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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 361 136 RC 019 252 TITLE Farm Foundation, Annual Report, 1993. INSTITUTION Farm Foundation, Chicago, Ill. PUB DATE 93 NOTE 43p. PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141) EDRS PRICE MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Agriculture; Annual Reports; Elementary Secondary Education; Environmental Influences; Extension Education; Leadership; *Leadership Training; *Public Policy; *Research Projects; *Rural Areas; Rural Youth IDENTIFIERS *Farm Foundation IL ABSTRACT This annual report highlights a strategic plan focusing on issues that shape the changing future of agriculture and rural communities, and describes 1992 programs. The strategic plan addresses the following priority areas: (1) globalization; (2) environmental issues; (3) new technologies; (4) consumer issues; (5) role of agricultural institutions; and (6) changing rural communities. A section titled "Policy Dialogue" summarizes seminars, workshops, and conferences funded by the Farm Foundation, including a meeting focusing on the needs of young children in rural communities. A section titled "Research Agenda Development" reports on the research projects funded during the past year. Outlines of regional cooperative extension meetings include a description of the activities of a western public policy education committee that focused on globalization and environmental issues. The section titled "Leadership Development and Recognition" features leadership development activities funded by the Farm Foundation and recognizes accomplishments of individuals (including fellowships, scholarships, speakers, workshops, and publications). Examples include a workshop for educating young reporters about agriculture, a project of the American Agricultural Economics Association Economic Education for Youth Committee; and a task force on food and agricultural and resource economics for youth. The document also contains lists of staff activities, round table members, Farm Foundation contributors, financial data, and publications. (KS) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * from the original document. *********************************************************************** Farm Foundafion f'a U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and tmprovement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) /6This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organizatio, originating it O Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY r TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC).- 1 9 9 3 Annual Report HST COPY AVAILABLE 2 1 9 9 3 Farm Foundation Annual Report Farm Foundation's mission is to improve the economic and social prospects of agriculture and rural communities. In a catalytic role, Farm Foundation works to increase knowledge and understanding of agricultural and rural issues and encourages the wise application of that knowledge to the challenges and opportunities faced today. In this, its sixtieth year, Farm Foundation's Board of Trustees has reaffirmed its mission by adopting a comprehensive, strategic plan to guide Foundation programming for the next five years. This plan, developed during 1992, represents the trustees' shared vision of the Foundation's role as a catalyst for focusing on those issues that shape the changing future of agriculture and rural communities. r\ 0 4 Chairman's Message Managing Director's Report 5 The Organization 6 Strategic Plan 8 1993 Programs Policy Dialogue and Communication 11 17 Research Agenda Development 22 Extension Committee Programming 26 Leadership Development and Recognition Staff Activities 31 Bennett Agricultural Round Table 32 Contributors 37 38 Financial Data 39 Publications at Annual 3 , Continuing Commitment Frank 0. Sixty years ago Alexander Legge and and business Lowden organized a meeting of agricultural the leaders to form a nonprofit organization to improve in William R. Gordon conditions and general welfare of the rural population vehicle to focus human and America. The founding trustees saw Farm Foundation as a of agriculture and the prospects of financial resources to improve the economic viability the Farm Foundation trustees are com- rural communities. They established a vision that mitted to continue in today's challenging environment. agriculture was undergoing major Farm Foundation was created at a time when mired in the great depression. Agri- structural change and the general economy was losing population and their economic cultural prices were low; rural communities were agriculture and rural America were base was threatened. Government policies related to just beginning to emerge as significant public issues. Foundation has acted as a catalyst to In the six decades since its inception, Farm business leauers together to develop better bring agricultural, government, academic and achieve its goals. The resulting interac- public policy and to stimulate creative thinking to research, stronger educational programs tion among these leaders has generated better Foundation's dedication and progressive and more informed policy dialogues. Farm of people to get involved in leadership have provided opportunities for a wide spectrum serving our rural citizens. shaping