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ACGA President Bolin visits MASA meeting
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The largest used equipment inventory in the Mid-Atlantic is only a click away. Visit our website by clicking here or visit us at one of our 11 locations throughout MD, DE, VA and PA.
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ACGA President Bolin visits MASA meeting
1.29.2008
By CAROL KINSLEY
Staff Reporter
HARRINGTON, Del. — The presidents of two national commodity groups were on hand on Jan. 10 for the annual membership meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Soybean Association.
Noting that soybean growers are also usually corn growers, Keith Bolin brought greetings from the American Corn Growers Association. “Legislative action and policy is what we are here for,” Bolin said. “Any time you see legislation being talked about in the formation state, call us. We want to be a positive influence on policy.”
John Hoffman, president of the American Soybean Association, was the keynote speaker.
Admittedly “preaching to the choir,” he reminded those present that paying into the soybean checkoff does not make one a member of the association but provides funds that the state and national soybean boards use for promotion, research and education.
Although ASA was instrumental in creating the checkoff years ago, the membership organization is not funded by checkoff dollars.
“Membership in ASA gives soy farmers a voice,” Hoffman said. “We want to be a positive influence on policy in the four-state area.”
Hoffman, a “hands-on,” fifth generation farmer of 1,500 acres in Iowa, praised MASA’s National Director Joe Layton, a Vienna, Md., farmer, as an invaluable resource to MASA and ASA. In his latest assignment, Layton will travel throughout the European Union advocating biotechnology.
ASA is working on the Farm Bill, urging congressmen and senators to move it out of conference committee rather than see the 2002 Farm Bill extended.
“Our No. 1 priority is to move the target price higher,” he said. The goal is a target price of $6.30.
Also in the Farm Bill are critical items such as direct payments to biodiesel producers, a tax incentive for biodiesel, and research on soybeans.
MASA President Richard Wilkins, who lives in Greenwood, Del., reported the organization has developed a good relationship with several representatives on Capitol Hill. He invited more members to join in the next visitation on March 11.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to retiring directors Jonathan Quinn of Warwick, Md., and Dave Daniels of Galena, Md. David Bibus of Wrightstown, N.J., received his at a special training session for board members in Philadelphia.
Quinn was “a major impetus” for MASA’s reorganization, Wilkins said. “Had it not been for his leadership, I don’t think the organization would be where it is today.”
Wilkins and Susan Arnold of Salisbury were re-elected to the board of directors. New directors elected were Alan Schmidt of Sudlersville, Md.; Kevin Evans of Bridgeville, Del.; Larry Breech of Millville, Pa.; and Rob Ekholm of Seaford, Del.
John Cassidy of Perdue Farms Inc. — representing the National Oil Seed Processors Association, which helps sponsor the annual MASA dinner — reviewed the importance of soybeans in the oilseed and livestock industry.