Agrotain Selects AdFarm

Chuck Zimmerman

AgrotainAdFarm U. S. has been selected by Agrotain International, LLC as its marketing communications agency of record for U. S. ag business.

The move represents a continued expansion of the Agrotain International business and an increased investment in customer communications.

“Establishing this relationship with AdFarm is just one example of the continued expansion of our business,” said Jeff Whetstine, Vice President of global marketing for Agrotain International. “As the demand for our products escalates, we are doing everything we can to service our customers around the world. We’re growing our sales force, building new facilities and making other investments into the business, so we needed an agency that was 100 percent focused on agriculture to help us communicate to our partners and our customers.”

AdFarmBob Wilhelm, managing director of AdFarm U.S. said the agency is very excited about working with Agrotain International. “Throughout the agency review process, we were very comfortable with the people at Agrotain International because we all share the same focus on and enthusiasm for agriculture,” said Wilhelm. “Now that we’ve been named as their strategic partner, we at AdFarm are very excited about helping Agrotain International achieve the high goals they have set for their business.”

Agencies, Agribusiness

Gritty and Pretty

Cindy Zimmerman

First it was food for fuel, now it’s food for jewelry.

It might not look like it, but this American flag pin is actually made out of grits. For those of you less enlightened Northerners who may not know what grits is – according to Wikipedia – “Grits is a Native American corn-based food common in the Southern United States, consisting of coarsely ground corn.” That I knew. What I didn’t know is that – “three-quarters of grits sold in the United States are sold in the “grits belt” stretching from Texas to North Carolina. The state of Georgia declared grits its official prepared food in 2002.” There is actually a “grits belt” – the things you can learn from Wikipedia!

Anyway – this here is the “Grit Lady” – aka Carol Kautz of Lilburn, Georgia. She is the creator of the above American flag pin made of grits and many other grits-inspired decorative items – from fruits and vegetables to snowmen and hot air balloons, crosses and Easter eggs. She makes them as earrings, pins, magnets and ornaments.

All of her pieces are handmade and treated to protect them from insects and deterioration. “No two pieces are exactly alike as some dry flat while others curl somewhat when they dry,” she says. She has even sent some of her creations to government officials and celebrities.

She sells items in bulk – minimum of 12 pieces per order – and there are a number of specialty stores in Georgia that sell her grit creations. Find out more at gritlady.com.

Uncategorized

Farm Journal Acquires Implement & Tractor

Chuck Zimmerman

Implement & TractorFarm Journal Media has acquired Implement & Tractor magazine.

First published in 1885, Implement & Tractor is a bimonthly publication providing news and insights for dealers, distributors, OEMs, engineers and the associations who make up the $40+ billion dealer and wholesaler equipment industry. Implement & Tractor also publishes the annual Ag Equipment Buyer’s Desk Reference, which provides the most comprehensive index of companies, organizations and associations involved in the agricultural equipment industry.

In announcing the acquisition, Steve Custer, Executive Vice President of Farm Journal Media, said the acquisition strategically positions the company to serve the entire equipment channel – from manufacturer to farmer. “This is an important step to help us more completely link buyers and sellers in the farm equipment market, and is the first of several announcements we’ll make in the equipment sector yet this year,” he said. Read More

Media, Publication

Pioneering Rural Internet

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast-182 - Pioneer and DorrI interviewed two of my favorite people at the Ag Media Summit and have saved those interviews for this week’s program. First up, you’ll find Jerry Harrington, Pioneer Hi-Bred. He talks about how he helps agricultural journalists connect with agronomists so they can get the word out and help producers, “grow more corn and soybeans.”

Then I talk with U. S. Under Secretary of Rural Development, Tom Dorr, about the latest in his world. It includes the development of a major biorefinery loan program. He says they’re working to make loans available by the end of the year. He also speaks about the re-authorization of the broadband loan program. Tom says that they’ve already loaned nearly $7 billion to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. That’s fueling a lot of competition which should just increase the pace of development.

The program this week ends with music from the Podsafe Music Network. Since we’re talking about broadband you get to listen to “Outside The Internet” from Messian Dread. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 182 (16 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:Interviews with Jerry Harrington and Tom Dorr - ZimmCast 182

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

Ag Media Summit, Audio, Internet, Pioneer, USDA, ZimmCast

Successful Farming Expands

Chuck Zimmerman

Successful FarmingSuccessful Farming sure has a lot of news today. Basically, they’re expanding on their 360 Degree Media concept. It’s what the agrimarketing community wants. Their expansion includes a new Successful Farming Video Solutions® unit, a new Chicago Markets Bureau, and expanded machinery coverage. Here’s what’s new:

Increase in Multimedia Services – SF Video Solutions

John Walter is named Executive Editor for Successful Farming and Agriculture Online. In addition to managing the editorial business for these brands, he will oversee SF Video Solutions and the Successful Farming Machinery Show.

