Food Bloggers Get Out On The Farm

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 309Would you be surprised to know that many food bloggers aren’t real familiar with where the food they write about comes from? Probably not. Most people today do not understand how food is produced and have no real connection to the farm regardless of what kind of food or farm you’re talking about.

The Iowa Corn Growers have done something about this. Last week they hosted a group of “guest bloggers” to Iowa and I met them during Iowa Corn Indy 250 weekend activities. Pictured in the center is food blogger, Allison Loesch along with her husband on the right and Iowa Corn Promotion Board Chair, Dick Gallagher.

I know that many of you want to know how to reach out to and engage consumers more. How about reaching out to those very involved in social media on the consumer side? In this week’s program you will hear Mindy Willamson, Iowa Corn Growers, talk about the group they hosted and from Allison. I think you’ll find what they have to say interesting.

Listen in and learn more about food blogging: Guest Blogging with Iowa Corn Growers

If you’d like to get to know this group of guest bloggers here is how you can find and follow them. Their names are links to their blogs:

Hopefully they will join #FoodChat which is the Twitter conversation that takes place the third Tuesday of each month from 8-10pm, ET. All other Tuesday’s it is AgChat!

This week’s program ends with some music from Music Alley. It’s called “Food” by Deirdre Flint.

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our Subscribe page.

Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Food, ZimmCast

Novus International Partners With Verenium

Cindy Zimmerman

Novus International will be expanding its animal nutrition products thanks to a new partnership with enzyme company Verenium.

novusThe focus of the partnership will target the development of products using Verenium enzymes for the global poultry, swine, beef, dairy, aquaculture and companion animals markets. “These new enzyme products will give us the ability to offer new solutions to the performance challenges our customers face,” said Novus International president and CEO Thad Simons.

Verenium is an industrial biotechnology company that develops high-performance enzymes for various industries, including biofuels.

Verenium“We are extremely enthusiastic about our partnership with Novus, the potential opportunity it represents for the continued development of our pipeline and for Verenium to become a more active participant in the animal health and nutrition marketplace with our suite of high-performance enzyme products,” said James Levine, President and Chief Executive Officer at Verenium.

Read more here from Novus and here from Verenium.

Animal Health, Novus International

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Monsanto Company and Amvac Chemical Corporation announced an agreement that broadens Monsanto’s Roundup Ready PLUS weed management platform in the United States to include Amvac’s Impact herbicide beginning in the 2012 crop season.
  • Seed World magazine has awarded agronomy scholar Matthew Mattia with the Future Giants of the Seed Industry award.
  • The National FFA Organization has selected seven collegiate FFA members to participate in the FFA Global Outreach: Africa program.
  • AgriLabs announced that the company has signed an exclusive sales and marketing agreement with SmartVet, makers of the VetCap Delivery System and AIMC insecticide GelCaps.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Straight as an Arrow

    Melissa Sandfort

    The crops in the fields around our small town are growing, green has replaced the dreary brown of winter and oh the humidity makes my skin feel good. This photo was taken a few weeks ago when the field rows were more visible, revealing the straight, symmetrical lines of corn and soybeans. I know many farmers use GPS to set their lines, but the pattern accuracy always amazes me.

    When I was in high school, a bus full of band and chorus students took a trip to Washington, D.C. which included Arlington National Cemetery. Now I’m not sure if the headstones are placed using chalk lines, GPS or just by eye-balling it, but they’re straight as an arrow from all angles.

    And I’m not sure if the 300,000annual visitors to Arlington experience the same awe when they see corn fields, but I know I appreciate it. It demonstrates farmers’ dedication to accuracy, attention to detail and efficiency.

    And we all know how I like things to be “just so.”

    Until we walk again …

    Uncategorized

    Iowa Corn Indy 250 Won By Marco Andretti

    Chuck Zimmerman

    In an American corn ethanol fueled race at Iowa Speedway, Marco Andretti wins the 2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250. Here he is in Victory Lane with 2nd place finisher Tony Kanaan and 3rd place Scott Dixon.

    Following Victory Lane Marco and his Dad, Michael, held the winners press conference. I asked him his thoughts on racing in front of 2,500 corn growers and using fuel they grew. I had just interviewed him two days ago at a local ethanol promotion. He says, “I think it’s great we can be green and still have performance. We’re thankful to have their support. I love this place. Iowa’s great.” Marco Andretti Ethanol Remark

    You can listen to the full press conference here: Marco/Michael Andretti Press Conference

    2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

    Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Ethanol, Indy Racing

    Young Iowa Corn Indy 250 Fans

    Chuck Zimmerman

    I don’t know if these are future Iowa corn growers, Pioneer sales reps or IndyCar drivers. Whatever it is they’re having fun out here at Iowa Speedway. We’re getting ready for a great Indy race under the lights. The weather looks like it’s going to be okay and we’ve got a sold out crowd.

    I’ve been adding some green photos to the photo album so please feel free to visit. I’ll be back on with the winner after the race later this evening before returning home to ZimmComm World Headquarters tomorrow. See you in a while.

