The top players of the popular on-line game FarmVille will get a taste of reality as they leave the virtual farm this month to plant a real fruit orchard in the real town of Farmville, Virginia – courtesy of Edy’s Fruit Bars.
The new orchard in Farmville, VA commemorates a branded integration between Edy’s Fruit Bars and FarmVille. From June 13 to June 19, 2011, FarmVille players across the country will plant limited edition Edy’s Fruit Bars branded crops within the FarmVille game, earning additional profitability and the opportunity to receive mastery recognition for planting, growing and selling the Fruit Bars crops.
A handful of lucky players have been selected to plant trees in real life, as well. Sharyn Martinez is among the FarmVille enthusiasts traveling to Farmville, VA to plant a fruit orchard with Edy’s Fruit Bars. “Being from Los Angeles, I thought the only way I’d get to plant an orchard was on my beautiful virtual farm! But now, thanks to Edy’s Fruit Bars and Zynga, I am getting ready to dig in and plant fruit trees in the real town of Farmville,” says Sharyn.
The planting in Farmville, VA is an example of Edy’s Fruit Bars ongoing commitment to revitalizing one of our most precious resources: fruit trees. In 2010, Fruit Bars introduced Communities Take Root, an annual program dedicated to planting fruit tree orchards in deserving communities nationwide. Throughout the summer, Edy’s Fruit Bars invites people across the United States to cast their vote to help twenty communities blossom, one orchard at a time.
Most everyone knows what a dangerous occupation farming can be, but the AgriSafe Network does something about it, and safety product companies can help.
The AgriSafe Network is a national nonprofit organization that represents health professionals who provide agricultural occupational health and safety services to farmers and their families.
To help out with this mission, AgriSafe has developed a social business venture based on the sale of safety products. “Without spending any additional dollars companies can assist farm families by choosing AgriSafe as the vendor for safety equipment,” said Outreach Coordinator Janie Boyer. “100% of the proceeds support AgriSafe’s non-profit work.”
For more information on the AgriSafe Network, go to www.agrisafe.org.
Disruptive change sounds disturbing. However, perhaps it’s more of a challenge. Mandi McLeod, System Insights, Ltd., New Zealand, talked about it and its impact on the dairy industry during the Alltech International Symposium. She’s seen here being interviewed by Ireland’s RTE voice Damien O’Reilly. I spoke with Mandi after Damien to learn what is going on with dairy farming in her country and how she coaches family business strategy.
Mandi says the New Zealand dairy model is still working but needs to evolve further in light of disruptive changes in the industry. She says that their level of productivity hasn’t kept up with the price of their product which makes them vulnerable at the moment. The current pricing of dairy products is just not financially sustainable and it looks like that isn’t going to improve soon. Mandi is a family business strategist and advises dairy farmers to take a look at their business and make sure they’re using resources wisely. Sounds like common sense advice for any business. She wants people to enjoy what they are doing by finding a balance in their life and business. Having a good plan would help a family business tremendously. Perhaps you should give Mandi a call if you need help. Mandi McLeod Interview
I don’t know about where you are but the cicadas have made their presence known here in Missouri. Hunting is not the right word. I just walked out in the front yard to take a picture of this bad boy. They really just started showing up. Nothing, then boom, they’re everywhere. I’ve passed white fences and walls that are covered with them. Now I think I know what’s been eating the vine at our mailbox.
These little “tree crickets” show up periodically. According to a map and information on Cicada Mania I think we’ve got Brood IVXIX. These are 13-year cicadas and they are loud and proud.
How loud? Here’s a few seconds of sound I recorded just now with my iPhone from the same tree I shot the photo. You can also hear a nearby highway. Cicada Sound
Now, that will either put you to sleep while you lie in your hammock or else it will grate on your nerves and force you to put your ear buds on and crank up your favorite Pandora station.
This week’s program features a conversation I had at last week’s Alltech International Symposium with Billy Frey, Digita Marketing Manager. Billy was on the program with a session titled, “Precision Marketing: Don’t “get what you pay for,” only pay for what you get. His session was part of a new educational track called the New Ag Network. This track was created to take a holistic approach to business and marketing. The symposium still has species targeted educational tracks. His session was part of an effort to provide attendees with tools to do better marketing of their business.
