From Alcoa:
September 29, 2016
Alcoa Inc. Board Approves Quarterly Dividends
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Alcoa Inc. (NYSE:AA) today declared dividends on its $3.75 cumulative preferred stock (“Class A Stock”) and on its common stock.
The dividend declared on the Class A Stock is 93.75 cents per share of Class A Stock, payable January 1, 2017, to holders of record of the Class A Stock at the close of business on December 9, 2016.
Earlier this year, Alcoa announced plans to undertake a reverse stock split of Alcoa common stock at a ratio of 1 for 3 and a proportionate reduction in the number of authorized shares of its common stock. Alcoa will hold a special shareholder meeting on October 5, 2016 to seek approval of this reverse stock split and authorized share count reduction.
The Board has declared (a) a quarterly common stock dividend of 9 cents per share, payable November 25, 2016, to holders of record of the common stock at the close of business on November 4, 2016, if the reverse stock split is approved or (b) a quarterly common stock dividend of 3 cents per share, payable November 25, 2016, to holders of record of the common stock at the close of business on November 4, 2016, if the reverse stock split is not approved.
Alcoa Inc. also announced today that its Board has approved the completion of the Company’s separation into two independent, publicly-traded companies. The separation is scheduled to become effective before the opening of the market on November 1, 2016. At the time of separation, shareholders of Alcoa Inc. will retain their shares of Alcoa Inc. Due to the name change of Alcoa Inc. to Arconic Inc. upon separation, these shares will become Arconic Inc. shares.
Following the completion of the separation, the board of directors of each company will review and determine the dividend policy of each company.
Dissemination of Company Information
Alcoa intends to make future announcements regarding Company developments and financial performance through its website atwww.alcoa.com.
About Alcoa
A global leader in lightweight metals technology, engineering and manufacturing, Alcoa innovates multi-material solutions that advance our world. Our technologies enhance transportation, from automotive and commercial transport to air and space travel, and improve industrial and consumer electronics products. We enable smart buildings, sustainable food and beverage packaging, high performance defense vehicles across air, land and sea, deeper oil and gas drilling and more efficient power generation. We pioneered the aluminum industry over 125 years ago, and today, our approximately 57,000 people in 30 countries deliver value-add products made of titanium, nickel and aluminum, and produce best-in-class bauxite, alumina and primary aluminum products. For more information, visit www.alcoa.com, follow @Alcoa on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/Alcoa and follow us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/Alcoa.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains statements that relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include those containing such words as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “may,” “outlook,” “plans,” “projects,” “seeks,” “sees,” “should,” “targets,” “will,” “would,” or other words of similar meaning. All statements that reflect the Company’s expectations, assumptions or projections about the future, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the separation transaction. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that these expectations will be attained and it is possible that actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (a) uncertainties as to the timing of the separation and whether it will be completed; (b) the possibility that various closing conditions for the separation may not be satisfied; (c) the outcome of contingencies, including legal proceedings; (d) the impact of the separation on the businesses of Alcoa; (e) the risk that the businesses will not be separated successfully or such separation may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected, which could result in additional demands on Alcoa’s resources, systems, procedures and controls, disruption of its ongoing business and diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns; and (f) the other risk factors discussed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and other reports filed with the SEC, and in the Form 10 registration statement filed by Alcoa Upstream Corporation. The Company disclaims any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
Friday, September 30, 2016
Alcoa Inc. Board of Directors Approves Separation of Company
From Alcoa:
September 29, 2016
Alcoa Inc. Board of Directors Approves Separation of Company
Separation Date to be November 1, 2016
Distribution Ratio of Alcoa Corporation Common Stock Set
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcoa Inc. (NYSE: AA) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved the completion of the Company’s separation into two independent, publicly-traded companies. Arconic will be a leading global provider of high-performance materials and engineered products to the aerospace, automotive and other growth industries, positioned for profitable growth. Alcoa Corporation will be a globally-competitive industry leader in bauxite, alumina and aluminum products, positioned to succeed throughout the market cycle. The separation is scheduled to become effective before the opening of the market on November 1, 2016.
Upon separation, Klaus Kleinfeld will serve as Arconic Chairman and CEO. Michael Morris will become non-executive Chairman of Alcoa Corporation and Roy Harvey, current Group President of the Alcoa Global Primary Products business, will be its CEO.
As previously announced, the separation will occur by means of a pro rata distribution by Alcoa Inc. of 80.1 percent of the outstanding common stock of Alcoa Corporation. Arconic will retain 19.9 percent of Alcoa Corporation common stock. The distribution is intended to qualify as a tax-free transaction to Alcoa Inc. shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
In connection with this distribution, on November 1, 2016, Alcoa Inc. will change its name to Arconic Inc. and its ticker symbol on the New York Stock Exchange to ARNC. Alcoa Corporation will trade as an independent company on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol AA.
