Develop a Relationship With Your Local Reporters

Chuck Zimmerman

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “When was the last time you talked to a journalist about agriculture?” The question was inspired by an AgChat Twitter conversation question that had been submitted by @BASFAgro! We’re supposed to stand up for our industry and livelihoods that are threatened by lots of misinformation that gets spread by the media. What are we …

Food, ZimmPoll

Food Confusion

Chuck Zimmerman

Do you find food confusing? Not sure who to believe? Try the folks who produce it and the science behind today’s food production. CommonGround is one resource you should look to if you’ve got questions CommonGround, a volunteer group of farm women dedicated to creating conversations around farming and food, wants to help provide moms with facts around some of …

Ag Groups, Food

Connecting Farmer2Family

Chuck Zimmerman

What do you think about this concept to connect consumers directly to their local farmers in order to make direct purchases. It’s called Farmer2Family and has been started in nine European countries. Everyone can now enjoy local and fresh produce, from their local suppliers, every day of every year. Some 4.5 million farmers, fruit- and vegetable-growers, fishermen and the like …

Ag Groups, Food

Founding Fathers Beer Helps Armed Forces Relief Trust

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s a beer our Founding Fathers would be proud of. It’s named, “Founding Fathers Beer.” Right now distribution is limited but there are a number of states where you can find it. If you do find and purchase some Founding Fathers Brew you’ll be helping a good cause. Listen to their new jingle: Founding Fathers Beer, a new American lager …

Audio, Food

Just Say NO to No HFCS

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is urging the food industry to stop the anti-high fructose corn syrup marketing “scam.” In recent letters to food marketers, NCGA called on them to stop marketing products as not containing high fructose corn syrup, implying there is something especially unhealthy or unnatural about corn sugar. “Such innuendos are not scientifically supportable and they …

Corn, Food, NCGA

Donating Eggs for Easter Again

Chuck Zimmerman

I wonder how long it would take to crack 10 million fresh eggs. A long time for one person that’s for sure. That’s how many eggs that are being donated again this year by America’s egg farmers. The Easter bunny is getting a helping hand from United Egg Producers. The eggs are being donated to Feeding America’s 78 food banks …

Ag Groups, Food, Poultry

ABC News Should be Held Liable

Chuck Zimmerman

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Should ABC News be Liable for Job Losses due to Lean Beef Trimmings Story?” Sixty percent of you said Yes and forty percent said No. As Cindy has said about this issue, “Yellow journalism makes pink slime.” Couldn’t agree more. Have you read various online stories about this? Maybe worse than the terrible and …

Beef, Food, ZimmPoll

Ag Secretary Vilsack & IA Gov. Branstad Press Conf.

Chuck Zimmerman

Today at 3pm, CDT, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad will hold a joint press conference to clarify facts surrounding Beef Products Inc.’s lean finely textured beef. We sure need some facts to get out into the consuming public on this. You can watch it live in the player window below. The press conference will be held …

Audio, Beef, Food

We Need Both RFS and Farm Bill According to Senator Stabenow

Chuck Zimmerman

Addressing the attendees to the Agri-Pulse reception last night was Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwomen, U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. I visited with her briefly after her remarks. I first asked her what she thought about the importance of the work that’s being done by groups like USFRA which held a Food Dialogues event prior to the reception. …

Ag Day, Ag Groups, Audio, Farm Bill, Food, USFRA