Farming for Generations

Cindy Zimmerman

Yes, Virginia, there really are family farmers in the United States.

NCGAThe National Corn Growers Association wants the public to know that family farmers not only exist, but are the critical factor that make the nation’s number one industry the world leaders in production of safe and wholesome products.

Polling shows that many Americans no longer understand agriculture in their own country. Most believe that family farming no longer exists and that the majority of crops are grown by faceless entities that they characterize as industrial farms.

Nothing could be further from the truth, NCGA’s many farmers would say. In fact, 95 percent of all farms in the U.S. are family operated. These operations draw upon tradition and a knowledge base built over generations. The hard work of the over two million U.S. family farms provide consumers globally with food, feed and fuel. It also helps sustain the country economically by producing over $12 billion in corn for export annually.

To bring this information to the public, NCGA has introduced “Farming for Generations” on YouTube. A variety of growers, including members of NCGA Corn Board leadership, offer an unscripted exploration of the values of rural America and the practice of agriculture.

Corn, Farming, NCGA, Video

Larry Quinn Retired

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 235 - Larry QuinnEver since Cindy and I have been in agricultural communications we’ve known and enjoyed working with Larry Quinn, USDA Office of Communications. Well, Larry just retired and while I was in Las Vegas attending BlogWorld and New Media Expo, Cindy got to talk to Larry.

Larry QuinnLarry says that when he first arrived at USDA he started working on a manual typewriter but he did move up to an electric one. One thing is for sure, he has seen the communications technology go through major changes. Haven’t we all? How about starting a retirement blog Larry? Listen to him reminisce about his time at the USDA in this week’s program.

The photo of Larry with NAFB president Pam Jahnke was taken at this year’s Washington Watch. He also talks about the wonderful friendships he has developed over the years with farm broadcasters and the great respect he has for those who work to get information out about agriculture.

I’d also like to thank AgWired Sponsor, Fluidigm, for their support of the ZimmCast.

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, USDA, ZimmCast

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The Natural Resources Defense Council announced nominations for its 2nd annual Growing Green Awards. New this year is a “Water Steward” category. Applications are due Dec. 4, 2009, and a $10,000 prize will go to the winning green Food Producer.
  • A group of some 50 produce industry leaders have come together to begin work on a major initiative to drive harmonization of standards and audits for Good Agricultural Practices. Click here for more information and a list of steering committee members.
  • Washington State University Extension Ferry County director Daniel L. Fagerlie has received the Award for Excellence in Extension from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.
  • Dr. Hugh McCampbell, Sweetwater, Tenn., is the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association top recruiter for fiscal year 2009.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Social Media Cuts Out The Middle Man

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Rick Calvert BlogWorldThis year’s BlogWorld and New Media Expo was one of the largest gatherings of people involved in new media ever. The founder of the event is Rick Calvert. He says feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. The last number I heard yesterday was 2,200 participants but that may have ended higher. That says a lot in a troubled economy where many shows have seen a decline in participants. I think it’s just another sign of how robust the new media business is today.

    He says the exhibit show has been packed and I can attest to that since I’ve had to wait at times to get an opportunity to speak with an exhibitor. If you weren’t able to attend then put October 14-16 on your calendar when the show will be back here in Las Vegas.

    Rick says that one of the beautiful things about new media is that it allows a company or an event to have a media outlet since most of us are in niche topical areas that may not be “big enough news” for network television. I would say that agriculture fits that description very well most of the time. He says new and social media “cuts out the middle man” and let’s you communicate directly which is how we naturally converse. It’s a tremendous benefit for small business and certainly provides a great opportunity to advocate for agriculture and communicate within the industry.

    You can listen to my interview with Rick below.

    BlogWorld Expo Photo Album

    Audio

    Cattle Company Forces Change in Michael Pollan University Lecture

    Amanda Nolz

    1_00_off_burgers_large Finally, someone puts some pressure on Michael Pollan. He’s scheduled to speak at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in an unopposed keynote speech for college students geared on the topic of animal agriculture and food production. However, in a recent article in the Triple Pundit, sources revealed that David Wood, chairman of the Harris Ranch Beef Co., urged the university to put on a forum with well-respected agriculturalists on the panel to counteract Pollan’s statements. Way to go David! Here is an excerpt from that article…

    After receiving pressure from the owner of an agribusiness — that just happens to be a major donor — the university decided to turn what was to be a guest lecture by noted sustainable agriculture guru Michael Pollan, into a “panel discussion” including a scientist favored by the beef industry, according to the Los Angeles Times. In an angry September 23rd letter to the university president, David E. Wood, chairman of the Harris Ranch Beef Co., wrote, “While I understand the need to expose students to alternative views, I find it unacceptable that the university would provide Michael Pollan an unchallenged forum to promote his stand against conventional agricultural practices..”

