HumaneWatch Cat Says WTF HSUS

Chuck Zimmerman

HumaneWatch BillboardTalk about some great publicity exposing the “real” Humane Society of the United States. HumaneWatch has done it again. Remember to give to your local animal shelter!

As part of its ongoing campaign to expose the deceptive fundraising practices of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), yesterday HumaneWatch.org, a project of the Center for Consumer Freedom, launched a billboard in Times Square calling attention to a little-known fact: Despite its commercials and fundraising materials featuring sad-looking puppies and kittens, HSUS gives only one percent of its $120 million budget to support local pet shelters.

The billboard (viewable here) is located in Times Square at Broadway and 46th Street.

The ad features a picture of an angry-looking cat with the headline, “WTF? (Where’s The Funding?),” and goes on to explain, “The Humane Society of the United States only gives 1% of its budget to local pet shelters.” The ad concludes by prompting viewers, “Find Out About the Deception At: HumaneWatch.org.” Read More

Animal Activists, Wackos

2016 Will be International Year of Pulses

Chuck Zimmerman

USA Dry Pea & Lentil CouncilWe’re not talking about your heart here. We’re talking about I Heart Pulse Crops. Well, at least the United Nations has by voting voting to declare 2016 as the “International Year of Pulses.” The American Pulse Association has responded.

“Pulse” is a term describing the edible seeds of several leguminous plants, such as dry beans, dry peas, lentils and chickpeas.

“These are exciting times for the pulse crop industry, both nationally and internationally,” declared Tim McGreevy, CEO of the American Pulse Association. The APA is a partnership between the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council and the US Dry Bean Council to promote the health, nutrition and sustainability of pulse crops. “Pulses have been a nutritious part of the international diet for centuries. The United States has only just begun to tap into the healthy benefits of these crops,” McGreevy added.

Pulses have steadily increased in popularity as people around the world recognize their appeal as nutritious, versatile foods that can play an essential part in healthy diets.

Ag Groups, Video

Mixed Results on New Health Insurance Plan

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How is your health insurance for 2014?”

We had a pretty low voter turn out for this ZimmPoll. It may be due to the holidays, but I’m thinking it might be due to confusion. Most people probably still haven’t figured out how their personal health insurance plans will change, if they will change and what it will cost them. I am one of the lucky ones and my insurance won’t be changing.

Our poll results:

  • Lower cost, better benefits – 23%
  • No change – 23%
  • Other-Higher costs, same benefits – 23%
  • Higher cost, better benefits – 15%
  • Higher cost, less benefits – 8%
  • Can’t figure it out yet – 8%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Would you wear Google Glass?”

Chuck has been flaunting his new toy around quite a bit lately. This toy being Google Glass. I asked when I would be receiving mine, but was quickly informed that because he is part of Google’s beta test, only one is allotted per company. That means I will have to wait along with the rest of the population. Chuck has deemed his the ZimmGlass and has been experimenting with ways he can use it out on the agriblogging highway. Does this new technology have a place in agriculture? Can you see yourself wearing this computer on your face while out in public? Tell us what you think!

ZimmPoll

No More Complaining

Melissa Sandfort

Seems that the longer the winter drags on and the more days the kids spend inside, the more complaining I hear. The latest list includes:
• I don’t want to clean up the toys.
• I don’t want to take my dirty dishes to the sink.
• Does your coat go in the middle of the floor? No.
• I don’t know how to make my bed.

The list goes on. For a 5-year-old, these simple “grown-up” tasks seem like awful chores. But I remember summers growing up when my mother had a job outside of the home, each morning she’d leave a “to-do” list which usually included dusting something. I never understood how so many things in the house could get dusty, and my theory on cleaning was to just push aside the decorations and dust around them. That never passed the white-glove test.

Compared to the kinds of chores my grandfather used to have, these are mundane tasks. In this story he’s a bit older at 10, but picking up a coat off the floor pales in comparison!

Listen to Grandpa explain

Maybe I should have my son listen to this story next time he feels like complaining.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Ag Weather Advisor Keeps Farmers Up to Date

Jamie Johansen

Screen Shot 2014-01-08 at 1.27.45 PMThe “polar vortex” seems to be a hot topic the last couple of days and that means farmers have to work extra hard to stay updated on what to expect while they prepare for planting. The NCGA-FMC Ag Weather Advisor, prepared by Blue Water Outlook, is a special free member benefit that can help growers stay a step ahead.

“The weather that is occurring this winter are setting the stage for spring and summer growing conditions,” said John Feldt of Blue Water Outlook. “The NCGA-FMC Ag Weather Advisor provides valuable insight, analysis and information not easily found elsewhere on the key factors shaping the weather right now and well into the future. This information can help growers make critical weather-related decisions throughout the entire year.”

