ZimmComm Announces Agri-Blogging Internships

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zimmcomZimmComm New Media is now taking applications for students in the agricultural communications field to attend and learn how to “agri-blog” some of the most important industry events held every year. It has been years since we worked with Monsanto on student blogging opportunities at Commodity Classic and we miss the experience of working with budding agrimarketing professionals. So we decided to do something about that.

The opportunities will include all-expense paid trips to one or more industry events where students will assist in the compiling of photos, audio and video and posting of activities on pertinent websites. Interns will learn and develop the use of tools, techniques and technology to gather and distribute information through various social media channels. Per-diem and college credits may also be available.

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Agribusiness, ZimmComm Announcement

Zimfo Bytes

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    Zimfo Bytes

  • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the re-establishment of the Forestry Research Advisory Council and is seeking nominations for new members.
  • Bayer CropScience and Monsanto Company have entered into a series of licensing agreements for next-generation and enabling technologies in the field of plant biotechnology that will provide new options and choices for farmers.
  • Farm Market iD, announced it has launched a new website in conjunction with new branding.
  • Dairy.com announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Blimling and Associates, Inc. and its two sister companies.
Zimfo Bytes

Grocery Store Must See

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Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Have you started spring planting”

Our poll results: Sixty-two percent said No, I’ve Been Delayed More Than One Week, twenty-three percent said Yes, I’m In the Field Right Now, and fifteen percent said No, I’ve Been Delayed by One Week. The late winter storms and heavy rain showers seem to have put a damper on the majority of farmer’s spring planting plans.

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Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What is the #1 thing you look for on a food label?” Reading food labels has become more popular with media attention about health risks. What are some of the things you look for in the grocery store? Let us know.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by New Holland Agriculture.

New Holland, ZimmPoll

Highest NAMA Conference Attendance Since 2000

Chuck Zimmerman

Winners of NAMA Golf TournamentIt was a chilly day to be out golfing yesterday but the ABEF golf tournament still went on. First place golfers included Les Kahl, AdFarm; Roger Reierson, AdFarm; and Bill Vaughn, Merck.

We’ve got 1,248 agrimarketers and students from across the country forging new frontiers within the agricultural industry. This is the highest attended conference since 2000!

2013 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

NAMA

Name the NAMA Past Presidents

Chuck Zimmerman

NAMA PresidentsA number of past presidents of the National Agri-Marketing Association attended a dinner last night with the current president and executive committee. This is a fine looking group of NAMA royalty that includes our current President isn’t it? Know who they are? The first person to correctly identify them will win a prize from the ZimmComm stash of stuff. Just post in comments.

Today things really kick in gear as the student NAMA marketing competition gets underway. Many students have been seen wandering the hallways mumbling to themselves. It may look a little strange to some people but they’re just practicing. Also on tap today is a NAMA leader workshop, board meeting, Best of NAMA awards and opening of the Connection Point trade show. I think that’s enough for one day!

Our photos will be adding up online and can be found here: 2013 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, NAMA

EPA Advisor Aims to Build Trust with Ag

Cindy Zimmerman

bittlemanThe new senior Agricultural Counselor to the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator held a conference call Tuesday to discuss her background and her role as an advisor at EPA on ways environmental policy may impact growers and the greater agriculture community. Sarah Bittleman accepted the new position with EPA in February after serving Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack as USDA Senior Advisor on energy policy.

“The position of ag counselor helps ensure that the EPA administrator and senior agency staff are advised on ways in which complex environmental issues impact growers and the greater agricultural community,” she said.

Bittleman admits that there is a problem of trust when it comes to farmers and ranchers and the EPA. “My job is to restore some of that trust,” she said, noting that it might be improved by working more closely with USDA, conservation districts and state departments of agriculture that have a better relationship with producers. “By partnering with these other folks who work so closely with agriculture, we can little by little grow a base of increased and better trust relationships.”

Bittleman says her goal as EPA advisor is to serve rural America.

Listen to or download call here: Sarah Bittleman, EPA Ag Counselor

Audio, USDA

Pre Agri-Marketing Conference Activities

Chuck Zimmerman

NAMA Executive Committee MeetingThere are already a number of events taking place here in Kansas City, MO in advance of the 2013 Agri-Marketing Conference. Student NAMA members are hard at work practicing their marketing competition presentations and industry related organizations like AAEA are holding meetings.

I’m in the National Agri-Marketing Association Executive Committee mtg. right now. We’ve heard the good news that NAMA is at its highest membership level since 2002! Great news. NAMA is in good shape in every way measurable. Our committee will be making some recommendations to the full board of directors tomorrow. If significant decisions are made I’ll make sure you know about them.

NAMA

Registration Open for AgGateway Meeting

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agGatewayRegistration is now open for AgGateway’s 2013 Mid-Year Meeting, to be held June 17-20 at the John Deere Financial Facility in Johnston, Iowa. At the meeting, AgGateway councils, committees and working groups will move forward on valuable efforts to promote, enable and expand eBusiness in agriculture. These efforts are helping companies to implement supply chain efficiencies in such sectors as precision agriculture, seed, grain, feed, crop nutrition and crop protection, as well as for ag retail companies.

There is no registration fee for the Mid-Year Meeting, which makes it a great opportunity for those who have been curious about eBusiness and the organization to see AgGateway in action, and to join in networking events and educational sessions.

AgGateway has seen significant growth due to the success of member collaborations on eConnectivity projects. Membership has grown from 141 to 170 member companies in the past year alone.

Agribusiness, Events

Agricultural Business Council Honors Two

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agbizkcOn June 18 at the Chamber of Commerce Board Room in historic Union Station, The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City will honor two of the region’s leading business figures who have been civic champions for agriculture in separate but very key issue areas in our region.

The 2013 Award for Agricultural Leadership and Excellence, named in honor of the late Jay B. Dillingham, will be awarded to Harry Cleberg, Farmland Industries (retired) and Tom Waters, Missouri River Levee and Drainage District Association.

The June 18 event will be hosted at the Chamber of Commerce Board Room in Union Station (30 W Pershing Rd in Kansas City, MO) at 11:30 a.m. for networking and noon for lunch.

Tickets are $75 per person or $600 for a table of eight. Reservations can be made by contacting Erica Venancio at Erica.Venancio@agbizkc.com or by going to www.agbizkc.com.

Agribusiness

Honorees Inducted into Ag PR Hall of Fame

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The Agricultural Relations Council is pleased to announce two new inductees into the Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame: John Harvey and Paul S. Weller, Jr. The two longtime friends and colleagues were inducted at a ceremony held during the 2013 ARC Annual Meeting. The program is sponsored by the Agricultural Relations Council and AgriMarketing magazine.

harv.weller.Both inductees were on hand to accept the honor and offer their words of wisdom to the professionals gathered to discuss communication challenges facing agriculture today. Congratulatory letters sent to the inductees highlighted their impressive professional achievements but the one accomplishment recognized by all was their impact as mentors to up-and-coming agricultural public relations professionals.

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Agribusiness, ARC, Public Relations