This morning the IFAJ 2011 Master Class is in session while Boot Camp meets separately. Yesterday both groups were together. Here’s a little information about the Master Class: Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is supporting a pilot project called the IFAJ-Pioneer HiBred Master Class. This program will bring a group of journalists from developing countries to a two-day journalism and …
Corn is Sweet on Strom’s Farm
Getting $7/dozen for sweet corn in Canada is a pretty sweet deal for Channing Strom, owner along with his wife Amy, of Strom’s Farm. Especially if you sell an average of 10-12 thousand dozen. I caught a picture of Channing, who is outstanding in his field, during our visit to the farm today. He drove a wagon load of IFAJ …
Motivation For IFAJ Master Class/Boot Camp Students
How do you stay positive even when you’re in a negative environment? The IFAJ Master Class and Boot Camp class attendees heard multiple ways from motivational speaker Declan Coyle, Andec Communications. Declan’s presentation was sponsored by Alltech. I heard him first earlier this year at the Alltech Symposium. Declan uses a strategy based on what he calls the green platform. …
Welcome to Canada and IFAJ 2011
It’s time for the 2011 IFAJ games to begin. Kim Waalderbos, freelance writer, is checking us in this afternoon at my hotel. I’ve already run into several of my IFAJ friends that I haven’t seen in a couple of years. Tonight we have a welcoming reception for participants in the pre-Congress Master Class/BootCamp. I thought I’d take advantage of some …
Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show
Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show is just one of the stops coming up on the agriblogging highway. I’ll be attending for a day just prior to the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress. Canada’s Outdoor Park is home annually to Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show each September but people, equipment and animals are roving in and out of the site all …
Lyle Vanclief Named Honorary Chair of IFAJ Congress
It’s time for an IFAJ 2011 Congress update. It’s only weeks away now and I’m looking forward to meeting and interviewing this man. Former Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Hon. Lyle Vanclief, has been named Honourary Chair of 2011 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress being held this September in Guelph and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. The congress organizing …
Irish Agricultural Journalism
The ZimmCast takes an Irish turn this week. I visited with agricultural journalist, Damien O’Reilly. Damien works for the Irish National Television and Radio Broadcaster, RTE where he hosts a weekly show called, “Countrywide.” The show is the evolution of “Farmweek” which was very production agriculture focused. The change in the show allows for more rural lifestyle content while still …
Ag Communications Groups United for Japan Relief
Ten North American agricultural communications organizations have joined together in an effort to provide support for the people of Japan as a result of the earthquake and tsunami. Through the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ), the American Agricultural Editors’ Association (AAEA) is coordinating the North American effort that also includes: Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) Agricultural Media Summit LLC …
IFAJ 2011 Congress Deadline
It’s time to stop procrastinating and get your registration completed for the 2011 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress in Canada. The early deadline is this Friday. You’ll get a discount on the fees of course. I registered to arrive in time for a day at the Outdoor Farm Show and hope to be on the Lake Huron Tour. If …
Agricultural Impact of Disaster in Japan
The disaster in Japan due to the earthquake and tsunami is terrible, especially in terms of the loss of human life. Our hearts and prayers go out to the people who have lost their life or loved ones. Cindy and I had the opportunity to visit Japan when the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists held its annual Congress there in …