The 2012 Ag Media Summit is nearing the end. Tonight we had a lot of award presentations. I’ll have some of those posted for you soon. After the awards banquet it was time to relax and we did that on the dance floor and in the hallways. Just another time to enjoy fellowship with friends and colleagues in the ag …
Ag Media Summit InfoExpo
Last night the InfoExpo opened for the Ag Media Summit. There are at least 76 companies exhibiting here and developing relationships with ag editors. I’ve interviewed quite a few and will be sharing those in coming days. One of our first time exhibitors is I Love Farmers. They were selling t-shirts, caps and sweat shirts and doing a great business. …
Chairing The Ag Media Summit
It takes a lot of work to put on the premier event in the agricultural communications industry – the Ag Media Summit. To learn more about it I sat down with Keri Geffert English, Osborn Barr, who is the Chair of this year’s event. Keri is pictured next to Don Norton in this photo from the new member reception here …
Farms Threatened by Federal Tax Changes
If the combination of extreme drought and historically hot temperatures isn’t giving farmers enough to worry about this summer, sweeping changes to the federal wealth transfer tax system are looming large. Yet, many family farmers are not aware of the full implications of these possible changes – including losing their farms. “Few farmers fully understand there is a limit to …
First AAEA Dr. Jim Evans Scholarship
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 …
2012 LPC Forest Bassford Award Winner
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 …
Ethanol Goes Open Road With New Ad
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 Media Summit Great Debate
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 …
Monsanto Announces Rural Community Support
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 …
Famous Ag Media Summit Welcome Party
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 …