2013 Borlaug CAST Communication Award

On Thursday, May 9, at the World Bank in Washington, D.C., CAST President Phillip Stahlman announced that Jeff Simmons is the 2013 Borlaug CAST Communication Award winner. Mark Cackler of the World Bank opened the event, and CAST EVP Linda M. Chimenti introduced the 2012 BCCA recipient Dr. Carl Winter. He spoke to the gathering about Food Safety Communications in the 21st Century. After the award announcement, DuPont Business Director John L. Chrosniak gave the closing remarks.

Jeff Simmons--Ag Executive, Leader, and Communicator

Press Release:  The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) announces that the prestigious 2013 Borlaug CAST Communication Award goes to Jeff Simmons, the President of Elanco. Nominees must demonstrate an ability to communicate by written material; public presentations; and/or the use of television, radio, or other social media. Simmons was nominated by colleagues from several corporations and nonprofit organizations. They recognize his significant contributions, including his passion about finding solutions for world hunger. Simmons is praised for his understanding of scientific data, his enthusiasm for agricultural innovations, and his support for the organizations and companies working on food security in a hungry world.
 
Knowledge and energy alone would not make Simmons a successful leader on the global stage. He is also able to communicate effectively with various audiences. As one colleague noted, "Simmons has that special ability to put the multiple complex issues involved in confronting hunger and the critical role of science in that process in terms that are not only understandable but inspiring."

Established in 1986 by CAST, the annual award goes to a specialist who communicates the importance of food and agricultural science to the public, policymakers, and the news media. Simmons' noted ability to communicate credible scientific information has made him a respected expert in his field and a popular speaker at agriculture and science events.

Simmons began developing his passion for food security as an ag student and FFA member in New York, where he gathered experience and awards at an early age. After studying marketing and agricultural economics at Cornell, he joined Elanco, and his abilities led to leadership roles for the company in Brazil and Europe.  During the ensuing years, he has built a reputation for his writing, speaking, and organizing expertise. His international experience gave him broad perspectives on food and agriculture, and he has published two white papers on the problems of global hunger. Simmons supports many groups ranging from Gleaners Food Bank to Heifer International, and he has traveled worldwide in an effort to make food security a reality for all.

One nominator sums up Simmons' impact this way: "Jeff's affable personality and warmth balance his dynamic energy, intellectualism, and excitement when talking about our food future, so the message is readily received. Jeff can distill data and present it so that it is easily understandable, garnering confidence and trust in the premise conveyed."

Diverse audiences benefit from Simmons' insights because he has a clear message and an ability to bring statistics and research into focus. He addresses groups that include senior business executives, government officials, research scientists, and 4-H or FFA members. Simmons gets his point across whether he is working face to face, on YouTube, or through Twitter (@JeffSimmons2050). In the modern world of agriculture, he is an inspiring communicator and a worthy recipient of the 2013 Borlaug CAST Communication Award.

An award presentation will occur at a breakfast co hosted by DuPont and CAST as a side event at the World Food Prize Symposium on October 16, 2013, in Des Moines, Iowa. The Borlaug CAST Communication Award honors the legacies of Nobel Prize winner Dr. Norman Borlaug and Dr. Charles A. Black, the first president of CAST.

The Grass is Always Pinker on the Other Side of the Fence

In Ray Bradbury’s classic novel, Dandelion Wine, Grandfather learns that a boarder in his house plans to install a new type of grass that does not need cutting.  This gets his dentures grinding for several reasons: he believes grass cutting is a zen-like activity that allows one to think; he believes we should not be obsessed about the newest time-saving methods; he believes we should hold on to some of the simple tasks of life, especially if they are connected to nature.

Of course, some might point out that Grandfather was no longer the one who actually had to mow the lawn--he simply sat back, listened to the drone of the engine, and smelled the aroma of the fresh-cut grass.  Nevertheless, many would understand his lawnmower rite-of-spring: sharpen blades, change oil, tune engine. If the mower is old or reluctant, the ritual then goes on to include: adjust choke, pull chord repeatedly, utter occasional swear words. The first sound of the mower proclaims that winter has faded.  However, if certain trends prevail, we could one day be in for a "silent spring."

