Imagine what life was like when President Lincoln signed the act of Congress establishing the USDA.  The Civil War had begun just a year prior, the Homestead Act would be signed on May 20 and nearly half of Americans lived on farms.  Pioneers relied on mule drawn plows to break up the tough prairie sod and were excited to grow a big enough crop to feed their families for the winter. I wonder what they would think of the sophisticated tractors and GPS tracking we used to plant this year’s crop.

Today, Kaydee Caldwell submitted a letter expressing her admiration for her mom, Dawn Caldwell, and the work that she does to the CommonGround website.  Just in time for Mother’s Day, it now features that letter, expressing a sentiment with which many farmers’ daughters and sons can relate.

Farm children across the country come back to their homes after college or military service every day.  Many of those who do not return continue to support the family farm through their work in agribusiness.  The ties to their background run deep, in large part, because of their deep, sincere admiration for their parents and the hard work they do.

Kaydee, along with the children of other moms and dads who place themselves at the forefront of the national conversation about farming, has a unique reason to feel so proud of and inspired by her mother.  Expressing the reason for her admiration, she explains, “she is doing what she thinks is right, and she is making a huge difference .”

Surely, this is a sentiment mothers almost universally, even if only subconsciously, long to hear from their sons and daughters.  It takes courage to act based upon your principles rather than cave into the temptation to remain on the sidelines and deem it someone else’s fight.  It takes incredible energy and perseverance to make a difference, especially one a teenage daughter publicly commends.

Maybe there are two huge messages to take away from this one, simple act this Mother’s Day.

1. Acting as an advocate for what one believes, in a sincere, passionate, principled way, always has a positive effect.  Whether it changes public policy or inspires one’s own child, the time and energy put forward comes back in the end.
2. This Sunday, take a moment to speak kindly to someone who has inspired you, whether it is your mom, a kindly neighbor or someone who acted as a mother to you. Letting someone know that they have inspired you can travel like ripples in a pond, spreading that positive message as it goes.

Oprah’s power as a media mogul has not diminished since her self-titled program ran its final episode.  Instead, her legions of followers now flock to her magazine, website, cable channel and the programs of her protégés, actively seeking out her wisdom on subjects ranging from the best fiction to nutrition advice.

Sadly, sometimes the references she points to on food issues contain enough fallacies that a particularly witty librarian might file them in the fiction section.  With an entire section of her website dedicated to Michael Pollan’s “Food 101,” she lends the halo-effect of her considerable influence to works which have many unfounded statements and some which have been disproven by a variety of reputable sources.

Now, Tim Burrack, an Iowa farmer who actively participates in the advancement of his industry through service to the National Corn Growers Association and several other ag-focused groups, has issued a challenge in the form of an invitation.  In a letter published on the Truth about Trade and Biotechnology’s website, Burrack invites Winfrey to visit his farm for “a firsthand look at how an Iowa farmer produces healthy food in an economically and environmentally sustainable way.”

Burrack felt the need to act after reading an article in the May issue of O: The Oprah Magazine that asserts no one actually knows the real effect of crops produced using biotechnology.  Understanding the impact Oprah’s statements have upon her vast legions of followers, he issued the offer to help better inform the media maven and, in doing so, help provide a deeper, more informed understanding of modern agriculture to someone who wields almost unmatched influence on the American public.

Like Burrack, farmers and their allies know all too well how even a simple uninformed statement can harm public understanding of agriculture for years to come.  Given the influence of the source in this case, it is crucial that America’s farmers stand up for the incredible work that they do and products they provide.

Take a stand for farmers and for truth today.  Click here to post a comment to the original article calling on Oprah to take Burrack up on his invitation. Then, wield some social media influence by sharing the letter through Twitter or Facebook.

Together, the people who grow food for our country can take on those who would insult or mischaracterize their work while enjoying the variety of safe, affordable choices they produce.  Burrack took a stand for what he knows is right. Now, let Oprah know just how many of America’s farmer families and their friends stand behind him.

The May 10 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report projects U.S. feed grain supplies for 2012/13 at a record 416.3 million tons, up 16 percent from 2011/12 at a record 416.3 million tons, with corn production called at a record 14.8 billion bushels, up 2.4 billion from 2011/12.

A projected 5.1-million acre increase in harvested area and higher expected yields, compared with 2011/12, sharply boost production prospects. The 2012/13 corn yield is projected at a record 166.0 bushels per acre, 2.0 bushels above the 1990-2010 trend reflecting the rapid pace of planting and emergence. Despite the lowest expected carry-in in 16 years, corn supplies for 2012/13 are projected at a record 15.7 billion bushels, up 2.2 billion from 2011/12. Total U.S. corn use for 2012/13 is projected up 9 percent from 2011/12 on higher feed and residual disappearance, increased use for sweeteners and starch, and larger exports.