Subscribers to this free service receive each week the BWO Agriculture Weather Outlook that will help farmers understand how much rain to expect, days in advance. BWO is a 10-minute video briefing discussing precipitation and temperature trends for the up-coming week. Subscribers will also receive a pre and post-event analysis of precipitation events.

Ag Groups, Corn, Farming, FMC, NCGA, Weather

Innovations From a Small Island

Chuck Zimmerman

2014 IFAJ CongressThe British Guild of Agricultural Journalists will be the host for the prestigious IFAJ World Congress this year for an unprecedented sixth time. The Congress is titled, “Entitled Innovations from a Small Island” and the event will showcase British food and farming to the global media. The ZimmComm team hopes to be there and is seeking sponsors at this time. It’s a great place to interact with agricultural journalists from around the world.

You can find an overview of the agenda for this year’s Congress here.

IFAJ, International, Media

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Farm Journal Media announced Mark DePrez as its new Vice President and General Manager for its radio business.
  • Darrin Dodds, associate Extension professor at Mississippi State University, has been announced as the 2014 Extension Cotton Specialist of the Year, an award sponsored by Bayer CropScience since 2008.
  • Florida Department of Citrus and Food Network Star Aarti Sequeira join forces; help Americans explore taste adventures in their own kitchens with zesty grapefruit-infused recipes
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced speakers for the 2014 Agricultural Outlook Forum, “The Changing Face of Agriculture,” to be held from Feb. 20-21 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, Va.
Zimfo Bytes

Kruskopf Coontz Adds Two Ag Marketers

Jamie Johansen

DeanHuffKruskopf Coontz Advertising (KC) announced their new president, Dean Huff. Huff was previously working for Padilla/CRT, MN, where he led the agribusiness practice and was responsible for leading integrated communications. He has also worked for The Martin Agency, Colle McVoy and Saatchi & Saatchi.

KC has also hired Duncan Salyer as their new Accounts Manager. Salyer comes from Broadhead + Co., MN, where he worked primarily on their crop nutrition and government clients.

Both new hires have worked for many different agricultural clients. Including, BASF, Case IH, New Holland, DeKalb, Honda, Nestle Purina, Cargill, Glastron, USDA-APHIS, The Mosaic Company and the list continues.

DuncanSalyer

“This is a key strategic move for us as we continue to grow and expand,” said Sue Kruskopf, CEO and founder, Kruskopf Coontz. “Our B2B experience coupled with the knowledge these two bring of the ag industry, puts the agency in a position to foster future partnerships within this sector,” Kruskopf added.

Kruskopf Coontz is a Minneapolis agency whose clients include 3M, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, United Healthcare and Cargill.

Advertising, Agencies, Marketing

2014 AFBF Convention Coming Up

Chuck Zimmerman

2014 AFBF ConventionIt’s almost time for my first venture out on the agriblogging highway of 2014 – The American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention. It’s off to San Antonio this weekend and it looks like the weather is going to cooperate for most of the U.S.

This is the most media friendly farm convention I know of. In fact, I was on the AFBF staff helping other media once upon a time when I worked for the Florida Farm Bureau. Those were the days (what does that mean btw?).

The ZimmComm team has a growing list of locations to visit this year. Before February gets here we’ll be in San Antonio, Des Moines, San Diego, Atlanta and Austin. It’s going to be a great year. I can feel it. I hope you do too.

The Twitter hashtag for the convention is #AFBF14. In case you missed it, Cindy interviewed Mace Thornton (.mp3) about the upcoming meeting.

AFBF, Ag Groups

Farm Bill Might be Making Progress

Cindy Zimmerman

leahy-floorFarm bill conference committee member Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) says they worked on the legislation during the holiday break and are making progress.

“The conference committee is making steady progress,” Leahy said during a speech on the Senate floor Tuesday. “Chairwoman Stabenow, a Democrat, and Chairman Lucas, a Republican, deserve credit and our appreciation, for working closely together to bridge the wide differences between our two bills.”

Calling the current Farm Bill limbo “part of a string of artificial made-by-Congress dilemmas,” the senator criticized proposals for further extensions of the farm bill. “Farming is a business,” he said. “You can’t have Congress say ‘sorry, we’ll extend it for a couple weeks – bye, bye we’re going home on recess.'”

Leahy added that “saddling farmers with this needless uncertainty makes their difficult work even more difficult” and that continuing to extend the current bill prolongs direct payment subsidies which “senselessly costs taxpayers untold millions of dollars.”

Listen to or download Leahy audio here: Sen. Leahy floor speech

Audio, Farm Bill