RFA Ethanol Podcast

47th National Chicken Cooking Contest is Inspiring

Chuck Zimmerman

Birmingham, AL was the place to be for the 47th National Chicken Cooking Contest. A “spectacular” dish combining boneless chicken breasts with jasmine rice, shredded coconut and a crunchy Thai-style slaw took first place and the grand prize of $100,000 in the 47th National Chicken Cooking Contest here Friday. Michelle Anderson, a training analyst from Eagle, Idaho, created the dish …

Ag Groups, Food

I’m A Godfather Again

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s me with the Mizzou agribloggers Julia and Nicki from earlier today at the World Agricultural Forum. According to their blog, I’m the Godfather of ag blogging. Now that’s a catchy title don’t you think? Besides writing for their blog Julia and Nicki are helping the World Ag Forum staff by writing reports from the “Breakout Sessions.” World Agricultural Forum …

Ag Groups, University

The World Ag Forum On AgriTalk

Chuck Zimmerman

Mike Adams, the host of AgriTalk (center) thought I must be going through AgriTalk withdrawal on AgWired since I haven’t posted a picture of them in so long. No, they don’t pay me to do this (they should). I just run into them so many places. This is Mike interviewing World Agricultural Forum Chairman, James Bolger, this morning. Next to …

Ag Groups

A Fighting Slogan For R-CALF

Chuck Zimmerman

R-CALF has an official slogan. They say it was approved along with all the resolutions proposed at their annual convention in January. The votes were handled via mail-in ballot. The record 23 resolutions dealt with topics ranging from animal health to animal identification to marketing to property rights to international trade issues – and to the organization’s now-official slogan: “R-CALF …

Ag Groups

Address By Mariann Fischer Boel, EU Ag Commissioner

Chuck Zimmerman

The Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development for the European Economic Union is Mariann Fischer Boel. She was the keynote speaker on the program today here at the World Agricultural Forum. You can listen to her speech here while she’s finishing up with questions and answers. In her talk she tries to clear up misconceptions about farmers, farming and the …

Ag Groups, Audio, International

Grower Perspective on the World Agricultural Forum

Chuck Zimmerman

One of the directors of the World Agricultural Forum is Dick McWard. He’s taking notes during this morning’s speech by Mariann Fischer Boel, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development. Dick is a producer from Illinois who is also retired from Bunge North America where he worked in industry affairs. I asked him for his perspective on an event like …

Ag Groups, Audio

Flowers From Columbia

Chuck Zimmerman

The flower man from Columbia is Ernesto Velez, Columbian Association of Flower Exporters. He gave us a presentation at our evening reception at the World Agricultural Forum here this evening. He said that there was a 90+% chance that the dozen carnations I bought Cindy on Sunday came from Columbia. If you’d like to learn about where a major source …

Ag Groups, Audio, International

Sunset in St. Louis

Chuck Zimmerman

It is definitely the end of the day here in St. Louis at the World Agricultural Forum. We had a very nice reception. Just check out the photo album. The top of the hotel has a very nice outside area from which we had a good view of the city and the sunset. The best part was the ice sculpture …

Ag Groups, International

Rich Keller On The Job

Chuck Zimmerman

One of the people covering the World Agricultural Forum is Rich Keller. Rich is the editor of AgProfessional and AgLender, Vance Publishing. I think he dared me to take his picture as he was enjoying a big soft pretzel on a break. I’m sure there are some dares I won’t take but it’s nice to see Rich in action. It’s …

Ag Groups, International