Chillin In My Corn Watch

Joanna Schroeder

While Cindy and Chuck are traveling around the country bringing you real agricultural news, I’m chillin on this beautiful day in my corn watch. Yes, you heard me right, I have an environmentally friendly watch that is partly made from corn.

Sprout Watches manufactures a line of eco-friendly watches that contain corn resin and bamboo. The watches come in multiple colors, but I chose white because of its neat design on the watch face. Each color watch has a different earth themed design to go along with its earth themed materials.

But back to the corn resin. It’s used as a component of the plastic, rather than using petroleum-based products. Nice, right?  Sprout promotes the technology on its website and notes that corn resin pellets sequester far less fossil fuel and emits much less greenhouse gases.  In addition, the watches are biodegradable and will not leach toxins into the ground. If you want to learn more, they have some neat graphics to demonstrate the process from stalk to watch.

So why am I sharing this story with you? Because it is another example of what our corn farmers across the country are bringing us today and a glimpse of what they will be helping to bring to use in the future – a myriad of products that are petroleum free.

Corn, Environment

How GROWMARK Uses Social Media to Recruit

Cindy Zimmerman

GROWMARK’s gold-standard internship program is over 50 years old and it keeps growing because they are using all of the latest social media tools to reach students about the potential for career opportunities within the vast cooperative system.

“Social media has allowed us to continue to enhance our traditional recruiting efforts,” says University Relations Manager Ashley McClintock. “We utilize Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin to connect with individuals who may not have met otherwise and it allows us to stay in touch when we’re not on campus.”

Ashley says they also use social media to inform students about career fairs and other events. “We’ve also handed out cards that show the event so students can partake in conversation and even win prizes,” she said.

The 12-week GROWMARK internship program allows students to get hands-on experience in various areas. “This is a win-win for the students and GROWMARK as it allows the students an opportunity to clarify their career goals and gives us a chance to see if they could have a successful career with the company,” Ashley says. The 53rd annual GROWMARK internship program will kick off May 20 with 51 students representing 21 universities across North America, working in a number of different areas.

Listen to my interview with Ashley here: GROWMARK's Ashley McClintock

Another social media tool GROWMARK uses to recruit is YouTube. Take a look at the video below about the internship program.

Audio, GROWMARK, Social Networking, Video

NCBA Praised for Youth Labor Rule Efforts

Cindy Zimmerman

In deciding not to pursue controversial youth labor regulations for agriculture, the Obama administration said it would work with rural stakeholders for safety education, specifically mentioning organizations such as the Farm Bureau, the NFU, FFA, and 4-H. But the livestock industry has been just as involved in the issue, if not more so, according to Congressman Denny Rehberg (R-MT).

“I just want to thank the National Cattlemen for their involvement in bringing the issue to the attention of the American people in the national media,” Cong. Rehberg said in a telephone press conference today with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) president J.D. Alexander of Nebraska. “I want to thank the Obama Administration for withdrawing this regulation because it didn’t make sense.”

However, the congressman quoted Ronald Reagan – “trust but verify” – and said he will be working to ensure the regulation is not brought back by some other means. “I have every intention as chairman of the Department of Labor’s budget to have a rider in my legislation that says no money will be spent on the implementation, promulgation or enforcement of (this regulation), just to make sure,” he said.

Listen to the press conference with Cong. Rehberg and J.D. here: NCBA Youth Labor Reg Call

Audio, NCBA

Driving a New Holland Combine

Cindy Zimmerman

My personal thrill at the New Holland Mega Media event this week was test driving a CR8080 combine. Never drove anything like it before and it was so easy!

You may not realize it, but New Holland is kind of a big deal in combines. “New Holland was the first company to launch a rotary combine in the market,” Combine Market Manager Nigel Mackenzie told us. “That was back in 1975 with the TR70. That combine was built and designed in Nebraska and the latest evolution, the CR models, are still built there.”

The CR Combine was actually voted “Machine of the Year” last year at Agritechnica. “A lot of new features introduced on the model year 12 machines, primarily driven by greater fuel efficiency and emissions regulations,” Nigel says. “It was really great to be recognized by a group of journalists in Agritechnica for what we’ve done.”

One of the coolest features that I experienced driving the combine was the IntelliView IV color touchscreen display that monitors all combine functions and allows you to see a wide variety of performance information at a glance from up to three camera inputs, with direct USB connectivity for data collection.

Nigel says New Holland has six rotary combine models and three conventional models – he tells us all about it in this interview – Nigel Mackenzie Interview

New Holland Media Event album

Watch me drive the combine – thinking of switching careers to become a custom harvester!!! Well, actually I did run over a cone – but it was my first time. Thanks to Lucas Sjostrom of Hoard’s Dairyman for shooting the video and photos for me.

Audio, Equipment, Farming, New Holland, Video

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