Trends in the Media Landscape

Cindy Zimmerman

Mark Ramsey of Mark Ramsey Media offered his insights for agricultural media during the general professional improvement session on Wednesday morning at the NAFB convention in Kansas City. Mark believes that as broadcasters continue to integrate digital and social media technology, it will completely redefine the meaning of radio. “The reality is, we are all media,” Mark says. “The biggest …

Audio, NAFB

USFRA Now A Year Old

Chuck Zimmerman

It has been a year since the announcement of the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance. I remember speaking with Rick Tolman, CEO, NCGA, about the newly formed alliance then. This week USFRA held its first annual meeting preceded by a board meeting. After the program was over I visited with Rick to find out what has been accomplished. Rick says …

Ag Groups, Audio, USFRA, ZimmCast

More Productivity Through Better Focus

Chuck Zimmerman

The kick-off session for NAMA Trends in Agriculture is “Focus Pocus: 24 Tricks for Regaining Command of Your Day.” Our presenter is Paul Burton, QuietSpacing. I visited with Paul about his topic because, like a lot of busy people today, I am always looking at ways to become more productive. Paul says one of the ideas he wants people to …

Audio, NAMA

NAMA Strategic Plan

Chuck Zimmerman

The National Agri-Marketing Association is rolling out a new Strategic Plan. It was previewed at the NAMA Leader Workshop by the NAMA Executive Committee. Here’s Marvin Kokes, NCBA, presenting one of the three key strategies from the plan. Marvin says those three strategies are; Increase our strategic partnerships on both the local and national levels; Communicate with members and partners …

Audio, NAMA

NAMA Leadership Workshop

Chuck Zimmerman

Prior to the NAMA Trends in Agriculture session a Leadership Workshop was held for chapter leaders and others. The Chair for the workshop is Amber Harrison, Bratney Companies. I spoke with Amber about what the workshop offers to member leaders. She says the theme of the workshop is “Progress Through Programming and Productivity.” The focus is how chapters can improve …

Audio, NAMA

Outgoing NAMA President Has Positive Message

Chuck Zimmerman

Outgoing NAMA President Vicki Henrickson, BCS Communications, has presided over her last board meeting. That is if she passes the gavel tomorrow at lunch. Vicki is one of the most energetic cheerleaders for NAMA that I know. I spoke with her after the meeting to find out some of the informational highlights from today’s meeting. Membership is up, meeting attendance …

Audio, NAMA

Hey John Deere, AgWired “Can Do”

Chuck Zimmerman

AgWired is helping spread the word about John Deere’s Project “Can Do.” You can do it too! Go to the John Deere Facebook page, click on the Project “Can Do” link and create your own virtual can. Here’s the AgWired Can Do of hunger whup-ass. So let’s learn more about Project “Can Do.” I spoke with Nicole Schneider, Project Manager …

Agribusiness, Audio, John Deere

Preview of NAMA Trends in Agriculture

Chuck Zimmerman

Let’s look ahead to the 2011 National Agri-Marketing Association’s Trends in Agriculture conference. It precedes the NAFB Convention and AgWired will be there covering all the action. Our sponsor for coverage of both meetings this year is BASF! To get a preview I spoke with Trends committee chair, Gardner Hatch, Bader Rutter. Gardner gives us a review of program highlights …

Audio, NAMA, ZimmCast

FS PARTNERS Pioneering QR Codes in the Field

Cindy Zimmerman

FS PARTNERS in Ontario is pioneering a new use for QR codes in the field so farmers can access updated information about test plots. In case you are not yet familiar with them, QR is short for Quick Response and they are those bar code looking things you can read with a smart phone that are starting to pop up …

Audio, Farming, GROWMARK, Technology

GROWMARK Offers Grain Bin Safety Tips

Cindy Zimmerman

Every year there are dozens of grain bin accidents reported across the Corn Belt, with far too many ending in fatalities. GROWMARK grain systems operations manager Randy Holthaus says the harvest season is an especially dangerous time on the farm around grain bins. “During the harvest, with the need to get it in and get it done, people get in …

Audio, Grains, GROWMARK