The 8-pound Iron

Melissa Sandfort

I really dislike ironing. So much so that if I find a shirt I like and it’s 100% cotton, I’ll put it back on the rack. It has to be one fantastic piece of clothing for me to buy it if it needs ironing.

When my grandmother was growing up, they ironed everything: sheets, pillowcases, clothes, kitchen towels. They used sad irons – also known as flat irons or smoothing irons. The sad in sad iron is an old word for solid. And boy was this thing solid, weighing in at 8 pounds. They had metal handles, so they had to be picked up with a pad or thick rag. Some irons had wooden handles and in 1870 a detachable handle was patented in the U.S. (the iron pictured on the left was patented May 22, 1900). This stayed cool while the metal bases were heated on the stove.

You see, in order to iron properly, at least two irons in operation – one on the stove heating up while the other was in use. So not only did they iron, they had two or three going at one time!

The key to success was temperature. It is said that a little spit on your finger and if it sizzled, it was hot enough, but not so hot that it would scorch the cloth. The iron pictured on the left is sitting on a trivet. This was placed on the ironing board and when the iron was not in use, it was placed on the trivet as to not burn the ironing board cover.

Really though, I did iron a dress just two weeks ago. I had to wipe the dust off my iron and dig out my ironing board, but that’s beside the point.

I think I’d rather get out my steamer and use these old ones as cool bookends.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Austrian champion Christian Lanz drove a New Holland tractor mounted with Continental AC85 tires to win the 58th world competition in conventional plowing held in Sweden.
  • The American Meat Science Association announces that Dr. J. Brad Morgan is the recipient of the 2011 AMSA Intercollegiate Meat Judging Meritorious Service Award.
  • If you are a designer, know a designer, work with a designer or want to be a designer…. then mark your calendar for June 16 and the next LPC-sponsored Design Workshop in Kansas City.
  • ConjoStudios, LLC is proud to announce the production of an educational film documenting the current state of the Wheat industry and telling the story of custom harvesters who harvest the wheat that feeds the world.
Zimfo Bytes

Special Alltech Dinner Performance By Ronan Tynan

Chuck Zimmerman

Ronan TynanThe International Dinner at the Alltech Symposium had a special performance by Ronan Tynan. He’s a tenor singer in the classical Irish style. This evening he chose to share his rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

We had a number of performances during the course of the evening. I wish I could share them all. I think you’ll enjoy this one. Here’s a little bit of information about Ronan:

Ronan Tynan is truly a modern day “Renaissance Man.” Faced with numerous challenges throughout his well documented life, he has persevered with enormous passion and determination. He attributes his success to his faith and the knowledge that the Man Above guides him through every door he opens. Introduced to international audiences as a member of the Irish Tenors, Tynan quickly became known for his unique voice and irresistible appeal. Following his mother’s advice to always follow your dreams, Tynan decided to launch a solo career, and has achieved the fame and ado.

You can listen to Ronan Tynan’s performance here: Ronan Tynan Sings Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Follow the action on the Alltech Innovations Blog, including photos, interviews and there will be live streaming of certain sessions.

2011 Alltech Symposium Photo Album

Alltech, Audio

Alltech International Dinner

Chuck Zimmerman

Dr. Pearse LyonsThe International Dinner at the Alltech Symposium was another joyful celebration of not only good food but good fellowship and music. We had the winners of the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition from the University of Kentucky perform as well as our very own, Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder and President of Alltech. He was introduced on stage by Dr. Everett McCorvey, Director of Opera, Lexington Opera Society Endowed Chair in Opera Studies at UK.

This is my 5th Symposium. Dr. Lyons is amazed at the fact that this is the 27th event. There is record attendance. To me it seems almost like a family experience and he says that’s what they try to create. This evening it was an “international family.”

You can listen to my interview with Dr. Lyons here: Dr. Pearse Lyons Interview

You can listen to Dr. Lyons lead the dinner audience with Molly Malone here: Molly Malone Performance

Follow the action on the Alltech Innovations Blog, including photos, interviews and there will be live streaming of certain sessions.

2011 Alltech Symposium Photo Album

Agribusiness, Alltech, Animal Health, Audio

Alltech and Algae

Chuck Zimmerman

Alltech AlgaeMy first stop after registering for the Alltech Symposium was the tour of their new Winchester, KY Algae plant. Here’s one of the many tour groups getting to see the facility in action today. The company purchased the plant late last year and is in the process of fully converting it into a scaled-down replica of a large production system that will allow Alltech to research and perfect production methods before rolling them out on a large scale. The plant contains fermentors that stand over 8 stories high and have a capacity of 265,000 liters. Once they get into full 24/7 production this plant will produce about 10,000 metric tons of algae material per year. The algae produced by the plant can be used in animal feed, food supplements, pharmaceuticals, bioremediation and biofuels.

