AgWired » IFAJ http://agwired.com What's new in the world of agribusiness Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:43:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 IFAJ Welcomes New Executive Committee Members http://agwired.com/2012/01/18/ifaj-welcomes-new-executive-committee-members/ http://agwired.com/2012/01/18/ifaj-welcomes-new-executive-committee-members/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:57:19 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=34387 The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists welcomes new executive committee members.

Newest members of the IFAJ committee include:

Leigh Radford
Australia

Leigh Radford of Australia is the National Editor of ABC Rural, a special department within the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He primarily covers agriculture and mining issues. In addition to his involvement with ACAJ he is Vice President of his state’s rural press club, Rural Media South Australia.He said, “I’m delighted to join the Executive of the IFAJ and contribute to the international body that represents rural and agricultural journalists. IFAJ can be a powerful vehicle to encourage dialogue between journalists in different parts of the world, exchange ideas, learn from one another and become better educated about the issues faced in other parts of the world.”

Per Henrik Hansen
Denmark

Per Henrik Hansen of Denmark is a journalist and communications consultant for topics including food, agriculture and rural areas. He primarily works with Denmark’s organic sector.Per looks forward to contributing to further developing IFAJ and helping it become a more global organization, including helping colleagues of third world countries gain international contacts, and develop professionally.

Tadashi Murata
Japan

Tadashi Murata of Japan is an editor for the Zenkou Kyoudou Publication Ltd. Zenkou Kyoudou publishes a monthly magazine and the book of business management for the Japan Agricultural Co-operatives(JA) and Small Business co-operatives. He also runs a flower shop in Tokyo and a private business specializing in websites and writing.Tadashi has experienced the community provided by IFAJ members and said he looks forward to another exciting Congress and seeing friends. As an executive team member he’s looking forward to learning more details about agriculture in other countries.

Steve Werblow
United States

Steve Werblow is a freelance writer and photographer in the northwestern part of the U.S.A. He works for John Deere’s magazines, The Furrow and Homestead, as well as a variety of other clients in agriculture and industry.

Steve says he is looking forward to helping IFAJ continually broaden its international network and find new ways to provide professional development opportunities for members around the world.

]]> http://agwired.com/2012/01/18/ifaj-welcomes-new-executive-committee-members/feed/ 0 Assistance Available To Attend 2012 IFAJ Congress http://agwired.com/2012/01/13/assistance-available-to-attend-2012-ifaj-congress/ http://agwired.com/2012/01/13/assistance-available-to-attend-2012-ifaj-congress/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:07:18 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=34322 It’s not too early to look ahead to the 2012 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress which will take place in Sweden. It’s on my calendar. If you need some assistance going, one option is for AAEA members to apply for a professional development stipend. Another is for young agricultural communicators to apply for an IFAJ-Alltech Young Leader Award.

AAEA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT STIPENDS
The AAEA Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF) is funding three, $2,000 stipends to help AAEA members at large (a fourth stipend is awarded to the current International Committee chair) travel to Sweden for the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Congress this summer.

Send your completed application to Steve Werblow, chair of the AAEA International Committee, by FEBRUARY 3. Stipend winners will be announced February 10 – the day IFAJ Congress registration opens.

Application Form (.doc)

IFAJ-ALLTECH YOUNG LEADERS AWARD
Applications are now available for the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism Award, an exciting program for agricultural communicators 35 years of age and younger. Here are some highlights:

- A 1,000-Euro ($1,272) prize
- Travel scholarship to the 2012 IFAJ Congress in Sweden
- Participation in a professional development Boot Camp with the other award winners from around the world
- Connection with a mentor from the IFAJ community

Each IFAJ member guild (AAEA is a guild, and you are all members) can nominate one candidate to the global competition. The AAEA International Committee will select one candidate from among the AAEA member applicants; judging of the 10-person Class of 2012 will be conducted by an IFAJ panel.

Entry requirements are available online. They include:

- Candidates must have been no more than 35 years of age on December 31, 2011
- Applicant must be an active or affiliate member in good standing of AAEA
- Application includes a brief essay
- Candidate must submit three samples of his or her work for judging.

