Master AgVocate Kenny Wallace

Chuck Zimmerman

I finally caught up to NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace today during the hospitality event for Illinois corn and soybean growers. Here’s Kenny revving up the crowd before afternoon qualifying.

I’ve been following some race car advocates for clean burning ethanol for a while but I think Kenny has them all beat. I wish I had recorded his remarks to the crowd of farmers gathered here today for the Nationwide Series STP 300. It was awesome baby. I especially liked his message to America’s Family Farmers that what they do is important and that they are loved and appreciated regardless of any critics out there. Amen to that! They are feeding and fueling America and I’d rather burn ethanol than imported oil based fuel from countries and people who don’t like us!

Kenny Wallace Interview

STP 300 Nationwide Series NASCAR Weekend Photos

Audio, Ethanol, NASCAR

NASCAR AgriPhotographer

Chuck Zimmerman

Who says agriblogging isn’t hard work? I dare them to come out to a 90+ degree race track, strap on some Nikons and a vest and wander around getting the shots you need.

I love it though. Whether it’s out in a field or at a race track, anywhere, anytime is a great time to agvocate for America’s farmers and ranchers. I’m collecting photos today here at Chicagoland Speedway all the way through the inaugural STP 300 Nationwide Series race tonight. I just got out of the photographer’s meeting which is mandatory if you want to shoot a race. It’s all about safety while still getting the opportunity for a great shot. I’ll be doing my best. I got the #2 vest and keep getting asked who is number 1. I dunno and don’t care. LOL.

Here’s where my photos are being collected throughout the day and including tonight’s race: STP 300 Nationwide Series NASCAR Weekend Photos

Ethanol, NASCAR

Race Day In Chicago – Go Ethanol

Chuck Zimmerman

This is why we’re out here at NASCAR this weekend. Every car on the track here at Chicagoland Speedway and tomorrow at Kansas Speedway will be sporting the American Ethanol name around their gas cap. A fifteen percent blend of ethanol will be fueling these cars to help show consumers that the fuel is perfectly safe in their cars and is also good for performance.

It’s race day here in Joliet. I’ll be attending the Illinois Corn Growers/Iowa Soybean Association hospitality area midday and then back inside the track for the afternoon’s activities. I’ll be posting some interviews and final results too. The STP 300 doesn’t start until 7pm tonight!

Although ethanol is in all these cars I’m paying special attention to Kenny Wallace in the #09 Family Farmers/Marquis Energy car. In the final practice last night he had the best 10 consecutive lap average speed of 169.577 mph. Not bad Kenny. We wish you and all the drivers a safe race today.

Here’s where my photos are being collected throughout the day and including tonight’s race: STP 300 Nationwide Series NASCAR Weekend Photos

Corn, Ethanol, NASCAR

Marquis Energy Sees Great NASCAR Ethanol Opportunity

Chuck Zimmerman

The President of Marquis Energy is Mark Marquis, seen here introducing NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace to the crowd attending yesterday’s event held at the Hennepin ethanol plant. I spoke with Mark and learned that Marquis Energy is a real family type business that he had built after growing up on a family farm in this area and branching out into the grain business. In my interview with him you’ll hear him talk about plans to double the size of the Hennepin plant.

Mark is a Growth Energy board member. He says the organization saw the long term agreement with NASCAR as a great opportunity to help get in front of American consumers who will feel more confident about putting higher blends of ethanol in their cars after seeing how well it performs in the race cars. They’ve accomplished that through American Ethanol, a partnership with the National Corn Growers Association. The local NASCAR Nationwide Series STP 300 race on Saturday provided his company with an opportunity to make a special contribution to the effort. He says NASCAR is very popular with his employees and the farmers who send in about 150 trucks of corn a day to the plant. Mark Marquis Interview

I’ll be out on location this morning at Chicagoland Speedway getting my media credentials and checking out the action in preparation for tomorrow’s race.

You can hear Mark’s introduction of Kenny and Kenny’s remarks in this video clip:

Marquis Energy Appreciation Day Photos

Audio, Corn, Ethanol, NASCAR, NCGA, Video

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Leica Geosystems announces several updates for a range of Ag guidance products.
  • After successfully raising more than $100,000 in the first year of a new grassroots campaign that provided funds to local FFA chapters throughout the country, Red Brand fence (Keystone Steel and Wire Co.) (www.redbrand.com/) has announced its decision to make this campaign an annual event.
  • Koch Agronomic Services, LLC has added Bob Beck to its team as sales manager, row crops division.
  • Off-road tire producer Mitas announced that in 2011 the company will introduce to the worldwide markets a new Mitas-branded range of tires for use in row-crop agriculture.
Zimfo Bytes

Central Illinois Company Gives Back to FFA

Meghan Grebner

We’ve all heard of Red Brand fence, right?  They’re a milestone sponsor of the FFA (in fact they’ve been doing so for over 60 years). Did you know that Red Brand fence is manufactured in Peoria, Ill.?  Keystone Steel and Wire Co began the Home Grown program in 2010.  It gave opportunity for local Red Brand retailers to give back to local FFA Chapters.  In its first year – the Home Grown program raised over $100,000 for FFA Chapters across the United States.  On average 704 FFA Chapters across the US received between $400 and $500 each.  One FFA Chapter in Platte, South Dakota was awarded more than $4,000.00.

