Pennsylvania Youth ‘Gear Up for the 21st Century’

Laura McNamara

The 2008 Pennsylvania farm show is featuring youth who are “Gearing Up for the 21st Century.” Seven chapters from Future Farmers of America will be showcasing agricultural advances at the 2008 Pennsylvania Farm Show‘s Agricultural Technology Display competition. In its third year, the theme of this year’s competition is “Gearing Up for the 21st Century.” Students are allowed to use …

Ag Groups, Farm Shows, Farming, Technology

World Trade & Finance in Kansas City

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm meeting time gets cranked up here again right after New Year’s. There’s a lot on the schedule including this one from the Agribusiness Council of Kansas City. It’s being sponsored by Shook, Hardy & Bacon. The program includes: Welcome: Gina Bowman-Morrill, Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City Mark Anstoetter, Partner, Shook, Hardy & Bacon Fifteen Years of NAFTA: Mary …

Ag Groups

Urban Farm Helps Homeless, Named Social Innovator

Laura McNamara

Victory Programs‘ ReVision Urban Farm has been chosen as 2008 Boston Social Innovator. The program, which serves the homeless in surrounding areas, is set to receive financial support from Boston-area venture philanthropists. Victory Programs’ ReVision Urban Farm, a farm serving families facing homelessness in Dorchester, is among six area nonprofits selected as a 2008 Social Innovator by the Cambridge-based Social …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Corn, Farming, Pioneer

Organic Scandal

Laura McNamara

A handful of the nation’s largest grocery retailers have been accused of organic fraud. Wal-Mart, Costco, Target, Safeway, and Wild Oats have been accused of selling organic milk that might not be so “organic.” The legal filings in federal courts in Seattle, Denver, and in Minneapolis, against the retailers, come on the heels of class action lawsuits against Aurora Dairy …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Animal Health, Dairy, Food, Organic, Wackos

Corn Refiners Clear Up Myths About High Fructose Corn Syrup

Laura McNamara

Apparently, the public doesn’t have it straight when it comes to high fructose corn syrup. The Corn Refiners Association has released a list of its “Top Published Myths about High Fructose Corn Syrup.” Myth: High fructose corn syrup is solely to blame for obesity and diabetes. Reality: There is no scientific evidence to suggest that high fructose corn syrup is …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Education, Food

Merry Christmas Trees

Chuck Zimmerman

Merry Christmas Trees from the National Christmas Tree Association. This week’s program is about NCTA and I want to thank them for having audio available on their website. Here’s a good example of why we encourage multi media content on your site. In the program you’ll hear from NCTA President, Beth Walterscheidt, Evergreen Farms Christmas Trees, Elgin, TX. She’s going …

Ag Groups, Audio, Video, ZimmCast

Farm Fresh News From American Farmland Trust

Chuck Zimmerman

We’re on a roll with the holiday greetings. I like this one from American Farmland Trust’s latest email. Best wishes for the holidays from American Farmland Trust and the Farm Fresh News team! Take a few minutes to watch a video about farmers helping the urban poor, learn a few ways to celebrate the holidays in a greener, farm-friendly way …

Ag Groups

Energy Bill Pleases and Disappoints

Chuck Zimmerman

The farm bill isn’t the only legislation of interest to ag groups right now. In fact, I think I’ve had more email over the energy bill lately. Of course it’s now on it’s way to the President to sign tomorrow morning and who knows when that will happen with the farm bill. Here’s a sample of comments just sent out …

Ag Groups, Farm Policy

2007 National Corn Yield Contest Winners

Chuck Zimmerman

The National Corn Growers Association has announced the Corn Yield Contest winners. Not only was the number of entries higher than ever before, but several entrants scored yields of more than double the estimated average. The 27 winners in nine production categories had verified yields averaging more than 298 bushels per acre, compared to the estimated national average of 153 …

Ag Groups, Corn, Farming

Ag Dept Reaches Children Through Disney and Video

Laura McNamara

The latest ploy from the USDA to teach kids about nutrition features characters from Walt Disney’s ‘The Jungle Book.’ The Ag Department is working with Partners with Ad Council and Collaborates with Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment in an effort to promote nutrition education to children and families. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Nutrition and Consumer Services and …

Ag Groups, Education, Food