2003 Annual Report

Mission Farm Foundation's mission is to improve the economic and social well - being of U.S. agriculture, the food system and rural communities by serving as a catalyst to assist private and public sector decision makers in identifying and understanding forces that will shape the future. The Work of Farm Foundation We are a private, operating foundation focused on the economic well-being of agriculture, the food system and the people of rural America. We are supported by individuals, corporations, government agencies and other foundations who share our commitment to agriculture and rural America. We believe that agriculture, the food system and the people who live in rural America are important, integral elements of our national economy and social structure. We are unique in addressing issues significant across the face of agriculture and rural America—regardless of geographic, livestock or crop boundaries. We believe the development of human capital, technology and institutions through education and research-based information, leads to improved decisions and promotes leadership development. We promote understanding of the relationships among natural resources, human capital, technology, public institutions and society. We create an “agenda-free zone” for the discussion and debate of timely issues, a role made possible by our 70-year policy not to advocate specific positions, lobby or take political stands. We bring various stakeholders and their diverse viewpoints to the table for meaningful professional discussion, dialogue and debate on cutting-edge issues. We look over the horizon—and encourage others to do so—to address today’s issues that have the potential to be problems tomorrow. hoto credits: Grant Heilman Photography, Inc., Tom Dodge & USDA NRCS Dodge Tom Inc., Photography, Heilman Grant hoto credits: P We are Farm Foundation. 1 Foundation Leadership Officers Michael Espy William J. Loughmiller Mike Espy, PLLC Loughmiller, Inc. Roderick N. Stacey, Chairman Jackson, MS Twin Falls, ID Don Villwock, Vice Chairman Walter J. Armbruster, President Charles Fischer Richard L. McConnell Steve A. Halbrook, Vice President and Secretary President & CEO President Dow AgroSciences Pioneer, A DuPont Company Indianapolis, IN Johnston, IA Executive Committee Barry L. Flinchbaugh Bobby D. Moser Don Villwock, Chairman Extension State Leader, Agricultural Economics Vice President for Agricultural Administration Nicholas C. Babson Kansas State University The Ohio State University Daniel M. Dooley Manhattan, KS Columbus, OH Ronald D. Knutson Roderick N. Stacey Dan Glickman Kenneth L. Peoples Sara R. Wyant Director, Institute of Politics Chairman & CEO Harvard University The Peoples Group, Ltd. Cambridge, MA Arlington, VA Board of Trustees Richard C. Hahn Roderick N. Stacey Nicholas C. Babson President & CEO Partner President and CEO Farmers National Company Verdant Partners Babson Holdings, Inc. Omaha, NE Capitola, CA Chicago, IL Greg Heying Robert Stallman William T. Boehm Senior Vice President - Distribution President Group Vice President of Logistics Supervalu Inc. American Farm Bureau Federation The Kroger Company Chanhassen, MN Washington, DC Cincinnati, OH George Hoffman Charles Stamp David L. Chicoine President & CEO Vice President, Public Affairs Worldwide Vice President for Economic Development Restaurant Services, Inc. Deere & Company and Corporate Relations Coral Gables, FL Washington, DC University of Illinois Patrick James Steven G. Tate Urbana, IL President Tate Farms Jeffrey A. Conrad Elanco Animal Health Meridianville, AL Managing Director Indianapolis, IN Alan T. Tracy Hancock Agricultural Investment Group Allan R. Johnson President Boston, MA Senior Consultant U.S. Wheat Associates Daniel M. Dooley Achieva, Inc. Washington, DC Dooley & Herr, LLP Camdenton, MO Don Villwock Visalia, CA Ronald D. Knutson Villwock Farms Becky Doyle Regents Professor Edwardsport, IN World Food Program Texas A&M University Sara R. Wyant Rome, Italy College Station, TX Agri-Pulse Communications Diane Duren Knutson Victor L. Lechtenberg St. Charles, IL Vice President & General Manager, Dean of Agriculture Agricultural Products Purdue University Union Pacific Railroad West Lafayette, IN Omaha, NE 2 Chairman’s & President’s Roderick N. Stacey Walter J. Armbruster Message Chairman President Some of the most prominent characteristics of the Were founders Alexander Legge and Frank global food system today are strong political interest Lowden to review Farm Foundation’s 2003 project groups, single-issue confrontations, international portfolio, they would no doubt be taken aback by trade conflicts, and the mixed actions and reactions such things as biotechnology, bioenergy or the of a consolidating industry. acronyms of world trade—NAFTA, WTO and But the