Meet DairyUS – The REAL Seal of Approval

Jamie Johansen

The animated Dairy REAL Seal Character finally has a name. After a nationwide vote, the cartoon character who is helping to build awareness of the advantages of real dairy foods has been named DairyUS. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) made the announcement today during their annual meeting. The character was modeled after the iconic REAL Seal logo and will …

Ag Groups, Dairy, Education

Pork Checkoff Launches Free Electronic Cookbook

Jamie Johansen

An electronic cookbook, titled Cooking for Comfort, has just made it’s debut from the Pork Checkoff. This free e-book features favorites and new twists on classic recipes from James Beard, Award-winning Chef Michelle Bernstein, barbecue expert and author Ray Lampe, along with food bloggers from across the U.S. “Pork plays a part in many of our favorite comfort food dishes …

Ag Groups, Food, Pork

AgroNomics 2014

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s time for some vision from the 2014 AgroNomics. This is just one of the places I’ll be this week while the rest of the ZimmComm team is in KC, MO for the NAFB convention. AgroNomics is a U.S. ag investment conference that is held in conjunction with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers annual meeting and …

Ag Groups

America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders Scholarship

Jamie Johansen

Monsanto Company just announced their launch of the America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders scholarship program to entice rural American students in pursuing careers in agriculture. The scholarship program in connection with the National FFA Scholarship program will provide rural students the opportunity to earn a $1,500 scholarship to pursue their education. “With $1,500 to put toward their education, students will …

Ag Groups, Education, FFA

Farmland – The Movie

Jamie Johansen

Award-winning filmmaker James Moll has announced the release of his first trailer for the new film called “Farmland.”. The documentary chronicles the next generation of American farmers and ranchers from across the United States. You can view the trailer and additional information about the film at farmlandfilm.com. Mark your calendars for Spring 2014 when the film is released for the …

Ag Groups, Audio, Farming, USFRA, Video

Taking Responsibility for Growing Food

Chuck Zimmerman

Soybean and pork farmer from Columbus, Nebraska, Bill Luckey, served as a panelist for the Boston Food Dialogues. His family farm includes 600 crop acres, cattle, sows and finishing hogs. Bill also serves on the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) Board of Directors and several committees. Bill is lucky that his kids are home running the combine so he was …

Ag Groups, Audio, Farming, Food, USFRA

What Does the Consumer Want?

Chuck Zimmerman

Is big or small farming the future? Tough question, but the conversation was had and Lori Renzi, Vice President of Brand Strategy & Development at Charlie Baggs Culinary Innovations (CBCI) was one of the lucky panelists who got the chance to express her opinion and expertise during USFRA’s Boston Food Dialogues. CBCI is a consulting practice for the global food …

Ag Groups, Audio, Farming, Food, USFRA

Is Small Farms or Diversity the Answer?

Chuck Zimmerman

USFRA’s Boston Food Dialogues panelists came from the east and the west, represented the big and the small, work in agribusinesses and in small farming communities. Michael Swanson, Agricultural Economist for Wells Fargo Bank NA, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Bruce Rominger, Rominger Brothers Farm, Winters, California were two panelists Chuck had the chance to speak with after the recent Boston Food …

Ag Groups, Audio, Farming, Food, USFRA

Farm Size Dialogue Gives All A Voice

Chuck Zimmerman

U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance once again brought up a hot topic in the agriculture and food industry for experts and industry leaders to discuss. Farm size was the topic for last week’s Boston Food Dialogues. And the man with maybe the toughest job for the day was Alan Bjerga, who’s role was moderator. Alan is the author of “Endless …

Ag Groups, Audio, Farming, Food, USFRA

Small Farms Serve Niche Market

Chuck Zimmerman

A fourth generation fruit and vegetable farmer, Jamie Cruz, is the owner/grower of Springdell Farm in Littleton, Massachusetts. Jamie served as a panelist for the Boston Food Dialogues. The family farm also raises hogs, cattle, poultry, sheep and goats. They proudly sell 99% of their products through their farm stand, various CSA programs, local restaurants and farmers markets. “The increase …

Ag Groups, Audio, Farming, Food, USFRA