How Journalists Are Using Blogs To Cover Ag

Chuck Zimmerman

IFAJJim Evans, Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, has written a great article about the use of blogs in agricultural communications. It’s titled, “Why and how journalists around the world are using blogs to cover agriculture” and you can find it on the IFAJ website. Here’s an excerpt:

During late 2005 agricultural communications researchers Emily Rhoades and Kelsey Hall conducted what may be the first analysis of agricultural blogs. They analyzed 52 agriculture blogs originating in North America and concluded that agricultural communicators cannot ignore blogging. You can read an abstract of their study and findings at: http://www.aceweb.org/JAC/index.html > Issues > 2007

By early 2009, time spent on social networks and blogs had become the fourth most popular online activity, ahead of personal email. The Nielsen Company reported that, globally, one in every 11 minutes online is accounted for by social network and blogging sites. The share of time accounted for by such sites increased 38% between December 2007 and December 2008. In Brazil, for example, 23% of minutes spent online in December 2008 involved social network and blogging sites. You can review a summary of findings at: http://www.nielsen-online.com/pr_090309.pdf

The IFAJ home page now features a repository of agricultural blogs from IFAJ members everywhere. You can view it at www.ifaj.org > “Join the global agricultural blogosphere”

IFAJ, Media

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • A comprehensive scientific review suggests that Converted Organics liquid agricultural fertilizers boost disease suppression characteristics in plants due to the product’s diversity of anti-oxidants and hormones.
  • The initial class has been elected to the newly formed MEAT INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME. The 21 new members were chosen in voting by the Hall’s Board of Trustees from among more than 70 executives, researchers, innovators and association leaders across all sectors of the industry.
  • Organized by Farm Journal Magazine and sponsored by StollerUSA, the second annual Corn College was held July 21-24. Stoller provided information on how farmers can best protect their expensive seed investment by maximizing genetic expression.
  • The Agricultural Retailers Association is currently accepting nominations for the Agricultural Retailer of the Year Award.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Get to Know Your Checkoff: Cattlemen’s Beef Board

    Joanna Schroeder

    AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2009 is sponsored by:
    Pioneer-HiBred Successful Farming and Novus International

    The Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) would like its producers to get to know them better, says Lynn Heinz, the executive director of communications. The organization serves all the 800,000 beef producers in the country, and is working with ag journalists to help them get their message out. In some cases this is with paid advertising, and in others it is to help them develop story ideas.

    Since they are helping journalists come up with story ideas, I thought I’d ask him for a few ideas. So we discussed some of the key issues facing beef producers today.

    3789083050_63bcd13b14“One of the things we’ve seen all summer with the economic situation, people have moved away from traditional steaks and those kinds of more expensive product. We’re working with retailers to help them feature those kinds of items. We’re helping consumers understand how to use something like the flatiron were they can still have the steak experience but at a lower cost.”

    CBB is also working with exporters to meet the increased demand of Russia, Europe and Asia for middle meats. But this is the tip of the iceberg in terms of what CBB is doing to promote its beef producers. To hear more, listen to the full interview with Lynn.

    You can see all our pictures in the IFAJ/AMS 2009 Photo Album.

    You can listen to my full interview with Lynn here.

    Ag Media Summit, Audio, Beef, IFAJ, Novus International, Pioneer

    Farm Foundation: A Forum for Discussion

    Joanna Schroeder

    AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2009 is sponsored by:
    Pioneer-HiBred Successful Farming and Novus International

    There are a lot of agricultural policy concerns today and the Farm Foundation is taking an active role in helping DC adopt better legislation. The organization notes that agriculture is important and ag policy is important, and their role is to bring divergent views together and provide a forum for discussion. During these discussions, The Farm Foundation lets the best policies arise and then provides the outlet for policy makers to take advantage of these ideas. However, the organization does not lobby, but simply provides the best information for policy makers to use.

