April Fool?

Melissa Sandfort

Today Aunt Jeanette writes:

Every once in a while a story from my teaching days pops in my head. Since farming is at a standstill for now, you get an “off-season” story.

579924_4105704733888_56432155_nIt is amazing what I find in my closet. Maybe I should clean it out more often! Last week I found the bedspread my grandma made during the Depression. This week I found something funny – an old, black, frumpy dress that I wore to play a trick on my third graders.

If you know me very well, you know I like books and reading. Another thing I loved doing was reading aloud to my third graders. Every class that entered my door heard the beloved story of “Charlotte’s Web.” And every class saw a tear in my eye when Charlotte died. I tried to read different types of literature – as I feel that is an important part of a child’s development.

Some of my favorite books were “Miss Nelson is Missing,” “Miss Nelson is Back,” and “Miss Nelson Has a Field Day.” Whenever I read aloud, I always tried to really get into the characters. As I was reading these books, I thought, “Why not BE Miss Nelson? Or, even better, the substitute teacher, Miss Viola Swamp?”

So, with the help of the school secretaries, the physical education teacher, and anyone else who happened to be standing around, I literally transformed into Miss Viola Swamp! My third graders thought I was sick as I had been working at my desk and suddenly ran out of the room holding my stomach with one hand and covering my mouth with the other hand.

I will never forget the looks on the kids’ faces when their substitute walked in the room about 15 minutes later! I played the role of Miss Swamp all day and we had a fantastic time! There was actually learning that took place – just in case you were wondering.

It was undoubtedly one of the best April Fool’s tricks I have ever pulled off!

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Kirk Leeds Receives Biodiesel Award

Chuck Zimmerman

Kirk LeedsOne of the National Biodiesel Board Awards was presented this morning for Industry Partnership to Kirk Leeds, Iowa Soybean Association.

Kirk is Chief Executive Officer of the Association and has been a leader among soybean organizations in supporting biodiesel efforts since the industry’s inception. ISA’s support of the National Biodiesel Board over the years has allowed the industry to prepare and face the challenges of being a billion-plus-gallon Advanced Biofuel. His visionary leadership has helped to maintain a mutually-beneficial, strong connection between the soybean and biodiesel industries. Kirk and ISA have been at the forefront of improving agriculture’s environmental performance. Through partnerships with farmers, environmental groups, agri-business and academia, ISA is helping lead efforts to identify practical solutions for complex environmental issues.

You can listen to Kirk’s remarks here: Kirk Leeds Remarks

2014 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, National Biodiesel Conference, Soybean

What’s your opinion of state HSUS Ag Councils?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How did the ‘Polar Vortex’ affect you?”

Old man winter hasn’t left and chances are won’t anytime soon. This winter’s buzz word has been polar vortex. Has your winter been different then others? If so, has it been caused by this new buzz word. Or has winter at your house been about normal? Well, in this week’s ZimmPoll the majority said it made work more difficult. Farmers and ranchers around the country are among many other’s who don’t get a day off when the weather gets bad. I was surprised to see the number of people who weren’t really affected. Maybe they live in the deep South or maybe they are used to brutal weather and adapt.

Our poll results:

  • Not at all – 26%
  • Somewhat – 26%
  • Made work more difficult – 33%
  • Couldn’t work – 14%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What’s your opinion of state HSUS Ag Councils?”

HSUS has been organizing state Agriculture Councils with the intention to unite farmers. These councils are made up of farmers, ranchers and conservationists and HSUS says the goal is to foster better animal welfare and environmental stewardship. Councils have been established in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina and Ohio. Most recently they have created one in Missouri. Many question the legitimacy of these councils and claim they are front groups for HSUS. What do you think? Do you trust HSUS?

ZimmPoll

Riding in a New B20 Chevy Cruze

Chuck Zimmerman

Ride and Drive DayYou can ride or drive a brand new diesel vehicle at the 2014 National Biodiesel Conference today. Not only conference attendees but the general public.

There are four vehicles outside the San Diego Convention Center from Hino, Ford, General Motors and Jeep. I chose the Chevy Cruze and rode along and made a little video clip with my Google Glass. It will give you an idea of what the experience is like. I had to choose the Cruze since my new grandson’s name is Cruz!

