John H. Graham IV, CAE, president and CEO of ASAE, said “These organizations show how successful communication vehicles help associations accomplish their strategic goals and mission. I applaud the skilled communication professionals who have mastered their tools and communications strategies to create these exemplary pieces.”
It is interesting that this organization has categories in their communications awards for both blogs and podcasts - wonder how long they have been doing that?
Corn Commentary is just about to celebrate its first anniversary. We built the site for them last summer and it kicked off August 2, 2007. In that time, there have been 413 posts done - by me and Chuck, as well as members of the NCGA staff, including Ken Colombini and Mimi Ricketts (now with Monsanto). We have also posted numerous audio interviews and videos on the blog.
Congratulations to the NCGA for this prestigious award!
Hello from the Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association/Florida NAMA Chapter luncheon.
Here with me is (L-R) Debbie Brummel, NAMA, Dave Herndon, Southeast AgNet and Mary Hartney, FFAA. They’re also on our lunch program. I’m using this post as a demonstration post done live for the group of almost 100.
We’re talking Web 2.0 and all that it means, using words like Twitter, Tweet, Facebook, LinkedIn, Flickr, YouTube, Blog, Podcast, and on and on and on. . .
We’ve also got a drawing for some cool AgWired/ZimmComm swag.
Post Update: Right before lunch I interviewed Mary Hartney about FFAA. The organization was started in 1932 and changed names in 1985, moving from a research focused group to one that’s more involved in public policy.
Listen to my interview with Mary here:
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Road blogging for pets and parasites is what the Companion Animal Parasite Council is doing this week. The folks at BCS Communications are figuring out this thing called new media.
The CAPC parasitologists and veterinarians are traveling the country this summer between July 24 and August 6 to bring you the latest information on protecting your pets and family from parasites, vector-borne diseases and zoonotic risks.
Just when you think you’ve figured out the new media way to communicate with farmers, new options show up. I’ve written about texting since it’s become such a huge method of communicating. Take our AgWired Mobile for example. Well, these farmers in the Phillipines are using text in a big way. This story comes from Poynteronline.
Farmers can text the Farmers’ Call Centre for news and advice. They also can post questions ranging from pesticides to modern farming technologies and practices. Answers to common questions can be immediately retrieved from archives, while more technical queries are forwarded to the agency’s scientists and experts. Farmers who have multimedia or camera phones can also take photos of sick plants to speed up the diagnosis process.
Farmers and others in agriculture are just like everyone else these days. For the vast majority of us, computer usage is becoming a part of our everyday lives, if it hasn’t already taken it over!
That’s why the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation made the decision to use the new media tools of blogging and podcasting to reach out and provide information on this year’s Southern Peanut Growers conference to anyone and everyone who has access to the World Wide Web on spgc.wordpress.com.
Joy Carter with the Georgia Peanut Commission, who is also editor of Southeastern Peanut Farmer magazine and responsible for outreach to media and growers, came up with the idea of using the blog for conference coverage.
“We wanted to open the door for more farmers and industry representatives not able to attend the conference to be able to see who the speakers are, see photos from the conference and hear more about issues within the peanut industry,” Joy said. The website is also being promoted to agricultural media who can download the photos and audio to use.
Joy says the Georgia Peanut Commission has also had great success in educating producers about legislative issues with AmericanPeanuts.com.
Listen to an interview with Joy here:
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One of my favorite new media commentators is Jeff Jarvis, BuzzMachine. Here’s some comments from his latest post.
My most striking realization since getting my iPhone (love it, thanks for asking) is that radio is doomed. Pandora is a wonder, creating my own radio station, live and on the fly without need for a broadcast tower.
And then there’s TV. Comscore just said that Americans watched 12 billion videos in May, up 45 percent over last year. Say that again: 12 billion. It’s a mass medium, still: the mass of niches comes to life.
So what are you doing to make sure your customers see you, hear you, find you? Or are you still one of those who says, “I know a farmer who doesn’t even own a computer”? Yeah. I know one who doesn’t know how to read either.
By the way, I’ve read his comment about Pandora on the iPhone in several places. Free music, no commercials, just the kind you like, in fact, you fashion your own unlimited “stations.” No, you can’t listen to farm programs on it. Not my point though.
I’m not sure yet how well this will work but the first time I tried it things went okay. I can now update my Twitter account by using Twitterfone. It lets me call a number and leave a voice message that’s converted to text and submitted to my account.
TwitterFone is free service that lets you update your Twitter feed using your voice from any mobile or cell phone. You call it, speak your tweet, and hang up. A short while later, your tweet will be posted on Twitter. Magic!
TwitterFone is great for when you’re on the go - in the car, on a train, or running between meetings - and don’t have WiFi or time to log on to the internet.
