Pope Stresses Importance of Agriculture

Cindy Zimmerman

Pope Benedict calls agriculture an “indispensable resource for the future” that is not given enough importance today.

During an address on November 14, the Pope reflected on the importance of agricultural work in light of the global economic situation. “In this context a strategic re-launching of agriculture appears decisive. In fact, the process of industrialization has often overshadowed the agricultural sector, which, while also drawing benefit from modern technologies, has nevertheless lost importance, with notable consequences, even at the cultural level. I believe that this is the moment for the reevaluation of agriculture, not in a nostalgic sense, but as an indispensable resource for the future.”

The Pope called for “a truly unified way to a new balance between agriculture, industry and services, so that development be sustainable, and no one go without bread and work, and so that air and water and the other primary resources be preserved as universal goods.”

Something to think about this week as we “give our thanks to God for the fruits of the earth and the work of man.” Amen!

Food

American Gulf Coast Thanksgiving

Chuck Zimmerman

We are so blessed in this country to not only have so many choices of food but to actually have food to eat. Speaking of choices, you might want to check out the Food Channel’s American Gulf Coast Thanksgiving. It’s a tribute to the “resilient spirits of America’s Gulf Coast residents with a fabulous Thanksgiving feast full of sumptuous seafood, Creole accents and plenty of Southern tradition.” Sounds good I guarantee!

In celebration of the inspirational efforts made by people rebuilding along the coast in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Texas after the devastating oil spill that followed several natural disasters, The Food Channel has prepared an entire Gulf Coast-style Thanksgiving menu, in tribute to the flavors and traditions that make that region of America distinctive. The Thanksgiving recipe collection is part of a series of articles on foodchannel.com chronicling the comeback of America’s Gulf Coast residents.

Get the dish on recipes for everything from Southern-favorite starters, such as the French 75 champagne cocktail and Creole-spiced toasted pecans, to decadent desserts, including pumpkin cheesecakes with bourbon sauce and pear and cranberry tarts . Also, learn how to prepare New Orleans Oyster Dressing to blend perfectly with a Creole-Butter Roasted Turkey. Guests will delight in creative, taste-tempting sides served with Southern charm. Try the Crab-Stuffed Artichokes and Corn Maque Choux for truly fantastic additions to your Turkey Day plate.

Food

Thanksgiving and Farmer Priorities

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 282This week is the time to give thanks to America’s farmers and ranchers for producing the most affordable and abundant food supply in the world. If you’d like to help do that using your social media channels then please visit #foodthanks.

In this week’s program I’m featuring a couple of interviews from Trade Talk at the NAFB convention. Here’s your chance to hear what the issue priorities are for two of the major farm groups, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and National Corn Growers Association. I interviewed NCBA Chief Economist, Gregg Doud and a NCGA 1st Vice President Garry Niemeyer. Please enjoy this week’s program and learn about the important issues facing cattle and corn farmers: ZimmCast 282 - Interviews with NCGA and NCBA

This week’s program ends with some fun music from Music Alley since it’s Thanksgiving week. It’s called “I Heart Thanksgiving” by Robert Lund.

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsors, Novus International, and Leica Geosytems 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 a Subscribe page

Ag Groups, Audio, Beef, Farm Policy, NAFB, NCBA, NCGA, ZimmCast

Last Chance for GIPSA Comments

Cindy Zimmerman

Nearly 29,000 comments have been received so far on the proposed Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rule and today is the deadline for those who will be affected by the rule to make comments.

As it says on the Regulations.gov page to submit comments, this is “Your Voice in Federal Decision Making.” Since this is a regulatory action, it is not being voted on by Congress, so submitting comments is the only way to let regulators know the opinion of those who will be impacted by the rule. It’s also important that it really be YOUR voice, not a form letter. As Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently said about the comments on GIPSA, “There’s a difference between 16,000 unique comments and 16,000 comments of which a substantial number of them are basically form letters.”

