National Ag Day Morning Coffee Break

Chuck Zimmerman

The start to today’s National Ag Day Activities was coffee in the USDA Atrium. We’ll be back here for dinner this evening and to hear from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. The Secretary has become a regular on AgWired lately. This morning our program was moderated by Orion Samuelson and our speaker was Krysta Harden, USDA Chief of Staff. …

Ag Day, Ag Groups, Audio, USDA

USFRA Hold Food Dialogues Prior to National Agriculture Day

Chuck Zimmerman

In conjunction with the second annual agricultural appreciation reception held by Agri-Pulse the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance held a special edition of their Food Dialogues titled, “The Future of Food and Farming.” The panel tried to deal with the question, “Is technology in agriculture creating environmental improvements and economic growth or perpetuating public fears?” That seems like a loaded …

Ag Groups, Audio, Food, USFRA

National Teach Ag Day First Ever Live Stream

Chuck Zimmerman

I am on my way to National Agriculture Day activities which will be taking place tomorrow. Here’s another event you might want to check out being held again this year. It’s National Teach Ag Day which is being celebrated on March 15 and it includes a live stream event. The agriculture program at Buena Park High School in Buena Park, …

Ag Groups, Education

Ethanol on Stage at New Holland Club Blue

Chuck Zimmerman

During the 2012 Commodity Classic New Holland held a “Club Blue” event at the Grand Ole Opry for their dealers to discuss their new national marketing campaign. It was also a time to talk about partnerships with industry related organizations and that included Growth Energy, another AgWired supporter. On hand to talk to the attendees was Tom Buis, CEO, Growth …

Ag Groups, Audio, Biofuels, Commodity Classic, Energy, Ethanol, New Holland

Sending Animal Agriculture Offshore Would Increase Food Costs

Chuck Zimmerman

Leading off a press conference during Commodity Classic for the United Soybean Board was Vanessa Kummer, Chair. The topic was Consumer and Food Safety Costs of Offshoring Animal Agriculture (pdf). This is a Soybean Checkoff funded study. Also pictured on stage are Lewis Bainbridge, USB Director (seated) and André Williamson, Agralytica, (standing) the company that conducted the study. Paying more …

Ag Groups, Audio, Commodity Classic, Food, Soybean, USB

Visiting With American Seed Trade Association

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s time to look forward to the 2012 National Agriculture Day activities in Washington, DC. Things kick off on Thursday morning and I’ll be there again this year courtesy of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and Agriculture Council of America. In a look ahead to this week’s activities I visited with Julie Douglas, Communications Director, ASTA, during Commodity Classic …

Ag Groups, ASTA, Audio, Commodity Classic, ZimmCast

2012 Farm Bill Priorities From Commodity Classic Groups

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s almost like a tradition now. The Presidents of the farm organizations that participate in Commodity Classic take the stage for a few minutes of lighthearted discussion about their priorities. Emceeing the general session with them this year again was Mark Mayfield. You can listen to their interaction below. All of the organizations released a joint statement yesterday about their …

Ag Groups, ASA, Audio, Commodity Classic, NAWG, NCGA, NSP

Ready For Record Commodity Classic

Chuck Zimmerman

I’d like to thank New Holland for sponsoring the media room at Commodity Classic once again this year. And I’d especially like to thank them for being one of our sponsors for AgWired coverage of the event again this year. New Holland was one of the first companies to support our unique brand of “live” event blogging. This is the …

Ag Groups, ASA, Audio, Commodity Classic, NCGA, ZimmCast

Sec. Vilsack Applauds Ethanol Producers

Chuck Zimmerman

This morning Ag Secretary Vilsack spoke to the 2012 National Ethanol Conference. I’m sharing Cindy’s story that is also posted over on our sister site, Domestic Fuel: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack expressed his personal strong support and gratitude for the ethanol industry during an address at the National Ethanol Conference on Friday. “We owe ethanol producers in this country a …

Ag Groups, Audio, Energy, Ethanol, RFA, USDA

State of the Ethanol Industry Broadcast

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello from the 2012 National Ethanol Conference. At approximately 8:10am eastern time we’ll be broadcasting live the State of the Industry Address from Bob Dinneen, President/CEO or the Renewable Fuels Association. Just click on the player below to start the broadcast in your browser. We will record the address and post the recorded version afterward. Post Update: Thanks to all …

Ag Groups, Ethanol, RFA, Video