Indoor Greenhouse

Melissa Sandfort

In the coming month, the space by our east window (next to the dining room table, mind you) is going to look and feel like a greenhouse, complete with seed starters and the aroma of freshly watered planting soil. Yes, we went to the store this weekend and bought a variety of seeds: lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, melons, broccoli, spinach and onion. I have the itch to start gardening soon.

There’s just one problem – a driveway now exists where my previous garden used to be. So this year I have one request of my husband (a.k.a. home-builder and Mr. Fix Anything): Build me a garden with beams that are screwed together at the ends and filled with soil so I don’t have a small pond every time it rains, and it must be in the direct sunlight, not close to our hedge of trees.

Oh, and along with that comes finding new kitties to keep the rabbits and birds away since the highway just claimed another victim, leaving me with only one lonely black kitty. (I guess that’s two requests.)

My grandmother, gardener extraordinaire, suggested I wait to start my indoor seeds until mid-March so as to plant in May. Last year I got the “crop” in a bit early and it was subjected to frost and cold rains. I’m not sure I can contain my excitement until then.

Are you planting a garden this year?

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Smartphones/Mobile Apps Next Big Thing

Chuck Zimmerman

In our latest ZimmPoll we asked the question, “What’s the next “big” thing in ag comm/social media?” Your responses are: Smartphone/Mobile Apps at 49%; Pinterest at 17%; Farm reality tv show at 15%; Not created yet at 11%; Expanded 4G LTE at 4%; Mobile/Online games at 2% and Other at 2%. Surprised? Got any other ideas you’d like to share?

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What will be planted this year?” We’re getting close to that time as National Agriculture Day is just around the corner. Let us know what you think.

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

ZimmPoll

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

    New Holland T6 Series Tractor

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The new T6 and TS6 Series Tractors from New Holland were getting a lot of attention at the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show. Andy Reinert says “We’re really bringing back an old friend.” He’s referring to the Ford 10 series but this model has been fully updated. He says their theme is, “Reliable, Rugged, Simple.”

    New Holland’s new mid-range T6 Series tractors deliver outstanding power, performance and fuel efficiency with Tier 4a emissions-compliant engines that feature New Holland’s exclusive ECOBlueTM technology. Six models, from 90- to 120-PTO hp, are available with a range of standard to premium features with a combination of transmission, hydraulic and cab packages to suit the operation and preferences of a wide array of farming and utility operations.

    Listen to my interview with Andy: Interview with Andy Reinert

    2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

    Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Fastline AgRacer FMC New Holland
    Agribusiness, Audio, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland, Tractor

    Conversation with a Speaker

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The 59th Speaker of the House spoke about leadership and the importance of the nation’s energy security during an appearance at the GROWMARK, FS System “Gold Rush” event in East Peoria, Illinois to introduce re-formulated Dieselex Gold.

    Denny Hastert, who is an Illinois farm boy, says growing up on a farm taught him the responsibility and leadership that helped serve him well in public life. He spoke of how he became an “accidental Speaker” after Newt Gingrich retired in 1998, and then a “war-time Speaker” after 9/11. He is the longest-serving Republican Speaker in history.

    I enjoyed getting the opportunity to interview the former speaker (appropriately with the gold microphone at the Gold Rush!) about his remarks, and about his thoughts on energy and farm policy. “I think you’ll see some of the subsidies that farmers have grown to rely on are going to be gone just because of the shortage in the budget,” Hastert said, noting that he has two farms himself. “What we need to do in the farm community is to make sure we keep those markets for our products that we have and can be independent of government subsidies.”

    Listen to my interview with the Speaker of the House here: Dennis Hastert Interview


    See photos from the FS Dieselex Gold Rush event

    Audio, Farm Bill, GROWMARK

    National Ethanol Conference Kicks Off

    Chuck Zimmerman

    I’m back, back in the Gaylord again. Almost sounds like a line from an Aerosmith song. Now I’m not going to get that out of my head. But I am back in a Gaylord hotel again. This time it’s the 2012 National Ethanol Conference. Cindy will be joining me tomorrow as we provide full coverage on our Domestic Fuel website.

    We’re planning to live stream opening comments from Renewable Fuels Association President/CEO, Bob Dinneen on Thursday morning. More on that to come.

    Ag Groups, Biofuels, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

    First Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame Inductees

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) just announced the inaugural inductees to the new Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame which is sponsored by ARC and AgriMarketing Magazine. They are Don Lerch, founding member of the Agricultural Relations Council, and Lyle Orwig.

    The two will be honored at the ARC Annual Meeting, scheduled for March 22-23 in Charleston, SC. The induction ceremony will be Friday evening, March 23. The board of directors of the Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) approved creation of the first agricultural hall of fame for public relations to recognize individuals for lifetime achievement this past year.

    “Don Lerch and Lyle Orwig epitomize what agricultural public relations is all about,” said Mace Thornton, ARC board president. “Both men have exhibited a true dedication to agriculture and to upholding the invaluable role that professional communicators play in making our industry strong. They have helped pave the way, through example, for all of use who work in ag PR.”