Earlier this year, Alcoa Inc. announced plans to undertake a reverse stock split of Alcoa Inc. common stock at a ratio of 1 for 3 and a proportionate reduction in the number of authorized shares of its common stock. Alcoa Inc. will hold a special shareholder meeting on October 5, 2016 to seek approval of this reverse stock split and authorized share count reduction.
Distribution Ratio
If the reverse stock split is approved, at the time of separation Alcoa Inc. shareholders will receive one share of Alcoa Corporation common stock for every three shares of Alcoa Inc. common stock held as of the record date for the distribution, which is October 20, 2016.
If the reverse stock split is not approved, at the time of separation Alcoa Inc. shareholders will receive one share of Alcoa Corporation common stock for every nine shares of Alcoa Inc. common stock held as of the record date.
At the time of separation, shareholders of Alcoa Inc. will retain their shares of Alcoa Inc. Due to the name change of Alcoa Inc. to Arconic Inc. upon separation, these shares will become Arconic Inc. shares.
No fractional shares of Alcoa Corporation common stock will be issued in the distribution, and shareholders will receive cash in lieu of fractional shares. The separation distribution is expected to be paid on November 1, 2016 to Alcoa Inc. shareholders of record as of the close of business on the record date.
The distribution remains subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions described in Alcoa Upstream Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) having declared effective the Form 10. The Form 10 has been filed by Alcoa Upstream Corporation with the SEC and is available at www.alcoa.com.
No action is required by Alcoa Inc. shareholders to receive shares of Alcoa Corporation common stock in the distribution. Alcoa Inc. expects to mail an information statement to all shareholders entitled to receive the distribution of shares of Alcoa Corporation common stock. The information statement is an exhibit to Alcoa Upstream Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form 10 and describes Alcoa Corporation, certain risks of owning Alcoa Corporation common stock and other details regarding the separation and distribution.
Trading Common Stock
Alcoa Inc. shareholders who hold common stock on the record date of October 20, 2016, and decide to sell any of it before the distribution date should consult their stockbroker, bank or other nominee to understand whether the shares of Alcoa Inc. common stock will be sold with or without entitlement to Alcoa Corporation common stock pursuant to the distribution.
Beginning on or about October 18, 2016, and continuing up to and through the distribution date, two markets are expected for Alcoa Inc. common stock: the “regular-way” market and the “ex-distribution” market. Shares that trade in the “regular-way” market will be entitled to shares of Alcoa Corporation common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution; shares that trade in the “ex-distribution” market will trade under the symbol ARNC WI and without an entitlement to shares of Alcoa Corporation common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution.
Alcoa Corporation anticipates “when-issued” trading of its common stock will begin on or about October 18, 2016, under the symbol AA WI, and will continue up to and through the distribution date. “Regular-way” trading in Alcoa Corporation’s common stock is expected to begin on November 1, 2016.
The separation date may change if certain conditions are not satisfied by that date, as described in Alcoa Upstream Corporation’s preliminary information statement filed with the Form 10.
Dissemination of Company Information
Alcoa intends to make future announcements regarding Company developments and financial performance through its website atwww.alcoa.com.
About Alcoa
A global leader in lightweight metals technology, engineering and manufacturing, Alcoa innovates multi-material solutions that advance our world. Our technologies enhance transportation, from automotive and commercial transport to air and space travel, and improve industrial and consumer electronics products. We enable smart buildings, sustainable food and beverage packaging, high-performance defense vehicles across air, land and sea, deeper oil and gas drilling and more efficient power generation. We pioneered the aluminum industry over 125 years ago, and today, our approximately 57,000 people in 30 countries deliver value-add products made of titanium, nickel and aluminum, and produce best-in-class bauxite, alumina and primary aluminum products. For more information, visit www.alcoa.com, follow @Alcoa on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/Alcoa and follow us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/Alcoa.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains statements that relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include those containing such words as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “may,” “outlook,” “plans,” “projects,” “seeks,” “sees,” “should,” “targets,” “will,” “would,” or other words of similar meaning. All statements that reflect the Company’s expectations, assumptions or projections about the future, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the separation transaction. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that these expectations will be attained and it is possible that actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (a) uncertainties as to the timing of the separation and whether it will be completed; (b) the possibility that various closing conditions for the separation may not be satisfied; (c) the outcome of contingencies, including legal proceedings; (d) the impact of the separation on the businesses of Alcoa; (e) the risk that the businesses will not be separated successfully or such separation may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected, which could result in additional demands on Alcoa’s resources, systems, procedures and controls, disruption of its ongoing business and diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns; and (f) the other risk factors discussed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and other reports filed with the SEC, and in the Form 10 registration statement filed by Alcoa Upstream Corporation. The Company disclaims any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
September 29, 2016
Alcoa Inc. Board of Directors Approves Separation of Company
Separation Date to be November 1, 2016
Distribution Ratio of Alcoa Corporation Common Stock Set
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcoa Inc. (NYSE: AA) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved the completion of the Company’s separation into two independent, publicly-traded companies. Arconic will be a leading global provider of high-performance materials and engineered products to the aerospace, automotive and other growth industries, positioned for profitable growth. Alcoa Corporation will be a globally-competitive industry leader in bauxite, alumina and aluminum products, positioned to succeed throughout the market cycle. The separation is scheduled to become effective before the opening of the market on November 1, 2016.
