The executive director of the National Biodiesel Board is not just a country music fan, but also a country music singer… well, for his wife and kids at home at least. But today, Joe got a bit more exposure than a home audience. He performed live on the Dave Nemo Show on XM Radio with renowned country music singer/songwriter Michael Peterson.
Michael and Joe also delved into energy issues, renewable fuels and where all that fits in with public policy. Joe says the National Biodiesel Board is aiming to have biodiesel replace five percent of the national supply of diesel fuel. He says that is equivalent to the amount of diesel the U.S. if refining and importing from in Iraq. In other words, he says the National Biodiesel Board is aiming to replace the diesel fuel we get from Iraq.
Some critics arguing against renewable fuels point out that the alternative fuel sources will never fully replace the need for oil. But, Joe says that’s not the point, “That’s like saying if you can’t do everything than you shouldn’t do anything.” Joe says The National Biodiesel Board simply doesn’t share that frame of thought. That’s why it has launched the BioTrucker Fuel Card. The card offers card holders cash price on all biodiesel fuel at 5,000 participating locations and special discounts at select truck stops all without any transaction fees. Those interested can sign up for the card at BioTrucker.com.
Both Michael and Joe lauded the farmers that make up the nation’s ag industry. Joe says agriculture is a powerful industry that fosters cutting-edge, technological innovation. “Ag is slow to move but powerful to respond,” Joe said.
You can listen to the entire broadcast of the Dave New Show with Michael and Joe here:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 6 or above) is required to play this audio clip. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
I also got some videos of Michael and Joe while they were singing and strumming their guitars. You can watch the videos here:
The state of sustainable agriculture in developing countries will be one of the main issues addressed at the BIO International Convention this summer. The Biotechnology Industry Organization is hosting the convention in San Diego from Tuesday, June 17 through Friday, June 20.
Biotechnology leaders from around the globe will be descending upon San Diego, one of the leading biotech hubs in the world, to discuss the most pressing issues and share their unique perspectives. In addition, there will be a total of 36 regional and country pavilions within the BIO Exhibition with several new pavilions, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Dubai, and South Africa.
This year’s convention will focus on the promise of biotech innovation to heal, fuel and feed the world. International case studies on biofuels, biomanufacturing, research funding, and international collaborations will focus on examples from Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, North America, Singapore, and Sweden. Two additional breakout session tracks will focus on doing business globally and global health. A session entitled, “The Dynamics of a Globalized World and the Future of the Biotechnology Industry,” will feature international public officials sharing insights on the evolving business landscape.
This year’s keynote speakers include Gen. Colin Powell, J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. (more…)
The man known as the “Ethanol God-Father” is set to tackle the “myths” about ethanol in Oregon, Illinois, Wisconsin and California. Blume will be giving speeches at various Renewable Energy Conferences and Seminars. The “Bio-expert” will also be featured on XM radio and T.V. The International Institute for Sustainable Agriculture has announced that its founder and current Executive Director, David Blume has been asked to appear on radio, TV and as a lead speaker for a number of renewable energy symposiums in the coming two months. Blume is globally acknowledged as the “god-father” of ethanol and is a leading advocate and expert on renewable solutions to the global need for inexpensive, non-polluting, and sustainable energy and food sources.
Blume’s coming talks provide unrivaled insight into the practicality of transforming US energy production and use to a totally sustainable model. Blume presents myth-busting facts, scientific data, and proven methodologies that give audiences a revolutionary first-person look at truly sustainable solutions to global warming, green house gas emissions, food resource issues as well as provide them with a road-map to a new post-oil economy.
As part of his coming in-person appearances, Blume will be a featured guest on the Thom Hartmann Radio Program. Now in its fifth year of national syndication and heard globally on XM and Sirius satellite radio, Hartmann’s program is carried in 7 of the nation’s top 10 media markets and 14 of the top 25 markets. Hartmann is also a featured commentator in the new Leonardo DiCaprio environmental documentary The 11th Hour. (more…)
I have mentioned that the Biotechnology Industry Organization has embraced the use of new media tools for their current BIO 2007 taking place in Boston. Today their PR firm sent out an email that started out, “Bloggers, If you were unable to attend the BIO convention in Boston, you can still cover this event. . . “ Now how cool is it that they’re reaching out to the “bloggers?” They even mention a couple of them like Pharmalot and Patent Baristas. Stephen Albainy-Jenei who writes Patent Baristas looks like he got the gig to be the official BIO Blogger on their BIO Voice. Now there’s someone I’d like to meet since I haven’t run into too many who do what I do.
