New Media Presentation at Cal-Poly

Chuck Zimmerman

Next week I’ll be flying out to San Luis Obispo and the California Polytechnic State University to do a little new media training. Scott Vernon has set up a double session for faculty and students titled, “Exploring the New Media: Using Podcasts to Drive Your Message and Expand Your Reach.” This is going to be fun. The idea is to …

University

Ag Media Summit Awards

Cindy Zimmerman

Ag Media Summit is the annual awards extravaganza for LPC and AAEA. AAEA, The Agricultural Communicators Network, handed out communications awards for writing, design, mar-com, photography, digital and social media, in addition to the Lifetime Achievement and Andy Markwart Horizon awards. Jim Patrico and Jo Ann Alumbaugh were honored for their career achievements, and Cassie Yontz with Charleston-Orwig received the …

AAEA, Ag Media Summit, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, LPC

Talking to Cal Poly

Chuck Zimmerman

Today I had the honor to speak to Dr. J. Scott Vernon’s class at Cal Poly. We Skyped. So much easier than flying! I got to talk about the transition from traditional to new media and social media. Questions included what kinds of skills and/or programs a student needs today to successfully enter an agricultural communications career. My answer included …

Education

Why Ag is a Noble Profession

Joanna Schroeder

The agriculture industry would probably agree that they are a noble profession. But many on the outside don’t see it that way, especially students getting ready to emerge from college and have started their job search. Yet according to Dr. Scott Vernon, a professor in the Agricultural Education and Communication Department at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, …

AgCareers, Agribusiness, Audio

Meet New AAEA and LPC Presidents

Chuck Zimmerman

The ZimmCast is produced this week in the lobby/registration area at the Agricultural Media Summit. I’m posting as the first break is ending and now it’s time for more professional development sessions. My interviews were recorded on a new app I have for my iPhone. They didn’t come out sounding as good as I’d like but they are okay. In …

AAEA, Audio, LPC, Media, ZimmCast

We Really Do Love Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman

According to a new poll, we really do love farmers. A nationwide survey conducted for the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) found broad public respect and trust for family farmers and support for corn as food, feed and fuel. Ninety-five percent of those polled find farmers to be trusted messengers on issues such as agriculture, corn products and ethanol – …

Corn, Farming, NCGA

Ag Students Key to Correcting Food Critics on Campus

Cindy Zimmerman

College students with agriculture backgrounds are finding the need to defend modern agriculture and correct misinformation about food production that is being worked into class curriculums. Some classes are now requiring students to read books like “Omnivore’s Dilemma,” watch movies like “Food, Inc.” and see presentations by critics of modern agriculture like Michael Pollan. Sarah Downing, a junior at the …

Audio, Beef, Livestock

Resisting the Changes in Media Today

Chuck Zimmerman

I’m sure you all know someone who wishes things were still like they were in the “good old days.” Especially the good old days of agricultural communications and marketing. I know quite a few of them actually. They’re the ones who keep hoping that people will finally get over this whole “internet thing” for example. You know, the ones who …

University

Cal Poly Ag Publications Class

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s Dr. Scott Vernon introducing our podcasting class today. We’ve created a demonstration podcast where I interviewed Erin who will be attending the Ag Media Summit again this year along with 20 other students from Cal Poly. If you’d like to get the demo podcast and listen to Erin then you can use this link. We’re about out of time …

Podcasts, University

Almonds and Sunsets

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s been a really productive day here in California working with the ZimmComm Web Man. Look for some AgWired changes soon. I also learned a lot more about my Mac since he’s been on them way longer than I have. After leaving Bakersfield I headed on to San Luis Obispo where I’ll be presenting at Cal-Poly tomorrow. The first thing …

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