North Carolina Commissioner of Ag Steve Troxler

Chuck Zimmerman

Steve TroxlerSteve Troxler is the Commissioner of Agriculture for North Carolina. His state is the spotlight state at this year’s Sunbelt Ag Expo. Steve is here to help kick things off and then I’ll bet he heads back home since their state fair is taking place right now too.

He cut the ribbon this morning at their tent to kick off this year’s Expo and I talked with him. He says their Got To Be NC Agriculture program is one of the ways they’re promoting NC farm products to consumers.

Steve TroxlerSteve says that agriculture is a $70 billion industry in North Carolina. In the picture with Steve above you can see a tobacco plant on the left. He says NC is the number one tobacco producing state in the country. They’re also number one in sweet potatoes.

Sunbelt Ag Expo 2009 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of Sunbelt Ag Expo is sponsored by Growth Energy.

Audio, Sunbelt Ag Expo

Cary Lightsey is Southeastern Farmer of the Year

Chuck Zimmerman

Cary LightseyThe 2009 Swisher Sweets Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year is Cary Lightsey from Lake Wales, FL. He’s pictured getting his check for $15,000 during the award luncheon on opening day of the Expo.

The Willie B. Withers Luncheon honors excellence in agricultural production and management, leadership in community and farm organizations and recognizes family contributions in producing safe and abundant supplies of food, fiber and shelter for U.S. consumers. Lightsey is the sixth overall winner of the award from Florida.

I’ll post a video clip of Cary’s speech as soon as I get it uploaded. We’ve been internet challenged today but I think it’s getting better now. Post Update: Here’s that video:

Sunbelt Ag Expo 2009 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of Sunbelt Ag Expo is sponsored by Growth Energy.

Sunbelt Ag Expo

Overview of Sunbelt Ag Expo

Chuck Zimmerman

Sunbelt Ag ExpoThe 2009 Sunbelt Ag Expo is underway in Moultrie, GA. Executive Director, Chip Blalock, welcomed us media types at a breakfast and provided an overview of what to see at this year’s event. He’s on the left in the photo talking with ag media.

Of course I’ve got a photo album started which you can find here: Sunbelt Ag Expo 2009 Photo Album

You can watch his presentation here:

You can also listen to his presentation and download it below.

If you’re tweeting the event please use the #SAE09 hashtag.

AgWired coverage of Sunbelt Ag Expo is sponsored by Growth Energy.

Audio, Sunbelt Ag Expo, Video

Ready For Sunbelt Ag Expo

Chuck Zimmerman

Sunbelt Ag ExpoIt’s time for the 2009 Sunbelt Ag Expo and AgWired is on the scene. Or at least will be in the morning.

I’ll try to get in early and see what kind of news there is to be had. Of course you can count on a photo album and lots of interviews. I’ve got a new video camera to try out too so this is going to be fun. See you then.

If you’re tweeting the event please use the #SAE09 hashtag.

AgWired coverage of Sunbelt Ag Expo is sponsored by Growth Energy.

Sunbelt Ag Expo

Facts About Pigs With H1N1

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA has confirmed the presence of 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in a pig sample collected at the Minnesota State Fair.

The National Pork Producers Council notes, despite this development, pork is safe to eat and handle and that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu viruses cannot be transmitted through food, including pork.

Pigs, like people, sometimes get sick or contract influenza viruses and recover. Indeed, pigs in several other countries previously have contracted the novel H1N1 flu.

As it did in late April after initial reports on the H1N1 flu, NPPC is urging pork producers to tighten their existing biosecurity protocols to protect their pigs from the virus, including restricting public access to barns.

Find out more facts about H1N1 (not swine flu!) from NPPC.

Pork, Swine, USDA

Syngenta Seeds Developing Water Optimized Hybrids

Cindy Zimmerman

Coming soon to a field near you from Syngenta Seeds – corn with water optimization traits.

Syngenta Seeds Wayne FithianSyngenta is going beyond drought-resistant corn to introduce water optimization traits, which will reduce the amount of moisture needed to optimize yield and minimize yield loss in drought conditions, as well as reduce water use in average years. Business Lead Corn Product Manager Wayne Fithian says this trait will help farmers be more productive and more sustainable. “Part of it is helping farmers do a better job of managing their environment,” Wayne said during a recent media day at the new Syngenta Seeds headquarters in Minnesota. “Sometimes it rains, sometimes it doesn’t rain and farmers get caught in this yo-yo of yields connected to rainfall. So if we can break that relationship and help farmers increase yield potential in times when Mother Nature doesn’t give them all the rain they want, then that would be a great thing.”

Wayne says water-optimized hybrids are expected to be available in 2011 through Garst, Golden Harvest and NK brand seeds. Listen to an interview with Wayne below.

Sponsored by

Audio, Corn, Seed, Syngenta

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