USFRA/Ketchum Receive SABRE Recognition

Melissa Sandfort

The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) has received national recognition for its ground-breaking campaign to help improve the dialogue with consumers about how their food is grown and raised. USFRA, along with its agency partner Ketchum Public Relations, won the prestigious Gold SABRE Award for Excellence in the Associations category. The entry, titled “Since When Did Agriculture Become a Dirty Word?,” highlighted the strategies, execution and messaging used for the public launch of USFRA at the September 2011 Food Dialogues Town Hall.

USFRA’s Communications Advisory Committee and Ketchum began their work together in March of 2011. Since that time they have worked together to create a movement that focuses on bringing the voice of farmers and ranchers to conversations centered on food and food production. Over the past fourteen months USFRA and Ketchum have implemented many successful events and tools to help farmers and ranchers have that conversation, and explain the importance of continually improving today’s agriculture. Today’s news remains filled with stories questioning the integrity of the entire food production chain, and USFRA, in response, has initiated recently the “Grow What You Know” Rapid Response System that allows farmers and ranchers to be alerted of topics in the media that lack a farmer and rancher voice. USFRA will also host two additional Food Dialogue events over the next six months to continue the conversation about how food is grown and raised.

Agencies, Food, USFRA

Global Ag Equipment Manufacturing Alliance Formed

Melissa Sandfort

Leaders from seven agriculture equipment manufacturing associations from around the world have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to officially launch the Agrievolution Alliance, which will facilitate collaboration and cooperation on a global basis within the ag equipment manufacturing industry.

The associations are based in Brazil, Europe, France, India, Italy, North America and Turkey.

The founding associations are:
• ABIMAQ – Brazilian Association of Industrial Machinery and Equipment
• AEM – Association of Equipment Manufacturers – USA/North America
• AXEMA – Association for Industrial Agricultural Equipment, France
• CEMA – European Agricultural Machinery Association
• FICCI – Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
• TARMAKBIR – Turkish Association of Agricultural Machinery & Equipment Manufacturers
• UNACOMA – Italian Farm Machinery Manufacturers Association

Association leaders established the alliance in the shared belief that in today’s global agricultural economy, it is crucial that current issues and future challenges be viewed and worked upon from a global perspective.

The alliance will focus on three areas: industry-specific issues, information exchange and public policy issues. Possible areas of action include coordinating input to harmonization of standards and regulations, serving as an industry liaison with groups such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), using a combined voice on issues such as free trade, and developing a method to regularly exchange market and other industry data.

For more information, contact AEM, who is serving as acting Secretariat: info@aem.org, tel: 414-298-4174.

AEM, Equipment

The Alltech Incredible Journey

Chuck Zimmerman

Alltech Founder and President, Dr. T. Pearse Lyons welcomed all the attendees to the 2012 Alltech International Symposium. I’ve heard that we have over 3,000 here this year! That’s a big jump up from last year. The Symposium just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

I’ll add opening remarks from Dr. Lyons here as soon as I can. He is talking about the “Incredible Journey.” The Incredible Journey was Dr. Lyons opportunity to describe the history of Alltech which included his personal business philosophy. In it he outlines ten initiatives for the company which has plans to quadruple in size in coming years. The goal is to be a four billion dollar company!

Post Update: Listen to Dr. Lyon’s remarks here: Dr. Pearse Lyons Incredible Journey

After the morning session Alltech held a press conference and I conducted a short interview with Dr. Lyons to get his outlook on the 2012 record breaking Symposium and his vision for the future of the company. You’ll hear him say, “I love my life and it’s the only life I have to live.” He says he’s surrounded by fantastic people who are making things happen that are astounding. He says, “It doesn’t get any better than that.”

Listen to my interview with Dr. Lyons here: Interview with Dr. Pearse Lyons

2012 Alltech International Symposium Photo Album

Agribusiness, Alltech

Alltech Medal of Excellence

Chuck Zimmerman

During the opening general session here at the 2012 Alltech International Symposium Gov. John Y. Brown, Jr. received a very special award. Here’s Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech, presenting the 22nd Alltech Medal of Excellence to the Governor.

I’ll have comments from Gov. Brown to add a little later today. He bought Kentucky Fried Chicken from Colonel Harland Sanders when he was 29 years old and is considered one of the pioneers of the fast food franchise industry.

Post Update: Listen to Gov. Brown’s remarks here: Gov. John Y. Brown, Jr. Remarks

2012 Alltech International Symposium Photo Album

Agribusiness, Alltech, Audio

Alltech Fun Run

Chuck Zimmerman

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.

2012 Alltech International Symposium Photo Album

Agribusiness, Alltech

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    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.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Alltech International Dinner

    Chuck Zimmerman

    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

    Agribusiness, Alltech, Audio

    Communicating With Alltech

    Chuck Zimmerman

    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!

    Agribusiness, Alltech

    New Alliance Between Demeter Communications and LBL Strategies

    Melissa Sandfort

    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.

    Agencies