Program for Today: Patriotism and the Military

June 27 Invocation by: Jim Sturms

President Tom Ward provided background on FAMSCO, Rotary's 21 Year old Fire and Medical Supply Company. He also told us about the continuing Xicotepec, Mexico Project whcih garnered 55-60 local Rotarian helpers this Spring to help with dental care and deworming efforts. Tom applauded our efforts with the placement of the Rotary Bike Rack in front of the Hotel, our receipt of the PR Award for the Muscatine Journal insert and our per capita Rotary Foundation support.

Don't forget to get your Pack the Park tickets for the River Bandit game this Wednesday Evening, June 29, 2011, at 7:00 P.M. Tickets are $7 with $3 going to Polio Plus!! Paul Kraushaar will sing the National Anthem to open the game!! Thank YOU, Paul.

Rotary guests:Michael Rehwaldt guest of Sarah Lande and Mike Ferguson of the Muscatine Journal.

Happy News: Jane Daufeldt gave $5 since she had not been to Rotary in a while and also to ask for support for the 4th of July Fireworks sponsorship. $20,000 is still needed. You can also be a back up for the Fiery Trial Volunteer Squad. Don't forget to submit your parade entries either. Paul Kraushaar is grateful that Modale, Iowa hasn't flooded yet. and he hopes it stays that way...he's been helping relatives get to dry higher ground. Judi Holdorf is celebrating her 40th Wedding Anniversary this week.

Program: Steve Ahmann, Monsanto Operations Business Leader and Rotarian provided an enlightening presentation on Monsanto today and their involvement in Sustainable Agriculture. Monsanto will celebrate 50 years in Muscatine on August 20, 2011 with many informative exhibits including a technology trailer and Bio-Tech updates. He encouraged us to attend the celebration.

He spent much of the presentation discussing water shortages around the world, and poor food conditions in countries such as Brazil. A farmer today feeds 152 people per year while in the not so recent past he would have fed only 26 persons. Biotechnology enables plants to produce more than in a conventional breeding process. Roundup ready crops and pre emergent herbicides enable the farmer to be more discretionary in production and planting, tailoring fields and plants to the conditions of the field etc.

Monsanto has 1200 employees in Iowa with plant seed manufacturing sites in Ankeny and Muscatine. Monsanto partners with Muscatine Power and Water to better understand boiler efficiences and practices by using seed corn byproducts as coal replacement. In Muscatine, there are 381 full time employees and 125 contractors onsite. Steve concluded by stating that Monsanto feels privileged to be operating in Muscatine.