Probably many of you have heard about the problem hog farmer, Chris Chinn, had with a YouTube video she had produced to “help the public understand modern agriculture.” The problem was it got flagged as inappropriate content. That got changed this week. You can read more about this situation on the FBlog.
My faith in YouTube was restored yesterday when I discovered my video had been returned to it’s “G” rating. I was not notified by YouTube that this happened, and I am not sure when or how it happened. What I do know is last week there were several articles about my video being flagged inappropriate and tweets were flying on Twitter about my video being blocked. Thank you YouTube for returning my video to a “G” rating, I just wish it hadn’t taken 6 months!
Iowa Corn Growers Tour Indy Garages
One of the cool things to do at an Indy race is tour the garages where the technicians work on the engines in preparation of race day. The Iowa Corn Growers conducted multiple tours of the garages during race weekend for the Iowa Corn Indy 250.
I followed one group and interviewed several grower participants.
First up was Tim Recker, Iowa Corn Growers Association Director from Fayette County. He came out to the track to see the “power and performance of ethanol powered vehicles.” Like other corn growers I’ve spoken with, he has a feeling of pride to see the cars running on American made ethanol from the corn he produces.
You can listen to my interview with Tim here: Tim Recker Interview
Next up was Dean Taylor, President-Elect, Iowa Corn Growers Association. Dean said that everything was going fine and it was a great event. He says the race is getting the message out about what ethanol is. He says fuel security is going to become increasingly important.
You can listen to my interview with Dean here: Dean Taylor Interview
Finally, I interviewed Roger Zylstra, Iowa Corn Growers Association Director, Jasper County. Since he serves on the animal ag and environment committee I asked him about the importance of animal agriculture to corn growers. He says the livestock industry is very important to Iowa corn growers. You’ll hear some of the cars being tuned up in our conversation.
You can listen to my interview with Roger here: Roger Zylstra Interview
Zimfo Bytes
- Syngenta Seeds, Inc. has received approval from Japanese regulatory authorities for the Agrisure Viptera trait and the Agrisure Viptera 3111 trait stack. This approval clears the way for U.S. corn growers to plant corn hybrids with the Agrisure Viptera trait during the 2011 planting season.
- Premier Power, LLC has designed a new, mobile PTO power source for farm operations needing the flexibility of an efficient PTO power source in multiple locations, called “The Bull”.
- The Department of Justice and the USDA announced the agenda and panelists for the June 25 workshop examining competition in the dairy industry.
- The National Potato Council and the United States Potato Board are pleased to announce U.S. fresh potatoes, including chip and table-stock, may now enter Vietnam.
iPhone 4 Changing Everything Again
The iPhone 4 has landed in the AgriBlogger’s lap and is fully activated and ready for action. This photo was the first one I took with the phone. You can see it and others from a Katy Trail bike ride today in an online photo album
iPhone 4 First Photos
My first impressions include:
Sleek and solid. Not as prone to finger smudges.
Major difference in photos. Nice to have some quality and zoom in the camera!
I’m still getting used to the new iOS 4 software but liking the improvements such as being able to put apps into homescreen folders, one email inbox for multiple accounts, etc.
I’m making less mistakes typing. Not sure why but it just is.
Do I recommend it? Yes. But I’ll post more about it after I’ve had time to work with it and some of the new apps that have come out.
Do You Have A Social Media Strategy?
That question is one I rarely get a yes answer to. In fact, after saying no the question I get back is “How do we create one?” or “Can you provide an example of one?” If you’re wondering about this then today’s eMarketer report is a good read. Recent research has shown that most companies don’t have a strategy or are only part way to having one. Part of the problem is probably the silo effect of internal company departments like sales, marketing, public relations, legal, human resources, etc. It’s difficult to prepare and implement a strategy when people in different departments don’t communicate! This point is made in the report.
“Companies that have held back on adopting social media throughout their organizations would benefit from starting with a cohesive plan that involves all of the key groups within the organization,” said the report, while those that have already adopted the social channel should get all departments and employees on board with a complete strategy.
Not surprisingly one of the top concerns companies (mostly attorneys I think) have is this one: “how to respond to comments on social sites.” I see that as a mostly irrational fear but understandable. But why should you let that keep you from creating a strategy and especially one that provides employees with guidelines for how to handle it? For example, if you assign an individual to create and maintain your company Twitter account then let them know what they can and can’t say in reply to messages received from followers. You can’t ignore them or you might as well not have a Twitter account. Social media is about engagement. It’s not just another way to force your message on people. But keep in mind that if you choose not to participate in social media you can’t complain about what others are saying about you. I think it’s best to join the online conversation and tell your story and let your voice be heard even if it is scary and requires an investment of resources. I’d be happy to help if you would like to discuss.
IRL Ministers To Race Congregation
On Father’s Day I really enjoyed myself working at the Iowa Corn Indy 250 in Newton, IA as you know. It was Sunday and traveling with the “moving city” are several ministers and a priest.
So once again IRL Ministry took care of us spiritually. Fr. Phil DeRea celebrated Mass in the Driver’s Mtg. Room at the Media Center. One of the drivers, Helio Castroneves, attended along with team members, media and other people involved in race day activities.
As a special treat, Fr. DeRea brought a number of rosaries to give away. He was in Rome on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and had them blessed by Pope Benedict. I was lucky to receive one.
