This week’s ZimmCast features two interviews done at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual meeting last week in Kansas City.
We have been attending the NAFB convention since 1985 and some things never change – like Ted Haller, for example. But, other things – like Ted’s hair – do change, and in recent years that has been the emphasis on usage of the Internet and social media. Teddy presented us with findings from Internet Ag Information Usage Study that surveyed farmers and ranchers about their Internet access practices and preferences for agribusiness information, including use of the mobile Web. That study will be available on the NAFB website for members to access.
Meanwhile, Dr. Emily Rhodes of THE Ohio State University (who is also a Gator), did a study of farm broadcasters and journalists about their usage of the internet and social media tools like Facebook and Twitter. She had some interesting findings and her main message to the media was that utilizing these tools helps us reach new audiences to get the positive message about agriculture to the general public.
Thanks to AgWired Sponsor, Fluidigm, for their support of the ZimmCast. Be sure to check out the combined NAMA/NAFB Flickr photo album for lots of pictures from both events last week.
You can listen to this week’s ZimmCast below.
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Outgoing National Association of Farm Broadcasting president Pam Jahnke – the one and only “Fabulous Farm Babe” – was honored and roasted by fellow members at the annual president’s banquet Friday night.
Pam was joined by her saintly husband Buck and the rest of her family, including nephew Jayden – who seemed to find the Auntie Pam bobbleheads kind of scary! 
The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) has named Ken Root of WHO as the 2009 Farm Broadcaster of the Year and Meghan Grebner of WMBD in Peoria is the Horizon Award winner this year.
The man who took away the blue sheets with overlapping circles and put ag media research at your fingertips was honored by the National Association of Farm Broadcasting for Meritorious Service last night.
Two 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. 
Our 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! 
My first stop at the NAFB Trade Talk was the 
I 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.
Here’s the