John Block
Senior Policy Advisor at Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Bode Matz PC, John Block has dedicated his professional career to the fields of agriculture, food, and health. His accomplishments in agriculture began with the building of a large and successful hog operation in his home state of Illinois where he also served as the Director of Agriculture from 1977-1981. He was tapped by President Reagan to serve as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1981-1985, where he played a key role in the development of the 1985 Farm Bill. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of Food Distributors International (formerly National American Wholesale Grocers Association) from 1986-January 2003.
Mr. Block serves on the Board of Directors of The Farm Foundation, Hormel Foods Corporation, and Digital Angel Corp. He is Chair of the Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs Agribusiness Alliance and a member of the Board for the Friends of the World Food Program. He is a Non-resident Senior Fellow with the National Center for Food and Agriculture Policy. John Block is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy.
Sunday, February 07, 2010When I take an inventory of the litany of assaults on commercial agriculture, I can hardly believe it.
Friday, January 22, 2010Today, I want to grade some of our political leaders in their effectiveness in serving the ag industry.
Thursday, January 14, 2010There is a big liberal push for a cap and trade law in this country that supposedly would reduce the greenhouse gas emissions over time.
Thursday, January 07, 2010I can’t believe it but we are already in 2010. We’ve turned the page.
Thursday, December 31, 2009Just for a moment, let’s look back at 2009.
Monday, December 21, 2009This is Christmas – a time to be thankful for our blessings.
Friday, December 18, 2009I don’t even remember a time when the farmers, ranchers, and the broad ag industry were threatened more than we are today.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009Do we really think that the climatologists, journalists, politicians, and climate groupies that flew off to Copenhagen can save us?
Friday, December 04, 2009The headlines read “Food Stamp Use Soars, and Stigma Fades.”
Monday, November 30, 2009I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving.
Thursday, November 19, 2009At the annual convention of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters I was surprised to witness the almost universal anger and disenchantment with the leadership in Washington, D.C.
Thursday, November 12, 2009How many years have small businesses and farms been trying to get the federal government to provide “death tax” relief?
Thursday, November 05, 2009I was on the farm last week. It is so exciting to drive that combine and watch that big machine, like magic, sort out the kernels of corn from the trash.
Thursday, October 29, 2009Are we really serious about reducing our reliance on imported energy?
Friday, October 16, 2009This Friday, October 16 was “World Food Day.”
