Organic Trade Association Petitions for Checkoff

Chuck Zimmerman

The Organic Trade Association, along with the GRO Organic Core Committee, has formally petitioned the USDA to begin steps to conduct a vote on and implement a research and promotion check-off program for the organic industry. You can read an executive summary of the proposal here (pdf). OTA’s action reflects three years of dialogue with the entire organic sector and …

Ag Groups, Organic, USDA

Speedy Spud Competition

Chuck Zimmerman

Potato Lovers Club bloggers are participating in the second Speedy Spud Challenge. This recipe competition has seven competitors. I picked the photo of this entry because it is one of the entries that contains bacon! The competition is being held by the United States Potato Board. Bloggers were asked to create an original, yum-worthy potato recipe that can be made …

Ag Groups, Food, Potato

Agworld Developing Apple Watch App

Chuck Zimmerman

AgNerd’s everywhere, rejoice! You will soon have an app to use when you get your new Apple Watch thanks to AgWorld. Agworld, a leading global information management and cloud collaboration software for growers and consultants, announced that it is developing an app for the Apple Watch in response to the growing demand for a new breed of field-ready, connected apps. …

Agribusiness, Apps, Audio, Gadgets, Precision Agriculture, ZimmCast

2nd Annual Alltech Craft Brews & Food Fest

Chuck Zimmerman

If you really want to kick off a major customer event in an impressive way and provide a positive agricultural message to the general public, consider having a craft brews festival. That’s what Alltech is doing again this year. Just prior to Rebelation, the annual Alltech Symposium, the Lexington Convention Center will be open to the public for the Alltech …

Agribusiness, Alltech

New Holland’s Voice of the Next Gen

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s time to meet the winners of the New Holland Voice of the Next Gen Contest. There are a total of five winners and I’ll share their stories throughout this week. Let’s start out with Lindsay Tritle of Shippensburg, Pa., First Place Grand Prize winner and the Voice of the Next Gen. She is pictured here with Tyler Hubbard, Florida …

Agribusiness, Audio, New Holland

AgNerd Cloud – Galaxy S6

Chuck Zimmerman

I promised you a review of the new Samsung Galaxy S6 phone. It’s that time. I’ve been using this phone for several weeks now and have included a Tech 21 minimalist case and screen cover. My go to and main phone is an iPhone 6 but I carry this second phone with a different carrier (Verizon) to make sure I …

Gadgets, Technology

Soil Renaissance and Phytobiomes Initiative Collaborate

Chuck Zimmerman

Today the Soil Renaissance and Phytobiomes Initiative announced announced a collaboration aimed at understanding how soil health and the broader phytobiomes in which plants exist impact food production for a growing population. In December 2013, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation and Farm Foundation, NFP, launched the Soil Renaissance to bring attention to soil health’s critical role in feeding a global …

Ag Groups, Soil

AAEA Announces 2015 Legacy Awards

Chuck Zimmerman

During the Agricultural Media Summit this July the American Agricultural Editors Association will present legacy awards to two outstanding individuals. The AAEA Legacy Committee has selected Rolland “Pig” Paul as its 2015 Distinguished Service Award recipient and Len Richardson, 1983-84 AAEA president, its Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. “These two gentlemen reflect the best of American agriculture,” committee chairman Larry Dreiling …

ACN, Media

NCGA Offers eLegacyConnect Member Benefit

Chuck Zimmerman

The National Corn Growers Association is offering a significant discount on a great service for today’s farmers. As many of us become “wiser” we know we need to start thinking about things like succession planning and transition. The service is eLegacyConnect. Succession planning is, or should be, a high priority for most American farmers. According to the USDA, 70 percent …

Ag Groups, Corn, NCGA

Tyler Hubbard Meets New Holland Next Gen

Chuck Zimmerman

It all started with a tweet. Tyler Hubbard announced that he wanted a New Holland T5 tractor. New Holland got the message. What happened next was the New Holland Voice of the Next Gen Contest. AgWired helped promote the contest and now it has concluded successfully. Six weeks from start to finish. Now that’s executing on a short time frame! …

Agribusiness, Audio, New Holland, ZimmCast