There are lots of new photos in our online album now too:
2014 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Biodiesel, Biofuels, National Biodiesel Conference, Video

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Register for a media badge to access World Ag Expo for interviews, pictures, media day breakfast and tours and more.
  • The Arkansas Agriculture Department announces the release of Arkansas Grown.
  • Calling all cooperative communicators, the superheroes of communications with creative muscles of steel, to enter your latest and greatest projects into the 2014 CCA Communications Contest.
  • Humane Farm Animal Care announces new standards for products that are labeled Certified Humane and either “Free Range” or “Pasture Raised.”
Zimfo Bytes

National Biodiesel Conference – Strong Reality

Chuck Zimmerman

Joe Jobe NBBThis morning Joe Jobe, CEO, National Biodiesel Board, rallied his troops at the National Biodiesel Conference in San Diego. He told attendees that the petroleum industry is misleading Americans about fuel policy and called on President Barack Obama to stand firm behind his previous commitments to supporting alternative energy industries.

In his annual address at the Biodiesel Conference & Expo, Jobe shed light on current industry challenges and exposed cracks in how we think about energy.

He pointed out that biodiesel’s story is not unique, “Biodiesel’s story is an example of how effective government policy can be to jump start a fledgling industry. That is the same story of nearly every new industry that involves technological development. Strong government policy support along with a unique spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship, and risk-taking are the primary reasons that so many major modern industries had their start in America.”

You can listen to Joe’s speech here: Joe Jobe Speech

2014 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, National Biodiesel Conference

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

National Biodiesel Conference Blogging

Chuck Zimmerman

2014 National Biodiesel ConferenceIt’s hard to believe I’ll be the biodiesel blogger for the 9th year this week. The 2014 National Biodiesel Conference is taking place in San Diego and I’m on my way. I’ll be working as the Biodiesel Blogger on the NBB Conference Blog as well as publishing stories on energy.agwired.com.

Things will get going late today and through Wednesday. You can find the program here. I’ll be sharing lots of photos and interviews as I find them. Hope you enjoy them.

Our John Davis got a preview of the conference from NBB CEO Joe Jobe last month. Listen in if you missed it. Joe Jobe, CEO NBB

Ag Groups, Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, National Biodiesel Conference

Baby ZimmGlass

Chuck Zimmerman

Cruz with ZimmGlassThe ZimmGlass Project took a new turn last week when I traveled to Missouri to see my Grandson Cruz. Yep, Cindy and I are now grandparents! While Cindy was holding him this morning I let him try out my ZimmGlass. He didn’t say too much about it though.

So, is Google Glass going to be a future tool for the agricultural journalist? Answering that question is part of the purpose of the ZimmGlass Project. I took it on the road last week to the AFBF Convention and tried it out, shooting photos and video interviews which have been published right here on AgWired. I’ll be back on the road with it tomorrow to the National Biodiesel Conference.

Here are some initial thoughts on using it in the field.

Battery Life Short – This is not a huge problem for someone like me who carries multiple extra mobile chargers like our new Golden ZimmComm Mobile Charger but could be frustrating if you’re out in the field away from an outlet for an extended period. It made me only turn it on when needed.

Data Hog – I chewed through a month’s data on my Verizon plan in a few days in part because I was allowing ZimmGlass to back everything up via Google+. I don’t need to do that and will turn that off. I’ll also be using wifi only whenever I can rather than the mobile network through my Samsung S4 mini.

Shooting Photos – I would like to have more control over the composition of my photos, focus point, lighting, etc. There are limited ways to share out the photos direct from the device too. For example, I can share it via my Twitter account but can’t compose a note to go with it. Photos came out quite good considering the specs of the camera but I would really like to see these improve significantly.

Shooting Video Interviews – This worked quite well but . . . in a noisy environment like a trade show it was difficult to get close enough to the person I was interviewing to hear them clearly. The sound quality in general was not great but certainly usable. I also found it awkward to be the tripod. Meaning that you have to hold your head absolutely still while doing questions/answers. That’s not natural but I think I can get used to it.

The more I’ve used my Glass the more comfortable I am with it and the quicker I am able to use it. I had a few instances of the device not responding and having to be restarted. Hey, it is a computer after all. And it’s a beta device.

So at this point I can see it becoming a device I use more and more assuming there are improvements in battery life and camera. I know there are many apps being built for Glass but I have not had time to work with many of them at this point.

Media

IFAJ Leadership in Berlin

Chuck Zimmerman

IFAJ 2014 LaunchThe leadership of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists is meeting in Berlin. It is an annual meeting in conduction with the Green Week food show.

While there the British Guild held a launch party at the British Embassy to kick of this year’s Congress which will be held in Scotland. Thanks to Facebook for this photo of British Guild of Agricultural Journalists’ chairman Jane Craigie with IFAJ 2014 congress chairmen Adrian Bell, left, and Howard Venters.

IFAJ 2014 was launched in the British Embassy in Berlin. Our special guests on the night included the IFAJ presidium, executive members, His Excellency, Simon McDonald, the British Ambassador to Germany, and Owen Paterson, the Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs.

IFAJ, Media