Post by glowplug on Jul 26, 2011 7:29:37 GMT -5
The joint committees that advise the NAWG's and U.S. Wheat Associates' grower-leaders on biotechnology and trade policy met over the weekend at U.S. Wheat's summer meeting in Tulsa, Okla.
The JBC heard a number of presentations related to public-private partnerships, including an ongoing program to market Clearfield wheat in Colorado; collaborative efforts in Kansas; and the recently signed Wheat Workers Material Transfer Agreement (WWMTA).
Members of Joint Biotech also got updates from members of NAWG's staff and U.S. Wheat's staff who work on research and biotechnology issues.
The group recognized Scott Swenson, a grower from Elbow Lake, Minn., who was ending his term as JBC chairman; Michael Edgar, a grower from Yuma, Ariz., who is the new JBC chairman; and Mark Darrington, a grower from Declo, Idaho, who is going off the Committee after many years of service, including as chairman.
Additionally, the group noted Keith Kisling's recent appointment as a member of USDA's Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture, known as AC21. Kisling is a wheat grower from Burlington, Okla., and a member of the JBC.
Members of the Joint International Trade Policy Committee (JITPC) heard updates on wheat industry trade priorities, including long-pending free trade agreements that appear temporarily stalled yet again in Congress.
The group got feedback from staff trips to the World Trade Organization headquarters and China; information about domestic support in developing countries; details of potential changes to the Canadian Wheat Board's structure; and an update on the status of funding for trade promotion programs.
JITPC's outgoing chairman is Leonard Schock of Vida, Mont., and its incoming chairman is Gordon Stoner of Outlook, Mont.
The joint committees are standing panels that have as members equal numbers of wheat producers representing the two organizations, plus a chairman, who rotates annually.
They examine in depth two issues NAWG and U.S. Wheat work on together - trade and biotechnology - and recommend policy to both Boards of Directors.
The JBC heard a number of presentations related to public-private partnerships, including an ongoing program to market Clearfield wheat in Colorado; collaborative efforts in Kansas; and the recently signed Wheat Workers Material Transfer Agreement (WWMTA).
Members of Joint Biotech also got updates from members of NAWG's staff and U.S. Wheat's staff who work on research and biotechnology issues.
The group recognized Scott Swenson, a grower from Elbow Lake, Minn., who was ending his term as JBC chairman; Michael Edgar, a grower from Yuma, Ariz., who is the new JBC chairman; and Mark Darrington, a grower from Declo, Idaho, who is going off the Committee after many years of service, including as chairman.
Additionally, the group noted Keith Kisling's recent appointment as a member of USDA's Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture, known as AC21. Kisling is a wheat grower from Burlington, Okla., and a member of the JBC.
Members of the Joint International Trade Policy Committee (JITPC) heard updates on wheat industry trade priorities, including long-pending free trade agreements that appear temporarily stalled yet again in Congress.
The group got feedback from staff trips to the World Trade Organization headquarters and China; information about domestic support in developing countries; details of potential changes to the Canadian Wheat Board's structure; and an update on the status of funding for trade promotion programs.
JITPC's outgoing chairman is Leonard Schock of Vida, Mont., and its incoming chairman is Gordon Stoner of Outlook, Mont.
The joint committees are standing panels that have as members equal numbers of wheat producers representing the two organizations, plus a chairman, who rotates annually.
They examine in depth two issues NAWG and U.S. Wheat work on together - trade and biotechnology - and recommend policy to both Boards of Directors.