Watch President Obama Remarks in Macon, MO

Chuck Zimmerman

If you weren’t one of the select few invited to see President Obama speak at the POET Biorefining plant in Macon, MO yesterday then don’t despair (you probably weren’t anyway). I’ve got you covered. Here’s his full remarks in video for you.

Cindy has written a good editorial on his remarks on Domestic Fuel you might want to read. I agree with her that his message really lacked substance and was disappointing to corn growers and farmers. He had a great chance to bring a really positive message and perhaps use the stage to announce some progress in the politics of ethanol and other biofuels like biodiesel. However, he didn’t. I think it’s great that the President chose to visit and bring attention to ethanol but he only mentioned the word agriculture in referring to the state and national directors of agriculture in attendance and never mentioned corn even though he was standing next to a full bucket load of it. I take it that the industry still has its work cut out for it in Washington, DC.

Ethanol, Video

2nd Ag Connect Expo Set for Atlanta, Georgia

Joanna Schroeder

I recently spoke with Sara Truesdale-Mooney, the Show Director for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). This past January, AEM held its first agricultural trade show, the Ag Connect Expo. Sara told me that it was a great first show. “We are very pleased with the results and it really exceeded all of our expectations for a first-time event.”

The next Ag Connect Expo will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, January 7-10, 2011 at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. So far, the educational program is taking shape and Sara said it will be bigger, better and have more offerings. AEM is also planning to expand the Innovations Center as well as adding days and sessions on the show floor as well as more seating. Sara noted that all the sessions were full this past January.

While next year’s show is still a work in progress, Sara said that they are taking into account all the feedback from the attendee surveys and focus groups to ensure that the next show will be even better. Next year there will be a broader scope of exhibits, more floor space and they will bring back their signature elements.

On a closing note, Sara mentioned that Ag Connect Expo has been selected to participate U.S. Department of Commerce’s Buyer Program. Approximately 35 shows are selected for the program each year, and this will be the second year Ag Connect has been selected.

Registration opens in August but you can pre-register now by going www.agconnectexpo.com.

You can learn more about the Summit by listening to my interview with Sara.

2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference
is sponsored by: Successful Farming. They know.

AEM, Audio

Ag Media Summit is Just Around the Corner

Joanna Schroeder

Agricultural communications is an important and broad industry and there are several organizations that focus on professional development for ag communicators. One such organization is the American Ag Editors’ Association (AAEA), but don’t let the name fool you. This organization is made up of people involved in ag communications from editors to public relations professionals to designers to publishers and once a year, they get together for the Ag Media Summit. (You can follow Cindy Zimmerman each year who attends the event.)

I caught up with Den Gardner, the Executive Director for the organization, during the 2010 National Agricultural Marketing Associations annual conference in Kansas City. He told me that their 12th Annual Ag Media Summit will be in St. Paul, Minn. July 24-28, 2010. AAEA collaborates with the livestock publications as well as the Agri Council of Business Media to put on the conference that is growing each year. Gardner expects that more than 600 people will attend this summer and just in case you can’t tell, Den is a HUGE Minnesota Twins fan and the attendees have the opportunity to “go to the ballgame.”

However, you don’t have to be a professional to learn a lot during the summit. The AAEA student organization is the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) and they hold their conference in the same location just prior to the summit. Many of the students stay for the Ag Media Summit as well.

All told, Gardner said that they are becoming one of the largest ag communicators events in the country. So if you don’t want to miss out, registration opens on May 1, 2010 and you can learn more about the conference and register online at www.agmediasummit.com.

You can also listen to my interview with Den below.

2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference
is sponsored by: Successful Farming. They know.

Ag Media Summit, Audio, NAMA

A Portrait of the American Farmer

Joanna Schroeder

AmericanFarmer“I feel like I’ve made 300 of the best friends I’ve ever had,” said Paul Mobley, author of the new photographic book, “American Farmer” when describing how photographing farmers around America has changed his life. Paul never set out to put together a collection of photos taken of farmers around the world – he happened upon the opportunity when he went up to his cabin to get away from his career as a portrait photographer.

As the story goes…he walks into a cafe one morning for breakfast and sees four farmers gathered around a table having breakfast. One of the men hadn’t shaved for a week and suddenly, he felt compelled to take their photo. Three plus years and 37 states later, the result is a stunning collection of photography and stories that tell the story of the American Farmer.

Paul_MobleyI had the opportunity to speak with Paul after the closing luncheon during the 2010 NAMA conference. I asked him how this book has changed his life. “I feel like its changed me on so many levels….I walk the earth with so much kindness grace and humility and I got it all from you guys,” he said.

However, what he has enjoyed the most are the people outside of agriculture who have come to embrace the industry since reading his book.

I asked Paul about any future projects and he said that he has been approached by several people who would like to turn “American Farmer” into a documentary and he is also exploring the opportunity for a traveling exhibition. You can order a signed copy of his book at www.paulmobleystudio.com and you can listen to Paul’s interview below.

2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album.

AgWired coverage of the 2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference
is sponsored by: Successful Farming. They know.

Audio, NAMA

President Obama Visits POET Ethanol Plant

Chuck Zimmerman

Today President Obama made his first visit to an ethanol plant since taking office. His message focused on achieving the American dream and rebuilding the economy with renewable fuels playing a key role. The photo below is me with the podium behind me. I got too busy when he was here to get it done again.

