Ed Schafer got confirmed today as our new Secretary of Agriculture just in time to sit in with the Cabinet at tonight’s State of the Union speech. Here’s what President Bush had to say about it. I appreciate that the Senate today unanimously confirmed Ed Schafer to be our next Secretary of Agriculture. As a two-term governor and business leader, …
InfoFarm – The NAL Blog
Did you know the National Agricultural Library has a blog? Me either. But it does. Well, sort of. It really looks more like they’re creating individual pages that have a comment form on them. But someone’s writing and it’s all being archived. And it does have an rss feed so you can subscribe to it.
USDA MyPyramid Podcast – Almost
USDA is almost podcasting on its MyPyramid website. I say almost because of this line on their podcast page: “Check back every month for a new video podcast.” Oops. That completely misses the point of podcasting which is about me watching when/where I want and being able to subscribe so I don’t have to go back to a certain web …
Reminiscing With Brenda Curtis-Heiken
This week the ZimmCast hits a milestone with episode number 150. Hard to believe I’ve been podcasting for almost 3 years. It has been a blast though as we pioneer new ways to communicate to farmers and consumers. That’s why it’s kind of fitting that this week’s program contains an interview with my good friend Brenda Curtis-Heiken, USDA Radio. Brenda …
Ice Storm Affecting Livestock Producers
Parts of the midwest got a break from the ice storm today but others had it hit them. Locally we got lots of rain today with temperatures above freezing. The USDA radio news line had a good story about how it’s affecting livestock producers who still have chores to do even when the power goes out. For example, we’ve got …
USDA/Ad Council PSA To Prevent Obese Kids
In this public service announcement produced by USDA and the Ad Council eating an apple keeps the ceiling from falling on you and turns it into a world map. Well, that’s not really the message. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Nutrition and Consumer Services and the Ad Council announce today the launch of a multi-media public service advertising …
Fight Stress with Wild Blueberries
Just a handful of wild blueberries at each meal is the ticket to natural stress-relief. At least, that´s what the USDA has concluded. USDA scientists recently concluded that eating Wild Blueberries and other antioxidant-rich foods at every meal helps prevent oxidative stress. (Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 26, No. 2, 170-181, 2007) This study advances antioxidant research …
Beef Promotion Board Appointments Made
Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner announced 39 appointments to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. All appointees will serve 3-year terms beginning Feb. 3, 2008. Appointed members representing cattle producers by state are: Max Bozeman, Jr., Alabama; Weldon D. Wynn, Arkansas; Manuel Rodrigues, California; Harold A. Wick, Colorado; Sidney L. Sumner, Florida; Dan D. Hinman, Idaho; Paul L. Kent, …
Carl Winter’s Food Safety Music
How about a little food safety music to start your day? This is from Carl Winter at the University of California – Davis. He’s got several food safety themed songs available including lyrics and a powerpoint presentation. I thought you’d enjoy the USDA song. People, there’s no need to despair If you’re worried ‘bout your food, land, and air I …
Chris Connelly New USDA Comm Director
The USDA has a new Director of Communications and he’s Chris Connelly. Connelly replaces Terri Teuber Moore, who has been named the Deputy Director of Communications for Policy and Planning at the White House. “Chris Connelly brings broad experience in management and public policy communications, a shared belief in the importance of transparency and a commitment to continuing this department’s …