Brooke has been involved with the Urban–Ag Academy since its inception in 2011. Her background in agricultural law and the legislative process have proved to be vital assets to the mission of the Urban–Ag Academy.

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2013 Presenters

Theressa Cooper, Assistant Dean for Diversity in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University Contact: [email protected], 515-294-8574 206D Curtiss Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011

Theressa Cooper, PhD serves as the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), assistant dean for diversity. As assistant dean, Theressa coordinates, manages and implements the CALS diversity initiatives and programs, such as the George Washington Carver Summer Internship program and the Graduate Research Assistant Match (GRAM) program. Theressa also leads efforts to identify new opportunities to enhance diversity and connect with minority serving institutions nationwide. Theressa earned both her Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Development and Master of Education degree in Agricultural Education from Texas A&M University. She earned her PhD in Cultural Studies. Theressa has been with Iowa State University since February 2013. Before joining CALS, Theressa served as the Director of Academic Success Programs and Outreach Initiatives at the University of Tennessee’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for nine years.

Bill Couser, Couser Cattle Company Contact: 515-382-6101, [email protected] 20408 620th Avenue, Nevada, IA 50201

Bill Couser has been involved with the Story County Cattlemen’s Association for more than 33 years. In 2006 he was named by Time magazine as one of “100 People Who Matter.” He has received other recognitions as well. In 2007, he was awarded the Iowa Master Farmer award from Wallaces Farmer magazine. He also received the 2010 regional Environmental Stewardship Award for his cattle company. Most recently, Mr. Couser was given the 2011 Iowa Beef Quality Assurance Award. Couser Cattle Company is a second and third generation multi-faceted operation that annually feeds and finishes 5,000 to 6,000 head of cattle and farms 5,000 acres, producing both corn seed and soybean seed. The business philosophy centers on working to ensure that both profit opportunities and environmental performance are present in cattle and farming operations.

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2013 Presenters

James P. Eichhorst, Director of Government Relations, Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Contact: 202-962-6642, 202-531-5977, [email protected] 2409 Stricker Lane, Urbana, Illinois 61802

James (Jim) Eichhorst serves as director of state government relations, Midwest Region, for the Biotechnology Industry Organization, (BIO). The Midwest Region encompasses an area from Ohio to the east to Kansas to the west, then north to the U.S. Canadian border, including the state of Montana. In this role, he represents BIO on issues relating to healthcare and industrial biotech processes such as biofuels and food and agriculture. Prior to his current post, Jim was the federal lobbyist for food and agriculture for BIO, a position in which he lobbied Congress and the federal agencies with oversight of agricultural biotechnology.

Before coming to BIO in June of 2005, Jim served in the federal government. He held two positions at the United States Department of Agriculture as an appointee of President George W. Bush. Prior to that he served as the agricultural aide to U.S. Congressman Tom Ewing, and legislative director and chief of staff to U.S. Congressman Tim Johnson, both serving the 15th Congressional District of Illinois. Jim began his career with the Illinois Farm Bureau and its family of companies. In that capacity he coordinated the grassroots program for the Bureau, served as field services director for the Illinois Corn Growers Association and Illinois Corn Marketing Board, and held two positions at Country Companies Insurance. Jim is also part owner and operator of his family’s 800-acre corn and soybean farming operation in East Central Illinois, where modern farming practices such as no-till and biotechnology are used extensively. Jim holds a degree in agriculture from the University of Illinois. Jim and his wife Amy reside in Urbana, Illinois.

Vareva Harris, Associate Vice President for Government Sponsored Programs, Community Relations and Institutional Scholarships, Benedict College Contact: 803-931-2601, [email protected] 1600 Harden Street Columbia, South Carolina

Vareva Harris is currently a Dwight D. Eisenhower Research Grant Fellow funded by the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. She is also a board member on the National Sponsored Programs Administrators Association.

