Category Archives: IFAJ

IFAJ Japan Relief Effort Very Successful

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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

IFAJ State of the Union

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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

Canadian Potatoes Debut for IFAJ Dinner

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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

Alltech Sponsoring IFAJ Boot Camp

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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

Farmers Fighting Poverty

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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

IFAJ Congress Overview

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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

Mohawk Racing IFAJ Style

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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

Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show Kicks Off

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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

Canada Outdoor Farm Show

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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

IFAJ Master Class and Boot Camp Graduation

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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

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred

AgroBlogger Adrian Krebs

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He is the AgroBlogger. He’s Adrian Krebs. Adrian is the president of the Swiss Agricultural Journalists Guild and he was my partner for a presentation to the IFAJ Master Class and Boot Camp yesterday. I thought I’d share a conversation with him about why he’s blogging even though he is currently not working as an agricultural journalist.

However, he still blogs and it’s really because of his personal passion for agriculture. I introduced him to the word, “agvocate” and he like it! I think you’ll enjoy hearing him talk about why he blogs and what it means to him personally and professionally.

You can listen to my interview with Adrian here: Adrian Krebs Interview

Our on-farm dinner included fresh picked and boiled sweet corn. It is definitely some of the best I’ve ever eaten. Having more than one ear was desert for me! There are plenty more photos in my photo album from our trip to the farm this evening.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred

IFAJ Master Class & Boot Camp Sessions

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This morning the IFAJ 2011 Master Class is in session while Boot Camp meets separately. Yesterday both groups were together. Here’s a little information about the Master Class:

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is supporting a pilot project called the IFAJ-Pioneer HiBred Master Class. This program will bring a group of journalists from developing countries to a two-day journalism and leadership workshop prior to the congress.

The workshop will focus on journalistic training, global agriculture and communications trends. Journalists will have a chance to share ideas with colleagues, and network with professionals from around the world. Master Class participants will be selected from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

The project will be based on a workshop with developing-country journalists initiated at the 2010 Belgium Congress, which was managed by AgriTerra, a Dutch-based agri-development agency. AgriTerra will help coordinate the master class program in Canada, owing to its experience in networking with journalists from underdeveloped countries

Here’s our Boot Camp group getting their first lesson of the day.

Alltech will expand its sponsorship of the successful IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in
Agricultural Journalism award to include a Boot Camp workshop. This activity will provide
select young journalists with expert training and feedback through on-site writing or
broadcasting assignments and further develop their leadership skills through formal in-class
training.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred

Corn is Sweet on Strom’s Farm

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Getting $7/dozen for sweet corn in Canada is a pretty sweet deal for Channing Strom, owner along with his wife Amy, of Strom’s Farm. Especially if you sell an average of 10-12 thousand dozen. I caught a picture of Channing, who is outstanding in his field, during our visit to the farm today. He drove a wagon load of IFAJ folks around before dinner this evening. On this farm the Strom’s grow sweet corn and pumpkins for people to come out a purchase. They promise that the sweet corn you buy is never more than two hours from the stalk! They also create a six acre corn maze using field corn and have a variety of other family fun features that bring out thousands of people to spend several hours of outdoor enjoyment. It is agri-tourism done right. You can see part of our group taking the corn maze challenge in the photo below.

The Stroms are part of Taste Real, a branding initiative for locally grown food in the Guelph Wellington area.

When you see the taste real logo, you know that you are experiencing food grown close to home! When you see the logo at farmers markets, farm gate stalls, on-farm stores, at your favourite retail outlets, restaurants and places to stay you will know it is home to real local food. The brand exists to support local businesses and farms and represents a group of people who are ….Passionate about the way local food is grown, prepared, presented and enjoyed, and how real it tastes!

You can listen to my interview with Channing here: Channing Strom Interview

Our on-farm dinner included fresh picked and boiled sweet corn. It is definitely some of the best I’ve ever eaten. Having more than one ear was desert for me! There are plenty more photos in my photo album from our trip to the farm this evening.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred

Motivation For IFAJ Master Class/Boot Camp Students

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How do you stay positive even when you’re in a negative environment? The IFAJ Master Class and Boot Camp class attendees heard multiple ways from motivational speaker Declan Coyle, Andec Communications. Declan’s presentation was sponsored by Alltech. I heard him first earlier this year at the Alltech Symposium.

Declan uses a strategy based on what he calls the green platform. Think of your thoughts and actions as if you’re looking at a traffic light. Red stops you but green makes you go. So when you think negatively you’re on the red platform. When you think positively you’re on the green platform. Of course this is where you want to be. Declan provided many anecdotes from his own personal life as well others from various studies and individuals who have lived a life that provided a good example of his points. I recorded one of those stories for you.

You can listen to a portion of Declan’s presentation here: Declan Coyle Presentation

I have started a photo album for the 2011 IFAJ Congress. It will contain photos from the pre-Congress classes I’m attending, the Outdoor Farm Show and the full Congress: 2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred

Welcome to Canada and IFAJ 2011

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It’s time for the 2011 IFAJ games to begin. Kim Waalderbos, freelance writer, is checking us in this afternoon at my hotel. I’ve already run into several of my IFAJ friends that I haven’t seen in a couple of years.

Tonight we have a welcoming reception for participants in the pre-Congress Master Class/BootCamp. I thought I’d take advantage of some lobby wireless while my room is getting ready.

This program will get started with sessions tomorrow morning. I’m sharing duties for one of them in the afternoon. I’m looking forward to working with a diverse group of ag journalists!