Application Form (.doc)

Lycka till! (That’s Swedish for “Good luck!”)

]]> http://agwired.com/2012/01/13/assistance-available-to-attend-2012-ifaj-congress/feed/ 0 Irish Guild of Agricultural Journalists Commemorates 50 Years http://agwired.com/2011/12/09/irish-guild-of-agricultural-journalists-commemorates-50-years/ http://agwired.com/2011/12/09/irish-guild-of-agricultural-journalists-commemorates-50-years/#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:16:04 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=33633 The Irish Guild of Agricultural Journalists has just released a 50th Anniversary document (pdf) that includes historical information and photos. Here are a couple of samples:

In 1961 we had a visit from John Hayhurst, President of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists, London. He was editor of a weekly called The Smallholder. He was exploring Ireland’s potential for membership. He was met by Henry Kennedy, director of IAOS (now ICOS) and General John Costello, chief executive of the Irish Sugar Company.

New scope had arisen with the imminent launch of RTE television and the growing significance of public relations for the larger agricultural bodies like the Department of Agriculture, the Irish Sugar Company and the newly formed Bord Bainne.

and

The Guild’s Journalism awards honour professionals who have achieved excellence in journalism and communications. The awards were initiated in 1976 in honour of the late Vincent Colgan, public relations manager with Bord Bainne (now the Irish Dairy Board).

The Journalist of the Year was selected by nomination and ballot of Guild members and was presented with the bronze bull. There was just one annual award which was presented at the Bord Bainne sponsored function for the Guild, held on the eve of the RDS Spring Show.

]]> http://agwired.com/2011/12/09/irish-guild-of-agricultural-journalists-commemorates-50-years/feed/ 0 Deadline Moved Up For IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders Award http://agwired.com/2011/12/06/deadline-moved-up-for-ifaj-alltech-young-leaders-award/ http://agwired.com/2011/12/06/deadline-moved-up-for-ifaj-alltech-young-leaders-award/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:48:42 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=33496 Calling on future young leaders in agricultural journalism. The deadline for the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism award is being moved to March 1, 2012. Previously, the deadline had been set at April 15, 2012. The change was made to allow award winners time to make travel plans as economically as possible.

“Travel is becoming increasingly complicated and expensive,” says IFAJ Secretary General Owen Roberts, chair of the awards program. “The earlier deadline allows the selection committee time to make its choices much sooner, so the winners can proceed making their travel plans in an orderly fashion.”

Applicants must fill out a form and submit to their country guild. Guilds are encouraged to nominate candidates 35 years of age or younger for these scholarships.

For full awards information, visit http://www.ifaj.org/contests-and-awards/young-leaders-award.html.

]]> http://agwired.com/2011/12/06/deadline-moved-up-for-ifaj-alltech-young-leaders-award/feed/ 0 Canadian Wine Tasting http://agwired.com/2011/09/28/canadian-wine-tasting/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/28/canadian-wine-tasting/#comments Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:00:23 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=32224 One of my tour stops during the 2011 IFAJ Congress was Jackson Triggs Vintners. We had an excellent lunch and wine tasting that included some of their icewine. One of the take-aways was that Canada produces more than just good ice wine. We had a nice red and white wine during our sampling.

Following lunch we toured the wine making facility with our guide, Carlee. We started out in a vineyard and then moved inside to the production area and ended where the wine is stored before bottling. One of the interesting things I remember Carlee saying is that the vineyards are planted in north/south rows now due to the direction of the wind off Lake Ontario. We could see some older vineyards planted the opposite direction. You can hear Carlee talk about their wine making in this video.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/28/canadian-wine-tasting/feed/ 0 Canadian Agriculture 101 http://agwired.com/2011/09/21/canadian-agriculture-101/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/21/canadian-agriculture-101/#comments Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:43:11 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=32060 While attending the 2011 IFAJ Congress one of our panel discussions was titled, “Canadian Agriculture 101.” First up was Jack Wilkinson, farm community leader and member of the Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame, pictured at the podium along with Richard Doyle, Executive Director, Dairy Farmers of Canada and President, International Dairy Federation and Jay Bradshaw, Syngenta Canada. I thought I’d share the remarks made by Richard since I find the dairy industry system in Canada very interesting. It also represents the types of presentations we enjoy at an IFAJ Congress.

