Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders in Cohort 2 take over Kansas City at first session

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The second Cohort of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders met in Kansas City for their first session, January 24-25, 2023.

Matt Musselman with Dairy Farmers of America shares about the DFA’s CoLab Accelerator while the Cohort explores innovation and investment in animal agriculture.

 


During the Cohort’s time in the KC Animal Health Corridor offices, Cohort leaders also engaged with Kimberly Young and Emily McVey – KC Animal Health Corridor, Duane Cantrell – Fulcrum Global Capital, and Kevin Heikes – Intent Ag.

 

Cohort Leaders also engaged in conversations on regulatory and legal issues affecting animal agriculture. The Cohort was hosted by the Honorable Stephen R. Bough – District Judge for the Western District of Missouri. In addition to hearing from Judge Bough, Cohort leaders learned from attorneys Robert Thompson – Partner at Bryan Cave, and David Erickson – Partner at Shook Hardy Bacon.

The day wrapped up with dinner at the Golden Ox in the historic Kansas City Livestock Exchange Building with KC-area NIAA board members and guest speaker, Kerryann Kocher – CEO of Vytelle. Kerryann inspired Cohort Leaders to Compare & Contrast as they lead animal agriculture into its next 100 years to ensure meat and milk are viable, competitive food choices for future generations.

Cohort 2 and Kerryann pose in front of the original pricing boards in the Kansas City Livestock Exchange.

The second day worked on learning more about their leadership strengths and building a community within the cohort.

 

The evening was spent at a collaborative cooking experience with Chef Raven Naramore at Olive Tree. The cohort shared in camaraderie while making their meal and discussed with the chef factors that influence her choices in incorporating animal protein in menus.

 

 

 

National Institute for Animal Agriculture Selects Second Cohort for the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders Program

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The second class participating in the National Institute for Animal Agriculture’s (NIAA) Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders has been selected and will convene in February 2023 for their introductory session.

NIAA is in its second year of providing an opportunity for animal agriculture leaders to gain next-level leadership and professional development training. What makes the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders unique is its curriculum is specifically designed for the animal agriculture segment of the industry and participants co-design their experience.

The 16-month program is sponsored by the United Soybean Board and was created by NIAA to empower professionals in the early to midpart of their careers to build on previous leadership development experiences and collaborate with peers across the industry. The cohort attends five in-person meetings with additional virtual working sessions to focus on four areas of development: critical thinking, leadership development, connecting and relating skills, and operational excellence.

“Part of NIAA’s mission is to foster collaboration and cooperation throughout the industry. This program was intentionally developed to build upon existing leadership experiences, so professionals advance their skills – specifically, collaboration,” said Eric Moore, NIAA Board Chairman. “It was important to me to participate in the inaugural cohort and it has been an enriching experience for me and my fellow leaders.”

The second cohort represents a range of agricultural sectors to advance animal agriculture’s role in today’s food system. NIAA welcomes:

  • Tressa Lacy, TransOva Genetics
  • Jared Bramer, Kemin Animal Nutrition & Health – North America
  • Amanda Butterfield, North American Meat Institute
  • TJ Flax, Dexer
  • Trisha Klement, Datamars Livestock
  • Phillip Lancaster, Kansas State University
  • Miriam Martin, North American Meat Institute
  • Chandler Mulvaney, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
  • Jake Renner, American Gelbvieh Association
  • Jennette Rietcheck, Norbrook
  • Kayla Rink, Dairy Farmers of America
  • Grant Sardella, ABS Global
  • Jennifer Schmitt, Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota
  • Austin Snook, Merck Animal Health
  • Sarah Thomas, The Ohio State University
  • Brandon Treichler, Treichler Consulting Services
  • Stephanie Ward, NC State University
  • Jonathan White, United Producers NC
  • Tim Bardole, United Soybean Board
  • Shannon Ellis, United Soybean Board

To learn more about the program, it’s sponsors and how to participate in the next cohort, visit https://www.animalagriculture.org/leadership-program/.

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NIAA Leadership Program Launches Matching Funds Campaign

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With the generous support of a member and the organization’s board of directors, the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) has launched a matching funds campaign to support the NIAA Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders program. An initial donation of $10,000 has been received with a goal of raising at least $20,000 via matching contributions. Funds raised will develop and empower animal agriculture leaders to positively affect the future of animal agriculture in the U.S. and around the world.

“We began this program to bring together proven leaders from all segments of the value chain,” shares Dr. Eric Moore, NIAA chairman of the board of directors and director of technical services – North America, Norbrook, Inc.

