Today’s generation are starting to be classified as foodies, but are they clueless?

Some say yes.

During the 2014 Bayer Crop Science Ag Issues Forum in San Antonio, Texas, Bayer Marketing VP for Agricultural Commercial Operations, David Hollinrake said there’s never been a more exciting time in agriculture.

But with that excitement comes concern.

Pest resistance, regulatory scrutiny and water use to name a few.

“We know farmers need a lot of tools and biotechnology is one,” said Hollinrake.

The challenge is current marketing says organic is safer.

Julie Borlaug, external relations associate director for the Norman Borlaug Institute, points to marketing campaigns against GMO’s that are unnecessary attacks on agriculture.

Those attacks coming from companies like Chipotle or Whole Foods are simply marketing, Borlaug said. Those companies are trying to cash in a niche market.

“Whole Foods is no different than Monsanto. Both are profit driven,” Borlaug said. “Most Americans don’t understand the importance of GMOs. They’ve never seen a food shortage.”

Blogger and farmer Brian Scott, grows popcorn in Indiana.

“Even the popcorn I grow is labeled as GMO and gluten free because there is no such thing as GMO popcorn,” Scott said.

Scott was part of a panel of bloggers who focus on agriculture which concluded it’s all a marketing ploy, from GMO free Cheerio’s to Chipotle.

Organic sounds safer, natural and wonderful but that’s not exactly the case, according to Borlaug.

For example, there is no standard for organic.

Currently, as Borlaug pointed out, oranges need protected from pest and disease.  To do so, they only way is heavy chemical use.  But, biotechnology can change that.

“Advocates of biotech desperately need to do a better job of telling the public how important it is for our future,” Borlaug said.

With farmers being asked to grow more with less, biotechnology has to continue to grow.  The way opponents argue against biotechnology and wanting to go back to agriculture production from 50-100 years ago cannot be done and is not sustainable, noted Borlaug.

“Were talking to moms who believe everything on Facebook and are anti-corporate except for their iPhones,” Borlaug said.

How does agriculture grab their attention? Make agriculture sexy, cool or hip.  Make the response simpler and not full of scientific jargon.

“We know farmers need a lot of tools to feed the world, and GMOs are one of those tools needed.”

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon today named Richard Fordyce, of Bethany, as the new director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Fordyce and his wife, Renee, grow soybeans and corn as well as raise beef cattle on the family farm in Harrison County. Since 2008, he has also served as chairman of the Missouri State Soil & Water Districts Commission. The Governor made the announcement with Fordyce at the row crop farm of Lanny Frakes, in southern Buchanan County.

“In addition to being a fourth-generation Missouri farmer, Richard Fordyce has held leadership roles in agriculture on the local, state and national level for more than 20 years,” Gov. Nixon said. “His experience and understanding of rural Missouri have earned him the respect of his fellow farmers, and I am pleased to appoint him to lead the state agency that works hand in hand with the Show-Me State’s agricultural community.”

Fordyce will take over leadership of the department from Harry Bozoian, who has served as acting director since October. Bozoian, who joined the Governor and Fordyce at today’s announcement, will remain with the Department of Agriculture as Deputy Director.

“With his strong background in promoting and protecting Missouri’s agricultural interests during his 20 years in state government, Harry served very capably as acting Agriculture Director, and I appreciate his steady hand in leading this agency,” Gov. Nixon said.

Fordyce received the 2012 Soil Conservationist of the Year award from the Conservation Federation of Missouri. He has held leadership positions with the Harrison County Farm Bureau, including serving as its president from 1993 to 2010, and has been involved on various boards and committees of the Missouri Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Other organizations that Fordyce has held leadership positions in include the National Biodiesel Board, the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow, University of Missouri Extension, Northwest Missouri State Fair, and Future Farmers of America. He is one of only three directors from Missouri on the United Soybean Board.

He has served his community as a member of the South Harrison R-II School Board, on the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission, on the Sherman Township board of trustees, and on the Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri. Fordyce also has served on advisory groups to Cong. Sam Graves and former U.S. Senators Kit Bond and Jim Talent.

The Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture determines department policy and serves as a liaison to state legislators, the agriculture community and the public. In addition to the divisions of Business Development, Animal Health, Grain Inspection and Warehousing, Plant Industries and Weights and Measures, the Department of Agriculture also includes the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority, the Missouri State Fair Board, the State Milk Board and the Missouri Wine and Grape Board.

The Director is appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the State Senate. Fordyce will begin his duties as Director immediately.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Dec. 9, 2013) – Whether you’re a farmer looking for the latest in new farm equipment, a rancher interested in livestock handling techniques and supplies for your operation or an indoor tractor pull fan, the Western Farm Show offers something for just about anyone involved or interested in agriculture.

Scheduled Feb. 21-23 at the American Royal Complex in Kansas City, Mo., the 2014 Western Farm Show  promises all of these attractions and much more. Now in its 53rd year, the event will once again feature over 500 exhibitors and more than 400,000 square feet of floor space filled with aisles and aisles of new equipment, buildings, fertilizer, feed, seed and other farm products.

Read more on 680KFEQ.com.

(KFEQ/NAFB)–As conference committee members met Wednesday, party lines and desires were found as members discussed their vision for the five year farm bill.

There are just weeks remaining before a permanent law hits in January without a farm bill on the books.

True public hearings wont start until the middle of next month. Check out some of the highlight’s and opening statements below, or watch the committee meeting video from C-SPAN.

Chairman Frank Lucas made it clear that the committee has a responsibility to put policy in place that is good for farmers, ranchers, consumers and those who have hit difficult times. When the committee reaches consensus,  Lucas says the final production will provide major savings to the Treasury, significant reforms to policy and yet still provide a safety net for not only the production of food and fiber,  but also to ensure Americans have enough food to eat.

Lucas stated no one taking part in this effort will like everything in the bill. But he said they have a responsibility to reach consensus and do what is best for all of agriculture and rural America.

Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow said the farm bill approved by the Senate represents the biggest reforms to agricultural policy in decades. She noted it ends direct payments, tightens payment limits, modernizes dairy policy and stops people who aren’t actively engaged in farming from getting taxpayer subsidies.

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson expressed hope Wednesday that the first meeting of the Farm Bill Conference Committee was the beginning of the end to a process he first started almost four years ago. He said it’s long past time to finish the bill.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman says the first formal conference committee talks on the farm bill has renewed his group’s optimism that we are nearing the end of a three-plus year trek. Now that the legislation and process is back in the hands of the Senate and House Agriculture Committee leaders and members – he says Farm Bureau is eager to do all it can to ensure the new farm bill is on the President’s desk as soon as possible this year.

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson says we’re closer to a final farm bill than we’ve been the past two years. Johnson says NFU has told members of the committee and their staff the importance of maintaining permanent law, establishing fixed reference prices for commodity programs, enacting an inventory management tool as part of the dairy safety net, providing 900-million dollars in mandatory funding for renewable energy efforts, opposing unnecessary legislative changes to the country of origin labeling law and including adequate funding levels for the Farmers Market and Local Foods Promotion Program.

It likely comes as no surprise that 39 Democratic Senators sent a letter to farm bill conferees urging them to fight against harmful cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The letter also asks them to reject all eligibility changes that would make it harder for low-income children to get free school meals. However, the letter didn’t rule out all cuts to nutrition programs.

Nebraska Representative Jeff Fortenberry and Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley have encouraged members of the Farm Bill Conference Committee to retain key farm policy reforms regarding federal farm payment limitations. The House and Senate farm bills approved earlier this year both included new farm payment limit requirements.

The Teamsters Union announced its support of the Dairy Security Act included in the Senate-passed farm bill. Union General President James Hoffa, in a letter to the leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, wrote that their original objection to the DSA during the House debate and committee mark-up was driven by concern for members who work in dairy processing, that the supplies of milk to the processors could dry up under a supply management regime like the DSA as proposed in the House.