A big part of Richard’s presentation deals with the supply management system in Canada that is “based on planned domestic production, administered pricing and dairy product import controls.” There are licensed quotas and various other components to the system which you can read about in this pdf. A good source of information is the Canadian Dairy Information Centre. They national system was introduced in 1970. Listen to his presentation here: Richard Doyle Presentation

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/21/canadian-agriculture-101/feed/ 0 IFAJ Congress Review http://agwired.com/2011/09/20/ifaj-congress-review/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/20/ifaj-congress-review/#comments Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:29:45 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=32017 ZimmCast 320At the beginning of the 2011 IFAJ Congress we heard a preview from Owen Roberts, Co-Chair of the event. Now we’re going to get a look back from Lilian Schaer, the other Co-Chair.

In the photo both Lilian and Owen were thanked during our closing ceremonies and received gifts for all their hard work. Of course, they point to all the other people who volunteered to make this a great event. But it does take good leadership to help bring it all together.

Lilian says the Congress was fantastic on a number of levels, including the fact that there were 260 people from more than 30 countries. She also wanted to thank all the sponsors who made it possible. There were a lot of stand out moments for her. One of them was when the native dancers performed during the opening reception. Another was during the closing session when all the country flags from IFAJ member countries were displayed. Lilian also pointed out that this was the IFAJ Congress with the most amount of social media participation. You can still see tweets happening with the Congress hashtag.

Listen to my conversations with Lilian in this week’s ZimmCast: IFAJ Congress 2011 Review

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

This week’s program ends with with music from Music Alley. It’s “New World Blues” by Aeons Promise. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our Subscribe page.

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/20/ifaj-congress-review/feed/ 1 Canadian Cooperative Thriving With Dry Beans & Edible Soybeans http://agwired.com/2011/09/19/canadian-cooperative-thriving-with-dry-beans-edible-soybeans/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/19/canadian-cooperative-thriving-with-dry-beans-edible-soybeans/#comments Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:02:15 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31997 Hensall District Co-operative welcomed IFAJ members last week. Here’s CEO, Earl Wagner, who gave us an overview of the various business units of the co-operative. Before we settled in for his presentation and a tour of the facilities in Hensall, ON, we were treated to a variety of foods made with their products. They are known for their dry beans and edible soybeans and almost all of the products they grow are GMO free which has been important to their customers in Japan. One of the products we sampled was carrot cake made with bean and corn flour. I ate way more than I should but it was incredibly good!

HDC is a diversified farmer-owned Ontario Agricultural Co-operative. Established in 1937, HDC is the largest independent agricultural co-operative in Ontario with 4000 members who elect 10 Board of Directors. HDC employs 300 staff members with annual sales of 328 million.

I interviewed Earl after his presentation. He told me they have a very diversified business. Besides dry beans and edible soybeans they also produce a lot of corn and wheat. Last year they had a record crop but this year is down significantly. However, this year’s lower yields were a lot higher than just a few years ago.

Interview with Earl Wagner

Here’s a short video clip showing the gravity separator that “cleans the edible beans” as part of the preparation for shipping. We toured through the whole facility and around a growing collection of storage bins. There are a number of pictures in the photo album.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/19/canadian-cooperative-thriving-with-dry-beans-edible-soybeans/feed/ 0 IFAJ Visits Claynook Farms http://agwired.com/2011/09/19/ifaj-visits-claynook-farms/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/19/ifaj-visits-claynook-farms/#comments Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:25:37 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31991 IFAJ members learned about the dairy business in Canada this week right on the farm. In this case we were at Claynook Farms visiting with Wayne and Dennis Wagler.

