Author: sHq_LoGiNz

With the donation of 2 million tags, the company’s initiative scales up a pioneering program for cattle development, integrity, and traceability in the state

SÃO PAULO, July 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — JBS has invested more than US$ 7 million in cattle traceability and support for small producers in Pará, as part of a pioneering state program that aims to trace the entire herd of cattle and buffaloes in the region by the end of 2026. The results of JBS’s initiatives were presented during the “Expedition to the Sustainable Meat and Leather Market of Pará,” an event promoted by the Nature Conservancy (TNC) Brazil. 

The initiative is part of a broader collation involving the government, producers, civil society, and industry. As part of its actions, JBS has already allocated US$ 5 million to its Traceability Accelerator Program, which aims to encourage the adoption of tags for animal traceability among the company’s indirect suppliers. This includes the donation of 2 million ear tags to producers and 175 readers to the Pará State Agricultural Defense Agency (Adepará). 

The Accelerator Program initially focuses on Southeast Pará, in the region between the municipalities of Marabá and Santana do Araguaia. JBS teams and partner organizations conduct field visits to identify and engage with farms, working directly with traceability operators who are trained and accredited by the State of Pará. The readers donated by the company record data from the animals’ individual identification tags, enabling the monitoring of individual cattle across the state, which holds the second-largest herd in Brazil. 

“Our actions were designed to scale up the state program by supporting both direct and indirect suppliers, with the capacity to reach up to 2 million tags for herd traceability. This phase is crucial to overcoming bottlenecks and testing traceability tools and solutions at scale,” said Fábio Dias, JBS’s Head of Sustainable Livestock, during the event. 

In strategic partnership with Adepará and TNC, the JBS Traceability Accelerator Program already has partner companies for field operations. Future expansion is planned for other regions of the state, such as the Southwest (Altamira, Anapu, and Pacajá), the Lower Amazon (Belterra and Santarém), and the Marajó region. There is also interest in replicating the model in other states. 

JBS has also allocated a significant part of its investment to the Green Offices in Pará: since 2021, the program has received US$ 2 million. These offices offer free and specialized support for the environmental regularization of rural properties, with a special focus on small producers. 

The main goal of the JBS Green Offices is to assist producers from registration to validation in the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR), promote adherence to the Environmental Regularization Program (PRA) when applicable, support the lifting of embargoes, and help non-compliant producers regain commercial qualification. In addition, they connect producers to requalification programs such as SIRFLOR and Reconecta in Pará.  

In the state, JBS operates four physical offices located in the Southeast region (Santana do Araguaia, Redenção, Tucumã, and Marabá). Regularization is accelerated through the Sustainable Territories Platform (PTS), in partnership with the State Secretariat for Environment and Sustainability (SEMAS). Since 2024, the offices have also offered technical and managerial assistance to producers (EV 2.0). 

Nationally, the results are significant: since the launch of the JBS Green Offices program in 2021, 18,042 farms have already been regularized, and, 7,005 hectares are in process of forest restoration. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jbs-invests-more-than-us-7-million-in-traceability-and-support-for-small-producers-in-para-302503491.html

SOURCE JBS

Rooftop solar panels covering the equivalent of 1.5 football fields will provide 48% of the center’s electricity. 

MASON, Ohio, July 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Festo, a global leader in industrial automation controls and systems and industrial training systems, inaugurated today a rooftop solar power generating system, the largest of its kind in Mason, Ohio. The Festo North American Regional Service Center along I-71 will now generate through solar power 48% of its annual electric power needs onsite.

The rooftop installation features 3,929 solar panels covering 85,180 square feet of rooftop. Its annual generating capacity is rated at 2.602GWh which is equivalent to the annual electricity consumed by 393 homes. This solar power installation reduces annual CO₂ emissions equivalent to the carbon sequestration of a 2,300-acre forest.*

Installation on the solar power array began in November 2024 and concluded in May. Kokosing Solar Power, Athens, Ohio, was the project’s general contractor. The solar panels are installed on the rooftops of two of the three connected buildings and on the entryway’s carport. Eight solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations are a feature of the project.

Built in 2015 and expanded several times since, the Festo Regional Service Center is the North American distribution hub for Festo’s globally manufactured automation products. The facility, which employs 350 people, also assembles custom orders and builds unique products for North American customers. Festo Didactic, the learning division of Festo, builds hands-on systems that community colleges utilize to train the next generation of manufacturing and processing technicians.

“The Festo Regional Service Center’s solar project does more than save energy – it is a model of resilience and forward thinking that reflects this city’s economic and environmental goals,” commented Mason’s Mayor Diana Nelson. “It aligns with Mason initiatives that help local businesses invest in sustainable growth.”

Headquartered in Esslingen, Germany, Festo is a family-owned $3.9 billion business employing more than 20,000 people in 60 countries. Festo celebrates its 100^th anniversary this year and is proud to have operated in the United States for more than 50 years. Members of the founding Stoll family joined local and state dignitaries for a ribbon cutting ceremony and tour of the Center. The solar power initiative was funded in part by a grant from the Stoll family.