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred

Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show

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Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show is just one of the stops coming up on the agriblogging highway. I’ll be attending for a day just prior to the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress.

Canada’s Outdoor Park is home annually to Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show each September ­ but people, equipment and animals are roving in and out of the site all summer long.

The 85 acre site in Woodstock, Ontario is used by many companies and groups leading up to Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, being held this year from September 13th to 15th. Beginning as early as April, the action makes a chilly start with research programs, dealer training sessions and educational events. This summer, groups like Ontario Holsteins, Grober Nutrition and New Holland have taken advantage of the site with its long expanse of grass, buildings and crop plots.

Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show will be held on September 13, 14, and 15, 2011 at Canada’s Outdoor Park in Woodstock, ON. For more information visit www.OutdoorFarmShow.com or call 1-800-563-5441.

Lyle Vanclief Named Honorary Chair of IFAJ Congress

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It’s time for an IFAJ 2011 Congress update. It’s only weeks away now and I’m looking forward to meeting and interviewing this man.

Former Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Hon. Lyle Vanclief, has been named Honourary Chair of 2011 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress being held this September in Guelph and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

The congress organizing committee made the announcement July 13, citing Vanclief’s stellar political career, openness to the agricultural media and induction into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame. IFAJ 2011 Congress co-chair Owen Roberts said the former federal minister has a long and deep relationship with farm writers, having spoken on behalf of the federal government numerous times at farm writers’s meetings. “The organizing committee is proud Lyle Vanclief accepted our invitation to be the congress’s honourary chair, ” says Roberts. “Few Canadians know agriculture as well as he does – from operating a farm to setting national agricultural policy – or have his appreciation for Canadian agriculture and the role of the agricultural media.”

“This is an exciting time for Canadian agriculture and I am pleased to be part of the congress and to welcome visitors from across Canada and many international countries, all of whom will have a chance to see the innovations and accomplishments driving Canada’s diverse agricultural sector,” said Vanclief.

The congress theme, Experience New World Agriculture will serve to showcase how Canada’s relatively young agricultural sector (compared to many other IFAJ member countries) is making a place for itself globally.

Irish Agricultural Journalism

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ZimmCast 307The ZimmCast takes an Irish turn this week. I visited with agricultural journalist, Damien O’Reilly. Damien works for the Irish National Television and Radio Broadcaster, RTE where he hosts a weekly show called, “Countrywide.” The show is the evolution of “Farmweek” which was very production agriculture focused. The change in the show allows for more rural lifestyle content while still including farm information. Damien is seen interviewing Mandi McLeod, System Insights, Ltd., New Zealand, at the Alltech International Symposium. You can hear my interview with Mandi on our World Dairy Diary website btw.

Damien is just one of the many agricultural journalists I’ve had the pleasure to get to know through my involvement with the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ). I thought it might be interesting to talk with him about what he does and get his perspective on the technology changes in communications today, especially since he’s in the broadcasting business. He shares a good anecdote about an Irish farmer who had an impact on the food discussion in the country all because of one tweet on his Twitter account! He says that there is always a revolution in the media business and a need to keep up with new technology and that is always a challenge. I couldn’t agree more.

Listen in and learn more about agricultural journalism in Ireland: Irish Ag Journalism

You can listen to archived Countrywide shows that Damien has hosted on the RTE Radio 1 website.

This week’s program ends with some music from Music Alley. It’s called “Racing Heart” by Joe Tunon.

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

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.

Ag Communications Groups United for Japan Relief

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Ten North American agricultural communications organizations have joined together in an effort to provide support for the people of Japan as a result of the earthquake and tsunami.

AAEAThrough the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ), the American Agricultural Editors’ Association (AAEA) is coordinating the North American effort that also includes:

Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT)
Agricultural Media Summit LLC
Agricultural Relations Council (ARC)
American Business Media Agri-Council
Canadian Farm Writers Federation
Livestock Publications Council
National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA)
National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB)
North American Agricultural Journalists

So far they have raised more than $9,000 and are now reaching out to the members of all the participating organization to ask for donations. All contributions are being sent to and managed by the Japan Agricultural Journalists Association and be directed to rural areas and predominantly farmers. Chuck recently did a ZimmCast with Japanese ag journalist and IFAJ representative Masaru Yamada about the situation there.

Donations can be made on-line https://www.humanspan.com/secure/aaea/donation.asp by credit card. Check should be made payable to AAEA Foundation and mailed to:

AAEA Foundation
Den Gardner
120 Main St. West
PO Box 156 (if sent by US Postal Service)
New Prague, MN 56071

So spread the word through newsletters, websites, members’ magazines, radio announcements, Twitter, Facebook, whatever and contact Den Gardner for further information.

IFAJ 2011 Congress Deadline

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IFAJIt’s time to stop procrastinating and get your registration completed for the 2011 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress in Canada. The early deadline is this Friday. You’ll get a discount on the fees of course.

I registered to arrive in time for a day at the Outdoor Farm Show and hope to be on the Lake Huron Tour. If you’ve never attended an IFAJ Congress then this is the time. You will have a chance to create lasting relationships with agricultural journalists from all over the world. It’s a two way benefit since you’ll learn from them at the same time they learn from you.

I’m happy to report that Pioneer Hi-Bred will once again be the sponsor of AgWired coverage of this major international agricultural communicator event.

You can find the full schedule and registration form on the 2011 Congress website.