    2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

    Ag Groups, Corn, Ethanol, Indy Racing

    Pioneer Going Green For Iowa Corn Indy 250 Again

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Here’s what the hood of the Iowa Corn Indy 250 official pace car looks like. It’s proudly displaying the Pioneer logo as the presenting sponsor.

    Todd says the relationship with the Iowa Corn Growers in sponsoring the Iowa Corn Indy 250 has been very beneficial. As he puts it, “It’s a great event for the state of Iowa. It’s great for agriculture.” All of the cars racing this evening will be running on 100% corn ethanol showing how well the fuel performs in an engine. Pioneer brings in a lot of their customers for the event. In fact, I’ve heard that there will be approximately 2,500 farmers at the race track today. I’ll be out on location this afternoon in advance of tonight’s race. Let’s hope the weather improves. Todd Frazier Interview

    2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

    Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Audio, Corn, Ethanol, Indy Racing, Pioneer

    Courtney Yuskis Joins Successful Farming Magazine

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Congratulations to Courtney Yuskis, pictured on the left. These beautiful professional agrimarketers attended this year’s NAMA conference. Courtney is a new Sales Executive for Successful Farming Magazine. I just spoke with her and she’s really looking forward to a move to Des Moines.

    Previously Yuskis managed digital projects for The Hondo Group, from website development and deployment to the advancement of mobile applications.

    “Courtney understands the importance of digital strategy in today’s marketing world,” said Curt Blades, National Sales Manager at Successful Farming. “With her experience and background she brings both an understanding of our industry and a new level of interactive innovation to customers. ”

    Prior to her role at The Hondo Group, Yuskis served as Executive Director for associations at Drake & Company, as a fundraising specialist for Make-A-Wish Foundation and as a program manager for Beeline Managed Services and Discover Financial Services. She was also a volunteer in Samoa with the United States Peace Corps where she encouraged rural youth groups to generate income via agriculture.

    Media

    Going Ethanol Green With Iowa Corn Growers

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Yeah. We’re all about ethanol this weekend. Cindy’s boat racing and I’m Indy racing!

    Well, the Iowa Corn Growers are going green this weekend at the Iowa Corn Indy 250. In fact, there will be lots of green shirts out here at Iowa Speedway. Here are some of the leadership team that was on hand this morning to talk with the media.

    I spoke first with Iowa Corn Promotion Board Chair, Dick Gallagher. Dick is also a corn grower. He says that this weekend is special because it’s all about going green. That shows that this renewable fuel is a green fuel. To the naysayers he says, “Ethanol is renewable, good for the Iowa economy and more environmentally friendly.” Dick Gallagher Interview

    Next up was Iowa Corn Growers CEO, Craig Floss. Craig agrees with me that the weather is perfect for racing and we hope it stays that way. He says he visited with Tony Kanaan and Marco Andretti last night and he was reminded about how much the drivers like ethanol as a fuel for a variety of reasons. Craig Floss Interview

    And I also spoke with incoming President for the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Kevin Ross. Kevin is from southwest Iowa and says he’s near the flooding area but hasn’t been affected. However, he notes how much that situation is affecting farm families right now and our prayers and thoughts go out to them. From his perspective as a grower the Iowa Corn Indy 250 “it’s been a huge event.” He’s just thrilled with the showcase to promote their product. Kevin Ross Interview

    2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

    Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Indy Racing

    Boat Racing Powered by Ethanol

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Ethanol will be in the spotlight this weekend as boat racing teams from more than twenty states will gather to compete at the National Boat Racing Association (NBRA) “Garnett Ethanol Hydroplane Nationals” this weekend, June 23-26 in Garnett, Kansas for a chance to break national straight away speed records using E10.

    The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) partnered with NBRA earlier this year to help dispel concerns about the use of ethanol-blended fuel in boat engines. “World-class events like this provide the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the efficacy of ethanol-blended fuels, both on the road and on the water,” said Robert White, RFA Director of Market Development. “The performance of these boats and the speeds at which they race should squash any misconception that ethanol and marine engines don’t mix.”

    This weekend’s races will be the first time national speed record trials have been done in over a decade. The speed to beat in the beginner class, C-Stock, is 66 mph and in the fastest class, Super E, the top speed is 96 mph in a quarter-mile. RFA is sponsoring all of the 2011 NBRA series event races taking place this summer and will be at the races in Garnett all weekend to hand out fan bags featuring “Fueled with Pride” logo swag and answer questions on ethanol.

    I’ll be there too, while Chuck is at the Indy race in Iowa. Never been to a boat race before so it should be fun! If you want to join me and the good folks from RFA, the races will be held on Saturday, June 25th and Sunday, June 26th from noon – 5 pm and the $5.00 admission fee includes a hot pit pass. Having just been to my first NASCAR race with a hot pit pass, I will be curious to find out what a pit stop for a boat entails.

    Ethanol