Secretary Ed Schafer and Me

Chuck Zimmerman

Our Secretary of Agriculture, Ed Schafer, made his first major public policy speech today at the Cattle Industry Convention. Thanks to Andy Vance, Buckeye Ag Network, for snapping a picture for me. It was a pleasure for the ag media to get to meet Schafer. For many of us, it’s our first opportunity and I’m sure not our last. I’m …

Ag Groups, Audio, Beef, USDA

Baxter Speaks Out For Ag Census

Chuck Zimmerman

You sure know Baxter Black is more than just a pretty face. He’s also a recognizable voice. I’m sure that’s why USDA had him voice a couple of psa’s for their current Census of Agriculture. I realize these are meant for “broadcast” use but dare I post them on the web? Baxter PSA Number One (:60): ag-census-baxter-1.mp3 Baxter PSA Number …

Audio, USDA

Ed Schafer Confirmed as New Secretary of Agriculture

Chuck Zimmerman

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, …

Audio, USDA

InfoFarm – The NAL Blog

Chuck Zimmerman

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

USDA MyPyramid Podcast – Almost

Chuck Zimmerman

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 …

Podcasts, USDA, Video

Reminiscing With Brenda Curtis-Heiken

Chuck Zimmerman

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 …

Audio, USDA, ZimmCast

Ice Storm Affecting Livestock Producers

Chuck Zimmerman

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 …

Audio, USDA

USDA/Ad Council PSA To Prevent Obese Kids

Chuck Zimmerman

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 …

Advertising, Food, USDA, Video

Fight Stress with Wild Blueberries

Laura McNamara

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 …

Ag Groups, Food, USDA

Beef Promotion Board Appointments Made

Melissa Sandfort

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, …

Beef, USDA