International Green Week makes a very convenient spot for the IFAJ to hold its annual board meeting. Seen here are IFAJ President David Markey (l) and Senior Vice President Mike Wilson (r).
Messe Berlin Opening Reception
Welcoming agricultural journalists to Berlin this evening was the CEO of Messe Berlin, the company that organizes International Green Week. He’s Raimund Hosch and I interviewed him after the presentation.
Blogging From Berlin
I will find out the story behind Checkpoint Charlie Bear. He sits outside the Crowne Plaza Hotel here in Berlin city center. He certainly helps you know where you are.
I just got settled in to the hotel and thought I’d start off with a short video clip for you.
Message From Mari
I just heard from Mari Bjørke, head of the organizing committee for this summer’s International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress in Norway. She sent along a bunch of photos too like this one featuring a bunch of us Americans.
Mari sent along a holiday message to all the IFAJ Congress participants.
In Hamar, Norway we have not got our snow yet, but are anyway hoping for white Christmas this year, too. Most of the people here are celebrating Christmas, that means we are soon having a week off just caring for family and friends and a lot of traditional good meals! Merry Christams and happy new year to all of you, and thank you for being such good guests last august!
IFAJ 50 Year DVD
You can still obtain copies of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists DVD. It commemorates 50 years of the organization. We celebrated that birthday in Norway earlier this year. Thanks to IFAJ Treasurer Marcus Rediger for the reminder.
Irish Farm Broadcaster
One of the people I’ve come to know through IFAJ is Damien O’Reilly. He’s a farm broadcaster from Ireland. You can find him online at RTE Radio 1 with his show Farm Week.
Champion Cherry Seed Spitter
This is what happens in Norway after you’ve been drinking too many shots of Aquavit. Why else would you have a Sweet Cherry Pit Spitting Contest? I mentioned this while I was attending the IFAJ Congress but didn’t know who won. Thanks to alert reader, Monique van Hal – Maas from the Netherlands she pointed me to the details from the IFAJ website.
IFAJ 2006 Flickr Photo Album
My senses have been fed and it’s nice to be home. I almost have everything sorted out, including getting my photos from the Congress uploaded to Flickr.
Passing The Banner To Japan
I know it’s sad to say goodbye but the last thing you do at a closing banquet is pass the banner. Here the banner is being passed from the Norwegian organizing committee to the leaders of the Japanese committee.
50 Years and 5 Whiskies
You have got to like an organization that has custom labelled bottles of a blend of 5 fine scotch whiskeys made to give to and honor their past presidents.
This is the 50 year anniversary of the IFAJ and the 5 whiskeys in the blend each represent a decade of the organization’s existence.