It really couldn’t be easier to do. Just click here and type in your contact info and comments and it goes right to the Federal Register. You are able to view the comments that others have made on the rule and your comments will also be available for others to see.

What happens after today? The agency has a period of time to evaluate the comments received and then decide whether the proposal will be withdrawn, amended or implemented as is. We’ll keep you posted.

GIPSA

Explore Beef Videos

Chuck Zimmerman

Beef production in action is the focus of a series of videos produced with Beef Checkoff funds. Now let’s see if we can get these seen by someone other than beef farmers!

By utilizing beef checkoff resources, America’s cattle farmers and ranchers last week commissioned Close-Up on Modern Beef Production, a millennial movie-making project that helps consumers understand modern beef production practices. Jennifer Stolp, who manages this issues management project for the beef checkoff, says the project is a collection of three videos made by student filmmakers showcasing different areas of beef production.

Here’s the first of the three video clips.

A Film by Katie Griffith from ExploreBeef on Vimeo.

Ag Groups, Beef, Farming, Video

Andy Vance On Assignment With Ohio FFA Foundation

Chuck Zimmerman

Andy Vance is embarking on a new career course with the Ohio FFA Foundation. The photo is of Andy listening to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack answer his question during the NAFB convention. Andy has been a sometimes contributor to AgWired and we really look forward to keeping in touch. You can listen to his farewell message to ABN Radio listeners below.

Friends,

I just recorded my final dispatch as the lead anchor at ABN Radio. Today is my last day with the network, and I wanted you to hear it from me personally before I shared the news over the airwaves Monday, or via social media shortly thereafter. One of the greatest joys of my professional existence is the expansive social networks developed over a decade in broadcasting and advertising. One of the greatest challenges, therefore, is the inability to contact so many trusted friends via the telephone. My hope, however, is that you’ll feel inclined to dial my number over the next few weeks so we can catch up on old times, and talk about the adventures ahead.

Oh, the questions you must be asking… Here is the short story, and below is the text of my farewell message to the ABN audience. Monday I embark on a special assignment with the Ohio FFA Foundation. I’m joining Executive Director Melissa Bell as the Foundation’s Director of Development, Planning, and Initiatives. Together we’ll add another $100,000 in revenue to the Foundation over the next 11 months. You know well my passion for the FFA, and this is my way of channeling Woody Hayes and Paying it Forward. Meanwhile I’m pushing forward toward completion of my B.S. in Agriculture at The Ohio State University, and am actively seeking admission to a Ph.D. program in communication for enrollment next fall.

I may never again be an Ohio farm broadcaster… But for the Grace of God go I, and to his will and wisdom do I submit.

And here, my friend, my fond farewell. Andy Vance Farewell Message

Ag Groups, Audio, Media

The Tea Leaf Collection

Melissa Sandfort

Before we got married, we went to the store and registered for gifts we thought we needed as a new couple, some of which included two sizes of plates, matching bowls and coffee mugs. I think a place setting totaled about $8, if memory serves me right. The coffee mugs have never been used – I guess square plates are okay, but square mouths on coffee mugs is just on oddity, according to my husband.

However, if you visit my Grandmother’s house, you might notice four china hutches stacked FULL of fancy dishes. First entered in the British Registry in 1856, white ironstone china became very popular in England and was soon exported to America in 100-pound barrels, sometimes used as ballast for merchant ships. This display is the “tea leaf” pattern, part of my Grandmother’s collection, which has been a popular special display at the local museum. Her mother started the collection when she was given a sugar bowl by her grandmother. In the 1940s, relatives and friends added to the collection and my Grandmother inherited the collection in the 1960s. She has added various pieces from many sources and now there are more than 300 pieces of the fine china.

I’m guessing that a place setting is more than $8. The art of china hutches packed full with great-grandmother’s dishes is lost … but somehow, my Grandma has managed to salvage not only a beautiful set of dishes, but a large piece of history.