Here are some excerpts from his prepared remarks (Word doc). He didn’t stick to it completely but you can listen to his recorded remarks below.

I’ve also got a photo album from today too: President Obama POET Biorefining Photo Album

Ten years ago next month, this plant produced its first gallon of ethanol. Today, 45 employees produce 46 million gallons a year. So one of you is overachieving. Congratulations to all of you.

In the two years I spent running for President and visiting towns like these, a lot of folks talked about how the American Dream was getting harder and harder to reach. Families were having a tough time getting ahead. Farmers were having a tough time getting by. And worse, many of our young people grew convinced that their only chance to find opportunity was to seek it someplace else.

But success stories like POET prove that doesn’t have to be the case. And I believe we can help companies like yours replicate them across the country.

So there shouldn’t be any doubt that renewable, homegrown fuels are a key part of our strategy for a clean energy future – a future of new industries, new jobs in towns like Macon, and new independence.

Here at POET, you do more than just help stake America’s claim on that future. You stake Macon’s claim on America’s future. And I’m committed to making sure that communities like this one have a bright future of opportunity to look forward to. Thank you, everybody.

Audio, Ethanol

Student’s Love of Learning Matches Love of Horses

John Davis

One of the big highlights of Novus International’s 2nd annual “Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers” days was the time the students were able to spend with the horses at Novus’ research farm … AKA Green Acres. And let’s face it, meeting the Missouri Colleges Fund scholars sure seemed to be a treat for the horses.

One person who dived right in, literally both hands, was Hannibal-LaGrange College in Hannibal, Mo. junior Hannah Crain … who it was easy to tell has horses of her own (gotta love the expression on her face … and the face of the horse!).

But while giving the horse a good rub down was fun, she says she was most impressed with Novus’ commitment to the environment.

“Today, I’ve been learning about the importance of using and protecting what your environment has given you,” and she’s impressed with how Novus is helping to take care of the Earth, while building the ag economy.

Crain, who is majoring in biology education and pre-med, sees a real, practical application of what she’s learning at Novus.

“[The farm] shows that they care about real-life applications and that they are trying to connect with the general public and their customers and are willing to do everything they can to make products that are safe and healthy.”

She says Novus is definitely the kind of place she could see herself working at one day. Maybe if they give her her own horse, that might seal the deal!

Hear more of my interview with Hannah below.

2010 Novus International Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers Photo Album

Audio, Novus International

President’s Speech from Ethanol Plant in Missouri

Cindy Zimmerman

We are going to try and bring you live audio of President Obama’s speech at the POET ethanol plant in Macon, Missouri via cell phone and Ustream since there is no good internet access at the site and aircards don’t work well for live broadcasts. Speech is scheduled to begin at 12:55 central time.

Post update: Way better audio available now for download in player below.

Audio, Ethanol

Tour of Novus Research Farm Educates in More Ways than One

John Davis

Students taking part in Novus International’s 2nd annual “Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers” days have had the chance to tour the animal health company’s research farm, better known as “Green Acres,” in Montgomery County, Missouri … a rare treat for visitors to Novus.

Meeting the group at the farm was Novus’ manager of product research, Skip Hampton, who was able to give the students some insight into how the company operates their facilities, in particular, their poultry product testing areas.

“Really, what we wanted to show them is what we do at Novus, how we do things, and how you can do agriculture in a sustainable fashion and generate as little waste as possible and do it economically.”

Hampton says the setup at the farm is close to how the industry operates.

“We’re trying to mimic things that are done in industry so it’s comparing apples to apples, to make sure that what’s relevant here is relevant in the industry.”

He adds that a tour of Novus’ research farm is just another example of how the company can educate in more ways than one.

More of my interview with Skip is available in the player below.

2010 Novus International Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers Photo Album

Audio, Novus International

We Hate Sheep-Like Marketing

Chuck Zimmerman

John JanuaryThe We Hate Sheep people are Sullivan Higdon & Sink. I visited with their Executive Creative Director, John January, during the National Agri-Marketing Conference.

He started right out making sure that I knew that the “We Hate Sheep” theme is metaphorical. As he puts it, “We hate sheep-like marketing.” John says the company has been growing their ag business. They work for clients like Merial Animal Health, Dairy Farmers of America, Cargill Meat Solutions and others. He says they work from farm to plate. To producers on behalf of producers. SHS was very successful in the Best of NAMA competition with a Best of Show – Advertising

We talked about social media since it was such a prevalent theme at the conference this year. He says, “It’s so important to be telling our story. The best people to tell that story are producers and social media is manna for that particular job. I think ag marketers are a lot further down the road than they think they are.”

You can listen to my interview with John below.

2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference
is sponsored by: Successful Farming. They know.

Agencies, Audio, NAMA

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • ABC Landline reporter Kerry Staight, based in Adelaide, Australia, has won the inaugural IFAJ Star Prize for Agricultural Broadcasting.
  • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that $2 million will be made available to dairy, beef, poultry and swine producers to help cut energy-related production costs.
  • Agricultural trade issues will be the subject of the Farm Foundation Forum on Tuesday, May 4. RSVP by April 30th to julie@farmfoundation.org is required.
  • The American Soybean Association is encouraging farmers to pick up their cells phones and make calls April 26-30 from their tractor cab to promote passage of a retroactive extension of the vital biodiesel tax credit.
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