Sustainability is firmly anchored in Festo’s corporate strategy. In 2024, the company joined the World Resources Institute Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. Also in 2024, Festo global operations offset 100% of its direct carbon emissions and achieved CO₂ neutrality for indirect emissions. Festo plans to generate 25% of its electricity through solar power by 2030.

*Equivalencies calculated by the Environmental Protection Agency Greenhouse Gas Equivalency Calculator.

Images can be downloaded here

About Festo U.S. 
Festo is a leading manufacturer of pneumatic and electromechanical systems, components, and controls for process and industrial automation. For 100 years with more than 50 in the U.S., Festo Corporation has continuously elevated the state of manufacturing with innovations and optimized motion control solutions that deliver higher performing, more profitable automated manufacturing and processing equipment. Through advanced technical and industrial education, Festo Didactic Learning Systems and its partners prepare workers for current and future manufacturing technologies.
Connect with Festo: Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-festo-north-american-regional-service-center-embraces-clean-energy-302502101.html

SOURCE Festo Corporation

Turning Point with David Jeremiah Launches Bible Strong Kids

SAN DIEGO, July 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — David Jeremiah is launching a widescale initiative to deliver the unchanging Word of God the next generation using the same trusted Bible Strong teaching and content that he has been delivering to adults for 40+ years.

One of the most often cited requests Dr. Jeremiah receives is “please pray for my children and/or grandchildren.” As his ministry, Turning Point for God, has grown, he has answered this call by investing in resources geared toward children and young adults with the creation of Airship Genesis and PASSAGES.

This summer Turning Point is launching Bible Strong Kids, an endeavor to create the next generation of Bible Strong Kids—children who know their worth in God’s eyes and are equipped to shine His light in an increasingly dark world. Bible Strong Kids will encapsulate the following –

• A Daily Devotion
  • Dr. Jeremiah’s ever-popular daily devotional comes in a new version specially tailor for kids, paving the way for families to strengthen their walk with the Lord as they study the same passages of Scripture together.
• Audio Adventures
  • Airship Genesis
  • The Barnyard Bunch
  • COMING Soon When the Stars Align
• Pathway to Jesus Mobile Game
• Bible Strong Kids Bookstore

The stories, songs, and lessons children encounter today become the truths and values they’ll remember tomorrow when facing life’s trials. Every Bible story shared, every prayer taught, and every moment spent in faith-centered learning builds an unshakeable foundation of character that will last a lifetime. 

“By investing in building Bible-strong Christian content that speaks the language and captures the imagination of children, we’re not just entertaining them; we’re planting seeds of faith that will bloom throughout their lifetime,” said David Michael Jeremiah, President and CEO of Turning Point ministries.

Dr. Jeremiah added, “In today’s world, our children face challenges and influences that can pull them away from the values we hold dear. The foundation we establish in the young ones in our lives becomes their anchor—a source of strength, wisdom, and hope that will guide their decisions and shape their character for years to come.”

Let the kids in your life experience the adventure of knowing and growing with God every day! Learn more by visiting Dr. Jeremiah’s new Bible Strong Kids website today.

Dr. David Jeremiah is a renowned Bible teacher, New York Times bestselling author, and founder/host of Turning Point Broadcast Ministry. With forty years of ministry and “just getting started,” his teaching has led to the creation of the ProphecyExplained, PerhapsToday, the IMAGINE campaign, Airship Genesis, PassagesTV, and Why the Nativity?, to name a few.

About Turning Point
Turning Point Ministries was founded in 1982 as Dr. David Jeremiah’s broadcast ministry to deliver the unchanging Word of God to an ever-changing world. More than four decades later, with a multimedia network featuring radio, television, online programming, magazines, and books, Turning Point reaches people around the globe with the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Turning Point is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization wholly supported by patrons and not underwritten by any church or organization.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/building-a-foundation-for-a-new-generation-302503456.html

SOURCE Turning Point Ministries

KERRVILLE, Texas, July 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In an extraordinary outpouring of generosity, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country announced today that it has received more than $30 million in just one week for the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund to support flood relief efforts following the devastating storms that swept across the region.

The announcement was made during a press conference held Friday, July 11, 2025, at the Dallas Dougherty Memorial Pavilion in downtown Kerrville, where local leaders, donors and community members gathered to honor lives lost, recognize the community’s strength and lay out a path toward recovery.

“The heartbreak we’ve experienced as a community is profound, but so is the response,” Austin Dickson, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, said. “In a matter of days, thousands of donors from across Texas and beyond have stepped up to say: we are with you. This is a moment of collective grief, but also of extraordinary love.”

Among the leading donors, to date, are H-E-B, which contributed $2 million, and James Avery Artisan Jewelry, which donated $500,000 to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund.

“The Butt Family, H-E-B, and the H.E. Butt Foundation have a deep connection to Kerrville and the Hill Country, where our company was founded. We are heartbroken by the tragic events that have devastated our communities,” said Winell Herron, H-E-B Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. “As the community embarks on the long road ahead, we support the Foundation’s critical efforts to help rebuild and recover. We encourage others to join us in offering hope, strength, and assistance to impacted families.”

