GROWMARK Essay Contest Underway

Cindy Zimmerman

Appropriately for the International Year of Cooperatives, the theme for the 2012 GROWMARK essay contest is “Cooperatives in a Global Environment.”

This is the 19th year for the program, sponsored by the GROWMARK System and FS member cooperatives, in conjunction with state FFA leaders, to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues impacting agriculture, and understand the unique role of cooperatives. This year, students will focus on three questions: What benefits do co-ops provide their member-owners? How do co-ops improve the quality of life in their communities? How do co-ops contribute to economic growth throughout the world?

The contest is open to all high school FFA members in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Essays should be approximately 500 words, typed and double-spaced. The postmarked entry deadline for Iowa FFA members is February 15. The postmarked entry deadline for Illinois and Wisconsin FFA members is March 15. Additional program details have been sent to agriculture teachers and are online at www.growmark.com.

Education, FFA, GROWMARK

Rhea+Kaiser Amps Up Account Services

Cindy Zimmerman

Rhea + Kaiser has AMPed up its account services department.

The renaming of the Rhea + Kaiser Account Management and Planning—or AMP—department, formerly known as Account Services, reflects the team’s role as comprehensive account leaders who provide smart, strategic counsel and cultivate big ideas.

“Our work has always been much more than servicing day-to-day account details,” said Cheryl Muzinic, director of the Account Management and Planning department at Rhea + Kaiser. “We needed a contemporary department name to communicate the full scope of our capabilities and responsibilities both to clients and internal teams.”

The 12-member AMP team unveiled its new name during an agency-wide celebration late last week, and AMP leadership is informing clients this week. The announcement follows a thorough review process that included determining the new department moniker, contemporizing individual titles, and updating the department’s mission, philosophy and vision statements.

“Our clients should expect the same outstanding brand planning and account management they’ve become accustomed to with R+K,” said Diane Martin, president and CEO of Rhea + Kaiser. “The new name AMP simply underscores our ongoing commitment to lead and advocate for creative solutions that drive business results and build meaningful partnerships with our clients.”

The R+K AMP team includes Kimberly Bergmooser, Kim Berns, Laura Boynton, Jodi Carreon, Paul Durham, Julie Dykstra, Jim Haist, Neil Johnson, Sarah Lenkaitis, Cheryl Muzinic, Jeff Walter and Claudia Zellmann.

Agencies

Lindsay Hill Honored by NAFB

Cindy Zimmerman

The family of Lindsay Hill were honored Friday night as the NAFB president who died in a car accident halfway into her term this year was inducted into the Hall of Fame during what would have been her outgoing president’s banquet.

Lindsay’s father and mother – Lowell and Donna – her brother Lance and his wife Nikki were there to see her honored by her peers in a night of “laughter through our tears.” A number of NAFB past presidents paid tribute to Lindsay, and new president Tom Steever wrote a poem that reflected Lindsay’s words to live by on her Facebook page. Here’s some of his tribute.

On the phone she said to me,
I’ll explain this if I can,
I place my trust in God, you see,
and I know He has a plan.

I’ll tell you; those who never lose
are those who place no bets.
But life, my friend, is much too short
to wake up with regrets.

For those who love, and treat you right,
love them as you live.
That’s not the case with everyone,
so for those who don’t, forgive.

Ecclesiastes tells us that for each there is a season.
You must believe that everything happens for a reason.

Some things, she said, may change your life
and if it does, just let it.
For those resistant to life’s change,
I’d say they just don’t get it.

You may not know life’s gem until the day that you unearth it.
Easy? No. But please hear this; I promise you, it’s worth it.

I’ll view this so much differently while emotions now unravel;
My weight made light by angels’ wings as I accept this gavel.

We’ll overcome this sadness that’s defied imagination;
Let Lindsay’s memory instead be our source of inspiration.

So as we leave this banquet, let us not be blue,
Because Lindsay, this toast is given especially for you.

