Thank You Larry Quinn

Chuck Zimmerman

Larry QuinnThose of us who have attended a lot of NAFB Washington Watches over the years know that they wouldn’t be anywhere near as beneficial without the help of Larry Quinn, Assistant Director for Communications Operations, USDA. Everyone in ag communications should know Larry and for those in farm broadcasting in particular, he’s documented our “happenings” in his weekly e-newsletter for as long as I can remember.

We gave Larry another thank you last night at dinner by presenting him with an NAFB commemorative edition tractor (to add to his collection). Larry is pictured with his wife Christine.

So we give Larry big thanks for helping us out and getting us in and out of USDA one more time during the early part of this transition year.

NAFB Washington Watch 2009 Photo Album

USDA

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Bayer CropScience LP presented United Fresh Produce Association with a $1.1 million endowment over the next four years to create the Center for Global Produce Sustainability.
  • Schillinger Genetics has announced the opening of new southern Illinois research station this coming May at their new facility located in Vandalia, Ill.
  • This spring, USDA will conduct the first-ever, wide-scale survey of organic farming in the United States to find out how the growth of organic farming is changing the face of U.S. agriculture. Participants can mail back their forms or complete the survey online.
  • Gold Standard Labs opened its fifth facility located in Bowling Green, Ky.
    Zimfo Bytes

    NAFB Meeting With Legislators

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Senator Tom Harkin with NAFBMembers of NAFB are hearing from a variety of senators and congressmen this morning in the Longworth House Bldg. First up on the program was Senator Tom Harkin, D-IA.

    Harkin pointed out that he’s the only person to ever serve as chairman of the Senate Ag Committee 3 times. His remarks touch on a lot of subjects important to agriculture and I thought I’d just go ahead and post them here for you. Please feel free to download and use.

    You can listen to Senator Harkin here: ww-09-harkin.mp3

    You can also download his remarks with this link (mp3 file).

    NAFB Washington Watch 2009 Photo Album

    Audio

    NAFB Washington Watch First Timer

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Julie McPeakeJulie McPeake, Southeast AgNet, is attending her first NAFB Washington Watch program. I spoke with here in between presentations this morning.

    Julie says this is a great opportunity, especially for farm broadcasting newcomers, to dip their foot in the water (interviewing DC politicos). She says she’s in “sponge mode” which means she’s listening and learning so she can better serve her listeners back home.

    Julie also has the honor of receiving a Pam Jahnke nickname which is Peaches. You’ll find out why when you listen to her interview.

    You can listen to my interview with Julie here: ww-09-mcpeake.mp3

    NAFB Washington Watch 2009 Photo Album

    Audio, Media

    AGCONNECT Connects With AGRITECHNICA

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Ag Connect ExpoThe organizers of two international agricultural shows have announced a formal alliance to coordinate show dates that will allow agriculture producers to attend a major international agriculture trade show each year.

    AgritechnicaThe alliance is between DLG (German Agricultural Society), the organizer of the world’s largest agriculture machinery show Agritechnica, and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), organizer of the new agricultural trade show AG CONNECT Expo, scheduled for January 13-15, 2010 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Agritechnica is held on odd numbered years with the next show scheduled for November 10-14, 2009 at the Fairgrounds in Hanover, Germany.

    Both Agritechnica and AG CONNECT Expo 2010 are organized with a focus on providing a world-class event with top value and the highest quality experience for registrants. The philosophy shared by the shows is to provide customers with the full agriculture trade show experience. For 120 years the DLG exhibition has highlighted technological advances favored by agriculture producers. AG CONNECT Expo 2010 has a parallel concept that will provide a global gathering place in the United States for agriculture producers, manufacturers and agribusinesses.

    AEM, Equipment

    Virtual Conventions?

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Watt Online Animal Nutrition & Health ForumThe Watt Online Animal Nutrition & Health Forum is underway. In today’s economy it seems like a free show you don’t have to travel farther than your computer to attend makes a lot of sense.

