ABFB General Session Organist Retiring

Chuck Zimmerman

For twenty six years Nancy Faust has been playing the organ for the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting general sessions. She plays before during and after keeping everyone entertained and adding to the whole experience. I spoke with her briefly just before the closing session of this year’s meeting. She has made a decision to retire now because she …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio

American Farm Bureau Gets Down to Business

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s the next to final day for the 2013 American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in Nashville. Today is the meeting of the voting delegates when the organization gets down the grass roots in setting policy. Tomorrow things will conclude with a morning board of directors meeting. I’ve got some more interviews to share today and will have some concluding …

AFBF, Ag Groups

Ag Sec. Vilsack Addresses AFBF Annual Meeting

Chuck Zimmerman

After it was announced today that Tom Vilsack has agreed to serve a second term as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture he addressed the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting. He started out talking about the challenges in rural America and “urged farmers and producers take advantage of innovation, job creation partnerships and to share their story of a modern, innovative, …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio, USDA

Agriculture To Be On Display at Smithsonian

Chuck Zimmerman

Think about putting your farm on display in a museum. You can. The American Farm Bureau Federation is working with the Smithsonian to create a new exhibit focused on agriculture. This spring, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is reaching out to farmers, ranchers and American agri-business to build a collection that reflects modern agricultural practices. Curators are seeking …

AFBF, Audio, Education

Dupont Pioneer Invests in My American Farm

Chuck Zimmerman

My American Farm, the American Farm Bureau Foundation’s online interactive education program, received a huge investment from Dupont Pioneer that was announced at the beginning of the annual meeting here in Nashville. It is a $250,000 investment that will support new games and resources, increased outreach to K-12 stakeholders and a mobile application. I learned more about it by speaking …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Education, Pioneer

American Farm Bureau Foundation Book of the Year

Chuck Zimmerman

The American Farm Bureau Foundation has awarded its sixth annual “Book of the Year” award to Cat Urbigkit for her book “The Guardian Team: On the Job with Rena and Roo.” Cat is being interviewed in the photo by farm broadcaster Bob Middendorf. Cat is a western Wyoming sheep rancher who raises livestock protection dogs and burros. Her award winning …

AFBF, Audio, Education

AFBF President Meets the Press

Chuck Zimmerman

Following the morning opening session of the American Farm Bureau Federation convention, President Bob Stallman held a press conference. Lots of good questions on just about every issue including labor, budget, farm bill, political climate and more. I asked him about measuring the success of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance which he chairs and mentioned in his speech today. …

AFBF, Ag Groups

AFBF President Opens Annual Meeting

Chuck Zimmerman

American Farm Bureau Federation President, Bob Stallman, welcomed everyone to the 94th Annual Meeting. I will update this post soon after the opening session for you to listen to if you missed it or need it for a broadcast or report. Stallman reviewed accomplishments made by AFBF during the last year. He urged members to be in contact with their …

AFBF, Ag Groups

Many Voices One Vision at AFBF Annual Mtg.

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s time for the 2013 American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and I’m on my way. Cruising above 10,000 feet right now and thank you GoGo InFlight wifi. Listen to AFBF President, Bob Stallman, talk about the importance of this meeting here (.mp3). There are an estimated 6,000 farmers and ranchers expected to attend AFBF’s 94th annual meeting. Here’s the purpose …

AFBF, Ag Groups

MediaPlanet and Agriculture in America

Chuck Zimmerman

Agriculture in America. Who are the farmers? How are they working to feed a growing population? Good questions and ones that a recent publication insert into USA Today showcased some answers to. I hope you’ve seen it. Have you wondered how and why it was produced? Well wonder no more. In this week’s program I visit with Hailey Pierson, Senior …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio, Media, USFRA, ZimmCast