NIAA’s Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders is a multi-disciplinary leadership program. The program was initiated after NIAA’s board of directors envisioned a program to build on animal agriculture leaders’ experiences in species and organization-specific professional development programming. NIAA executive director, J.J. Jones, highlights that, “The program is designed to expand the leadership and professional development continuum for our sector of today’s food system.”

Leaders selected for the program grow and develop through in-person and virtual experiential learnings and an engaging, dynamic curriculum developed specifically for this program. The program provides participants – leaders from the entire value chain – the advanced skills necessary to lead animal agriculture into the future. Cornerstone components of the program expand leaders’ proficiencies in critical thinking, leadership development, connecting and relating skills, and achieving operational excellence within their organization and animal agriculture.

To contribute, click here. To learn more about the NIAA Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders program, visit www.AnimalAgriculture.org/leadership-program.

NIAA Opens Nomination Period for Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders

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Participant applications for 2nd cohort of leadership program due November 1

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) is now accepting nominations for the second cohort of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders program. Nominations are due November 1.

In 2021, NIAA launched a new program providing emerging leaders a new opportunity to gain next-level leadership and professional development training specifically focused on the animal agriculture segment of the industry. Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders was developed and sponsored by the United Soybean Board (USB) and NIAA. The program empowers professionals in the early or middle part of their careers to build on previous leadership development experiences and collaborate with peers across the industry. Participants in the program will represent a range of agricultural sectors and will collaborate to advance animal agriculture’s role in today’s food system.

The 16-month leadership program blends in-person and virtual working sessions to focus on four areas of development: critical thinking, leadership development, connecting and relating skills, and operational excellence. Members of the program work together on applied-learning, small-group capstone projects, which will incorporate topics identified by supporting NIAA sponsors. Project outcomes will be shared at the NIAA Annual Conference held each April.

“Part of NIAA’s mission is to foster collaboration and cooperation throughout the industry. This program was intentionally developed to build upon existing leadership experiences, so professionals advance their leadership and, specifically, collaboration skills,” said Eric Moore, NIAA Board Chairman. “It was important to me to participate in the inaugural cohort and it has been an enriching experience for me and my fellow leaders.”

USB serves as the founding sponsor of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders Program, with additional financial support provided by NIAA and its members and partners. Sponsorship funding allows participants pay a fee of $2,500, while receiving an estimated $10,000 in training and resources. The enrollment fee also includes one year of NIAA membership.

NIAA is accepting nominations for the program’s second 20-member cohort now through November 1. The selection process begins with a nomination from a sponsoring organization. More information about how to nominate an individual for the program or become an applicant is available at www.animalagriculture.org/leadership-program/.

NIAA’s Animal Agriculture Leaders Take a Bite of Sacramento

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The inaugural class participating in the National Institute for Animal Agriculture’s (NIAA) Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders finished their third in-person leadership training session in Sacramento, California.

In January, NIAA announced the inaugural cohort of the newly-developed Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders. This leadership training course is sponsored by the United Soybean Board and was created by NIAA to empower animal agriculture professionals to strengthen previous leadership development experiences and collaborate with peers across the industry.

During the working session in Sacramento, leaders learned from:

  • Ben West, PhD, Director of Strategic Partnerships from the University of Tennessee as he provided practical training in Communicating the Science of Animal Agriculture through the Lens of Human Psychology
  • Secretary Karen Ross, California Department of Food and Agriculture, to discuss historic and emerging trends in agriculture policy and regulation
  • Better Meat Co. to explore the intersection between alternative proteins and animal agriculture
  • Frank Mitloehner, PhD and Joe Proudman – CLEAR Center, UC Davis provided a detailed overview of the Clarity and Leadership for Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR) Center’s work in the areas of research and communication to address sustainability
  • Other leaders in California agriculture were invited to network with the cohort, including Daren Williams – senior director, global communications, Almond Board of California; Michael Boccadora – executive director, Dairy CARES; Louie Brown – attorney, Law, Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP; and Lloyd Kunimoto – CEO, Amfora.

The closing session focused on small group work that will be used for the capstone project at the close of the cohort’s 16-month program.

“The pairing of communications training with an exploration of topics such as sustainability, alternative proteins, and regulatory oversight provided a unique chance to build professional skills while also expanding our knowledge base and network within animal agriculture. I appreciate the opportunities that this program provides to learn from industry leaders who share with us their enthusiasm for their area of work and the future of animal agriculture,” said Dr. Hayley Springer, Extension Veterinarian, Penn State University and inaugural cohort member.

