One of the coolest parts of the IFAJ/AMS Big Ol’ Western Welcome Party was pretty hot – branding boards with personal brands. Dozens of ag media types, both American and international, took the branding iron in hand and left their marks. Our buddy Harlen Persinger – photographer extraordinaire – really got into it and designed a nice brand for himself. …
A Tour of Ft. Worth, Texas Part 1
AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2009 is sponsored by: and Although I lived in Dallas-Ft. Worth for several years, there is always more to see. I spent the day touring around Ft. Worth as part of the IFAJ conference and visited the Rocky Top Therapy Center (www.rockytoptherapy.org) located in Keller, Texas, the Texas Motor Speedway in Ft. Worth and Superior Livestock …
IFAJ goes Country
The International Federation of Ag Journalists kicked off the 2009 Congress events with an all American rodeo and some sweet southern cooking at Billy Bob’s Texas in the historical Fort Worth Stockyards. Billy Bob’s is home to the “world’s largest honky tonk,” where international visitors enjoyed a wonderful time of dinner and refreshments. Afterward we moseyed on over to their …
Economist Barry Flinchbaugh Talks Ag
AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2009 is sponsored by: and After the great debate this morning, I had the opportunity, along with Kansas Ag Network reporter Greg Akagi, to spend some time with retired economist Barry Flinchbaugh. We began by asking what the biggest issues are facing the ag community. His response: climate change and healthcare. “Front and center is renewable …
IFAJ Tour Visits Equine Breeding Operation
Yesterday I had the pleasure of touring some of the beautiful state of Texas. My touring adventure took me to southern Fort Worth where we visited Beakley Farms in Waxahachie, Burgundy Beef Boucherie in Grandview, and the Alpha Equine Horse Breeding ranch in Granbury. Due to the weather, some of the tour was toned down but lucked out at the …
The Great Debate
AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2009 is sponsored by: and It was the Flinchbaugh-Stenholm show Sunday morning at the first combined session for the IFAJ Congress and the Ag Media Summit. A full house was entertained by the musings and mutterings of “The Great Debate” between former Texas congressman Charlie Stenholm and retired K-State ag economist Barry Flichbaugh. The crowd had …
Texas Ag Greets International Visitors
AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2009 is sponsored by: and The Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture for Texas greeted international agriculture journalists meeting in Fort Worth and spoke his mind about some trade issues that were not necessarily in agreement with some of the countries represented. During an interview after his luncheon address, Drew DeBerry told me that he was not surprised …
A Few Words from the IFAJ President
AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2009 is sponsored by: and The president of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Mike Wilson of Farm Progress Companies opened the general session of the 2009 Congress in Fort Worth Saturday morning with a few words about the direction of the organization. Mike reported on the further development of the IFAJ website and plans for …
Lots of Options for International Visitors
AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2009 is sponsored by: and With a free day before the real business of the 2009 IFAJ Congress gets going, many of our international visitors are checking out the sights to see around Fort Worth. Some of the “on-demand” local area tours include the National Cutting Horse Association Summer Spectacular, National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, The …
Busy Media Room at IFAJ
It’s always nice to have a good working press room with internet access at any event where there are journalists at work and the 2009 IFAJ Congress media room, sponsored by BASF, is already being utilized by reporters from all over the world here in Ft. Worth. There are a number of laptops around the room, as well as both …