RFA Ethanol Podcast

General Mills Backing Soil Health Program

Chuck Zimmerman

Several organizations have come together on a program to enhance farm sustainability through soil health. And they are very happy to announce additional backing from a major food manufacturer – General Mills. These organizations are working to advance soil health on America’s farms and ranches, paving the way for measurable economic and environmental gains for farmers, businesses and communities for …

Audio, Farming, Food, Soil, Sustainability, ZimmCast

Beyond the Farm Gate – It’s All About Passion

Jamie Johansen

This is the 12th year Bayer CropScience has brought a diverse group of ag voices together to talk about key agricultural issues and the importance of advocating for our industry. One panel during the 2017 Bayer AgVocacy Forum brought a team of farmers together to discuss Beyond the Farm Gate: Today’s Challenges Create Tomorrow’s Opportunities. Panelist included: Deb Gangwish, Co-Owner, …

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Crop Science, Farming, Food

The Shark Farmer Podcasts From #AgChat

Chuck Zimmerman

Shark farming in Illinois. I didn’t find much about that on Google. Google knows everything of course. But I did meet the Shark Farmer, Rob Sharkey, this week at the 2016 Cultivate & Connect Conference in KC, MO. Rob actually produces a regular podcast on Tuesday’s called Sharkfarmer Podcast. It’s not only a play on his name but he started …

Audio, Farming, Podcasts

Wisconsin Christmas Tree Arrives At White House

Lizzy Schultz

While close to 350 million Christmas trees are growing on farms throughout the country, a Christmas tree from Wisconsin made its way to the White House Friday where it was presented to First Lady Michelle Obama. The 19-foot Balsam-Veitch fir was presented by Dave and Mary Vander Velden, owners of Whispering Pines Tree Farm in Oconto, Wisconsin. The Vander Veldens …

Ag Groups, Audio, Farming

Farmer2Farmer From Farmers Business Network

Chuck Zimmerman

After a successful 2015 Farmers Business Network has continued to grow in 2016. Earlier this year the company held its first Farmer2Farmer conference and a second one is planned for December. I visited with co-founder Charles Baron at the NAFB convention last week and learned that Farmers Business Network is now offering an interesting new service. This year the company …

Audio, Farming, NAFB, ZimmCast

Meet Rice Farming TV

Chuck Zimmerman

How much do you know about rice farming? Do you know the difference between brown and white rice? Want to? Then follow Rice Farming TV and Matthew Sligar. Matthew farms in northern California with his Dad and in the spare time he doesn’t have he produces Rice Farming TV, a weekly Vlog. You know what that is right? A blog …

Audio, Farming, Rice, ZimmCast

USDA Announces Grants for Veteran Farmers

Lizzy Schultz

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced $8.4 million in grants that will be used to provide training, outreach and technical assistance for the nation’s socially disadvantaged, tribal and veteran farmers and ranchers. “USDA was created to be ‘The People’s Department,’ and in the past eight years we have made tremendous progress in correcting past mistakes and creating a more inclusive …

Ag Groups, Farming, USDA

Bill Would Help Grow Urban Farming

Cindy Zimmerman

Senate Agriculture Committee ranking member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) this week introduced the Urban Agriculture Act of 2016 to “addresses the unique needs of urban farmers by investing new resources and increasing flexibility through existing programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).” Senator Stabenow announced her legislation Monday during a press conference at D-Town Farm in Detroit. “Urban agriculture …

AFBF, Farming, Food

Finalists Chosen for @USFRA Faces

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA®) has announced the finalists of its third class of Faces of Farming and Ranching, a nationwide search to help put real faces on agriculture. This is the third class of Faces of Farming & Ranching that USFRA has sought to speak on behalf of the industry in this capacity. The finalists are: Lauren …

Audio, Education, Farm Progress Show, Farming, USFRA

Culver’s Grows 19 “Thank You Farmers” Mazes

Jamie Johansen

From food to fuel, there are more than 4,000 uses for corn across the world. This year Culver’s restaurants added one more use to the list: thanking farmers. The restaurant chain wouldn’t be what it is today without the hardworking farmers who grow the food that’s proudly served in its restaurants. That’s why Culver’s worked with farmers across the country …

Agribusiness, Corn, Farming, Food