I got my invitation code this morning and got started.
New Holland has racked up some awards from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. They got three AE50 Awards.
The AE50 Awards are based on new technology or the advancement of existing technology intended principally for producing, processing, storing, packaging or transporting agricultural, food and other biological products. To be nominated, a product must have the potential for broad impact on its area or industries. Only 50 products are chosen for the award each year.
The company received awards for the following products:
FR9000 Series self-propelled forage harvesters (pictured)
Joining the growing number of ZimmComm designed and developed blog is HAT Chat. Hoosier Ag Today announces the launch of the interactive blog “HAT Chat”. Located at www.hatchat.net, this blog is a place on the internet for a discussion of the news and issues impacting Indiana agriculture. HAT broadcasters Gary Truitt and Andy Eubank will regularly share their insights on the news and issues of Indiana agriculture as well as a behind the scenes look at the news and the operation of HAT. Hoosiers will be able to participate in this discussion by posting comments on the blog.
The blog will also be a place to learn the latest news about Hoosier Ag Today. News releases and other information about HAT will be posted to HAT Chat first. The site will be a multi-media site featuring photos, audio clips, and even video pieces. “This is going to be a fun place; I invite everyone to come and have some fun with us,” said Gary Truitt, President of HAT. The site was designed by ZimComm New Media.
For you agribloggers and farm podcasters seeking some professional improvement opportunities this summer, here’s one. It’s the Blogworld & New Media Expo. The dates are September 20-21 in Las Vegas. I am thinking about going.
They’ve got these interesting tidbits about blogging on the Expo homepage. You’ll find links in them to where they got the information. Important Blogging Statistics
* Over 12 million American adults currently maintain a blog.
* More than 147 million Americans use the Internet.
* Over 57 million Americns read blogs.
* 1.7 million American adults list making money as one of the reasons they blog.
* 89% of companies surveyed say they think blogs will be more important in the next five years.
* 9% of internet users say they have created blogs.
* 6% of the entire US adult population has created a blog .
* Technorati is currently tracking over 70 million blogs .
* over 120 thousand blogs are created every day .
* There are over 1.4 million new blog posts every day .
* 22 of the 100 most popular websites in the world are blogs .
* 120,000 new blogs are created every day .
* 37% of blog readers began reading blogs in 2005 or 2006 .
* 51% of blog readers shop online .
* Blog readers average 23 hours online each week .
For those of you who have wondered about the little blue birdy thing at the top of AgWired, that’s the latest post in my Twitter feed. A growing number of you are following me directly on Twitter and I thank you. As you’ll find out if you do, I post quite frequently on Twitter, especially when I’m traveling. It’s very easy to to.
We decided to pull the latest Tweet (Twitter post) onto the top of AgWired as a way to update you even when I don’t have my computer out. I’m also posting pictures to the feed from my Blackberry Curve. So, that’s what it’s all about. Keep an eye on it since it sometimes gets updated even more than my AgWired posts.
Want to know more about Twitter? I’m a small, inexpensive consulting fee away.
Although many of you are “getting it” when it comes to this whole new social media thing, which includes new media, there are so many who don’t. Well, maybe this video will help you understand.
I’m not sure if mobile computicating is a term but the phones of today are computers that let us communicate on the go and today the iPhone took a step forward. I got back from Nashville in time to follow along with Tom Kravitz on One More Thing as he wrote about the stage show at the Apple WWDC. I really like the idea of updating your post during a presentation like this.
For you ag meeting planners out there, “How about some wireless internet access during the presentations and in the meeting rooms?” I know many of you are finally getting a media room with internet access but we’re way beyond that. Of course, we can update our websites from our phones and with more AT&T 3G, it’s getting easier.
If none of this makes sense to you then we need to talk about how you’re communicating in a web 2.0 world.
The first band on the Chevy Music Stage this morning here at Fan Fair was Michael Peterson’s. He attracted a big crowd. The seats were filled and people gravitated there since you could hear the music up and down the street. Last year Michael performed on the Riverfront Stage.
I recorded a video clip of the band performing “Marriage is the Leading Cause of Divorce” which you can watch here:
You can also watch Michael talk about the song on his website.
The final show of this segment of the Michael Peterson, My Real Life Tour, is over. What a show. As New Holland dealer Larry Dinkel said to me yesterday, “I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t go to this show.” The Army touring band was one of the best I’ve heard and of course Michael Peterson was great. Ridgeway & Johnson showed why they’re the best illusionists in the business.
I spoke with Michael right after the show to get his feelings after 10 cities and 4 months of the Tour. He’s pumped up about making a difference in our communities and helping people, especially young ones, to set goals for their lives. He’s hoping to do it all again starting this fall and I hope that happens.
