FFA Develops Online TV Channel

Melissa Sandfort

Following the successful live broadcast of its 2011 National FFA Convention, the National FFA Organization has decided to take up permanent residence on the iHigh.com platform with its own channel. Pictured here are Dwight Armstrong, CEO of the National FFA Organization, and Billy Frey, general manager of the Alltech Ag Network.

The FFA Channel, which will be powered by Alltech and iHigh, will capitalize on the latest in Web technology to bring greater unity to their membership base, which is more than a half-million students strong throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The ability of a Web channel to provide such a platform was exemplified in the October live broadcast of 2011 National FFA Convention, which was attended by more than 53,000 attendees and joined live on the Internet by an additional 550,000 viewers who would have otherwise missed the experience.

In a nod to social Web trends, FFA has entered into a licensing agreement with Alltech, which will allow an element of personalization for state and local chapters. Each state chapter will have their own site, which may be used to highlight awards banquets and other special events. Likewise, each local chapter will be integrated into their high school’s site, creating a platform for the promotion of agriculture with a distinct community-focused tone. Because of the unique business model, all sites have the ability to generate revenue for their organization.

Agribusiness, Alltech, FFA

Victory for Kids in Agriculture

Cindy Zimmerman

Agricultural organizations are pleased that the U.S. Labor Department has officially withdrawn proposed rules that would have prevented many young people from working on farms and ranches.

“The Obama administration is firmly committed to promoting family farmers and respecting the rural way of life, especially the role that parents and other family members play in passing those traditions down through the generations,” said the department in a press release. “Instead, the Departments of Labor and Agriculture will work with rural stakeholders — such as the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Farmers Union, the Future Farmers of America, and 4-H — to develop an educational program to reduce accidents to young workers and promote safer agricultural working practices.”

“This victory for farm families is due to the thousands of farmers and ranchers who sent comments to the Labor Department opposing the rules and continued to voice their concerns with members of Congress,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. “This announcement shows the strength of American agriculture and grassroots action.”

The Labor Department said it received “thousands of comments” against the proposal rule regarding youth in agriculture. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President J.D. Alexander commended the administration’s action and said farmers and ranchers made their voices heard. “This ridiculous rule would have prevented the next generation of farmers and ranchers from acquiring skills and passion for this very noble profession. It also would have restricted urban kids from working on farms and acquiring a solid worth ethic and enthusiasm for this very diverse industry,” said Alexander. “We absolutely have to have a sensible regulatory environment in Washington, D.C. We should not have to worry about negligent rules being promulgated by out-of-touch regulatory agencies. We encourage the administration to venture off the city sidewalks and learn more about where their food comes from.”

The Labor Department made it clear that the “regulation will not be pursued for the duration of the Obama administration.”

AFBF, Farming, NCBA

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

Zimfo Bytes

Anymore Frost in Sight?

Melissa Sandfort

For more than a month now, four kinds of tomatoes and four kinds of peppers in 20 labeled “ready-to-plant” potters have been sitting on our kitchen table and now in the garage. I’m waiting. Earlier this month we had two weeks of 85-degree days but then Monday morning of this week we had frost again.

And I don’t have enough empty milk jugs and wall-o-waters to cover all the plants. I believe the Farmer’s Almanac says to wait to plant May 1 this year and I think that’s a pretty reliable source.

Last year was my first attempt at a “real” home garden, with help and suggestions from my grandma. We put it in the wrong place – it didn’t get enough sun and when we went through a rainy spell, it was underwater. I didn’t thin my head lettuce. Or my onions. I’m calling it a practice year.

This year, my husband (because he’s handy with EVERYTHING) built me these five raised bed planters. Aren’t they great? And, we still have one black kitty to keep the rabbits away and fertilize.

I’m hoping for a better crop this year…happy planting to all who are doing a home garden!

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

New Holland Mega Media Event

Cindy Zimmerman

New Holland wants everyone to know that they are rejuvenated and back in the game for agriculture.

Not that they ever left the game, they’ve just been flying a bit under the radar for awhile and now New Holland North American VP Abe Hughes says they really want to get out and show they industry what they’ve got. “We’ve been so successful at our turnaround and our rejuvenation these last two years that we thought it was high time that we invite the media over to hear our story and give you a little insight as to our future,” Abe said.

The media day started on Wednesday with a trip down memory lane to the original brick building in New Holland, Pennsylvania where the company was started in 1895 by Abram Zimmerman, a Mennonite blacksmith who invented the freeze proof engine. Not sure if we’re related, but I am not only married to a Zimmerman, my mother’s maiden name was Zimmerman, so you never know!

