NAFB Hall of Fame Gains Two

Cindy Zimmerman

nafb honorsTwo great farm broadcasters and people we are proud to call close friends were inducted into the NAFB Hall of Fame Thursday night in Kansas City.

NAFB’s own “Real McCoy” was honored posthumously with the award. Lee McCoy passed away last year after a valiant battle with cancer. His brother, son, daughter and namesake grandson accepted the award in his honor. We are proud to call Lee a close friend throughout his career as a farm broadcaster in Oklahoma, Texas, and finally Georgia where he was part of Southeast Agnet for many years.

nafb honorsOur buddy Evan Slack was also inducted, joining many fellow long-time NAFBers and former presidents who are still active after more than five decades in the business. Evan made a point to tell everyone how important his iPhone is in continuing to do his job as a busy farm broadcaster!

I will be getting caught up with posting here today, hopefully. Since Chuck abandoned me to head out a day early to hunting camp, I spent most of the day yesterday taking pictures for NAFB. The photo album has updated with lots of great pictures from last night’s awards dinner. I am taking the morning off from the trip out to the Ag Hall of Fame this morning to get some posts done.

NAFB

Last Day For Ken Hobbie

Chuck Zimmerman

U. S. Grains CouncilMy first stop at the NAFB Trade Talk was the U.S. Grains Council booth. I interviewed Ken Hobbie and Rick Fruth, Chairman. Today is Ken’s last day on the job as President/CEO. Let’s all wish him well as he starts “relaxing.”

In my interview they talk about the current activities of USGC, including international trade development. Speaking of which, I’ll be participating in an upcoming corn mission with the organization. I’ll be leaving at the end of November for Morocco, Egypt and Jordan and will be documenting the trip to help show how the organization works on behalf of U.S. grain producers.

You can listen to my interview with Ken and Rick below.

Combined NAMA Trends In Ag/NAFB Convention Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, NAFB, USGC

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The Purdue University Beef Team has launched a new Web site designed to be an information source for beef producers from Indiana and throughout the Midwest.
  • Ag Leader Technology, Inc., and AutoFarm joined forces.
  • Merck & Co., Inc. outlined its global plans following the completion of Merck’s merger with Schering-Plough Corporation.
  • Electronic trading of MGEX (or Exchange) futures and options reached 10,592 contracts, marking the second highest electronic trading volume in Exchange history.
    Zimfo Bytes

    NAFB Trade Talk Just Concluded

    Chuck Zimmerman

    I Love Farmers They Feed My SoulI can’t let Cindy be the only one to get her working photo on here today. I think I did 20 Trade Talk interviews at the NAFB Convention. I’m about talked out. For the moment.

    In this photo I’m interviewing Annalisa Clarke, who manages I Love Farmers, They Feed My Soul. We were in the AEM AGCONNECT Expo booth. I’ll feature my interview with Annalisa later. Right now I’ve got a mtg. to go to before heading out on the highway. Support I Love Farmers with some of their great stuff.

    Cindy will be here through the end of the NAFB Convention so you’ll be seeing more coverage as it happens.

    Combined NAMA Trends In Ag/NAFB Convention Photo Album

    NAFB

    Talking Trade At NAFB Today

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Cindy at NAFBHere’s the @FarmPodcaster, Cindy Zimmerman, working in the NAFB media room. AgWired is on the scene and as usual posting is light today due to the annual Trade Talk session. It’s an interview frenzy. I’ve done about 10 so far and have at least a half dozen left to go.

    I just updated the photo album so see if your favorite farm broadcaster is there.

    Later today I’ll be heading out to my annual deer hunt which is my 6 days of “rest.” I will have internet access but using it on a pretty limited basis but you can still expect to see lots of what’s new in the world of agribusiness on AgWired.

    Combined NAMA Trends In Ag/NAFB Convention Photo Album

    NAFB

    Speaking For Agriculture

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The final panel discussion of NAMA’s Trends in Agriculture “Connecting with the New Ag Community” focused on “Speaking for Agriculture.” The panelists talked about the issues, both environmental and political, that face agriculture. They also shared insights on how to communicate farmer’s values and the value of farm families. Tami Craig Schilling is the Director of Strategic Communications for Monsanto, and a fifth-generation agriculturalist. She spoke about how agriculture can effectively help consumers understand those values.

