Getting Real on the Road With Michael Peterson

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast-171 - A Real Life TourMichael Peterson is helping young people get real in their life. He’s on the “My Real Life – Strong for America Tour” and I’ll be joining him this week in Lincoln, NE. During the week I’ll be posting frequently from the various events taking place on this last leg of the current segment of the tour.

My Real Life Tour AssemblyI spoke to Michael today about the tour and got a preview of what we’re going to experience this week. It sounds to me like a great opportunity for companies and organizations to get involved to support our youth who will be tomorrow’s leaders. You can click on the picture for a larger one.

My Real Life Tour AssemblyA Real Life Tour stop is a week long event that includes multiple school assemblies like the one you see Michael in above. It’s all about reaching the students and as you can see from this picture, they love Michael. In fact, from what Michael’s told me the activities that make up an assembly program really hold these kids attention.

This week’s program ends with a little bit of Michael Peterson performing “Down on the Farm.” I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 171 (18 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:zimmcast171-5-19-08.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

AgWired coverage of My Real Life Tour is sponsored by:
New Holland

Agribusiness, Audio, Education, New Holland, ZimmCast

EPIC Kicks Off 92nd Indy 500 Festivities

Laura McNamara

92nd Indianapolis 500This Sunday marks the 92nd year for the infamous Indy 500 race and the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council has all kinds of pre-race activities scheduled for this week.

Tomorrow, both EPIC and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council will be sponsoring discounted fuel at Crystal Flash pumps in Indianapolis. Consumers will get to fill up with EPIC Fueling LogoE10 for $2.97 or E85 for $1.85. EPIC is sponsoring a corvette giveaway with Hank FM on Wednesday and EPIC will host the Ethanol Summit and Panel Discussion on Thursday.

The rest of the weekend will feature member activities, driver autograph sessions, garage tours, the IPL 500 Festival Parade and, of course, the Indy 500 race.

You can find complete coverage of Indy 500 events and activities on energy.agwired.com.

Corn, Ethanol, Indy Racing

Bader Rutter Promotions

Chuck Zimmerman

Bader RutterBader Rutter just announced some promotions.

Kevin Kahler has been promoted to senior interactive media specialist in the agency’s Digital Solutions Group. He has been with Bader Rutter since 2003, most recently holding the title of interactive media specialist.

Zach Szewczyk has been promoted to account executive. He joined the agency in 2007 as an assistant account executive in the Account Management Group. Szewczyk will continue to work on the GE Healthcare account.

Wendy Mayo has been promoted to account executive in the Public Relations Group. She began her career for Bader Rutter as an intern before joining the team as a writer in 2006. Mayo will continue to work with Merial, the agency’s animal health account. She graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and journalism.

Toni Czajka has been promoted to team leader in the agency’s Account Management Group. She joined Bader Rutter in 2006 as an account supervisor for the GE Healthcare and John Deere Credit accounts.

Agencies

New Holland Goes Both Ways

Chuck Zimmerman

New Holland TV6070 BidirectionalNew Holland’s new TV6070 pushes and pulls.

New Holland’s new TV6070 Bidirectional tractor offers visibility and versatility that no other tractor in the market can offer. The TV6070 features a new 6.7L engine, a more efficient eight-range transmission, and other improvements designed to enhance the productivity of this unique tractor.

Like its predecessors, the new TV6070 Bidirectional tractor can be operated cab-end or engine-end first to provide unparalleled versatility, productivity and exceptional loader performance. An operator can work facing either the engine or the rear because the exclusive Turnabout™ console rotates the seat and primary controls 180 degrees so the operator always faces the work.

Both ends of the tractor can be equipped with 3-point hitches, PTO systems, hydraulic valves, and drawbars. Depending on the application, the TV6070 can push and pull implements simultaneously. Full-time four-wheel drive and 45-degree articulated steering provide excellent traction and maneuverability in any conditions.

New Holland, Tractor

Cotton Board Communications Changes

Chuck Zimmerman

Brad RobbThere are some communications management changes at the Cotton Board. This handsome looking devil has been promoted to VP of Communications. He’s Brad Robb.

The Memphis-based Cotton Board announces Charles B. “Brad” Robb has been promoted from Director, to Vice President of Communications, reporting directly to President & CEO Drayton C. Mayers. “Brad is well-known throughout the industry and has successfully managed the Cotton Board’s Communications program since 2001,” says Mayers. “Based in-part on input from Cotton Board members and a consensus opinion from a Cotton Board Field Services Task Force, which was formed to study and evaluate options related to the re-staffing of the Cotton Board’s Regional Field Managers (formerly called Field Staff), I have decided to consolidate these two previously separate departments into one called Cotton Board Communications,” adds Mayers.

