NAMA Speed Networking

Chuck Zimmerman

NAMA Boot CampNAMA Boot Campers got connected tonight during the opening Speed Networking session. After a few remarks it was time to get things moving. Networking with other people in agrimarketing is probably one of the greatest benefits of belonging to NAMA in my opinion. So, what we had people do was talk to each other and see how much they could learn in 3 minutes before switching to another table.

Let’s just say this was a livelier and noisier session than listening to some old agriblogger talk with a bunch of slides. If you’d like to see what it was like then here you go:

Of course there’s a NAMA Boot Camp Photo Album.

NAMA, Video

NAMA Boot Camp Underway

Chuck Zimmerman

NAMA Boot CampNAMA Boot Camp has started here in KC, MO. There was a sold out tour today which I didn’t get to participate in.

I’m getting ready to head down to the opening reception that we’re (ZimmComm) sponsoring. I’ll be emceeing our Networking session tonight and you can count on the fact that the participants will hear about online social networking. I’ve got some fresh numbers on the AgWired community for example. If you look at my Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Flickr, YouTube, ZimmNews, AgWired Mobile, ZimmCast, AgWired RSS subs, then I can safely say that I’m connecting with almost 5,000 people each month. Now some of them are monthly and some are daily or even more often. That doesn’t count the approximately 15,000 unique monthly visitors to AgWired either!

This didn’t happen overnight and obviously there are people in the community that get different types of communication. But all in all, I dare say it’s a pretty impressive group. At least I think you are.

So, If you’d like to promote your brand to this agribusiness marketing community then let me know how we can work together to get that done.

NAMA

ZimmBite – USDA Crop Production Report

Chuck Zimmerman

The USDA Crop Production Report is out. It forecasts reductions in corn, soybeans and cotton but wheat is pretty much unchanged. I expect we’ll see lots of spin today.


ZimmBite – USDA Crop Production Report on 12seconds.tv

USDA, Video

Agrotain Selects AdFarm

Chuck Zimmerman

AgrotainAdFarm U. S. has been selected by Agrotain International, LLC as its marketing communications agency of record for U. S. ag business.

The move represents a continued expansion of the Agrotain International business and an increased investment in customer communications.

“Establishing this relationship with AdFarm is just one example of the continued expansion of our business,” said Jeff Whetstine, Vice President of global marketing for Agrotain International. “As the demand for our products escalates, we are doing everything we can to service our customers around the world. We’re growing our sales force, building new facilities and making other investments into the business, so we needed an agency that was 100 percent focused on agriculture to help us communicate to our partners and our customers.”

AdFarmBob Wilhelm, managing director of AdFarm U.S. said the agency is very excited about working with Agrotain International. “Throughout the agency review process, we were very comfortable with the people at Agrotain International because we all share the same focus on and enthusiasm for agriculture,” said Wilhelm. “Now that we’ve been named as their strategic partner, we at AdFarm are very excited about helping Agrotain International achieve the high goals they have set for their business.”

Agencies, Agribusiness

Gritty and Pretty

Cindy Zimmerman

First it was food for fuel, now it’s food for jewelry.

It might not look like it, but this American flag pin is actually made out of grits. For those of you less enlightened Northerners who may not know what grits is – according to Wikipedia – “Grits is a Native American corn-based food common in the Southern United States, consisting of coarsely ground corn.” That I knew. What I didn’t know is that – “three-quarters of grits sold in the United States are sold in the “grits belt” stretching from Texas to North Carolina. The state of Georgia declared grits its official prepared food in 2002.” There is actually a “grits belt” – the things you can learn from Wikipedia!

Anyway – this here is the “Grit Lady” – aka Carol Kautz of Lilburn, Georgia. She is the creator of the above American flag pin made of grits and many other grits-inspired decorative items – from fruits and vegetables to snowmen and hot air balloons, crosses and Easter eggs. She makes them as earrings, pins, magnets and ornaments.

All of her pieces are handmade and treated to protect them from insects and deterioration. “No two pieces are exactly alike as some dry flat while others curl somewhat when they dry,” she says. She has even sent some of her creations to government officials and celebrities.

She sells items in bulk – minimum of 12 pieces per order – and there are a number of specialty stores in Georgia that sell her grit creations. Find out more at gritlady.com.

Uncategorized

Farm Journal Acquires Implement & Tractor

Chuck Zimmerman

Implement & TractorFarm Journal Media has acquired Implement & Tractor magazine.