Of course we talk about social media mechanisms since they now allow companies like Alltech to do their own branding without being completely dependent on traditional media channels. Billy says his number one message is “we have to listen to the customer.” These new tools that allow companies to engage with their customers make that easier than ever. At the same time they allow for very targeted and streamlined advertising efforts. There are ag media representatives from many countries that attend the Alltech Symposium. I asked him if he thought they are “getting it” when it comes to social media. He thinks they are or that they are at least in the process of making changes necessary to survive in the new media world. He’s proud of the ag media for embracing new media. In the photo Billy (left) is chatting with Dave Russell, Brownfield Ag News in the Symposium press room.
Billy thinks that the new media mechanisms provide an opportunity and a challenge since the younger generations are starting out with them while the older generations are only just coming around to accepting them. He echoes a belief I’ve had since we got into new media and that is that it’s just an evolution of the best form of marketing – word of mouth.
We also talk about the new Alltech App which currently provides unique information for pork producers and markets and weather. Basically, this means that Alltech has created their own information channel for their customers who can choose to get it and use it how and where they want.
Learn how Alltech is using new communications elements in the company’s marketing program: Alltech and New Media
Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, Growmark, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.
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Today we honor, remember and pray for the souls of our deceased men and women who have died in service to our country. At 3pm today you may want to take a moment to say a prayer and remember these heroes. You can turn your lights on if you’re driving.
To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps.”
I love organization. I wonder, at times, if I have OCD about cleaning and putting everything back in its place. I have a child who is almost 3 years old and probably thinks I’m no fun when it comes to playing…but I know right where all of his toys are, and every night, the same toys go back in the same box, and get put back in the same trunk in the same place. See a pattern here? I don’t like clutter.
I’d be that way about my husband’s toolbox too, but he’d probably throw a fit. Plus, that’s his domain.
I just find that when I complete this organizational routine, it makes my life easier because I don’t have to search for toys, car keys, tape, socks, cell phone or tools.
This is a 4-way speed wrench, made for two reasons. One, to clean up the toolbox clutter. (Oh, I like it already!) And two, to have four socket sizes at your fingertips to quickly and easily loosen lug nuts. This one was patented in October 1922.
Now we have impact wrenches, but this initial design was perfect for those who wanted an uncluttered toolbox, and liked doing things fast.
The American Meat Science Association is excited to announce its first Developmental Web Seminar, “How to Survive an Audit – Key Ingredients for Success.” The two-hour seminar will take place June 8 at 2:00 pm CDT.
The National FFA Organization has selected 50 outstanding young people to participate in the 2011 New Century Farmer program.
Phill Barufkin has joined Bader Rutter & Associates as a senior brand strategist in the agency’s brand asset management group.
EVITO Fungicide from Arysta LifeScience North America received approval of a supplemental label by the EPA that allows EVITO to be applied using a low water volume of 2 gallons per acre.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is going creative on all the regulation being faced by farmers today. Maybe we should start a video sensation called, “EPA Regulators Gone Wild.” Now I wonder what kind of video that would generate. How about this one, just released by NCBA? Let’s help it go viral. Share it out via your social media channels!
Here’s what prompted the video:
Can you believe the Environmental Protection Agency wants to regulate farm dust? No joke! We are talking about dust kicked up from cattle or dust stirred up by a rancher’s pickup truck. U.S. Representative Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) introduced, with bipartisan support, the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011 (H.R. 1633) that would block dust regulation by EPA in rural areas where state dust laws are in effect. Call your members of Congress today and ask them to stand firm for family farmers and ranchers by supporting this legislation.
Dust is a part of life in rural America. Cattle ranchers work hard to provide safe and nutritious food for this country and abroad. Finalizing a rule (expected in August) that would result in heavy fines for creating dust is unacceptable.
Think cowboys got their start in the great American west? Think again. The documentary movie, “Florida Crackers: The Cattlemen and Cowboys of Florida” sets the record straight about where cowboys and the cattle industry originated in our country. That’s in my home state of Florida! I was sent a review copy of the movie which I watched last night. It is a very good quality production. Here are some of my thoughts as I watched the movie.
The movie includes a lot of very old historic photos of cowboys and cattle. They fit right into the story which includes lots of titles and music. But what really makes this movie for me are all the people who were interviewed. They tell the story and while you listen you’ll see them in action, including the legendary Bud Adams, Adams Ranch. It’s not a boring story. It shows cowboys and cattlemen doing their job. And they do it in the palmetto and swamps that I find beautiful and have really missed living here in the midwest.
Probably one of the standout segments for me was all about doing business with a handshake. Even today these cowboys still conduct some major deals by giving their word and shaking hands. This segment alone made the movie worth watching in my opinion. It’s just one example of the values held by these folks. I wish we saw more values in action like this in our country today.
