AgWired

Have a nice Missouri sunrise to start your day. I only had my Blackberry Curve with me when I was out early this morning so this pic could be better. I’m still not impressed with phone cameras although this one is way better than I had on the Treo.

Anyway, this is your weekly reminder to enter the AgWired Survey 2008 Contest Giveaway. We’ve got quite a few already but we really need more. I want this to be a meaningful representation of you who are part of the AgWired community. Let’s show our supporters and the doubters out there what we’re all about.

By taking the survey you’ll be entered to win a 4G iPod Nano. Just keep that in mind. We also want your feedback so we can continue to develop the most unique and progressive agricultural communications mechanism around.

Thanks for your participation!

Harry Siemens – The director of the Hudson Institute’s Center for Global Food Issues warns society will ultimately have to decide whether farmers should be producing food or fuel.

The U.S. government recently mandated the increased use of biodiesel and ethanol fuel.

Center for Global Food issues director Dennis Avery estimates global farm output will have to double just to meet demand for food and feed by 2050.

“So increased biofuel production means you’re not going to feed everybody or you’re going to have to clear the world’s remaining forests for low yield crops,” said Avery at a recent pork conference in Banff. “We’re not only going to be required to feed eight or nine billion affluent people and their pets but they want us to free North America from its so called addiction to fossil fuels by growing a lot of biofuels. I’m afraid this is an ugly diversion from the real purpose of farming.”Read More

I know that you AgWired loyalists will remember Paul McKellips. He’s a co-founder of a great sounding organization that I thought I’d bring to your attention. It’s No Greater Sacrifice. I will make no excuses for my support of our military men and women and this sounds like a good organization to support.

The men and women of the United States Armed Forces and law enforcement communities risk their lives every day for our country and our way of life. There is no greater sacrifice: to serve, to work, to fight – and if need be – to lay down one’s life for the cause of freedom. In making this sacrifice, every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and law enforcement official is forced to leave his or her loved ones back home.

Having worked in professional fundraising for a charitable foundation I find the following impressive:

It’s with great pleasure I announce the formation and launch of the No Greater Sacrifice(NGS) Foundation. The six co-founders have created this 501(c)3 charity with the mission to fund college educations for the children of our fallen soldiers. NGS has no paid staff and contributes 100% of our funds to this cause.

Besides “No Greater Sacrifice” Paul now works for the Foundation For Biomedical Research and has a podcast started called “Common Ground.” You can hear an episode here common-ground.mp3

Colle McVoy has added some new talent.

Todd Zerger has been hired as Interactive Associate Creative Director. He joins the agency from Periscope, where he worked onprojects for national consumer brands like Red Bull and Arctic Cat.

Metin Sozen is the newest member of the Creative group and will perform duties as an Art Director. Sozen received his education at Bilkent University in Turkey and the New York Institute of Technology. Prior to joining Colle+McVoy, Sozen was employed at BBDO where he worked on SPAM®, Allsteel and Famous Dave’s barbeque restaurants.
“
Adam Kmiec is the newest member of the Digital group, and will perform duties as Interactive Account Director. Kmiec joins Colle+McVoy from ConAgra foods where he was responsible for the interactive market planning of more than 30 national brands.
“
Stacy Janicki has joined the Account Management group as Account Services Director. Prior to joining the agency, Janicki worked for Campbell Mithun and Martin Williams on a number of national consumer brands such as Microsoft Corporation, General Mills, Anheuser-Busch, Gold’n Plump and ConAgra Foods.