Novus Launches New Sustainability Website

Cindy Zimmerman

Novus International has launched a new interactive sustainability website to promote the company’s global sustainability initiatives.

The website includes the 2010 Novus Sustainability Report which documents and measures the company’s comprehensive social, environmental and economic sustainability program at a global level following the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework, the most widely used guidelines for sustainability reporting standards.

“This website outlines the goals and progress of our integrated sustainability initiatives worldwide,” said Joyce Cacho, Ph.D., Chief Sustainability Officer at Novus. “This allows us to engage with a diverse group of stakeholders: our customer base, the agricultural industry and the public.”

Novus’s sustainability program forges strong links between performance, food safety, the environment and animal well-being – market drivers shared by urban and rural communities worldwide. In achieving GRI Level B-Check, Novus reports sustainability performance in the areas of economic, environmental, human rights, labor, society and product responsibility.

The website can be found at sustainability.novusint.com.

Novus International, Sustainability

Celebrating Georgia Peanut Commission 50th Anniversary

Chuck Zimmerman

One of the things I did not get to participate in at Sunbelt Ag Expo was the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Georgia Peanut Commission. Thanks to Willie Vogt, Farm Progress, I got this photo of the peanut cake that was cut and shared at the event.

The Georgia Peanut Commission also broke ground recently on a new building. Contact them if you’d like to purchase a commemorative brick that will be used in the construction.

The new headquarters will be the first net-zero energy building for state government in Georgia. The cost for the new building will be covered from the sale of the existing building, energy grants, sponsorships and a commemorative brick program.

2011 Sunbelt Ag Expo Photo Album

Sunbelt Ag Expo coverage is sponsored by The New Holland Boomer 555 Contest.
Ag Groups, Peanuts, Sunbelt Ag Expo

Can You Open This Jar For Me, Please?

Melissa Sandfort

Women back in the 1920s seem to have had the same problem as women these days – getting the bottle or jar lid open. And if your strong-hand husband isn’t within shouting distance, you try pounding on the lid with the end of a butter knife to loosen it, or along the edge of the counter…or…

Maybe the inventor of this adjustable jar opener, patented in June 1920, walked in one day and heard his wife yelling obscenities at a jar of jam and instead of thinking she was crazy, decided to invent something to help her out in his absence.

The nice part about this is that it’s adjustable. Wide mouth, regular mouth, small jelly jars – one size truly did fit all.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Last Day of Sunbelt Ag Expo

Chuck Zimmerman

My visit to this year’s Sunbelt Ag Expo was a relatively short one and the weather during the first two days was not very cooperative. I had to get back on the agriblogging highway mid day yesterday so I did not get as many interviews as I had hoped. There was a huge line of cars and trucks trying to get in as the weather started to improve. Today will probably be a great day to be out at the show! Of course.

2011 Sunbelt Ag Expo Photo Album

Sunbelt Ag Expo coverage is sponsored by The New Holland Boomer 555 Contest.
Sunbelt Ag Expo

NCGA Social Media Webinar on Google + and Facebook

Chuck Zimmerman

This morning I’m participating in a National Corn Growers Association social media webinar. My input will be on Google + and there will also be information provided on Facebook. I am using Google + and although there are a number of things I like about it, I’m still have most of my “friends” on Facebook only so, there’s that consideration to keep in mind.

I don’t know if you’ve registered but you can do so on the NCGA website.

Today’s growers have a whole new set of tools to use on the farm when it comes to communicating the importance of what we’re doing, and it’s vitally important that we know how to use these tools well and that we have then at hand when we need them.

Throughout 2011, the National Corn Growers Association will hold a series of hourly webinars – online tutorials – to help our members and others learn how to use some of these tools, such as Facebook and Twitter. This series of monthly webinars is provided free, courtesy the generous support of Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont Business.

NCGA, Social Networking

USDA-NASS Proposes Program Changes

Cindy Zimmerman

It would be nice to see all government agencies take a look at some programs that might be able to be cut to save tax dollars, like USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service has done.

In light of funding reductions in fiscal year (FY) 2011 and the likelihood of additional reductions in FY 2012, NASS conducted deliberate reviews of all programs against mission- and user-based criteria, aimed at finding cost savings and forward-thinking business efficiencies so that key timely, accurate and useful data remains available in service to agriculture. As a result, the agency is discontinuing or reducing a wide range of agricultural survey programs. The decision to eliminate or reduce these reports was not made lightly, but it was nevertheless necessary, given the funding situation. Because of the timing of the agency’s survey work during the coming year, these decisions are necessary now.

Reports which will be eliminated include Annual Reports on Farm Numbers, Land in Farms and Livestock Operations; Catfish and Trout Reports; Annual Floriculture Report; January Sheep and Goat Report; July Cattle Report; Annual Bee and Honey Report; Annual Hops Production report; Annual Mink report (didn’t even know we had one!); Nursery report; June and September Rice stocks report. Other reports – including chemical use, monthly potato stocks and fruit and vegetable forecasts – will be reduced in frequency. The Distiller Co-Products for Feed Survey would be canceled.

NASS plans to make similar data included in these reports either less frequently or within the every 5-year Census of Agriculture. The next census will be conducted beginning January 2013 to reflect activities in the 2012 calendar year. A Federal Register notice announcing the program changes will be forthcoming.

Some people will no doubt be unhappy with the proposed changes, but it certainly seems like most of these reports can easily be eliminated or reduced without too much angst. I bet with a little effort, even more could be cut.

USDA

Vilsack to Address 2012 Commodity Classic

Cindy Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack is confirmed to once again be the keynote speaker for an expected crowd of more than 4,800 corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum producers and guests during the 2012 Commodity Classic, March 1-3 in Nashville, Tenn.

2011 commodity classic tom vilsack“The secretary’s return for a third straight visit is testament to the value of our grower constituency in Washington,” National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer said. “Given the concerns farmers have around the federal budget and 2012 farm bill discussions, the secretary’s message will be of great importance to attendees.”

”We are privileged and honored to have Secretary Vilsack as the keynote speaker for the Commodity Classic General Session,” said American Soybean Association President Alan Kemper. “The secretary’s visit will be a highlight of this dynamic event where farmers share ideas, network and learn about future trends in agriculture.”

Commodity Classic is the nation’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused conference and trade show, presented annually by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Sorghum Producers. For more information, visit CommodityClassic.com.

Commodity Classic, Corn, sorghum, Soybean, Wheat

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference of American Trucking Associations announced that it has hired veteran agricultural lobbyist Jon Samson as its new executive director.
  • United Nations Agency chiefs and top international personalities met to celebrate World Food Day, whose focus this year is on the recent wave of food price swings which threatens to push millions more people into hunger.
  • Pfizer Animal Health and The Resource Foundation announced the expansion of a comprehensive education and training program to increase the capacity, productivity and quality of life of rural farmers in eight Latin American countries.
  • 76% of American Internet users use social network sites. In total this is about 186 million people. Facebook is the most popular site with 70%.
    Zimfo Bytes

    FoodChat Questions

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Last night was the monthly FoodChat conversation on Twitter. It was the first time I’ve moderated one of these. Although I saw some familiar “faces” it was mostly a new group than who you’ll find on AgChat. Thanks to everyone who participated. It ran very smooth and Twitter cooperated and that always helps.

    The whole conversation will be archived on the AgChat Foundation website and you’ll be able to find answers to these questions:

    Q1 via @IFICMedia How important is physical activity in reducing diet related disease?

    Q2 via @TruffleMedia Diet, as a term, has to much focus on losing weight. What other words would you use to refer to healthy food choices?

    Q3 via @IFICMedia Moderation is half the battle. What are your favorite portion control tips?

    Q4 via @LovelyPantry How does diet effect high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and abdominal fat?

    Q5 via @FoodInsight What steps can families do together to reduce diet related disease?

    Q6 via @HomeBasedBaking Does “food combining” really work to control weight? What are the best ways to get protein if you do not eat meat?

    Q7 via @waynekblack When do we stop thinking about what we eat and start thinking about what we do? (re: Roseto, PA)

    Q8 via @IFICMedia What’s a common milestone for positive, sustainable changes?

    Q9 via @FoodInsight What are some of your favorite foods that can promote health?

    Q10 via @TruffleMedia What approaches to healthy/nutrition food preparation do you use to make breakfast, lunch or dinner?

    Q11 via @IFICMedia What positive steps are you taking to improve your health?

    Q12 via @FoodInsight What low cost frozen foods/pantry staples do you recommend for low cost family meals?

    Q13 via @FoodInsight Based on tonight’s chat, what is one step you’re going to take to improve your health?

    Food

    Don’t Change The RFS

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Should the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) be changed?” A majority at 53% said, No, it’s working as intended; 32% said Get rid of it entirely and 15% said Yes, change to adapt to corn stocks.

    Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “Are Farm Show Smartphone Apps Useful?” What do you think? Take our poll and feel free to comment. Thank you.

    ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

    ZimmPoll