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CCI Innovation in Agriculture Scholarship

February 16, 2015 by Summer

We know the value of educating the future! Because of that value we are offering the “Innovations in Agriculture” $1,000 scholarship to a graduating current or former 4-H member who will seek a degree in agriculture.

Proud 4-H Alumni

Corn Capital Innovations (CCI) was formed in Olivia, Minnesota, by Steve and Summer O’Neill in 2008. The family-owned business is an industry leader that helps crop producers develop innovative farm plans that integrate the four components of profitability: crop insurance, grain marketing, financial analysis, and yield building strategies. The O’Neill’s and many CCI employees are proud 4-H alumni.

Eligibility & Requirements

Current or former Minnesota 4-H members who will be entering their freshman year of college are eligible to apply. This is a one-time $1,000 scholarship may be used toward education expenses at a post-secondary institution in the United States. Applicants must intend to pursue a degree in agriculture; with a preference for students pursuing a degree in agronomy, soil science, horticulture, plant science, agriculture economics, agribusiness or closely related field.

The review committee will evaluate applicants based on scholastic achievements, career interest area, community and 4-H involvement, and leadership roles and positions.

Applicants must submit the following:

  • CCI Scholarship application form and essay.4-H Scholarship
  • Official copy of current high school transcript.
  • Two letters of recommendation: one from a teacher or academic advisor and one from an extension educator, program coordinator, or club leader.
  • One individual photo (black/white or color, between 2×3” and 4×5”). The photo will be used for publicity if you receive the scholarship; it will not be returned.

Application Information

Applications for the 2015 scholarship award must be postmarked by April 15, 2015. Award notices will be distributed in June.

Seniors or parents, ask your guidance counselor, contact the Minnesota 4-H Foundation or contact Corn Capital Innovations to find out more about this 4-H scholarship.

Minnesota 4-H Foundation
9 Coffey Hall
1420 Eckles Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55108-6068
Phone: 612-624-7971
Email: fdnstaff@umn.edu

If you have a passion for agriculture, this is the scholarship for you! Corn Capital Innovations, a great hand in farming…not only today, but in educating for tomorrow!

Download Scholarship Application (PDF)

Download Scholarship Overview (PDF)

Categories: General | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

An Innovative Approach to Risk Management

February 9, 2015 by Summer

Risk ManagementAs the team at Corn Capital Innovations works with farmers to increase yields and create enhanced production strategies, we have realized the important need to provide an innovative approach to risk management.

At Corn Capital Innovations we have a whole multi-peril crop insurance agency that has access to multiple different insurance providers to supply the most innovative, unique, and effective products available for each farming operation that we work with.

With the new growing season fast approaching, having the right insurance plan in place will be a key asset into your profitability for the year.

If you have any concerns about market volatility, your current risk management strategies, or would like to sit down and learn more about the products that are available to your farm operation to help you sleep at night, call us at 320-523-2252.

Categories: Crop Insurance, General | Tags: , , , , ,

Water Street EDGE Farm Business Seminar – Willmar, MN on Feb. 16th-17th, 2015

January 13, 2015 by Summer

Can you believe that it’s 2015 already! With a new year brings new changes and challenges in farming. The Water Street EDGE Farm Business Seminar provides educational sessions that will teach you the skills needed to successfully manage your farm operation in 2015 and beyond. Take a look at the two-day seminar schedule listed below.

Day One

  • 12:00-1:00 PM – Registration
  • 1:00-2:00 PM – Market Sense for a High-Frequency World
    Arlan Suderman, Senior Market Analyst at Water Street Solutions will build your understanding of the key drivers in today’s markets and help you consider how to approach market volatility – in such a wayFarm Business Seminar that your plan makes sense with the long-term goals of your operation.
  • 2:30-3:30 PM & 4:00-5:00 PM – Rebooting Farm Leadership
    Richard Hadden, CSP will provide current and future farm leaders with real-world applications of key leadership practices – as well as revealing the skills farm leaders will need to lead in a changing world.
  • 5:30-7:30 PM – Reception & Dinner
  • 7:30-8:30 PM- Keynote: It’s a Jungle Out There! Blazing New Trails for Agriculture
    Jolene Brown, CSP will explore the four major influencers that affect decision-making for ourselves and our customers. With lots of laughter, you’ll learn how to build important bridges for a joy-filled journey in today’s agricultural ‘jungle’!