First published in 1885, Implement & Tractor is a bimonthly publication providing news and insights for dealers, distributors, OEMs, engineers and the associations who make up the $40+ billion dealer and wholesaler equipment industry. Implement & Tractor also publishes the annual Ag Equipment Buyer’s Desk Reference, which provides the most comprehensive index of companies, organizations and associations involved in the agricultural equipment industry.

In announcing the acquisition, Steve Custer, Executive Vice President of Farm Journal Media, said the acquisition strategically positions the company to serve the entire equipment channel – from manufacturer to farmer. “This is an important step to help us more completely link buyers and sellers in the farm equipment market, and is the first of several announcements we’ll make in the equipment sector yet this year,” he said. Read More

Media, Publication

Pioneering Rural Internet

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast-182 - Pioneer and DorrI interviewed two of my favorite people at the Ag Media Summit and have saved those interviews for this week’s program. First up, you’ll find Jerry Harrington, Pioneer Hi-Bred. He talks about how he helps agricultural journalists connect with agronomists so they can get the word out and help producers, “grow more corn and soybeans.”

Then I talk with U. S. Under Secretary of Rural Development, Tom Dorr, about the latest in his world. It includes the development of a major biorefinery loan program. He says they’re working to make loans available by the end of the year. He also speaks about the re-authorization of the broadband loan program. Tom says that they’ve already loaned nearly $7 billion to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. That’s fueling a lot of competition which should just increase the pace of development.

The program this week ends with music from the Podsafe Music Network. Since we’re talking about broadband you get to listen to “Outside The Internet” from Messian Dread. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 182 (16 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:Interviews with Jerry Harrington and Tom Dorr - ZimmCast 182

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 Media Summit, Audio, Internet, Pioneer, USDA, ZimmCast

Successful Farming Expands

Chuck Zimmerman

Successful FarmingSuccessful Farming sure has a lot of news today. Basically, they’re expanding on their 360 Degree Media concept. It’s what the agrimarketing community wants. Their expansion includes a new Successful Farming Video Solutions® unit, a new Chicago Markets Bureau, and expanded machinery coverage. Here’s what’s new:

Increase in Multimedia Services – SF Video Solutions

John Walter is named Executive Editor for Successful Farming and Agriculture Online. In addition to managing the editorial business for these brands, he will oversee SF Video Solutions and the Successful Farming Machinery Show.

Jason Meeker has been appointed Multimedia Producer, and will manage Successful Farming Video Solutions to expand video on Agriculture Online as well as direct the Successful Farming Machinery Show . In addition, a new multimedia content producer will be hired to support the capacity of services to the video solutions unit.

Jeff Caldwell is named Multimedia Editor. Jeff will be responsible for the 3600 content delivery for the Successful Farming brand, ensuring all content reaches full multimedia potential. Jeff will continue to cover news and features for Agriculture Online and will also work with all Successful Farming content specialists to support delivery of Successful Farming content to all channels. Read More

Media

ZimmBite – NAMA Boot Camp

Chuck Zimmerman

I know you don’t have enough Zimm-ness in your life so how about a daily 12seconds.tv ZimmBite?


ZimmBite – NAMA Boot Camp on 12seconds.tv

I’ll be opening up NAMA Boot Camp this year with some remarks on social networking, followed by a little networking exercise. I expect we’ll all know each other very well before it’s over.

NAMA, Video

No Guy Wire Left Behind Contest

Chuck Zimmerman

NAAA 2008 ConventionA new destination on the ZimmComm agriblogging circuit this year will be the National Agricultural Aviation Association convention which will take place in Las Vegas. We’re looking forward to getting to know these brave souls.

While checking out their website I noticed their “No Guy Wire Left Behind” contest that will pay $1,000.00 to the best design for a guy wire marker. The need for this appears to be significant and makes sense since we still have so many wires above ground around our farm fields.

Solution

The NAAA Safety/Federal Aviation Regulations Committee went to work at their February 2008 meeting in Washington DC to develop a solution to this problem. The committee recommended two plans, which were then approved by the board of directors for implementation.

Plan 1 is to sponsor a contest to design a guy wire marking device. The device must be low cost, high visibility, weather resistant and have high design appeal. The marker should be able to easily attach to the guy wire approximately 10 feet above the ground. The proposal for the winning design will be manufactured in large quantities and distributed on a local level to groups such as the 4-H, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in the hopes that they will sell them for their charitable causes. These groups, after receiving an order, would sell the guy wire markers to companies who placed the order. The order would result from a letter generated from Plan 2. Read More

Ag Groups