Jason Meeker has been appointed Multimedia Producer, and will manage Successful Farming Video Solutions to expand video on Agriculture Online as well as direct the Successful Farming Machinery Show . In addition, a new multimedia content producer will be hired to support the capacity of services to the video solutions unit.

Jeff Caldwell is named Multimedia Editor. Jeff will be responsible for the 3600 content delivery for the Successful Farming brand, ensuring all content reaches full multimedia potential. Jeff will continue to cover news and features for Agriculture Online and will also work with all Successful Farming content specialists to support delivery of Successful Farming content to all channels. Read More

Media

ZimmBite – NAMA Boot Camp

Chuck Zimmerman

I know you don’t have enough Zimm-ness in your life so how about a daily 12seconds.tv ZimmBite?


ZimmBite – NAMA Boot Camp on 12seconds.tv

I’ll be opening up NAMA Boot Camp this year with some remarks on social networking, followed by a little networking exercise. I expect we’ll all know each other very well before it’s over.

NAMA, Video

No Guy Wire Left Behind Contest

Chuck Zimmerman

NAAA 2008 ConventionA new destination on the ZimmComm agriblogging circuit this year will be the National Agricultural Aviation Association convention which will take place in Las Vegas. We’re looking forward to getting to know these brave souls.

While checking out their website I noticed their “No Guy Wire Left Behind” contest that will pay $1,000.00 to the best design for a guy wire marker. The need for this appears to be significant and makes sense since we still have so many wires above ground around our farm fields.

Solution

The NAAA Safety/Federal Aviation Regulations Committee went to work at their February 2008 meeting in Washington DC to develop a solution to this problem. The committee recommended two plans, which were then approved by the board of directors for implementation.

Plan 1 is to sponsor a contest to design a guy wire marking device. The device must be low cost, high visibility, weather resistant and have high design appeal. The marker should be able to easily attach to the guy wire approximately 10 feet above the ground. The proposal for the winning design will be manufactured in large quantities and distributed on a local level to groups such as the 4-H, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in the hopes that they will sell them for their charitable causes. These groups, after receiving an order, would sell the guy wire markers to companies who placed the order. The order would result from a letter generated from Plan 2. Read More

Ag Groups

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Eli Lilly and Company announced that Covance Inc. will buy and operate Lilly’s Greenfield Laboratories located in Greenfield, Ind. In addition, Lilly is finalizing plans to lease a new worldwide headquarters for its animal health division, Elanco, in Hancock County, Indiana. The announcement is part of a series of actions the company is taking to restructure its research and development organization in order to compete in a dramatically changing environment. To support Elanco’s business needs, the company plans to lease a new, expanded headquarters in Hancock County, Ind. The facility is scheduled to be completed in late 2009 or early 2010.
  • Monsanto Company announced that it is pursuing a divestiture of its dairy product, POSILAC bovine somatotropin, in the upcoming months. A recent study conducted by several researchers at Cornell University highlighted the role of POSILAC as an on-farm dairy tool that can effectively reduce the environmental impact of dairy operations. The Cornell study can be accessed here.
  • Mike Gustafson, Mgr/Parts Marketing Communications, John Deere ag division, has announced his retirement effective Dec. 31. Gustafson has been with Deere’s ag advertising department for 25 years. Gustafson was the 2003-04 President of the National Agri-Marketing Association and is currently serving as VP of its AgriBusiness Educational Foundation. He is also an active volunteer for FFA and 4-H. His last day in the office is August 29.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Blogging Break

    Chuck Zimmerman

    FishingIt’s been really difficult to get motivated to do much today. We’re having some gorgeous weather here in Missouri, although I think corn and soybean growers would like it a little hotter.

    It was nice enough to just wander down to the pond for a little fishing from the bank. Fishing is what I was doing since I wasn’t catching.

    I’ve got one more office day before hitting the agriblogging highway again. This week you’ll find me at NAMA Boot Camp and then I’ll be off to North Carolina with Boehringer Ingelheim. Cindy will be in Omaha for the American Coalition for Ethanol convention.

    See you from there.

    Uncategorized