    Lerch was one of 20+ people who met in Chicago nearly 60 years ago to discuss improving the image of American agriculture. The end result was what today is the ARC. His 66-year career involved ag customer outreach, farm broadcasting for CBS, among others, and his own PR firm in Washington, D.C.

    Orwig has spent nearly four decades involved in agricultural publishing and ag communications at numerous organizations. He co-founded Charleston│Orwig in 1992, an agency that focuses on building strong voices for agricultural brands.

    “We are thrilled to recognize these winners,” said Lynn Henderson, Agri Marketing magazine publisher and award sponsor. “This new award program for ag PR professionals who have distinguished themselves and promoted this profession is long overdue.”

    ARC, Public Relations

    AgRacer From Fastline Off To A Fast Start

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCast 338This week’s program is coming to you from the agriblogging highway. I’m on my way to the 2012 National Ethanol Conference while Cindy is on her way to the GROWMARK Dieselex Gold event. It’s a beautiful morning here at the St. Louis airport.

    In this week’s program you can listen in on my conversation with Bill Howard, Fastline. The company was one of our sponsors for coverage of last week’s National Farm Machinery Show. At the show they introduced AgRacer, the mobile farm racing app.

    I visited with Bill during their annual customer appreciation dinner. In the photo Bill is awarding door prizes to the crowd of nearly 650 attendees. He says that’s a lot more than the first dinner they held at the show. As he puts it, “It’s a great time to be in ag.” I couldn’t agree more. However, Bill says that Fastline realizes the changing demographics of the farming community. That’s why they’ve launched Jill’s Junction and AgRacer to reach out to women and youngsters who are not only involved in the farm but are also the future of the farm.

    Listen to this week’s ZimmCast here: Going To The Races With AgRacer

    Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

    The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our Subscribe page.

    2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

    Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Fastline AgRacer FMC New Holland
    Apps, Audio, Media, National Farm Machinery Show, ZimmCast

    Catching Up With Harry Siemens at NFMS

    Cindy Zimmerman

    It was an unexpected pleasure to see Harry Siemens and his lovely wife Judith at the National Farm Machinery Show last week. Harry was one of the very first contributors to AgWired with his “Siemens Says” column, starting way back in September of 2005.

    He has been keeping plenty busy these days with a variety of freelance gigs sharing his Canadian commentary with audiences all over North America. “I’m in my 41st year as a farmers’ advocate in Manitoba, Canada,” he says. Among his many activities, Harry appears regularly with Max Armstrong and Orion Samuelson on RFD-TV’s ‘This Week in Agribusiness’ giving his unique Canadian perspective. He can also be heard regularly on the Linder Farm Network in Minnesota and that was how he happened to be at the NFMS this year, replacing Lynn Ketelson as the host of a bus tour for 49 Minnesotans.

    Harry’s relationship with Max and Orion and Lynn goes back to 1978 when he took a trip to Minneapolis to meet the late farm broadcast legend Maynard Speece of WCCO to ask him what he could do to become a better broadcaster. “He says ‘Join the National Association of Farm Broadcasters of America,'” Harry recalls. “That fall I was at the meeting and for the next seven meetings.” And that was where he met Max and Orion and Lynn and “all the good people there.”

    As a communicator, commentator and journalist, Harry has been quick to adopt new communications technology and the use of social media. He’s on Twitter and has his own blog “SiemensSays.com” where he posts regular news and commentary – like the video he did with fellow bus traveler Machinery Pete at NFMS. He says he also uses his iPhone to do interviews, take photos and shoot video.

    Find out more about Harry in my interview with him from NFMS: Harry Siemens Interview

    2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

    Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Fastline AgRacer FMC New Holland
    Audio, National Farm Machinery Show, Social Networking, Technology

    FMC Waiting on Registration for Anthem Herbicide

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Like waiting on ketchup to come out of the bottle, FMC Corporation is eagerly anticipating the registration of new pre-plant, pre-emergence and early post Anthem herbicide.

    “The label is pending for sometime in the fall of 2012 or into 2013,” FMC Technical Service Representative Joe Reed told me during an interview at the National Farm Machinery Show last week. “As weed resistance becomes a bigger and bigger issue, this is probably the newest of any of the chemistries coming out in herbicides.”

    Joe says what is unique about Anthem is that it can be used on both corn and soybeans. “What dovetails nicely with that is the chemistry and its mode of action is very effective on these herbicide-resistant weeds like tall waterhemp, palmer amaranth, mare’s tail, what have you,” he says. They will also have an atrazine formulation of the herbicide called Anthem ATZ that will only be used for corn.

    We had a little preview of how Anthem works during the FMC Summer Plot Tour last July.

    Listen to or download my interview with Joe from NFMS here: Interview with Joe Reed, FMC

    2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

    Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Fastline AgRacer FMC New Holland
    Audio, Crop Protection, FMC, National Farm Machinery Show