She has worked as an executive in higher education and the non-profit sectors for 12 years leading the offices of sponsored programs, institutional scholarships, government and community relations. She has managed and implemented multi-million dollar scholarships and sponsored programs portfolios. Vareva currently works at Benedict College as an associate vice president.

13 URBAN•AG ACADEMY New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

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2013 Presenters

Bill Horan, Owner and Partner, Horan Brothers Agricultural Enterprises Contact: 515-463-2357, [email protected] 3220 240th Street, Rockwell City, IA 50579 Bill Horan has been farming in northwest Iowa since 1973 as a partner in Horan Brothers Agricultural Enterprises. The fourth generation family farm has been involved in specialty crop production and identity preservation for more than 20 years, with more than 50 percent of the crops grown on this farm produced under contract for various end-users.

Joe Hrdlicka, Director of Government Relations, Iowa Telecommunications Association Contact: 515-250-9798, [email protected] 2987 100th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322 Joe Hrdlicka has spent more than 20 years in the public affairs arena working in government, policy development, public relations and marketing. He came to Iowa to join the staff of Congressman Jim Lightfoot for his campaign, then was appointed to his official staff as district office manager. Hrdlicka served as director of public relations for Strategic America for three years serving a variety of government, corporate and campaign-related clients. In 1997, he joined the Iowa Lottery as public relations manager where he worked as the Lottery’s primary spokesperson to the media and the legislature. In 1999, Hrdlicka was promoted to vice president of marketing for the Iowa Lottery where he oversaw the lottery’s advertising, promotions and public relations efforts. Since 2010, he has been the director of government relations for the Iowa Telecommunications Association. In that capacity, Hrdlicka acts as an advocate for this statewide association in all legislative and regulatory matters. He is responsible for developing and influencing legislation in the Iowa General Assembly, monitoring federal and state regulatory developments and maintaining positive relationships with Congressional offices. He also serves as spokesperson to the media.

Rachel Hurley, Executive Director, Iowa Biotech Association Contact: 515-327-9156, [email protected] 900 Des Moines Street, Des Moines, IA 50309-5549 As the executive director of the Iowa Biotechnology Association (IBA), Rachel Hurley oversees the industry association and works on behalf of more than 100 members engaged in biotechnology endeavors in Iowa. The Association’s mission is to grow Iowa’s presence in biotechnology and position the state as a leader in biotechnology in the global economy. Hurley returned to Iowa from Michigan, where she was director of legislative relations in the office of the Michigan Attorney General. While the director, she also helped develop numerous statewide initiatives, including SeniorBrigade.com and the nationally recognized Michigan Cyber Safety (CSI) Initiative focused on teaching kids about Internet safety. To date, that program has reached more than 600,000 students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade. Hurley’s professional experience also includes nearly 10 years of extensive financial and real estate experience working at Farm Credit Services of America as a financial officer and Greenstone Farm Credit Services as a corporate trainer. Hurley received her law degree from Michigan State University College of Law with an emphasis in corporate law and is licensed to practice in Iowa, Illinois and Michigan. She earned her B.A. in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting from Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. She earned her Associates Degree from Indian Hills Community College in Centerville, Iowa. 14 URBAN•AG ACADEMY New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

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John D. Lawrence, Associate Dean, Vice President Extension and Outreach, Iowa State University Contact: 515-294-7801, [email protected] Iowa State University, 132 Curtiss Hall, Ames, IA 50011

John Lawrence serves as the associate dean, Extension Programs and Outreach in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director, Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension at Iowa State University. In this position he leads the extension and outreach programs to farmers, agribusiness and natural resource managers in the state of Iowa. Previously, he was the Extension livestock economist, a professor for the Department of Economics and director of the Iowa Beef Center.

Lawrence has written extensively for professional and trade journals, extension publications and given more than 700 formal presentations in 24 states, five Canadian provinces, Mexico, Korea, the Netherlands and Australia. In 2009, he was named by Iowa Farm Today magazine as one of the 25 most influential people in Iowa agriculture over the past 25 years, 1984-2009.

