126 / SEEDWORLD.COM DECEMBER 2018 Exploring ideas and views on all aspects of the seed industry. PRESIDENT TRUMP ADDRESSES FFA CONVENTION During the 91st FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Illinois, President Donald Trump spoke to FFA members for more than an hour. He is the first president in 27 years to address the FFA convention in person — the last president to do so was George H. W. Bush in 1991. He discussed trade issues, foreign policies, inheritance taxes and excessive government regulation. President Trump told farmers that despite the rough road they’ve had in the last year, new trade developments are paving the road for a better future. “No one is better prepared to live the American Dream than the young Americans here today,” President Trump said. “Your time with the FFA in the field, in the lab, in the classroom has not only prepared you for a stellar career in something that you love, it’s taught you essential truths about life and about the world in which we live.” LIQUOR STORE STANDS WITH FARMERS Across the globe, companies have been jumping on the “non-GMO” bandwagon, ranging from Chipolte to Stonyfield. In Hoxie, Kansas, a liquor store called A&C Liquid Assets, owned by farmers, refused to stock Smirnoff products after Smirnoff announced that they were “non- GMO.” Living in a community that’s 90 percent ag based, the owners want to take a stand for their community, and in particular, farmers. However, while A&C Liquid Assets won’t be selling Smirnoff, they will be carrying Milo and Most wanted liquors, which come from local farms and are in a similar price point as Smirnoff. Instead of supporting a brand that most people know through TV commercials, A&C Liquid Assets will be selling brands that support their local community without “non-GMO” fear mongering. MARTY MATLOCK HONORED AT THE 2018 BORLAUG CAST COMMUNICATION AWARD CEREMONY The winner of the Borlaug CAST Communication Award (BCCA) was honored at a World Food Prize side event, and this year’s recipient — Marty Matlock — gave a well-received keynote address about The Promise of Prosperity from the Land in the 21st Century. Matlock began by explaining how he was inspired by Dr. Norman Borlaug, and he paid tribute to his legacy by emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary efforts as we work to feed the world. With a focus on sustainability, Matlock explained that “prosperity is well-being — social connections are the key.” To develop his central theme, he touched on several key ideas: Urgency to increase prosperity from the land, the face of agriculture is in the face of women, “land ethic” and the need to make farming accessible for younger generations, the importance of peri-urban ag systems and the nutritional challenge of feeding the growing population. Matlock’s presentation demonstrated why he won this year’s award. He has the ability to synthesize interconnected topics and present them to diverse audiences. Recognized as a premier communicator and sustainability expert, he currently serves as the Executive Director of the University of Arkansas Resiliency Center.