Use the list in this box to view the live presentations being streamed at the 2012 Alltech International Symposium.
Alltech Fun Run
It may seem a little early in the morning for a run. Well, it is a little early in the morning! The 2012 Alltech International Symposium Fun Run had beautiful weather this year and a big crowd. We’re pumped up! I did not win since it is not a “race.” But I did make it without stopping. My first run in over a month and a half. Guess I’m healed enough now from the bicycle wreck. No more excuses . . .
The opening general session will be next on the agenda and we’ll be live tweeting and providing photos, audio and interviews throughout the day. Now it’s time to get ready after a little Starbucks on the way back from Transylvania University, site of the Fun Run.
Zimfo Bytes
- The USDA invites individuals to share their expertise in reviewing project proposals for the 2012 Farmers Market Promotion Program grants.
- Pioneer Hi-Bred will sell its soybean products by seed count per unit, rather than by weight, beginning in the fall of 2012 for varieties sold throughout North America for the 2013 planting season.
- The California Strawberry Commission is pleased to announce that $188,300 has been awarded to 193 students through the California Strawberry Scholarship Program for the 2012-2013 school year.
- Twenty additional agronomy experts across the U.S. will be hired to further strengthen Pioneer’s agronomic services and corn and soybean product advancement efforts.
Alltech International Dinner
Since the first time I saw Dr. Ronan Tynan sing I was hooked. I can’t say how glad I was to see him on the program again here at the 2012 Alltech International Symposium. Tonight at the International Dinner Dr. Tynan sang one of Dr. Pearse Lyons favorites, Danny Boy. I recorded it so you can hear this great tenor voice.
We also heard songs tonight from Dr. Everett McCorvey, University of Kentucky, and his students. There were many standing ovations. These are world class voices and a real highlight to the start of an Alltech Symposium. I’ve got photos from all of them in the photo album. I’ll add a link to them later after they finish uploading.
Listen to Ronan sing here: Ronan Tynan Sings Danny Boy
Post Update: Here are photos from the conference, including the International Dinner: 2012 Alltech International Symposium Photo Album
Communicating With Alltech
Here’s the Alltech Communications team welcoming the media arriving early to check in for the 2012 Alltech International Symposium. It’s hard to see but they’re promoting the Symposium Twitter hashtag, #AgFuture. It’s a beautiful day in Lexington. Things will get started this evening with the International Dinner which will once again feature world class opera voices. I will have photos and hopefully some audio for you later this evening.
Then tomorrow morning we start very early if the weather cooperates with the Fun Run. I haven’t run since my little bicycle accident but I think I can do it. I know I need it. It’s a great way to get the day started before we get to the opening general session.
Some things to keep in mind for the next several days include:
Alltech Symposium Twitter hashtag is #AgFuture.
Live streaming via the Alltech Ag Network.
Get the Alltech Symposium App.
Also, remember you can follow me on Twitter @AgriBlogger and Jamie Johansen @MyLifeNTheHills. This is Jamie’s first ZimmComm adventure so expect to see/hear a lot more from her starting this week!
New Alliance Between Demeter Communications and LBL Strategies
A new alliance between Demeter Communications and LBL Strategies, Ltd., offers a distinctive portfolio of expertise to food, agriculture and rural development organizations seeking comprehensive strategic management, governance and leadership development, marketing communications and evaluation assistance.
The alliance provides seamlessly integrated services that increase companies’ efficiency and effectiveness by optimizing planning, management, marketing and measurement efforts. Organizations can learn more by contacting Linda Snell at (847) 274-3061.
Ag Future Discussed At Alltech International Symposium
There are a lot of good reasons to attend an Alltech Annual International Symposium. Here are a couple of them for journalists.
- 1. Food matters to everyone: Symposium will focus on exploring new strategies for food production and examine how current agricultural practices will need to change to feed the growing world population. Sessions will also explore topics related to new insights into the relationships between nutrition, genetics and health.
- 2. Symposium offers sessions ranging from broad-level topics to more specific scientific information, and with more than 150 presentations, there will be something to pique your interest and your audience’s.
- 3. It is a unique opportunity to network and interact with people from all over the world and find great stories.
- 4, Be among the first to hear news and announcements about what’s next for Alltech.
- 5. The registration fee is waived for the media.
So, for these reasons and more I’m heading to Lexington, KY again to cover the 2012 Symposium and learn more about Alltech’s vision for the future. The challenge is going to be to cover all the great presentations, take lots of photos, do lots of interviews and still find time to network with friends I’ve made over the years who come from many different countries. Of course we can’t forget the Alltech team led by Dr. Pearse Lyons. I’m looking forward to it!
Communicating With MustangRED
MustangRED Communications was announced just before the 2012 Agri-Marketing Conference. During the conference I had a chance to visit with founder and owner and good friend, Sally Behringer.
Sally says MustangRED works with a network of industry professionals to provide full service communications services. Sally has been in the business for a long time and really understands a wide variety of types of agricultural businesses, including government relations work. So, if you’re in need, give Sally a call!
Interview with Mustang Red SallyThank Domino’s Ag Pizza Party Weekend
We know what’s for dinner tonight – Domino’s Pizza!
This weekend has officially been declared “Thank Domino’s Ag Pizza Party Weekend” by the agriculture social media community. It is our way of saying thanks to the pizza corporation for not caving into the demands of HSUS (Humane Society of the U.S.) Last month, Domino’s Pizza shareholders voted against a resolution that would have required pork suppliers to stop housing gestating sows in stalls. Domino’s made that decision after consulting industry experts about what is best for the animals. “We rely on established industry experts and the USDA to determine best practices in this area, and will continue to do so,” they said. Yes!!!
Thousands have joined “The Truth About Agriculture” movement called “Farmers Paying it Forward with Pizza” and are planning to purchase pizza from Domino’s this weekend to say thanks! They have even created a custom thank you note for people to print out and deliver to Domino’s.
When you get your pizza this weekend, make sure to take photos and share them on the Pizza Party FB page and tweet using the hash tag #agpizzaparty with handle @dominos.
Farm Wars! Podcast
I love seeing new farm podcasts. This one just came to my attention in my email inbox. It’s the Protect The Harvest, Farm Wars! Podcast. This relatively new pro-agriculture advocacy group has jumped into some very important issues of concern for everyone involved in farming today.
Hosted by Wayne Yocum and co-hosted by Dan Kleinsorge, the operations manager of Missouri Farmers Care, the Farm Wars! Podcast is a bi-weekly look at the growing conflict between modern agriculture and extremists within the animal rights and environmental movements.
“Wayne and Dan provide a fresh, inviting and informative take on this very important issue,” explained Iowa State Representative Erik Helland, Protect The Harvest Board Member. “Too many Americans are unaware that their food supply is under attack from extremists who want to control their lifestyles and choices. Hopefully, the Farm Wars! Podcast will be an effective wake up call.”
Released every two weeks, the Farm Wars! Podcast includes in-depth interviews with news and policy makers along with news coverage and discussion segments like “This Week In Insanity” and “Warm Fuzzy/Cold Prickly.”
Take a listen to the latest episode here: Farm Wars! Podcast