Ag Media Summit Preview

Chuck Zimmerman

Agricultural Media SummitYou’re going to be seeing some regular pre-Ag Media Summit posts here like this one since I was talking with Diane Johnson today about how things are looking. She says that it’s going to be a big one since more and more companies are realizing that this is “the place to be.”

Diane says there’s already 75 exhibitors confirmed which matches last year and over 600 attendees are expected. The opening reception already has over 400 people reserved. It used to only have about 150. This is the 10 year anniversary of the AMS so I think there’s some extra special things being planned.

One thing we get to do on Monday evening of the event is a watch Caddyshack on a big screen by the pool. I don’t know about you but floating in the pool with a frosty beverage, watching a movies does sound like fun.

Listen to what Diane has to say about this year’s event: Interview With Diane Johnson - AMS Interview

I’ll have more on AMS soon, including some interesting things we’re doing with our coverage sponsors this year.

Ag Media Summit, Audio

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Asoyia has named George Magers as the company’s Missouri business development manager. Magers will be responsible for developing new alliances with grain elevators, growing the distribution network, contracting more soybean production, building relationships with seed partners and growers, as well as managing regional trade shows throughout Missouri.
  • Renée Norman, Liberty, Penn., has been named an assistant editor of Jersey Journal, the official publication of the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc. In this position, Norman will work closely with Jersey Journal editorial and ad design and also on JerseySites, the AJCA’s Web site service for Jersey owners.
  • Accelerated Genetics is pleased to announce the selection for a new President and CEO, Joel Groskreutz, Reedsburg, Wisc., who will assume his new role effective July 15, 2008. In this position, Groskreutz will continue to drive genetic progress for the benefit of cooperative members and all producers around the world by utilizing time-tested and cutting-edge genomic sire selection criteria.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Cow Ends Cause Problems

    Chuck Zimmerman

    E - The Environmental MagazineSince we work with people and organizations that have differing views about biofuels I just thought I’d point something out. (This is because of a news release sent to me today by E – The Environmental Magazine. They’re “mental” all right. I won’t even put a link to them here for you. You can Google it.)

    While it seems like everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon to blame ethanol for everything from Mexican tortilla prices to global warming (a myth), there’s a growing movement to blame livestock and you know who that affects. I hope this gets discussed in Denver next week.

    We’ve already seen this coming but this is a pretty blatant push. Here’s an excerpt from their release:

    Ask most Americans about what causes global warming, and they’ll point to a coal plant smokestack or a car’s tailpipe. But it’s two other images that should be granted similarly iconic status, says the July/August 2008 cover story of E – The Environmental Magazine (now posted at www.emagazine.com): the front and rear ends of a cow.

    According to a little-known 2006 United Nations (UN) report called “Livestock’s Long Shadow,” livestock is a “major player” in climate change, accounting for 18 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions.

    That’s more than our entire transportation system.

    Can’t we all just get along? At least in agriculture? We’ve got enough problems with wackos like this out there. By the way, we enjoyed a nice steak dinner tonight. Does that mean I’m helping save the planet?

    Livestock, Wackos

    Be A Sponsor Cowboy

    Chuck Zimmerman

    IFAJ Congress 2009 Sponsor BrochureWe’re looking ahead to next year and you know how you like to plan your budgets. Have you got some money to support IFAJ and AMS?

    If your company or organization would like to help support the IFAJ Congress 2009 then you can find information on how with the all new sponsor brochure (pdf).

    The world’s premier agricultural communicators will ride into Fort Worth, Texas, to catch the spirit of the old West in a combined IFAJ Annual Congress and Agricultural Media summit (AMS). Don’t miss this opportunity to reach more than 150 international ag communications professionals, plus 600 U.S. ag communicators attending AMS. In the first U.S.-hosted IFAJ Congress since 1992, participants will attend workshops and seminars, an agribusiness-focused trade show (InfoExpo), agricultural tours, and networking events.

