AgLeader is New NAFB Sponsor

Cindy Zimmerman

Some companies have been sponsors and Trade Talk exhibitors at the annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention for years – even decades! – but this year was the first for AgLeader Technology, one of the nation’s leading precision farming technology innovators.

AgLeader’s Katie Monroe (center) says they were thrilled to join the companies and organizations who support the NAFB. “It’s a great opportunity to talk about our new products and how precision farming can help growers,” Katie said, noting that one of their main topics was AgLeader’s new Versa display which includes all of the most popular year-round precision tools in one small package.

AgLeader Technology also joined with Alltech to sponsor the NAFB Foundation Auction reception on Thursday night.

Listen to by interview with Katie here: Katie Monroe with AgLeader

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
Ag Leader, Alltech, Audio, BASF, NAFB

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The Propane Education & Research Council and heater manufacturer L.B. White have joined forces on a research project that could lead to the development of a more efficient livestock building heating system.
  • The Indiana 4-H Congress brings together top 4-H youth for leadership training and for the awarding of over $30,000 in scholarships. Sponsored by CountryMark and Ice Miller LLP, the program presents awards in a variety of achievement categories.
  • The USDA is accepting comments on a proposed rule to amend the federal marketing order regulating tart cherries grown in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
  • Monty’s Plant Food Company has introduced Agrihance, a three-step nutrient management program to promote crop growth from planting to harvest..
Zimfo Bytes

New NAFB Hall of Famers

Cindy Zimmerman

A former U.S. Senator and the first woman president of NAFB are the newest members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

Senator Conrad Burns of Montana founded the Northern Ag Network in the 1970s before getting into politics. He was only the second Republican ever elected from the state of Montana, serving for 18 years in the Senate.

The lovely Colleen Callahan, whose married name is actually Burns (no relation to Conrad), becomes the first woman to be inducted in the NAFB Hall of Fame. She was the first female NAFB president and currently serves as Illinois State Director for USDA Rural Development.

I videoed Conrad’s comments after receiving his award and stripped off the audio. Not the best quality, but I am glad I caught it. Some great comments here. Conrad Burns at NAFB

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
Audio, BASF, NAFB, Video

NAFB Night of Honors

Cindy Zimmerman

The star-studded NAFB Night of Honors paid tribute Thursday night to several who represent excellence in farm broadcasting.

The Dix Harper Meritorious Service Award was presented to the recently retired John Vasicheck of Red River Farm Network, who has been a member of NAFB since 1994 and has had not one, not two – but THREE NAFB past presidents on staff at RRFN.

The New Holland Oscar in Agriculture was presented to Tony Purcell, Agri-Business Director for Texas State Networks. This is the 4th time Tony has won the Oscar in his 45 year career.

The Herb Plambeck Awards for Creative Excellence were presented to Bayer CropScience and agency BBDO for the Poncho/VOTiVO corn seed treatment spot, while the United Soybean Board and Osborn&Barr received the best series award for the “Beyond the Elevator” campaign.

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
NAFB

New Holland Announces Discount/Contribution Initiative

Chuck Zimmerman

The New Holland Boomer Tractor that has put in time at Jay Leno’s Garage is now going to the auction block to raise funds for a good cause. Nicknamed “Lil Tug,” by the crew at Jay’s Garage, the tractor made an appearance at the NAFB Convention before starting a tour that ends at auction in January. At the same time, New Holland announced a discount/contribution initiative to coincide with the fundraising effort with the tractor auction. Pictured is Abe Hughes, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for New Holland Agricultural Business in North America, with Lil Tug.

New Holland and Jay Leno have spearheaded the program that will see the ‘Lil Tug auctioned for charity at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 21, 2012.

Proceeds from the tractor auction will go to the Fisher House Foundation, best known for its network of comfort homes built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers where families can stay while a loved one is receiving treatment. The Foundation also ensures that families of service men and women wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan are not burdened with unnecessary expense during a time of crisis.

In grateful recognition of the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces and their families, New Holland Agriculture announced today that effective on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2011 and continuing through January 21, 2012, it will offer U.S veterans and military personnel a $300 discount on the purchase of New Holland Boomer™ compact tractor models 30, 35, 40 and 50 purchased in North America. New Holland will also donate $100 to the Fisher House Foundation for every Boomer compact tractor sold in North America during the discount period.

“This discount and contribution program will further enhance the charitable efforts accomplished by the Fisher House Foundation,” said Abe Hughes, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for New Holland Agricultural Business in North America. “Agriculture has always been one of the backbones of America and it is very fitting that our industry steps forward once again to contribute to not only the courageous members of the Armed Forces, but also to a great role being taken by the Fisher House Foundation.”

