AgWired

Registration is open and so is the BASF Media Room.

I started out working from my room today but will switch to downstairs this afternoon. It’s going to be a busy one. We’ve got sessions starting at 1pm and receptions starting as early as 3:45pm before the big one which will take place at Huber Farms starting at 6pm.

Keep an eye of the photo album which has grown to 130 pictures so far and counting. See anyone you know? How about yourself?

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

One of our stops on the Saturday tour was a tobacco farm. I’m no expert but his crop looked to be in great shape and you can see pictures of it in the photo album. Here’s Harlan Persinger sniffing some dried tobacco that was on display. We didn’t get to chew or smoke any though.

The farmer gave the group a talk about growing tobacco and had several representatives on hand who also provided comments about farming in Kentucky.

Our bus driver, affectionately know as Beanie, did a great job taking care of us as we made our way around the beautiful countryside. I interviewed him during our last leg back to the hotel and he talks about the horse business in particular. He says that people come from all over the world to buy horses just based on their blood lines and before they’ve even been proven on the track: ams-07-beanie.mp3

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

Our next stop on today’s tour is Alltech. The tour is going on right now but I was here earlier this year for the Alltech Symposium. I’m borrowing Billy Frey’s office for a few minutes before lunch.

Dr. Pearse Lyons greeted us at the door and welcomed us to Alltech headquarters. Then it was off to the tour which is where I’m headed to now. More after lunch.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

Once bourbon is barreled here at Woodford Reserve it “goes to sleep” for approximately 7 years. During that time the very clear distilled fresh product gains its color and flavor from the wood barrels.

The room in which they sit for this time smells wonderful. Actually up to 30% of the product will evaporate which they calls “angel’s share” before it’s ready to bottle. We weren’t allowed to use a flash inside these buildings due to safety concerns btw.

The master distiller will take samples during the process to make sure everything is going okay in the barrel. That sounds like an interesting job.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

Here’s the happy crowd full of Starbuck’s coffee and McDonalds sausage biscuits and hash browns. Our bus guide is Carey Brown, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association.

We’ve got about an hour to go to the first stop so I brought the Mac along to keep up to date during the day, battery willing.

I’ve already got a photo album started for the Summit which you can find here: 2007 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

We’re on the pre-Ag Media Summit tour here on Saturday morning. Most of us thought is was a farm tour until we saw Diane’s place next door.

Actually, our bus was across the street so we didn’t go in. In reality we’re on the bus right now heading to our first stop which is the Woodford Reserve Distillery. Nothing like a little bourbon sampling early on Saturday morning.

From there we head to Alltech headquarters and then Kentucky Horse Park and a tobacco farm.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

I’m here in Louisville now and some of the first people I got to meet were the officers of the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. They are a very fun loving bunch as you can see here.

We gathered together for a little relaxation. Me, from driving all day. Them, from working on helping set things up for AMS since Wednesday.

A lot of people are filtering in this evening and some of us will be going on a tour tomorrow. I’ll let you know all about it.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by: