Amazing Maize: The exhibit

Meghan Grebner

After over five years in development the Indiana State Museum opened its Amazing Maize: The Science, History and Culture of Corn Saturday.  The exhibit will run for the next 16 months at the museum located in the heart of Indianapolis.  In those 16 months, Indianapolis will play host to two National FFA Conventions AND the Super Bowl.  Talk about the potential to reach out to the consumer.

A lot of companies came together to make this exhibit possible.  The Presenting Sponsors are Dow Agrosciences, Ford Motor Company and Case IH and National Starch is the Contributing Sponsor.  Not only was the exhibit supported nationally, but on the local level as well.  Locally, the Presenting Sponsor is the Indiana Corn Marketing Council; the Contributing Sponsor is Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance and the Supporting Sponsor is Brock Grain Systems.

The exhibit highlights the 10,000 year “genetic journey” that highlights the evolution of maize to our modern day corn.  Speaking of technological advancements, in one part of the exhibit they highlight the corn husking competitions that were held.  I was particularly proud – while the exhibit focused on the 1940’s, I thought about my family tree. My great-grandfather, Simon Oltman, was the Illinois Corn Husking champion in 1934.  With a total of just over 23 bushels of corn harvested he was named the “Dark Horse Husker from Woodford County”. 

If you’re ever in Indianapolis, take time to visit the Indiana State Museum and check out the Amazing Maize exhibit and take a walk through the history of a product that is a part of our everyday lives.

Jane Ade Stevens is the executive director of the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and talks about why being a part of the Amazing Maize exhibit was important.  You can read more about Amazing Maize here.

Jane Ade Stevens

 

Case IH, Corn

IA Secretary of Ag New President of NASDA

Chuck Zimmerman

Congratulations to Iowa Secretary of Ag, Bill Northey. He’s been elected to serve as President of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) for 2011-12.

As President, Northey will host NASDA members in Des Moines September 12-17, 2012.

“I’m excited for this opportunity and appreciate the support of NASDA members,” Northey said. “As negotiations pick up on the next farm bill and discussions continue on a variety of other important public policy areas, I am committed to providing a unified voice for the organization and working with NASDA members to highlight the important role of state departments of agriculture.”

The last Iowan to serve as NASDA President was Secretary Robert Lounsberry in 1981-82.

Uncategorized

National Alpaca Farm Days

Chuck Zimmerman

Aww. Isn’t he (?) cute? He wants you to visit an Alpaca farm.

Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) invites you to visit their member farms and ranches on National Alpaca Farm Days on September 24th and 25th. This is a unique opportunity for the public to explore the many aspects of the alpaca livestock industry in the United States and Canada.

From meeting these beautiful, inquisitive animals in person to experiencing luxurious alpaca products at individual farm stores, there will truly be something for everyone.

While most alpaca farms welcome visitors throughout the year, National Alpaca Farm Days are sure to include special activities and educational opportunities.

For a complete list of participating farms and ranches, visit www.NationalAlpacaFarmDays.com.

Ag Groups

Dine Out For Farms Enrollment Deadline

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s time again for the American Farmland Trust, Dine Out for Farms event.

Dine Out for Farms week (Oct. 16-22) celebrates the connection between restaurants and the farmers they source from, while raising money to save farms and farmland. The deadline for restaurants across the country to enroll in Dine Out for Farms is Sept. 30. Please visit www.farmland.org/dineout for more information.

The photo is from a kick off event with Chef Mike Isabella, who appeared on season six of “Top Chef” and was the runner-up on “Top Chef All-Stars.” Pictured (L to R) Bev Eggleston, EcoFriendly Foods; Jon Scholl, American Farmland Trust; Mike Isabella, Graffiato.

Here’s some video from the event:

Ag Groups

Illinois Commodity Groups Support Evans Endowed Chair at U of IL

Chuck Zimmerman

After just seeing Jim Evans last week at the 2011 IFAJ Congress it was nice to see this large gift to the James F. Evans Endowed Chair in Agricultural Communications at the University of Illinois.

Five Illinois agriculture groups jointly announced today a more than $28,000 award to a University of Illinois joint initiative between the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) and the College of Media designed to address the growing need for effective communications in the fast-changing world of agriculture, food, feed, fiber, bio-energy and rural development.

The awards from Illinois Beef Association (IBA), Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB), the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB), Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) and Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) and will be applied towards the university’s $2 million goal for the James F. Evans Endowed Chair in Agricultural Communications.

The university plans to enhance its joint agricultural communications program with a first-of-its-kind endowed chair in agricultural communications to support teaching and research in the field. The university plans to have at least three teaching positions and include initiatives in consumer and environmental communications.

“We are grateful for the Illinois agriculture associations’ willingness to support this important initiative that will benefit the university’s students in agricultural communications for years to come,” said Robert Hauser, dean of the College of ACES.

About the James F. Evans Endowed Chair

The University of Illinois Agricultural Communications Program is a dual program between the College of Media and College of ACES. In recognition of Jim Evans’ many years of exemplary service and as a driving force behind the development of the Agricultural Communications Program, the endowed chair is being established in his name. To achieve this goal, $2 million in funds are needed. To make a gift to the fund, visit http://agcomm.aces.illinois.edu/donate.

