AgriSolutions Offers Financial Producer Education Sessions

Cindy Zimmerman

AgriSolutions® is offering “Producer Education Sessions” this month and next to help farmers achieve their 2011 financial goals. According to Valerie Bates, AgriSolutions Training and Education Manager, AgriSolutions’ coursework is designed with the company mission in mind – to help agricultural producers become more effective business managers. Sessions are instructor-led in a classroom setting at AgriSolutions’ offices in Brighton, IL. …

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Alltech Kicks off Lecture Series at AG CONNECT

Cindy Zimmerman

2010 was a big year for Alltech, what with hosting the FEI World Equestrian Games and all, but in 2050 the company is talking about having 9.3 billion people for dinner. “Feeding the World – 9.3 billion people for dinner in 2050” is the theme of Alltech’s lecture tour this year that kicked off during AG CONNECT Expo on Saturday. …

AEM, Alltech, Audio, Video

USDA Outlook Board Chair at AFBF

Cindy Zimmerman

Appearing at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in Atlanta this week almost cost USDA Outlook Board Chairman Gerald Bange a 28 year perfect record. Gerald Bange has not missed a lockup prior to the release of a crop report since 1983, but it was a close call getting out of the snow-bound south in time after his crop …

AFBF, USDA

Farm Bureau Members Engage in Social Media

Cindy Zimmerman

A popular session at the American Farm Bureau annual meeting yesterday was “Grassroots Engagement with Social Media,” featuring some of the trailblazers in the SM world for agriculture. Florida Farm Bureau president John Hoblick introduced the session, which was moderated by AFBF’s Mace Thornton (@AFBFMace on Twitter). “I think of social media as being the equivalent of the green revolution …

AFBF, Audio

Mike Rowe Answers Spokesman for Ag Question

Cindy Zimmerman

Here is a video clip of Mike “Dirty Jobs” Rowe at the American Farm Bureau Federation press conference prior to his appearance at the closing general session. Roger Ward with WLDS in Jacksonville, Illinois asked him the question about whether he would be willing to be a spokesperson for agriculture. By the way, recording audio or video during Mike’s appearance …

AFBF, Video

Mike Rowe – Advocate for Agriculture

Cindy Zimmerman

When asked if he would consider being a “spokesperson” for agriculture, Mike “Dirty Jobs” Rowe said, “I don’t think American agriculture needs a spokesman, I think they need an advocate. And the advocates I believe they need are people like me who have shown a long term addiction to chewing and swallowing.” Mike was kind enough to meet with the …

AFBF, Audio

Farm Bureau Awards

Cindy Zimmerman

The closing general session of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual meeting is the time for awards and entertainment. The organization’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, was presented to University of Illinois agriculture professor Robert Thompson. “An economist by trade, Robert Thompson’s heart and soul is agriculture,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “There is no doubt …

AFBF

AFBF Show Goes On

Cindy Zimmerman

Neither freezing rain, nor snow, nor sleet has stopped the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting from going on today in Atlanta. The shuttle buses have stopped running, the media reception is canceled, but there are still plenty of people here attending sessions and finishing interviews and presentations for YF&R awards. Conferences this morning included animal welfare and crops outlook, …

AFBF

AFBF President Meets the Press

Cindy Zimmerman

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) president Bob Stallman fielded questions from the press for 40 minutes on Sunday afternoon at the annual meeting in Atlanta, covering a wide variety of topics. Several questions centered on the legal action AFBF intends to take against EPA over the regulation of the Chesapeake Bay total maximum daily load (TMDL), a so-called “pollution diet” …

AFBF, Audio

Korean Free Trade Optimism

Cindy Zimmerman

Korea’s ambassador to the United States is optimistic that Congress will pass the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement when it is submitted by the president. Han Duk-soo spoke at a town hall forum sponsored by American Farm Bureau during the Ag Connect Expo on Saturday and then held a press conference, accompanied by AFBF’s Congressional Relations Director Chris Garza. “The momentum …

AFBF, Audio, International, Trade