    Have you visited? If so, what are your thoughts about this concept? Should this model be looked at for more companies and farm groups? Could we do Commodity Classic online?

    Think of it as an online event where nutritionists, veterinarians, animal production/husbandry managers, and technical consultants, as well as manufacturers and marketers of animal health products, feed ingredients and feed additives, can engage in real-time interaction via instant messaging, chats, e-mails or the exchange of electronic business cards by making use of any available local internet access. Far from the usual online experience, the virtual forum will provide true capabilities for interaction.

    Animal Health, Media

    Animal Welfare Topic of Next Farm Foundation Forum

    John Davis

    farmfoundationforum31Our friends at Farm Foundation are sponsoring another discussion on an important issue facing farming in America: animal welfare as it relates to production agriculture.

    In true Farm Foundation form, the Tuesday, May 5th forum will feature speakers bringing several divergent opinions to the table:

    * Paul Shapiro, Humane Society of the United States,
    * Tim Amlaw, American Humane Association,
    * Dr. Jim Reynolds, American Veterinary Medical Association and the University of California-Davis,
    * Bob Krouse of Midwest Poultry Supply, and
    * Dr. David Blandford, Penn State University.

    Once again, the forum will by on Tuesday, May 5th from 9 to 11 a.m. at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington D.C.

    Make your reservation by noon CDT this coming Friday, May 1, to Mary Thompson, Farm Foundation Director of Communication at mary@farmfoundation.org.

    Farm Foundation

    Corn Growers Pleased With Start of ACRE

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Sign up for the long-awaited Average Crop Revenue Election Program, or ACRE, started yesterday on the same day that farm broadcasters from around the nation were in Washington DC for the annual Washington Watch Issues Forum, so naturally it was a hot topic for representatives from the National Corn Growers Association to discuss.

    NCGA Vice President of Public Policy Jon Doggett answered lots of questions about the program that was part of the 2008 Farm Bill and represents a fundamental reform in the farm safety net. “It is based on revenue rather than just a price trigger,” Jon explains. “It’s really more of a risk management tool than a price support.”

    Jon says the program gives farmers an alternative and they have lots of time to research whether it is a good option for them, since the sign up period runs through August 14. NCGA has developed an on-line ACRE Resource Center website where farmers can get more information about the program and even calculate payments.

    Listen to Chuck’s interview with Jon about ACRE here: ww-09-doggett.mp3

    Corn, NCGA

    NAFB With Secretary Vilsack

    Chuck Zimmerman

    In true traditional style, NAFB members attending the Washington Watch program got their picture taken with the Secretary of Agriculture. Thank you to the USDA photographer for taking this photo for me. The full size version is in the photo album.

    Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and NAFB Members

    NAFB Washington Watch 2009 Photo Album

    USDA

    Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack Speaks To NAFB Members

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Secretary of Agriculture Tom VilsackInternet access was lacking at the NAFB USDA visit this morning so I couldn’t live stream Sec. Vilsack’s comments as I had intended to do. During last year’s visit you may recall that I live streamed his predecessor which was the first time I had done that on location. But I did record Sec. Vilsack and have the audio available for you here.

    I was surprised that he didn’t mention swine flu in his remarks but he does address the issue in the question and answer session. Before he arrived we were instructed not to ask anyone except him about this issue. I understand that they may want to have some control over who speaks for USDA on this issue but can’t ever remember being told what we can or cannot ask and of whom. Interesting way to treat the press.

    Several of us were live tweeting the morning’s session. I had to leave early since I needed internet access and my aircard couldn’t pick up a good signal in the USDA building. Some of us need to multitask you know.

    So for now I’ll leave you with the full audio, including questions and answers.

    You can listen to Secretary Vilsack here: ww-09-vilsack.mp3

    You can also download his remarks with this link (mp3 file).

    NAFB Washington Watch 2009 Photo Album

    Audio, USDA