Dallas Clark honored with "Friend of Indiana Agriculture" award

Hoosiers Honored for Going Beyond the Fence for Indiana Farmers

February 27, 2012

By Gary Truitt

Indiana corn and soybean farmers recently honored a group of deserving Hoosiers for their outstanding support and promotion of Indiana agriculture with Beck’s Hybrids Beyond the Fence awards. The awards, which are sponsored by Beck’s Hybrids of Atlanta, Ind., in conjunction with the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) and the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA), were presented at the Indiana Livestock, Forage and Grain Forum on February 27 in Indianapolis. “For the second year in a row, we’ve had an outstanding group of nominees for the Beck’s Beyond the Fence Awards,” said Scott Beck, vice president of Beck’s Hybrids. “The four individuals selected are tremendous supporters of Indiana agriculture and are dedicated to educating about the importance agriculture has to the state, our country and world.”

The four award recipients honored for their outstanding contributions to Indiana agriculture are:

• Marshall Martin Marshall of West Lafayette, Ind. received the Friend of Indiana Agriculture award for outstanding contributions to agriculture by a non-farmer. Martin is a professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University where he serves as the senior associate director of agricultural research programs and assistant dean for Purdue’s College of Agriculture.

• Dris Abraham of Battleground, Ind. received the Community Betterment award, which recognizes a farmer for outstanding contributions to the community through philanthropic, service, volunteerism, donations and/or leadership projects. He is the chief operating officer for Historic Prophetstown. Abraham also shares his knowledge with U.S. military personnel who are preparing for service in Afghanistan where they will help rebuild local farms.

• Jerry Goshert of New Paris, Ind. received the Ag Media award for excellence in reporting about Indiana agriculture. Goshert is the editor of The Farmer’s Exchange and covers stories ranging from hand corn husking to modern technology.

• Pat Redden of Cambridge City, Ind. received the Ag Education Outreach award for his outstanding contribution to Indiana agricultural education. Redden is the agricultural education instructor at Lincoln High School in Wayne County.

Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark accepted an honorary Friend of Indiana Agriculture award at the Indiana Livestock, Forage and Grain Forum for his work with Indiana corn and soybean farmers to promote the importance of agriculture to Indiana through the Hoosier Horsepower program over the last three years.

“We value the contributions of individuals like this year’s recipients of the Beyond the Fence awards. It’s because of people like this that Indiana agriculture remains a vital success story,” said Gary Lamie, ICGA president and Tippecanoe County farmer. “It’s an honor for us to recognize such quality individuals who work on and off the farm to share our success story.”

Mike Beard, chairman of ISA membership and policy committee agreed.

“With more and more consumers removed from the farm, there is less and less understanding about the agricultural industry,” said Beard. “Like our Hoosier corn and soybean farmers, Beck’s Hybrids understands the importance of sharing our story and recognizing those individuals who go above and beyond in sharing that story.”

Tauscher's message to students: Be ready for your opportunity

February 25, 2012

Written by Tim Froberg

NEW LONDON — With no scholarship offers, Mark Tauscher decided to play Division III football at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

But a different sport altered his future and started a path that led Tauscher to more than a decade of playing for the Green Bay Packers.

Tauscher's Auburndale basketball team advanced to the 1995 WIAA state boys' basketball tournament in Madison. The Apaches lost to Oostburg, the eventual Division 3 state champion, but a recruiter who worked with the UW football team, Pat O'Conner, liked the fluid movements of the 6-foot-3, 280-pound Tauscher. He urged Badgers coach Barry Alvarez to give him a chance as a walk-on.

Tauscher was ready for the opportunity and ran with it.

Meeting opportunities, establishing self-confidence and developing a strong work ethic were among the messages the former Packers offensive tackle shared Thursday morning with the New London High School Future Farmers of America Club.

"I always try and tell kids that you never know when your opportunity is going to come, so do the right things to be ready for it," Tauscher said. "Had our high school basketball team not been good enough to make state, I probably wouldn't have been here today talking to these kids."

Tauscher retired from the NFL after the 2010 season. He spent 11 years with the Packers — 10 as a starter — and was a reliable, rock-solid player at right tackle, protecting franchise quarterbacks Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers.

