More Rural Broadband Support From USDA

Chuck Zimmerman

USDAUSDA is once again working to develop broadband internet services in rural areas of the country. Yesterday Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr announced the publication of “new proposed rules designed to facilitate the further deployment of broadband services to rural communities nationwide.” It’s only a matter of time before no farmer or rural resident can complain that they don’t have good broadband available.

“These proposed changes will improve broadband coverage in rural America,” said Dorr. “Refining eligibility and coverage areas, along with increased emphasis on reaching areas with limited service are priorities within these proposed rule changes.”

Dorr outlined several key elements of the proposed rules: Promoting deployment to rural areas with little or no service; Ensuring that residents in funded areas get broadband access more quickly; Limiting funding in urban areas and areas where a significant share of the market is served by incumbent providers; Clarifying and streamlining equity and marketing survey requirements; Increasing the transparency of the application process, including legal notice requirements, to make more informed lending/borrowing decisions; Promoting a better understanding of all application requirements, including market survey, competitive analysis, business plan, and system design requirements; and ensuring that projects funding are keeping pace with increasing demand for bandwidth. Read More

Internet, USDA

Missouri River Flooding Along Katy Trail

Chuck Zimmerman

Katy Trail Closed NoticeEveryone’s watching to see how much flooding we get here in Missouri along the river. The Missouri River is up enough to close the Katy Trail. I still went out for a bike ride today and shot a little video.

I didn’t have time to make it to the closed section but saw all I needed of the river up near the top of the banks along the trail.

Here at Jefferson City the National Weather Service has downgraded their prediction by a couple feet with the crest passing through on Sunday.

Video

Corn Talking on Sky Radio

Chuck Zimmerman

Sky RadioThe National Corn Growers Association is using a new mechanism to help educate people about farming. It’s called Sky Radio. You can listen to it here (mp3 file).

The next time you’re on an airplane, you may be in for a little “shop talk” about corn. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is taking its environmental/stewardship message to the “skyways” with a segment on Sky Radio’s Environmental Watch Program. NCGA Chief Executive Officer Rick Tolman was interviewed by Sky Radio’s Marc Holland as part of the series “The Environmental Advisor.” Tolman discusses NCGA’s roles in biotechnology, conservation and research and development in shaping policy for America’s farmers and the economy.

“Farmers have done a really good job of taking cutting edge technologies and applying them to production,” Tolman says in the interview. He cites reducing tillage, precision application, using biotechnology to eliminate environmental stress as key factors in corn growers’ ability to produce greater yields with more efficiency.

The 3-minute segment is airing on select American Airlines and Northwest Airlines flights from May through July. The program will be rebroadcast on SkyRadio for a year with a link to the NCGA Web site.

Ag Groups, Corn

A Little Bull Shop

Chuck Zimmerman

BullShop.comIf you’re buying or selling breeding stock then I guess you need to do a little BullShop.com-ing.

BullShop.com is a useful site to anyone buying or selling breeding stock. Over the past five years, it has grown into the largest, all breeds, breeding stock site serving the cow-calf industry. The site is presented in a state-by-state format making it easy for buyers and sellers to use.
Breeders can choose national or state ads in their marketing efforts. The various free and paid ad categories include breeder ads, semen ads, embryo ads, state ads, featured ads and sale ads. Click to visit www.BullShop.com.

Paul Soli also has a blog built into the website. He’s also got another site called RuralAds.com. You can find Paul in Cottage Grove, MN. You can learn more about Paul from a story in his local paper.

Agribusiness, Internet

Drug Awareness From the Progressive Agriculture Foundation

Chuck Zimmerman

Progressive Agriculture FoundationThe Progressive Agriculture Foundation has a new component of it’s “Progressive Agricultural Safety Days” which will help raise awareness of the problems of meth in rural America.

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug that is affecting every segment of society, especially rural America. To help educate rural children about the dangers of this drug and its manufacturing, which is often done in rural areas, the Progressive Agriculture Foundation is creating a new education module which can be offered through its Safety Day program.

“Methamphetamine abuse is a growing problem in rural America,” said Randy J. Bernhardt, executive director of development, Progressive Agriculture Foundation. “As the number of users and rural manufacturing increases, we see a bigger need for more education and awareness.”

