Demonstrating benefits of biotech

Tell how biotech has helped your farming operation and you could win an all-expenses paid trip to Hawaii with a guest.

Compiled by staff

Published: Oct 9, 2012

Reduced herbicide and pesticide use, increased yields, improved land stewardship and sustainability represent just some of the benefits of planting crops improved through the use of biotechnology. Over the last 15-20 years use of the technology has become commonplace on Illinois farms. For example, many of the most popular corn and soybean varieties improved through biotech have been put to work by Illinois farmers.

Illinois and other farmers throughout the United States now have an opportunity to personally demonstrate the value of biotech in words – and in return receive a chance to win a one-week, all expenses paid trip to Hawaii with a guest.

The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation has joined with the state’s crop improvement association to launch a contest inviting Illinois and other U.S. farmers to share personal stories about how biotech has improved their farm’s economic viability. The organizations plan to share the stories as part of a booklet entitled Views from the Farm to help inform the public in our 50th state about biotech.

“Some of the world’s most important research in agricultural biotechnology is being grown in nurseries in Hawaii,” says Dean Okimoto, president of the Hawaii Farm Bureau. The Hawaii farm organization leader says the seed industry contributes $200 million to the state’s economy and provides nearly 2,000 jobs.

But Okimoto warns anti-biotech activists have threatened the viability of U.S. seed operations in Hawaii. “It’s time for people in Hawaii – and throughout the world – to learn the truth about how biotechnology is helping real farmers deal with real agricultural challenges.”

Do you have a personal story to tell about how biotech has had an impact on your farm? You can submit your personal story here and if it’s judged to be exemplary, head to Hawaii at no cost.

http://www.hciaonline.com/why-biotech/farmers/

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