These smiling faces are (l-r) Dennis Nuxoll, Director of Government Relatisons, Jim Baird, Mid-Atlantic States Director and Jennifer Morrill, Director of Media Relations, American Farmland Trust. They were smiling at the NAFB Washington Watch Issues Forum. I asked what’s new at AFT. Jim started out by saying, “We’re the No Farms/No Food people.” He says that people are waking up …
NRA Promotes Gun Safety
I was interested to see the National Rifle Association participating at the NAFB Washington Watch program this week. Seems like what they’re doing would be of high interest to most people involved in agribusiness though. On hand was John Howard, NRA National Instructor Trainer. He says they’ve got 58,000 registered instructor/trainers across the country. John says that their base is …
NAFB Meeting With Legislators
Members of NAFB are hearing from a variety of senators and congressmen this morning in the Longworth House Bldg. First up on the program was Senator Tom Harkin, D-IA. Harkin pointed out that he’s the only person to ever serve as chairman of the Senate Ag Committee 3 times. His remarks touch on a lot of subjects important to agriculture …
NAFB Washington Watch First Timer
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 …
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 …
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 …
NAFB Members Speak About Washington Watch
This afternoon the National Association of Farm Broadcasting is holding an official membership meeting. Broadcast Council members of the organization are required to attend at least one a year to maintain their membership. Besides discussing NAFB business it’s another opportunity to network with counterparts in the farm broadcasting world. I spoke with NAFB members Ken Root, WHO, and Jeff Nalley, …
Fabulous Farm Babe Kicks Off NAFB Washington Watch
The Fabulous Farm Babe and I spoke about what NAFB is doing in Washington, DC this week just prior to their board meeting. We’re sure here at an interesting time when you consider issues like swine flu, animal rights activism and all the legislative activity that will impact farming in America. Over the next couple days I’ll be covering the …
Farming For The Future
Although this is about my interview with Scott Mortimer, Successful Farming, I didn’t have a photo of him and Betsy Freese is better looking. I think Cindy took the photo when Betsy and I were creating Twitter accounts for AAEA and Ag Media Summit in our booth at the NAMA convention. I asked Scott what’s new with Successful Farming and …