Stacey CaldwellSupporting the Cotton Board’s Communications efforts will be Stacey Caldwell, the Cotton Board’s new Communications Assistant.

Caldwell began her full-time duties at the Cotton Board on May 5, after working part-time during her last semester of classes. She will also be responsible for maintaining communications for the Cotton Board’s Importer segment through news releases and newsletters.

“Stacey is already ahead of the curve in learning the business of cotton after having been raised around it for much of her life,” adds Robb.

Ag Groups

Get Clover Country and Help 4-H

Chuck Zimmerman

Country Clover is a new CD made by the National 4-H Council. It’s “Songs From Famous 4-H Alumni” featuring artists like Sugarland, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire and many more. I got a copy when I interviewed Anarosa Garcia, Corporate Development Manager, National 4-H Council, at the recent NAMA Convention. Proceeds from the sale of the CD will benefit the activities of 4-H.

Anarosa tells us about 4-H today and how they’re continuing to have strong membership with a goal of adding about 1 million youngsters. You can hear all about the organization and Clover Country in the following video interview.

This is one in a series of interviews we conducted in partnership with AgriMarketing Magazine and exhibtors in the NAMA Connection Point.

Ag Groups, Education, NAMA, Video

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Novus International, Inc. announced a worldwide agreement with emerging biotechnology company BioResource International, Inc. (BRI). The signed agreement states that Novus will be the exclusive worldwide marketer for BRI’s patented enzyme technologies.
  • BASF is pleased to announce the appointment of Nevin McDougall as Vice President, U.S. Business Operations, Crop Protection Division. Most recently, McDougall led BASF operations in the Asia Pacific region as Group Vice President for Agricultural Products.
  • Jed Harms, president of Kemin AgriFoods North America, announces the promotion of Andrew G. Yersin, Ph.D., to Director of Research and Development. In this role, Dr. Yersin will guide the activities of scientists pursuing new Product Development, Applied Research and the Customer Laboratory Services group that supports existing Agrifoods products.
  • Rabobank International announced the appointment of John J. Ryan as President and Chief Executive Officer of its U.S. farm lending subsidiary, Rabo AgriFinance, effective Oct. 1, 2008. Ryan will replace Richard E. Henderson who earlier this year announced his intention to retire in the fall.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Chuck Leavell Promotes Forest Management

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Charlane PlantationChuck Leavell, Rolling Stones Keyboardist, has become an outspoken proponent of sound forestry management. He’s got a tree plantation, Charlane Plantation, near Macon, GA. He just played for a UN biodiversity convention in Germany and is touring there with the German Forest Owners Association. I’ve had the pleasure of talking with Chuck and I like how he’s trying to pull together activists and businessmen like himself.

    The German organization supplied us with some audio.

    Listen to Chuck here: chuck-leavell.mp3

    “Use it or lose it” – that’s the credo of Rolling Stones keyboardist and forest owner Chuck Leavell, who has been promoting sustainable forest management around the globe for years. The musician will convey his belief that only sustainably managed forests maintain biodiversity to the delegates of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity at a concert on 18 May 2008 in Bonn, Germany. He supports the German Forest Owners Association (AGDW). This organisation has been driving the integration of the protection of species and habitats in sustainable forest management for years. By now, there is no forest in Germany that is not managed according to the principles of sustainability which makes wood from Germany an environment-friendly resource.     Read More

    Ag Groups, Audio, Forestry, International

    Iowa NAMA Sponsors Farm Olympics

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Johnston Green DaysThe Iowa Chapter of NAMA is going to be busy in June with Johnston Green Days, June 19-22. Here’s some details from the Des Moines Register.

    Another new event is the Farm Olympics, sponsored by the National Agrimarketing Association’s Iowa chapter. Roxi Beck, a spokeswoman for the association, said the event will feature several stations designed to help children and adults understand the link between the food on their plate and agriculture.

    “We want to help connect the dots to show people where the food they find at the grocery store comes from,” Beck said. “Kids can ride a pedal tractor through an obstacle course, see how much fruit they have to press to fill a glass with juice, and dress up in overalls and other farm clothes. We’ll have a trivia contest and lots of other family-friendly activities.”

    Donations will be accepted at the Farm Olympics site just behind the Bill Riley stage, and proceeds will benefit the Iowa FFA Foundation and Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, Beck said.

    There’s no admission charge to the beer garden in case you were wondering.

    NAMA