America's agricultural policy and better Foundation renews its commitment to On the threshold of its 3eventh decade, Farm strategic plan. Our objective is to focus the vision of the founding trustees through the We begin this new decade confident Farm Foundation's programming on today's issues. for the development of agriculture and that we can continue to be an effective catalyst rural communities of America. William R. Gordon Chairman of the Board 5 Farm Foundation 4 A Vision for the Future As Farm Foundation enters its seventh decade, we re- emphasize the Foundation's objectives to help foster in- novative thinking and creative solutions to problems and Walter J. Armbruster issues facing American agriculture and its rural communities. The strategic planning process of the past year has renewed Farm Foundation's vision and given us a road map for future programming with a more focused agenda. Our strategic plan identifies six program priority areas to address the major forces that will shape agricultural and rural policy. Globalization of all aspects of economic ac- tivity will continue; environmental issues will command domestic and international attention; new mechanical, biotechnological and informational technologies pr omise to ex- pand human productivity; consumers will demand a safe and health y food supply; agricultural institutions must evolve to meet new challenges; and rural communities will be molded by a changing economic and social reality. These issues must be addressed im- mediately and effectively. Future program decisions will be based on how proposed activities address these priority areas. Farm Foundation programming will continue tc, focus on efforts to stimulate policy dialogue and communication, shape the agricultural research agenda, develop and recognize leadership and encourage regional and national extension programs. Many of the program activities funded this past year were initiated prior to the com- pletion of our strategic plan, yet all of them focus on one or more of the priority areas. This report details our activities and identifies how each project contributes to the desig- nated priorities. Farm Foundation will continue to focus on emerging issues affecting agriculture and rural communities and stimulate creative thinking about these challenges. Our strategic plan renews our dedication for the coming decade. Walter J. Armbruster Managing Director 6 Annual Report 5 New Funds Committee Officers Donald V. Fites, Chairman William R. Gordon, Chairman Robert D. Cook Arthur J. Fogerty, Vice Chairman Robert C. Lanphier Ill Steve A. Halbrook, Secretary Nominating Committee Executive Committee John R. Block, Chairman Arthur J. Fogerty, Chairman Max Lennon John R. Block Joseph P. Sullivan William R. Gordon Robert W. Porter Audit Committee Joseph P. Sullivan Robert L. Thompson Robert M. Book, Chairman Emmett Barker Finance Committee Luther McKinney Joseph P. Sullivan, Chairman Staff Robert D. Cook William R. Gordon Walter J. Armbruster, Managing Director Robert W. Porter Steve A. Ha [brook, Associate Managing Director Teddee Grace, Editorial Assistant Toni Purves, Staff Assistant Sandy Young, Staff Assistant 7 Farm Foundation 6 The Organization ---------- Trustees Varel G. Bailey A. J. Fogerty Luther C. McKinney Past President Senior Vice President Senior Vice PresidentLaw, National Corn Growers Assn. Agway, Inc. Corporate Affairs Anita, IA Syracuse, NY Quaker Oats Company Chicago, II, Gary 11 laise Richard Cady Jenner & Block Vice President of Public Affairs Owen J. Newlin Washington, DC ConAgra, Inc. Senior Vicc President Omaha, NE Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. Des Moines, IA Emmett Barker William R. Gordon President Equipment Manufacturers Institute Executive Managing Director Daniel I. Padberg Chicago, IL Natural Resource Group Texas A&M University John Hancock Financial Services College Station, TX Boston, MA Bob Berg land General Manager Robert W. Porter National Rural Electric Connie Greig Director of Marketing Little Acorn Ranch Cooperative Association Deere & Company Washington, DC Estherville, IA Moline, IL John R. Block Milton Hertz Orion Samuelson President Hertz Farms WGN Radio National-American Wholesale Mott, ND Chicago, IL Grocers' Association Falls Church. VA John Kautz Charles G. Scruggs John H. Kautz Farms Chairman Robert M. Book Lodi, CA Sunlean Foods Inc. President Austin, TX AgriVista William F. Kirk Carmel, IN Vice President and General Manager Dan Smalley E. I. DuPont de Nemours, Inc. Red Hill Farms Paul W. Brower Wilmington, DE Guntersville, A.L Vice PresidentCommunications Gold Kist Inc. Dean R. Kleckner Joseph P. Sullivan Atlanta, GA President Vigoro Corporation American Farm Bureau Federation Chicago, IL Robert Colson Park Ridge, IL President Robert L. Thompson PM&O Ship lines Robert C. Lanphier III Dean of Agriculture San Francisco, CA Chairman of the Board Purdue University AGMED, Inc. West Lafiyette, IN R. D. Cook Springfield, IL Tiburon, CA Max Lennon Donald V. Fites President Chairman of the Board Clemson University Caterpillar Inc. Clemson, SC Peoria, IL Annual Report 7 Plan Farm Foundation's Strategic this report, is to improve Farm Foundation's mission, as stated at the beginning of in America. To the economic and social prospects of agriculture and rural communities