Pitching Stories To Bloggers

Chuck Zimmerman June 23, 2009

If you’re interested in learning something about pitching stories to bloggers you might want to participate in a today’s webinar that’s part of the Communicating Renewables Webinar series. There’s still time to register. All the information is posted below. Although our topic is energy, the things we’ll discuss are applicable to any industry. I’m one of the presenters. If you’ve got any thoughts on the subject please feel free to comment here or send me a message via Twitter.

The Communicating Renewables Webinar series is a project of Joanna Schroeder, 4R Communications. Joanna is currently a contributing editor to our Domestic Fuel, renewable fuel news website.

TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2009
1:00 pm — 2:00 pm EST / Cost $49

Pitching Energy Bloggers: Best Practices

Presented by Jim Lane, Editor, Biofuels Digest and Chuck Zimmerman, Editor, energy.agwired.com

The media landscape has changed and with the proliferation of blogs, the web has become the leader in breaking news, and a primary source for consumers to get their information. So how do you get bloggers to cover your story? This webinar will discuss the power of blogs; how blogs have changed the way reporters report; what types of stories bloggers write about; and how to craft a successful pitch to a blogger.

Click here to register.

Public Relations

Ag Relations Council Silent Auction

Chuck Zimmerman June 22, 2009

While you’re attending this year’s Agricultural Media Summit/IFAJ Congress you’ll have a chance to support student attendees and ARC. In fact, you can help out right now by donating an item for the auction.

Auction proceeds will go toward underwriting a lowered student registration fee for AMS, thus ensuring participation by the maximum number of potential industry newcomers. We need your help in gathering great items for the auction! Please donate an item to the auction. Remember, in addition to the traditional AMS attendees, we’ll also have more than a
hundred international visitors. And, we promise to find every opportunity possible to share news about your generosity.

We ask that you donate an item or items that value at least $50 each, and we’ll need to know your donation plans before July 29. You may actually bring the items when you come, or just ship to us prior to the event. We must receive all items(or know they are coming with you by July 29.

The items can range in size and scope. Den Gardner has donated a one week stay at a Florida condo, subject to availability. Mace Thornton of the American Farm Bureau Federation has donated two autographed Michael Martin Murphy CDs, and Amy McDonald of McDonald Marketing Communications has donated three cases of Dublin Dr Pepper (made with pure cane sugar). Jeri Omernik of Rocky Mountain Marketing Communications has donated a western art coffee table book.

If you would prefer, we’ll gladly accept your cash donations … with which we will buy some “Texas flavored” items for the auction.Want to donate a Stetson cowboy hat, a pair of cowboy boots or some western décor or jewelry? Leave the legwork to us, and just send us the request and funding! We will give you and your company full credit for the item, providing paperwork as needed.

Remember, you can deduct donations to ARC!

Call or email Julie Vrazel at (254) 4454333 or julie.vrazel@mmcsolutions.com with any questions.

Ag Media Summit, IFAJ

Carlos Fraga Joins California Strawberry Commission

Chuck Zimmerman June 22, 2009

The California Strawberry Commission has a new Manager of Grower Communications and Education. He’s Carlos Fraga.

His primary role is to develop strategy and implement tactical training solutions for food safety, occupational safety, production and organizational leadership.

“Grower communications and education is integral to building and maintaining an industry-leading food safety program,” said Mark Murai, President of the California Strawberry Commission. “Our priority is to further develop and implement strategic and tactical food safety programs that will have a positive impact on the entire industry. We believe that Carlos will add significant expertise to our efforts and the overall team.”

Carlos is a bilingual training professional with more than ten years experience in occupational safety. Prior to accepting his role at the Commission, Carlos was a training and regulatory compliance manager at Constellation Wines, U.S. His educational background includes a B.A., M.A., and a year of international study at the University of Madrid. Carlos is an avid runner and enjoys riding his motorcycle along the beautiful California coast.

Ag Groups

Teaching Ag In New York City

Chuck Zimmerman June 22, 2009

We all wonder what kids are being taught about agriculture in schools today. In New York City, one high school has a complete 4 year agricultural education program with a very good percentage of graduates going on to careers in ag. In this week’s program we’ll hear all about it.

The idea for this week’s program came from an announcement by Eastern NAMA and Gibbs & Soell. They’ve awarded two $500 scholarships to John Bowne High School students, Katherine Vegas and Nigel Calderon. They’re pictured with Eastern NAMA President Catherine Wang, Gibbs & Soell (left). I interviewed Catherine and also Steve Perry, John Bowne High School Assistant Principal who describes the program and the support they receive from the community and faculty.

The grants, sponsored by NAMA and Gibbs & Soell Public Relations, were presented to Vegas and Calderon for their outstanding scholastic achievement and contributions to the FFA program at the school. Making the presentation was Catherine Wang, NAMA Eastern Chapter president and an agribusiness communications professional at Gibbs & Soell.

John Bowne High School, located in Flushing, N.Y., has a specialized agriculture program that is nationally recognized as an outstanding urban agricultural education offering. The school’s agriculture program is the most extensive of its kind in the state.

A graduating senior of the animal science program, Vegas has been an FFA member for her entire four years of high school. She plans to study wildlife management at the State University of New York – Cobleskill. As an agriculture major, Calderon gained broad experience in animal health studies on the Small Animal Care and Exotic Animal teams at John Bowne. He plans a career in zoology or veterinarian medicine.

