General Wesley Clark Addresses Custom Harvesters

Chuck Zimmerman

At today’s U.S. Custom Harvesters luncheon, sponsored by New Holland, retired General Wesley Clark took the stage. Gen. Clark says his passion was the military and now his passion is national energy security and the move away from dependence on foreign oil. I have recorded his remarks for you to listen to or share below. Gen. Clark is the co-chairman …

Ag Groups, Audio, Biofuels, Corn, Ethanol, New Holland

NAMA Regional Best of Awards Banquets

Chuck Zimmerman

I wish I could attend all the National Agri-Marketing Association regional Best of NAMA Awards banquets. It’s just another great time to network with professionals in the industry. Last night I had the opportunity to attend the Region II awards banquet in Kansas City, MO, conveniently scheduled prior to the start of the AG CONNECT EXPO. In the top photo …

Ag Groups, Audio, NAMA

Activists Fail to Disrupt AgChat

Chuck Zimmerman

Last night’s AgChat topic was animal welfare. You can find some good information on animal welfare here. Apparently the animal rights activists got word of it and rallied their troops to try to disrupt the regular weekly conversation. In fact, the outreach coordinator at HSUS sent out an alert which I saw a copy of . It was pathetic to …

Ag Groups

Las Vegas Biodiesel Conference Time

Chuck Zimmerman

For the first time ever the National Biodiesel Conference will be held in Las Vegas. I will be there along with Cindy and Joanna Schroeder. We’ll be biodiesel blogging and providing coverage mostly on Domestic Fuel. Here’s where you can find registration information if you haven’t gotten that done yet. To get a preview of what’s to come listen in …

Ag Groups, Audio, Biodiesel, National Biodiesel Conference, Soybean

dishNET Learning From Rural America

Chuck Zimmerman

DISH Network wants everyone in rural America to have internet access. That’s why they launched dishNET last fall. Now they’re going a little further by bundling DISH tv & entertainment with dishNET. They’re also reaching out to rural Americans and various organizations to find ways to capitalize on the economic and educational opportunities that internet access provides. I found them …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Internet

New Farm Bureau YF&R Chairman

Chuck Zimmerman

The new Chair of the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee is Zach Hunnicutt, Nebraska farmer. Many of you may follow Zach on Twitter @zhhunn. Now you’ll be following his travels in his newly elected position on this important Farm Bureau committee. Here’s Zach doing one of many media interviews at the AFBF annual meeting. I had my turn. Zach …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio

Farm Bureau Annual Meeting Concludes

Chuck Zimmerman

The members of the American Farm Bureau Federation held their voting delegates meeting today to set policy for the coming year. The meeting was presided over by President Bob Stallman who then met with the press one final time for questions. Bob says that although there were a number of language changes in existing policies most of the day was …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio

Should We Sit Down with HSUS in Common Cause

Chuck Zimmerman

Many eyebrows were raised during Sec. of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s speech at the AFBF convention yesterday. It was really a stand out moment in an otherwise pretty good speech and I wonder what you think about it. The photo is from his press conference following the closing session. Sec. Vilsack was talking about creating strategic alliances and reaching out to …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Animal Activists, Audio, USDA, Wackos

Farm Bureau Distinguished Service to Agriculture Awards

Chuck Zimmerman

During the closing session of the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting the organization presented its highest honor, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, to Ambassadors Dr. Richard Crowder and Dr. Kenneth Quinn. AFBF established the Distinguished Service Award to honor individuals who have devoted their careers to serving agriculture. With more than 40 years of experience in the agriculture …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio

Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Awards

Chuck Zimmerman

The winners of the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee awards and competitions were announced yesterday. Here are Ryan and Misty Bivens of Kentucky. They won the Achievement Award. They are the winners of either a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado or 2013 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM. The Bivens will also receive paid registration to attend the 2013 …

AFBF, Ag Groups