The AgriNutrition Edge Report
The AgriNutrition Edge Report is designed to bring you practical and personal insights about current topics, regulations and studies about food across the value chain…from production to preparation along with consumer insights from you and me! As a 6th generation farm owner, dairy farmer’s daughter and registered dietitian, my intention is to bring perspectives from the ground up while also showcasing those that provide the food on our tables: our farmers and ranchers. Enjoy!
Marianne in the News
Marianne to Participate in Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics 2020 Meeting
Marianne will participate in the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics’ Virtual 2020 Meeting later this month. On Oct. 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CDT, she will speak on a panel with Mary Russell, MS, RDN, FAND, discussing “Ethical Implications for Social Responsibility and Fairness.” During the same time, she will moderate a session titled “Show Me the Money: The Economic Reality Behind Sustainable Food and Agricultural Decisions.” Then on Oct. 20, Marianne will moderate a “fire side” chat with two dynamic RDN intrapreneurs who will talk about their careers and advice during a session titled “Disrupt, Innovate, and Create Value as an Intrapreneur.” Learn more about the conference.
Marianne Featured in The Dairy Alliance Blog
Earlier this month, I authored the blog “The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines are in Development. What You Need to Know!” for The Dairy Alliance. An overview of the initial recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee are highlighted, including the continued focus on eating patterns, rather than individual nutrients; eating more, not less, nutrient-dense foods; maintaining dairy as a separate food group; and reducing daily sugar intake from 10% to 6%. The committee report was submitted to a team of staff at the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services for final development and approval. Public release of the report is expected by the end of the year.
Marianne to Present at Communications Master Class
Marianne is joining with three colleagues to present “Pivot with Power: Communication that Connects at the Virtual Table” – a three-part master class that will explore how to successfully make the pivot to virtual meetings, classes and conferences, and effectively connect with audiences on virtual platforms. The series will be led by Barbara Mayfield, MS, RD, FAND; Marianne Smith Edge, MS, RDN, FAND; Julie Satterfeal, MS, RDN; and Sonja Stetzler, MA, RDN, CPC — all of whom have been working in the virtual environment before the COVID-19 pandemic. Sessions will be offered live on June 16, 24 and 30 at 1 p.m. EDT.
For those unable to join at those times, sessions will be recorded and be available for on-demand viewing. The series is $50 and registered dietitians are eligible for three continuing professional education (CPE) hours. Register here
Marianne Featured in Free Webinar on Pivoting to Virtual Communications
Marianne Smith-Edge joins three colleagues to present “Pivot with Power: Communication that Connects at the Virtual Table” – a FREE webinar on June 2 that explores how to successfully make the pivot to virtual meetings, classes and conferences, and effectively connect with audiences on virtual platforms. The webinar is eligible for one hour of continuing education for the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Register here
Earth Day Article Published by The Dairy Alliance
An article by Marianne Smith Edge was published by The Dairy Alliance on April 20 as part of its Earth Day celebration. Marianne writes that every day is Earth Day for farmers, who steward the land and are essential for our survival. “Farmers, like salt, are vital to our core existence. Everything we eat or drink depends on the commitment and ingenuity of today’s farmers,” she writes. “In this time of uncertainty, there is one constant for which we should be grateful…our farmers. Regardless of natural disasters, tariffs or the overall decline of farm profitably, it is their commitment and passion that are essential to our existence. They are the salt of the earth.” Read the article here.
Looking Forward to TRUST IN FOOD Conference
From January 29-30, I will be attending the Farm Journal Foundation’s TRUST IN FOOD Conference in Chicago. The annual event brings 150 leaders from across the agri-food value chain to “share success stories, identify opportunities, and walk away with actionable information to continue helping farmers scale conservation agriculture and restore consumer trust in the food system.” The event is also co-located with the 2020 Top Producer Summit, which hosts more than 700 of the largest farmers in the nation. Check out upcoming blogs for insights from the conference.
Dairy Month Speaking Event
June is Dairy Month and on June 4th, I’ll have the opportunity to return to my “roots” for an educational event at White Rock Farms, Peachland, North Carolina. Sponsored by The Dairy Alliance, I’ll be providing insights on sustainability and farming in today’s environment for nutrition professionals and educators. Stay tuned for insights on the 21st century dairy farmer in my next newsletter.
Reflections from the Rural Child Hunger Summit
As a member of the Kentucky Hunger Initiative, I recently attended the inaugural Rural Child Hunger Summit hosted by Share Our Strength’s “No Kid Hungry Campaign” in my own “back yard” in Louisville, Kentucky. Rural hunger is not a new issue to those working in schools and community organizations across the country but the sense of urgency is clear. The reality is 85 percent of counties with high child food insecurity are considered rural.
Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky Names Smith Edge to Board
The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky has named Marianne Smith Edge to its Board of Directors. According to Mark Carter, foundation chairman, Smith Edge was selected for her “expertise in nutrition and food systems, her business leadership experience, and her communications savvy.” The foundation exists to address unmet health needs by developing policy, improving access to care, reducing health risks and disparities, and promoting health equity. Read the press release here
Owensboro Woman Named to Foundation for Healthy Kentucky Board
The Messenger Inquirer covered the Foundation for Healthy Kentucky’s announcement regarding Marianne Smith Edge’s appointment to the organization’s board. Read the article