    I asked Sheldon Jones what key issues they have been dealing with and he mentioned two: food prices and the agriculture’s role in feeding and fueling the world.

    Jones“A year ago when food prices were increasing and there were food riots around the world, we commissioned a study from three economists at Purdue on what are the real drivers to food prices. They reviewed literature, assessed the global demand for food and what were the driving factors including fuel, petroleum prices, world stocks, supplies of grain and more.”

    The organization issued a report last July which they updated six months later, “What’s Driving Food Prices? and have also issued a report on global food and fuel demand, “The 30 -Year Challenge: Agriculture’s Strategic Role In Feeding and Fueling a Growing World“.

    You can see all our pictures in the IFAJ/AMS 2009 Photo Album.

    You can listen to my full interview with Sheldon here.

    Ag Media Summit, Audio, IFAJ, Novus International, Pioneer

    IFAJ Congress/Ag Media Summit Photos

    Chuck Zimmerman

    IFAJ AMSOur photo album for the IFAJ Congress/Ag Media Summit has been giving us fits the last few days. Flickr is great but every once in a while . . .

    So, I’ve got most of our photos re-uploaded and ready for your viewing pleasure.

    Here’s the link to use for IFAJ Congress/Ag Media Summit photos:

    IFAJ/AMS 2009 Photo Album

    Ag Media Summit, IFAJ

    The Haymond Group Formed

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Haymond GroupAllen Moczygemba has been busy creating a new enterprise.

    The Haymond Group, LLC a new marketing consulting firm with an emphasis on providing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) expertise has been formed to serve agribusiness clients.

    Industry veteran Allen Moczygemba has been named President of The Haymond Group, which is being funded with private equity. Joining Moczygemba on the management team of The Haymond Group are longtime livestock industry member, Bill Stovell who has been named Vice President, Business Development and Nicholas Poulos, Vice President, Customer Relationship Management.

    In making the announcement, Moczygemba said, “I’m really excited about heading up this new business venture. I feel that there’s a real opportunity for our services as more and more agribusiness firms attempt to integrate CRM programs into their current marketing strategies. The Haymond Group’s mission is to provide focus and management across the key business disciplines of marketing, sales and channel management as they relate to Customer Relationship Management. Our strength will be leveraging the tremendous amount of business experience of the three principals of The Haymond Group as we work alongside clients to craft business designs that are both customer focused and customer based.”

    A graduate of Southwest Texas State University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Communications, Moczygemba has spent his entire career in agribusiness. His business experience includes sales, marketing, communications and event management. Most recently, he served as a member of the senior management team at Farm Journal Media where he had P&L responsibility for various business units. He also has served on several Board of Directors including World Dairy Expo, Livestock Publications Council, United States Canola Association and the National Agri-Marketing Association.

    Agencies

    America’s Favorite Farmers Markets

    Chuck Zimmerman

    AFT Farmer MarketThe results are in for the American Farmland Trust’s America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest. Thousands of votes were cast. You can see a list of the top twenty here.

    The winners for this year are:

    Large

    Davis Farmers Market
    Davis, CA
    Votes: 3032

    Medium

    Williamsburg Farmers Market
    Williamsburg, VA
    Votes: 725

    Small

    Collingswood Farmers Market
    Collingswood, NJ
    Votes: 1027

    Ag Groups

    Peaut Butter Creativity

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Jif ContestPeanut butter is one of my favorite foods. I’m also choosy enough to choose Jif. Now Jif has a contest going that will award some college scholarships. So get your peanut butter creativity going.

    Adding some creativity to mundane lunch routines could have a huge payoff. Jif Peanut Butter, the trusted peanut butter of choosy Moms, is accepting entries for the Eighth Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest(TM). From August 7, 2009 through November 13, 2009, parents can help their kids ages 6 – 12 submit their most creative recipe for a chance to win a $25,000 college scholarship fund. Four runners-up will each receive a $2,500 scholarship fund.