I spoke with Abe during the NAFB convention. You can hear more about the programs in our interview: Interview with Abe Hughes

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
Agribusiness, Audio, NAFB, New Holland, Tractor

Secretary Vilsack Visits NAFB

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack once again paid a visit to the nation’s farm broadcasters at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual meeting in Kansas City where he commmented on a number of issues important to farmers and ranchers.

The secretary led with USDA’s announcement today on record growth of U.S. agricultural exports in 2011. “I’m pleased to report that we reached a record amount of $137.4 billion of agricultural exports,” Vilsack said. “This is $22.5 billion higher than the export number last year and testimony to the extraordinary productivity, quality and affordability of what American farmers and ranchers are producing, growing and raising.” He noted that agriculture supports 1.15 million jobs in the economy – 1 out of every 12 jobs in the country are connected to agriculture.

Other topics Vilsack addressed included trade, government regulation, rural development, Farm Bill, cutting the deficit, GIPSA and more.

Listen to or download the secretary’s comments here: Tom Vilsack at NAFB

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
Audio, NAFB, USDA

The Everything Basket

Melissa Sandfort

Do you have a favorite bag or basket or box that you use in the house to carry laundry or magazines or a stack of papers to be filed? I have a linen bag inside for just that reason, and a 5-gallon bucket outside for the same. Outside I fill my bucket with weeds from the garden, leaves and sticks, trash to be hauled to the burn pile and anything else I can think of.

It’s the “everything basket”.

That’s what I call this old fruit basket. When grandpa first acquired it, it came filled with apples or pears. He then kept the basket and on a daily basis you can see him hauling it across the front yard filled with grass clippings, leaves, weeds and any other yard waste he may find.

I believe grandma has another one for taking laundry and clothes pins out to the clothesline and to hold gardening hand tools in the garage.

I think they’re pretty handy old baskets. Back then, they thought of everything.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

NAFB Foundation Awards Scholarships

Cindy Zimmerman

Three aspiring agricultural communicators were awarded scholarships Wednesday from the NAFB Foundation to continue their education.

One of the three was unable to attend the Foundation awards luncheon. He is Nathan Vickers, a graduate student at Columbia University in New York. Nathan is from a southwest Missouri farm family and received his undergraduate degree from Truman State University in Kirksville before heading to the Empire State to continue his education and he now has another $4000 to help with those expenses.

Texas Tech University junior Lauren Bogle (pictured here on the right) is the other $4000 NAFB scholarship winner. Lauren grew up on a crop and livestock operation in New Mexico and is majoring in Agricultural Communications.

Carah Hart (left) is this year’s recipient of the Glenn Kummerow Memorial Scholarship of $5000. Carah is a junior at the University of Missouri-Columia where she is pursuing a degree in Agricultural Journalism. She dreams of becoming a farm director for a Midwest radio station or network.

The scholarships are funded by donations to the NAFB Foundation and the major annual fundraising auction here at the annual meeting, which will be held on Thursday evening.

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
NAFB

NAMA President Gavel Passes To Beth Burgy

Chuck Zimmerman

The new President of the National Agri-Marketing Association is Beth Burgy, Broadhead+Co, pictured on the right with now past President Vicki Henrickson, BCS Communications. Vicki is holding her award for serving as the NAMA commander in chief for the last year.

Thank you Vicki for your service and congratulations to Beth for her election. I look forward to working with her on the NAMA Executive Committee in 2012!

I have an interview with Beth that will be featured in next week’s ZimmCast.

2011 NAMA Trends in Agriculture Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
NAMA

NAMA Professional Development Awards of Excellence

Chuck Zimmerman

Today NAMA presented their Professional Development Awards of Excellence during the Trends in Agriculture conference. Here are three of the winners (l-r) Stephanie Gable, Novus International – Product/Species Management; yours truly – Public Relations and Margaret Fogarty, Farm Credit – Marketing Communications. Not pictured because she had to attend another conference is Sue Lee, Farm Journal Media – Sales. However, Sue joined via recorded video remarks. I can’t tell you how much this award means to me and want to thank NAMA and my nominator!

I spoke with Margaret and asked her what her award meant to her and what she sees as opportunities in agriculture today. You can listen to my interview with Margaret here: Interview with Margaret Fogarty

Stephanie turned the tables on me and interviewed me about my award. Now how cool is that? I think she makes a good farm podcaster. You can listen to Stephanie interview me here: Stephanie Interviews Me

2011 NAMA Trends in Agriculture Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
Audio, NAMA