As a hush came over the theater last night and the lights went down for the opening scene of the documentary Thirsty Land, the sound of rain pounding on the roof served as background noise. A bit ironic. Especially in light of meeting a community in California that has run out of water. Thirsty Land, directed and produced by Conrad …
New NAMA President Matt Coniglio
The Agri-Marketing Conference has come and gone for this year and hopefully everyone has recovered. I think I have. The last item on my agenda for this year’s conference, put on by the National Agri-Marketing Association, was to interview the new President, Matt Coniglio, Penton Agriculture. In the photo you can see Matt is real happy to receive the gavel …
2016 NAMA Agribusiness Leader of the Year
The National Agri-Marketing Association bestowed its highest honor on W. Dwight Armstrong, Ph.D, during the Agri-Marketing Conference. Dwight is the CEO of the National FFA Organization. During his remarks Dwight said, “You know, when you get this type of recognition, it’s not about you, it’s about the people you surround yourself with.” He said that as he thought about what …
Fanger Awarded Agri-Marketer of the Year
Dan Fanger was awarded the 2016 National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) Marketer of the Year earlier this year and during the “From the Ground Up” Agri-Marketing Conference he was presented with his award. Fanger, who is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Unverferth Manufacturing, Co., Inc., has earned this honor for his outstanding accomplishment in agri-marketing. The award has …
I AM USFRA – Corn Farmers
The National Corn Growers Association was another one of the original organizations to help form the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) and current CEO Chris Novak was with another founding group at the time, the National Pork Board. “I made a trip to St. Louis in 2010 and sat down with Rick Tolman who was CEO at NCGA prior …
Remembering Merle
Back in the early years of the biodiesel industry, Merle Haggard was one of the stars who came out in support of the American-made biofuel. The country music legend who died last week at the age of 79 made a legendary appearance at the 2007 National Biodiesel Conference, holding a press conference and performing for those in attendance. During the …
I AM USFRA – Jeanette Merritt
Like most farm women, Jeanette Merritt wears many hats. A wife and mother of three, the 4th generation Indiana hog and soybean farmer is a Purdue University graduate who serves Hoosier State agriculture in a variety of ways. Jeanette is a former farm broadcaster and agricultural journalist who has put her experience to work as a public speaker and PR …
Study Shows How Farmers are Dealing with Downturn
J.L.Farmakis, Inc has just released a new research study conducted in February by Millennium Research that shows plans farmers are making this year in reaction to lower commodity prices. Among the findings of the “Farmer Speaks Study” are: • Half of the farmers surveyed are seeking off-farm employment • 74% will switch to generics or change brands of crop protection …
Zimmie the Zebra Looking for New Home at #NAMA16
Meet Zimmie the Zebra. This rare pygmy zebra has been homeless for some time as habitat in her native land of Zambia has been disappearing. When I found out about this I called Brian Rund, Nufarm, because he and I had worked on a zebra home placement project during Potato Expo earlier this year. During that show we helped Chip, …
IFAJ Congress 2016 Early Registration Extended
The organizers of the IFAJ Congress 2016 have extended early bird registration to April 10. So you have a little more time to look at the programs for the pre and post tours as well as the main Congress. This morning I Skyped with Mark Moore, freelance agricultural journalist and photographer who is helping the Congress committee. Mark has been …