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ASA’s Strategic Areas of Focus

American Soybean Association Mission: Protecting and increasing market value and opportunities for soybeans. ASA’s Strategic Areas of Focus. 1. Policy and Advocacy 2. Membership 3. Domestic and International Use of Soy 4. Industry and Consumer Relations

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ASA’s Strategic Areas of Focus

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  1. American Soybean AssociationMission: Protecting and increasing market value and opportunities for soybeans.

  2. ASA’s Strategic Areas of Focus 1. Policy and Advocacy 2. Membership 3. Domestic and International Use of Soy 4. Industry and Consumer Relations 5. Leadership Development and Grower Education 6. Association Strength

  3. Policy and Membership • ASA is the voice of U.S. soybean farmers for legislative and regulatory issues on Capitol Hill and internationally • Membership dues help ASA and the state associations fund important work on legislative and regulatory issues that impact soybean profitability • Members are the foundation of the grassroots policy development process that guides ASA’s efforts on behalf of soybean farmers • ASA has about 21,000 voluntary members and 26 affiliated state soybean associations representing 30 soybean producing states

  4. ASA and its 26 State Soybean Affiliates Work Together for Soybean Farmers

  5. ASA Policy AccomplishmentsBenefiting Farmers in 2011 • Trade – ASA successfully worked to gain passage of South Korea, Colombia, and Panama Free Trade Agreements. Record U.S. soy exports of $26 billion! • Biodiesel – Record production of an estimated 1 billion gallons enabled by ASA-supported policies of the RFS, biodiesel tax incentive, and Bioenergy Program • Dust Regulation – ASA efforts helped prevent EPA from revising the current dust standard • Budget and Farm Bill – ASA has been at center of budget and 2012 Farm Bill discussions with Ag Committees to advance soybean farmer priorities

  6. More Policy Accomplishmentsin 2011 • Biobased Products – USDA rolled out an ASA-supported biobased product labeling program • Export Promotion – ASA testified before the House Agriculture Committee about the effectiveness of ag export promotion programs; and ASA effectively worked to maintain funding for the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development program • Sustainability – ASA coordinated efforts by U.S. soy industry to address European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive and keep U.S. soy exports to Europe open; working with USB and USSEC on overall sustainability issues • Biotechnology – Continued work on timely approvals and market access for new biotech soybean events in Europe, China, and under U.S. approval process

  7. ASA Priorities for 2012 • Keeping U.S. Soybean Farmers Competitive • Building Domestic and Worldwide Demand for U.S. Soy • Continued Leadership and Collaboration

  8. 2012 Priority:Keeping U.S. Soybean Farmers Competitive • Comprehensive approach to reducing federal deficits and national debt that does not make disproportionate reductions in agriculture • Enact a Farm Bill that allows farmers to better manage risk; prevent policies that could distort planting decisions and production • Prevent interference with GPS signals used by farmers that would result from LightSquared’s proposed broadband network • Oppose regulatory burdens that negatively affect farmers’ Freedom to Operate • Enact legislation to fund harbor dredging and maintenance, construction and modernization of locks and dams • Defend and promote today’s agriculture and livestock production practices • Modify proposed child labor regulations to prevent negative impacts on farm families

  9. Farm Bill Timeline in 2012 • January 17 – The House Reconvenes • January 24 – The Senate Reconvenes; State of the Union Address • Early February – Release of the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2013 • February – Farm Bill hearings begin in the Senate and House Agriculture Committees • March – Release of the Congressional Budget Office baseline (will serve as official reference for changes in farm bill program spending) • March/June – Further hearings, Committee mark-ups, House and Senate floor action • July – House/Senate Conference Committee, final passage, enactment of Farm Bill

  10. ASA Key Principles for 2012 Farm Bill • Farm programs must support planting flexibility so producers can respond to market signals not government payments • Farm programs must not violate U.S. commitments under the World Trade Organization (WTO) • ASA has supported a revenue-based approach; however, ASA is open to other proposals if they don’t distort planting decisions, production and trade, or violate U.S. commitments under the WTO • The crop insurance program – a core risk management tool for soybean farmers – must be protected

  11. 2012 Priority:Building Domestic/Worldwide Demand for U.S. Soy • Defend the Renewable Fuel Standard and seek extension of the biodiesel tax incentive • Expand market access for U.S. soy and meat products via Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations • Support continued full funding of the Foreign Market Development program and the Market Access Program • Advance domestic and worldwide regulatory approvals for new biotech soy events that increase yields, meet market demands • Continue worldwide demand building through ASA International Marketing & USSEC, WISHH and the World Soy Foundation

  12. 2012 Priority:Continued Leadership and Collaboration • Continue world-class leadership and training programs to develop tomorrow’s soybean industry leaders • Increase partnerships throughout the soy industry • Work with state associations, state checkoff boards and USB to create the best possible present and future for soybean farmers

  13. World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) An ASA program to create sustainable solutions for the protein demands of people in developing countries through the introduction and use of U.S. soy products. Market development, technology transfer and research. WISHH activities in more than 28 developing countries.

  14. World Soy Foundation (WSF) A 501(c)(3) charitable organization created by WISHH and ASA. Dedicated to sustainable nutrition for all. Feed, educate and measure. Helping people and organization’s improve nutrition with soy protein.

  15. Join us at Commodity Classic in Nashville, Tennessee, March 1-3, 2012. A conference and trade show featuring: A wide variety of learning sessions addressing relevant topics and information New technology, products and equipment Interaction with other talented growers from across the country Commodity Classic

  16. If You Believe, Belong ASA has been a voluntary membership organization since 1920, serving the best interests of U.S. soybean farmers. You believe, and you belong. • Ask others to belong – to become members • Membership is more important now than ever before, as legislative and regulatory challenges facing farmers have never been greater • Together we make our voice even stronger, and our actions more powerful

  17. Thank You for Your Membership For more information about the American Soybean Association or becoming a membership recruiter visit www.SoyGrowers.com or call 1-800-688-7692

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