We traveled just a short distance down the road by Amish buggy to the modern New Holland North American headquarters, a nice transition from the past to the present. Abe gave us a good overview of the company history and where they are today, with a stable management team and strong earnings to show for it. “I’m happy to say that New Holland North America was part of the success of our earnings release today,” he said. “We made $1.11 a share, which is well above the period last year and also well above what the analysts were predicting. We’re definitely pulling our weight and there’s much more to come!”

And there’s also much more to come on the New Holland Mega Media Event, including some media equipment test drives! I’m excited!

Check out the photos in the New Holland Media Event album and listen to my interview with Abe below:
Abe Hughes Interview

Audio, Equipment, New Holland

Walter Bond Says Get Bigger, Stronger and Faster

Chuck Zimmerman

He’s America’s Accountability Leader. He’s Bond, Walter Bond. He was also our final speaker at the 2012 Agri-Marketing Conference with a session titled, “No One Can Stop You, But You.” Walter is a former NBA player.

I asked Walter what he wanted these agrimarketing professionals to take away from his presentation. He says the main message is, “I don’t want them to go back home and be the same professional when they left.” He says his background as a professional athlete taught him to get bigger, stronger and faster. He’s applied that same strategy to his post athletic career and suggests the same for NAMA members.

You can listen to my interview with Walter here: Walter Bond Interview

2012 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, NAMA

Farm Podcaster Tool

Chuck Zimmerman

Cindy and I have worn out our Flip and Kodak camcorders so I’ve been looking for a good replacement. My requirements are small, full HD quality, ideally external rechargeable battery and ability to connect external microphone/audio source. What I have found is this one. It’s a Sony Handycam, Model HDR-CX260V/W. It’s got plenty of good features including zoom lens, image stabilization and I like the hidden USB connector cable in the hand strap. The first video I shot was at the Agri-Marketing Conference last week. I just plug it into my Mac and use iMovie and it imports just fine. The format is AVCHD so you’ll need to import from the camera or make a camera archive folder on a hard drive for the same purpose.

Fall in love with the stunningly beautiful 1920x1080p Full HD videos you create and capture ultra-steady footage that rocks without the roll associated with camera shake thanks to Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization with Active Mode. Back-illuminated Exmor® R CMOS sensor provides excellent low light capabilities while a wide angle G lens lets you fit even more in every shot.

Equipment, Media

NAMP and NMA Unveil Logo for New Association

Melissa Sandfort

The executive committees of the North American Meat Processors Association and the National Meat Association met last week in Washington, DC, for two days to continue working out the logistics of bringing together the two organizations under the banner of the North American Meat Association (NAMA).

They agreed everything is on track to complete the consolidation by the target date of July 1, 2012.

The map image emphasizes that its membership and scope of work is North American. The three-word tag line highlights what it offers members.

One of the first tangible results will be a new NAMA Membership Directory delivered to all members by the start date. There will be a strategic planning session during the summer months, and the combined committees from the two associations will continue working on critical issues for the industry and the new association.

The two executive committees also confirmed a first year of major events for the new association and other events popular with each group over the years.

Uncategorized

Farmers Willing To Share Their Harvest

Chuck Zimmerman

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Would you be willing to donate the proceeds from one acre of your farm to help your local food bank?” Apparently we have some very generous farmers out there since 61% said Yes and 39% said No. Of course they may be many areas that don’t even have a local food bank too. I don’t know. But we sure appreciate everyone who participated!

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “With all of the discussion on projected corn acres this year, how many acres of corn do you expect to plant this year?” So how about it corn growers. I wonder how many will grow corn for the first time this year too. Should be interesting. Let your corn growing friends and neighbors to know we’d like to know what they plan and remember this is an anonymous poll! Use this link to share.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

ZimmPoll

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Alamo Group Inc. and Alo jointly announced a major new manufacturing and distribution alliance for their tractor loader businesses in North America.
  • Nominations for the 2012 PrecisionAg Awards of Excellence are now being accepted. Recipients will be honored at the International Conference On Precision Agriculture in Indianapolis this July.
  • RFD-TV and Alltech have announced a partnership with iHigh.com which could reshape the way people around the world look at agriculture.
  • Incofin Investment Management, Fairtrade International and Grameen Foundation announced they are establishing the first fund to focus on the unmet demand of smallholder farmers for long-term loans. Starbucks Coffee Company joins as the Fund’s first anchor private investor with a$1.3m commitment.
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