You can listen to my closing interview with Michael here:
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I’ve got more things I’ll post after getting back home so this will be my final post until then. They’re about to close the Pershing Center so I’d better get a move on. See you later.
Remember back almost 4 years ago when you first heard about new media (blogs and podcasts) being used in agriculture? You know where, right? Well that “fad” has certainly become much more mainstream than many thought it would.
My favorite place to keep up with what’s going on in my new media world is eMarketer. They’ve got a new report out, “The Blogosphere: A Mass Movement From Grass Roots,” which has some interesting information. Here’s a couple of excerpts:
More importantly, by 2012, more than 145 million people—67% of the US Internet population—will be reading blogs at least once a month. That is up from a readership of 94 million in 2007, or 50% of Internet users.
“A big factor driving the increases is the niche orientation of the blogosphere,” says Mr. Verna.
Like podcasts, blogs tend to appeal to specific audiences. Accordingly, much of the demographic targeting that marketers work so hard to achieve in the mainstream media is already done for them.
“Furthermore,” adds Mr. Verna, “the rates at which blog readers notice and click on ads suggest that they are a well-primed audience.”
Where are you placing your advertising these days? Same old, Same old or . . . . . .
Swine producers are invited to an Alltech iCast on nutrition. It’s “an online video discussion about trial data that was recently conducted by Cape Fear Consulting.” We’re seeing more and more use of video online.
You are invited to the swine nutrition iCast featuring Dr. Tommy Shipp and Dr. Walter Tibbetts from Cape Fear Consulting. Beginning May 28, 2008 at 1pm CDT, Dr. Shipp and Dr. Tibbetts will share the latest trial data and answer the question does a pig ever get over a good or a bad start.
After the iCast, stop at the Alltech booth, #217, during World Pork Expo June 6th at 10:00 a.m. to meet Dr. Shipp and Dr. Tibbetts and ask questions about the trial.
This online iCast is by invitation only. Register now!
The latest edition of the IFAJ E-News has some interesting information. Liz Kellaway is doing a great job with it and it’s got more information than ever. Here’s a couple of tidbits.
1. The last newsletter posed a member survey question, “What dangers do you face in your work as an agricultural journalist or editor?” Although not many responded here’s how the answers came out:
Budget cuts - 50%
No time to look ahead - 42%
Failing to try new ideas - 25%
Media convergence - 25%
Losing journalistic integrity - 25%
Emergence of new media - blogs, internet news sites, etc. - 25%
Physical dangers - 17%
Freedom of expression - 8%
Other dangers - 8%
How would you have responded? Do these results surprise you? Of course I see the emergence of new media as an opportunity as opposed to a danger but I understand why some would feel differently.
2. There’s another article on The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, which has a staff of 75 rural reporters. It’s recognized by Guinness Book of Records because it’s such a long running program (60 years). What’s interesting to me is how they’re using technology to stay “relevant.”
Increasingly, our efforts are being directed to our online activities and weve just begun the process to do a complete re-build of our ABC Rural online site. By later this year, people anywhere will be able to gain access to an even greater array of the material our journalists produce, including live streaming of programs, podcasts, pictures, video, written text and hopefully a range of new services which will be delivered to peoples personal phones.
Just in time for my presentation at the TOCA meeting tomorrow (Blogging and podcasting for profit. Sponsored by Ewing Irrigation and PBI Gordon) is this report from Universal McCann titled, “Power to the People, Social Media Tracker Wave 3.” (pdf-24MB) They’ve done this study globally 3 times now so it’s got some interesting comparative data in it. Basically folks, new media is where it’s at in today’s online world no matter what country you’re in or what your occupation or age demographic. So for those of you who still wonder why you should know more about this, your questions will be answered. If you still wonder then let’s just say you have gotten off the Cluetrain. Here’s some interesting points and I urge you to download the report with the link above to read the whole thing.
Social media is a global phenomenon happening in all markets regardless of wider economic, social and cultural development.
All social media platforms have grown significantly over the three Waves: Video Clips are the quickest growing platform, up from 31% penetration in Wave 1 to 83% in Wave 3.
57% have joined a Social Network, making it the number one platform for creating and sharing content: 55% of users have uploaded photos, 22% of users have uploaded videos.
Blogs are a mainstream media world-wide and a collective rival to traditional media 73% have read a blog, 45% have started a blog.
Social media has strong impacts over brands reputation 34% post opinions about products and brands on their blog 36% think more positively about companies that have blogs.
Here’s the percentage of respondents who agreed with these statements:
56% Blogging is a good way to express yourself
36% I think more positively about companies that have blogs
33% I have a favorite blog that I read regularly
32% I trust bloggers opinions on products and services
31% Blogging is an important way to socialize with friends
There’s so much information in this report that I can’t even begin to point it all out. It’s all good. Just take some time, take a deep breath and say, “I will read it and I will try to “get it.” If you’re in agricultural marketing today then I hope you understand all the terms in the graphic at the top of this post.