emphasize Farm Founda- guide our programming, we have developed a strategic plan to facing agriculture tion's catalytic leadership role in dealing with the issues and challenges and rural communities. The Challenges economic and social American agriculture and rural communities face critical and developments, na- changes during the next decade. Current and future trends The challenge to Farm tionally and internationally, will have significant implications. issues that have the Foundation is to focus its resources and programming on those agriculture and rural lifestyles. greatest potential to transform American The policy outcomes and di- These challenges necessarily involy^ public policy issues. agricultural and rural inter- rection are subject to change with appropriate input from dialogue will help find the common ground on which ests. Continuing intel dm and education and policy analysis will provide a basis for we may build solutions. Research, informing that dialogue. preeminence of agricultural The Foundation foresees a continuing decline in the macroeconomic, trade, envi- commodity policy. Our government's increasing attention to agriculture and rural com- ronmental, food safety and other policies will greatly affect wider range of' policy munities in coming years. These changes require attention to a Foundation seeks to be a issues and a continuing presence in shaping new policy. Farm positive force in this dynamic process. Catalytic Leadership Role knowledge of the changing agri- Farm Foundation acts as a catalyst to increase public application of that knowledge to the cultural and rural issues and encourages the wise provides leadership to facil- challenges and opportunities we face today. The Founda'ion agribusiness and policy' itate communication about emerging agricultural issues among We strive to focus commu- leaders, government officials and the academic community. and responsible public policy. nication to lead to better understanding of the issues help shape the research, The need is greater than ever for a variety of participants to will provide opportunities to ex- education and policy analysis agenda. Farm Foundation address specific goals and priority plore new alternatives by sponsoring activities to explore policy alternatives. thrusts, identify research and education needs, and 9 Farm Foundation 8 Strategic Plan ing management expertise. The future Priority Areas of production agriculture, agribusiness Farm Foundation has currently iden- and rural communities will be pro- tified the following six areas as the most foundly affected by adapting to these important challenges facing American technological developments. Signifi- agriculture and rural communities over cant research and education will be re- the next three to five years: quired from the land grant universities Globalization and USDA agencies related to the ap- Environmental Issues plication of' these technologies and New Technologies their economic implications. Consumer Issues Consumer Issues. Food safety, demo- Role of Agricultural Institutions graphic changes and demands for con- Changing Rural Communities venience and other attributes in food These priority areas each address products are driving changes in the several important elements as discussed way foods are marketed. Some of U.S. below: agriculture and agribusiness is provid- Globalization. The domestic and ing leadership in this area. However, global restructuring of agriculture and many segments of agriculture, agri- agribusiness, trade agreements and ef- business and institutions designed to forts to maintain competitiveness will serve them must undergo significarit have significant implications for vari- change or reinvention to avoid becom- ous agricultural sectors, rural commu- ing obsolete. nities and businesses that serve them. Role of Agricultural Institutions. A The impact of globalization on Ameri- government supported institutional can agriculture has been accentuated structure, which includes LTSDA and and accelerated by the collapse of com- the land grant universities, has devel- munist governments in Eastern Eu- oped as part of U.S. policy to assist the rope and the former Soviet Union. Ag- agricultural sector. The market facili- riculture must now compete with more tation, resource preservation and con- sectors in the global economy for ac- sumer protection programs of USDA cess to capital. may need significant redirection. Land Environmental Issues. Water quality grant institutions must produce rele- and waste management issues are high vant research and education programs on the list of environmental issues in order to earn continued taxpayer which directly affect agriculture and support of their efforts which have rural communities. The tie between played unique roles in the develop- animal agriculture and environmental ment of the U.S. agricultural produc- issues will be of increasing concern, as tivity and competitiveness. will chemical use, tillage practices and Changing Rural Communities. Amer- sustainability. ica's rural communities face an uncer- tain future. Agriculture and agri- New Technologies. Evolving technologies, including biotechnology and in- business have a significant stake in formation technology, require increas- assuring a satisfactory economic and Annual Report 9