    Allowing Pollan to speak unchallenged had made Wood “rethink [his] continued financial support of the university.” Wood has pledged $150,000 toward a new meat processing plant on campus. Pollan, who has encountered such resistance to his appearances before, told the university he could lecture, or he could participate in the panel, but not both. Cal Poly made its decision, and quickly assembled a panel featuring Pollan, Gary Smith, Monfort Endowed Chair in meat science at Colorado State University, and Myra Goodman, co-founder of Earthbound Farm Organic, one of the largest organic businesses in the country.

    Beef, Media

    Consumers Trust Farmers, Still Hold High Expectations

    Amanda Nolz

    Food-Safety Consumers still trust farmers; they just need their confidence restored in some aspects of the food system. Those were some of the conclusions from a “consumer trust” survey commissioned by the Center for Food Intregity. Highlights from the survey were presented last week at the 4th Annual 2009 Food System Summit in Kansas City. Geni Wren summed up the conclusions of the study in an article titled, “Consumers Trust Farmers, But Also Hold Them Responsible,” published in Dairy Herd Management. Here is an excerpt from the study…

    -Consumers hold farmers/producers, themselves and food companies primarily responsible for food safety.
    -Consumers continue to trust themselves and those who prepare food in their homes more than any others.
    -Consumers place a high amount of trust in farmers and food companies for food safety.
    -Consumers hold farmers primarily responsible for humane treatment of farm animals.
    -Consumers lack confidence in any food system segment for ensuring the humane treatment of farm animals.
    -Consumers hold farmers primarily responsible for sustainability.
    -Consumers lack confidence and trust in any food system segment for ensuring sustainability.
    -Consumers hold themselves, farmers and food companies primarily responsible for nutrition.
    -Consumers lack confidence and trust in any food system segment for ensuring nutrition.

    Food, Livestock

    United Soybean Board Supports World Food Prize Hall

    Cindy Zimmerman

    WFPThe United Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff, through USB’s Biotechnology Initiative, announced a $500,000 investment in the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates in Des Moines, Iowa. This investment will be used to help create a kiosk in the new educational wing at the Hall of Laureates that will help educate the public on the value of biotechnology toward increasing U.S. soybean production.

    usbThe announcement was made by Richard Fordyce, team lead on USB’s Biotechnology Initiative and a soybean farmer from Bethany, Missouri. “The exciting things are what are to come – the soybeans that will be bred to increase protein, increase oil,” Fordyce said. “If we can move forward with worldwide acceptance of biotech crops, it could be a very exciting time. The potential is very good for soybeans in helping to address world hunger.”

    The proposed educational exhibit is planned to utilize a conversation recorded this past year between the late Dr. Norman Borlaug, founder of the World Food Prize, and the chairman of the United Soybean Board. World Food Prize Foundation president Ambassador Kenneth Quinn said the donation from the U.S. soybean producers will benefit many. “I can speak on behalf of Dr. Borlaug who would tell you thank you as well,” Quinn said. “Not only on behalf of the World Food Prize, but on behalf of all those future generations of students who will come there and be able to hear Dr. Borlaug speak.”

    The Hall of Laureates will be named after Dr. Bourlag and housed in the former Des Moines Library. Renovation of the 100-year-old building is expected to be complete by 2011.

    USB, World Food Prize

    Trade Show Kicks Off at BlogWorld

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The trade show kicked off this morning here at BlogWorld. I did a walk through video clip for you and for myself to decide which ones I want to go back and spend some time with. So if you’ve never seen what a bunch of geeks getting together looks like, now you’ll know. Video shot and uploaded with my iPhone.

    Activity on the floor was great to get the show started.

    BlogWorld Expo Photo Album

    Video

    Blogosphere Is Very Healthy

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Richard Jalichandra TechnoratiDay two of the BlogWorld and New Media Expo is underway. We’re listing to Richard Jalichandra, Technorati, give a preview of this year’s State of the Blogosphere. It will be published next week.

    They surveyed bloggers this past year and he’s showing us some selected statistics. He started out by saying that the blogosphere is very healthy and contrary to media reports otherwise, bloggers are blogging even more than last year. Of the professional bloggers, 40 percent have worked in traditional media. He says, “Blogs are media.” I fully agree with that.

    I caught Richard on his way out after his keynote address and you can listen to my interview with him below.

    BlogWorld Expo Photo Album

    Audio

    World Food Day Good Time To Thank Farmers

    Chuck Zimmerman

    World Food DayAfter having Blog Action Day yesterday, today we have the 29th World Food Day. It’s a great time to thank a farmer for feeding you. And we can especially thank American farmers who lead the way in innovation, environmental stewardship and production.

    World Food Day, October 16th, is a worldwide event designed to increase awareness, understanding and informed, year-around action to alleviate hunger.

    That is a noble goal and one that the American farmer and agricultural companies and organizations work year round to achieve.

    Here’s a list of events taking place today to commemorate the event.

    Ag Groups