Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City

Ag Council Joint-Sponsors Immigration Forum, Shows Complexity of Issues Facing Greater KC

If you went to the Immigration Reform Forum – jointly sponsored by the Ag Business Council, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Builders’ Association – expecting a resolution to the issue, then your expectations were unrealistic. That is what Pete Levi, president of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, told attendees at conclusion of the June 12 event at the Reardon Convention Center in Kansas City, KS.

Immigration policies involve more than border control, and are now intrinsically tied to healthcare, education, and other programs in the U.S. social infrastructure. But the panel of experts participating in the forum moderated by KC Star columnist Steve Kraske framed the issues and provided more than 150 attendees – which included 15 state policymakers and Congressional staff – with data and insight to better shape their perspectives. Presenting a view of policies already in place, Jim Alexander, managing partner of Maggio-Kattar – the largest immigration law firm in Washington, D.C. – said diversity should not be used as a wedge. He said the situation is much too complex for that noting that conflicts among federal agencies in how laws are interpreted and enforced have added to the confusion that immigrants, guest workers, foreign students, and employers face. Alexander drew laughter with a quote attributed to Native-American Chief Ben White Horse: “Be careful with your immigration policies, because we were careless with ours.”

Dalton Hermes, president and CEO of Hermes Landscaping, represented area business and spoke about his company’s growing challenge of obtaining and keeping a reliable work force for the
family-owned landscaping business. Hermes spoke highly of his seasonal work crews referring to them as hard working and reliable, and emphasized that immigration is not a “cut-and-dried issue.” Until practical and equitable reform is enacted, Hermes reported that businesses like his would continue to have trouble filling manpower requirements.

Pointing to research findings on the U.S. labor force, Paul Harrington, Ph.D., professor and labor economist at Northeastern University, concluded that immigration and labor policies must be linked. Current policy, he maintained, allows for a flood of immigration of workers to the low-end jobs in the economy, but “chokes the opportunity” for employers to fill high-end jobs with immigrants who have masters and doctorate degrees in engineering and the sciences.

Arguing that amnesty was not a solution to the immigration problem, Kris Kobach, immigration attorney and law professor at UMKC, outlined the fiscal burden Americans will continue to bear until sound immigrations reform is enacted. Kobach warned that amnesty for an estimated 12 to 20 million illegal immigrants could trigger bankruptcy for the country. Kobach also touted the voluntary E-Verify program operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to help certify employees hired by companies are not in the country illegally.

Raul Murguia, director for youth programs at the Guadalupe Center, pointed out that facts on the immigration issue are often manipulated by cable media and by commentators with a racial agenda. He suggested that whatever the outcome of immigration reform, policies should not put the burden on the individual.                                                 – Dennis McLaughlin, McKinley Communications, Inc.

 EVENT RECAP:  According to Gina Bowman, vice chairman of the Ag Business Council, the co-sponsored forum was a huge success with event sponsors receiving “tremendously positive feedback of requests for future forums on the subject of immigration.” Most of the speakers agreed that common ground could be found on this controversial issue, consequently, many of the state/federal policymakers who attended are anxious to see such positive results as a means to establish a foundation for future policy. As follow-up, panelists took time to respond to questions that were not addressed due to time constraints. For their observations and remarks, go to:  http://www.kcchamber.com/_FileLibrary/File/Immigration0608_Responses.pdf. 

Come on! Join the “Brew Ha-Ha” (August 9)!

For the first time ever, the American Royal is hosting an event that will help to answer the age-old question, “So, what’s all of the ‘(wine and) brew ha-ha’?” As part of its celebration of agricultural excellence, the American Royal is adding a new beer and wine festival to its event schedule this summer.

Jolene DeMoss, American Royal’s barbecue and special events coordinator, says the new “Wine and Brew Ha-Ha” event, set for August 9 at the American Royal’s Hale Arena, invites the public to sample beverages from regional and national brewers and vintners. “We’re really excited to be showcasing some of Missouri’s very own labels – wines like St. James Winery and Adam Puchta and Missouri-based brews like

The American Royal will provide glasses and volunteers will pour samples between the hours of
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. gate admission is $27, ticket pre-orders are $22 through Ticketmaster or www.americanroyal.com. As with all American Royal-sponsored events, DeMoss says that proceeds will help to fund scholarships, educational programs, awards, and competitive learning experiences that reward hard work, leadership skills, and agrarian values.

AG COUNCIL MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Cows Rule in KC Cow Town during June Celebration at Union Station

Children who participated in the Science City Summer Camp at Union Station got a rare treat on June 17 compliments of Ag Council member, Dairy Farmers of America – the nation’s largest dairy farmer-owned cooperative based right here in Kansas City, MO.

June 17 was declared “Dairy Farmer Day in Kansas City” honoring the 1,700 dairy farmers who collectively milk more than 150,000 cows every day in Missouri and Kansas. As part of the festivities, Janine Smiley, DFA’s director of industry communications, said that the lower level at Union Station was temporarily converted to a mini-dairy farm where summer camp kids got a chance to pet and brush a calf, feed the calf bottles of milk, observe what cows eat, learn about cheese and sample Borden^® Cheese (one of the branded products processed and marketed by DFA’s farm families).

“Dairy farmers help make up the fabric of America. The hundreds of dairy farmers in the area make major economic and personal contributions to their communities and they care about the land and their animals,” said Mark Korsmeyer, president of DFA’s Dairy Food Products division. “Recognizing them signifies their commitment to producing high quality dairy products.” The Union Station event was part of the Friends of Elsie campaign which lets shoppers interact with dairy farmers during visits to grocery stores and through the Web site (www.friendsofelsie.com).