“Katherine, Nigel and the other John Bowne High School students represent the future of the agriculture industry,” Wang said. “By recognizing the achievements of these hard-working students, we hope that they are encouraged to vigorously pursue their careers in animal health.”

This week’s program ends with some music from the Podsafe Music Network. It’s a song titled, “Words and Teachings” by Messian Dread. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our Subscribe page.

Agencies, Audio, Education, NAMA, ZimmCast

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort June 22, 2009

Jennie Hodgen, Ph.D., joins Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health as technical service specialist — meat science, and Bob Giblin, APR, joins as manager of food industry communications.
Members of the United Fresh Produce Association will meet in Washington this September to continue the association’s push for a national policy promoting a salad bar in every school cafeteria.
Dow AgroSciences announces that Dr. Joe Johnson has joined its PhytoGen cottonseed research team as a full-season cotton breeder.
Visit the Wyffels Hybrids Web site for more information about the 2009 Corn Strategies Seminars.

Zimfo Bytes

Voting Open In AFT Favorite Farmers Market Contest

Chuck Zimmerman June 19, 2009

You should check to see if your local farmers market is signed up for the American Farmland Trust, “America’s Favorite Farmers Market” contest. Voting is active. AFT is looking for three top vote getters and is using this contest to promote “the connection between fresh local food and the local farms and farmland that supply it.”

“Farmers markets not only supply the great seasonal foods we love,” says Julia Freedgood, managing director of AFT’s Growing Local initiative, “they give consumers a way to understand where their food is coming from and foster a closer relationship between farmers and communities.”

Freedgood adds that “Farmers markets also provide public health benefits and economic development opportunities.” The most recent USDA Census of Agriculture reported that nearly $1.2 billion stayed in local communities from direct to consumer sales—up 49 percent since 2002. “There’s no question that farmers market are both popular and a positive part of communities.”

The other key point Freedgood makes is whether by providing healthy food, renewable energy or environmental services, agriculture is at the heart of solutions to the nation’s most pressing issues. “One of the reasons we want to spread the word about farmers markets through this promotion is also to raise awareness of a fundamental idea—No Farms, No Food®.”

Farmers markets across the country are still signing up for the contest, and online voting is underway. Consumers can vote to select “America’s Favorite Farmers Markets” at www.farmland.org/vote. At the end of the contest, one large, medium, and small farmers market will be awarded the title and win a shipment of No Farms No Food® tote bags for the winning market managers to distribute to the shoppers that made it happen! Voting remains open until midnight on August 8, and the winners will be announced thereafter.

Ag Groups, Food

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort June 19, 2009

Pioneer Hi-Bred had significant sales volume growth of its Pioneer brand corn, soybean and canola seed this spring.
Nokia announced the commercial launch of its pioneering Nokia Life Tools service in India. Designed specifically for the emerging markets, Nokia Life Tools is a range of Agriculture, Education and Entertainment services sharply addressing the information gaps of target consumers.
Brownfield Ag News has launched a redesign of its Web site. With a cleaner, more user-friendly design, the site features a new layout with drop down menus, Twitter and blog feeds and feature sections.
Innovative Livestock Services, Inc. selected Osborn & Barr to be its marketing and communications partner.

Zimfo Bytes

iPhone 3G S Is The Social Media Tool

Chuck Zimmerman June 19, 2009

Today is the day that many of you will be getting your new iPhone. Mine’s on order and should be here next week. If you’ve been putting the idea of purchasing one off, then today is the day to move it up in the priority list. Today the game changing tool just took another leap forward with the introduction of the iPhone 3G S.

Now why would I bring this up here? I’m not getting paid by Apple. It’s because this phone is really a mini computer with a phone built into it. With all the apps available to it you can record high quality audio interviews, shoot photos and post to your Twitter account, shoot/edit video and post to your YouTube account, post onto your blog, manage your Facebook profile and just about anything else you can imagine using a device you put in your pocket or carry on your hip. You can see a list of features here.

It’s the new media communications tool of tomorrow that’s here today. And that folks, makes it one of the best tools you can have if you want to effectively use the social media platforms today for your business. Are you convinced? Are you completely confused?

Equipment

PETA Targeting South Dakota 4-H and FFA Members

Amanda Nolz June 19, 2009

Here in good ole South Dakota, the reach of HSUS and PETA seems so far away. As the agenda of these organizations continues to blaze a trail across the nation, South Dakota remains unscathed in the political warfare that is the animal rights vs. animal welfare debate. Because these groups stand for complete animal liberation, it’s certainly no surprise to hear that PETA is now targeting South Dakota 4-H and FFA members in their livestock projects.

PETA fired off a letter to Jerome Hertel, manager of the South Dakota State Fair, urging him to ensure that all animal exhibitors who are invited to the fair will be in full compliance with the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). In the letter, PETA points out that its offices are inundated every year with complaints that exhibitors at fairs and festivals across the country have abused animals or endangered the public. PETA explains that although animal exhibitors are required to be licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a license is no guarantee that exhibitors will provide adequate animal care or follow public safety measures. The group also points out that many exhibitors fail to comply with the minimal federal standards established in the AWA.

While I firmly believe in ridding the industry of bad apples, I don’t believe that young people should be “inspected” prior to showing their livestock projects that they work all year on. Leave the kids out of it. What do you think about PETA’s latest campaign? To read the required guidelines, link PETA’s press release.

Animal Health

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