Farmers and Farm Media Use of Internet Tools

Cindy Zimmerman

This week’s ZimmCast features two interviews done at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual meeting last week in Kansas City. We have been attending the NAFB convention since 1985 and some things never change – like Ted Haller, for example. But, other things – like Ted’s hair – do change, and in recent years that has been the emphasis …

Audio, Media, NAFB

Give Up Meat To Save the Planet?

Amanda Nolz

A group called the Vegetarian Society is standing up once again attribute global warming and the end to the universe to meat eaters. The article, Climate chief Lord Stern: give up meat to save the planet, published in Times Online, urged folks to turn vegetarian in order for the world to conquer climate change. In an interview with The Times, …

Food, Media, Sustainability

Cattle Company Forces Change in Michael Pollan University Lecture

Amanda Nolz

Finally, someone puts some pressure on Michael Pollan. He’s scheduled to speak at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in an unopposed keynote speech for college students geared on the topic of animal agriculture and food production. However, in a recent article in the Triple Pundit, sources revealed that David Wood, chairman of the Harris Ranch Beef Co., urged the university …

Beef, Media

Talking NAFB With Bill O’Neill

Chuck Zimmerman

The National Association of Farm Broadcasting has seen some significant changes in the last 4 years and the staff leader has been Bill O’Neill. Bill is stepping down at the end of this year to pursue some personal interests and I spoke with him about his decision and his years working with the organization. He says he’s going to move …

Audio, Media, NAFB, ZimmCast

NAFB Executive Director Stepping Down

Chuck Zimmerman

Just received word that Bill O’Neill, the Executive Director of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, will be stepping down. The NAFB Board has accepted his resignation effective December 31. You can hear all about it from NAFB President, Pam Jahnke, who has recorded an audio statement (mp3). Pam Jahnke, current president of NAFB said that O’Neill plans on pursuing …

Media, NAFB

NAFB To Honor Lee McCoy and Evan Slack

Chuck Zimmerman

The National Association of Farm Broadcasting will honor two of its finest during this year’s convention on Thursday, November 12. The honor will be presented during the Night of Honors Celebration Banquet. Lee McCoy and Evan Slack have been voted into the NAFB Hall of Fame by the Hall of Fame Committee — a working group of five individuals composed …

Media, NAFB

Awards for Successful Farming and Agriculture.com

Cindy Zimmerman

The young and beginning farmers behind the Farmers for the Future project at Successful Farming magazine and Agriculture.com netted the media company two awards at the recent Media Industry News (MIN) Integrated Marketing Awards held in New York. Pictured accepting the awards on behalf of Successful Farming magazine are John Walter, Executive Editor and Jeff Caldwell, Multimedia Editor. The Farmers …

Media

What’s Your Definition of Cowboy?

Amanda Nolz

Everyone has a different idea of who or what a cowboy is. While most definitions vary widely, there is one thing that they all have in common: pride in American agriculture and dedication to get the job done right. Recently, I ran across an article titled, “Who Cares About Cowboys Anymore?” and it discussed how the average American consumer doesn’t …

Media

Get it Right – Call it H1N1

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack yesterday urged reporters to “get it right” and call it H1N1. “The job of the media is to get it right and not necessarily to get it convenient,” said Vilsack. “Some media outlets have been responsive and sensitive to this, but there’s really not been a concerted effort by the media to do a good …

Media, Pork, Social Networking

TIME for Yellow Journalism

Cindy Zimmerman

If you look up the definition of “yellow journalism” you should find a picture of last week’s TIME Magazine cover story – which was renamed “Getting Real about the High Cost of Cheap Food” – after first being headlined “America’s Food Crisis and How to Fix it.” Wikipedia gives several characteristics of yellow journalism that fit this attack on modern …

Corn, Livestock, Media, Swine, Wackos