Members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) were on Capitol Hill last week talking with lawmakers, administration officials, and industry organizations about topics important to agriculture, and the National Corn Growers Association was happy to once again be part of that event. NCGA Executive Vice President Jon Doggett, Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs Manager Clint Raine, and Director …
Washington Post Elucidates Unintended Consequences of Convoluted Food Labels
The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) and Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), is gaining steam and supporters in this first week since its introduction. Sunday, the Washington Post wrote an eloquent editorial outlining why Americans should support this important legislation. Pointing out that “mandated labeling would deter the purchase of genetically modified (GM) food …
Common Sense Prevails in Colorado
Last night, voters spoke across the country on a variety of issues. In Colorado, one point was certainly clear – voters saw through the poorly written propaganda of GMO-labeling Proposition 105. “Results Wednesday morning indicated voters had rejected the proposal, 66 percent to 34 percent, with 94 percent of the precincts reporting,” according to the Denver Business Journal. In the …
I Grow GMO: Not Ashamed or Embarrassed
Today, Corn Commentary features a guest post from blogger, CommonGround volunteer, farmer and dietitian Jennie Schmidt. Schmidt testified March 11 in opposition to a state bill which would require labeling of certain products containing GMOs. As similar battles rev up across the country, she offers not only her perspective as a farmer but also as a registered dietitian who earned an advanced degree in science. …
Consumers Have a Right to Know
In the California GMO Labeling debate, it seems everyone involved can agree upon one basic premise – consumers have a right to know. The debate occurs around exactly what that right entails. Arguing to redefine terms such as “natural”, even to the exclusion of foods such as olive oil, proponents of the bill seem to believe consumers have a right …
It Could Always Be Worse
Looking around while pumping gas at a local filling station yields a bounty of scowls, grimaces and a plethora of pained facial expressions these days. With gas prices creeping steadily upwards, it is hard to imagine how much worse it could be, but, without ethanol, it would. Last week during the General Session of Commodity Classic 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee, …
Make Sure Congress Isn’t Playing During Recess
Some things from grade school still hold true. You shouldn’t forget what you learned over the summer, you should try your hardest, and there should always be a playground monitor. This August, while Congress is at recess, they need you to act as a playground monitor by reminding them of what they learned about the importance of pending trade agreements …
Pseudo-Journalists, Hot Corn and the Heat Dome Monster
According to many St. Louis meteorologists, the heat dome of 2011 will relent today, finally ushering in still-hot, but not life-threatening temperatures. In retrospect, the seemingly epic heat wave does offer some degree of humor. It just isn’t summer in the Midwest until some crack journalist attempts to fry an egg, cook macaroni and cheese, or even pop corn on …
Is Congress Out of Touch? Maybe It’s Our Fault
For the vast majority of Americans, the idea of personally visiting their House or Senate representatives in Washington sounds somewhere between intimidating and uninteresting. Despite the fact that they, together with the other members of their state or district, directly determine if said legislator keeps his or her job, most citizens simply do not feel heard or as if their …
Who Wasn’t Paying Attention in High School English Class?
As high school English teachers hand out research paper assignments to eye rolls and sighs, they must know that their students feel nearly certain that the knowledge gained in carefully sourcing their final assignment will never serve them later in life. This attitude remains pervasive into adulthood it seems as many legislators, food elitists and a broad array of anti-ag …