    Maximum exposure is our goal with our sponsors and trade show exhibitors. Let us help you develop a sponsorship package that meets your needs for reaching influential audiences in north America and around the world. saddle up and catch the cowboy spirit!

    For questions about 2009 IFAJ/AMs sponsorships, please contact:
    Karen McMahon, sponsorships co-chair, (952) 851-4680
    Gregg Hillyer, sponsorships co-chair, (636) 561-4976

    For questions about InfoExpo, please contact:
    Laurie Potter, InfoExpo chair, (515) 284-2853

    Ag Media Summit, IFAJ

    Getting Some Brownfield Belt Buckles

    Chuck Zimmerman

    2008 Indiana Ag Youth AwardsI hope these kids don’t have to go through an airport metal detector with these belt buckles on. Here’s a picture of the winners (Josh Wampler, Joey Carr, Tyler Klein, WKBV’s Chris Nolte, and Kaitlyn Culy).

    Brownfield, Ag News for America, and WKBV-AM 1490 are excited to announce the 2008 Indiana Ag Youth Awards winners from the Wayne County 4-H Fair.

    Brownfield’s Dave Russell and WKBV Program Director Chris Nolte traveled to the Wayne County Fair on June 27, 2008 to present outstanding youth with engraved belt buckles. The winners were Joey Carr for Grand Champion Barrow; Josh Wampler for Grand Champion Heavy-Weight Goat; Kaitlyn Culy for Grand Champion Steer; and Tyler Klein for Grand Champion Light-Weight Goat.

    The Indiana Ag Youth Awards provide a way to honor the successful commitment these young leaders have shown in agriculture. Visit our Ag Youth website, http://www.BrownfieldAgNews.com/2008youthawards/, to check the 2008 county fair schedule, see photos and hear interviews from the 2008 Indiana Ag Youth Awards winners.

    Media

    Cruising The Buckeye

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Buckeye Tractor CruiseI will not be able to attend the Great Buckeye Tractor Cruise but I’m hoping that my Buckeye Buddies will send along a photo or two and some commentary.

    They’re looking for some volunteer help. At least that’s what Dustin wrote on my Facebook. If you’re interested in helping out then send him an email and let him know. I’m sure he’d appreciate it.

    ABN Radio is pleased to host the inaugural Great Buckeye Tractor Cruise to raise money for Camp Quality, an Akron-based organization that serves children who have been diagnosed with terminal cancer and provides a support system for their families.

    Sign-up as a driver, volunteer or contributor for the Great Buckeye Tractor Cruise by contracting Event Coordinator, Robyn Callicoat of ABN Radio (937) 408-0684.

    Ag Groups

    Tractor Daze

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Tractor DazeIf you’re looking for something to do in the Kansas City area this weekend then consider Tractor Daze. It’s put on by the National Agricultural Hall of Fame.

    Come out to the Ag Hall on Saturday, July 12 from 10am-5pm for “Tractor Daze.” This fun-filled, family event is jam-packed with activities for all! For the tractor enthusiast there will be tractor pulls, a pedal tractor display, and tractor games. The history buff in the family can tour the Museum of Farming or watch a blacksmith demonstration. For the little ones there will be a petting zoo and miniature train rides. Concessions will also be available.

    This event will also feature a silent auction with gift certificates and gifts donated by local merchants and restaurants. The proceeds from the auction will benefit the Ag Hall.

    Admission: Adults-$7; Seniors (over 62)-$6; Students (with ID)-$5; Youth (5-16)-$3; 4 and under is free.

    Ag Groups, Tractor

    Beef Radio Spot Put To Video

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Mathew McConaughey.You absolutely have to check out this post on Defamer to watch the video clip set to one of Matthew McConaughey’s new Beef radio spots. I’m sure NCBA won’t be upset for being given credit for the Beef Board’s work.