Already we have electric mowers that muffle the sound, and rumors indicate we will soon have genetically altered grass that is either “slow grow” or “no grow.” Scientists are creating lawns that will be weed resistant, drought resistant, and possibly even lawnmower resistant. Some say we might have luminescent grass that glows at night or lawns that contain blades of varied colors. Maybe our grandkids will be saying, “The grass is always pinker on the other side of the fence.”

Proponents of this lawn-care evolution declare that the environment will benefit if sputtering gas mowers aren’t emitting carbons and noise pollution. They might suggest that properly engineered grass means fewer chemicals and no sprinkler systems during dry summers. Those bothered by the proliferation of biotech plants might disagree.  GMO corn, soybeans, and other crops already spark plenty of heated debates.

The simple act of clipping grass could also have economic impacts. Many of us earned a few dollars mowing neighbors’ lawns in the past, and nowadays, large companies compete for the privilege of sweeping in with the latest machines to make the yards look pristine. Yard-care services and lawnmower manufacturers could go broke. 

For several years, I lived in Tokyo, a concrete and steel city where few of the inhabitants had enough room for a bit of shrubbery let alone a well-kept lawn. Whenever I returned to the Midwest, I looked forward to the aroma of cut grass and the feel of a green carpet underfoot. Now that I am again residing in Iowa, I still anticipate the first signs of spring and the lawn ritual that goes with it, but I admit the thrill wears off a bit after repeated use. Maybe I could join “Grandfather” in rejoicing during that first cut of the spring, and then buy a few goats to take care of the grass for the rest of the summer. 

by dan gogerty (pic of sign from etsy.com; pic of sheep from funny-pictures.feedio.net)

Talking Turkey: Food Safety, Antibiotics, and Proselytizing

I grew up on a pig and cattle farm, and the few chickens in the shed did not make us a poultry business. Because we ended our small egg-laying operation before I was out of elementary school, my images are few: walking into the haze, dust, and floating feathers to collect warm eggs from the nests; watching dad rig up patchwork fencing to keep chickens in and foxes out; fearing and anticipating the typical butchering day with chopping block, headless birds, and smelly steamed feathers.

One other disclosure before delving into the new turkey meat controversy: Even though I hired out for farm work on several neighbor farms, I never had the joy of working at one of the numerous large turkey operations in our part of the state. The closest I came was one evening when some of us teenagers were driving the gravel roads, and we stopped along a large pen where hundreds of turkeys were enjoying the night air. We found that if you pitch your voice just right and start chattering nonsense like a B-grade televangelist, the turkeys would gather and gobble along like an adoring audience. We were tempted to pass the hat and ask them for money.

Aside from what appears at Thanksgiving feasts and in footlong Subway sandwiches, I don’t see turkeys close up, so I’m not sure what to make of the latest headlines claiming that “dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria has been found in ground turkey on U.S. grocery shelves.” These three links give a basic overview: 

This news organization reports about the news release coming from a consumer watchdog group that says affected turkey has been located in 21 states.

This article covers the basic claim and then the responses from the National Turkey Federation and the American Meat Institute.

And this blog from Dr. Scott Hurd regularly addresses issues concerning the livestock industry and antibiotic use.

The watchdog groups talk of food safety and dangerous organisms resulting from the widespread use of antibiotics. The meat producers point out that claims are often sensationalized and based on small samples. An objective person could spend many hours researching the issue, but it’s not always easy to sort out the facts and common sense from the turkey talk. When it comes to an issue like widespread antibiotic use, I sometimes feel as if I’m in the middle of a flock of turkeys--heads up, throats vibrating, and all gobbling at once.   

by dan gogerty (photo from ars/usda)

Related CAST Publication:  The Direct Relationship between Animal Health and Food Safety Outcomes