New Farm Podcaster Tool

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm podcasters just got another gadget to add to their bag of tools. The freedomMIC from Scosche looks promising. It’s a wireless lav style mic which solves some issues that come with recording video of something you can’t get close to. It’s currently out of stock but hopefully that will change soon.

freedomMIC allows you to record with flawless audio on your iPod or iPhone. A built-in clip allows you to record yourself or conduct interviews from up to 33 ft. away from your device. freedomMIC can also be used to start/stop recording directly from the mic as well as activate the shutter function of your device to take pictures from a distance.

Improved Recording
This high performance condenser microphone uses an omnidirectional, hypersensitive microphone with DSP noise cancellation to capture accurate sound. It gives you the freedom to record audio and video while not having to worry about losing sound quality as you get further away from your device’s built-in mic.

Wireless Freedom
freedomMIC connects via Bluetooth to record high quality audio from up to 33 ft. away from your device. freedomMIC attaches conveniently to clothing for completely handsfree audio recording.

Click to Control
freedomMIC can also be used as a wireless remote for your camera. Press the button to wirelessly start and stop recording from the microphone. The microphone can also be used as a wireless shutter release for taking still pictures from a distance.

An integrated rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 4 hours of run time. Use the included micro USB cable to charge freedomMIC.

There is also a Scosche freedomMIC app available too.

Apps, Podcasts

Golden ARC Awards Entry Deadline Announced

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s time once again to get your entries in for the Golden ARC Awards, conducted by the Agricultural Relations Council. The deadline is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2012.

Welcome to the 2012 Golden ARC Awards Program. Since its inception in 1990, the Golden ARC Award has come to represent the pinnacle of success in agricultural public relations. Now in its third year since re-introduction, the Golden ARC prestige will undoubtedly wow clients, employers and colleagues.

The Golden ARC Awards Program consists of two divisions, the “Campaigns Division” and the “Tactics Division.” Within each division, individual categories exist. Check out the rest of the site for more information on how you can win in 2012.

Keep the ARC Annual Mtg. on your calendar. It’s scheduled for March 21-23 in North Charleston, SC.

ARC

Fresh From Florida Sunshine Showdown

Chuck Zimmerman

Fresh from Florida seafood keeps you at the top of your game. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services just announced that it is teaming up with the Florida Gators (my team) and the Florida State Seminoles to “harness the home team passion associated with the athletics rivalry and direct it towards supporting Florida products. The partnership leverages every game, match and competition between the two teams in 18 sports to promote Fresh From Florida.” Now that’s a major sponsorship! It all kicks off this week with the Saturday football game which is now being called the Sunshine Showdown.

The tradition-rich Florida Gators vs. Florida State Seminoles football game will serve as the signature event of this partnership to communicate the importance of all that’s Fresh From Florida to an audience that is uniquely Florida: Gator and Seminole Fans. This year’s matchup of the Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles football teams will be titled the “Fresh From Florida Sunshine Showdown,” scheduled for November 26 in Gainesville. The Fresh from Florida Sunshine Showdown will highlight the importance of supporting Florida farmers and fisherman and communicate the impact of buying home grown and harvested products from Florida.

“The Fresh From Florida Sunshine Showdown brings two of Florida’s great teams head to head,” said Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. “As each side cheers for their home team, we’re hopeful they’ll support Florida’s ultimate home team, Florida’s farmers and fishermen.”

Here’s one of the tv ads for the campaign featuring Florida Coach Will Muschamp.

Food, University, Video

Farm Family Purchase Decision Influences

Chuck Zimmerman

During the NAMA Trends in Agriculture conference I visited with Sara Steever and Heather Covrig, Paulsen Marketing, about their new thought paper titled, “How Multi-Generational Farming Operations Make Major Purchase Decisions.”

Heather says that purchasing decisions are becoming more and more important for farmers trying to meet the food needs of a growing population. So Paulsen conducted this study to find out how farmers are making those decisions. The study verifies some of the logical assumptions you might make like how important the input is from older farm family members. They conducted fourteen interviews with farm families throughout the midwest.

Sara says one of the most fascinating thing that came out of their study is that there is a lot of brand assimilation in farm families and there are several reasons for that including, familiarity, consistency, integration and relationships. Basically, it’s influence that comes down through the generations. For agrimarketers, this offers some challenges to break through that influence. She says that decisions are being made throughout the year now without the traditional seasonality that we used to have.

You can listen to my interview with Sara and Heather to learn more about the study here: Paulsen Thought Paper

2011 NAMA Trends in Agriculture Photo Album

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

Learning About SipcamAdvan

Chuck Zimmerman

During the NAFB Trade Talk session I got a chance to learn more about SipcamAdvan with George Hackman, Development Manager (not pictured). This photo is of their Trade Talk booth which was busy with another interview.