A no-frills, regular guy with a sharp mind and a quick wit, Tauscher keeps busy with speaking engagements, while overseeing his TRIFECTA (Tauscher's Reading Initiative for Every Child to Achieve) foundation and raising a family in the Madison area.

The 34-year-old said retirement from football has been an adjustment.

"This first year was a tough transition," he said. "You never want to stop playing, but time catches up to you. I have a lot of ideas and possibilities, but to be honest, I haven't quite figured out what I'm going to do next. Right now, I'm just enjoying the little things. I have a 15-month-old son (Max) and he's a riot."

Tauscher's presentation was part of National FFA Week, and he could relate to the high school students he spoke to. Tauscher grew up on a farm near Auburndale and was an FFA member.

"His presentation was great," said Erika Fleming, a New London senior and an FFA officer. "It's good to hear from someone who has been in FFA and who has achieved so much. Most kids don't appreciate or understand what FFA is like. They think it's kind of old-fashioned, but it really isn't. So, it's really cool to hear someone so modern talk to us."

Tauscher answered a variety of questions from the students and hung around afterwards to sign autographs.

Some of his best responses were:

On whom he most preferred blocking for, Favre or Rodgers:
"I always tell people, (the Badgers') Brooks Bollinger, because we ran the ball all the time. I don't know. Both were great. Aaron is probably the best quarterback in the game. And although Brett's time has passed, you haveto remember where this franchise was before he got here. You're talking about 20-some years of great quarterbacking for the Green Bay Packers, so I think we've all been spoiled a little."

On his toughest player to block:
"I'd say Michael Strahan. He was not only strong and talented, but he really understood the game. I really respected how he played."

On closing his career as part of the 2011 Super Bowl championship team:
"I can't tell you how exciting it was to reach the pinnacle like that. I think it would have been even sweeter had I been in the game, but to be out there celebrating with confetti raining down and your family there, I just can't tell you how fortunate I am."

On his welcome-to-the-NFL moment:
"It was my first year and Reggie White had come out of retirement to play for Carolina. I was a rookie who didn't know much about anything and there he was lining up across from me. I was doing a pretty good job of blocking him, but at one point my hands hit his face mask. I can't do his voice justice, but he says to me in this deep, gravelly voice: 'Son, get your hands out of my face.' I was like, 'Yes, sir.' ''


On his toughest loss with the Packers:
"There were three of them: the loss to the Giants in the 2007 NFC championship game, the fourth-and-26 loss to Philadelphia (in the 2003 playoffs) and losing to the Rams (45-17) in the 2001 playoffs. Brett (Favre) had six interceptions that day. It was a complete disaster. That was the worst beat-down I've been a part of."

On longtime Packers receiver Donald Driver:
"He's a great player and an even better person. I always felt I had in common with him because we both entered the NFL as seventh-round picks."

On team chemistry in the NFL:
"That's why they pay head coaches so much. You get 53 guys in a locker room and you've got 53 different personalities. If you have 53 hotheads, you're going to have a rough stretch."

On weight-training advice for high school students:
"Having a great bench press is good, but I'd say work more on your legs and your core. I'll take a kid who can squat a truck over someone with a huge bench press."

Titans Coach: Karl Klug a ‘great pass rusher’

By Scott Dochterman

February 23, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS — Karl Klug was a surprise and then some for the Tennessee Titans last year.

Klug, a fifth-round draft pick from Iowa, led the Titans in sacks with seven last year. At 270 pounds, he was considered for multiple positions entering the NFL draft, and the Titans pulled the trigger in the fifth round.

“We’ve limited him a little bit last year on passing downs,” Titans Coach Mike Munchak said today at the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. “We’ll probably work on his upper body this year, gain some weight, which will help him dramatically. He’s a great kid, great guy to have on your team.”

Klug, 23, had two sacks last year against New Orleans. Klug started only one game.

“He’s a special guy that a chance to make a difference in this league,” Munchak said. “A great pass rusher. He’s a natural pass rusher. If you turn the tape on, he’s guy that can beat someone one on one. A lot of D-linemen can’t do that consistently like he can. Great with his hands, great body control. That’s what we saw on the draft tape, and that’s what we’re seeing now.”