Brownfield, Ag News for America, is pleased to announce Kari McKinney is joining the Brownfield team as the Promotions Coordinator. “We are pleased to welcome Kari to Brownfield Ag News,” said Cyndi Young, Brownfield Farm Director. “Her enthusiasm along with a background in agriculture and knowledge and experience in local radio make her a great asset to the Brownfield team.” 
McKinney is a recent graduate for Drury University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Advertising. She has a background as a Marketing Intern for Drury University and as a Sales Intern for 99 Hit FM in Springfield, Mo. Growing up in rural Missouri, McKinney’s appreciation for agriculture started at a young age. She helped with her family’s farm and her father is a retired agricultural teacher. McKinney is married. She and her husband, Christopher, live in Jefferson City.
Zimfo Bites
- The 2008 Commodity Classic trade show is sold out and a waiting list is in place for additional exhibitors. The trade show, featuring cutting-edge products and services and technological demonstrations, will be the largest in Commodity Classic’s history with 213 companies in 840 booths. A complete list of exhibitors and their products/services can be viewed here. Commodity Classic, the annual convention and trade show of the American Soybean Association, the National Corn Growers Association, and the National Association of Wheat Growers, will be held Feb. 28-March 1 in Nashville, Tenn.
- Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. has established a scholarship program for college students who are pursuing careers in the dairy industry, and will award $1,500 scholarships in March 2008. Applicants must also be enrolled in a two- or four-year accredited college, university or trade school. High school seniors planning to enroll, as well as post-graduates, also are eligible to apply. Applications are due Jan. 15, 2008 and may be submitted online.
- The National FFA Organization celebrates another banner year in 2007. With membership at more than a half million and the highest in 29 years, FFA is growing with 7, 358 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. FFA held the second of seven national FFA conventions in Indianapolis in October this year, and boasted 53,418 attendees and a record 3,168 members receiving their American FFA Degrees. The new National FFA Merchandise Center opened in June and was dedicated just prior to the national FFA convention. The National FFA Foundation raised a record $13.1 million in support of FFA and agricultural education. For more information on FFA success, visit the Web site.
Harry’s Christmas Message
From Laurelle, Harry, Judith, and Lynn Siemens, Winkler, Manitoba Canada:
Three of the most powerful men of their time that first Christmas focused on Jesus –
Psalm 148:11, 13 – Kings of the earth, and all people; princes , and all judges of the earth. . .Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
Here is Harry’s commentary on the hog business and a short Christmas message at the end….Harry’s Commentary
AgriMarketing Services Guide Digital Edition
Like the monthly edition of the magazine, the 2008 Annual Marketing Services Guide is now digital. If you were a subscriber to AgriMarketing Magazine you’d probably already have a link to it in your inbox. If not, you’ll still be able to see it online in a few weeks.
In it you will find key information about the 1,100 organizations serving North American agricultural producers. This digital edition provides you hotlinks for immediate access to their Web sites and e-mail addresses for instantaneous communication.
Starting the third week of January, the Guide can be accessed by going to www.AgriMarketing.com and accessing the “Archived Issues” link on the top of the screen.
Merry Christmas From LiveAuctions.tv
From Brad Fahrmeier, LiveAuctions.tv
we received a nice emailed message.
To your enemies, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend your heart.
To a customer service.
To all charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
It leads to this Merry Christmas greeting card video.
New Website Monitors Invasive Species for Farmers
Farmers in Pennsylvania wanting to track where and when invasive species are, well, cropping up in crops now have a new tool online. Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff has announced the launch of the new invasive species council website.
Producers and consumers can learn how Pennsylvania is protecting against invasive plants, animals and insects by logging on to the new Invasive Species Council Web site, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said today.
The Web site can be accessed by clicking on “Invasive Species Council” under the Agriculture site list at http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/.
“Invasive species can damage our state’s natural resources and economy,” said Wolff. “This new Web site will help citizens learn about invasive plant and animal species, and keep up-to-date on how the council is working to protect public health and safety.”
Visitors to the 2008 Pennsylvania Farm Show, scheduled for Jan. 5-12, can learn more about the Pennsylvania Invasive Species Council by stopping at the Department of Agriculture exhibit in the Main Hall of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center.
Advertise in NAFB Directory
Interested in supporting the National Association of Farm Broadcasting via an ad in their membership directory? Now’s the time to let them know.
The annual NAFB Directory is in development with a projected mailing date of early March. Advertising space is available for Allied Industry Council members at a cost of $1,500 for a full page color ad placed within the highly read Broadcast Council member listing.
The NAFB Directory continues to be a favorite resource of information for media buyers, farm broadcasters, agribusinesses, commodity groups, farm organizations, and public relations agencies across the United States.
Deadline for ad materials this year is February 7. Please call Jeremy Povenmire at 816-431-4032 or jeremy@nafb.com to place an order.
Zimfo Bites
- Novus International, Inc., announces the inauguration of its first animal feed input plant in Brazil. The plant, strategically located in Indaiatuba, is in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The 37,000 square foot facility is equipped with cutting-edge machinery, made in Brazil or imported from the US and Germany. The technology allows for complete automation of the manufacturing processes. The plant has a monthly production capacity of 300 tons of antioxidants, mineral supplements, methionine, and organic acids. The two acre compound will focus on the creation of integrated animal health and nutrition solutions for the pork, beef, poultry, dairy and pet industries.
- Certified Hereford Beef (CHB) staff brought together some of the nation’s leading foodservice distributors recently to discuss key issues pertaining to growth of the CHB program. More than 25 distributors that are currently selling the product convened in Orlando, Fla. The meeting theme was “Marketing the Brand” and featured guest speakers and product presentations as well as business discussions. CHB officials said that this was the first-ever foodservice-specific gathering they have conducted and based on initial feedback, they plan to make this a bi-annual event.
- Growers planting Pioneer® brand sorghum hybrids recently won 12 of the 15 national categories in the 2007 National Sorghum Producers’ (NSP) Yield and Management Contest. Ten of these growers won with Pioneer sorghum hybrid 84G62. In addition, growers winning both “bin-buster” 2007 championships also planted Pioneer sorghum hybrids. National and state winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony at the Sorghum Sector Breakfast on Tuesday, Feb. 12, during the 2008 National Sorghum Producers and U.S. Grains Council Conference, Feb. 11-12, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency, San Antonio, Texas. Details about individual winners can be found on the Pioneer Web site.
An Alltech Greeting Card
Here’s a very cool holiday greeting from Alltech.
You can find the online greeting card here.
It says:
We at Alltech wish you good health, happiness and prosperity and look forward to working with you in 2008. Seasons Greetings.
Thanks Matt.
Farm Fresh News From American Farmland Trust
We’re on a roll with the holiday greetings. I like this one from American Farmland Trust’s latest email.
Best wishes for the holidays from American Farmland Trust and the Farm Fresh News team! Take a few minutes to watch a video about farmers helping the urban poor, learn a few ways to celebrate the holidays in a greener, farm-friendly way and get the latest on what beets are doing for our streets.
Here’s the link to the video.