    Last year, the contest received the most entries in its history and 10-year-old Jordyn Boyer of Lebanon, Pa., was awarded top prize with her “Po’ Boy Peanut Butter Chicken Cheesesteak.” Inspired by regional culinary influences, her sandwich was made with Jif Creamy Peanut Butter, chicken, peppers, onions, mozzarella cheese — and even apples — providing a new twist on her home state’s staple cheesesteak. For added flavor, she created a dipping sauce of Jif Peanut Butter, Worcestershire sauce, honey mustard with a drizzle of honey.

    The Eighth Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest encourages families to spend time together in the kitchen as an activity to foster creativity. A parent can submit their child’s original recipe which is scored based on creativity, nutritional balance, taste, appearance and ease of preparation. Ten semifinalists’ recipes will be selected in January 2010 and posted on www.Jif.com as part of a nationwide online vote. Peanut butter lovers who are 13 years or older can then vote for the five finalists who will compete in a live judging event in New York City during March 2010.

    Food, Peanuts

    What Are You Thankful For?

    Amanda Nolz

    Today, I thought I would share some reflections from my role as a cattle producer, instead of an agriculture writer. Thanks for letting me stand on this soapbox so often…

    IMG_1935Nowadays, it seems the worries of a farmer and rancher are monumental. High input costs, ballot initiatives, strict regulations, bad media coverage, consumer misconceptions, animal rights activists’ agendas and low prices seem to plague the agriculture industry. Most depressing, it’s been said that for every consumer dollar spent in the grocery store, the farmer and rancher only receives 18 cents. Yet, true agriculturalists don’t let these negative things get to them. Nope, they endeavor to persevere.

    Despite the challenges and obstacles, we have a lot to be thankful for in the agriculture industry. There is nothing better than having a career that provides nourishment for the world. For me, I live to watch my calves grow up, and it’s always a good feeling when we can fit the needs of our customers with our seedstock offerings. It’s amazing that the calves in my own pasture will someday move down the beef industry chain to backgrounders, feeders, processors, the grocery store and finally, to a dinner table around the world. The best part is knowing that the folks involved in every stop along the chain are great people that are dedicated to the same things as I am.

    I’m thankful to be able to work alongside my family in a career that I love. I’m thankful to be able to work with my hands to help create something bigger than myself. I’m so blessed to be capable of the well being of so many animals, and I feel fortunate to live in America where food is abundant, healthy and safe. Today, set your worries aside and think about the things you are thankful for. You will quickly find that the list is much longer than your stresses and fears. God Bless the American farmer and rancher!

    Farming

    Insights From Forrest Bassford Award Winner Whitney Wallace

    Joanna Schroeder

    AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2009 is sponsored by:
    Pioneer-HiBred Successful Farming and Novus International

    Several student and young professional awards were given during the IFAJ/AMS summit and one of the most coveted awards, the Forrest Bassford Award was given to Whitney Wallace and is sponsored by LPC. Whitney will be a senior at the University of Missouri this fall and she is an active member of ACT – the AG Communicators of Tomorrow. She will be graduating next May with a degree in Agricultural Journalism with an Ag Economics minor.

    3798538620_079bbbb390I had the opportunity to spend a few minutes with Whitney, and she is a talented and well spoken woman who has already taken the ag communications industry by storm. For those companies looking for a rare talent, you’d better get in line now, because I suspect that Whitney will be off the market in a blink of an eye!

    As such an active and young member of the journalism community, I asked her to give her fellow students some advice.

    “Just like I tell the other students at Mizzou, you just gotta jump in an try everything you can. Because we have so many opportunities that we can pick and choose and find so many great little niches of places we can succeed.”

    Whitney, I like your style.

    You can see the pictures of all the award winners in the IFAJ/AMS 2009 Photo Album.

    You can listen to my full interview with Whitney here.

    Ag Media Summit, Audio, IFAJ, Novus International, Pioneer