“The Hill Country has always been home for us. It’s where my dad and mom started the company, where our Associates live and work, and where our story began. Like so many people facing unimaginable loss during this time, we are also grieving a beloved family member,” Chris Avery, chairman of the board of directors for James Avery, said. “It’s been incredible seeing the dedication and selflessness of first responders and how people have shown up with donations, kind words, and support. We’ve been overwhelmed by the response to the Deep in the Heart of Texas charm and the outpouring of support from people all over the country and the world. It reminds us that even in the hardest moments, we’re not alone. We’re grateful for the Community Foundation’s commitment to invest as our community recovers. We stand with them to be here for the long haul as we begin to rebuild.”

The Foundation also announced an initial $5 million in emergency grants to nonprofit organizations that will, in turn, direct the funds to those in need. These grants will be allocated across four priority categories identified as the most urgent areas of community need:

• Support for Individuals and Families: $1.25 million
• Support for Local Businesses: $1.25 million
• Support for First Responders: $1.25 million
• Support for Crisis Response: $1.25 million

These grants are already being disbursed to vetted nonprofit partners actively serving affected communities across the Hill Country. For the full list of nonprofit organizations receiving grants, please visit https://www.communityfoundation.net/kerr-county-flood-relief-grants

To ensure future funding decisions are guided by community voices, the Foundation also introduced plans to form a Community Advisory Committee. This committee will include local nonprofit leaders, residents and stakeholders who will help advise on long-term recovery investments and equitable resource distribution.

“We know this is just the beginning,” Dickson said. “We’re grateful to say we’ve raised over $30 million in just one week—but the needs are tremendous, and continued support will be critical in the months ahead. Recovery will take months, if not years, but we are committed to walking every step of this journey with the communities we serve. We will listen, we will learn, and we will continue to act with compassion, urgency and accountability.”

To donate or learn more about the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, visit www.communityfoundation.net.

The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life across the Hill Country region by connecting charitable donors with community needs. Based in Kerrville and serving 10 counties, the Foundation manages a diverse portfolio of funds and grants that support local nonprofits, scholarships and community initiatives. Since its founding in 1982, the Foundation has worked to strengthen communities, inspire generosity, and create lasting positive impact for current and future generations.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/community-foundation-of-the-texas-hill-country-announces-30-million-raised-through-kerr-county-flood-relief-fund-including-5-million-in-initial-emergency-grants-distributed-today-302503387.html

SOURCE Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country

Demonstrating a Global Commitment to Inclusion Through Starkey Cares 

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., July 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Starkey, a global leader in hearing technology, announced today its role as the inaugural partner of the UNICEF Children with Disabilities Fund, a new fund aimed at delivering quality and timely interventions to create sustainable change for children with disabilities across the globe. As the inaugural partner, Starkey is helping UNICEF accelerate disability programming and results, empowering children and young people with disabilities to realize their full potential.

This partnership underscores Starkey’s long-standing culture of caring and its global corporate social responsibility program, Starkey Cares, which is committed to bringing better hearing to communities in need. With Starkey’s support as the premier donor, UNICEF has launched this critical fund to transform the lives of children and young people with disabilities through resources, support and opportunities to overcome barriers and create more equitable communities.

“We are honored to be the first corporate partner of the UNICEF Children with Disabilities Fund,” said Brandon Sawalich, President and CEO of Starkey. “At Starkey, we believe in a world where everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. This partnership reflects our commitment to creating a more inclusive and compassionate world — a world where hearing health isn’t a barrier, it’s a bridge to connection.”

The UNICEF Children with Disabilities Fund was established to drive systemic change and ensure that children with disabilities are not left behind, a passion shared by Starkey’s chairman and co-chair, Bill and Tani Austin who have dedicated their lives to providing hearing healthcare access to underserved communities and people in need. With support from Starkey, the Fund will focus on early screening and identification, as well as expanding access to disability support services and assistive technology, empowering children to fully develop and participate in every aspect of society.

Through Starkey Cares, Starkey has impacted millions of lives across the globe by providing hearing health care services and hearing aids to underserved populations. Starkey’s partnership with UNICEF builds on this legacy by expanding support to broader disability inclusion efforts.

“Starkey’s leadership and compassion will help transform lives on a global scale,” said Michael J. Nyenhuis, President and CEO of UNICEF USA “With their support, the UNICEF Children with Disabilities Fund can deliver upon its critical mission to give every child — including those with disabilities — the opportunity to thrive.”

For more information about Starkey in support of UNICEF, click here.

For more information on Starkey Cares and Starkey’s corporate social responsibility efforts, visit www.starkey.com/starkeycares.

About Starkey
Starkey is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Founded by Bill Austin in 1967, Starkey is known for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Led today by President and CEO Brandon Sawalich, Starkey is the only American-owned provider of hearing technologies. The company has more than 5,000 employees, operates 29 facilities and does business in more than 100 markets worldwide. Learn more at starkey.com. 

UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, organization, product or service.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/starkey-partners-with-unicef-as-inaugural-supporter-of-the-unicef-children-with-disabilities-fund-302503340.html

SOURCE Starkey Laboratories, Inc.