Upon separation, Klaus Kleinfeld will serve as Arconic Chairman and CEO. Michael Morris will become non-executive Chairman of Alcoa Corporation and Roy Harvey, current Group President of the Alcoa Global Primary Products business, will be its CEO.
As previously announced, the separation will occur by means of a pro rata distribution by Alcoa Inc. of 80.1 percent of the outstanding common stock of Alcoa Corporation. Arconic will retain 19.9 percent of Alcoa Corporation common stock. The distribution is intended to qualify as a tax-free transaction to Alcoa Inc. shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
In connection with this distribution, on November 1, 2016, Alcoa Inc. will change its name to Arconic Inc. and its ticker symbol on the New York Stock Exchange to ARNC. Alcoa Corporation will trade as an independent company on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol AA.
Earlier this year, Alcoa Inc. announced plans to undertake a reverse stock split of Alcoa Inc. common stock at a ratio of 1 for 3 and a proportionate reduction in the number of authorized shares of its common stock. Alcoa Inc. will hold a special shareholder meeting on October 5, 2016 to seek approval of this reverse stock split and authorized share count reduction.
Distribution Ratio
If the reverse stock split is approved, at the time of separation Alcoa Inc. shareholders will receive one share of Alcoa Corporation common stock for every three shares of Alcoa Inc. common stock held as of the record date for the distribution, which is October 20, 2016.
If the reverse stock split is not approved, at the time of separation Alcoa Inc. shareholders will receive one share of Alcoa Corporation common stock for every nine shares of Alcoa Inc. common stock held as of the record date.
At the time of separation, shareholders of Alcoa Inc. will retain their shares of Alcoa Inc. Due to the name change of Alcoa Inc. to Arconic Inc. upon separation, these shares will become Arconic Inc. shares.
No fractional shares of Alcoa Corporation common stock will be issued in the distribution, and shareholders will receive cash in lieu of fractional shares. The separation distribution is expected to be paid on November 1, 2016 to Alcoa Inc. shareholders of record as of the close of business on the record date.
The distribution remains subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions described in Alcoa Upstream Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) having declared effective the Form 10. The Form 10 has been filed by Alcoa Upstream Corporation with the SEC and is available at www.alcoa.com.
No action is required by Alcoa Inc. shareholders to receive shares of Alcoa Corporation common stock in the distribution. Alcoa Inc. expects to mail an information statement to all shareholders entitled to receive the distribution of shares of Alcoa Corporation common stock. The information statement is an exhibit to Alcoa Upstream Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form 10 and describes Alcoa Corporation, certain risks of owning Alcoa Corporation common stock and other details regarding the separation and distribution.
Trading Common Stock
Alcoa Inc. shareholders who hold common stock on the record date of October 20, 2016, and decide to sell any of it before the distribution date should consult their stockbroker, bank or other nominee to understand whether the shares of Alcoa Inc. common stock will be sold with or without entitlement to Alcoa Corporation common stock pursuant to the distribution.
Beginning on or about October 18, 2016, and continuing up to and through the distribution date, two markets are expected for Alcoa Inc. common stock: the “regular-way” market and the “ex-distribution” market. Shares that trade in the “regular-way” market will be entitled to shares of Alcoa Corporation common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution; shares that trade in the “ex-distribution” market will trade under the symbol ARNC WI and without an entitlement to shares of Alcoa Corporation common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution.
Alcoa Corporation anticipates “when-issued” trading of its common stock will begin on or about October 18, 2016, under the symbol AA WI, and will continue up to and through the distribution date. “Regular-way” trading in Alcoa Corporation’s common stock is expected to begin on November 1, 2016.
The separation date may change if certain conditions are not satisfied by that date, as described in Alcoa Upstream Corporation’s preliminary information statement filed with the Form 10.
Dissemination of Company Information
Alcoa intends to make future announcements regarding Company developments and financial performance through its website atwww.alcoa.com.