George says that SipcamAdvan is based in Durham, NC with a full lineup of traditional chemistries that includes herbicides and fungicides. He says they’re looking to move into “biorational” products. These are “living organisms that we take from one part of the soil and develop into a product that can be applied to combat a specific pest, in agriculture and turf & ornamental.” An example of a product they’re working on now is Contans, a soybean product to treat white mold. George says these products are safe for the environment and the user and require less labeling requirements.

Listen to my interview with George here: Interview with George Hackman

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, NAFB

Super Committee Heading for Super Failure?

Cindy Zimmerman

With a deadline looming for the so-called “super committee” to make super cuts in the federal budget, all signs are pointing to a super failure.

ncga at nafbThe committee was charged with making cuts that ideally would mean a new Farm Bill and that was a major topic of discussion with farm group representatives at the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk.

“Passing farm bills usually takes about 15 months, and ironically, this one – if it happens – will be one of the quickest ever in history,” said National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) president Garry Niemeyer of Illinois, pictured here being interviewed with first vice president Pam Johnson of Iowa. He is concerned about budget cuts hitting agriculture more than other areas. “Everybody thinks that farmers are flush with money, which makes it pretty tough,” he said.

Listen to my interview with Garry here: NCGA president Garry Niemeyer

afbfIf, as it appears, the super committee breaks down and comes up with nothing, American Farm Bureau Federation economist Bob Young says it’s a whole new conversation as far as a farm bill is concerned. “Then we’ll be back to standard process and a much more challenging environment to write a farm bill with this Congress,” he said, noting that the agriculture committees have proposed cuts of about $23 billion for farm and food programs, which the industry believes would be fair.

“We want the super committee to work,” Young added. “If the United States cannot get our act together, the markets are going to be pretty exciting, which might be a polite way of putting it.”

Listen to my interview with Bob here: Bob Young with AFBF

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

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

Meeting Growing Export Demand

Chuck Zimmerman

At the recent NAMA Trends in Agriculture conference one of our panel discussions featured Tom Dorr, U.S. Grains Council. The panel topic was “Meeting the Growing Demand for Exports for Trade.” Thanks to Paulsen Marketing for supplying this video clip with Tom.

Much of American agriculture is dependent on international trade. What does this mean for the future if the ag industry in our country? NAMA Trends in Agriculture explored that issue with a panel that included Tom Dorr, the President and CEO of the U.S. Grains Council. Dorr shared his thoughts on what solid export policy for the U.S. should look like.

Agencies, Audio, Trade, USGC

Let’s Talk Turkey

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s Thanksgiving week and that means it’s time to talk turkey. That’s exactly what a new digital book from FarmFlavor.com does. It’s titled, Let’s Talk Turkey, and features recipes, tips and other turkey-related facts and information. I’m planning on smoking my turkey this year. How about you? By the way, take our ZimmPoll and let us know if the increased price of food is going to have an impact on your meal this year.

You can download the e-book at farmflavor.com/turkeymagazine.

The e-book features recipes for baked and roasted turkey, as well as recipes for dishes made with leftover turkey. Readers will also find preparation tips and techniques; the e-book even includes a comprehensive guide to frying turkey including instructions and safety information.

“Almost ninety percent of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving,” says Jessy Yancey, FarmFlavor.com content director. “The turkey really is the centerpiece of the holiday meal, so we decided to focus our efforts on providing readers the best information on preparing turkey, as well as an interview with one of America’s turkey farmers.”

Let’s Talk Turkey is stuffed with turkey trivia, such as the answer to why commercial turkeys’ feathers are white. The e-book also takes a look at the business side of Thanksgiving with a profile of Kauffman Turkey Farms, one of the last independent family-owned farms in the nation.

You can find Thanksgiving recipes for more than turkey here.

Food

Hot water bath anyone?

Melissa Sandfort

At first glance, this looks like a funky cookie cutter. Or a toy soldier’s hat. Or a broken top off of a flour sifter. But the technical term for it is a jar lifter. (I know, I’m using big words.)

Another one of the joys of canning was the hot water bath. Unless you had hands of steel for removing glass jars from scalding hot water, you had to use one of these to grab hold and pull it out. I’ve always been the one who uses luke-warm water for washing dishes, so I’d opt for the jar lifter.

My grandmother spent the better part of a day last week cutting pumpkins, spooning out the insides, slicing it into pieces, pureeing it and then making crustless pumpkin pie, which my husband swears is better than pumpkin out of a can. I’ll take his word for it. All I know is that canning and preparing food when my grandmother was young was a chore, to say the least. I’m so thankful for our plentiful food supply and the convenience it provides working moms today.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Monsanto’s Genuity VT Double PRO RIB Complete has received registration from the U.S. EPA.
  • TISCO has launched the new TractorPartMart.com, a fast and reliable source for finding tractor and combine parts and other agricultural equipment online to help keep farmers operational and in the field.
  • Animal Health Institute member companies invested $689 million in 2010 on the discovery and development of new medicines for animals and the maintenance of existing products.
  • DuPont announced strong seed product performance results for the 2011 North America harvest.
Zimfo Bytes