New Media In USDA

Chuck Zimmerman

I don’t know if Larry Quinn is ready to rename the Broadcasters Letter, the New Media Letter, but new media is slowly but surely making its way into the USDA Office of Communications strategy. For example, I just recently met Amanda Eamich online via email. I was intrigued by her title, “Director of New Media (Acting).” Now that’s progress. So …

Audio, USDA, ZimmCast

Billy Frey Wins Pork On A Fork Contest

Chuck Zimmerman

I see that our good friend Billy Frey, Alltech, has won the Faces of Agriculture Pork On A Fork Contest. You can see the entries with this link. Here’s the message from Trent: The winner of the Pork on a Fork contest is Billy Frey of Lexington, KY. Congratulations, Billy. Your photo is great and really shows your appreciation for …

Pork

Case Study in Social Networking

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmComm client, Renewable Fuels Association, posted an interesting comment in it’s latest e-newsletter about using social media that I thought you might be interested to read. A case study in social networking: This week the RFA saw what social networking efforts like Twitter can produce. A “tweet” from Missy Ruff, RFA’s Market Development Manager, about the opening of this station …

Social Networking

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

To address the nation’s need to remain competitive in the global agribusiness marketplace, 4-H has developed a cutting-edge, research-based, online learning system called Project Pathways. The program was created to help drive youth ages 9 to 19 to develop an interest in pursuing ag science careers and ultimately, to grow America’s next generation of leading ag innovators. EarthRenew, Inc., and …

Zimfo Bytes

USPB Hosts Workshop for International PVO Guests

Amanda Nolz

The United States Potato Board (USPB) recently met to introduce new ideas about dehydrated potatoes. Guests learned the nutritional facts, planting, production, harvesting, storing and processing. Eight international guests from four private voluntary organizations (PVOs) and two guests from US PVO headquarters attended the USPB Dehydrated Potato Workshop. Among the PVOs participating this year were Africare, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), …

Farming, Food

NAFB Webinar

Chuck Zimmerman

If you haven’t seen the results of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Wave Study then you’ve got an online chance coming up. We want to share that presentation with you, as an NAFB member. It features recorded clips of a number of producers, from across NAFB geography, talking about their dependence upon farm radio. These farmers and ranchers offer …

NAFB

FCC/USDA Helping Us Become Publishers

Chuck Zimmerman

The move to make sure all Americans have access to high speed internet access continues to gain momentum. This week Acting FCC Chairman, Michael Copps, released a report to be used as a starting point for the development of policies to continue to deliver broadband to rural areas. I believe this is needed to help restore economic growth and opportunities …

Internet

Speaker to Debunk Animal Activists

Amanda Nolz

A workshop to educate farmers and ranchers on how to become spokespersons for agriculture will be held June 19, 2009 at Westwood Park in Geauga County, Ohio. This workshop, sponsored by the ProAnimal Coalition of northeast Ohio, will provide information on how local speakers can tell the factual story of animal agriculture and its importance to us and our food …

Food, politics

Discover Farting Cows

Chuck Zimmerman

I just got pointed to another wacko group trying to claim that what we eat is causing global warming. There’s just so much wrong with this. Global warming? Uh, that hasn’t even been conclusively proven. Too many scientists disagree on the subject. So why do these wacko groups employ scare tactics and outright lies? To raise money to line their …

Wackos

“Take me Out to the Ball Game” Song and Video Contest

Amanda Nolz

Got a beat in your step and a competitive edge? Here is an interesting contest you might want to consider entering… The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council today announced an impressive lineup of judges for the Council’s contest to rewrite “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”so that it includes a long-overdue reference to hot dogs. Judges will include …

Advertising, Public Relations