MISSION

To provide scientifically based, accurate information to the public regarding the safety and value of American agricultural food production.

Presented to: Legislative Agriculture Chairs

Presented by: David Flakne, MACA Executive Board

Secretary/Treasurer

January 23-25, 2009

Who are our ambassadors ?

150 Industry professionals from:

Any business engaged in the manufacture or formulation, and/or distribution, and/or supplier of products or services to the agriculture chemical industry.

Ag Media: print, broadcast

Public Relations: Osborn & Barr Communications

Non-Profit Organizations: Illinois Agri-Women, National Association of AgriMarketing

Agriculture Educators: Farm Bureaus, Extension Services

Policy Makers… You?

Where are we?

Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin

Adopted and funded by MACA since 1990.

Targeting: 4th – 6th Grade Students in public, private or parochial schoolsScout Organizations, Summer Camp Programs, & Further Expanding into Civic Groups.

Program quality rated as a 4.5 on a scale of 1 (low) - 5 (high) by educators

Aligned with National Education Standards

Contact Information:

Janet Braun, Program Coordinator

janet@maca.org

800-625-2767

314-859-9446

www.ambassador.maca.org

30,000 elementary age children reached from 2003-2008

America’s Abundance - Increased food & fiber production in spite of decreasing availability of farmland.

How chemical, biological and mechanical technology relate to six topics:

Feeding Planet Earth – Food & fiber demands will increase along with the increase in population to 10 billion by 2050.

Farmers, Stewards of the Land - Technology allows for sustainable food production, decreased soil erosion and higher yields.

Farm Fueled: Biofuels - Finding new ways to meet fuel demands from biomass.

Careers Across the Spectrum – Agriculture offers opportunities across the spectrum and require highly educated and trained professionals.

War of the Weeds – Crop production without herbicides would result in less yield, more farm acreage, increased labor needs, more soil cultivation and erosion.

Future Goals:

Presentation Materials on Water Issues and Food Safety

Yearly increase in new ambassadors by 20%

Yearly increase in requests for ambassadors

Expand financial support for the program

Result:

An informed public will be more

supportive of rural issues and agricultural policy.

Action by State Legislative Agriculture Chairs:

Support communication about the CropLife Ambassador Network at the state level.

Share with other committees or caucus