speed of change in today’s agricultural FTAA. That would be overshadowed, however, in business climate demands ongoing attention to their pride of Farm Foundation’s aggressive leader- crucial fundamentals: the growth of human ship addressing timely, cutting-edge issues directly capital, long-term approaches to critical issues, influencing the economic health of agriculture and objective analysis of alternative policy approaches, rural America. and progress toward consensus among diverse It’s the business strategy Legge and Lowden industry stakeholders. conceived 70 years ago and one that we continue to Among all the forces in agriculture, Farm follow today. Foundation stands alone in focusing on these long- term issues. Founded to foster economic and social well-being in agriculture and rural America, Farm Foundation nurtures dialogue among diverse audiences on economic and policy issues. We are often at the forefront in identifying and giving attention to developing issues with long- term implications. We cultivate resources for public policy education, and encourage networking to broaden the impacts of land grant universities. 3 Programs For A World of Change Developed by the Board of Trustees, Farm Environmental and Natural Resource Issues Foundation’s strategic plan guides our program The economic success of agriculture and rural activities. The plan has four objectives: communities is closely tied to understanding of the • Identify forces of change that will shape relationships between food and fiber production, the future; environmental quality, the sustainability of fragile • Stimulate research and education that ecosystems and land use patterns. increase human capital and build a body Attempts to integrate traditional and alternative of knowledge on the forces of change policy options toward the goal of meeting environ- and the issues evolving from them; mental objectives generate new challenges. Today we are concerned not just with how and how much • Foster informed dialogue and build agricultural production exists, but where that networks to increase understanding and production is taking place—domestically and move toward consensus on important globally. Society’s understanding of private property public issues and policies; and as related to production agriculture, natural • Encourage public and private resources and environmental quality continues institutions to communicate to the to evolve. media and the public about the issues facing agriculture and the people living New Technologies in rural areas. The future of production agriculture, agribusiness and rural people will be profoundly affected To pursue these objectives, the Board of Trustees by how well they adopt and adapt to new has identified six priority programming areas, and biotechnology and information technologies. specific topics to be addressed within each: Public- and private-sector research and education is required on the economic and social benefits/costs Globalization of adopting new technologies in agriculture. Today’s agricultural marketplace is the world. That Knowledge-based debate is needed on marketplace is constantly being reshaped intellectual property law, public support of by trade agreements, political disputes, new research and development, and other public technologies, consumer preferences, market policies directly affecting the creation and players and growing concerns about food safety adoption of new technologies. and security. Every element of the food chain—farmers, suppliers, processors, food retailers and consumers—need information to better under- stand the economic opportunities and risks of this fast-paced business environment. 4 Consumer Issues Rural Community Viability Nutrition, food safety, technological and demo- Agriculture and agribusiness, as well as every sector graphic changes, and demands for convenience and of the general public, have a significant stake in other attributes in food products are transforming assuring that people living in rural America have a the way foods are produced, processed, marketed satisfactory socio-economic environment, quality and accepted by consumers. The changes reverberate education, and access to communications through the entire food chain—from farmers and technology and good health care. These critical processors to consumers and policy makers. issues require informed, innovative leadership, Understanding is needed of how food development of human capital and strong civic consumption habits are influenced by health engagement in rural communities. concerns, food safety issues, marketing and new Better understanding is needed of the impacts technologies in food production and processing. in rural America of demographic, economic and Increased

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