Two National Laboratories Receive USDA’s BioPreferred Program Procurement Award

Two National Laboratories Receive USDA’s BioPreferred Program Procurement Award

WASHINGTON, November 19, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that two U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories have received USDA’s Excellence in BioPreferred Procurement Awards for Fiscal Year 2018 for testing and adopting biobased products within their operations. The laboratories receiving the awards are the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in Los Alamos, New Mexico and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in Lawrence, California. 

“The Excellence in BioPreferred Procurement Awards initiative recognizes outstanding achievements in advancing the objectives of the BioPreferred Federal Purchasing Preference Program. Congratulations to both laboratories for achieving cost savings and reducing their environmental impact by converting to biobased products,” said Vernell Thompson of USDA’s BioPreferred Program. 

LLNL's food services program converted all food service ware to biobased and compostable products, adopting biobased hot cups, cold cups, cutlery, lids, straws, takeout containers, napkins, soup cups, small sides/condiment containers, and to-go bags. The use of biobased compostable products contributed to LLNL's site-wide collection of 68 metric tons of compostable waste in 2017 for reuse and recycling instead of being directed to a landfill.  

LANL's welding shop recently replaced traditional oil-based lubricants with a biobased lubricant used on metal-cutting machinery. The oil-based lubricants used during fabrication required large amounts of oil, resulting in overspray to workers, equipment, and the general work area. The biobased product that was adopted requires a much smaller amount to perform the same function. The switch to a biobased lubricants resulted in safer work areas by reducing the potential for slips and falls. The biobased alternative has also reduced the number of labor hours to complete the welding operation and reduced waste disposal costs.  

USDA’s BioPreferred Program, created by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, promotes U.S. economic development, creates new manufacturing jobs and provides new markets for farm commodities. For 2018, the Awards program was expanded to a federal-wide biobased product purchasing recognition program. Recognition categories include federal acquisition professionals, federal program/technical professionals and federal contractors. The Excellence in BioPreferred Procurement Awards are determined annually by USDA based on significant contributions to the BioPreferred Program goals. 

NMDA invites New Mexico ranchers to meet with Mexican cattle buyers

NMDA invites New Mexico ranchers to meet with Mexican cattle buyers

Meeting will take place during annual Joint Stockmen’s Convention in Albuquerque

(Albuquerque, N.M.) – New Mexico ranchers are invited to meet with Mexican cattle buyers from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7 in Albuquerque at the Sandia Resort & Casino, located at 30 Rainbow Road Northeast. The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is hosting the meeting in the International Room for attendees of the annual Joint Stockmen’s Convention, which is Wednesday, Dec. 5 through Friday, Dec. 7.

This is the fourth consecutive year the NMDA has facilitated this meeting during the convention hosted by the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association.

New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte said NMDA looks forward to this opportunity. 

“The International Room at the Joint Stockmen’s Convention provides an important opportunity for New Mexico cattle growers to meet their neighbors from Mexico, learn their cattle needs and showcase their livestock,” said Witte. “Relationships are created, friendships are developed, and cattle producers from both countries benefit.”

David Lucero, director of NMDA Marketing and Development Division, along with marketing specialist Juan Sanchez, will facilitate the meeting and translate if needed.

Buyers are interested in Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Santa Gertrudis and Brangus breeds. Ranchers are encouraged to bring catalogs, photos, Expected Progeny Differences and DVDs, as laptops will be available.

Ranchers attending the meeting do not have to be members of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, however, they must register for the Joint Stockmen’s Convention. Visit https://nmagriculture.org/store/#!/JSC-Registration-Early-Bird-Package/p/71352885/category=23882040 to register. For more information about the convention, contact the NMCGA at 505-247-0584 or nmcga@nmagriculture.org.

For more information regarding the international meeting, or if you are unable to attend, contact Sanchez at 575-646-4929 or jsanchez@nmda.nmsu.edu.

To learn more about the NMDA, visit www.nmda.nmsu.edu. Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/NMDeptofAg and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @NMDeptAg.

USDA Announces Cotton Board Appointments

USDA Announces Cotton Board Appointments

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2018 - Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the appointment of eight members, eight alternate members and two advisors to serve on the Cotton Board. 

Re-appointed members are:

• Adam S. Hatley, Mesa, Ariz.
• Rajiv Malik, Tiburon, Calif.
• George T. Warbington, Vienna, Ga.
• Sonja Chapman, Boonton, N.J.
• Crystal A. Button, Great Neck, N.Y.
• Julie Davis Holladay, Lubbock, Texas
• Randy Braden, Midland, Texas
• Jeffery T. Posey, Roby, Texas

Re-appointed alternate members are:

• Jaclyn Dixon Ford, Alapaha, Ga.
• Douglas P. Guiley, New York, N.Y.

Newly appointed alternate members are:

• Ava L. Alcaida, Parker, Ariz.
• Patricia R. Lesser, Kentfield, Calif.
• Charles F. Sheppard, Indian Rocks, Fla.
• Steven D. Olson, Plainview, Texas
• Jason S. French, Snyder, Texas
• Brett J. Schniers, Wall, Texas

The appointed advisors are Gregory L. Bridgeforth, Athens, Ala., and incumbent Karen E. Kyllo, Henderson, Nev.

All appointees will serve 3-year terms ending Dec. 31, 2021.

“The Cotton Board carries out research and promotional activities that help cotton compete in domestic and foreign markets, improve fiber quality and lower production costs,” said Perdue. “I want to thank these board members for the time and effort they have committed to serving the cotton industry."

The Cotton Research and Promotion Act of 1966 (Act) authorized a national cotton research and promotion program that is both industry-operated and funded. Since 1966, Congress has authorized 22 industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.

More information is available on the AMS Cotton Board website, or visit the board’s website at www.cottonboard.org.