RFA Ethanol Podcast

Quarry Integrates Ag Day

Chuck Zimmerman

Quarry Integrated CommunicationsQuarry is taking the celebration of agriculture across the border.

Quarry Integrated Communications is using National Ag Day in the U.S. and National Agriculture Awareness Day in Canada (Jan. 28) as a platform to increase awareness and appreciation for one of North America’s largest and most significant industries among its non-agricultural teammates.

Through a series of unique workplace initiatives, including presentations about the economic impact of agriculture in Canada and the United States, Quarry is seeking to make each of its teammates ambassadors for agriculture in the communities where Quarry has offices – Raleigh-Durham, N.C., San Jose, Calif., and Waterloo and Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

“The January and March Ag Day commemorations were introduced in Canada and the U.S. because agriculture is an industry that increasingly many people don’t know much about – particularly those living in urban areas,” says Bob Wilbur, Senior Vice-President, Agri-Food at Quarry. “We want to do our part as an organization that’s committed to agriculture to raise awareness for its vital role in our society. Typically, people think of farming as a relatively homogeneous, simple way of life. But it’s actually quite the opposite – a diverse, complex and technologically-advanced industry. We are seeking to educate our non-ag Q-mates on the important role agriculture plays in the global economy and in the everyday lives of consumers like them.”

Agencies

ASFMRA Directory Advertising

Chuck Zimmerman

ASFMRA DirectoryThe American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers wants to remind you that you’ve got another week to get your ad in their annual directory.

Whatever it takes, don’t miss this chance. Reach new customers, grow your business and stretch your advertising dollars.

Simply click here, fill out the order form and click to submit. If you don’t have an ad ready, just let us know and we’ll design it for you!

The ASFMRA member directory will be mailed directly to 2,500+ members, suppliers, organizations, educators and other decision makers. This is the perfect chance to tell your customers the benefits of doing business with you – stand out from the crowd and jump from the page!

Ad deadline is Friday, March 27. Simply click here, fill out the order form and click to submit.

Ag Groups

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • QUALISOY has announced its board members and yearly objectives for 2009. Pioneer VP of Crop Product Development Dennis Byron, PhD, a member of the board since its start in 2004, was elected as Chairman of the Board for 2009.
  • LPC Critique Contest entries must be received by March 20 at 5 pm. Awards will be presented on Aug. 3 in Fort Worth, Texas, during the Ag Media Summit. Click here for more information on this year’s Ag Media Summit.
  • Farmers are ready to slash corn acreage this spring, fueling a record switch to soybeans, according to new Farm Futures research. The magazine’s annual planting intentions survey puts U.S. corn acreage at 82.46 million this spring, down 4% from the 86 million put in a year ago. Soybean acreage would soar to a record 80.73 million, up more than 6% from last year’s 75.7 million.
    Zimfo Bytes

    State of Barbeque Industry

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Raggittyy Ass Redneck EquipmentThe first day of Spring gets the outdoor griller’s heart all pumped up. Many of us are “year-rounders” but it is nice to have warmer temperatures. The Hearth, Patio & Barbeque Association has released their annual State of the Barbeque Industry Report which you can read below.

    I also thought I’d point you to a company I recently became familiar with that makes barbeque accessories. Raggitty Ass Redneck Equipment make some great quality stuff you won’t find anywhere else. Here’s an interesting story about them that involves ZimmComm client, Southeast AgNet. RARE doesn’t have a website and so, thinking creatively, Southeast AgNet’s Gary Cooper just did an extended post on his website for them and voila, they have a website. Granted it’s just a page for now but I think it shows one way you can creatively use the tools we now have in this new media world.

    State of the Barbecue Industry Report

    The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) has conducted the HPBA Barbecue
    Lifestyle, Usage & Attitude Study* on a biennial basis since 1983. The following is
    select information from that study for the State of the Barbecue Industry Report.

    A Sizzling Industry

    • More than 16.7 million grills and smokers were shipped in 2008, marking an 18
    percent increase since 2003.
    • Nine out of 10 (95 percent) grill owners used their grill in the past year, an
    increase of 4 percent over 2003.
    • Nearly eight out of 10 (77 percent) households own an outdoor barbecue grill or
    smoker, a 5 percent increase from 2003.
    • Sixty-eight percent of households own a gas grill, followed by charcoal (37
    percent) and electric (2 percent).
    • LP gas grills continue to be the most widely owned type of grill, with 94 percent of
    all gas grill owners owning an LP gas grill.

    Grill Usage

    • The majority of grill owners use their grills year-round (58 percent), and 45
    percent use their grills one to two times per week during the peak grilling season
    (May through September).
    Read More

    Food, Media

    Osborn & Barr Acquires Elasticity

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Osborn & BarrSince I just did a post on Osborn & Barr why not another one. I learned on a phone call with the company this week that they’ve acquired a social media company, Elasticity, which is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the agency. They’re looking for a summer intern for the new division too.