So, if you like cowboys and some good stories that will help you better understand why they love their animals and the land then I highly recommend this movie. You can buy it online here.
I am supposed to write once a week… I may be a week or two behind – simply because things have been just a little crazy in my neck of the woods. As you may have seen in Cindy’s post a couple of weeks ago – I have accepted a position at Brownfield Ag News in Indiana. I will start there June 13th. But the past few weeks I have been house hunting in Indianapolis and Lafayette… and I have yet to find anything. I won’t lie – I’ve been whining about it all week. But – we’re making strides and we’ll get there eventually. I am however incredibly excited about writing the next chapter in my life.
As riveting as my lamenting about house hunting is – I want to share a story that really touched my heart. In fact – it reminded me how blessed I am to have a roof over my head. Meet Ted Glaser. He’s a farmer from Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana. I spoke with him on Monday about some of the issues going on in the south along the Mississippi River. Glaser is in a tough spot – he farms a 4,000 acre diversified operation. One quarter of that is inside the Morganza Floodway. Ted told me they gave them just a few weeks to get what they needed from inside that now flooded ground.
But the challenges don’t stop there. They may be flooded in certain areas… But Glaser said just across the dam they are in dire need of a rain. He noted off the air he’d hate to be answering prayers from farmers this year…. His quick wit brought a smile to my face. I have to admit – I’m always amazed at the resiliency of the farmer and the ability to roll with the punches. No matter how big… or small.
Alltech is a company that’s doing a lot of things. I’ve mentioned their Haiti aid project which includes Alltech Cafe Citadelle, 100% pure arabica shade-grown, hand-picked, Haitian Coffee. At this week’s Alltech Symposium I got an update on how that project is going from Chris Gayton, Project Development Manager. He says that Alltech wanted to do something that would have an almost immediate impact. So they import Haitian coffee, roast it, sell it and invest the income into their Sustainable Haiti Project. It’s a great cause and sales are going well.
I’ve sampled Cafe Citadelle coffee many times now. Chris describes it as having a “robust, organic, earthy flavor.” It’s a mild roast and if you buy some online I think you’ll enjoy it. Chris Gayton Interview
Alltech Café Citadelle is a high quality, mild, mountain-grown Arabica. It is naturally shade-grown and is fair-trade. The coffee’s name was derived from the Citadelle Laferrière, the largest fortress in the Americas, next to which Cacgava and its member farms are located.
Peter Kerr has worked with a lot of people in agriculture and he found that many are not prepared for a crisis and can’t afford to hire a public relations firm to help them deal with one when it happens. So what he’s doing is bringing together farmers and agribusinesses in a coalition to “help each other out.” He has formed the Crisis Management Coalition. You join with a $100 monthly fee for which you receive a monthly newsletter, access to quarterly webinars and free assistance to create a crisis management plan and an hour’s no-charge consultation if a crisis should actually happen. He says members will pay about ten percent of what they’d pay a PR firm for ninety percent of the services they would receive.
Steve says that Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech, is one of the inspirations for the effort. I visited with Steve at the Alltech Symposium this week where he was signing up new members. Steve has been a communications consultant and was a speaker at last year’s Symposium. Peter Kerr Interview
I still have yet to see a tablet that competes with the iPad and especially the iPad 2. I know. There are a lot of them out there. Has anyone actually bought one? Do you really like it? I’ve looked at a couple and read a lot about them. I haven’t really seen anything positive enough to make me switch.
But this is about the new Otterbox case for the iPad 2. All you iPad 2 cowboys now have a case rugged enough to just pop your iPad into your saddle bag!
The tablet that started a mobile technology revolution has gotten an upgrade – the Apple® iPad® 2 is faster, lighter and smarter than its older brother. OtterBox®, the company that revolutionized technology protection, is following suit; introducing the OtterBox Defender Series® case for iPad 2.
“For a device as versatile as the iPad 2, maximizing protection without sacrificing portability is key,” said OtterBox Founder and CEO Curt Richardson. “From its light-weight design to the integrated viewing stand, the level of protection and functionality of our newest Defender Series is impressive.”
Hooray. It’s time to put some of your favorite meat sources on the grill, kick back and enjoy! But, let’s be careful out there. And safe too. If you’ve got food safety questions then look to Home Food Safety. This is a joint campaign by the American Dietetic Association and ConAgra Foods. They’ve put together a wealth of food safety information.