About Alcoa
A global leader in lightweight metals technology, engineering and manufacturing, Alcoa innovates multi-material solutions that advance our world. Our technologies enhance transportation, from automotive and commercial transport to air and space travel, and improve industrial and consumer electronics products. We enable smart buildings, sustainable food and beverage packaging, high-performance defense vehicles across air, land and sea, deeper oil and gas drilling and more efficient power generation. We pioneered the aluminum industry over 125 years ago, and today, our approximately 57,000 people in 30 countries deliver value-add products made of titanium, nickel and aluminum, and produce best-in-class bauxite, alumina and primary aluminum products. For more information, visit www.alcoa.com, follow @Alcoa on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/Alcoa and follow us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/Alcoa.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains statements that relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include those containing such words as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “may,” “outlook,” “plans,” “projects,” “seeks,” “sees,” “should,” “targets,” “will,” “would,” or other words of similar meaning. All statements that reflect the Company’s expectations, assumptions or projections about the future, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the separation transaction. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that these expectations will be attained and it is possible that actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (a) uncertainties as to the timing of the separation and whether it will be completed; (b) the possibility that various closing conditions for the separation may not be satisfied; (c) the outcome of contingencies, including legal proceedings; (d) the impact of the separation on the businesses of Alcoa; (e) the risk that the businesses will not be separated successfully or such separation may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected, which could result in additional demands on Alcoa’s resources, systems, procedures and controls, disruption of its ongoing business and diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns; and (f) the other risk factors discussed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and other reports filed with the SEC, and in the Form 10 registration statement filed by Alcoa Upstream Corporation. The Company disclaims any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
FSA Administrator Cooks and Connects to FSA Programs
From the #USDA:
During a lunch-hour cooking demonstration with chef Jonathan Bardzik (left), Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini (right) explains how FSA helps growers move produce from farm to market to the consumer’s table.
During my travels to 46 states over the past two years, I’ve explored Illinois cornfields, watched an oyster harvest in Connecticut, and admired beet fields in North Dakota. I’ve toured a rooftop farm on a Brooklyn high-rise, and marveled at fresh vegetables grown in truck containers in the remote Alaskan Arctic.
These are the places where it all begins, so that Americans have safe and affordable food, from the farm to the plate.
So when local author and chef Jonathan Bardzik invited me to the USDA cafeteria for a lunch-hour cooking demonstration, I grabbed my apron and joined him as his “Sous Chef for the Day.”
Bardzik has created more than 600 recipes using fresh produce from local farmers markets. With an audience of the USDA workforce and even tourists visiting from the National Mall, we prepared a delicious menu of minestrone pasta, eggplant and tomato soup, green beans with pistou sauce, and mesclun with honey crisp apples and cider vinaigrette.
While cooking, we discussed how FSA provides a critical financial safety net for farmers and ranchers that ensures what they produce reaches the marketplace and ultimately to the table.
I highlighted how the workhorse of the FSA portfolio, our microloan, of which 25,000 have been issued in just three years, has been a real game changer for farmers and ranchers, especially those who participate in farmers markets, urban agriculture, or as suppliers of locally sourced food.
We also discussed the FSA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which, by helping farmers replace environmentally sensitive farmland with grasses, shrubs and trees, has done tremendous work to enhance air and water quality, prevent soil erosion, and create habitat for waterfowl, wetland and upland species.
It wasn’t long before our guests attending our cooking demonstration were able to try all four of our freshly prepared recipes – with the Chef even offering cards so that guests could recreate the recipes in their own kitchens.
And with my mini-apprenticeship drawing to a close, I thanked Chef Bardzik for the opportunity to join him in our own “farm-to-plate” adventure here at USDA.
Administrator Dolcini discusses FSA safety net programs while serving as sous chef, preparing four recipes with fresh produce from local farmers markets.
What Can Small Businesses Learn From World's Largest Beer Merger? (Watch)
Anheuser-Busch is in the midst of the largest beer merger in history. The company has been attempting to take over SABMiller, the maker of Miller Lite, for about a year now. And shareholders finally approved an offer this week.
It hasn’t been an easy process, largely due to outside factors. Of course, with a takeover this big there are going to be some anti-trust issues. So the company had to make some concessions to appease governments from both the U.S. and China. In addition, the recent Brexit vote also had an impact. Since the vote changed the value of the pound, Anheuser-Busch had to go in with a higher offer to make up for it.
What Can Small Businesses Learn From World's Largest Beer Merger? (Watch)
UnitedHealth Group - University of California and UnitedHealth Group to Collaborate, Work Strategically to Improve Health Care
The University of California and UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) are establishing an innovative model for a collaborative approach to health care that will improve patient care for Californians.
UnitedHealth Group - University of California and UnitedHealth Group to Collaborate, Work Strategically to Improve Health Care
UnitedHealth Group - University of California and UnitedHealth Group to Collaborate, Work Strategically to Improve Health Care
Growing Local Food Means Growing Opportunities
From the #USDA:
In 2012, FMPP supported the launch of Adelante Mujeres’s Sabor Color commercial kitchen project. This project focused on training small food producers and processors to develop culturally appropriate foods from local ingredients.
With sales of over $11 billion in 2014 and projected growth of 10 percent annually, local and regionally-produced food is the fastest growing sector of American agriculture. At USDA, we hear a lot from communities interested in strengthening the connection between farmers and consumers. That’s why we’re investing in projects across the country to help farm and food businesses tap into this growing market.
Yesterday, USDA announced more than $56 million in grants to support local and community food projects, including a program administered by my agency, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program awarded over $26 million in competitive grants, divided equally between the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) and the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP).
FMPP grants invest in marketing activities for farmers markets, roadside stands and other direct producer-to-consumer businesses. This year, 50 FMPP grants were awarded to projects across the country to help meet the local food demand and increase access to healthy local food.