The conversation with the dairy operators covered just about every topic you could imagine from genetics to marketing. I recorded part of a conversation with reporters in which I asked about their thoughts on the Canadian supply management system (more on that later). You can listen in on that Q&A here: Claynook Farms

I also recorded a video clip with part of the discussion too.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/19/ifaj-visits-claynook-farms/feed/ 0 IFAJ Video http://agwired.com/2011/09/19/ifaj-video/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/19/ifaj-video/#comments Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:08:30 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31983 Thanks to Bruce Sargent, Farm Boy Productions, for putting together a great video that captures the essence of the 2011 IFAJ Congress.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/19/ifaj-video/feed/ 0 IFAJ Congress Concludes With GMO’s http://agwired.com/2011/09/17/ifaj-congress-concludes-with-gmos/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/17/ifaj-congress-concludes-with-gmos/#comments Sun, 18 Sep 2011 03:54:17 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31975 The 2011 IFAJ Congress has concluded but I will have a lot more to share over the coming days. It’s late in Niagra Falls, ON, Canada.

The GMO’s took to the stage tonight for our final entertainment after a concluding banquet with lots of awards. Photos are in the process of uploading which will finish my photo album from this year’s Congress. Feel free to view, share and use.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/17/ifaj-congress-concludes-with-gmos/feed/ 0 IFAJ Group Pose http://agwired.com/2011/09/17/ifaj-group-pose/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/17/ifaj-group-pose/#comments Sat, 17 Sep 2011 19:22:56 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31958 This afternoon the full IFAJ Congress group got together on the lawn in front of our hotel for a photo.

I’d like to thank our photographer, Martin Schwalbe of Guelph ON. He used my camera to take a photo for me! Now we have some free time until our closing banquet.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/17/ifaj-group-pose/feed/ 1 IFAJ In Niagra Falls http://agwired.com/2011/09/17/ifaj-in-niagra-falls/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/17/ifaj-in-niagra-falls/#comments Sat, 17 Sep 2011 17:40:53 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31954 Niagra Falls welcomed the IFAJ Congress starting late yesterday afternoon. Here’s one of my best shots of the falls from a walk I took this morning. I’m still drying out after walking through the spray that swirls up and wherever the wind is blowing.

This morning we had a program on sustainability and farm journalism. I’ve been to too many discussions on the subject and used most of that time to see the sights. I think I just added about 70 photos of the falls to the photo album.

In a little while we’re all getting together for a group photo in our IFAJ hockey shirts. Activities conclude with this evening’s banquet and entertainment. However, my coverage won’t be concluded. I’ll have a number of interviews and stories to share in the next week. Tomorrow will be a full day of travel home.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/17/ifaj-in-niagra-falls/feed/ 0 Second Day of IFAJ Congress Tours http://agwired.com/2011/09/16/second-day-of-ifaj-congress-tours/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/16/second-day-of-ifaj-congress-tours/#comments Fri, 16 Sep 2011 20:59:42 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31948 All 2011 IFAJ Congress tour groups are now checked in to our hotel in Niagra Falls, Canada. You can see a quick pic of my hotel room view of the falls here.

This is a group of us during our second tour stop today at Jackson Triggs Vintners. We sampled sparkling, red, white and ice wine and left much happier than when we arrived. It was an awesome birthday party for Joann Alumbaugh, (pictured second from left in the second row). Fortunately she turned legal drinking age today and was able to sample some wines with the rest of us grown ups!

Tonight we are heading to the Oh Canada Eh? dinner show and we’ve got just enough time to get ready and update my photos from today.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/16/second-day-of-ifaj-congress-tours/feed/ 0 IFAJ Farm Tours http://agwired.com/2011/09/15/ifaj-farm-tours/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/15/ifaj-farm-tours/#comments Fri, 16 Sep 2011 01:56:38 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31939 It was a full day of farm touring for the IFAJ Congress today. I’m on the Lake Huron Tour which includes our stopping point tonight on the lake. We got in too late to enjoy the view though. But with the temperatures dropping and the wind howling I am not missing it. We’ll be back on the agriblogging highway early in the morning, winding up in Niagra Falls. Here’s my tour doing a group photo when we stopped at Hensall District Cooperative. I’ve got several more video clips and interviews from today. Our stops included a farmers market and several dairies in addition to an apple packing facility and this cooperative.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/15/ifaj-farm-tours/feed/ 0 Apple Packing at Martin’s Family Fruit Farm http://agwired.com/2011/09/15/apple-packing-at-martins-family-fruit-farm/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/15/apple-packing-at-martins-family-fruit-farm/#comments Fri, 16 Sep 2011 01:50:23 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31934 The first stop for the 2011 IFAJ Congress Lake Huron Tour group today was Martin’s Family Fruit Farm. Our host, Steve Martin, gave us a full tour of their apple packing and storage facility. The short video clip below shows the washing process where the bins unload into a wash tank and then the apples move through an automated process than includes some manual sorting and finally weighing and packing.