Dr. Ruth S. MacDonald, RD, PhD, Professor and Chair, Food Science and Human Nutrition Assistant Dean of Graduate Education, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University Contact: 515-294-5991, [email protected] 2312 Food Sciences Building, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1061

Dr. Ruth MacDonald holds a PhD in nutrition, minor in food science, masters in nutrition and minor in physiology from the University of Minnesota. She is also a registered dietitian. After Dr. MacDonald received her PhD, she was a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School, Joslin Diabetes Center for two years. Dr. MacDonald was on the faculty at the University of Missouri for 17 years, rising through the ranks from assistant to full professor prior to relocating to Iowa State University. Her research interests include the role of dietary factors in cancer progression, specifically breast, colon and prostate cancer.

She is a professional member of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), the American Society for Nutrition (ASN), and the American Association for Cancer Research. Dr. MacDonald has served on editorial boards for the Journal of Nutrition, Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry and Nutrition Research. She is a past chair of the ASN Diet and Cancer Research Interest Group, past chair of the Association of Nutrition Departments and Programs and member of the Executive Board for the Nutrition Division of IFT. She has served on grant review panels for the National Institutes for Health, Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Komen Foundation. She also served on the state of Iowa Economic Development Board and the Technology and Commercialization Committee for two years. She is currently participating in the Food Systems Leadership Institute. She teaches Societal Impacts on Food Systems at the undergraduate level and Nutritional Aspects of Oncology at the graduate level.

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Roger McEowen, Associate Professor, Agricultural Education and Studies, Iowa State University Contact: 515-294-4076, [email protected] 2321 N Loop Dr, Ames, IA 50010-8281

Roger A. McEowen is the Leonard Dolezal professor in Agricultural Law at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, where he is also the director of the ISU Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation (CALT). Before joining Iowa State in 2004, he was an associate professor of agricultural law and extension specialist in agricultural law and policy at Kansas State. From 1991-1993, Professor McEowen was in the full-time practice of law with Kelley, Scritsmier and Byrne in North Platte, Nebraska. Professor McEowen has also been a visiting professor of law at the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville, Arkansas, teaching in both the J.D. and L.L.M. programs. He has also taught at the Drake University School of Law Summer Institute in agricultural law.

At Iowa State University, Professor McEowen develops and conducts an educational program in agricultural law and policy and is responsible for developing the curriculum and instructional program for the Iowa Farm Income Tax Schools. Professor McEowen has published scholarly articles in numerous law reviews, is the author of a 1,100-page textbook/casebook on agricultural law that is updated twice annually, and a second 300-page book on agricultural law. He also authors numerous other publications, and publishes many items related to agricultural law and taxation on the CALT website. Professor McEowen conducts approximately 80 – 100 seminars annually across the United States for farmers, agricultural business professionals, lawyers and other tax professionals. He also conducts three radio programs (two airing monthly and the other bi-weekly) heard across the Midwest.

In 2003, Professor McEowen was named the recipient of the American Agricultural Law Association (AALA) Distinguished Service Award. He is also the recipient of the AALA’s award of excellence for professional scholarship and is a past president of the AALA. Professor McEowen received a B.S. with distinction from Purdue University in Management in 1986, an M.S. in Agricultural Economics from Iowa State University in 1990, and a J.D. from Drake University School of Law in 1991. He is a member of the Iowa and Kansas Bar Associations and is admitted to practice in Nebraska. He is also a past member of the AALA Board of Directors.