Let’s take grilling for example. I think it’s only common sense but then not everyone thinks about it. “Handle and cook your food properly.” Do this and you really have nothing to worry about. Wonder how? Go to Home Food Safety’s Safe Grilling Guide (pdf) and learn all about it. And get a food thermometer!
This quick, at-a-glance reference helps you keep track of proper internal temperatures for all of your favorite meat dishes. Keep the Safe Grilling Guide handy – along with a food thermometer – next time you head to the grill.
Don’t have time to go read then watch this short video which gives you the basics very quickly.
I did not know that each year 76 million people in the United States get some form of food poisoning. Not that’s surprising. Probably most of these cases would be prevented from just following simple food safety guidelines. Another great source of information on food safety is USDA’s Food Safety & Inspection Service. They even have a “virtual” food safety resource called Ask Karen. If you need to get a food safety question answered while you’re outside at your grill then you can Ask Karen via mobile.
Since it’s time for outdoor grilling you may be interested to know that USDA has just revised it’s “Recommended Cooking Temperature” for all whole cuts of meat, including pork, to 145 °F.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is updating its recommendation for safely cooking pork, steaks, roasts, and chops. USDA recommends cooking all whole cuts of meat to 145 °F as measured with a food thermometer placed in the thickest part of the meat, then allowing the meat to rest for three minutes before carving or consuming.
USDA has also released a comprehensive guide to summertime grilling.
The experts at the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline have broken down safe cooking and handling practices into four simple steps: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill. To Be Food Safe this summer, round these grilling bases and your barbecue is sure to be a home run.
So, there you have it. Lots of resources for your safe holiday weekend and season long grilling extravaganza. By the way for helping spread the word about the importance of home food safety, I was entered into a drawing for a $15 Starbucks gift card and an iPad through Summertime Food Smarts, a contest run by the American Dietetic Association and ConAgra Foods’ Home Food Safety program. Home Food Safety is dedicated to raising consumer awareness about the seriousness of foodborne illness and providing solutions for easily and safely handling foods. Learn more at www.homefoodsafety.org.
The American Meat Science Association announces that Dr. Catherine Cutter of Pennsylvania State University is the recipient of the 2011 Distinguished Extension-Industry Service Award.
Alltech launched a new app at the 27th Annual International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium. With three features – weather, commodity prices, and pig issues – the app is the first of its kind in the animal health industry. It can be found in the App Store or in the Android marketplace under the name “Alltech.”
New cooking guidelines from the nation’s food-safety agency confirm Pork Checkoff research that shows pork can be consumed safely when cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by a three-minute rest time.
Bayer CropScience announced that the EPA approved a new label for Ignite herbicide in soybeans.
Fastline Publications is pleased to announce that Tim Hess has been promoted to President. Hess, formerly Executive Vice-President and CFO, has been with the company for more than 11 years.
In the past 11 years, Hess has played a vital role in the advancement of Fastline products and services. He has been an integral part in the development of key initiatives such as regional distribution, mobile marketing, and most recently video capabilities.
Hess is the successor to Joe McWilliams who recently retired after spending 15 years with the company.
Staff members from the Missouri Department of Agriculture spearheaded a donation drive for the Food Bank of Central Missouri that included a challenge to other state agencies, community organizations and agriculture industry groups.
“Our hearts and prayers certainly go out to all of those affected by the tornadoes and severe storms in Joplin and to those trying to get back on their feet following flooding throughout the southern portion of our state,” said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. “The response to these events is just one example of the power of Missourians helping Missourians in times of crisis. This is certainly a case when the worst of Mother Nature brings out the best of human nature.”
Donations included a $10,000 commitment from Monsanto and $1,000 from the Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Renewable Fuels Association and FCS Financial. Missouri Department of Agriculture employees came together to donate more than $1,500 and the Missouri Egg Council donated $500.
The beef cattle industry, as part of the Missouri Farmers Care coalition, has stepped up to provide food for the volunteers. “They did not have any way to feed those folks, and we learned about this need and so in coordination with the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association we’re getting that job done,” said John Kleiboeker, executive director of the Missouri Beef Industry Council.
John says that the area around Joplin in the southwest part of Missouri is one of the state’s largest beef cattle producing areas, but he has not heard of any major losses to agriculture there. “It sounds like the city of Joplin and its surrounding community is what was hit the hardest,” he said.