Under the corn usage category, USDA is increasing feed and residual use by 900 million bushels based on a sharp rebound in residual disappearance with the record crop and an increase in feeding with lower corn prices and higher expected pork and poultry production and exports are projected to be 200 million bushels higher than last year on abundant domestic supplies, lower prices, and higher expected China demand. Projected corn use for ethanol is unchanged at five billion bushels on the year as weak gasoline consumption limits domestic blending opportunities.

Of course, the downside to bigger supplies is lower prices. USDA is projecting at this point that the season-average farm price this year will be somewhere around $4.20 to $5.00 per bushel, down sharply from the 2011/12 record projected at $5.95 to $6.25 per bushel but still much better than it used to be.

Clinging to worn-out rhetoric shrouded in a mindless, trendy façade, these protesters stand against a fundamental principle upon which the nation is based.  The ownership of private property has been held as a fundamental value of American society since the revolution.  The nation’s forefathers enshrined it in the Constitution, and, in doing so, created a country to which many have fled in order to gain this protection.  Placing their judgment above that of the university governing board, state government and of the people which those legislators represent, this fringe group forcibly chose to repurpose land to suit its own agenda.

What did the people who support this university lose?

They lost a valuable asset that provided the university with an outdoor laboratory.  Agricultural research often culminates in necessary field trials that allow scientists to test how new varieties or products will react in circumstances similar to those in which they may ultimately grow.  This land was not a common area without a stated purpose.  These protestors stole a valuable resource.

They lost the valuable time.  Right now, the future food security of the world depends upon agricultural research.   In next 40 years, farmers will need to produce more food than was produced in the last 10,000 years combined to ensure the food supply keeps up with population growth.  In light of this challenge, taking fields used for research into the products which will make this possible is tantamount to taking food from the mouths of those who will need it within our lifetime.

Actions have real consequences.  The “Occupy the Farm” movement has shown how disregard for the basic ground rules governing our society, no matter how supposedly well-intentioned, results in real harm.  Their lack of foresight and careful scrutiny of the possibly consequences of their actions shows the irresponsibility inherent in policies they espouse.

And yet, in their inconsistent little world, it’s perfectly OK for EWG to lobby. An article in The Hill, a prominent Washington newspaper and website, talks about how EWG has hired “top K Street lobbyists” to do battle on the farm bill. On Twitter, EWG President Ken Cook even bragged about it.

The Hill puts it rather succinctly: “EWG is no slouch when it comes to lobbying.” We don’t begrudge them their right to lobby, or even to contract with a powerful millionaire lobbyist firm for that matter. But we do think they should think twice before attacking someone else as a lobbyist. There’s got to be another word, and the English language provides so many other options.

“In spite of the wettest weather of the spring, producers in the Midwest still managed to plant a significant acreage of corn and soybeans” last week, says USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey. “Corn emergence was greatly benefited by the rain and continuing warm weather.” Nearly a third of the crop is emerged nationwide, compared to the average of 13%. Last year, just six percent was emerged by this time.

Couple of weeks ago, Iowa was one of only a couple of states behind in corn planting, but farmers have surged ahead since then and progress now stands at 64%, compared to the five year average of 58%. Emergence of 23% in Iowa is more than twice the normal pace for this time of year. Only Texas remains behind the average, with 75% planted compared to 80% normal. Emergence-wise, three states are behind schedule – Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, along with Texas. But everyone else is well ahead of normal and soybean planting is now surging ahead as well with 24% planted, compared to 11% on average.

“What growers optimistically viewed as a potentially optimal planting season has become a reality in many areas,” said National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer. “Conditions could still change, but either way, farmers will meet the challenge and produce an affordable, abundant supply of corn.”

Farmers are making good progress, but it’s no record. The record for this time of year was set in 2010 with 81% planted.

While the president was talking about the Berlin Wall, we’re talking about the Blend Wall – but both are symbols of freedom denied.

As Ken said in the previous post, freedom means choice. The Berlin Wall served to prevent freedom of movement, the blend wall is serving to prevent freedom of fueling.