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Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Contact: 515-281-5322, [email protected] (IDALS Communications Director) Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319

Throughout his career in agriculture, Northey has been a leader in a variety of farm groups. From 1995 – 1996, he served as president of the National Corn Growers Association and was chairman of the group in 1996 and 1997. He has also led a number of committees for the Corn Growers. Like his grandfather, E. Howard Hill, who served as president of the Iowa Farm Bureau from 1947 – 1963, Northey has been active in the Iowa Farm Bureau. He was named a “Friend of Agriculture” by the Iowa Farm Bureau Political Action Committee in 2006 and has served in a number of Farm Bureau offices at the county and state level, including serving as president, vice president and committee chairman of the Dickinson County Farm Bureau. Northey has also served on the Iowa USDA Farm Service Agency state committee, was a Dickinson County Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner and was a board member of Ag Ventures Alliance.

As a result of his involvement in these organizations, he has traveled around the world to view agriculture. He has traveled to Taiwan, Japan (five times), Indonesia and Singapore (to the WTO Secretariat) representing Iowa farmers. He has also traveled to another 12 countries studying agriculture production and policy. Northey was also co-founder and president of Innovative Growers, LLC, which is an organization hatched from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach leadership. Innovative Growers is a farmer-owned and farmer-managed group designed to capitalize on demand for the production of specialty grain products. On his farm, Northey employs the farming practices of reduced tillage, GPS, grid soil sampling and identity preserved production. He raises crops of corn, soybeans and alfalfa and has raised hogs in the past.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa State Capitol Contact: 515-725-3515, @KimReynoldsIA [email protected] (Deputy Communications Director & Scheduler) 1007 E Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319

Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds grew up in St. Charles, Iowa, and resides in Osceola, where she has served as county treasurer and state senator. On November 2, 2010, she was elected lieutenant governor of the State of Iowa. Lieutenant Governor Reynolds serves as the co-chair to the Governor’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Advisory Council along with Vermeer Manufacturing President Mary Andringa. The STEM initiative is helping to provide access to STEM programs for students all across Iowa and is ensuring that Iowa has a skilled workforce in place for today’s world economy. Reynolds is actively involved in the National Lieutenant Governor’s Association serving as treasurer on the executive committee and she serves as education chair for the Aerospace States Association.

Among her responsibilities as lieutenant governor, Reynolds serves as co-chair of the Iowa Partnership for Economic Progress (IPEP) board with Governor Branstad and co-chairs the Military Children Education Coalition with Iowa Major General Timothy Orr. She has led numerous trade and fact-finding missions for Iowa, visiting China, South Korea, Thailand, Germany, Vietnam and the Philippines. Reynolds and her husband, Kevin, have three daughters and five grandchildren.

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Leon Sheets, Iowa Pork Producers Contact: 641-435-2402, [email protected] 1969 290th Street, Ionia, IA 50645

Leon Sheets served on the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) board of directors from 2003 to 2012, holding several offices and serving on and chairing various committees. He served as the association president in 2011 and chaired the IPPA promotions committee. Sheets has been farming and raising hogs for nearly 40 years near his hometown of Ionia in northeast Iowa and is a fourth-generation farmer. He owns Ionia Pigs, Inc., a sow corporation, and Sheets Farms, a diversified farming operation that includes a farrow-to-finish hog business that markets 24,000 head a year and 650 acres of corn, soybeans and hay. He also has a small cow-calf business.

Sheets was named a Master Pork Producer by IPPA in 1984, an award that recognizes production excellence in the Iowa pork industry. He also was inducted to the IPPA Feeder Pig Hall of Fame for his contributions. In addition to his IPPA involvement, Sheets is a member of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, the Iowa Corn Growers Association, the Iowa Soybean Association and the Iowa Farm Bureau. Sheets has a degree in animal science from South Dakota State University.

Gary D. Slater, CEO and Manager, Iowa State Fair Contact: 515-262-3114, [email protected] P.O. Box 57130, Des Moines, IA 50317

Slater originally hails from the small Missouri town of Eolia, where he was raised on a 600-acre crop and livestock farm. After graduating from the University of Missouri, Slater began his career as a livestock field man. He then joined the Missouri State Fair as a livestock supervisor. He spent five years in this position. He then joined the Iowa State Fair. He was charged with planning the special events, free entertainment and booking the facilities for off-season use.

