Swanson Russell Promotes Four

Melissa Sandfort

Swanson Russell announces the promotions of Staci Nass, Shelton Crouch, Nicole Hansen and Kassi Williams.

In the Lincoln office, Nass was promoted from graphic-tech specialist to graphic designer. She began her career with Swanson Russell in 2004 as a production artist. A native of Lincoln, Nass graduated with an associate degree in graphic design from Southeast Community College in Milford, Neb.

Hansen, who joined the Lincoln office in 2007 as a student runner, was promoted to associate account manager. Originally from Aurora, Neb., she received her bachelor’s degree in business marketing from University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2009. Hansen’s primary account assignments will be Rain Bird, Turfco and Project Evergreen.

Crouch joined the Omaha agency in 2001 as a graphic designer and is now an interactive art director. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Dana College in Blair, Neb. Crouch assists healthcare clients with email marketing, digital advertising campaigns and online branding.

In the Omaha office, Williams was promoted to associate account manager. She began her career at Swanson Russell in 2010. A native of Knoxville, Iowa, she graduated with bachelor’s degrees in journalism and animal science from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Williams’ clients include handles Merck Animal Health, Global Animal Management, eyeD, Land O’Lakes Purina Mills and the Nebraska Children’s Home Society.

Agencies

NAMA Board Meeting

Chuck Zimmerman

The business of the National Agri-Marketing Association continues in Kansas City this morning in advance of the Trends in Agriculture conference.

Here’s the board of directors meeting. Presiding is outgoing President, Vicki Henrickson. One of the first items of interest I’ve learned is that NAMA membership is at its highest level since 2001. Now that’s a positive message. I’ll get a board update from Vicki later this morning to share with you.

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

Got Roper? No? Join NCBA

Chuck Zimmerman

If you’re a Roper/Stetson fan and having trouble finding the cash to buy some new boots or a hat then becoming a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) might be just the ticket (or coupon). Here in my hot little hand is a 50 percent off, one time only coupon for an online order at the Renton Western Wear (Roper/Stetson) website. This new membership benefit announcement was made yesterday.

NCBA is excited to offer its members an outstanding new opportunity through an exclusive partnership with Roper and Stetson. Under the partnership, new and existing NCBA members will receive significant discounts on Roper and Stetson apparel and footwear.

Anyone who joins NCBA will receive a 50 percent off coupon for Roper and Stetson apparel and current members will receive quarterly 25 percent off coupons through the National Cattlemen publication. Additionally, participants who pay a full registration at the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show will receive a Roper and Stetson coupon to use at the trade show. NCBA Vice President of Membership and Association Marketing Marvin Kokes said the partnership showcases the organization’s outstanding reputation and commitment to its membership.

“Our most important partner in the development of our association is our members,” Kokes said. “The partnership with Roper and Stetson allows our members to benefit from their commitment to our association and entices new members to get involved with NCBA.”

Ag Groups, NCBA

Dean Kleckner Endorses Herman Cain For President

Chuck Zimmerman

I love the tweet I just saw from the Herman Cain Campaign announcing their new YouTube ad for Iowa which says that it “even features smoking tractors!” Now that is funny right there.

In the video you’ll see Dean Kleckner, Chairman, Truth About Trade & Technology, explain why he endorses Herman Cain for President.

politics, Video

NAMA Exec Committee Meets

Chuck Zimmerman

The National Agri-Marketing Association Trends in Agriculture conference provides an opportunity for the organization’s board to meet. Prior to the board meeting, the NAMA Executive Committee meets. Hey, it takes a lot of work to run this organization! Here’s the group getting things done today.

The program for Trends in Agriculture kicks off at 2pm tomorrow afternoon. The NAMA board will be meeting prior to that in the morning.

Heading over to the NAMA Exec. Committee meeting I have already run in to members of the U.S Farmers & Ranchers Alliance which is meeting today and tomorrow. I hope to get an update on their activities to share later today.

This is going to be a fun week of agricultural marketing and communications.

