It was a year ago this month that ethanol advocacy group Growth Energy was formed, absorbing the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) and more recently merging with the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC). Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis has been with the organization since March, after leaving the National Farmers Union and he was on hand at the National …
Food Fight Underway
A FOOD FIGHT got underway today with dairy farmers and beef producers joining forces to fling facts in the face of food foes. The main message is to Give Thanks for food and farmers as we prepare for the holiday season. Giving thanks can even get you a steak – actually, an Omaha Steaks Ideal Gift Collection of steaks and …
Farmers and Farm Media Use of Internet Tools
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 …
NAFB Honors Fabulous Farm Babe
Outgoing National Association of Farm Broadcasting president Pam Jahnke – the one and only “Fabulous Farm Babe” – was honored and roasted by fellow members at the annual president’s banquet Friday night. Pam was teased by her colleagues about all the things we love about her – from her boisterous personality to her undying love for Brett Favre. Let’s just …
NAFB Honors Young and Old(er)
The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) has named Ken Root of WHO as the 2009 Farm Broadcaster of the Year and Meghan Grebner of WMBD in Peoria is the Horizon Award winner this year. The winners of the NAFB’s high honors this year are also great friends of ours. Ken Root was president the year we became members of …
The Oscar Goes to Cyndi
Brownfield Ag News Farm Director Cyndi Young was expecting another Brownfield reporter to win this year’s New Holland Oscar in Agriculture Award, so she was pretty surprised when she won for her “Doing It Right” farm tour series. Our friends from New Holland, Gene Hemphill (retired but still involved) and Dawn Fox, were happy that Cyndi was selected by the …
NAFB Honors Claussen for Meritorious Service
The man who took away the blue sheets with overlapping circles and put ag media research at your fingertips was honored by the National Association of Farm Broadcasting for Meritorious Service last night. Ron Claussen, president of AG Media Research (AMR), was praised by his long-time friend Roger Olsen for the work he has done over the years to help …
NAFB Hall of Fame Gains Two
Two great farm broadcasters and people we are proud to call close friends were inducted into the NAFB Hall of Fame Thursday night in Kansas City. NAFB’s own “Real McCoy” was honored posthumously with the award. Lee McCoy passed away last year after a valiant battle with cancer. His brother, son, daughter and namesake grandson accepted the award in his …
Last Day For Ken Hobbie
My first stop at the NAFB Trade Talk was the U.S. Grains Council booth. I interviewed Ken Hobbie and Rick Fruth, Chairman. Today is Ken’s last day on the job as President/CEO. Let’s all wish him well as he starts “relaxing.” In my interview they talk about the current activities of USGC, including international trade development. Speaking of which, I’ll …
NAFB Trade Talk Just Concluded
I can’t let Cindy be the only one to get her working photo on here today. I think I did 20 Trade Talk interviews at the NAFB Convention. I’m about talked out. For the moment. In this photo I’m interviewing Annalisa Clarke, who manages I Love Farmers, They Feed My Soul. We were in the AEM AGCONNECT Expo booth. I’ll …