Day Two

  • 8:00-10:00 AM – Straight Talk, Straight Actions: Agriculture in a Changing Economy
    Dr. David Kohl, Professor Emeritus of Ag Economics at Virginia Tech will help you consider what it will take to run your farm business successfully in the shifting ag economy.
  • 10:30-11:30 AM – Farm-Level Financials: Key Foundations for Decision-Making
    Mike Gustafson, Chief Operating Officer at Water Street Solutions will focus on farm financials and how you’re making decisions for your operation. Through a case study approach, this workshop-style session will apply concepts from Dr. Kohl’s economic view at the individual farm level.
  • 11:30-1:00 PM – Table Topics Lunch
    Back by popular demand, we’ll host Table Topics, a chance to sit and discuss topics of your choice in a small group setting.
  • 1:00-2:00 PM – Cultivating Communication: Grow Your Skills, Grow Your Edge
    Darren Frye, President and CEO at Water Street Solutions will share four core skills to use as you communicate each day with family members, non-family employees, vendors, advisors, landlords and lenders.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL PROGRAM AGENDA (PDF)

Corn Capital Co-Sponsoring

Corn Capital Innovations is proud to be co-sponsoring this event along with Water Street Solutions at the Best Western Plus in Willmar, MN. We are firm believers in the importance of continuing education to achieve future farm success. We encourage all farmers in our area to attend.

Develop Your EDGE

Develop your EDGE! Attend the Water Street EDGE Farm Business Seminar on February 16th-17th, 2015. Time is running out, register today!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

 

Are you attending Water Street EDGE? What learning sessions are you most looking forward to?

Categories: Farm Profitability, General | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bird’s Eye View of Harvest From the CCI Drone

December 18, 2014 by Steve

Back in October, I was flying high after purchasing a drone for use at Corn Capital Innovations. Just like a kid on Christmas, I was excited to play with my new toy! But our drone is much more than just something shiny to fly around, it serves two important purposes to our business.

  1. It’s a great tool for use during our agronomy work.
  2. It’s another set of eyes for us to see what is going on in our customer’s fields.

View of Harvest Using the CCI Drone

Watch this video of our drone in action during the 2014 corn harvest.

Benefits of Drone Farming

Interest in using drones in agriculture is growing. Here are some benefits of using a drone for farm operations.

  • Having a bird’s eye view of your fields is the Drone Farmingquickest way to see and interpret if you need to take action in your production strategies.”
  • Using drones for crop surveillance can drastically increase farm crop yields while minimizing the cost of walking the fields or airplane fly-over filming.
  • Checking on your plants’ progress and determining if they need more attention is quicker and easier using a drone.
  • Using a drone effectively can save you time and money.

Potential Drone Uses

The use of drones in agriculture is still in its early stages. Here are some promising future uses for drones on your farm.

  • Crop Scouting
  • Precision Spraying
  • Disease Monitoring
  • Livestock Tracking

Additional Resources

Please take a few minutes to read these additional resourses and further educate yourself about the use of drones for agriculture.

Contact Corn Capital Innovations

Let our experienced team help you determine if you need to take action in your production strategies using cutting edge technology like drones. Please contact us at (320) 523-2252!

Have you considered using a drone in your operation? Do you have any questions we could answer about the use of drones?

Categories: Farm Profitability, General, Production | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“Who’s Hiding the Humor?” Customer Appreciation Event a Success!

December 3, 2014 by Summer

In the CCI office this morning, we are still smiling and chuckling from our customer appreciation event last night. It was definitely not one of those regular seed meeting that we find ourselves attending throughout the year. It was a night to honor our clients! A night of good conversation, even better company and a speaker who was honest, inspirational and humorous!

Who’s Hiding the Humor? – Jolene Brown

We were honored to have Jolene Brown come to Olivia and speak to a full house with over 140 in attendance! Her passion for ag advocacy, appreciation of hard work and ability to find the humor in any situation rang true during her entire speech. Everyone left the event with a more positive mindset than they came with. It was the perfect way to end the evening.

For those of you who were unable to attend our event, you’re in luck! Jolene will be returning to the area on Feb. 16th-17th, 2015 to speak at the Water Street EDGE Farm Business Seminar in Willmar, MN. Jolene is part of a group of top speaker who will share their expertise about managing a modern farming operation. We encourage all of you to attend and as an added bonus we are extending the Early Bird Rate to all CCI customers through December 31st, 2014. Please contact us for more information and to register.

Thank You!

Thank you for celebrating another great year with us, we enjoyed spending time with our amazing clients, co-workers and friends. The event was a wonderful success and we truly are grateful for your patronage over the last year. Please enjoy our collection of photos from the event below.

What hit home most with you after hearing Jolene’s speech? Were you inspired to advocate for your industry and look for the humor in life? Please share in the comments.

We wish you all a wonderful holiday season!

Categories: General, Mindset | Tags: , , , , , , ,

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