Hello and welcome to another ZimmCast. This week I’m going to feature a couple of the interviews I did at last week’s NAFB Washington Watch Issues Forum. Up first after opening comments is Mark Maslyn, Executive Director, Public Policy, American Farm Bureau Federation. He’s seen here getting all fired up in an interview with Tricia Braid Terry, RFD Radio. That’s …
United Soybean Board Supporting Animal Agriculture
Rick Stearn is chairman of the production committee for the United Soybean Board. He was attending the NAFB Washington Watch Issues Forum. The United Soybean Board was a major sponsor and had people on hand like Rick to address issues like animal agriculture and the impact of animal rights groups. The reason for this Rick says is because domestic animal …
Founding Farmers Founded By Farmers
When you go to any type of farm meeting you can be pretty sure you’ll be fed well. NAFB’s Washington Watch is no different. This year we all were treated to a fine meal at Founding Farmers. At Founding Farmers we believe that everyone benefits by knowing more about the source of the food they eat. We understand the journey …
Water Quality and Climate Protection
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 …