After Mass I spoke with Fr. DeRea. He says that Father’s Day is an emotional day, especially when you think of the wonderful memories of our fathers. He calls IRL Ministry a “Parish on wheels.” Besides saying Mass he also performs other services like weddings and baptisms for drivers and their families. He says IRL Ministry has permission from the Vatican through Pastoral Care For People On The Move.
You can listen to my interview with Fr. DeRea here: Fr. DeRea Interview
IRL Ministry is a 501c3 not-for-profit, non-denominational organization, which was developed to help the racing community. We exist because of the donations we receive from the racing community and great partners that join with us to reach out to the people that are part of this great sport. Our financial records are available for review by contacting our office. We desire to be good stewards of the blessings we are given.
Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album.
Iowa Corn President Had Exciting Father’s Day
The President of the Iowa Corn Growers Association is Don Elsbernd, pictured on the right, presenting the trophy for the Iowa Corn Indy 250 to Tony Kanaan. He had a big day on Father’s Day when he got to start the race by waving the green flag and saying the most famous words in motor racing.
That’s when the adrenalin really starts pumping. You can hear what it sounds like in the pits here: Iowa Indy Corn 250 Start
I talked with Don before the race started in a much quieter location, the media center. I asked him what the race means to him and he says that Iowa is number one in corn production and number one in ethanol production and having the race in Iowa just highlights these facts and makes him feel proud. He says Iowa corn growers anticipate continuing growth in yield and that will require a continuing growth in demand so promotional efforts like this one are necessary.
You can listen to my interview with Don here: Don Elsbernd Interview
Zimfo Bytes
- Adam Wells-Morgan, executive chef of The Club at Old Hawthorne in Columbia, Mo., won top honors in the 21st annual National Taste of Elegance contest in Baltimore, Md. The competition was sponsored by the Pork Checkoff.
- Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World, has been named a 2010 World Food Prize laureate.
- As the official ice cream of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Dippin’ Dots, often called “the ice cream of the future,” will be offered FREE at the 100 Day Countdown Celebration to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in downtown Lexington, Ky., at Fifth Third Pavilion on Thursday, June 17 from 11a.m. – 3p.m.
- The Board of Directors of the National Corn Growers Association has elected Garry Niemeyer of Illinois as the next officer for the organization.
BASF Kixor Online Education
Online training for farmers. A few years ago that would be unheard of. Now companies are starting to do it routinely. BASF for example, has just introduced a new online training program: KixorEducation.com. It “provides key information on how Kixor® herbicide technology helps address a grower’s toughest weed challenges, including weeds resistant to ALS inhibitors, triazines and glyphosate.” This gets even better when you see that retailers and farmers are entered into a contest to win an iPod!
Retailers and growers who complete the training between now and Sept. 30, 2010 will be entered into a drawing to win one of 10 iPOD® nanos.
“Results from a BASF-commissioned survey completed this spring showed that 56 percent of respondents think glyphosate resistance is a cause for their tough-to-control weeds,” said Dr. Dan Westberg, Technical Market Manager for BASF. “At BASF, we’re focused on providing innovative chemistries like Kixor to address challenges like resistance. The Kixor online training program provides educational information about how to use this unique chemistry for broadleaf weed control across a wide range of crops.”
The engaging, audio-visual program features technical information about the three products powered by Kixor that were designed for row crops, Integrity™ herbicide, OpTill™ herbicide and Sharpen™ herbicide. The module outlines how and when to use these products, and includes performance photos as well as useful key benefit information for retailers who provide Kixor to their customers.
You Don’t Work
So here’s how our conversation went:
Him: “You don’t work. You’ve done PR for 10 years now, but you don’t really work.”
Me: *stunned look on my face.* “You mean just because I don’t spend all day outside in 100 degree weather, you think I don’t work?”
Him: “Well, you don’t build anything. You don’t make anything. What do you DO?”
Me: *still recovering from the shock* … I couldn’t say a thing.
What I should’ve said was: “I build relationships and reputations to help give farmers and ranchers like you an opportunity to go to work tomorrow. I help fight the good fight against folks like HSUS whose sole purpose in life is to put you out of business.”
That’s how my dinner conversation went the other day. And I think in some small, yet justified, manner, I’m still hanging onto that comment as fuel for the work that I DO do every day to support agriculture.
I didn’t write this week to garner sympathy from other PR pros who understand the struggle in justifying what we “build” every day…I wrote to introduce you to AgWalk – a weekly update from a work at home mom on the farm. Okay, so maybe my workday consists of catching up with Trent, Chuck and Kyle on Facebook, and of course, my daily dose of “The Pioneer Woman” blog, but I feel those are integral activities to keeping my sanity. Then I delve into my “real” job – promoting the work that farmers and ranchers do to provide a safe, healthy food supply for U.S. consumers. Oh yeah, and maybe I fit in a trip to Grandma’s house for some homemade bread and freshly picked asparagus. All in a good day’s work, right?
Don’t look at me with such disappointment, dog. I’m only doing my JOB. You know, the one where I don’t work.
So what’s the point I’m trying to make here? Only to ask you to come back next week and take an AgWalk with me. It’s a break from the ordinary, glimpse into the life of a work from home PR mule, and if you’re lucky, the occasional photo of the cutest little farm boy you’ll ever see.
Until we walk again…