Carl Wallace of Ohio is one of 12 members selected to serve on USDA’s inaugural Secretary’s Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture, to provide input on policy development and to help identify barriers to urban agriculture.

The new committee is part of USDA’s efforts to support urban agriculture, creating a network for feedback. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says urban agriculture plays an important role in producing fresh, healthy food in areas where grocery stores are scarce, and also provides jobs and beautifies neighborhoods.

“I look forward to learning how we can better serve urban agricultural producers, which will complement our efforts focusing on equity, local food systems, access to safe and nutritional food, and new ways to address climate change,” Vilsack says.

The committee is made up of agricultural producers and representatives from the areas of higher education or Extension programs, nonprofits, business and economic development, supply chains, and financing.

Wallace represents the nonprofit sector.

The first meeting of this inaugural committee, which will be open to the public, will take place in late February. More details will be available in the Federal Register, at farmers.gov/urban and the new Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture website at usda.gov.

Hannewald wins 2022 Farm Bureau discussion meet

Mike Hannewald of Lucas County was the winner of Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals 2022 Discussion Meet competition Jan. 29 at the YAP Winter Leadership Experience.  

Designed for young agricultural professionals to work together to find solutions for issues facing agriculture, it tests participants’ subject knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and personal and small-group communications skills.

Hannewald developed a strong interest in farming while growing up on the family farm, just outside of Waterville, and became very active in 4-H and FFA. A Lucas County Farm Bureau member, he earned his bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Ohio State University.

He is an agronomist and precision farming adviser for Beck’s Hybrids, covering northern Ohio and northeastern Indiana, and remains actively involved on the family farm.

As the winner, he receives a $3,000 cash prize, complimentary registration to the 2023 YAP Winter Leadership Experience and an expense-paid trip to 2023 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Puerto Rico. Prize packages are sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America and Nationwide.

Following Hannewald, the top three Discussion Meet finalists are, in no particular order, Kristen Dickey of Henry County, Candace Lease of Wayne County and Miranda Miser of Guernsey County.

New fertilizer plant planned

Tessenderlo Kerley has announced it plans to construct a new plant in Defiance, Ohio, serving the eastern Great Lakes region.

The new facility will focus on the leading liquid sulfur-based crop nutrition brands Thio-Sul, KTS and K-Row 23, as well as sulfite chemistries for the industrial markets. The plant is expected to become operational in the first quarter of 2024.

“Our investment in this new manufacturing facility will service the local community and support the increased demand in the region,” says Russell Sides, executive vice president, Tessenderlo Kerley. “This strategic venture not only combines excellence in process technology, but also diversifies our local market position and strengthens our sustainability goals by bringing us closer to our customers.”