Today at 3pm, CDT, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad will hold a joint press conference to clarify facts surrounding Beef Products Inc.’s lean finely textured beef. We sure need some facts to get out into the consuming public on this. You can watch it live in the player window below. The press conference will be held …
2012 Agvocacy 2.0 Conference Announced
The third annual AgChat Foundation Agvocacy 2.0 event is scheduled for August 23-34 in Kansas City, MO. This is where farmers and ranchers from across the nation will convene to learn how to better support agriculture and engage with non-farm consumers. Will you be there? Agvocacy 2.0 is hosted by the AgChat Foundation, a primarily volunteer organization that aims to …
Let’s Get Rid of Death Tax
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What do you think is a fair “death tax” rate?” It is no surprise that common sense and fair thinking respondents said Zero – 66%; 35% over $5 million – 0% under (current) – 21%; Other – 8 % and 55% over $1 million – 0% under (pre 2001) – 5%. This really is …
An ARC History Lesson With Don Lerch & Paul Weller
At the 2012 Agricultural Relations Council Annual Meeting, the first two members of the newly established Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame were inducted. Pictured below are Lyle Orwig, Charleston Orwig, (left) and Don Lerch, retired, with their awards. Before the award ceremony I visited with Don Lerch, who was a founding member of ARC and Paul Weller, Agri/Washington, who …
McCormick Company Seeking New Opportunities
I just spoke with Mark Perrin, President, McCormick Company, who says the agency is looking for a new opportunity. Post Update: The Pioneer account will be transitioning to the Ogilvy & Mather operating unit in Minneapolis, The Lacek Group LLC. Here’s why: McCormick Company announces that it will no longer be the agency of record for Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont …
2012 Golden ARC Awards Presented
The 2012 Golden ARC Awards were bigger and better this year as the number of entries increased significantly. Here’s Mace Thornton, ARC President, presenting one of the many awards won by Osborn Barr and being accepted by Keri Geffert English. I hope to add a link to the full list of award recipients shortly. In addition to these awards I …
ARC Tours Tea Plantation
Here’s the happy farm tour group for the 2012 Agricultural Relations Council Annual Meeting. We’re touring Charleston Tea Plantation in this photo. I learned a lot about tea production today and since they have a nice gift shop, I’ve got some American made to take home with me. I’ve got interviews to share in the coming days. We were on …
AgChat Foundation Photo Contest Winner
The AgChat Foundation just announced the winner of their Facebook Cover Photo Contest. Congratulations to Judi Graff for having the top pick and winning $100.00. Her photo titled “Posts Smell Tweet” earned the honor of being AgChat Foundation’s first ever cover photo! Go check it out on our Facebook page now.
ARC Elects New Officers
The Agricultural Relations Council held its business meeting this morning. New officers were elected that include: Mace Thornton, President, Mike Opperman, First vice President, Janice Person, Second Vice President, Rebecca Colnar, Secretary/Treasurer, Deron Johnson, Immediate Past President, Erik Ness, Director, Amy Keith McDonald, Director, Daren R. Williams, Director, Keri Geffert English, Director. Congratulations to all of them. The organization is …
Communicating The Illinois Farm Family Message
One of the members of our first panel discussion at the 2012 Agricultural Relations Council annual meeting is Carla Mudd, Illinois Farm Bureau. She is Manager of Consumer Communication with the task of educating non-farm folks about Illinois family farmers. One of the ways she’s doing that is through Illinois Farm Families, a coalition of several Illinois farm groups. Carla …