International travel, Tatman says provides students with an eye-opening experience that helps to make students better professionals.  He adds it helps them understand that the world of agriculture is much bigger than the United States and helps them develop flexibility skills and work through different professional situations.

This year’s group is headed to Southeast Asia. 

Upon completion of the program, students are required to make three presentations to college groups or community organizations about the value they received from the program. 

The deadline for applications is February 15, 2012.  More information can be found HERE

The conference takes place July 8-14 in Johnstown, Iowa and is free to students that are selected.  Application deadline is March 15^th.  For more information click HERE.

The changes are the product of recommendations from a panel of experts convened by the Institute of Medicine. They are designed to help fight the growing childhood obesity problem in the United States and will affect more than 32 million children.

Most of the changes will be phased-in over a three-year period starting with the 2012-2013 school year.

Jerry Kozak with the National Milk Producers Federation praised the Ag Department for continuing the requirement that low-fat or fat-free milk remain a part of every school meal noting; “Milk is the single largest contributor of nutrients in kids’ diets.” Kozak also praised USDA for keeping low-fat and fat-free yogurt and cheese on school breakfast and lunch menus.

John Keeling with the National Potato Council says while they are pleased USDA recognizes the importance of increasing consumption of vegetables, they are concerned the final rule “falls short of giving schools flexibility”. By giving preference to certain vegetables over others Keeling says the rules handcuff local schools trying to meet nutritional needs within a budget.

More details from USDA available here:

This is the final element in a project that updated all of the University’s dairy facilities including the research stations at Marshfield and Arlington.

No changes will be made to the historic U.W. Dairy Barn which is a National Historic Landmark and no longer used for teaching or research.

To qualify for consideration, the students must be children or grandchildren of co-op members within the partnership of Co-Alliance: those partners are Midland Co-op, IMPACT Co-op, LaPorte County Co-op, Frontier Co-op and Excel Co-op. Children of employees and current co-op directors are not eligible. The application has been posted on the company website and announced via Facebook.

The deadline to apply is March 31.

Applications are due February 1, 2012.  For more information visit www.agday.org.

Bunn received her B.A. in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa, reading teacher certification from University of Wisconsin–Platteville and early childhood certification from Cardinal Stritch University. She has taught in Florissant, Missouri and Boscobel before moving to Fennimore in 2007.

Bunn will be Wisconsin’s nominee for the National Excellence in Teaching Agriculture Award.

Since its creation in 1944, companies, organizations and individuals have contributed more than $216 million to the National FFA Foundation to support FFA and agriculture education.

In its 25 years, Hoosier Beef Congress has continued to evolve.  Moore said the show began in 1987 with just over 600 head of cattle, last year over 1,000 youth showcased almost 1,400 head.  He says the show is a great way to engage exhibitors.  Moore tells Brownfield they also try to focus in on an educational experience with the judging contest for the junior exhibitors as well as other events to expand their knowledge of the beef industry.

Hoosier Beef Congress runs December 2-4 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.  For a complete schedule of events, visit www.hoosierbeefcongress.com.