Listen to this week’s Missouri Beef Checkoff Chat where John talks about how people can get involved to help: Missouri Beef Checkoff Chat
Money is always what is needed most in these disaster situations and the Red Cross has made it very easy to donate. Just visit www.redcross.org or, even easier, text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
The Vice President of Corporate Accounts for Alltech is Aidan Connolly. He is just one of the team that I’ve had the pleasure to get to become friends with and always enjoy seeing. We joke about how often we run into each other at events around the country. This year Aidan moderated the Alltech Symposium Game Changers Debate once again. I spoke with him afterward.
This year was the first time that Alltech brought in debate participants that didn’t necessarily share viewpoints or experiences with the farm audience. He was fascinated with Ben Self, who was the founder of Blue State Digital, for his idea for using new media and the internet to tell your story to engage the general public. When it came to Hans Johr, Nestle, he was happy to hear how he felt strongly about sharing value with the farmers who supply them with products. Tom Standage, Bus. Editor, The Economist, put forth some viewpoints that challenged people, especially in the area of biofuels, while providing a positive outlook for dealing with the food challenges of today.
Aidan says that when it comes to the Symposium, “I think we have a winning formula.” He thinks the primary reason people get enthused to attend is that they deliver new concepts and new ideas for running their businesses. Like me, he was also very enthused by all the young people who attended this year’s Symposium. Aidan Connolly Interview
See more stories on the Alltech Innovations Blog, including photos, interviews and on-demand recordings of certain sessions.
I’m not sure how much I’ve told you about my family. We’re just three of a kind – me, my better half, and my mini-me better half (a.k.a. my husband and 2 ½ year old son who is a spitting image of his daddy). My husband is a born-and-raised farm boy, and that’s how we want to raise our son. We aren’t directly involved in production agriculture, and I don’t think USDA would classify my garden as production ag either, but we’re as close to being farmers as you can get. I’ve worked for farmers almost my entire career, and my husband builds energy-efficient houses and sheds, and installs wind turbines, for those farmers. And, my immediate family is still involved in every aspect of farming you can think of. So I guess that lends a bit of credibility when I write about farm life and being a “farm mom.”
I do live right off a gravel road.
So now that you know what my husband does, I have to tell you about our conversation the other day. We were talking about how he builds beautiful, stunning, amazing houses, but I make them pretty. Please don’t take that as being vain, I mean pretty on the outside.
Just last week, I planted 50 Canadian Hemlock bushes, 1 red maple tree, and 2 Forsythia bushes in our front yard. Of course, there’s my garden, my new Jack-in-the-Pulpits transplanted from my grandparents (who are a stone’s throw away, if you have a strong arm), and the asparagus patch I’m trying to get started.
But these flowers. Aren’t they breath-taking? I have six planters on the front patio overflowing with color. I wish I could freeze frame them through the winter months, but then come next spring, I get the pleasure of growing something beautiful all over again.
That’s my version of outside decorating. Then again, my husband is from western Kansas where the only things that flourish are tumbleweeds.
In this week's program Chuck talks with David Armano, Global Innovation and Integration.
David conducted a presentation on delivering expert opinion via social media to an audience at the start of International Poultry Expo week. He's got some great information about who consumers trust and how you can use today's consumer behavior to help communicate your message.
A handful of lucky players have been selected to plant trees in real life, as well. Sharyn Martinez is among the FarmVille enthusiasts traveling to Farmville, VA to plant a fruit orchard with Edy’s Fruit Bars. “Being from Los Angeles, I thought the only way I’d get to plant an orchard was on my beautiful virtual farm! But now, thanks to Edy’s Fruit Bars and Zynga, I am getting ready to dig in and plant fruit trees in the real town of Farmville,” says Sharyn.
The AgriSafe Network is a national nonprofit organization that represents health professionals who provide agricultural occupational health and safety services to farmers and their families. 
Disruptive change sounds disturbing. However, perhaps it’s more of a challenge. Mandi McLeod, System Insights, Ltd., New Zealand, talked about it and its impact on the dairy industry during the Alltech International Symposium. She’s seen here being interviewed by Ireland’s RTE voice Damien O’Reilly. I spoke with Mandi after Damien to learn what is going on with dairy farming in her country and how she coaches family business strategy.
This week’s program features a conversation I had at last week’s 
In less than 24 hours yesterday, the 
The Vice President of Corporate Accounts for Alltech is Aidan Connolly. He is just one of the team that I’ve had the pleasure to get to become friends with and always enjoy seeing. We joke about how often we run into each other at events around the country. This year Aidan moderated the Alltech Symposium Game Changers Debate once again. I spoke with him afterward. 
In this week's program Chuck talks with David Armano, Global Innovation and Integration.