It’s actually a pretty simple process.  As Christopher Bell, Regional Director with the National FFA Foundation explains all retailers have to do is sign up on Red Brand’s website and for every roll of Red Brand agricultural fencing purchased by a participating retailer $1 is donated to the designated FFA chapter or chapters of their choice.

It’s an easy way to give back and help continue to fund a program that does so much for the future of the agriculture industry.  Also a huge round of applause to Keystone Steel and Wire Co for giving back to a program that does so much (it makes a girl even more proud to be from Central Illinois).  Here’s to a successful 2011 Home Grown Initiative!

>Christopher Bell - National FFA Foundation

FFA

Getting Ready To See NASCAR Burn Ethanol

Chuck Zimmerman

Cindy and I are going NASCAR this weekend with most of our activity being posted onto Domestic Fuel.com. I’ll start things off with the Nationwide Series STP 300 at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday with support from the Illinois Corn Marketing Board. Then Cindy will pick up at the Sprint Cup Series STP 400 at Kansas Speedway on Sunday with support from the National Corn Growers Association. I know you were wondering today, “Chuck seems quiet, must be traveling.” Yep. You got it.

I drove to Marquis Energy in Hennepin, IL for their Appreciation Day. The company is a major sponsor of the #09 car that Kenny Wallace will be driving in Joliet, IL on Saturday. Kenny and the actual car he’ll be driving (pictured) were on hand. So, there will be lots more to come over the next several days. In the meantime you can see photos, including more of the car and Kenny online: Marquis Energy Appreciation Day Photos.

Corn, Ethanol, NASCAR, NCGA

Beef Checkoff Kicks Off BBQ Tour

Cindy Zimmerman

In celebration of summer grilling season, the National Beef Checkoff is hitting the road with the American GrillMaster Experience BBQ Tour.

In partnership with Sam’s Club and the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), the American GrillMaster Experience, a beef BBQ demonstration and educational tour, will include beef grilling demonstrations, product samples, recipes and other checkoff resources designed to educate and inform consumers on grilling techniques. A total of 18 events will take place in the parking lots of Sam’s Clubs locations in 17 states from June through October.

“Mobile sampling and demonstration tours are fast becoming one of the most effective marketing platforms in America today. Savvy consumers demand to see, try, taste and experience products for themselves before they make purchase decisions,” says Jane Frost of New Mexico, vice chair of the checkoff’s Joint Retail Committee. “Connecting with consumers through promotional sampling in a fun and exciting environment proves to be one of the best ways to engage our target audience, promote our beef products and drive home our promotional messages that keep beef in the minds and in the shopping carts of our consumers.”

Find out more here.

Beef

Corn Farmers Coalition Ads Target Lawmakers

Cindy Zimmerman

cornFor the third year in a row, the Corn Farmers Coalition (CFC) is targeting policy makers with information about the nation’s corn crop and the people who produce it.

The new ads highlighting corn farming families showed up this week all over Union Station, an important venue for reaching policymakers inside “The Beltway,” as well as in Capital Hill publications, radio, frequently used web sites, the Metro and Reagan National Airport.

“Even in the 21st Century, corn farming remains a family operation,” said Kansas Corn Commission Chairman Mike Brzon, a farmer from Courtland, Kan. “The family farmer growing corn for a hungry world isn’t a myth, but a critical economic engine for our country and it’s important that policy makers and influencers realize this.”

“Last year, we saw a good response to our positive and proactive efforts, and this year we have many new people inside the Beltway to educate,” said NCGA President Bart Schott of North Dakota. “As urban and suburban America gets further removed from the agricultural roots that made our nation strong, we’re saying it’s time again for everyone to come home to the farm.”

The coalition will also be meeting with media, members of Congress, environmental groups and others to talk about how U.S. farmers, using the latest technologies, will continue to expand yields and how this productivity can be a bright spot in an otherwise struggling economy. The combined effort will continue until Congress recesses in August.

Corn, NCGA

USDA Replaces Pyramid with Plate

Cindy Zimmerman

Nutrition has a newer, rounder shape.

Fruits and vegetables should make up half of our plates under the more user-friendly nutrition image released today by First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. USDA is ditching the long-used food pyramid for a plate. “I can already tell you how much this is going to help parents across the country,” said the First Lady. “We do have time to look at our kids’ plates … as long as they’re eating proper portions. As long as half of their meal is fruits and vegetables, alongside lean proteins, whole grains and low fat dairy, then we’re good. It’s as simple as that.”

“My plate is a tool that’s simple enough for children to understand even at the elementary school level,” she continued. “So the My Plate icon is a wonderful, kid-friendly tool.”

Details of the new My Plate nutrition symbol can be found on choosemyplate.gov.

Listen to or download Mrs. Obama’s comments here: Michelle Obama on MyPlate

USDA