LFPP funded 52 projects that support local food businesses that distribute, aggregate, or store locally or regionally produced food products. LFPP funding will also assist a diverse population through projects that develop, improve, and expand local and regional food business. These grants support the local food sector and create jobs, helping to strengthen the rural economy.
When looking at the broader picture of impact, it’s clear that FMPP and LFPP support growth across America’s diverse agricultural communities. A significant number of these grants—82 percent—will help increase marketing opportunities for new and beginning farmers. 72 percent of the grants will help support women in agriculture.
The positive impacts can be seen from past grants such as the one received by Adelante Mujeres, an Oregon-based non-profit dedicated to empowering Latina women and their families by promoting community participation and leadership.
In 2012, FMPP supported the launch of Adelante Mujeres’s Sabor Color commercial kitchen project. This project focused on training small food producers and processors to develop culturally appropriate foods from local ingredients. Successful trainees launched 6 food businesses selling their products at the Forest Grove Farmers Market, and half of the businesses also sold at additional markets.
By late 2013, Adelante Mujeres had trained 26 individuals on food safety and preservation techniques and other types of food handing. 18 training participants were developing their own food businesses. Adelante Mujeres also added commercial kitchen space in the nearby town of Beaverton to meet the demand for community kitchen access.
USDA is proud to be a partner and supporter of local and regional food systems through our programs, grants and technical services. Under this Administration, USDA has invested more than $1 billion in over 40,000 local and regional food businesses and infrastructure projects. As we continue to support the marketing and distribution of locally-produced foods for U.S. farmers and ranchers, we’re hearing from communities that these investments are having an impact.
This work contributes to USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF2) initiative, which coordinates local food efforts across USDA. Our recently-revamped website provides USDA resources for every point in the local food supply chain, including grants, loans, research and other resources. Additionally, the KYF2 Compass maps USDA’s local and regional food investments across the country and can help you see how other communities are using these resources to build strong food systems.
More information on how USDA is connecting producers with consumers and expanding rural economic opportunities through local foods is available in Chapter IV of USDA Results on Medium.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
One Quarter of All Small Businesses Have Less Than 2 Weeks of Cash in Reserve
In the last year, small businesses en masse have been pushed to the brink.
Natural disasters like the deadly flooding in West Virginia or civil unrest that’s spilled into the streets often force small businesses to close their doors or, at the very least, severely hamper their ability to do business as usual.
One Quarter of All Small Businesses Have Less Than 2 Weeks of Cash in Reserve
Merck Congratulates Guatemala as Fourth Country in Latin America to Achieve WHO Verification of Elimination of River Blindness | Merck Newsroom Home
KENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, commends the government of Guatemala on being the fourth country in Latin America to receive World Health Organization (WHO) verification of the elimination of river blindness (onchocerciasis). This announcement comes one year after the international coalition, formed by The Carter Center, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), WHO and Merck’s MECTIZAN Donation Program, urged for the final push to eliminate onchocerciasis from the Americas.
Merck Congratulates Guatemala as Fourth Country in Latin America to Achieve WHO Verification of Elimination of River Blindness | Merck Newsroom Home
Merck Congratulates Guatemala as Fourth Country in Latin America to Achieve WHO Verification of Elimination of River Blindness | Merck Newsroom Home
Chipotle to pay 16-year-old nearly $8 million for 'outrageous' sexual assault - Sep. 29, 2016
It took the jury only three and a half hours to award a former Chipotle worker nearly $8 million in damages in a harrowing sexual assault case.
The victim was 16 when she started working at Chipotle (CMG) in late 2013 to earn extra money. Within weeks, she says her 26-year-old assistant manager started touching her breasts. He pretended it was an accident at first.
Chipotle to pay 16-year-old nearly $8 million for 'outrageous' sexual assault - Sep. 29, 2016
September: A Nice Time to Celebrate Rice Research
From the #USDA:
Glenn Buffkin, store manager of Mayflower Foods, Stuttgart, Arkansas, presents a special display of rice products to celebrate National Rice Month.
September is National Rice Month, and the Agricultural Research Service’s (ARS) Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center in Stuttgart, Arkansas, is well positioned—literally and figuratively—to support the production, harvest, and public enjoyment of this versatile and nutritious grain. And on the world-food security front, ARS’ Stuttgart center is closing in on genes that regulate rice’s uptake and storage of iron, thiamine and other important vitamins and minerals—a pursuit that could bolster the nutritional value of this cereal grain crop as a staple food for roughly half the world’s population.
In the United States, nearly 85 percent of the rice eaten by consumers is grown on family-run farms across six States: Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas. Of these, Arkansas produces about half of all U.S. rice on nearly 1.3 million acres of cropland.
Stuttgart, which is located about 55 miles southeast of the state capital (Little Rock), is referred to as the “Rice and Duck Capital of the World” because of its proximity not only to rice fields and two of the Nation’s largest rice mills but also to the Grand Prairie region, to which migratory waterfowl, hunters, and duck callers are drawn in equal measure.
Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center is co-located with the University of Arkansas at Stuttgart, making the two organizations an epicenter of sorts for cutting-edge research on the grain crop. Between them, the ARS center and university boast more than 15 PhD scientists specializing in such areas as rice genetics, grain quality, disease and pest management, and cultivation.
The Stuttgart center also curates the USDA-ARS National Small Grains Collection, which contains specimens of both cultivated and wild rice acquired from around the world.
“Central to our research effort is using natural genetic variability found in the USDA-ARS rice collection to identify genes and traits that can help sustain U.S. production. This includes identifying genes linked with improved yield, superior milling, cooking and nutritional quality, and reduced losses due to disease and weed pressure,” says Anna McClung, the center director. “Future directions include a greater focus on abiotic stress factors associated with a changing climate,” she adds.
The impact of the research is far-reaching, with global implications in world food security as well.
In other cases, the ARS center staff play a more local role, including working with the community to help create awareness about ARS rice research. This month, for example, the center’s staff provided 15 pounds of raw grain and freshly cut rice plants to help assemble a display celebrating National Rice Month at the local grocery store, Mayflower Foods.
“Being located in Stuttgart is a huge advantage to us in that we have direct access to all segments of the rice industry—producers, millers, and processors—with benefits passed along not only to U.S. consumers, but worldwide as well,” says McClung.
30 Tips to Keep Yourself Positive as an Entrepreneur
Running a business is hard. So staying positive as an entrepreneur isn’t always easy. But there are some things you can do to improve your mindset and stay positive while running a business. Here are 30 simple tips.
30 Tips to Keep Yourself Positive as an Entrepreneur
30 Tips to Keep Yourself Positive as an Entrepreneur
Working Together to Develop Local Strategies for Strong Rural Communities
From the #USDA:
In preparation for the workshop in Alton, Missouri, the USDA and Smart Growth America team tours the historic Greer Mill, which is being revitalized as an educational facility and event space through a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and the nonprofit Friends of Eleven Point River.
How will decisions about where we locate new development or upgrade existing infrastructure impact our future economic vitality and fiscal health? How can we site and plan public facilities and housing so they have the greatest benefits for our community? How can we rebound from years of population loss? How can we capitalize on our unique history to become the kind of place we want to be in the future? These were some of Alton, Missouri’s residents’ many questions Smart Growth Americaaddressed during a recent USDA Rural Development supported technical assistance workshop.
During my visit to Alton, I was amazed at this small town’s vision, energy, and commitment to revitalizing its economy and improving the lives of its 870 residents. Local leaders are bringing life back to their downtown by improving the built environment and hosting cultural events, developing the regional food system, strengthening tourism to nearby National Forests and beautiful rivers, and more. However, I’ve seen rural communities with similar dreams fall short of their goals due to a lack of technical expertise, local capacity, financing, and partnerships. That’s why USDA is working with Smart Growth America to bring innovative solutions, funding ideas, and insights from their experiences around the nation to communities who want a brighter future.
In rural communities like Alton; Rifle, Colorado; and Brookings, South Dakota, USDA is teaming up with Smart Growth America to work with local elected officials, city and county government staff, affordable housing nonprofits, economic developers, and other local stakeholders to tackle tough challenges related to development, infrastructure costs, housing, economic stagnation, population decline, and more.
Through interactive workshops (like the one I attended in Missouri) and fiscal impact analysis, which estimates the budgetary costs and benefits to municipalities of development decisions within their borders, Smart Growth America has helped these small towns identify strategies to build on their distinctive sense of place in order to grow their economies, retain and attract residents, and improve quality of life.
Now your rural community can apply to receive similar help. Smart Growth America has announced the availability of more free technical assistance, thanks to cooperative agreement with the federal government. Towns, cities, tribal governments, and regions across the country can now get expert analysis and ideas of creative solutions on downtown revitalization, green building, climate resilience, safe and vibrant street design, and more. Communities can apply here through October 6th. If you’re interested, find out more on the Smart Growth America website or check out this Smart Growth America webinar.
In addition, through its partnership with USDA Rural Development, Smart Growth America haslaunched a new Rural Development program that will provide technical assistance, policy toolkits and best practices, an online funding clearinghouse, peer networking opportunities, and more to rural leaders. Visit Smart Growth America’s Rural Development webpage for updates and to get involved.
To find out more about how USDA Rural Development is helping rural economies grow, visit Rural America is Back In Business.
Over a homemade lunch provided by the Oregon County Food Producers and Artisans Coop, local leaders and residents from Alton, Missouri and surrounding communities strategize about opportunities for collaboration around local food systems, tourism, and downtown revitalization.
UPS To Hold More Than 300 Global Volunteer Events Worldwide
During October, nearly 20,000 UPS (NYSE: UPS) employees on five continents around the world will participate in the company’s 14th annual Global Volunteer Month. Employees are expected to donate 325,000 volunteer hours to more than 300 community service events taking place across North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific and Indian subcontinent, Middle East and Africa (ISMEA).
