The National Agri-Marketing Association just announced the winners of their annual Professional Development Awards. Yours truly was nominated! I consider that an honor and I congratulate the people who have been chosen to receive the awards which will be presented during the Tuesday dinner at the NAMA Agribusiness Forum.

I just had a feeling this would happen. I applaud the decision and look forward to having the biggest and best NAMA convention ever in Missouri next year!

This was just sent out from the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) office. Are you a member? If so, how about helping recruit some more?

As you no doubt know, Cindy and I are in Switzerland. Since we’ve been here we’ve only been able to see some CNN coverage of the hurricane aftermath in the south. When I saw the damage to the Hyatt I wondered how it would affect the NAMA convention next spring and in the latest NAMA e-News they mention that it is too early to tell. However, they’re looking at possible alternatives. I can’t imaging that the hotel will be ready for us by April but you never know.

If you’re a member of the National Agri-Marketing Association you might have it in your inbox or your mailbox. It’s time to toot your own horn with your entry in the 2006 Best of NAMA competition. You can find all the information you need online.

Okay. It’s a little self-promotion. But hey, if I don’t promote myself how are you going to believe I can help you promote yourself?

Here we are blog training at the the Agri-Marketing Boot Camp. This is a demo post.

This evening was the producer panel. Joining me as our farmer panel were Brian Bogue, Bogue Farms (right in picture), Holt, MO; Michael Amigoni, Amigoni Family Vineyards (left of podium), Centerview, MO; Larry Oltjen, cattleman, Robinson, KS (far left in picture). I had the pleasure to moderate this panel. What a great group of producers we had.

Here’s where agri-marketers need to be to learn how to, well, agri-market. A farm!

The Boot Camp crew had to stop for lunch. I don’t have the name of the farm but they got to lounge around in the shade. I wonder who that is on the cell phone?