Until we walk again…

Uncategorized

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The Chicago Farmers 75th Anniversary Luncheon will bring together old and new friends, and commemorate the special occasion with Master of Ceremonies, Orion Samuelson.
  • The North American alpaca industry is meeting to discuss an industry-wide initiative to support the increased growth of a domestic alpaca fiber market.
  • For the past two years, Pfizer Animal Health has helped to increase interest in livestock animal medicine by giving first- and second-year veterinary medicine students some “hands-on” training in the field as a part of Pfizer Animal Health’s Commitment to Veterinarians.
  • Pioneer Hi-Bred announced the launch of its newly redesigned website – www.pioneer.com – which will quickly link growers to local, relevant and timely crop production-focused information.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Farm Bureau: Republicans Not Bad for Agriculture

    John Davis

    While some are worried that the new fiscal hawks who were elected as the Republicans swept control of the U.S. House will be bad for agricultural interests in this country, the American Farm Bureau Federation says the shift to the right doesn’t necessarily mean the wrong path for farm policies.

    “I know there’s people in the press who have said, ‘Oh gosh, [incoming Speaker of the House Republican] John Boehner’s gonna kill farm programs.’ I think that’s far from the truth. He’s a very smart guy, and he’s going to recognize a lot of the new people coming in are rural Republicans, and the Farm Bill’s going to mean a lot to those folks,” Mary Kay Thatcher, Director of Public Policy at AFBF, told our own Cindy Zimmerman during the Trade Talk session at the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasters meeting in Kansas City. While she believes farm programs will take some cuts, it won’t be more than what other programs are asked to give up.

    She says members of Congress during the lame duck session will kick the budget to the next Congress coming in after the first of the year by passing a continuing resolution and will at least temporarily extend some of the Bush tax cuts before they expire on January 1st. But she’s not as optimistic that the ethanol and biodiesel tax breaks will be extended. Thatcher says they could be renewed on a temporary basis, but she’s not sure after that.

    “It’ll be short term … six months, maybe a year … and then the new Congress will have to figure out where do you get the money to pay for that stuff.”

    Thatcher says new advocacy groups, such as the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), will be very important to keep the voice of the American farmer alive, despite there being fewer and fewer farmers and fewer and fewer farmers represented in Congress each year.

    “I think we’ve got to do everything to try to put that simple message about what farmers do out there. Make sure people know you don’t get milk from a grocery store; you get it from a cow. We’ve probably got to do some advertising, [which] we didn’t have to do in the past,” says Thatcher.

    Thatcher says the Farm Bill and biofuels tax credits will be big topics of discussion when the AFBF holds its 92nd Annual Meeting, Jan. 9-12, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia … just as the new Congress comes into session in Washington. She admits the ethanol tax credit could end up taking a hit from some of the new fiscal hawks elected this year. Thatcher does believe that farmers will be helped by the fact that Republicans have taken control of Congress, and thus, taken control of the purse strings of the Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies that have put up roadblocks. And that could ease some of the restrictions the government has put on the agribusiness sector in the past few years.

    Listen to more of Cindy’s interview with Mary Kay here: Mary Kay Thatcher, AFBF

    AFBF, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Ethanol, NAFB

    National Ag Hall of Fame Bricks

    Chuck Zimmerman

    A pathway of “knowledge and appreciation for the American farmer” is being built brick by brick by the National Agricultural Hall of Fame. You can show your support and have your loved one’s name permanently placed in the “Farmer’s Walk of Fame” with a custom made paver.

    For a donation of $125 each donor will receive
    • an engraved 4×8 brick (or $225 for an 8×8) placed at the Ag Hall of Fame,
    • frame-suitable certificate,
    • one-year membership to the Ag Hall of Fame,
    • The knowledge that you are supporting the National Agricultural Hall
    of Fame and our ability to honor the American Farmer and help educate
    all who visit about the past, present, and future of farming.

    Special Recognition for Farmers: Let us know if your contribution is in honor/memory of a farmer and we will be sure to place your brick in our walkway specifically designated for farmers.

    For more information visit: www.AgHallofFame.com

    Ag Groups