I’m not sure who it is that sent me this but the keynote speaker at BIO 2007 today was Michael J. Fox. You can watch a short video clip of his speech on YouTube.
So it looks like new media reporting has hit the biotech arena in a big way. I remember being told by the BIO staff last year that I was the only blogger on site. I guess times have changed.
Well I’m going to miss BIO 2007. But here’s some interesting notes.
They have a blog now. Can you imagine an organization like BIO having a blog? Last year at their convention I was basically the only person there blogging it. Now they have their own.
Oh, and here’s another interesting thing they’re doing. An online Flickr photo album and they’re encouraging others to upload their photos and tag them with BIO2007. What a great idea. If you can’t be there then how about a photo? Why not let your members or customers see what you’re doing? Depend on someone else to do it for you? Never!
At the recent BIO Convention I got to speak with Canadian farmer Jim Pallister. Jim was attending thanks to the Council for Biotechnology Information. Jim grows canola, edible beans and wheat. He’s an outspoken advocate of the benefits of biotechnology.
I was just looking over some statistics from my recent coverage of the BIO 2006 Convention that I thought you might be interested in. These are only for AgWired since I did some posts on other ZimmComm blogs.
50 posts, 129 images, 26 audio/interview files, 9 video clips
During this time we had 38,000 pages views (doesn’t count audio/video downloads)
The audio/video files were downloaded between 10 to 50 times each
Thanks to the Council for Biotechnology Information I was able to meet two very interesting men from South Africa at the BIO 2006 Convention. Pictured with me in the middle are Advocate Mdutshane (L), a corn grower and tribal leader and Dr. Khosi Rebe (R), who is the assistant director of the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture. Both of these guys are supporters of biotechnology.
In my interview with them you’ll hear what people in Africa think about biotech and what they want American farmers to know about them and their country. You might be interested to know for example, that there is no market system there as we know it here.
When your farmer board members tell you to podcast, you podcast. That’s what Dean Kleckner, Truth About Trade & Technology is doing. Dean is the former president of the American Farm Bureau Federation and a farmer from Iowa. We brought his podcast to your attention recently and at the BIO 2006 Convention I got to ask him about it. You can hear his answer here: Kleckner Soundbite (30 sec MP3)
Besides having farmers tell him to podcast Kleckner says, “It’s the wave of the future that’s here today. So that us farmers, when we’re in our tractor, combine, pickup, we can listen to what’s going on in the world.”
Kleckner was at BIO 2006 to talk about how much biotech crop acreage has grown in a decade. We talked next to the indoor corn field where his organization had their acreage counter on display. You can listen to the full interview with him here: Kleckner Interview (5 min MP3)
During BIO 2006, Puerto Rico Gov. AnĂbal Acevedo-Vilá (pictured) was named BIO “Governor of the Year.” I missed him and the reception to honor him but caught up with his Secretary of Economic Development, Jorge P. Silva-Puras.
In my interview with him he talks about how important the agricultural biotechnology business is to Puerto Rico. One of the reasons is the climate which is very friendly to year-round crop testing. You can listen to my interview with Jorge here: Jorge Silva Interview (3 min MP3)
I interviewed Jorge during the Puerto Rico pavilion trade show reception. You can see and hear the celebration here: : Puerto Rico Reception (1 min wmv)
It’s Good Friday and not a day to do a lot of posting so I’m only going to provide you with my Photo Album from the BIO 2006 Convention. I didn’t get to go to the Career Fair but I found this picture from the BIO website.
At the closing reception you had to find these guys and obtain one heart, spade, clover and diamond to get your take home gift on your way out from the reception.
Each card was printed with facts about Iowa and it’s biotech industry.
Fortunately you didn’t have to memorize the cards, just show them at the exit door. I think this is a great idea.
