Julie McPeake, Southeast AgNet, is attending her first NAFB Washington Watch program. I spoke with here in between presentations this morning. Julie says this is a great opportunity, especially for farm broadcasting newcomers, to dip their foot in the water (interviewing DC politicos). She says she’s in “sponge mode” which means she’s listening and learning so she can better serve …
AGCONNECT Connects With AGRITECHNICA
The organizers of two international agricultural shows have announced a formal alliance to coordinate show dates that will allow agriculture producers to attend a major international agriculture trade show each year. The alliance is between DLG (German Agricultural Society), the organizer of the world’s largest agriculture machinery show Agritechnica, and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), organizer of the new …
Virtual Conventions?
The Watt Online Animal Nutrition & Health Forum is underway. In today’s economy it seems like a free show you don’t have to travel farther than your computer to attend makes a lot of sense. Have you visited? If so, what are your thoughts about this concept? Should this model be looked at for more companies and farm groups? Could …
Animal Welfare Topic of Next Farm Foundation Forum
Our friends at Farm Foundation are sponsoring another discussion on an important issue facing farming in America: animal welfare as it relates to production agriculture. In true Farm Foundation form, the Tuesday, May 5th forum will feature speakers bringing several divergent opinions to the table: * Paul Shapiro, Humane Society of the United States, * Tim Amlaw, American Humane Association, …
Corn Growers Pleased With Start of ACRE
Sign up for the long-awaited Average Crop Revenue Election Program, or ACRE, started yesterday on the same day that farm broadcasters from around the nation were in Washington DC for the annual Washington Watch Issues Forum, so naturally it was a hot topic for representatives from the National Corn Growers Association to discuss. NCGA Vice President of Public Policy Jon …
NAFB With Secretary Vilsack
In true traditional style, NAFB members attending the Washington Watch program got their picture taken with the Secretary of Agriculture. Thank you to the USDA photographer for taking this photo for me. The full size version is in the photo album. NAFB Washington Watch 2009 Photo Album
Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack Speaks To NAFB Members
Internet access was lacking at the NAFB USDA visit this morning so I couldn’t live stream Sec. Vilsack’s comments as I had intended to do. During last year’s visit you may recall that I live streamed his predecessor which was the first time I had done that on location. But I did record Sec. Vilsack and have the audio available …
HSUS Challenges American Agriculture
The President of the Humane Society of the United States, HSUS, Wayne Pacelle, spoke to the National Association of Farm Broadcasting this evening. I would characterize his comments as a challenge to everyone involved in agriculture and especially animal agriculture. On the one hand he suggested that we should join with them on areas of common agreement but then on …
NAFB Washington Watch Issues Forum
After the NAFB business meeting this afternoon it was time for the Issues Forum. This is where various organizations are set up with tables at which their spokespeople are available for interviews on the issues important to their constituents. So, farm broadcasters like Gary Cooper, Southeast AgNet, get out their recorders and get to work. I think I did at …
A-FAN Asks NAFB To Help Tell Farmer’s Story
Roger Berry is Field Director for the Alliance For The Future of Agriculture in Nebraska. He was one of our luncheon speakers here at the NAFB Washington Watch today. Roger’s presence was very timely when you consider some of the things going on in Nebraska and in Washington, DC right now that are affecting farming. I spoke with Roger after …