We got to take our pick of several varieties after we were done. I chose a Honeycrisp which was delicious. The farm grows many varieties including the MacIntosh which I believe someone said is 200 years old this year. Ontario is the top apple producing province in Canada.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/15/apple-packing-at-martins-family-fruit-farm/feed/ 0 Follow IFAJ Via AgWired App http://agwired.com/2011/09/15/follow-ifaj-via-agwired-app/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/15/follow-ifaj-via-agwired-app/#comments Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:00:55 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31913 Hey IFAJ members. Here’s a way to stay up to date and easily find the latest on what’s going on during our Congress. It’s also great for you non-IFAJ’ers too! It’s the AgWired app for iPhone and Android. Here’s where you can get it.


AgWired App in iTunes Store

AgWired App in Android Market

AgWired is the online community for everyone involved in agricultural marketing and communications. This includes farmers, ranchers, agribusiness, farm groups, ag media, freelancers and advertising and public relations agencies. Keep up with what’s new in the world of agribusiness with the most comprehensive source of agrimarketing news and information you’ll find on the web.

The AgWired App allows you to easily keep up to date wherever you are and provides multiple ways to to see news filtered by key word categories. Additionally, the app has a built in mechanism to provide you with the latest news produced by the ZimmComm News Network on alternative energy, the dairy industry and the latest in precision agricultural farming.

When you open up the app you can use the drop down menu for AgWired to find the IFAJ category. Tap it and it will filter just the content related to IFAJ! Easy.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/15/follow-ifaj-via-agwired-app/feed/ 0 Pioneer Sponsors IFAJ Master Class http://agwired.com/2011/09/15/pioneer-sponsors-ifaj-master-class/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/15/pioneer-sponsors-ifaj-master-class/#comments Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:00:00 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31907 The sponsor of the IFAJ Master Class program is Pioneer Hi-Bred. Representing Pioneer here at the Congress is Lonetta Ragland, seen here talking to the Master Class a few days ago.

I visited with her about the Master Class program. She says that Pioneer is proud to sponsor the program because they fully understand the importance of agricultural journalists especially in countries where there may not be freedom of the press. Like me, Lonetta saw strong enthusiasm, energy and appreciation from the class participants. She hopes to have continued interaction with them after the Congress. Lonetta gave them some real world experience during the program by conducting a “press conference.” She says that feedback from this year’s participants will be used to plan for the next program.

You can listen to Lonetta here: Interview with Lonetta Ragland

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/15/pioneer-sponsors-ifaj-master-class/feed/ 0 An IFAJ Taste of Canada http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/an-ifaj-taste-of-canada/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/an-ifaj-taste-of-canada/#comments Thu, 15 Sep 2011 01:19:03 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31920 Our time in Guelph is at an end at least for the 2011 IFAJ Congress. This evening we had a “taste of Canada.” Here’s the starter display of food art we grazed through this evening.

Following this we were treated to food stations featuring various foods of Canada. I spent quite a bit of time at the fresh shucked oysters station!

Tomorrow we’re all off to one of three different farm tours. I’m on the Lake Huron tour. We’ve got to leave early by bus and I’m guessing we’ll have limited access to the internet. So my posting volume will decline for a couple days until we get to Niagra Falls. So, until then, enjoy the photos.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/an-ifaj-taste-of-canada/feed/ 0 IFAJ Strategic Survey Results http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/ifaj-strategic-survey-results/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/ifaj-strategic-survey-results/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:16:56 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31894 IFAJ conducted a survey of membership by a strategic committee and providing some results from the survey today was IFAJ Senior VP, Markus Rediger, LID Agricultural Information Center.