One of the many contests at the BIO 2006 trade show was a 2 year lease on a Ford F150 that’s E85 capable.
The lucky winner is Kyle Beery, ADM, who I just happened to run into while I was wandering around the trade show area. He is one happy camper.
I also got to interview Ford’s Midwest Public Affairs Manager, David Reuter. He talks about the latest E85 vehicles offered by the company and their support for the continued growth and development of alternative fuel availability.
The BIO 2006 convention concludes this evening with a final reception. It’s time to shut down for now. I’ll be travelling most of tomorrow so keep an eye out for some more BIO coverage. I’ve got more interviews and pictures to share.
I want to say a big thank you here to my sponsor, Rhea & Kaiser Marketing and Communications. Pictured (l-r) are Scott McClure, Steve Rhea, Deron Johnson and Kim Cooke. This has been a fun project.
If you want to learn more about it and why R&K sponsored my coverage you can listen to my interview with Deron which is this week’s ZimmCast. You can listen to my interview with Deron here: Deron Johnson Interview (10 min MP3)
The President & CEO of BIO is Jim Greenwood. Prior to the end of BIO 2006 I sat down with him to talk about how this year’s conference stacks up in comparison to others.
He says it’s a record in several ways. JIm also talks about how significant a role agriculture plays in the convention and suggests that having that same presence next year in Boston would be a good idea. You can listen to my interview with Jim here: Jim Greenwood Interview (4 min MP3)
At the BASF Plant Science press reception yesterday we got to hear from movie critic Richard Roeper. Why you ask?
Because the theme of BASF’s new plant science initiative is “A Whole New Field of Dreams.” That is a direct tie-in with the movie, “Field of Dreams” that starred Kevin Costner.
Roeper was on hand to offer an analysis of the movie which included playing scenes from the movie. It was very interesting.
The presentation was about a half hour so I’m just providing the opening so you can get the perspective he offers on the movie. It’s a great movie. You can listen here: Richard Roeper (4 min MP3)
The executive director of the National Biodiesel Board is not just a country music fan, but also a country music singer… well, for his wife and kids at home at least. But today, Joe got a bit more exposure than a home audience. He performed live on the Dave Nemo Show on XM Radio with renowned country music singer/songwriter Michael Peterson.
0
The man known as the “Ethanol God-Father” is set to tackle the “myths” about ethanol in Oregon, Illinois, Wisconsin and California. Blume will be giving speeches at various Renewable Energy Conferences and Seminars. The “Bio-expert” will also be featured on XM radio and T.V.
Well I’m going to miss 
At the recent BIO Convention I got to speak with Canadian farmer Jim Pallister. Jim was attending thanks to the 
I was just looking over some statistics from my recent coverage of the 
Thanks to the 
When your farmer board members tell you to podcast, you podcast. That’s what Dean Kleckner, 
During BIO 2006, Puerto Rico Gov. AnĂbal Acevedo-Vilá (pictured) was named BIO “Governor of the Year.” I missed him and the reception to honor him but caught up with his Secretary of Economic Development, Jorge P. Silva-Puras. 
It’s Good Friday and not a day to do a lot of posting so I’m only going to provide you with my Photo Album from the BIO 2006 Convention. I didn’t get to go to the Career Fair but I found this picture from the BIO website.
At the closing reception you had to find these guys and obtain one heart, spade, clover and diamond to get your take home gift on your way out from the reception.
Iowa was the sponsoring state for the closing reception. They hired a great band to play on the main stage.
The closing reception was just as good as the others at BIO 2006.
The iPod giveways were many at BIO’s trade show but don’t forget that there are other cool gadgets. 
One of the many contests at the BIO 2006 trade show was a 2 year lease on a Ford F150 that’s E85 capable.
The BIO 2006 convention concludes this evening with a final reception. It’s time to shut down for now. I’ll be travelling most of tomorrow so keep an eye out for some more BIO coverage. I’ve got more interviews and pictures to share.
The President & CEO of 
At the BASF 
Roeper was on hand to offer an analysis of the movie which included playing scenes from the movie. It was very interesting.
Peanut producers are meeing in Panama City, FL and Cindy has them covered.
