The New Holland Boomer Tractor that has put in time at Jay Leno’s Garage is now going to the auction block to raise funds for a good cause. Nicknamed “Lil Tug,” by the crew at Jay’s Garage, the tractor made an appearance at the NAFB Convention before starting a tour that ends at auction in January. At the same time, …
Secretary Vilsack Visits NAFB
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack once again paid a visit to the nation’s farm broadcasters at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual meeting in Kansas City where he commmented on a number of issues important to farmers and ranchers. The secretary led with USDA’s announcement today on record growth of U.S. agricultural exports in 2011. “I’m pleased to report that …
NAMA Professional Development Awards of Excellence
Today NAMA presented their Professional Development Awards of Excellence during the Trends in Agriculture conference. Here are three of the winners (l-r) Stephanie Gable, Novus International – Product/Species Management; yours truly – Public Relations and Margaret Fogarty, Farm Credit – Marketing Communications. Not pictured because she had to attend another conference is Sue Lee, Farm Journal Media – Sales. However, …
Trends in the Media Landscape
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 …
USFRA Now A Year Old
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 …
More Productivity Through Better Focus
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 …
NAMA Strategic Plan
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 …
NAMA Leadership Workshop
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 …
Outgoing NAMA President Has Positive Message
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 …
Hey John Deere, AgWired “Can Do”
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 …