Cow Art And Social Media

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 300Cow artist and veterinarian, Kathy Swift, is also a board member of the AgChat Foundation. We got to visit while I was in Gainesville, FL doing a little John Deere work. Our conversation is ZimmCast number 300! I guess that’s a milestone of sorts. You figure out how many years that is.

With the AgChat Foundation recently turning one year old, our visit was very timely. We talked about becoming agvocates and Kathy shares some of her experiences for people who want to become AgNerds. You can learn more about what Kathy does on the Cow Art And More Blog. And follow her on Twitter.

Thank you to the Panera lady who took our photo!

Listen to Kathy talk about her experiences with social media in this week’s program: Getting Social With Cow Art

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

Audio, ZimmCast

Preserving a Piece of History

Melissa Sandfort

I have a pantry filling up with mason jars. And I have a brain filling up with ideas on what to put IN those mason jars. Applesauce? Rotel? Stewed tomatoes? Salsa?

Before there were mason jars, there were clay pots for preserving. My grandmother’s grandma used these to store pickles and kraut in. They had loose lids, so there was no need for a wax seal or a pressure cooker. These, too, came from the Macomb Pottery company.

I much prefer the mason jars because of the clear glass. You can see what you’re reaching for when you get it off the shelf. And, it makes for a colorful pantry.

By way of recording photos and a little blurb about each item, I seem to be preserving a small piece of history. It amazes me sometimes how many generations back these items go. They’re valuable to their owners right now because there’s a personal connection – a personal story behind each one, and they’re valuable to collectors. But once the owners are gone, does the value fade if there’s no story?

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • CNH will open a remanufactured parts distribution center within its CNH Reman operations facility in Springfield, Mo., to expedite delivery of its remanufactured products to equipment dealers throughout North America.
  • A new website is a collaborative effort of the fertilizer industry aimed at increasing awareness of 4R nutrient stewardship, a site-specific, scientific framework that addresses farmers’ use of the right fertilizer source at the right rate, the right time and the right place.
  • Diamond V received two awards at the 2011 Technology Association of Iowa Prometheus Awards.
  • The team at Nolan Ryan’s All-Natural Beef are getting a head start on grilling season by launching Nolan Ryan’s Beef and Baseball Bonanza.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Driving Green at GreenSouth

    Chuck Zimmerman

    I was driving green with John Deere in Gainesville, FL this weekend. GreenSouth Equipment held a field party for customers and the public as part of the Drive Green Challenge tour.

    One of the stars of the tour is the truck that travels across the country delivering some of the equipment that is displayed at scheduled events. I met this year’s driver, Brian Middleton, who has already been to more than 20 stops with a lot more to go. As you might imagine, he’s got some great anecdotes about driving this highway billboard: Interview with Brian Middleton

    Audio, John Deere

    Agri-Marketing Conference Wrapup

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Jenny PickettThe 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference was one of the most well attended since 2000 according to Jenny Pickett. She says the official number is 1,206 registered.

    Jenny says she heard numerous comments about how upbeat people have been at the conference. She also wants to remind people to get the NAMA App on their smartphone. One of the key features is the directory of NAMA members.

    Get a full review: Interview with Jenny Pickett

    2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by
    Audio, NAMA

    Put Some White Space On Your Calendar

    Chuck Zimmerman

    It’s not a bad thing to have some white space on your calendar. In fact, Juliet Funt, thinks you should actually schedule some. She was our closing speaker at the Agri-Marketing Conference with a session titled, “Overcommitted, Overwhelmed and Over It! Success Skills for the Blisteringly Busy.” Juliet is the daughter of Allen Funt, Candid Camera, and is an entertaining speaker.

    Juliet helps people slow down and prioritize. One of the main things she wants people to think about is keeping more white space on their calendar. She’s writing a book on this. Listen to some more suggestions she has: Interview with Juliet Funt

    2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by
    Audio, NAMA

    Celebrating With Brownfield

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Anita VanderwertPeople told me why they go to the Brownfield Party at the Agri-Marketing Conference. Now let’s hear why Brownfield puts on the party.

    I spoke with Anita Vanderwert, National Sales Director, pictured on the left. Anita says the party allows them to get together to have a good time and celebrate working in this great industry of agriculture. She says people are very upbeat and the markets are sure contributing to that feeling right now. Listen to what else Anita has to say: Interview with Anita Vanderwert

    2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by
    Audio, NAMA

    Novus Partnership With Missouri Colleges Fund

    Cindy Zimmerman

    NovusA partnership between Novus International and the Missouri Colleges Fund has helped some interested students see “Science in Action” for the past three years now.

    The mission of the Missouri Colleges Fund is to acquire resources to help educate students at 16 member private liberal arts colleges in the state. President Mike Backer says they do that mainly through donations from companies like Novus. “Their first gift to the Missouri Colleges Fund was a check for student scholarships, but after they handed me the check, they said ‘what else can we do?'” Mike said. “This science day gives the students an opportunity to get out of the classroom and get more information about what they can do with their degree after they leave school.”

    Each year, the Fund provides Novus with a book that includes student bios and photos and thank you cards, which Mike is shown here presenting to Dr. Joyce Cacho, Chief Sustainability Officer for Novus.

    You can listen to my interview with Mike here: Interview With Mike Backer

    Novus Science in Action Day 2011 Photos

    Audio, Education, Novus International

    Zimfo Bytes

    Melissa Sandfort

      Zimfo Bytes

    • Genuity SmartStax RIB Complete by Monsanto Company has received registration from the EPA.
    • The Makhteshim Agan Group announced that it will acquire DuPont Crop Protection’s global non-mixture diuron business.
    • O&B Kansas City names Peter Cook as associate creative director; Brian Howard joins as account supervisor on a variety of animal-focused accounts; Tyler Bowser joins the Kansas City team as public relations assistant account executive on AgraQuest and SFP; and, Jared Spader has relocated from O&B’s St. Louis headquarters to its Kansas City office, where he will serve as director of marketing strategy.
    • Penton Media announced its new Marketing Services Group, a unit that will offer custom content, research and digital and sales optimization services to customers in 17 vertical markets.
      Zimfo Bytes

      Grabbing A Pancake Stack Courtesy Rhea+Kaiser

      Chuck Zimmerman

      Rhea Kaiser PancakesSo, what did you do after the Brownfield Party? Hopefully you stopped in to the After-Party hosted by Rhea+Kaiser. Midnight in the Hyatt Lobby was where it was at.

      After donning your After-Party hat you just headed up the escalator to the restaurant where hot, steaming and syrupy, sticky pancakes awaited. I made it and was really glad since I realized about half way through the Brownfield Party that I hadn’t eaten since lunch! Mmm, mmm. Thank you Rhea+Kaiser!

      2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

      AgWired coverage of the 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by
      Agencies, NAMA