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

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

The Popper

Melissa Sandfort

Our son is hooked on microwave popcorn. Or any kind of popcorn for that matter since we have an air popper, too. He knows when it’s movie night, it’s popcorn night. A 1:45 ‘bout in the microwave and he’s happy as can be.

This is a photo of an old-time popcorn popper. They used to put the kernels in with a little oil and pop it on a wood-fired kitchen stove. As you can see, this popper didn’t hold as much as a bag of popcorn does now-a-days, and it probably took longer than 1:45. If you really wanted popcorn, you had to work for it.

Being from Nebraska, I have to give a “shout out” because Nebraska can hang its hat on knowing that the state ranks first in acres of popcorn planted and total popcorn production with Indiana as a close second (which is a little-known agricultural fact about Nebraska).

I feel better knowing that by eating popcorn, I’m supporting Nebraska producers who grow it. Thank you!

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ monthly “Flash Report,” the sales of all tractors in the U.S. for October 2011 were up 7.5% compared to the same month last year.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation believes that Russia’s successful accession into the World Trade Organization will lead to increased trade between our two nations.
  • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement after USDA released its final tally for agricultural exports in fiscal year 2011: “Thanks to the productivity of America’s farmers, ranchers and producers, the American brand of agriculture is surging in popularity worldwide. Farm exports in fiscal year 2011 reached a record high of $137.4 billion-exceeding past highs by $22.5 billion-and supported 1.15 million jobs here at home.
  • Monsanto Company announced it is taking steps to ensure best management practices are implemented for fields that were planted with the company’s single-mode-of-action corn hybrids that contain western corn rootworm protection and that were affected by significant corn rootworm pressure during the 2011 season.
Zimfo Bytes

Meet the New NAFB Officer Team

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Association of Farm Broadcasting has a new slate of officers for the 2012 year.

They are (pictured left to right): President-Elect Mark Oppold, RFD-TV; President Tom Steever, Brownfield AgNews; and vice president Janet Adkison of KMZU Radio, Carrolton, MO.

Also elected to positions on the NAFB board for 2012 were: Lisa Adams, Sage Virtual Communications, as Allied Industry Council representative; Kyle Bauer of KFRM/Kansas as Southern region VP; Chase Adams of KBHB/South Dakota as Western region VP; Brian Winnekins of COW 97 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin as Western region director; and Jason Vance of Farm Progress Companies as Southern region director. Eastern region officers remain the same – Meghan Grebner of Brownfield as VP and Gale Cunningham of WYXY-FM/Illinois as director.

Lots of photos in the Flickr album – check it out!

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

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

NAFB Foundation Auction Raises $10,000

Cindy Zimmerman

Put another $10,000 in the pot for the future of farm broadcasting from the annual NAFB Foundation Auction on Thursday night.

Pictured are at least part of the gang of guys who conspired to beat out the NAFB girls team for the Lake of the Ozarks weekend donated for the third year by Al Johnson and Sara Wyant of Agri-Pulse. The weekend had been a two year tradition for the girls, but the boys raised the stakes this year and thus raised more money for the foundation.

The boys are smug now, but just wait – we don’t waste time being bitter, revenge is a dish best served cold.

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

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

Farm Broadcaster of the Year and Horizon Awards

Cindy Zimmerman

The coveted Horizon and Farm Broadcaster of the Year awards were presented on Friday afternoon at the NAFB annual meeting in Kansas City.

The 2011 Horizon Award winner is Julie Root of RFD Radio in Illinois. Julie has been farm broadcasting for a grand total of two years and has already proven to be a great talent for the industry.

And the 2011 Farm Broadcaster of the Year is Greg Akagi – our immediate NAFB past president and 18 year farm broadcast veteran with WIBW/Kansas Ag Network.

Congratulations to both!

The photo album now has close to 600 photos in it – be sure to check it out! All photos can be easily downloaded with just a couple of clicks.

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

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

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