The focus was on how to make IFAJ even more global. I’m sure information will be coming out of the IFAJ office after the conference and a report is being produced to suggest ways to further develop IFAJ in the future. The survey asked 30 questions. I’ll let you listen to Markus provide some of the results in his remarks.

You can listen to Markus here: Remarks from Markus Rediger

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/ifaj-strategic-survey-results/feed/ 0 IFAJ Japan Relief Effort Very Successful http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/ifaj-japan-relief-effort-very-successful/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/ifaj-japan-relief-effort-very-successful/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:02:50 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31888 During the delegate meeting of the IFAJ Congress we heard how things are going in Japan following the earthquake and tsunami disaster. As you may know, IFAJ helped organize a call for support and the results were €12,072 Euros being contributed to relief efforts! The donation will be managed by the Japan Agricultural Journalists Association.

With us is a delegation from Japan including Masaru Yamada (at the podium). He gave us some information about the disaster situation and how things have gone since then.

You can listen to remarks from Masaru here: Remarks from Masaru Yamada

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/ifaj-japan-relief-effort-very-successful/feed/ 0 IFAJ State of the Union http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/ifaj-state-of-the-union/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/ifaj-state-of-the-union/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:01:48 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31875 The 2011 IFAJ Congress kicked off formally today after a meeting of the executive committee. For the delegates meeting the officers got on stage to provide reports on various aspects of IFAJ business. This is the annual business meeting. At the podium is Mike Wilson, Farm Futures, IFAJ President.

I asked him for a state of the union report after the meeting concluded. Mike sees the future growth for IFAJ in developing countries and says that projects like the Master Class program are creating relationships that will have a long term positive impact. He says IFAJ has never been in such good shape financially and credits the sponsors who are making that possible.

You can listen to my interview with Mike here: Interview with Mike Wilson

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/ifaj-state-of-the-union/feed/ 0 Canadian Potatoes Debut for IFAJ Dinner http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/canadian-potatoes-debut-for-ifaj-dinner/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/canadian-potatoes-debut-for-ifaj-dinner/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:02:58 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31862 During pre-IFAJ Congress activities we were treated to dinner in downtown Guelph at the Woolrich Arrow. We were also being used in an experiment with a local potato grower. Here’s Kevin Smith, Smoyd Potato Farm, holding some of his product while he talked to us about a new variety we were to have served with our dinner. So we ate some of the first crop of Smoyd red skin roasted potatoes. I’m still here so I think they were okay.

You can listen to a portion of Kevin’s remarks here: Kevin Smith Potato Grower

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/canadian-potatoes-debut-for-ifaj-dinner/feed/ 2 Alltech Sponsoring IFAJ Boot Camp http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/alltech-sponsoring-ifaj-boot-camp/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/alltech-sponsoring-ifaj-boot-camp/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:52:09 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31858 The IFAJ Boot Camp participants, seen here, heard from their sponsor during their pre-Congress program in Guelph. My good friend, Aidan Connolly, Alltech VP, was able to be with us for a while this week.

Aidan told our participants that “food and food policy has never been more critical, has never been more relevant, has never been more times on the front of a newspaper or indeed in the media in general.” That really makes it very important for good quality ag journalism at this time! When it comes to solutions to today’s food problems Aidan suggests there are a number of interventions needed, not just one. He has already seen some online reporting from the class participants so I applaud them for getting right to work.

You can listen to my interview with Aidan here: Aidan Connolly Interview

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/alltech-sponsoring-ifaj-boot-camp/feed/ 0 Farmers Fighting Poverty http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/farmers-fighting-poverty/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/farmers-fighting-poverty/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:41:51 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31855 One of the organizers for the IFAJ Master Class and Boot Camp program is Cees van Rij (pictured left), Agriterra. Cees is from the Netherlands.

Cees says his organization is guided by Dutch farmer groups and cooperatives and believes that farmers can do a lot to work with people in poverty stricken areas to help them. That led to the start of an effort called Famers Fighting Poverty. He says this effort needs more communication outreach and hopes IFAJ Congress participants will assist them. He would especially like to see support from companies and organizations in the United States.

