CHS Foundation now accepting scholarship applications

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The CHS Foundation, the major giving entity of CHS Inc. (NASDAQ: CHSCP), North America's leading farmer owned cooperative, invites new and existing college students with agriculture or energy-related interests to apply for scholarships.
The CHS Foundation will award more than 300 scholarships in 2016. One hundred $1,000 scholarships will be made to high school students who choose to pursue agricultural-related degrees or STEM-related (science, technology, engineering, math) fields of study with an interest in agriculture or energy industry careers.
"CHS and the CHS Foundation are dedicated to developing future leaders," says William Nelson, president, CHS Foundation and vice president, CHS Corporate Citizenship. "We are proud to invest in educating young people to ensure they gain experience and build the skills necessary for long-lasting careers in the agriculture and energy industries."
High school scholarship applications must be submitted by April 1, 2016. An independent, external committee will select scholarship recipients based on essays, transcripts and reference letters. For additional eligibility information and to apply, visit http://www.chsinc.com/stewardship/scholarships.
More than 200 additional scholarships will help fund expenses for existing agriculture college students currently pursuing agriculture-related degrees at two- and four-year colleges. These scholarships are directly administered by more than 30 partnering universities throughout the U.S. and application deadlines vary by by school. For more information and a list of partnering universities, visit http://www.chsinc.com/stewardship/scholarships.
The CHS Foundation is the major giving entity of CHS Inc., the nation's leading farmer-owned cooperative and a global energy, grains and foods company. As a part of the CHS stewardship focus, the CHS Foundation supports education and leadership programs that invest in the future of agriculture, cooperative business and rural America.

Faith and Immigrants’ Rights Leaders Demand End to ICE Raids, Offer Support and Sanctuary to Those Hunted By ICE

Washington, DC - In response to the raids that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began implementing just days ago, faith leaders offered sanctuary to those targeted and immigrant rights’ organizers spread know-your-rights materials to prepare communities ahead of time.
On January 2nd, at least 47 people, primarily mothers and children, were taken in pre-dawn home raids by ICE agents in the Atlanta area as part of what the Department of Homeland Security announced to be a national operation netting 121 individuals.
Outraged by the expansion of raids conducted by ICE agents targeting families seeking asylum from violence and persecution in Central America, members of faith and immigrant’s rights communities call on President Obama and DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson to immediately put a halt to the raids.
On Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 11AM ET, key leaders from the faith and immigrant’s rights communities will hold a national press call to discuss the raids’ impacts on communities, reiterate their offer of sanctuary, provide guidance about how to prepare for ICE arriving at one’s home, and call for an immediate end to the raids targeting families seeking asylum.

Tata Trusts and Mars, Incorporated Announce Commitment to Collaborate on Agriculture Development, Nutrition, and Food Safety in India

Mumbai, India – Tata Trusts and Mars, Incorporated today announced their joint entry into a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to advance agriculture development, address malnutrition, and improve food safety in India.

A leading coalition of philanthropic trusts headquartered in India, the Tata Trusts pursues a mission to improve the quality of life of the communities it serves in India. The Trusts include the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Sir Ratan Tata Trust, and Navajbhai Ratan Tata Trust.

As one of the world’s leading food manufacturers, Mars, Incorporated plans to work with the Tata Trusts to develop methods and tools to increase crop productivity, farm income, and sustainability of select agriculture commodities, and to collaborate on the availability of safe, affordable, and sustainable raw materials from India. Mars Food, a segment of Mars, Incorporated, also intends to conduct joint research with the Tata Trusts on nutritional guidelines that can help address anemia and other forms of malnutrition.

“Given Mars’ global leadership in nutritive foods and sustainable agriculture, the Tata Trusts believes this collaboration will have lasting, meaningful benefits for Indian communities,” said Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata Trusts. “We are particularly inspired by Mars Food’s commitment to addressing malnutrition in India – a challenge of growing concern in this country, particularly among children.

Mars and the Tata Trusts also plan to collaborate on reducing Aflatoxin contamination in India’s supply chain. Aflatoxin – a naturally occurring, poisonous chemical produced by certain molds – is a critical food safety issue in India. Mars has unique expertise in addressing Aflatoxin contamination and can draw on its Global Food Safety Center in China to conduct future research in this area.

“Today’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Tata Trusts is an important step in Mars’ journey to improve nutrition, food safety, and sustainability in India,” said Fiona Dawson, President of Mars Food. “Tata Trusts’ strong commitment to improving the quality of life in India, and the depth and breadth of their expertise, makes them a natural partner for Mars.”

Hearing Advisory: Next Week at the Ag Committee

The House Committee on Agriculture advises the following committee schedule.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016 – 10:00 a.m.
1300 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
Subcommittee on Nutrition – Public Hearing
RE: Past, Present, and Future of SNAP: Addressing Special Populations

USDA to Honor American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2016 – TODAY, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will honor Bob Stallman’s tenure as President of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden will proclaim Jan. 6, Bob Stallman Appreciation Day, presenting the honoree with an official proclamation in recognition of Stallman’s commitment to strengthening rural American families and communities.

Stallman, a recognized champion of agriculture, has served as President of the American Farm Bureau Federation for 16 years, tirelessly supporting U.S. farmers and ranchers as they help feed the world, protect and preserve the environment, provide jobs, and contribute to the nation’s economy.