    Did you stuff your face with enough beef over the holiday weekend? If not, Matthew McConaughey is gonna be mighty pissed off. Check out the new radio spot he recorded for the National Cattleman’s Beef Association. You know, the dudes who came up with that “Beef, it’s what’s for dinner” slogan? Well, they got themselves a brand new golden-haired, A-list pitchman and the results have become a bit of an obsession here in the Defamer offices. Why does it fascinate so? Maybe it’s because McConaughey plays up his every vocal tic for maximum effect, like he’s trying to lure a small child into a windowless van with some candy.

    Even better are the comments posted so far. Like:

    The extreme close up of the braying steer. I weep. Want to hate the Matty, but can not, not with Andre Previn arranging the score.

    Or

    I’m going to Ruth’s Chris for dinner tonight and TOTALLY ordering “the power of protein in the land of lean beef”.

    Advertising, Ag Groups, Beef

    Sustainable iPhones

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Daniel Bowman Simon, leader of Waiting for Apples, holds a stalk of fresh basil and a book outside of the Fifth Avenue Apple Store on Monday while talking with passers-by. His group, which is promoting sustainable agriculture, was already in line to be the first to purchase the iPhone 3G, which is scheduled to go on sale at 8:00 a.m. local time Friday.It might be stretching it a little to say that this story is really about agriculture and the iPhone but . . . for those of you who are already in line to get the new iPhone 3G on Friday, you might appreciate it. The story and pic comes from Macworld.

    iPhones and sustainable agriculture don’t have a lot in common, but a bedraggled group of publicity-seekers and iPhone enthusiasts who want the next U.S. president to plant an organic farm on the White House lawn have connected the two as a reason to line up for Friday’s iPhone 3G launch.

    Led by a fresh-faced sprite called David Bowman Simon—who looks more likely to be driving his father’s SUV than getting his hands dirty hoeing a row of seeds—Waiting for Apples’ mission is to encourage people to grow their own food while setting a Guinness World Record for the most time spent waiting in line to buy something.

    I guess Macworld thinks organic farming is “sustainable.” Wonder what their definition of sustainable is. I’m all for gardening and if you don’t want to put some Miracle Gro on it then that’s your choice. Can’t say that would sustainable in my book, especially not financially. Okay. I’ll stop there. This is really going to help feed the world. Okay. Okay. I’m stopping.

    These folks are really just trying to get support for a frivolous petition called The White House Organic Farm Project.

    Ag Groups

    Trends In Agriculture

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCast-178 - Trends in AgricultureIf you’re used to going to the NAMA Agribusiness Forum or already have it penciled in on your calendar then make a correction. It’s now the Trends In Agriculture. To learn why and what it means I spoke with Kenna Rathai, KBR Communications this morning. The meeting will be held, November 11-12 at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City. The conference logo was designed by Beth Burgy and her buddies at Broadhead+CO.

    NAMA Trends In AgricultureWhy the name change? “We wanted to re-energize our fall meeting and felt that by focusing on trends in our industry, we could keep the information fresh, interesting and exciting each year,” according to Kenna Rathai, KBR Communications and chair of the Trends in Agriculture committee.

    This year, Trends in Agriculture will focus on rural lifestylers, which is a significant growth market for many NAMA members. Sessions will cover some of the new research on this target audience, digging into their purchase drivers and motivations, and a panel will discuss their successes and pitfalls in marketing to rural lifestylers. There will also be speakers outside of agriculture who have faced similar challenges in shifting some of their focus to capturing a new audience in a changing marketplace. Stay tuned to the NAMA e-News for the latest information on the fall Trends in Agriculture meeting.

    The program this week ends with music from the Podsafe Music Network. Since we’re talking trends, you get to listen to “Trendsetter La La La” from Love=Action. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

    You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 178 (11 min MP3)

    Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:Interview With Kenna Rathai - ZimmCast 177

    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

    Audio, NAMA, ZimmCast