"Big Three" Seed Companies, Environmental, Industry Experts Among Featured Speakers

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Nov. 17, 2009 - Iowa farmers find themselves at a crossroads, faced with state and federal budget cuts, a downturned economy and difficult commodity markets.  These challenges impact not just farmers, but all Iowans who depend on the continued availability of safe, affordable food grown right here in Iowa.  These and many other issues will be discussed at Iowa Farm Bureau Federation's (IFBF) 91st annual meeting Dec. 2 and 3 at the Polk County Convention Center in Des Moines.  The meeting will be held in conjunction with Iowa Farm Bureau Week (Nov. 29 - Dec. 5), as proclaimed by Governor Culver.

"Iowa Farm Bureau's 91st annual meeting theme, 'Right Time, Right Now,' is a perfect testament to the challenges facing Iowa farmers as they work to provide food, fiber and energy for a growing world population," says IFBF President Craig Lang.  "Our members believe we stand on the precipice of great opportunity, provided we take the time, 'right now,' to make some tough decisions for the betterment of all." Lang will speak with members about the difficulties facing the state and its farmers and opportunities to meet them during his annual address on Dec. 3.  The address will start at 8 a.m., opening Thursday's general session.

Guests from Monsanto, Pioneer, Syngenta, Heartland Power REC, Iowa Office of Energy Independence, Dairyland Power Cooperative, Iowa Soybean Association (ISA), National Soil Tilth Lab and Iowa State University (ISU) will also join the conversation, offering their insights during panel discussions:
Tracy Blackmer of ISA, Jerry Hatfield of National Soil Tilth Lab and Matt Helmers of ISU will discuss reducing nitrogen use Dec. 2 from 2 - 3 p.m.
Roger Tjarks of Heartland Power, Greg Watkins of Iowa Office of Energy Independence and Kenric Scheevel of Dairyland Power will discuss issues surrounding the regulation and transmission of electricity Dec. 2 from 3 - 4 p.m.

Sam Eathington of Monsanto, Bill Niebur of Pioneer and Ben Hable of Syngenta will discuss emerging seed technology Dec. 3 from 10:30 a.m. - noon.  
Third generation logger Bruce Vincent provides the keynote address Dec. 3 at 9 a.m.  Vincent, a longtime logger and promoter of socially responsible business, is President of Communities for a Great Northwest, Executive Director of Provider Pals and co-owner of Environomics.  Vincent's message encourages farmers to share their expertise as food providers, environmental protectors and animal caretakers with the consumer public that depends on them.

The IFBF annual meeting also celebrates the contributions of Farm Bureau members with a recognition luncheon on Dec. 2 and a young farm leaders achievement luncheon on Dec. 3.  The meeting will also feature an industry trade show and evening entertainment.  Mulberry Lane, a quartet of sisters from Omaha, will perform a holiday concert at the Polk County Convention Center the evening of Dec. 2.

Farm Bureau will wrap up its annual meeting with a voting delegate session on Dec. 3.  At that time, the delegates will hold elections.  The following directors are up for re-election this year: Craig Lang, president; Carlton Kjos, District 1 director; Phil Sundblad, District 3 director; and Richard Merrill, District 5 director.  In addition, the county delegates will elect nine farmers to represent Iowa as delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in Seattle, Wash., Jan 10 - 13.

Members can register for the 2009 IFBF annual meeting at their county Farm Bureau offices.  For more information about the 2009 Farm Bureau annual meeting, visit http://www.iowafarmbureau.com/images/ammtg.pdf.

-30-

Davenport, IA - Russell Construction is proud to announce the recent promotion of Susan Burroughs from Financial Accountant to Accounting Department Manager. Her new responsibilities include oversight and supervision of staff, management of accounting department functions, and collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer to complete financial statements.

As a seasoned Russell Construction employee, Susan has been with the company for 10 years, eight of which were in her previous role as a Financial Accountant. Initially, Susan served as an accounts payable clerk for two years. Her dedication to excellence has earned her this valuable promotion.

Angela Bagby, the Director of Marketing & Client Relations at Russell was recently selected by 24 of her peers to receive the Young Professional (YP) of the Year Award. This award is given on behalf of The Network, a Quad Cities initiative of the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce and the Iowa Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce to recognized leadership, talent and community involvement.

Angela has been deeply involved with The Network, serving on the Leadership Council, as well as an instrumental leader behind the inaugural i.network program which engages young professional interns outside the four walls of their workplace and college campus in hopes that they will stay in the Quad Cities upon graduation. Angela is also involved with the American Heart Association, Family Resources and United Way.

Judy Cushman, Executive Assistant to Jim Russell, was honored at the 22nd Annual Older Employee of the Year Awards Ceremony, as an Employee of Merit, from the Generations Area Agency on Aging, located in Davenport, IA. Judy, alongside twelve other individuals and one employer, were honored at an awards ceremony on November 10, 2009.

Judy has been with Russell for six years and serves as an integral employee, assisting Jim Russell, the Executive Team and Board of Directors. Her dedication to her job, impeccable organizational skills and positive attitude makes her a valuable asset to Russell.

Established in 1983, Russell Construction is a regional provider of Construction Management, Design Build and General Contracting services.  For more information on Russell Construction, please visit their corporate website at www.russellco.com.

Bettendorf, IA - Sonja Sorrel is senior media relations consultant for the Life and Health Division of the Principal Financial Group® will be speaking to local public relations, marketing and media professionals on September 24, 2009 at 3:00 pm at the Butterworth Education Center located at the corner of 7th Street and 12th Avenue, Moline, IL on behalf of the Public Relations Society of America - Quad Cities Chapter.

Sonja will be speaking about the impact the economy has had on the financial services industry and how it has changed the way they communicate. Also she will discuss what Principal did for employee communication, advertising and media relations and how it was measured. PRSA members, Local Public Relations, Marketing and Media professionals, students, and the general public are invited to hear Sonja discuss Principal's new communication techniques.

Sorrel has more than 10 years experience in strategic public relations and national media relations. She joined the company in 2004 and was promoted to her current position in 2007. She is responsible for managing media relations for all risk products including, life, health, disability and dental product lines. In her role, she conducts media outreach, executes issues management and advances thought leadership.

Prior to joining the company Sorrel was an account supervisor with Public Communications Inc, a public relations firm based in Chicago. Most of her work was concentrated on media relations for not-for-profit health care organizations, but she also represented well-known Chicago icons like Water Tower Place and the Museum of Science and Industry. Sorrel earned her bachelor's degree in journalism from Iowa State University. She serves on the communications counsel for America's Health Insurance Plans. She is also a member of the Public Relations Society of America.

The Principal Financial Group? (The Principal ®) 1 is a leader in offering businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement and investment services, life and health insurance, and banking through its diverse family of financial services companies. A member of the Fortune 500, the Principal Financial Group has $257.7 billion in assets under management 2 and serves some 18.8 million customers worldwide from offices in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and the United States. Principal Financial Group, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PFG. For more information, visit www.principal.com.

Formed in 1978, the Quad Cities Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America serves public relations and communications professionals throughout the greater Quad Cities region. The chapter offers programs, resources and networking opportunities for area PRSA members.

To RSVP for this event please email Cissy Wendt, Chapter Administrator at qcprsa@gmail.com by Sept 22, 2009.

###

Monster Sewing, at 1465 - 41st Street in Moline, has recently opened their doors for business.  This locally owned sewing shop can take care of all of your sewing and alteration needs including handbags and purses, heavy coats, leathers and zippers. They are open Mondays thru Fridays from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays by appointment.

Give them a call at 309-716-8411 or stop in, they are located across from the Moline Viking Club.