The inaugural cohort represents a range of agricultural sectors to advance animal agriculture’s role in today’s food system. Participants are Rebecca Barnett, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture; Tera Barnhardt, Animal Welfare Consulting & Research, LLC; Pierce Bennett, Livestock Marketing Association; Kaitlyn Briggs, Dairy Management, Inc.; Ryan Goodman, Beef Runner; Todd Hanten, Hanten’s Dairy, Inc.; Katherine Harrison, Harrison Farms; Michelle Hiscocks, Iowa State University Department of Animal Science; Madison Hopcia, Upstate Niagara Cooperative; Josh Luth, SCS Global Services; Karaline Mayer, Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health; Eric Moore, Norbrook, Inc.; Hayley Springer, Pennsylvania State University; and Reginald Strickland, Strickland Farming Group.

To learn more about the program, its sponsors, and how to participate in the next cohort, visit https://www.animalagriculture.org/leadership-program/.

 

Webinar discusses innovations in animal agriculture, prep for future

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Original article from High Plains Journal.

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It’s not always as simple as growing a crop or raising a steer to feed people.

Agriculture in the United States is constantly being analyzed and under the microscope as farmers and ranchers try to meet sustainability and environmental, social, and governance goals.

According to the Animal Agriculture Alliance, tech and innovation will be critical for animal ag to rise to the challenge. Of the nearly $20 billion in venture capital that was invested in Agri-Food Tech startups in 2019, only part of went to animal ag. AAA hosted a webinar recently discussing what’s coming next for the livestock sector.

During the webinar, experts JJ Jones and Amy te Plate-Church explained some possible solutions to these challenges, as well as how they can be funded and accepted by consumers. Jones is the executive director of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, and te Plate-Church is an engagement specialist at The Center for Food Integrity.

By 2019 many in livestock and food circles started seeing the significant advancement in the investment in the food and ag tech segments—$19.8 billion went into the value chain. Those dollars, however, were only those publicly discussed.

“So there may have been private investments that that happened that were not issued in a press release or did not flow through a channel where we could find that information,” Jones said. “But that’s a fairly large and significant investment that’s taking place.”

Jones feels animal ag and the food system goals are being set by various organizations and groups when it comes to various aspects of the food system.

He has looked at topics like greater productivity and how to ensure protein supplies are available to friends, family, and neighbors across the country and around the globe.

“We’ve looked at goals around preserving lifestyles, how do we ensure that the next generation of family members or business owners can take over our sector of animal agriculture and really then in terms of certain proteins, species specific for example, our goal has been how do we compete with other species protein,” Jones said.

When it comes to the venture capital numbers, in 2019 there was a significant increase in investment by venture capitalists in food and agritech areas. Jones said when those groups are looking where to invest, there’s six primary factors they look for. Those factors include: character, capacity, creativity, community, sustainability, and financial outlook.

“I think that’s also important for us and food and agriculture, no matter where we are at in supply chain or the value chain, to think about how do we help entrepreneurs and innovators identify where we need creative solutions,” he said. “So is this innovation or technology good for the community?”

Investors are looking for sustainable or long-term plays. It can’t just be a flash in the pan type activity or innovation, Jones said, it has to be one that has long-term viability.

“So that they can find their return on investment because obviously, that’s what venture capital is going for,” he said. “And then in the same terms, what is the financial outlook is the growth rate there for this innovation or this technology.”

Jones said the numbers he shared demonstrate that venture capitalists and others in the tech and innovation space are very interested in food and ag tech. Looking deeper at the $19.8 billion investment across the supply chain in 2019, Jones began to dissect how much was going into technologies at the farm and ranch level on through the consumer products. He also wanted to dissect the $7.6 billion and how much was going towards crop versus animal agriculture.

To read the rest of the article, visit High Plains Journal.

NIAA Seeks Subject Matter Experts for the 12th Annual Antibiotics Symposium

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Alexandria, Va. (July 19, 2022) — The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) is requesting proposals for presentations from subject matter experts for the 12th Annual Antibiotics Symposium in Alexandria, Virginia from November 1-3, 2022. This year’s theme for Symposium is Exploring Stewardship, Sustainability, and Collaboration.

The 12th Annual Antibiotics Symposium will continue NIAA’s focus on a One Health approach to antimicrobial resistance and stewardship and will connect leaders from animal, human and environmental health organizations. NIAA events provide opportunities for industry leaders to collaborate on research, education, and communication efforts.

