During the World Food Prize in October, we were able to get to know some people from Ukraine and learn more about the US-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC). So our thoughts have been with them as the news has been tuned to the unrest happening there. Our friend Michael Datsenko with the USUBC put me in touch with his president and …
A Sad Goodbye to Joe Watson
I am shocked and saddened by the abrupt passing of Joe Watson. He is one of many agricultural journalists Cindy and I have come to know and love around the world through our participation in IFAJ. This is a photo of yours truly with Joe during the closing banquet at last year’s IFAJ Congress in Argentina. Joe was dressed in …
IFAJ Leadership in Berlin
The leadership of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists is meeting in Berlin. It is an annual meeting in conduction with the Green Week food show. While there the British Guild held a launch party at the British Embassy to kick of this year’s Congress which will be held in Scotland. Thanks to Facebook for this photo of British Guild …
Innovations From a Small Island
The British Guild of Agricultural Journalists will be the host for the prestigious IFAJ World Congress this year for an unprecedented sixth time. The Congress is titled, “Entitled Innovations from a Small Island” and the event will showcase British food and farming to the global media. The ZimmComm team hopes to be there and is seeking sponsors at this time. …
Global Manager for IFAJ
We want to congratulate our friend Jose van Gelder, Agriterra, for her new job with the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists. Here’s her announcement message from Facebook: Yippee!! As of next month, I’m appointed as the new Global Manager for the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ)! Great challenge and perfect combination with my current work at Agriterra, for which …
2013 IFAJ Congress Video
The organizers of the 2013 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress have just posted a video that gives you a great overview of the enjoyable time we had in Argentina last month. For those of us who went it brings back good recent memories. For those of you who could not attend or have wondered about what such a conference …
The Business Side of IFAJ
The International Federation of Agricultural Journalist’s Congress in Argentina wasn’t all fun and games. Business had to take place too. During the business meeting delegates met to vote on issues and discuss changes within the industry. Here is an excerpt from the delegate meeting to let IFAJ members who were unable to attend and future members gather a better understanding …
A Boat Captain’s Tale
A highlight to Chuck’s recent trip to Argentina for the International Federation of Agricultural Journalist (IFAJ) Congress, was during the livestock tour where he witnessed gauchos drive horses and cattle across a local river. Unable to turn down the opportunity for a unique interview, Chuck chatted with the Argentinian boat captain while he guided the tour boat across high waters. …
Foro PAIS Promotes Argentina’s Soy Complex
Foro PAIS – Productores Agro Industriales de Soja – was born in 2011 with the purpose of promoting the Argentine soy agro-industry and we learned more about it during the IFAJ 2013 Congress. Foro PAIS Communications and Institutional Relations Director Dr. Adrián Figueroa says soybean production is a huge industry for Argentina. “Soybean production in Argentina in the last ten …
Argentina’s Export Tariffs
During the IFAJ Congress, I was very surprised to learn that Argentina has export tariffs on a number of agricultural commodities, including corn and soybeans. I understand import tariffs, but export tariffs would seem to do nothing but hurt a country’s agricultural industry. “Argentina has export taxes on almost every product that we export, but in the case of grain …