After five years, he went on to join the National Pork Producers Council as manager of the World Pork Expo. Slater managed the World Pork Expo for six years, holding the event in both Des Moines at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and in Indianapolis at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Knowing that his first love was fairs, Slater received the opportunity to return to Missouri in 1997. He began managing the Missouri State Fair, helping to restore the Missouri State Fair to physical and financial success. In April of 2001, Slater accepted the position of manager of the Iowa State Fair. He states that ever since leaving the Iowa State Fair in 1991, his passion had been to return as manager. After one year as manager, Slater accepted the position of CEO and manager of the Iowa State Fair in February 2002. Gary and his wife Mary have three children.

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Jodi Sterle, Associate Professor, Animal Science, Iowa State University Contact: 515-294-7997, [email protected] 119 Kildee Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3150

Jodi Sterle is the Eldred and Donna Harman Professor for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University. Sterle serves as the undergraduate program coordinator for the animal science department. She teaches introductory animal science classes and has also taught a course she developed on the art and heritage of livestock, which reviews the role of animals in the development of culture throughout the world.

She has developed national curricula for pork quality assurance for pork producers and youth. She has served on the National Pork Board’s Producer Services Committee and Youth Pork Quality Assurance Task Force. She has served on the advisory board for the National Junior Swine Association. Sterle joined the Iowa State University faculty in 2011. Previously she had been an associate professor and extension swine specialist at Texas A&M University. A native of Michigan, Sterle earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Michigan State University, and earned master’s and doctorate degrees in swine reproductive management from the University of Missouri.

Dr. S. Elwynn Taylor, Iowa State University, Professor of Ag Meteorology Contact: 515-294-7839, [email protected] 2104C Agronomy Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011

Dr. S. Elwynn Taylor is recognized throughout Iowa for his extraordinary efforts as an extension educator. He is a recipient of the Iowa Distinguished Service to Agriculture award. He is internationally known as a scholar of bio-meteorology and served as the technical editor of the Korean Journal of Forest and Agricultural Meteorology. His contributions to the three-fold mission of the land grant university (research, teaching/advising, and extension) demonstrate the breadth of his expertise. He is the recipient of the “Excellence in Extension Education” and “Excellence in Economic Education” awards. He received the Iowa Regent’s professional achievement award. In 2003 he received the “Distinguished Service to Agriculture” award presented by the Iowa Farm Bureau (joining three other Iowa State University professors in this honor: William G. Murray (1987), Neil E. Harl (1992), and Louis Thompson (1995).

Dr. Taylor is responsible for statewide leadership in the development and implementation of extension education and information programs in agricultural climatology. He also has teaching responsibilities and full responsibility for off-campus graduate and undergraduate courses in meteorology and climatology. His budgeted time during past five years includes 100 percent Extension education, divided between integrated pest management and Extension teaching. Dr. Taylor has been an advisor to 34 graduate students and member of more than 100 graduate committees during Iowa State University tenure. He has also been a member of the Faculties of Agronomy, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Program and the Water Resources Program.

19 Remembering Rep. Lois DeBerry

Reprinted with permission from The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN DeBerry, ‘history maker,’ dies at 68