UPS To Hold More Than 300 Global Volunteer Events Worldwide
UPS To Hold More Than 300 Global Volunteer Events Worldwide
Bank of America Merrill Lynch Wins Top Honours for Foreign Exchange and Treasury Services in EMEA Finance Treasury Services Awards 2016 | Bank of America Newsroom
Bank of America Merrill Lynch has received three accolades across Foreign Exchange (FX) and Global Transaction Services (GTS) in EMEA Finance magazine’s Treasury Services Awards 2016.
The awards, which were presented during a ceremony at Sibos in Geneva, are:
Bank of America Merrill Lynch Wins Top Honours for Foreign Exchange and Treasury Services in EMEA Finance Treasury Services Awards 2016 | Bank of America Newsroom
Merck Foundation Grant Expands YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program in Five States | Merck Newsroom Home
KENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Merck Foundation and YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) announced today that the Merck Foundation has provided a grant of $2 million over three years to support efforts to expand the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program (YMCA’s DPP). This evidence-based, chronic disease prevention program aims to improve the health of participants with prediabetes through modest weight loss achieved by healthy eating and physical activity. The grant supports the program’s expansion in 60 communities across five states – Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas.
Merck Foundation Grant Expands YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program in Five States | Merck Newsroom Home
Merck Foundation Grant Expands YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program in Five States | Merck Newsroom Home
Amgen And Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Announce Two Cardiovascular Collaborations
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Wednesday, September 28, 2016
UnitedHealth Group - UnitedHealthcare and Optum Support People Affected by Floods in Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (Sep. 28, 2016) —
UnitedHealth Group - UnitedHealthcare and Optum Support People Affected by Floods in Iowa
UnitedHealthcare and Optum, the health benefits and services companies of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), are taking immediate action to help people in Iowa who may be affected by the recent flooding.
UnitedHealth Group - UnitedHealthcare and Optum Support People Affected by Floods in Iowa
Here's How Your Business Should Manage Employee Substance Abuse Problems
As a small business entrepreneur, it’s your responsibility to deal with employees when they aren’t meeting your professional standards and when they aren’t following the rules. Things get even more complicated when they’re in suspected violation of both.
Most businesses have some kind of policy on substance abuse, whether it’s the strict prohibition of illegal substance abuse or a simple policy to come to work sober. When you suspect that an employee may be violating these rules, it’s often difficult to tell with certainty, and even more difficult to broach the subject in a tactful, productive, and fair way.
Here's How Your Business Should Manage Employee Substance Abuse Problems
Amgen Announces Erenumab Significantly Reduces Monthly Migraine Days In Patients With Episodic Migraine In First Phase 3 Study
Amgen - Investors - RSS Content
Meet Candice and James: The Newest Real-Life Family in the #MyPlateMyWins Video Series
From the #USDA:
The MyPlate, MyWins video series shows how real families make healthy eating work for them. Meet pregnant mom Candice, husband James, and their two-year-old son in the newest video.
Every family is unique, and when it comes to healthy eating, it’s important to find solutions that work for you. The MyPlate, MyWins video series features real-life families sharing their tips for success. In the newest video, Candice & James share how they plan healthy meals involving their two-year old son. For this growing family, preparing ahead is key.
“When I get hungry and I’m not prepared, I make bad decisions,” says pregnant mom Candice. “If the set-up is there for you, then your split-second decisions are still good.”
Meet Candice & James, the newest family featured in the MyPlate, MyWins video series, as they explore a local farmers market and teach their two-year-old about healthy eating:
For more healthy eating tips and resources for families, visit ChooseMyPlate.gov/Families, follow MyPlate on Facebook and Twitter, and sign up for email updates. And stay tuned… more MyPlate, MyWins videos are on their way!
USDA Market News – As Diverse as the Agricultural Landscape
From the #USDA:
Cage-free hen and eggs. As the agricultural landscape evolves to meet consumer demand, USDA Market News ensures that emerging sectors—like the cage-free egg market—have the data they need to succeed. Photo courtesy of the Oregon State Department of Agriculture.
As the agricultural landscape evolves to meet consumer demand, USDA Market News works to ensure that emerging sectors have the unbiased, reliable data they need to succeed in the marketplace.
USDA Market News – administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) – provides data that serves as the information lifeline for America’s agricultural economy. Everyone in the ag supply chain is accustomed to visiting Market News for items like current wholesale and retail prices for beef cuts, but here at AMS we offer so much more.
Many producers compete successfully in today’s marketplace by supplying specialty farm products. With each emerging market there is a need for data, and AMS is answering the call. Below are just two examples of some of our newer voluntary reports.
Last week, we published a new report adding transparency to the cage-free egg market. In recent months, many large volume food buyers announced they will transition to sourcing eggs and egg products only from cage-free production systems. This monthly report will provide critical data to the industry throughout the transition, and includes wholesale price information for cage-free eggs. In addition, the report includes retail feature price information collected from weekly retail advertised specials from over 29,000 retail stores across the country.
