What a week it was last week in Anaheim. I was only there about 3 days. It feels like it was a week. It was a lot of work but a lot got done. Here’s a ZimmCast that contains an interview I conducted in the trade show at the BASF booth. You can also hear a cut from one of the new songs on the Michael Peterson, “Down on the Farm” CD.
Turley Talks About O&B TV Show
Here’s an interesting story. When have you heard of an advertising agency creating content? Actually, it’s something we’re starting to see more of and even in the agrimarketing world. This time it’s Osborn & Barr, producers of a live show to air on RFD-TV Monday evening at 8pm, EST. It’s called “Prospering In Rural America,” the theme of the recent USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum.
There’s Pawlenty of Renewable Fuel in MN
I think some of the folks here think MN Governor Tim Pawlenty should run for President. The Gov was here on stage at Friday morning’s general session and gave a great talk about how his state has led the way in the development of renewable fuels.
Enjoy The Michael Peterson Performance
One of the stars performing here at Commodity Classic is Michael Peterson. He was onstage this morning and gave a moving talk and played some songs. In fact, he wrote a song just for corn and soybean growers (and all farmers) and debuted it here. He played a song from his new CD, which is currently available from New Holland dealers.
NAWG Joins Commodity Classic In 2007
One of the announcements made today was that next year’s Commodity Classic will include the National Association of Wheat Growers. So we’ll have a tri-commodity shindig in Tampa.
Nothing Mickey Mouse About 220MPH
The Ethanol Promotion & Information Council wants you to experience fuel performance at 220 miles per hour. As they say, “There’s nothing Mickey Mouse about that.”
Down On The Farm With Michael
A lot of people are entering our New Holland “Down on the Farm” Classic iPod Keepsake Contest here at Commodity Classic. The FFA is helping out by selling Michael Peterson’s new CD, which you can only purchase from a New Holland dealer until later in the spring.
Biodiesel Progress Makes Soybean Growers Happy
Also speaking out at the opening press conference was the ASA president, Bob Metz. Bob is proud of the progress being made with biodiesel and thinks that soybean growers need to get involved in the organization to make their voice heard. It’s a grassroots effort he says. That’s what’s going on here at policy issues are discussed and the membership provides guidance for the staff of the organization to work on in the coming year.
NCGA President Gets Things Started
The first press conference here at Commodity Classic is always with the leadership of NCGA and ASA. Next year that will include NAWG, but more on that later. To get us started I interviewed NCGA President, Gerald Tumbleson.
FFA LifeKnowledge Center Unveiled
The first assignment I gave to my student bloggers was to cover this morning’s FFA Breakfast. The breakfast was FFA’s venue to launch their LifeKnowledge Center for Agricultural Education. This Center is going to be the focal point for FFA’s leadership initiative that not only supports FFA’s core principles but also has the goal of establishing 10,000 quality agricultural science programs by the year 2015.
Mary Irelan took the picture and Margy Fischer did the interview. Margy’s interview is with Michelle Spoelstra, a high school junior at Hanford High School, Hanford, CA. That interview is available here: 
Michelle Spoelstra Interview (2:12 MP3 File)