You can listen to my interview with Cees here: Cees van Rij Interview

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/farmers-fighting-poverty/feed/ 0 IFAJ Congress Overview http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/ifaj-congress-overview/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/ifaj-congress-overview/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:12:53 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31846 ZimmCast 319The 2011 IFAJ Congress gets into full swing today. There are some business meetings for the organization as well as an afternoon session called Canada Agriculture 101. I visited with Co-Chair Owen Roberts, faculty instructor at the University of Guelph. We were on the bus last night on our way to Mohawk Racetrack.

In the program you can hear Owen describe the difference between the two pre-Congress educational activities, IFAJ Master Class and IFAJ Boot Camp. Then he runs through what all the ag journalists will be doing the rest of the week. We split apart into groups for farm tours upon leaving Guelph but meet back up in Niagra Falls.

Listen to my conversations with Owen in this week’s ZimmCast: IFAJ Congress 2011

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

This week’s program ends with with music from Music Alley. It’s “Journalism 101″ by Highah Seekah. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our Subscribe page.

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/14/ifaj-congress-overview/feed/ 1 Mohawk Racing IFAJ Style http://agwired.com/2011/09/13/mohawk-racing-ifaj-style/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/13/mohawk-racing-ifaj-style/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:29:03 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31832 Tonight the IFAJ attendees went horse racing at Mohawk Racetrack. We had some great Standardbred action for about seven races before departing back to the hotels.

Here’s most of our group out on the track after the 6th race presenting an IFAJ Congress horse blanket to the winner. Now that’s cool.

I’ve updated the photo album from this afternoon and will have more stories to post in the morning. We’re now moving to the official Congress activities starting with business sessions and then getting a little Canada Agriculture 101.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/13/mohawk-racing-ifaj-style/feed/ 0 Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show Kicks Off http://agwired.com/2011/09/13/canadas-outdoor-farm-show-kicks-off/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/13/canadas-outdoor-farm-show-kicks-off/#comments Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:10:48 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31811 This morning Mike Wilson, President, International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) and editor, Farm Futures, kicked off the 2011 Canada Outdoor Farm Show. I’ve got video coming and will add as soon as it’s ready.

We had a ribbon cutting of a different kind. Mike cut the ribbon on a batch of balloons which then floated over the show. Mike made opening remarks to a crowd that gathered for the official opening ceremony. He introduced the visiting agricultural journalists to everyone and told the farmers not to be surprised if someone taps them on the shoulder and asks for an interview with an “accent!”

It’s a beautiful day out here and I’ve added a bunch of new photos to the photo album that include the new permanent building that was dedicated this morning for New Holland.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/13/canadas-outdoor-farm-show-kicks-off/feed/ 0 Canada Outdoor Farm Show http://agwired.com/2011/09/13/canada-outdoor-farm-show/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/13/canada-outdoor-farm-show/#comments Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:00:52 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31768 Welcome to the Canada Outdoor Farm Show. This is where I’ll be today with other IFAJ members before the 2011 IFAJ Congress officially kicks off tomorrow evening. I’m assuming I’ll be away from internet access all day but I’ll be taking photos and have stories to share after I get back.

With helicopters landing and equipment arriving and animals getting bedded, the weekend was a busy one at Canada’s Outdoor Park in Woodstock, Ontario – all in preparation for Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – September 13, 14 & 15, 2011. As the nation’s largest agricultural trade show, Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show showcases the latest in agricultural technologies and innovations through demonstrations and interactive displays.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred ]]> http://agwired.com/2011/09/13/canada-outdoor-farm-show/feed/ 0 IFAJ Master Class and Boot Camp Graduation http://agwired.com/2011/09/12/ifaj-master-class-and-boot-camp-graduation/ http://agwired.com/2011/09/12/ifaj-master-class-and-boot-camp-graduation/#comments Tue, 13 Sep 2011 03:07:03 +0000 Chuck http://agwired.com/?p=31782 The IFAJ Master Class and Boot Camp is over for 2011. Here are the combined groups before we went to dinner together tonight in downtown Guelph.

From what I’ve heard the participants were very happy with the program and feel like they got a lot out of the experience. I know I have and will alway remember it. There are more photos, including full size ones you can download in my photo album. I hope you enjoy them.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

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