    Key Responsibilities:

    Update, promote and publicize social networking sites for clients;
    Develop and participate in blogs;
    Manage content and increase supporter numbers on social networking properties such as Digg, Twitter, Facebook, FriendFeed, YouTube, Second Life, Care2, MySpace, Wikipedia, external blogs and more;
    Online and database research and reporting responsibilities;
    Adapting appearance of social networking presences to be more visually appealing;
    Communicating with members and supporters of social sites and networks by using frequent bulletins and messages;
    Researching and assisting in the creation of new applications;
    Identifying new opportunities for engagement in social networking spaces.

    These sound like the responsibilities every company needs to have in their staff.

    Agencies

    Ag Day Activities

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Osborn & BarrI’m sure a lot of you are doing what you can to thank American farmers on National Agriculture Day. Feel free to share what you’re doing and include pictures if you have them. Here’s what Osborn & Barr is doing in St. Louis. Post Update: The photo is of the tractor described below mid day on Ag Day.

    Tractor display and food drive at Kiener plaza fights hunger and champions regional agribusiness

    Kiener Plaza may play host to some of St. Louis’ most vibrant urban businesses, but it still sprawls under the shadow of the Arch – the Gateway to the West and a dramatic symbol of this city’s ties to a passionate, inquisitive and agrarian foundation.

    Osborn & Barr TractorNational Agriculture Day recognizes and celebrates the abundance provided by agriculture. Food production is an importation part of agriculture, and during a time of economic instability, the need for affordable and healthful food is in high demand.

    In recognition of National Agriculture Day, food donations are being accepted at Kiener Plaza. Look for the red tractor – the quintessential symbol of agriculture – on display. The goal is to fill the tractor’s loader (bucket) with food to benefit the St. Louis Food Bank. The event is sponsored by Osborn & Barr Communications, the nation’s leading agriculture and rural marketing agency. Many of its professional staff of more than 100 grew up on farms or still farm. Members will be onsite to assist with the food drive.

    Date and Location:
    Friday, March 20, 2009
    8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Donations will be accepted during this time)
    Kiener Plaza, 500 Pine St.

    Agencies

    Get Some Solar On This Day

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Solar DayWe’ve got Ag Day, Earth Day and now Solar Day. I hope we have a sunny one here in mid MO.

    Move over Earth Day. There’s a new environmentally friendly semi-holiday coming up, and it’s none other than Solar Day. This day doesn’t just thank the sun for shining, though. It’s meant to educate the public about the benefits of using solar energy, and how residents can take advantage of solar options in their areas. Solar Day 2009 will be held all throughout the United States on the first day of summer, which lands on Sunday, June 21 this year. If your interest is piqued by this news, be sure to check out SolarDay.com, the official home of Solar Day, and a portal for all sorts of news on the solar industry.

    Energy, Video

    Twitter on the Today Show

    Amanda Nolz

    I caught The Today Show this morning, and I was excited to see an entire segment dedicated to the Twitter phenomenon! Some people love it; some people hate it. However, there is no denying that this social network is here to stay! The Today Show segment explains it as a cross between text and blogging with 140 characters. It goes to the masses, and it’s a great way to spread the word. It’s like an amped up word-of-mouth service, and it’s free!

    Once apprehensive about it, I’m totally hooked! Do you Twitter? Who do you follow on Twitter? How do you decide who is worth listening to? Why do we care what’s going on in the lives of others? I’m a curious tweeter that wants to know! Watch this video here for tweeting vocab, tips and an explanation of this craze that’s hard not to love! Oh, and you can follow my tweets at http://twitter.com/AmandaNolz. Let’s be online social networking friends!

    It

    Social Networking, Technology

    Soybean Premiums.org Connects Companies & Suppliers

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Soybean Premiums.orgThere’s a new website to help connect soyfoods companies with soybean suppliers.

    The Soyfoods Association of North America (SANA) is committed to helping soyfoods companies connect with soybean suppliers. Soybeans are used to provide a wide range of products including edamame, soymilk, soy-based meat alternatives, tofu, tempeh, miso, shoyu, natto, soy yogurt, non-dairy frozen desserts, nutrition bars, chips, and cereals. Soyfood manufacturers in America welcome a supply of high quality soybeans that meet their diverse needs. The web site, www.soybeanpremiums.org, developed by the Illinois Soybean Association and sponsored by the Iowa Soybean Association and the Indiana Soybean Alliance, easily connects soyfood companies with growers of a wide variety of premium soybeans.

    Ag Groups, Internet, Podcasts