Ag Groups, Education, University

Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale Enters China

Chuck Zimmerman

This is how you handle foreign relations. By raising a glass of Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale for a toast. Pictured left to right are Deane Lin, chairman and director of Dxcel and Dr. Pearse Lyons, president of Alltech, owner of the Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company. They’re toasting Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale’s expansion into Shanghai and Beijing. Dxcel is handling distribution of Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale in China.

Earlier this year, the beer made its initial debut in the Chinese market in Qingdao.

“Once the official beer of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and silver medal winner in the World Beer Cup, we now want to see Kentucky Ale expanding into the world’s largest beer market,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech.

Commenting on the partnership, Deane Lin, chairman and director of Dxcel, said, “Increases in product diversification and a greater demand for choice and taste have led to significant changes in the Chinese beer industry over the last few years. These shifts in consumer habits, partly due to a vast expatriate market preference for home comforts, are also a result of Chinese consumers’ thirst for new products and brands from the Western world. This is the perfect time for Kentucky Ale to make its debut in these two major Chinese markets.”

“What really distinguishes our beer is its touch of bourbon. Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale is aged for six weeks in freshly decanted bourbon barrels, infusing the beer with a hint of oak and vanilla,” said Dr. Lyons.

Alltech

GROWMARK Helping Cultivate Master Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman

GROWMARK farm progress show 2011Rick Nelson is not just a farmer from Paxton, Illinois – he’s a Master Farmer – and as such, he is helping to cultivate other master farmers in the state.

I talked with Rick at the Farm Progress Show in the GROWMARK tent, since Rick is also Vice Chairman of GROWMARK, and we talked about the Cultivating Master Farmers program that GROWMARK helps to sponsor in Illinois. “In the Cultivating Master Farmers program, one of the Master Farmers who’ve been around for a while spend some time with young, up and coming farmer couples who are just getting started in their careers,” Rick explains.

The two year mentoring program pairs up young farmers with Master Farmers. “Part of what we try to do in that program is to allow them to ask the questions that are on their minds,” Rick says. That includes topics like technology, record keeping, marketing, estate planning and much more.

The Cultivating Master Farmers program is coordinated by Prairie Farmer magazine in Illinois. Young farmers have the opportunity to apply for the program in odd years, so the Class of 2013 is already started up, but those who will still be 35 or younger by the end of 2012 will have a chance to apply for the next class.

Listen to or download my interview with Rick here. GROWMARK Vice Chairman Rick Nelson

2011 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland GROWMARK Trellis Growing Systems
Audio, Farm Progress Show, GROWMARK

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Honda Power Equipment announced a new agreement with John Deere to sell Honda premium power products at participating John Deere dealerships in the United States.
  • Producers and veterinarians looking to make more informed decisions to advance genetic progress in their herds have a new educational resource from Pfizer Animal Genetics.
  • Cargill introduced Vitex AYS stabilizers, a customizable functional system that enables dairy food manufacturers to manage raw material costs in yogurt while still providing consumers with the same creamy products they expect.
  • A campaign – called FuelChoiceNow – will ask lawmakers to take every reasonable step to open U.S. transportation fuel markets to alternative fuels.
Zimfo Bytes

Biodiesel Falls Under Minnesota Ag Marketing & Development

Cindy Zimmerman

Fields of soybeans surround the newly re-opened Renewable Energy Group REG Albert Lea biodiesel plant in southern Minnesota, serving as a reminder of where the renewable fuel is rooted.

Christina Connelly with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Ag Marketing and Development Division attended the grand re-opening Monday of the 30 million gallon a year plant, which was shut down in 2008 due to the economic situation in the biofuels industry at the time. Christina manages the bioenergy programs within the division. “We’ve had the bioenergy programs at the department since back in the ’80s when corn and soybean prices were real low and biofuels were seen as an additional market,” she says. “So we’ve had it housed in the marketing department ever since and we’ve done a lot with ethanol and biodiesel over the years to help jump start both those industries.”

Christina says they are very excited to see the biodiesel plant re-open to get production back on track in the state since getting capacity back to where it was a few years ago means about 6800 direct and indirect jobs for the state.

Listen to or download interview with Christina here. Christina Connelly with Minnesota Department of Agriculture

REG Albert Lea biodiesel plant photo album

Biodiesel, Biofuels, Soybean

USFRA Food Dialogues Now Live

Chuck Zimmerman

The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, Food Dialogues, is now live for your viewing pleasure. You can watch live on the Food Dialogues website or by using the Food Dialogues app on Facebook. That’s where I’m watching.

You can interact by signing in and post your comments and questions. This is what USFRA is looking for and hoping there will be a lot of participation.

Post Update: In case you missed this live stream I’m sure it will be available on the website somehow later. In the meantime you can listen to the opening segment I recorded here: USFRA Food Dialogue Open

Post Update: The Food Dialogues program has ended. If you missed the conversation you can still check the tweet stream with the #FoodD hashtag and it’s my understanding that there will be video in it’s entirety available on the Food Dialogues website.

USFRA