Those of us who have attended a lot of NAFB Washington Watches over the years know that they wouldn’t be anywhere near as beneficial without the help of Larry Quinn, Assistant Director for Communications Operations, USDA. Everyone in ag communications should know Larry and for those in farm broadcasting in particular, he’s documented our “happenings” in his weekly e-newsletter for …
NAFB With Secretary Vilsack
In true traditional style, NAFB members attending the Washington Watch program got their picture taken with the Secretary of Agriculture. Thank you to the USDA photographer for taking this photo for me. The full size version is in the photo album. NAFB Washington Watch 2009 Photo Album
Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack Speaks To NAFB Members
Internet access was lacking at the NAFB USDA visit this morning so I couldn’t live stream Sec. Vilsack’s comments as I had intended to do. During last year’s visit you may recall that I live streamed his predecessor which was the first time I had done that on location. But I did record Sec. Vilsack and have the audio available …
A People’s Garden On Earth Day
I think I heard something about today being Earth Day. I can’t say that it really excites me. Maybe it’s because farmers tend the land every day and view care of their property as an integral part of their life. So why do we need a special day? Maybe it’s because this day has been used by so many people …
Money Farm on MGEX Commentary Call
Every time the USDA issues an important crop report, the Minneapolis Grain Exchange hosts a conference call for reporters with a market commentator. We have been responsible for recording and uploading that call to their server for the past couple of years now. Today the call focused on the April Supply Demand report and the commentator was Mike Krueger from …
Vilsack’s Busy Day
Tuesday was a busy day for Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. He started the day by attending the National Agriculture Statistics Service lock up briefing prior to the prospective plantings report release first thing in the morning. Then, he testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture about the Administration’s plans to bring reform to USDA and discussed how the President’s …
USDA Staff Appointments
Sec. of Ag Tom Vilsack has made a number of staff appointments including: OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY John Berge-White House Liaison to USDA. Lindsay Daschle-Confidential Assistant to the Secretary. Max Holtzman-Senior Advisor to the Secretary. Grant Leslie-Senior Advisor to the Secretary. David Lazarus-Senior Advisor to the Secretary. Sam Liebert-Staff Assistant to the Secretary. Rohan Patel-Director of Advance for the Secretary. …
Adelstein Nominated To USDA RUS Admin
I just noticed in Broadcasting & Cable magazine that Jonathan Adelstein has been nominated by the Prez to head up USDA’s Rural Utilities Service. He’s an FCC Commissioner currently. Adelstein would be administrator of the RUS program. The White House gave Adelstein props for “efforts to improve rural telecommunication s and broadband” while at the commission. The story says RUS …
USDA Recovery Act Website
Here’s where you can find information on how USDA is involved in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. USDA was appropriated $28 billion (3.5 percent) of the package. The Act: * Provides $19.7 billion to increase the monthly amount of nutrition assistance to 31.8 million people. * Enables expanded opportunities for broadband loans and grants to rural communities. …
Secretary Vilsack Agriculture Week PSA
Our Secretary of Agriculture has recorded a public service message to highlight National Agriculture Week. You can listen to it here: vilsack-agweek-psa.mp3 The picture is Secretary Vilsack with Cookie Monster and Broccoli at the National WIC Association and Sesame Workshop Partnership conference. I like it.