AFIA’s Keith Epperson (l.) and Chuck Lickteig, manager of
the Cargill Animal Nutrition plant in Martinsburg, Pa. This
plant received the 2008 Feed Mill of the Year award from AFIA
and Feedstuffs.
AFIA celebrates its one-hundredth anniversary at a special event on March 11, 2009. AFIA Chairman Don Orr (from l.) of JBS United, Inc., AFIA Centennial Task Force Chairman Al Wessler of MFA Inc., AFIA President and CEO Joel G. Newman and WGN farm broadcaster Orion Samuelson gather to enjoy the occasion.
Members of the AFIA Board of Directors pause for a Centennial Celebration snapshot near the U.S. Capitol on May 13, 2009.
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While its work on long-time priorities and emerging issues rolled forward, the American Feed Industry Association strategic redesign stood out as a distinguishing development in the association’s tenth decade.
The redesign began to develop as incoming president Joel G. Newman prepared to take over from the retiring David Bossman at the end of 2004. Newman, AFIA chairman since May of 2004, brought diverse agribusiness experience from United Cooperative Farmers, Maple Leaf Foods and Agway, Inc. He announced in September 2004 a restructuring process to put AFIA in better position to respond to accelerating changes in the industry and members’ needs and interests. The redesign, launched in January 2005, drew from extensive member surveys and continued for nearly a year and a half.
In another move to increase efficiencies and participation, AFIA collaborated with the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association to present the International Feed Expo. The Expo in January 2007 co-located with the International Poultry Expo in Atlanta. The annual IFE replaced the former AFIA Feed Show.
Food safety issues that had stirred in the 1990s became central issues for AFIA, pulling the industry and its association into the national spotlight.
In 2004, AFIA launched the Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification Program, designed to help feed manufacturers and their suppliers take a leading role in food safety.
And Dr. Stephen Sundlof, then director of the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine said, “AFIA is ahead of the curve” in food safety. Larry DeVries, McDonald’s vice president for concept and menu development, added that product traceability is a crucial issue. “Sustainability is critical for us; assured supply, brand trust and doing the right thing. We must continue to supply high-quality ingredients; but need your [the feed industry’s] help.”
As AFIA celebrates its one-hundred anniversary in 2009, the future is bright for the association. The world’s largest organization representing the total feed industry has more than 500 members ad its leadership on feed and food safety issues is unmatched.
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