Ag Faces in the Crowd - Bryant Beginning Farmer finalist
DODGEVILLE, WI
Bryant 2017 Beginning Farmer state finalist
Poultry farmer Nicholas Bryant will compete as a finalist for the Beginning Farmer of the Year 2017 award from Routes to Farm (routes2farm.org). Bryant is owner of Bryant Family Farms, a pastured poultry farm in Hollandale and Mineral Point, WI.
Robert Bauer, Grazing Broker for Southwest Badger RC&D said Bryant was among four farmers that made three-minute videos about their livestock farms and how they have partnered with Southwest Badger.
"Over the past month more than 6000 votes were cast online in support of the farmers. Bryant Family Farms was selected as a Finalist because it received the most votes," he said.
As a Finalist in the competition, Bryant will receive honorable mention, a $100 honorarium, and a free pass to the Good Food Festival in Chicago during March 17, 2017. The winner of Beginning Farmer of the Year will receive a $1,000 honorarium, award at the public ceremony, a free pass to the Good Food Festival, and partial travel support to the event.
"A healthy start for my chicks is important to me as a pastured poultry farmer. If I win I will invest the honorarium in a new chick brooder that is easier to clean, ventilates properly, and heats more efficiently" Bryant said.
Other farms competing were Riemer Family Farm, Greenfire Farm and Pleasant Valley Farm.
Angelic Organics Learning Center and Upper Midwest CRAFT of Caledonia, IL, launched the Beginning Farmer of the Year award in 2013 to celebrate individuals who enter farming.
The videos and farmer bios are available to watch online at www.facebook.com/SWBadger
LEXINGTON, KY
Alltech joins the Soil and Fertilizer Alliance of China
In an effort to improve soil quality and environmental protection in China, various key players from soil, fertilizer and livestock industries formed the Soil and Fertilizer Alliance of China (SFAC) in February 2016.
Alltech, guided by its founding ACE principle of positively benefiting the animal, the consumer and the environment, has joined the SFAC. Dr. Mark Lyons, Alltech’s global vice president and head of Greater China, has been named SFAC vice president.
“Alltech and the SFAC share a common goal to integrate livestock feeding and crop planting industries more efficiently and to work together toward a more sustainable future,” said Dr. Lyons.
The SFAC aims to fulfill the needs and promote the sustainable development of Chinese agriculture.
BLOOMINGTON, IL
GROWMARK acquires L.T. & E., Inc.
GROWMARK acquired the assets of L.T. & E., Inc., a family owned and operated tank and truck manufacturer and repair facility based in Arcola, IL, the company announced Thursday. L.T. & E., Inc. works exclusively on vacuum and fuel delivery vehicles. The acquisition gives GROWMARK Tank & Truck Center its sixth shop location with three others in Illinois and two in Iowa.
“The employees of both companies will greatly benefit from this acquisition,” said Mike Davis, GROWMARK Tank and Truck Center sales and operations manager. “This acquisition brings over 30 years of industry knowledge and experience which will allow us to better serve our member companies and other external customers.”