This report also provides information on the estimated production of cage-free egg in the United States, based off of organic and cage-free flock size estimates collected by AMS, and estimated egg laying rates from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). This new Monthly USDA Cage-Free Shell Egg Report will be released on the first Monday of each month.
We also recently introduced a new edition of the National Monthly Grass Fed Beef Report. The report is now published in a PDF format which allows reporters to include more regional information, graphic representations, and retail comparisons to commodity beef.
One thing we wanted to showcase in the new report is a comparison between grass-fed beef that is primarily marketed directly to consumers or on a retail basis with commodity beef retail prices. The commodity beef average prices comprises a 3-4 week average using the National Beef Feature Activity Report and compared to our monthly grass-fed price.
The two graphs that were added to the report showcase the relationships between grass-fed and commodity beef cuts on a 3-month basis in addition to regional price comparisons. There is also a cost of production section based off of NASS’ grazing fees survey.
A small and very small producer section was added to the report, which incorporates the AMS Small and Very Small Certification program. It provides a dressed carcass basis price range and the weighted average dressed carcass price. In order to qualify to report in this section, producers must be certified through the AMS Grass Fed Small and Very Small (SVS) Producer Program.
Of course, the data needed to create new voluntary reports require one critical element – farmers, producers, and stakeholders to provide data. Market News continually builds partnerships with stakeholders to ensure that the breadth and accuracy of our reports reflect the current market.
These reports are an example of how Market News works to ensure that everyone in the ag supply chain has the information they need when they need it.
Hoop House Grows Healthy Food, Combat Diabetes in a Nevada Food Desert
From the #USDA:
NACR&DC members pose with Reno-Sparks Indian Colony teens to celebrate the finished product.
Squeals of excitement and laughter competed with the sounds of power saws, drills and hammers at the Hungry Valley Child Care Center in Sparks, Nevada, as Reno-Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC) teens were handed power tools for the first time in their lives to assist with building a hoop house.
As part of their life skills learning, the teens helped members of the National Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils (NARC&DC) who were attending their national conference in Reno, erect a 14’ x 26’ hoop house, with guidance from University of Nevada Cooperative ExtensionFederally Recognized Tribal Extension Program staff and assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
More than 70 youth employment workers, community volunteers and education department staff were there to assist.
“The purpose of this demonstration project is to highlight the efficiency and effectiveness of hoop houses and to show community members and historically underserved landowners the ease of installation and impact such a structure has in a producer’s operations,” said Andrew Gordon, executive director of NARC&DC. “This project is also designed to help our members learn about: how to increase historically underserved community use of hoop houses from NRCS program participation through EQIP; recommended crops; agencies and organizations available to assist; and other essential information to accommodate a successful hoop house grower experience.”
Reno-Sparks Indian Colony teens try their hands at power tools for the first time, as they learn life skills helping NACR&DC members and University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program staff assemble a hoop house at the reservation.
“The demonstration project showed how hoop houses can improve food supply and extend growing seasons for producers,” said San San Tin, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony education manager. “The young children at the Child Care and Head Start programs will have an opportunity to learn healthy eating habits by growing their own fruits and vegetables in their garden. By being involved in the process of planting, nurturing and seeing their fruits and vegetables grow, they will be more likely to try eating foods that are healthy.”
According to the USDA, most American Indian reservations, including Hungry Valley, are located in areas with limited access to food. Furthermore, the United States Department of Health & Human Services reports that Native American diets and food practices have changed more (for the worse) than any other ethnic group in the United States. For about the last 200 years, most aspects of the lifestyles of Great Basin Native Americans have changed, including cooking and eating patterns.
Today, although the current diet of Native Americans may vary by tribe, and by personal traits such as age (e.g., young versus old), Native families eat similarly to the rest of the American population. These eating habits have caused serious health problems, such as childhood obesity and diabetes. TheIndian Health Service reports that American Indian and Alaska Native youth, ages 10-19, are nine times more likely as Non-Hispanic white youth to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
At the Reno-Sparks Tribal Health Center, 44 percent or 224 of its 511 youth patients (0-17 years) have been diagnosed as medically overweight or obese.
For complex reasons, Native Americans have experienced high rates of poverty and unemployment, and families often struggle to put enough food, much less healthy food, on their table. One reason is that healthy and fresh foods tend to be more expensive and are often simply unavailable in low-income and rural communities.
“It is very important for Tribal members, young and old, to see that they can have an impact on what they eat,” USDA StrikeForce West Regional Coordinator Sharon Nance said. “In Nevada, theStrikeForce Initiative for Rural Growth and Opportunity—which addresses specific challenges associated with rural poverty—is targeted at Tribes. So after conference attendees learned about StrikeForce efforts as part of their conference, it was great for them to then assist NRCS in placing a hoop house with a local Tribe to enrich their community.”
To learn more about USDA StrikeForce or assistance available through EQIP, visit www.nrcs.usda.govor your local Service Center.
Reno-Sparks Indian Colony teens help NACR&DC members and University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program staff assemble a hoop house at the reservation.
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