The Progressive Agricultural Foundation, with the financial support of five leading agriculture organizations, is working to raise awareness of the dangers of methamphetamine by creating the Methamphetamine Awareness Program. Monsanto Company, Agriliance, Agrium, PotashCorp and the Rosen Family Foundation have joined forces to provide financial support for creation of the program which will help educate rural America about the financial, physical and mental damage meth does to users and their communities.

Ag Groups

Sec. Johanns at World Agricultural Forum Congress

Chuck Zimmerman

Sec. of Ag Johanns and JuliaU. S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns was on hand at the World Agricultural Forum Congress. Here he is getting interviewed by Mizzou Ag Journalism blogger Julia Shuck. His full comments are available online. Here’s an excerpt.

Ladies and gentlemen, in the Doha talks, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to really have a profound impact on hunger and poverty in the developing world. Two-thirds of the WTO member countries are developing countries; 32 of these are considered least developed countries, truly the poorest of the poor. In these countries, over 70 percent of the poor live in rural areas where agriculture is the employer.

The World Bank has calculated that roughly half of the global economic benefit from free trade would be enjoyed by developing countries. And more than 90 percent of their gains would come from reducing tariffs. The Peterson Institute of International Economics estimates global free trade could lift as many as 500 million people out of poverty and inject $200 billion annually into the economies of developing countries.

The simple fact is economic growth spurred by trade liberalization can have a profound impact, actually far more than voluntary aid donations although those are enormously important also. When the day comes that the nations of the world agree on greater trade liberalization, the United States is ready to be a good trading partner.

World Agricultural Forum Photo Album

Ag Groups

Taryn Dameron Interning for Brownfield

Chuck Zimmerman

Taryn DameronBrownfield will have a summer intern. Her name is Taryn Dameron.

Taryn inherited her passion for agriculture growing up on a farm in western Missouri where her family raises crossbred cattle and row crops. She is currently finishing up her sophomore year at the University of Missouri where she is pursuing a degree in Agriculture Journalism.

Taryn has experience writing and taking pictures for school publications and served as a photography intern for Monsanto’s Technology Development group in the summer of 2006. Recently, Taryn found her way into radio as a reporter for NPR’s 91.3 in Columbia.

As student intern for Brownfield, Taryn will assist in promotions and coordination of several major summer events across the Midwest. She will also have the unique opportunity to work side-by-side with experienced agricultural journalists who will offer instruction in writing and interviewing skills for broadcast on the radio network as well as the Brownfield website and online e-newsletter, “Agriculture Today.”

I could use one too but I haven’t had time to seek one.

Media

Pioneer Sending Little Green Email

Chuck Zimmerman

Little Green EmailPioneer has started a “Little Green Email” for ag journalists. This is a great ideas because they’re providing us with contacts to make it easy to get more information when we want and need it. Here’s why they say they’re doing it.

Throughout the growing season, we receive regular requests for contact information for local Pioneer agronomists. This e-newsletter is a way for us to share current contact information for those agronomists. They are happy to provide you with timely field updates. This e-newsletter also will share key resources and contacts at Pioneer.

I’m signed up Jerry. Thanks.

Agribusiness, Pioneer

The Golden Plow Goes to Saxby Chambliss

Chuck Zimmerman

AFBF Golden Plow AwardAny award with a name like the Golden Plow deserves a post on AgWired. This is an American Farm Bureau Federation legislator award.

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, was honored today for his unwavering commitment to U.S. farmers and ranchers. American Farm Bureau Federation board member and Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall presented Chambliss the “Golden Plow” award for his distinguished agricultural leadership and support of Farm Bureau’s farm and ranch families.

“Senator Chambliss has a stellar record when it comes to supporting American agriculture,” said Duvall. “While he has always been a strong advocate on behalf of Georgia farmers, many of the programs and legislative initiatives carried out by Sen. Chambliss are equally relevant to all American farm and ranch families.”

The AFBF “Golden Plow” award recognizes members of Congress – regardless of party affiliation – for their distinguished agricultural leadership and support of Farm Bureau policies.

Ag Groups

More On Missouri Flooding

Chuck Zimmerman

Missouri FloodingI think the national news has certainly drawn people’s attention to the flooding problem here in Missouri. I was out and about today and took a few pictures along a couple different parts of the Missouri River.

This is a country road that’s covered by the creek that flows into the Missouri. With the river rising many of these creeks back up and flood out of their banks. This one is north of Glasgow, MO. Our Governor, Matt Blunt, held a press conference today to address the flooding problem.

Missouri Governor, Matt Blunt, on flooding: blunt-flood-press.mp3

Audio