By Richard Locker [email protected] 615-255-4923

State Rep. Lois M. DeBerry, a top Memphis Mayor A C Wharton said, advocate for Memphis and the “Speaker DeBerry (was) a trusted partner longest-serving member of the House and consummate advocate for the of Representatives, died Sunday after a people of Memphis and our state. Many long battle with pancreatic cancer. She of her friends and people across the was 68. community, however, also knew her as Lady D — an intelligent, cosmopolitan The Memphis Democrat died about personality whose passion for the people on issues that are difficult in the 12:30 p.m. attended by family and she served knew no bounds. community, you either work them out friends at Methodist University Hospital or you don’t — but in our case, we did. near the South Memphis district she “Despite the accolades she continually As friends, we discovered how much represented in the statehouse since her received throughout her career, Lois we had in common. Hers is a great loss first election in 1972. She was the first remained equally at home among the in our community. She will not easily be black woman elected to the General well-to-do and political powerful as well replaced nor soon forgotten. Her legacy Assembly from Shelby County and the as the residents in the neighborhoods of is lasting.” second statewide. She won re-election her district. ... And of all of the attributes 20 times straight. that defined her, Lois’ faith and signature Rep. DeBerry grew up in Memphis and outspokenness earned her the respect of graduated from Hamilton High School In the 132-member current General her colleagues and the adoration of the and LeMoyne-Owen College to become Assembly, only state Sen. Douglas Henry community she called home.” a teacher. At age 27 in 1972, she won of Nashville has served longer. She was election over four Democratic primary dean of the Shelby County legislative Former House speaker Jimmy Naifeh, opponents. It was the first year 18-year- delegation and a tireless advocate for D-Covington, who retired last year olds could vote, and redistricting after Memphis, public education and the after serving with Rep. DeBerry from his the 1970 Census and rising black political state’s neediest residents. election two years after hers, said he power combined to change the state and she were “best friends from the legislature forever. Her struggle with cancer began in 2009, very beginning. Lois is a true Tennessee yet caused her to miss only a few days stateswoman. In the legislature, she led She arrived for the 1973 legislative session at work in this year’s legislative session. the way on a number of issues important with an Afro hairstyle and, in her words, She was in her Nashville office earlier this to all Tennesseans, including health “an attitude.” She became one of the month, and happily greeted well-wishers care, education, corrections oversight state’s most effective political leaders, as she walked in a shopping mall during and economic development. The Lois a bridge between the Black Caucus the same trip. DeBerry Center in Nashville, named after and the legislature’s top leadership and her, revolutionized the way we dealt with governors past and present. Rep. DeBerry served as House speaker our incarcerated population and she pro tem, elected by her House “Forget Democrat. Forget African- deserves much of the credit for bringing colleagues, from 1987 to 2011, when American. Forget state legislator. Lois our prison system out from under federal Republicans took control of the House. is one of the individuals I trust the most oversight and into the 21st century.” She was the first woman to hold the for her counsel and advice,” former office, and hers was the longest tenure Naifeh said that all seven governors governor Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, said in it in state history. of both parties that she served with during his term. “respected her opinion and listened “I ran primarily because I felt that there Senate Democratic Leader Jim Kyle of closely to her advice.” She was a regular were very few people here to speak out Memphis called Rep. DeBerry “a peerless participant in the Wednesday morning on community issues, women’s issues, leader for her community, her city and meetings among the governor and and I didn’t think that education was for all women. It’s a uniquely American legislative leaders. getting high enough of a priority,” she story — a woman who became frustrated said in a Commercial Appeal interview a House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, with the conditions in her community few years ago. said Rep. DeBerry “dedicated her life to and dedicated her life to making it service. From the Civil Rights Movement, better, rising to heights that no African- Funeral details will be announced later. to becoming the first female African- American woman had seen before in Condolences and accolades poured in American Speaker Pro Tempore, Lois Tennessee. We are deeply saddened by Sunday from both sides of the political always made public service a priority. her passing.” aisle. The impact she has had on this great “Coming in as a new governor, Lois state, the lives of countless Tennesseans, quickly became one of my favorite and people all across the country is Story originally published by people on Capitol Hill because of astounding.” The Commercial Appeal her wit, charm and dedication to her Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of constituents. Lois was a history-maker, Collierville: “Lois Deberry and I became Day: Monday Date: 7/29/2013 a wonderful woman, a great legislator friends over many years. When you come Section: News Page: 1 and a true friend. I will miss her,” said from different sides of the aisle and work Edition: Memphis Republican Gov. Bill Haslam. 20 URBAN•AG ACADEMY New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

presented in partnership with

2013 Legislative Attendees

Rep. (IA) P.O. Box 30221, Des Moines, IA 50310 515-255-2314 [email protected]

Rep. Joe Armstrong (TN) President, National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) 35 Legislative Plaza, Nashville, TN 37243 615-741-0768 [email protected]

Sen. Daryl Beall (IA) 1928 N. 22nd Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501 515-573-7889 [email protected]

Rep. Bruce Bearinger (IA) 500 Utah Ave SE, Oelwein, IA 50662 319-283-5349 [email protected]

Rep. Deborah Berry (IA) 208 Greenbrier Road, Waterloo, IA 50703 319-504-0227 [email protected]

Sen. Gloria Butler (GA) 206 Washington Street, SW, Suite 420 C, Atlanta, GA 30334 404-656-0075 [email protected]

Rep. Dee Dawkins Haigler (GA) 6050 Kingston Wood Way, Lithonia, GA 30038 404-656-0287 [email protected]

Senator Dick Dearden (IA) 3113 Kinsey, Des Moines, IA 50317 515-262-1203 [email protected]

Sen. Hillman Frazier (MS) 2066 Queensroad Avenue, Jackson, MS 39213 601-359-3246 [email protected]

21 URBAN•AG ACADEMY New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

presented in partnership with

2013 Legislative Attendees

Rep. (IA) 3501 Oxford, Des Moines, IA 50313 515-210-7216 [email protected]

Rep. (IA) 509 E 4th Street, Ottumwa, IA 52501 641-682-6417 [email protected]

Rep. Laura Hall (AL) President-elect, National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL) 11 South Union Street, Suite-517 D, Montgomery, AL 36130 334-242-7688 [email protected]

Rep. Curt Hanson (IA) 801 N. Court St., Fairfield, IA 52556 641-919-2314 [email protected]

Rep. G.A. Hardaway (TN) 37 Legislative Plaza, Nashville, TN 37243 615-741-5623 [email protected]

Sen. Rita Hart (IA) 2764 130th Avenue, Wheatland, IA 52777 [email protected]

Rep. (IA) 4115 Wembley Avenue, Ames, IA 50010 515-450-2957 [email protected]

Rep. (IA) P.O. Box 5335, Dubuque, IA 52004 563-557-1261 [email protected]

Sen. Arthenia Joyner (FL) Florida Senate Democratic Leader Designate 508 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, Suite C, Tampa, FL 33603 813-223-4277 [email protected]

22 URBAN•AG ACADEMY New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

presented in partnership with

2013 Legislative Attendees

Rep. Dan Kelley (IA) P.O. Box 333, Newton, IA 50208 641-521-9260 [email protected]

Rep. (IA) 3523 Veralta Dr., Cedar Falls, IA 50613 319-266-9021 [email protected]

Rep. Daniel Lundby (IA) 1240 14th St., Marion, IA 52302 319-693-8898 [email protected]

Rep. (IA) 2012 Sherman Drive, Iowa City, IA 52240 319-351-2826 [email protected]

Sen. Matt McCoy (IA) 1718 Ingersoll, Des Moines, IA 50309 515-681-9327 [email protected]

Rep. Helen Miller (IA) P.O. Box 675, Fort Dodge, IA 50501 515-570-3535 [email protected]

Rep. Billy Mitchell (GA) P.O. Box 88, Stone Mountain, GA 30086 770-465-8800 [email protected]

Rep. Annie Mobley (NC) 300 N Salisbury Street, Room 501, Raleigh, NC 27603 919-733-5780 [email protected]

Rep. Howard Mosby (GA) 2101 Sugar Creek Falls Drive, Atlanta, GA 30316 404-244-3972 [email protected]