Lots of people wonder about all those gadgets I’ve got in my backpack, so after inspiration from a post on Teaching Online Journalism I thought I’d share. Not everything that I travel with is pictured here but these are the basics. You can click on the photo for a larger one.
Backpack: Lowepro CompuTrekker AW
Phone: AT&T Blackberry Curve - Best phone I’ve ever used. Takes good pics and lets me communicate, including updating this site via Twitter.
Audio: Marantz PMD620 - You won’t get any better audio recorder in this small size. Of course you can see the Golden ZimmComm Microphone (Hiel PR20).
Computer: MacBook Pro - Don’t waste your time with a PC when life can be fun and productive on a Mac. Also included is my AT&T Data Card. I use it all the time. The monthly unlimited data plan saves me money every month.
Still Camera: Nikon D200 (I’m planning on adding a D300 soon). This is the best and easiest to use camera I’ve ever owned and I’ve shot probably 30,000 pics with it so far. I’ve got 3 lenses: 70-200mm f2.8, 18-200mm (both VR) and a 10-20mm. Not seen inside the pack is a 1.4x teleconverter for the 70-200. Nikon SB800 flash. Casio Exilim which is always with me for times when I’m not carrying my Nikon. It also takes great video which I’ve uploaded to YouTube many times.
Video Camcorder: JVC Everio with 30GB hard drive. Small, great video with external audio input. I added long life battery and wide angle lens. Video has to be converted to edit and won’t live stream as a webcam. Currently looking at some other options but I love this camera.
ipod: Not shown is my Video iPod or iPod touch. I use the Video iPod as a backup audio recorder with the Griffin iTalk Pro microphone. I also listen to the podcasts we produce as well as music, duh.
Not shown: My Manfrotto monopod and tripod, various battery chargers (I use Energizer rechargeable AA’s), multiple flash card reader, multiple outlet stip with extended cord, external hard drive for backups on the road (Firelight), Ultimate Ears ear buds which I use when editing audio in newsrooms as well as listen to my iPod and finally various connecting cables and Compact Flash and SD memory cards.
Gotta admit to being pretty proud of this - the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Center for Association Leadership has awarded the National Corn Growers Association with a 2008 Gold Circle Award in the category of “Blogs - Association Annual Budget Greater than $2 Million” for Corn Commentary.
John H. Graham IV, CAE, president and CEO of ASAE, said “These organizations show how successful communication vehicles help associations accomplish their strategic goals and mission. I applaud the skilled communication professionals who have mastered their tools and communications strategies to create these exemplary pieces.”
Hello from the Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association/Florida NAMA Chapter luncheon.
Just when you think you’ve figured out the new media way to communicate with farmers, new options show up. I’ve written about texting since it’s become such a huge method of communicating. Take our AgWired Mobile for example. Well, these farmers in the Phillipines are using text in a big way. This story comes from 
Farmers and others in agriculture are just like everyone else these days. For the vast majority of us, computer usage is becoming a part of our everyday lives, if it hasn’t already taken it over!
I’m not sure yet how well this will work but the first time I tried it things went okay. I can now update 
Joining the growing number of ZimmComm designed and developed blog is 
For you agribloggers and farm podcasters seeking some professional improvement opportunities this summer, here’s one. It’s the 
For those of you who have wondered about the little blue birdy thing at the top of AgWired, that’s the latest post in my 
I’m not sure if mobile computicating is a term but the phones of today are computers that let us communicate on the go and today the iPhone took a step forward. I got back from Nashville in time to follow along with Tom Kravitz on 
The first band on the Chevy Music Stage this morning here at Fan Fair was Michael Peterson’s. He attracted a big crowd. The seats were filled and people gravitated there since you could hear the music up and down the street. Last year Michael performed on the Riverfront Stage.
The final show of this segment of the Michael Peterson, My Real Life Tour, is over. What a show. As New Holland dealer Larry Dinkel said to me yesterday, “I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t go to this show.” The Army touring band was one of the best I’ve heard and of course Michael Peterson was great. Ridgeway & Johnson showed why they’re the best illusionists in the business. 
Remember back almost 4 years ago when you first heard about new media (blogs and podcasts) being used in agriculture? You know where, right? Well that “fad” has certainly become much more mainstream than many thought it would. 
Swine producers are invited to an 
The latest edition of the 
Just in time for my presentation at the TOCA meeting tomorrow (Blogging and podcasting for profit. Sponsored by Ewing Irrigation and PBI Gordon) is this report from 
Digital cattle news pioneer, Rob Cook, is now working for Vance Publishing after the company acquired CattleNetwork.com.
