Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology is releasing a new CAST Commentary — Convergence of Agriculture and Energy: III. Considerations in Biodiesel Production — during special presentations at the National Farmers Union and the National Coalition for Food and Agriculture Research in Washington, D.C. The full text is available here, along with many of CAST’s other scientific publications.
  • Cherrie (Sherry) Curtis, farm Safety Day coordinator from New Boston, Texas, was chosen by the Progressive Agriculture Foundation to receive a Toyota Tundra. Curtis, the 4-H and Youth Development Agent with Bowie County Extension, received the keys to the truck Oct. 22 in Indianapolis during the 2008 Progressive Agriculture Foundation annual dinner and reception. She was chosen amongst nearly 400 Safety Day coordinators from across the country.
  • AgCareers.com will host a Webinar, “Deliver Effective Performance Improvement Plans”, Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, at 11:00 am (EST); 10:00 am (CST); 9:00 am (MST) and 8:00 am (PST). For further information, and to register for this web seminar please click here.
  • USDA has released a vegetable and melon outlook that provides current intelligence and forecasts the effects of changing conditions in the U.S. vegetables and melons sector (including potatoes, pulses, and mushrooms). Topics include production, consumption, shipments, prices received, trade and more.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Michael Peterson Receives Spirit of Hope Award

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Michael PetersonIt looks like my friend Michael Peterson, who is a real friend of agriculture, just received a major award from the USO at a ceremony at the Pentagon on Tuesday. This is a picture of him on a “My Real Life, Strong For America” tour stop in Nebraska.

    Award-winning country music artist Michael Peterson, a special friend of The American Legion, is being honored with the prestigious Spirit of Hope Award. The award, named in honor of the late radio, television and film star Bob Hope, is bestowed upon Americans who, like Bob Hope, have demonstrated, in the words of award creator, the USO, “tireless dedication to our country and to U.S. troops both in times of peace and war.”

    Songwriter and recording artist Peterson was nominated for the award by the United States Army in recognition of his youth-motivating “My Real Life, Strong for America” nationwide tours as well as his many visits to entertain troops at military venues. The “My Real Life – Strong For America” tour, which is being presented by the Army and supported by sponsors such as the American Legion, challenges students, civic and business leaders and other community members to engage in building their communities through initiatives and programs employing what supporters consider traditional American values.

    The American Legion maintains a close association with the multiple Grammy and CMA (Country Music Association) award nominee. Peterson has performed at annual national conventions of The Legion and acts as spokesperson for the veterans service organization’s Legacy Fund. The Legacy Fund provides scholarships for children of military personnel who have lost their lives in post-9/11 conflicts.

    Uncategorized

    MyMachinery.com Launches

    Chuck Zimmerman

    MyMachinery.comYou can now find my machinery online. I mean, you can now find your machinery at MyMachinery.com.

    Farm Journal Media announced today its launch of MyMachinery.com, a new agricultural equipment–focused Web site. With this Web site launch, Farm Journal Media is also forming a new partnership with Fastline Publications, Inc.

    MyMachinery.com will be a comprehensive site that unites the entire machinery channel within one Web site—providing a unique venue for farmers, dealers and manufacturers. The site raises online connectivity in the farm equipment business to a new level and makes it possible to buy and sell both new and used machinery, locate dealers, appraise equipment, research machines, find salvage parts and learn the latest machinery-related news. In addition, visitors can tap into insightful blogs,take part in online discussions and watch interesting videos.

    Equipment, Media

    Colleen Callahan Commercial

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Colleen CallahanThe election is getting closer and none too soon for those of us who are very, very tired of all the commercials. However, I thought I’d give another plug for Colleen Callhan, farm broadcaster, who says she’s the underdog in her race for Congress in Illinois. She’s still looking for last minute donations to keep this commercial on the air.

    Video

    Increasing AgrAbility

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCast-193 - Assisting With AgrAbilityA great project to help farmers with disabilities or injuries is the AgrAbility Project. This is a national project which is handled by various state organizations. While I was at Sunbelt Ag Expo, I spoke with AgrAbility In Georgia Project Manager, Rebecca Brightwell. She describes how they help farmers in need so they can keep on farming.