While I was waiting on a tour to get started I spoke with Kyle Raney who works for Alltech in applications research with a focus on algae. He describes the facility and the projects they’re working on right now. Many of the algae products they produce will be used by Alltech’s own animal nutrition products as well as being sold to other customers.

You can listen to my interview with Kyle here: Kyle Raney Interview

Follow the action on the Alltech Innovations Blog, including photos, interviews and there will be live streaming of certain sessions.

2011 Alltech Symposium Photo Album

Agribusiness, Alltech, Animal Health, Audio

An Alltech Family Affair

Chuck Zimmerman

Alltech Symposium BuddiesAn Alltech Symposium is almost like a family event. A very big family. Here are a few of the members. (l-r) Damien O’Reilly, David Markey and Christina Lombard, Alltech. Damien is an Irish agricultural journalist and David is past president of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists. I’m pretty sure they’ll keep the conversation lively over the next several days. I ran into them this afternoon and invite both Damien and David to post some of the stories they told me about their visit so far. I think I can approve most of it. Just use the comment feature guys!

So, the Symposium is underway and it’s my 5th year here. It really does feel like home and I look forward to seeing people from various countries and learning more about what’s new with Alltech!

You will be able to follow a lot of the action on the Alltech Innovations Blog, including photos, interviews and there will be live streaming of certain sessions. I’ll try to keep you pointed that way when I can.

My photos are being included here: 2011 Alltech Symposium Photo Album

Alltech

GROWMARK Propane

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s the latest installment of our “Getting To Know GROWMARK” series. I talked propane with Randy Miller, Director of Propane Operations. He says that they’ve been marketing propane for years with grain drying being a big part of their business. Home heat is also important. They’ve expanded their territory significantly, including into the northeast.

Randy says that propane is a very important part of their energy business. The last couple of years the growth has been driven by the increased need for grain drying. GROWMARK negotiates their supply of propane on behalf of members with the flexibility to deliver to areas when and where it is most needed. They also help members with forward contracting.

You can listen to my interview with Randy here and learn more about GROWMARK is doing in the propane business: Randy Miller Interview

Agribusiness, Audio, Energy, GROWMARK

Lindsay Hill Memorial Information

Cindy Zimmerman

As the shock of the news that NAFB president Lindsay Hill died in an auto accident Thursday continues to be felt throughout the agriculture industry, information about her funeral service and memorial has now been made available.

According to NAFB, visitation hours will be from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm Eastern time Monday, May 23 and again from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm Eastern time on Tuesday. The celebration of Lindsay’s life is scheduled for 2:00 pm Eastern Tuesday. All of this takes place at Winner’s Harvest Barn, 7317 State Route 47 W, De Graff, Ohio 43318-9744.

Those wishing to make contributions in Lindsay’s memory may do so to: The Lindsay Hill Memorial Fund at The Ohio State University Foundation, 1480 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43221. More information can be found here.

NAFB

AgWired iPhone App Update

Chuck Zimmerman

Hey AgWired and iPhone fans. The AgWired App has a new update. You’ll need to go ahead and get it because now you can share the stories you find on AgWired as well as our other news sites, Domestic Fuel, Precision Pays and World Dairy Diary. And if you don’t have the AgWired App on your iPhone, then now’s the time to get it!

Just go to the iTunes store and search for AgWired if you don’t have it. If you already have it, then open iTunes, click on Apps and then click on search for updates. Download and sync your iPhone and you’re done. You do update your apps frequently don’t you?

Thanks for your support!

Apps

Ready To Change The Game At Alltech Symposium

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s almost time for the 2011 Alltech Symposium. I’m headed that way tomorrow so you’ll see coverage of this fantastic event on AgWired starting Sunday afternoon. Here’s some preview information:

A record 2,100 attendees are on their way to Lexington, Kentucky; traveling from 72 countries and 46 U.S. States.

As usual, the speaker line up for this year is full of interesting and influential experts from ag science and agribusiness. Tom Standage, business editor for The Economist will be speaking about the impact of food and agriculture on history. His book, “An Edible History of Humanity” is an incredibly interesting account of the intertwined evolution of plants, farming and humanity.

Leaders from some of the most prominent companies in the food and agriculture industries will be speaking, including:

Hans Jöhr – Nestle’s
Brian Coan – , Chick-fil-A
J. O’Callaghan – JBS USA
Phillip Smith – Tyson Foods
Luciano Roppa – Provimi
Terry Coffey – Murphy-Brown
John Hardiman – Cobb-Vantress

Several sessions will be streamed live. You’ll be able to find them on the Alltech Symposium website.

Agribusiness, Alltech