First AAEA Dr. Jim Evans Scholarship

Chuck Zimmerman

A very emotional Dr. Jim Evans was called to the stage during the Ag Media student awards and recognition luncheon to help present the first scholarship named in his honor by the American Agricultural Editors’ Association. Receiving the first scholarship is Claire Benjamin, University of Illinois. Presenting for AAEA was Joann Alumbaugh. In addition to this new scholarship, three additional …

ACN, Ag Media Summit

2012 LPC Forest Bassford Award Winner

Chuck Zimmerman

The winner of the Livestock Publications Council Forest Bassford Student Award for 2012 is Ellen Reeder, University of Illinois. Ellen is pictured with Billy Frey, Alltech, the sponsor of the award. Other finalists for the award include Faith Jurek, Texas Tech University, Mollie Lastovica, Texas A&M University and Robin Kleine, Kansas State University. The student winner receives an all-expenses-paid trip …

Ag Media Summit, LPC

Zimfo Bytes

Jamie Johansen

Journal Communications Inc. welcomed Dennis Vercler as Farmer-to-Consumer Communicator for the company’s Agribusiness Publishing division. Vercler will provide insights to consumer attitudes towards agriculture and assist JCI in developing consumer-directed publishing strategies for agribusiness organizations. The University of Queensland will send five journalism and communications students to report on the sights and sounds of the 2012 Brisbane Exhibition right along …

Zimfo Bytes

Ethanol Goes Open Road With New Ad

Chuck Zimmerman

A new ethanol ad has debuted that focuses on the fact that ethanol is saving consumers at the pump. Following on the success of its long-running “Right Here, Right Now” ads, the Renewable Fuels Association is debuting a new ad which focuses on ethanol’s ability to lower gas prices at the pump and offer consumers relief in a difficult economy. …

Ag Groups, Biofuels, Ethanol, RFA, Video

Ag Media Summit Great Debate

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s called The Great Debate and this morning at the Ag Media Summit we got Part II. Former Congressman Charlie Stenholm and Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh, former ag economist at Kansas State University agree to disagree. With a new farm bill in the making and major crop impacts due to the drought it makes for a lively conversation. I’ve got it …

Ag Media Summit, Audio, Media

Monsanto Announces Rural Community Support

Chuck Zimmerman

The drought is the main topic of discussion at any event I’ve attended lately. It’s going to be a tough year for some. Monsanto has announced new commitments to support these farmers. To support rural communities, the Monsanto Fund is doubling its America’s Farmers Grow Communities funding in counties that have been declared a disaster area by the USDA. To …

Agribusiness

Famous Ag Media Summit Welcome Party

Chuck Zimmerman

The Famous Welcome Party at the Ag Media Summit was made possible tonight by sponsors, John Deere, Cattlemen’s Beef Board and Monsanto. The very busy drink station was sponsored by the Southwest, Rocky Mountain and Desert Southwest National Agri-Marketing Association Chapters. Thank you to them for a great and famous party. I’ve got lots of photos to share which are …

Ag Media Summit, Media

Colbert Makes PSA for Produce

Cindy Zimmerman

Stephen Colbert is always hilarious, but his parody PSA for the “People for the Ethical Treatment of Produce (PeTOP)” is priceless! The Colbert Report Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

Food

Ag Communicators of Tomorrow at AMS

Chuck Zimmerman

Let’s get an update on the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow at the Ag Media Summit. There are 75 student members attending this year and we’re glad to see them. Here are the officers and advisers right before their welcome session that features Ashley Collins, AgCareers.com, talking about personal branding. Our Jamie Johansen will see Ashley again this week at …

Ag Media Summit, Education

AAEA Board Update

Chuck Zimmerman

We’ve heard how things are going with the Livestock Publications Council. Now let’s hear how things are going with the American Agricultural Editors’ Association. To get that update I visited with Greg Horstmeier, DTN/The Progressive Farmer, President of AAEA. Here’s the board on a break during their board meeting today. Greg says AAEA has created a new contest to bring …

ACN, Ag Media Summit, Media