“For the time being, I think we are at a blend wall and it’s a pretty hard wall,” said USDA chief economist Joe Glauber during a recent gathering of farm broadcasters in Washington DC. Glauber says the general feeling now is that the blend wall is about 13.5 billion gallons. “What gets produced in excess of that has to go out through the export market,” he said. “Last year we had a spectacular year, exporting more than a billion gallons, but most people think that won’t happen this year.” He expects Brazil in particular will not import as much ethanol this year.

The industry is moving steadily toward the 15 billion gallon corn ethanol cap under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) but Glauber says right now the market is steady at about 10 percent of ethanol blended fuel as getting E15 in the marketplace is slowly becoming reality. “But you still have the underlying economics of whether or not a gas station is going to change over equipment to be able to sell E15,” he said. “The likely thing would be so-called blender pumps, which are expensive propositions.”

The expense of putting in blender pumps for stations can be offset by numerous federal, state and industry programs that offer grants and incentives to stations, but the oil companies are still putting up walls to discourage station owners from doing so. Last week, the American Petroleum Institute (API) proclaimed that EPA approval of E15 poses “serious safety and environmental concerns for consumers” because “an estimated half of all gasoline station equipment is not compatible with E15.”

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Senior Vice President Ron Lamberty, who owns and operates a Sioux Falls convenience store, found that surprising since most of pumps and tanks have been tested for decades using at least 15% ethanol. “Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listing for petroleum equipment requires that they pass dozens of tests using fuel that contains 15% ethanol and their listing for tanks and piping defines “alcohol-gasoline mixtures” as any level of ethanol or methanol up to and including 100%,” he said, adding that the pumps at his station are warrantied for E15, and his tanks and lines are compatible with gasoline ethanol blends. “My biggest infrastructure problem with E15 is that the API-member oil company that supplies my station won’t let me sell it,” he said.

While there are some legitimate concerns with infrastructure, the industry is actively working with all stakeholders to address any safety issues regarding E15, including a website dedicated to E15 information (www.E15fuel.org), a misfueling mitigation plan to help retailers avoid confusion, and an E15 Retailer Handbook for gas station owners seeking to offer E15. But all of that requires the cooperation of the oil companies that control a majority of fueling stations to make it happen.

For the sake of fueling freedom, we challenge the oil companies – “Tear down this wall” – sooner rather than later.

The sign of real fuel freedom.

When we needed to buy new cars last year, my wife and I settled on two late-model used cars – she, a 2009 minivan and me, a 2008 sedan.  One thing we noticed right away were the headrests. They were leaning forward in a way that the older cars did not, and they leaned forward in a way that was a little more uncomfortable than before. Just Google the problem and you will see we are not alone in our complaint.

The headrests come to mind whenever ethanol opponents of a more conservative or libertarian persuasion tell me we need to get rid of ethanol “mandates” like the Renewable Fuel Standard. The fact is, so much in the car you drive is a mandate of one sort or another – sometimes for auto safety, sometimes for energy efficiency, sometimes for cleaner air.  Sometimes, government bureacrats mandate things just because they can.

So, here’s the thing. Take away the RFS and there is still “mandated” fuel at the pumps. Gas station owners can’t just put whatever they want in their pumps, just as consumers are prevented by federal law from mixing alternative fuels themselves. Opposing the RFS because it may be a mandate is pointless.

But there is one ethanol approach that should have libertarians rejoicing. With its E15 waiver, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is allowing gas stations to offer more choice. It’s not a “mandate,” as ethanol opponents wrongly charge – it’s an option.

Taken to its next logical level, the idea of blender pumps allow even more fuel freedom for those who want a greater say in what goes into their car. We’re not forcing a fuel on consumers, we’re liberating the pumps.

Now, if we could just get the headrest problem fixed.

Image courtesy Tricia Braid

Take this watch, for example. It is made by Sprout Watches which offers a line of eco-friendly watches that contain corn resin and bamboo. The watches come in multiple colors, each with a different earth-themed design.

The corn resin is used as a component of the plastic, rather than using petroleum-based products. Sprout promotes the technology on its website and notes that corn resin pellets sequester far less fossil fuel and emits much less greenhouse gases. In addition, the watches are biodegradable and will not leach toxins into the ground. If you want to learn more, they have some neat graphics to demonstrate the process from stalk to watch.

Energy blogger Joanna Schroeder found the corn watch sometime last year and did a post about it recently on AgWired. Nice that the corn watch matches the corn jeans that she found a few years ago.

Add this to the list of products that can be made with corn – like skateboards, doggie waste bags, diapers, toilet paper, carpeting, trash cans, even phones! When we think about becoming less dependent on petroleum, we have to remember that petroleum is used to make plastics – and corn can replace that as well. It’s about time!