This week was the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Washington Watch meeting in our beautiful Nation’s Capitol. It definitely was an interesting time to be in DC after the events of last weekend.
Washington Watch gives NAFB members an opportunity to sit down with folks inside the Beltway and get an update on some of the major issues of concern to agriculture. After Monday’s meetings broadcaster’s had a chance to delve deeper into the hot topics during Issues Forum.
Tuesday we visited USDA where we heard from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. He touched on topics from the lack of planting progress this spring to the heartbreaking Birds Point New Madrid levee. I think one of the most important items addressed was the decision to allow crop insurance protections for those affected by the Birds Point New Madrid levee situation (see Cindy’s post earlier this week). We wrapped up Tuesday with a luncheon at the National Press Club with Former Secretary of Agriculture and Former Representative Larry Combest. Tuesday afternoon left time for some Hill visits. I had the opportunity to chat with my Representative, Aaron Schock, and his staff. It’s always a good feeling to leave discussions with the confidence that the agriculture industry is in good hands. Wednesday morning concluded with visits from several of ag’s biggest supporters in the Longworth Building.
One of the most touched on topics in DC this past week was the issue of trade. I had the chance to speak with American Farm Bureau Federation’s Trade Specialist Chris Garza about the current pending free trade agreements.
Garza thinks there is light at the end of the tunnel…
Garza on Trade
The Executive Director of 
There are two big issues for corn growers this year in Washington, DC, climate change and higher blends for ethanol. I spoke with two representatives of the National Corn Growers Association at NAFB’s Washington Watch Issues Forum about them.
NCGA’s Jessica Bennett is actively involved in the regulatory issue of increasing the blend level for ethanol allowed in gasoline to 15 percent. “As corn growers, ethanol is top priority for our association,” Bennett said. “We’re quickly approaching a ten percent blend wall of ethanol that can be blended into conventional gasoline and we need to move beyond that.”
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, 
Next up in the program is an interview with Ken Hobbie, President/CEO, 
Rick Stearn is chairman of the production committee for the United Soybean Board. He was attending the NAFB Washington Watch Issues Forum. 
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 
Our host was Founding Farmers General Manager Christian Holmes, pictured with NAFB President Pam Jahnke.
Before we settled down to dinner a few NAFB members got together with Christian for an interview. I recorded it for you. In the interview Christian says the restaurant is the vision of the 
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, 
I was interested to see the 
Those of us who have attended a lot of NAFB Washington Watches over the years know that they wouldn’t be anywhere near as beneficial without the help of Larry Quinn, Assistant Director for 
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.
Julie McPeake, 
Sign up for the long-awaited Average Crop Revenue Election Program, or ACRE, started yesterday on the same day that farm broadcasters from around the nation were in Washington DC for the annual Washington Watch Issues Forum, so naturally it was a hot topic for representatives from the 
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 for you here.
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 the other hand he made it very clear that the world is changing and farmers have to accept it that things are different. Kind of like saying that we have no choice but to succumb to their agenda so why not make it easy. 
After the NAFB business meeting this afternoon it was time for the Issues Forum. This is where various organizations are set up with tables at which their spokespeople are available for interviews on the issues important to their constituents. 
Roger Berry is Field Director for the 
This afternoon the 
So getting back to Pam Jahnke, seen here in the board meeting that’s taking place as I post this, she tells us about the NAFB Washington Watch program. She says this is a great opportunity for farm broadcasters to get face to face with policy makers and obtain good programming material to take back home. I brought up the “T” word and Pam admits that a lot of people are looking to 
It is a beautiful day in Washington, DC. Glad to make it finally. The Potomac River was lined with people out biking, walking, boating and having a picnic. I couldn’t resist a short run out on the Mall in front of our Nation’s Capitol.