MU Touts Comparative Medical Research

Billed as an informal networking forum, the Mizzou Corporate Roundtable showcased the formidable advances the university has made in establishing its Comparative Medical Initiative as one of the preeminent programs in the nation. During the June 26 event at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Dr. Neil Olson, dean of MU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and members of the Initiative’s team described several practical surgical applications that have emerged from comparative cross-species medical research. Dr. Rebecca A. Johnson, director of MU’s Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction and a Milsap Professor of Gerontological Nursing at MU’s Sinclair School of Nursing, cited instances where interaction between an animal and a human lowered, for example, the person’s blood pressure, helped another lose weight, and brought others through bouts of depression. The event was staged for the Kansas City Business Community and featured comments from Bob Marcusse, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council; and Dr. Jimi Cook, a leading researcher in comparative medical research and head of MU’s Comparative Orthopedic Lab.                     – Dennis McLaughlin, McKinley Communications, Inc.

Ag Council Updates:

Heartfelt Sympathy. Rex Martin, state government relations manager for Syngenta Crop Protection, reported that Jack Dutra – president of J.D. Information Services and one of the Ag Council’s original members of the board and the founding steering committee – is recovering from the recent loss of his son. Jim, the son of Jack and Judy Dutra, passed away on Sunday, June 29, from a long-standing illness which had worsened over the past couple of months. The Dutras seem to be holding up as well as can be expected, but please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Condolences can be sent to Jack and Judy Dutra at

Promoted! Member Mary Jane Stankiewiez was recently promoted to chief operating officer and senior vice president of government affairs for the collective efforts of the Kansas Grain and Feed Association, the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association, and the Kansas Association of Ethanol Processors. Stankiewiez most recently served as chief legal officer and vice president for the two organizations.

Thanks to a True “KC Star”! Victoria Long, former business writer for The Kansas City Star, was unfortunately affected by the McClatchy Co.’s 10 percent company-wide job reduction plan. Effective June 27, she is out pursuing other opportunities. Many ag and food-related businesses have appreciated Long’s coverage, her willingness to understand, and her balanced reporting on the complex issues related to agriculture. (Thanks for caring, Victoria Long, you’re a KC Star!)

Grain Association Names Petersen as President. Bob Petersen, Ag Business Council chairman, was named the president of the Transportation, Elevator, and Grain Merchants Association (TEGMA). TEGMA’s administrative services previously had been handled by the Commodity Markets Council, formerly known as the National Grain Trade Council. TEGMA’s operations will move from Washington, D.C., to Petersen’s Kansas City office. According to TEGMA Chairman Mike Mandl, “TEGMA is very pleased to retain Bob Petersen to manage our association. We believe he can continue the professionalism and services that were so ably handled by CMC/NGTC for over 20 years.” TEGMA will continue to be a member of and to co-host meetings with CMC. From 1980 through 2000, Petersen worked for the National Grain Trade Council and served as president of the association for the latter 18 years. As part of its strategic objective, TEGMA’s top priority is to broaden its membership base.

Katie Smith Steps Down; Don Steen Named New MDA Director. Katie Smith, who served one year as the director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, has stepped down from her position for family reasons. Smith was the first woman to hold the position and replaced interim director Matt Boatright in May 2007. In her final column (http://www.mda.mo.gov) Smith applauded the MDA team for its accomplishments and thanked Missouri farmers for their support: “Through the legislative session we were able to get new funding for animal health that is vitally important. Beyond the legislative session, I was thrilled with our efforts to promote Missouri’s agriculture products to Vietnam — a market with huge potential. Our trade mission was a great success and the two follow-up seminars in Springfield and Columbia were exceptional. I could go on and on about our accomplishments and great things that have happened over the past year for agriculture.” Don Steen, Eldon, MO, will serve as MDA’s new director effective July 7, pending Senate confirmation. Steen served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 1990-98. His family has been in the turkey business for 35 years and also raises cattle. Steen continues to work on the same farm where he was born and raised his family.

Upcoming Events: Mark your Calendars!

July 12, 2008: Tractor Daze, a day of fun for the whole family, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the National Agricultural Center & Hall of Fame, 630 Hall of Fame Drive, Bonner Springs, Kansas 66012. Tractor pull for antique tractors, garden tractors and pedal pull – powered by kids; threshing demonstration, tractor games, silent auction, guided tours, and more! For information contact 913-721-1075.

Other programs:

·         August 23: Harvest’s a Comin’

·         Sept. 1 – Oct. 5: Farm Life: A Century of Change for Farm Families and their Neighbors.

July 23, 2008: Economic Forum, Conversations with Tom Hoenig, president of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Chamber Board Room. Learn about the business trends and fiscal forces that are shaping the economy of Kansas City and the Midwest, as well as the views of a key policymaker in a casual small-scale venue. 

Sept. 3, 2008: The American Royal Boots, Business, and BBQ Luncheon will feature Lance Armstrong, American Royal Complex. Tables of 10 and individual seats are still available! Call Jolene DeMoss for details: 816-569-4036, www.americanroyal.com.

Sept. 8, 2008: The Ag Business Council will host the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (http://www.epa.gov/ocem/frrcc/index.html) for the Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 on the evening of September 8. Those Ag Council members who deal with the EPA will be especially interested. More details will be available in the August newsletter.

This Newsletter published by the Communications Committee, edited by Agi Schafer, Fleishman-Hillard Inc.