    For example, they might need a tractor lift but don’t have the resources to obtain one. She says they can help find those resources for the farmer. The Georgia project has a blog too.

    The program this week ends with music from the Podsafe Music Network. This one is called “Reasonable Ability” from General Fuzz. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

    You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 193 (14 min MP3)

    Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:Interview with Rebecca Brightwell - ZimmCast 193

    The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also subscribe in iTunes

    Ag Groups, Audio, Sunbelt Ag Expo, ZimmCast

    FFA Multimedia Maniacs

    Chuck Zimmerman

    2008 FFA ConventionI know it seems like Cindy or I are at just about every ag event out there but we just can’t make them all. One of the ones I’d love to cover though is the FFA Convention. However, these kids are doing a great job online by themselves. I know there are some of you “old-timers” who are still scratching your heads over this new media thing but if an old guy like me can do it, you can too.

    The FFA news crew has a blog, many videos and lots of pictures on their site. On the video side, I think they should make the embed available for those of us who want to place a video on their website like this one below with the officer’s election. Fortunately they’re using Blip.tv so I could find it.

    So, if you couldn’t be at the convention like me, just take a few minutes and get energized looking at some of the online content they’ve got.

    FFA, Video

    Commodity Classic Performers

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Pam Tillis and Riders In The SkyI just bought our 2009 wall calendar and we’ve got a lot to put on it. One of those items is Commodity Classic. It looks like we’ve got some great performers again this year.

    Attendees will enjoy performances by Grammy award winners Pam Tillis and Riders In The Sky during the Evening of Entertainment at the 2009 Commodity Classic convention and trade show to be held Feb. 26-28, at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas.

    Commodity Classic attendees will experience the sweet sounds of singer, songwriter and actress Pam Tillis. A Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year, Tillis has written songs for top singers such as Conway Twitty, Chaka Kahn, Highway 101 and Martina McBride, including more than a few of her own hits. She starred in Leiber and Stoller’s “Smokey Joe’s Café” on Broadway and appeared in the “Promised Land” and “L.A. Law” television series. Tillis, the daughter of country legend Mel Tillis, was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2000.

    When Riders In The Sky takes the stage, the audience will hear Western music at its finest. Riders In The Sky members Ranger Doug, Too Slim, Woody Paul and Joey the Cowpolka King are better known as “America’s favorite cowboys.” For over 30 years, they have kept the tradition of the singing cowboy alive with their wacky humor and way-out, Western wit. In addition to being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry and being named the Western Music Association Entertainers of the Year six times, Riders in the Sky also performed “Woody’s Round Up” in Disney’s “Toy Story 2.”

    Commodity Classic

    Trees For Troops Video

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Yes it is time to think “Holidays.” And the big one coming up is Christmas. So it’s appropriate that I’ve got a Trees For Troops video to share and news about an award they’ve won.

    The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, professionally managed by Drake & Company, has been nationally recognized for its Trees for Troops program by the 2008 Associations Advance America Summit Award from American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Center for Association Leadership.

    The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation (CSF) – with support from FedEx Freight – has delivered more than 34,000 Real Christmas Trees to military families since Trees for Troops began in 2005. It has grown from about 400 Christmas tree farms and retailers participating to more than 850. Almost 17,000 families at more than 40 military bases received a Christmas Tree in 2007 grown by an American tree farm.

    Ag Groups, Video

    Redneck Invitational

    Chuck Zimmerman

    RedNeck Invitational Fishing TournamentIf you’re a redneck that likes to fish then you need to get in on the upcoming Redneck Invitational.

    This one day invitational tournament is sponsored by and for anglers in the agricultural industry. We are limiting space to the first 40 boats that meet the criteria for entry on a first come basis. Teams may fish up to 4 anglers per boat.

    *Entry is $225.00 per angler before October 31st, 2008. Late entry is $250.00 per angler.* All anglers will receive a custom embroidered invitational fishing shirt, hat with the tournament logo and t-shirt with original tournament artwork. Friday night’s Captain Meeting includes two hours of open bar, Cabbage Key New York Strip Steak Dinner, Art Auction and prize giveaway. Saturday night’s Awards Banquet includes two hours of open bar, Cabbage Key Buffet Dinner, Trophy Presentation and more prizes to give away.

    Events