Three Lessons for Renewables Communicators

Cindy Zimmerman

From “Darling to Devil” in the blink of an eye – that’s what happened to the biofuels industry in the past year or so – but better communications on the part of the industry could have helped with the damage control and could still help repair some of the damage done. What’s more, the damage done to biofuels could also …

Energy, Media, Public Relations

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

International agricultural accounting and financial record keeping will be the focus of the Farm Financial Standards Council’s 2009 Symposium which will be held in Bloomington, Ill., on July 22. In order to advance the organization’s ability to respond to the scientific and regulatory challenges facing its membership, the National Milk Producers Federation announced changes to its regulatory staff, including the …

Zimfo Bytes

Food Price Drivers Unchanged

Cindy Zimmerman

Farm Foundation has issued an update of a report last year on “What’s Driving Food Prices?” and found the same factors affecting commodities. “In July 2008, crude oil prices were at record levels, as were most agricultural commodity prices. Low supplies generated fears of food shortages. The rhetoric of the food-versus-fuel debate rose along with food prices. Today, despite remarkable …

Audio, Farm Foundation, Food

Pioneer Launches New Optimum Brand Innovations Products

Joanna Schroeder

Pioneer recently launched several new products within their Optimum Brand Innovations line. I was able to speak with Tracy Lindo, the Senior Marketing Manager – Optimum GAT about these new products. “Optimum Brand Innovations is the umbrella brand for our high quality input traits that Pioneer is hoping to bring to the market in the next few years,” explained Linbo. …

Commodity Classic, Corn, Pioneer, Soybean

Sights and Sounds of the Dixie Deer Classic

Chuck Zimmerman

I don’t know if you’ve ever been to a hunting show but even though I’m a hunter I haven’t until last week at the Dixie Deer Classic. This was a pretty cool event and I didn’t buy too much stuff. So if you’d like to get a feel for it I put together a string of video clips from this …

Hunting, Video

“Hot Peppers in Agriculture” Contest

Amanda Nolz

Trent Loos is launching a new contest to feature the best and brightest young people in agriculture. It’s called the “Hot Peppers in Agriculture,” contest, and it calls for tasteful, fun photos that will make food producers “cool” again. Follow-up articles will highlight the interesting lives of farmers and ranchers. Photos can be sent to trent@loostales.com. To support this cause, …

Uncategorized

NCBA Launches Robust Spring Membership Drive

Chuck Zimmerman

I’m not sure what a “robust” membership drive is but NCBA has launched one. I’m passing this along because one of my Tweeple (http://twitter.com/jaegermaister) sent it to me saying that ” . . . one of our tactics is to use social networking to help spread the word and hopefully touch a lot of potential members that we normally would …

Ag Groups, NCBA

What is it about blogs?

Amanda Nolz

What is it about blogs that are so addicting? Is it the ability to write about whatever your passions are? Is it the opportunity to peak inside the life of someone else? Is it a break from the work routine, a chance to escape and think about something fun? Is it a great way to be informed and meet with …

Uncategorized

Fastline Promotes Joe McWilliams To President

Chuck Zimmerman

Fastline Publications has promoted Joe McWilliams from VP, Sales and Marketing to President. The former President and founder of Fastline Publications, Bill Howard, will continue his role as CEO of the company. McWilliams began his career at Fastline as a National Sales Manager in the farm and truck divisions. He has been with the company for 13 years. “This promotion …

Media

Social Networking and Blogs Beat Out Personal Email

Chuck Zimmerman

In advance of the upcoming NAMA convention and our breakout session on social networking, this Nielsen Online report (pdf) is very timely and interesting. Now visited by over two-thirds (67 percent) of the global* online population, “Member Communities,” which includes both social networks and blogs, has become the fourth most popular online category – ahead of personal email. It is …

Uncategorized