When you’re attending a farm event it’s always nice to get a farmer’s perspective on things. That’s what I did at the POET Project LIBERTY field day when I spoke with Todd Mathisen who farms just east of Emmetsburg, IA. I asked him what he thought of POET’s idea to harvest corn cobs for cellulosic ethanol production. He said, “I …
Pile Up Your Corn Cobs
The Director of Project LIBERTY for POET is Jim Sturdevant. He oversees all the activities across the company that are “pulling together to transform this ethanol plant into one of the nation’s first cellulosic ethanol plants.” The plant he’s referring to is POET’s Emmetsburg facility where they held a field day yesterday. He says they intend to replicate what they’re …
New Agriblogger Born
He’s a future agriblogger. I think he needs an iPhone and he’s ready to rock and blog! He’s Braden Slagle, born this morning to your Zimfo Bytes blogger, Melissa Slagle. She’s married to Nate by the way who had a lot to do with this new creation too. Melissa is taking a blogging break although I’m sure she could start …
Willie Nelson For Secretary of Agriculture
Why not? He’s been advocating for family farmers for years right? He’s already started advising the incoming O-man. Read his letter here. Farm Aid President Willie Nelson sent an open letter to President-elect Barack Obama today, congratulating him on his victory and offering Farm Aid as a resource for a new farm and food policy that supports a sustainable, family …
USDA Podcasting Newslines
I knew it was only a matter of time before USDA’s Office of Communications started podcasting their news feeds. I’ve discussed it with them several times since it makes it so much easier for farm podcasters to get them. It also opens the door to farmers who can now directly subscribe to USDA’s news! That’s as it should be since …
Corn Cobs Into Ethanol
Jeff Broin is CEO of POET and his company just continues to make innovations in the ethanol production business. Lately they’ve been very focused on what they call Project LIBERTY. The goal is to make cellulosic ethanol out of corn cobs. The company held a field day to showcase some of the equipment that companies like John Deere, Case IH …
Night POETry
I never get tired of taking sunset pictures. This is one from the highway just east of Des Moines, IA on my way to Emmetsburg this evening. You can see that the clouds were rolling in and they’re here now. It’s raining and thundering and lightning outside. I hope this all clears away by tomorrow morning since we’re supposed to …
POET Project LIBERTY
I think the last time I was in Emmetsburg, IA it was to visit with a local radio station for the Brownfield Network. It’s been a while. Well, that’s where I’m headed to attend tomorrow’s POET Project LIBERTY field day. The main purpose of this year’s event is to highlight advances in corn cob harvesting for cellulosic ethanol. I’ll be …
Vicki Henrickson Joins BCS Communications
Vicki Henrickson is pictured on the right here along with Rhonda Ludwig and Anita Vanderwert at this year’s Farm Progress Show. It’s the first picture I found in the ZimmComm archives when looking for one to use with this news from BCS Communications. Blasdel Cleaver Schwalbe Communications, LLC, announces that Vicki Henrickson has joined the company as media director / …
Pioneer Corn Mikes
I thought this image of corn microphones from the Pioneer NAFB Trade Talk invitation was worth sharing. Pretty cool creative, eh? If you’re planning to attend the 2008 NAFB Convention, get your microphone and recorder ready, and stop by the Pioneer Hi-Bred Trade Talk booth. You’ll learn more about the latest from Pioneer and what is to come in 2009. …