Rep. Nathaniel Oaks (MD) 513 Normandy Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21229 410-598-4278 [email protected] 23 URBAN•AG ACADEMY New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

presented in partnership with

2013 Legislative Attendees

Rep. Rick Olson (IA) 515-778-4521 [email protected]

Sen. Usie Richards (VI) P.O. Box 23, Frederiksted, St. Croix, VI 00841-0023 340-712-2276 [email protected]

Rep. Kirsten Running-Marquardt (IA) 3515 Fieldstone Place, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 319-330-9899 [email protected]

Rep. Johnny Shaw (TN) 36C Legislative Plaza, Nashville, TN 37243 615-741-4538 [email protected]

Rep. Mark Smith (IA) 816 Roberts Trail, Marshalltown, IA 50158 641-750-9278 [email protected]

Rep. (IA) 2905 Alleghany Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 319-899-4365 [email protected]

Rep. (IA) 2343 Hawthorne Court, Bettendorf, IA 52722 563-639-9211 [email protected]

Rep. Roger Thomas (IA) 17658 Domino Rd., Elkader, IA 52043 563-380-8193 [email protected]

Rep. (IA) 6 Thode Court, Davenport, IA 52802 563-324-7927 [email protected]

24 URBAN•AG ACADEMY New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

presented in partnership with

2013 Sponsor Conference Attendees

Carol Balvanz Monte Shaw Iowa Soybean Association Iowa Renewable Fuels Association

Kellie Bray Matt Steinfeldt CropLife America Iowa Farm Bureau Federation

Kevin Condon Justine Stevenson Iowa Association of Business and Industry Iowa Cattlemen’s Association

Gary Eischeid Dave Tierney POET Biorefining Monsanto

DeWayne Goldmon Monsanto

William Howell POET Biorefining

Brian Humphreys National Pork Producers

Billi Hunt Dupont

Cody McKinley Iowa Pork Producers Association

Michael Naig Monsanto

Greg Olsen POET Biorefining

Mindy Poldberg Iowa Corn Growers Association

Chris Riley Archer Daniels Midland

Michael Sadler Century Link

Marty Schwager Iowa Farm Bureau Federation

25 URBAN•AG ACADEMY New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

presented in partnership with

The 2013 Urban–Ag Academy is sponsored by:

26 URBAN•AG ACADEMY New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

presented in partnership with

The 2013 Urban–Ag Academy is sponsored by:

Iowa Cattlemen’s

Association

27 URBAN•AG ACADEMY New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

presented in partnership with

The 2013 Urban–Ag Academy is sponsored by:

Iowa State Representative Helen Miller

The 2013 Urban–Ag Academy would also like to thank the following contributors:

Iowa Association of Business and Industry Snus Hill Winery, Madrid Summerset Winery, Indianola

28 URBAN•AG ACADEMY New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

presented in partnership with

The Academy Working Group and Acknowledgements

Iowa State Representative Helen Miller, Urban–Ag Academy Founder Phone: 515-570-3535 Email: [email protected]

Brooke Miller Phone: 515-650-3320 Email: [email protected]

The Academy Working Group thanks U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) for his support of this project and contribution of video remarks to the conference.

We would also like to thank the following businesses for their hospitality and services for the 2013 Urban–Ag Academy:

• The Renaissance Savery Hotel, Des Moines, Iowa • Windstar Lines • The Iowa State Fair • Keck Parking, Des Moines, Iowa • Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau • Linda Dencklau, Calorie Gallery • Mark Settle, Iowa State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences • Julie Weeks, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Conference Planning and Management • Shawne Ungs, Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau

An Initiative of Rellim Group, LLC P.O. Box 371, Fort Dodge, IA 50501 [email protected] 515-650-3320 29 URBAN•AG ACADEMY New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

presented in partnership with

Notes

30 URBAN•AG ACADEMY New Faces for Agriculture in the 21st Century

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Notes

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