AgWired » NAFB Washington Watch

Telling The South Dakota Ag Story

Chuck — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:56:58 +0000

The Executive Director of Ag United For South Dakota is Steve Dick, pictured here at the NAFB Washington Watch Issues Forum.

Steve says that AUSD is a coalition of 5 farm groups that include corn and soybean growers, pork producers, cattlemen and SD Farm Bureau. They were set up to educate the public about agriculture and particularly livestock production in SD. He says they want people to know that farmers have a message to get out to people which is that they’re working everyday to produce a safe, reliable source of protein. He wanted to emphasize that agriculture has changed significantly and in ways that aren’t always easy to see from the highway.

You can listen to my interview with Steve here: Download audio file (ww-09-ausd.mp3)

NAFB Washington Watch 2009 Photo Album

Legislative Issues For Corn Growers

Chuck — Fri, 08 May 2009 17:14:22 +0000

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.

Unlike the weather, not only is everybody talking about climate change, but they are trying to do something about it – and the concern is that farmers could get caught in the storm. According to National Corn Growers Association Public Policy Director, Rod Snyder, climate change has emerged as one of the top priorities in this Congressional session and pressure is being put to bear to get some kind of legislation passed. “We’re taking a look at the legislation as it’s being drafted now and one of the things that we are closely watching is to make sure that agriculture is not part of the ‘capped sector,’” says Snyder. “We are going to try to ensure that our farmers is not regulated under a cap because our emissions are very diffuse, much like a non-point source situation, and it would be very expensive for the government to try and regulate our sources of greenhouse gas emissions.”

Listen to my interview with Rod here: Download audio file (ww-09-snyder.mp3)

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.”

The Environment Protection Agency is currently seeking comments on a waiver that would allow blends of up to 15 percent. “We’re encouraging all of our growers to go to the legislative action center on our website to submit comments to EPA to encourage the granting of that waiver application,” said Bennett. In the first week after the comment period was opened, over 300 comments were submitted to EPA by corn growers.

Listen to my interview with Jessica here: Download audio file (ww-09-bennett.mp3)

What’s Up In Washington

Chuck — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:14:51 +0000

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 what we need in our nation’s Capitol these days, passionate spokespersons for agriculture.

Mark speaks about the mixed results of the opening month’s of our new administration. He says some things are encouraging and some are troubling which you might say about most administrations. On the troubling side he mentions the environment and proposed increased rules and regulations. Climate change regulations are something he thinks should not be ruled on until a lot more questions are answered. On the encouraging side he’s pleasantly surprised at moves on international trade.

Next up in the program is an interview with Ken Hobbie, President/CEO, U.S. Grains Council. I hadn’t spoken with Ken in quite a while so I asked him to tell us what’s new with USGC. We started off talking about the potential impact of H1N1 on demand and Ken says he hopes that consumers will listen to the fact and we can move past it. Another thing that Ken says they’ve invested a lot in is distillers dried grain promotion internationally.

This week’s program ends with music from the Podsafe Music Network. It’s a song titled, “Pearls and Swine”, by Drunken Prayer. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 218 (20 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:Download audio file (zimmcast218-5-7-09.mp3)

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also subscribe in iTunes

United Soybean Board Supporting Animal Agriculture

Chuck — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:33:32 +0000

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 production agriculture is the number one customer for domestically produced soybean meal (over 96%). He agrees that if animal rights groups who want to end animal agriculture are successful it will change the whole industry since many elements are very interdependent.

Some other issues important to USB from a production standpoint include soybean rust, soybean quality and soybean yield.

You can listen to my interview with Rick here: Download audio file (ww-09-usb.mp3)

NAFB Washington Watch 2009 Photo Album

Founding Farmers Founded By Farmers

Chuck — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:11:35 +0000

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 of our products from seed to harvest, and from Farm-to-Table. Owned by a collective of American family farmers, Founding Farmers exists to promote the products and services of family farms, ranches, and fisheries. We celebrate and share the long-standing connection between farmers – the first to lead the “green” movement – and their historic stewardship of natural resources.

Our host was Founding Farmers General Manager Christian Holmes, pictured with NAFB President Pam Jahnke.

When he was 14 years old washing dishes in the Italian restaurant down the road from his house in rural upstate New York, Christian Holmes had no idea he’d already found his calling. While he pursued his love for history in undergraduate and graduate school, Christian worked in bars and restaurants to help pay the bills. When the opportunity to manage a popular college town restaurant became available, working in a fast-paced fun environment lured him away from his plans to teach history.

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 North Dakota Farmers Union. He says it presents the American family farmer to legislators as well as consumers. He was attracted to the facility because “It’s not just about the food and the restaurant experience. It’s the fact that we’re owned and supported by farmers.”

You can listen to our group interview with Christian here: Download audio file (ww-09-holmes.mp3)

NAFB Washington Watch 2009 Photo Album

Water Quality and Climate Protection

Chuck — Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:38 +0000

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 to the fact that farms provide a lot of value to communities in the area of heritage and environmental benefits. Dennis says that from his perspective farmers need to be really involved in water quality and climate protection. There is legislation being worked on right now and he thinks farmers need to be educated and involved.

You can listen to my interview with Dennis and Jim here: Download audio file (ww-09-aft.mp3)

NAFB Washington Watch 2009 Photo Album

NRA Promotes Gun Safety

Chuck — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:08:27 +0000

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 in the rural areas. I learned that NRA was founded to improve the marksmanship skills of soldiers and citizens. So he teaches that along with safety. He says that NRA wants people to utilize their second amendment rights responsibly.

You can listen to my interview with John here: Download audio file (ww-09-howard.mp3)

NAFB Washington Watch 2009 Photo Album

Thank You Larry Quinn

Chuck — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:15:36 +0000

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 Communications Operations, USDA. Everyone in ag communications should know Larry and for those in farm broadcasting in particular, he’s documented our “happenings” in his weekly e-newsletter for as long as I can remember.

We gave Larry another thank you last night at dinner by presenting him with an NAFB commemorative edition tractor (to add to his collection). Larry is pictured with his wife Christine.

So we give Larry big thanks for helping us out and getting us in and out of USDA one more time during the early part of this transition year.

NAFB Washington Watch 2009 Photo Album

NAFB Meeting With Legislators

Chuck — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:39:31 +0000

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 and I thought I’d just go ahead and post them here for you. Please feel free to download and use.

You can listen to Senator Harkin here: Download audio file (ww-09-harkin.mp3)

You can also download his remarks with this link (mp3 file).

NAFB Washington Watch 2009 Photo Album

NAFB Washington Watch First Timer

Chuck — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:37:56 +0000

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 her listeners back home.

Julie also has the honor of receiving a Pam Jahnke nickname which is Peaches. You’ll find out why when you listen to her interview.

You can listen to my interview with Julie here: Download audio file (ww-09-mcpeake.mp3)

NAFB Washington Watch 2009 Photo Album