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

29th National Beef Cook-Off Winner Named

Melissa Sandfort

With her stir fry recipe, Vegetable-Mango Beef Stir Fry, amateur home cook Sheryl Little of Sherwood, Ark., won the checkoff-funded 29th National Beef Cook-Off® $25,000 “Best of Beef” grand prize, topping recipes from 19 other finalists around the country. Sheryl was announced as the grand prize winner at the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show in Washington D.C. Her winning recipe, along with other finalist recipes, will be demonstrated on the show floor by top chef’s and food experts, Mary Beth Albright, Food Network Star finalist, season seven; Susan Holt, chef and instructor at CulinAeire; and Aviva Goldfarb, founder and author of The Six O’Clock Scramble.

This year’s contest encouraged all home cooks and entertaining enthusiasts to submit their delicious recipes demonstrating the convenience, nutritional and versatility benefits of cooking with beef. The winning Vegetable-Mango Beef Stir Fry recipe featured boneless beef top sirloin steaks, fresh sugar snap peas, red bell peppers and fresh mango tossed with garlic and low sodium soy sauce and served over brown or white rice. In addition, the dish is an excellent source of fiber, protein, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, iron, selenium, zinc and choline.

The judges raved about Little’s recipe because of its unique combination of fresh fruit and vegetables and grain ingredients and her use of one of the 29 Lean Beef Cuts.

To view this year’s twenty winning recipes visit: Beef Cook Off 2011 Winners.

Beef, Food

Busy Week in Kansas City

Chuck Zimmerman

The ZimmComm team is gearing up for a busy week in Kansas City. There’s a lot going on. First up will be the annual meeting of the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance followed by the NAMA Trends in Agriculture conference. Then it’s on to the NAFB convention. We’ll have full coverage on AgWired. To make it easy to see our coverage any time you want, get the AgWired smartphone app (iPhone and Android)!

You can find the NAMA Trends in Agriculture Agenda here.
Follow on Twitter – #NAMATrends

The NAFB Convention agenda here (pdf).
Follow on Twitter – #NAFB

Also, if you are attending the NAFB convention and want to know more about using your smartphone for broadcasting purposes, plan to sit in on Chuck’s session on Wednesday at 3:15pm.

We’ll be seeing you from Kansas City!

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

An Oldie But a Goodie

Melissa Sandfort

At three years old and above average on the height scale, our son still has trouble reaching the pedals on his plastic tricycles. He can reach on one because the seat was adjustable but he can’t quite figure out how to push and keep his shoes on the pedals at the same time.

His Diego trike is decked out with stickers, a seat that opens for storage (you know, for worms and nails and other treasures), and an ignition key. That’s a little different than the tricycle I learned to ride on.

This metal beauty put on a few miles back in the day…through mud puddles, over hills, through my mom’s garden and under the pear tree in the back yard. I’d grab my Cabbage Patch doll and off we’d go on an adventure.

I doubt my son’s plastic bike will withstand the test of time like this red trike did. But, I’m thinking he’ll graduate up to a bike with training wheels in a couple of years and this one will be set aside for when friends come over and they can’t share one ride!

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • David Breiner, Alma, Kan., was recently announced as the new president of the American Hereford Association.
  • Cotton farmers in the Delta and Southeast will have more choices for managing weeds and earning financial incentives under the 2012 Roundup Ready PLUS® Weed Management Solutions platform, recently announced by Monsanto Company.
  • U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc. will co-locate its 2013 annual conference at the next AG CONNECT Expo which will be held Jan. 29-31, 2013 in Kansas City, Mo.
  • The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service announced that it is offering a two-day training session titled “Fearless Farm Finances” for farmers interested in learning about farm financial management, December 9-10, in La Crosse, Wisc.
Zimfo Bytes

Successful Smartphones

Chuck Zimmerman

My digital edition of the new Successful Farming magazine just arrived today. I have not read it as of this post but the cover caught my eye. A story headline tease like “Smartphones put all the ag information you need in the palm of your hand” gets my attention, especially when the graphics above contain another phrase, “Hot new tool for your farm,” within iPhone icons!

I just scanned the story and it contains some good information including how farmers are using their smartphones with specific examples, recommended apps and more. Of course I would like to see the AgWired App in those recommendations but . . .

I use the Zinio app on my iPad to read digital magazines btw.

Media