Matt Wettersten is the new Publications and Media Relations Specialist at GROWMARK. He takes over for Cassie Becker who accepted a position outside the GROWMARK System. Wettersten comes to GROWMARK from WCIA-TV, the CBS affiliate based in Champaign, Illinois. He spent over five years there serving most recently as Sports Director. “It’s an honor to join such an outstanding team …
GROWMARK Announces 2016 Essay Contest Theme
The theme for the 2016 GROWMARK Essay Contest is: “What can young people do to ensure the sustainability of agriculture?” The contest is open to all high school FFA members in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin. This is the 23rd year for the program, sponsored by the GROWMARK System and FS member cooperatives, in conjunction with state FFA leaders, to …
ARA Honors Rising Stars Class of 2015
Twelve of the top performers in ag retail have been awarded the honor of being selected for the Agricultural Retailers Association Rising Stars Class of 2015. The Rising Stars program began in 2013 to recognize high achievers and develop future leaders in the agriculture retail industry. Member companies have the opportunity to introduce new leaders to the ARA and the …
Growth Energy, New Holland Name Sweepstakes Winner
Growth Energy and New Holland Agriculture are pleased to announce that the 2015 Growth Energy Individual Member Sweepstakes winner is Mr. Bill Howell. He has won a Boomer 47 tractor with Growth Energy racing decals. The tractor will be presented by Haley Equipment in Carroll, Iowa. “We are proud to support farmers and those who choose to work the land …
New Cooperative Formed in Merger
The merger between Farmers Cooperative Company (FC) and West Central Cooperative has been officially approved by a vote of the members. The merger will become effective on April 1, 2016. “In this merger vote, our members were presented with a rare opportunity to combine two strong, financially-stable cooperatives in a merger of equals to maintain local ownership for generations to …
Special Edition Gator Unveiled by Deere
A special edition of the Gator utility vehicle is being offered by John Deere. The XUV825i was designed with livestock and crop producers in mind and offers extra storage, making tools organized and easily accessible. It also features two cargo tool boxes and LED roof lights for greater visibility. “The Special Edition Gator was designed for those customers who require …
OSHA Overreach Halted By Congress
In July the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sent a memorandum to end the exemption of retail stores to the Process Safety Management (PSM). PSM is a set of procedural, operational and organizational standards to intended to prevent the release of hazardous chemicals at manufacturing facilities. The rescinding of this exemption would force virtually all ag retailers that store …
Merger Leads to Executive Changes at DuPont
DuPont has announced several executive leadership changes as a result of last week’s confirmed merger with Dow. James C. Collins, executive vice president, will lead the DuPont Agriculture business segment. Marc Doyle has been named executive vice president and will lead the Electronics & Communications, Industrial Biosciences, Nutrition & Health, Performance Materials and Safety & Protection business segments. Richard C. …
ZimmCast on AgVocating with Bayer CropScience
Welcome to ZimmCast number 495! Wow, just five more until we hit the big 5-00! This week’s ZimmCast is from last week’s American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CSS 2015 and Seed Expo and it’s about AgVocating, a word that has become a part of the agricultural dictionary in the past couple of years and has a pretty obvious meaning combining …
Why Agribusinesses Should Have a Crisis Plan
A recent ZimmComm poll asked the question, Does your agribusiness/operation have a crisis communications plan?” and I was surprised and honestly a bit disturbed as a former public relations person, that so many respondents didn’t believe a crisis communications plan was necessary. And this in light of the rise in undercover videos, avian flu outbreaks, meatless Mondays, (cow farts causing) …