Proposals should outline the main points of a 15-minute presentation regarding one of the five topics of interest for the Symposium session:

  • Into the future
  • New veterinary medicine
  • Telehealth and stewardship
  • Tracking usage
  • What is happening globally?

One applicant will be selected for each topic totaling five presenters. Proposals are due Friday, August 19, 2022. The Antibiotics Symposium Planning Committee will announce the selected presenters on Friday, August 26, 2022. Presenters will give their 15-minute Power Talk on November 3, 2022.

More information regarding the RFP details, timeline, and topics of interest for the 12th Annual Antibiotics Symposium can be found on the NIAA website at www.animalagriculture.org. Applications and questions may be sent to Communications@animalagriculture.org.

 

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NIAA is the leading resource for the animal agriculture industry and provides value to all stakeholders involved in providing safe and healthy food for the world. NIAA is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing programs to work towards providing solutions for disease, while promoting a safe and wholesome food supply and the best practices of environmental stewardship, animal health and well-being.

National Institute for Animal Agriculture Elects New Board of Directors and Awards Industry Professionals 

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National Institute for Animal Agriculture Elects New Board of Directors and Awards Industry Professionals   Kansas City, Mo. (April 29, 2022) — The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) welcomed members and guests to Kansas City for the 2022 Annual Conference: Producing Protein for a Food Insecure & Uncertain World – Leading Food Security, Sustainable […]

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NIAA Launches A New Sustainability Council

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The National Institute for Animal Agriculture Launches Sustainability Council     Manhattan, Kans. (March 24, 2022) – The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) has launched a new sustainability council to empower NIAA members, partners, and industry experts to explore, discuss, learn, and develop knowledge that ensures the viability and acceptance of animal agriculture in today’s […]

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National Institute for Animal Agriculture Opens Registration for the 2022 Annual Conference

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National Institute for Animal Agriculture Opens Registration for the 2022 Annual Conference

Animal agriculture leaders are prepared to meet the needs of a changing world where transparency and earning consumer trust is an ongoing priority

Kansas City, Mo. (February 9, 2022) — The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) has opened registration for the 2022 Annual Conference in Kansas City, Missouri from April 20-22. Join fellow animal agriculture leaders at the opening reception for a chef-guided meal that explores the effects genetics, feed ingredients, production practices, and more have on the farm-to-table eating experience. Space is limited to the first 50 registrants.

Whether it’s securing protein for all, sustainably producing protein, or innovatively meeting the needs of many, there is never a shortage of critical topics to address. The 2022 NIAA Annual Conference, Producing Protein for a Food Insecure & Uncertain World – Leading Food Security, Sustainable Production, and Innovation, will convene leaders in animal agriculture as we explore, discuss, and develop solutions to industry challenges.

“Animal agriculture leaders are prepared to meet the needs of a changing world. Transparency is increasingly important while earning and maintaining consumer trust is an ongoing priority,” said Chelsea Good, Livestock Marketing Association, NIAA board member, and Annual Conference planning committee member.

Annual Conference will feature dynamic keynote speakers as we seek collaboration and solutions with our colleagues from across the food system. Panelists will include experts in disruptive innovation, food security, animal agriculture policy, sustainable production, industry collaboration and more. Confirmed speakers, panelists and moderators include:

  • Diana Kander, JD – Kansas City native, keynote speaker, New York Times best-selling author and innovation expert
  • Lamar Steiger – ranch management consultant, board member of FoodCap New Zealand, and trusted beef innovation advisor to Wal-Mart and ABS Global
  • Janette Barnard, MBA – Merck Animal Health, Prime Futures
  • Nevil Speer, PhD – Where Food Comes From, Inc.
  • Kelly Loganbill – Midan Marketing
  • Chelsea Good, JD – Livestock Marketing Association

To register, view the full agenda and reserve a room at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown for the 2022 Annual Convention, please visit www.AnimalAgriculture.org. Virtual attendance is an option for those unable to travel. Early bird rates are active through March 1, 2022. For assistance, please contact Morgan Young, Director of Communications and Outreach for the National Institute for Animal Agriculture at morgan.young@animalagriculture.org.

 

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About the National Institute for Animal Agriculture

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) is a non-profit organization focused on advancing and advocating for animal agriculture. The organization’s mission is to convene animal agriculture experts and allies in collaborative settings to explore, discuss, learn, and develop knowledge that fosters interdisciplinary cooperation for the improvement and continuous progress of animal agriculture. Learn more about NIAA at www.animalagriculture.org.