    This is part of the Paulsen Marketing video interview series. They are also the sponsor of the NAMA Blog.

    Combined NAMA Trends In Ag/NAFB Convention Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the NAMA Trends In Agriculture Conference is sponsored by Paulsen Marketing.

    Agencies, NAMA, Video

    NAMA Professional Development Awards

    Chuck Zimmerman

    NAMA’s Professional Development Awards of Excellence luncheon honored four NAMA members. Lou Ireland, Pioneer Hi-Bred International was honored in Marketing Communications, Deron Johnson of Rhea + Kaiser Marketing Communications was honored in Public Relations, Gary Robertson of Fort Dodge Animal Health in Product/Species Management, and Pete Weil of High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal in Sales. Each winner spoke about the challenges and opportunities in agri-marketing.

    Also at the luncheon the gavel symbolizing the presidency of NAMA was passed from Carol Anderson to Susie Decker.

    View a series of snippets from the awards luncheon below:

    You can find photos from the awards luncheon in the photo album.

    This is part of the Paulsen Marketing video interview series. They are also the sponsor of the NAMA Blog.

    Combined NAMA Trends In Ag/NAFB Convention Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the NAMA Trends In Agriculture Conference is sponsored by Paulsen Marketing.

    Agencies, NAMA, Video

    Interview With Joel Jaeger

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Another presenter on the “How Marketers are Building New Community Ties” panel was Joel Jaeger. He is president of the mobile technology provider Commodity Update. He sees significant potential in the mobile market for agriculture, but emphasizes that it should be an element in the blend of social media.

    In addition to Commodity Update, Jaeger is also a partner in his family’s farming operations in Colorado and Belize.

    This is part of the Paulsen Marketing video interview series. They are also the sponsor of the NAMA Blog.

    Combined NAMA Trends In Ag/NAFB Convention Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the NAMA Trends In Agriculture Conference is sponsored by Paulsen Marketing.

    Agencies, NAMA, Video

    Interview With Leslie Bradshaw

    Chuck Zimmerman

    NAMA Trends in Agriculture Day Two began with a panel on “How Marketers are Building New Community Ties.” Leslie Bradshaw is the Director of Engagement, Public Affairs for Bradshaw Vineyards. She provided insight into the question many farmers and producers have about social media.

    Bradshaw is also planning to launch a community and industry-friendly site, www.SocialMediaforAgriculture.com and is seeking input for the site.

    This is part of the Paulsen Marketing video interview series. They are also the sponsor of the NAMA Blog.

    Combined NAMA Trends In Ag/NAFB Convention Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the NAMA Trends In Agriculture Conference is sponsored by Paulsen Marketing.

    Agencies, NAMA, Video

    AgriMarketers Building New Community Ties

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCast 238 - Building New Ag CommunitiesThis week’s NAMA Trends In Agriculture conference provided a great program opportunity for this week’s ZimmCast. You’ll get to hear from the morning panel on day two. I interviewed each of them and have included them in the program. The session focused on how agrimarketers are building new community ties.

    NAMA Trends In Agriculture3G-enabled smart phones, the “Tweeting Farmer,” and unusual partnerships are all part of the new ag community. This general session will feature practical case studies from marketers inside and outside of agriculture that have forged new links with their customers using new media and non-traditional collaboration. Joe Grigsby, VML, Leslie Bradshaw, a farm kid and University of Chicago educated Communications Manager with New Media Strategies in Washington, D.C., and Joel Jaeger, Commodity Update shared their experiences.

    I’d like to thank AgWired Sponsor, Fluidigm, for their support of the ZimmCast. AgWired coverage of the NAMA Trends In Agriculture Conference is sponsored by Paulsen Marketing.

    You can listen to this week’s ZimmCast below.

    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.

    Audio, NAMA, ZimmCast