We’re all about agricultural marketing here at AgWired and especially the “cutting edge.” That’s why I keep pointing you to the new ways you need to look at things or the news things you need to look at. Like, searching on the internet. Check out this new RSS title search function from Surfwax. Thanks to Stephen Baker at Blogspotting for the announcement!

I’m often asked what software I use for AgWired and our other blog sites. It’s WordPress and I can’t say enough good about it, especially the latest version. This is open source software and although there’s no charge to download and use it they will accept donations.

Please excuse the fact that I didn’t post more today. At about 12:30pm I noticed a serious Microsoft Word issue on my desktop computer that is completely baffling. It’s now 6 hours later. I’ve spent over 2 of those on the phone with 4 different Microsoft technicians who waver between a software update problem and that it’s not their problem. Unbelievable! If you’re using Microsoft Office I wouldn’t recommend updating with the latest Microsoft Word Security update like I did this morning. One of the techs admitted that that update might have caused this problem. Might? *&$^#)*%&

There’s no way to write about all the festivals that take place around the country but how many send out releases on Business Wire? I had to let you know about them. Besides who wouldn’t want a bratwurst with some Snow Floss Kraut on it?

Just a reminder about Global PR Blog Week 2.0. It got started yesterday and there’s lots of content already. The tagline says it all “Public Relations and Business Communications in the Age of Blogs.”

Just to make it easier to search the blogosphere, Google is beta testing a special search engine for blogs! Check it out and do a search for AgWired!

You probably already know that the World Trade Organization has a new Director General, Pascal Lamy. Bet you didn’t know what he looked like. That’s why I love getting pics!!!

No picture for this post. I’ve just got a few minutes of access time here in Zurich. It’s travel day home. Cindy and I had to hide out for 2 days and relax. We did some high mountain hiking and ate some great fondue in Lucerne.

On the second day of the IFAJ Congress it was time to get to work, beginning with general sessions at the Schadausaal. The focus of the Congress is “The New Role of Agriculture.” Speakers included: Manfred Boetsch, Director of the Swiss Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Luzius Wasaescha, Ambassador, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Hansjoerg Walter, President of the Swiss Farmer’s Union and Walter Huber, CEO of Emmi.

This is just a little out of the ordinary for AgWired. Well, maybe not too out of the ordinary. As I was looking at The Weather Channel online to find out the latest about Hurricane Katrina, I noticed they have their own blog! It’s really not too bad and is a good example of what you can do with one. You can meet their bloggers here. And of course you can use this link to subscribe.