Just when we’re talking about the U.S. get together of farm writers I noticed that it’s time to look forward to the CFWF 2008.
From the sea bottom to the mountain top, the BC Farm Writers are pleased to introduce you to some of the experiences, people, places, and products that will make up the CFWF 2008 Conference, to be held October 2 to 4, 2008 in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Plans are almost complete and the registration fees, and forms, will be confirmed very shortly. For the latest information, please watch the CFWF website and stay tuned for an announcement about the CFWF 2008
Conference website – coming soon!
I think they need a good agriblogger covering it don’t you?
Ag Media Summit Preview
You’re going to be seeing some regular pre-Ag Media Summit posts here like this one since I was talking with Diane Johnson today about how things are looking. She says that it’s going to be a big one since more and more companies are realizing that this is “the place to be.”
Diane says there’s already 75 exhibitors confirmed which matches last year and over 600 attendees are expected. The opening reception already has over 400 people reserved. It used to only have about 150. This is the 10 year anniversary of the AMS so I think there’s some extra special things being planned.
One thing we get to do on Monday evening of the event is a watch Caddyshack on a big screen by the pool. I don’t know about you but floating in the pool with a frosty beverage, watching a movies does sound like fun.
Listen to what Diane has to say about this year’s event: Interview With Diane Johnson - AMS Interview
I’ll have more on AMS soon, including some interesting things we’re doing with our coverage sponsors this year.
Zimfo Bytes
- Asoyia has named George Magers as the company’s Missouri business development manager. Magers will be responsible for developing new alliances with grain elevators, growing the distribution network, contracting more soybean production, building relationships with seed partners and growers, as well as managing regional trade shows throughout Missouri.
- Renée Norman, Liberty, Penn., has been named an assistant editor of Jersey Journal, the official publication of the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc. In this position, Norman will work closely with Jersey Journal editorial and ad design and also on JerseySites, the AJCA’s Web site service for Jersey owners.
- Accelerated Genetics is pleased to announce the selection for a new President and CEO, Joel Groskreutz, Reedsburg, Wisc., who will assume his new role effective July 15, 2008. In this position, Groskreutz will continue to drive genetic progress for the benefit of cooperative members and all producers around the world by utilizing time-tested and cutting-edge genomic sire selection criteria.
Cow Ends Cause Problems
Since we work with people and organizations that have differing views about biofuels I just thought I’d point something out. (This is because of a news release sent to me today by E – The Environmental Magazine. They’re “mental” all right. I won’t even put a link to them here for you. You can Google it.)
While it seems like everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon to blame ethanol for everything from Mexican tortilla prices to global warming (a myth), there’s a growing movement to blame livestock and you know who that affects. I hope this gets discussed in Denver next week.
We’ve already seen this coming but this is a pretty blatant push. Here’s an excerpt from their release:
Ask most Americans about what causes global warming, and they’ll point to a coal plant smokestack or a car’s tailpipe. But it’s two other images that should be granted similarly iconic status, says the July/August 2008 cover story of E – The Environmental Magazine (now posted at www.emagazine.com): the front and rear ends of a cow.
According to a little-known 2006 United Nations (UN) report called “Livestock’s Long Shadow,” livestock is a “major player” in climate change, accounting for 18 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions.
That’s more than our entire transportation system.
Can’t we all just get along? At least in agriculture? We’ve got enough problems with wackos like this out there. By the way, we enjoyed a nice steak dinner tonight. Does that mean I’m helping save the planet?
Be A Sponsor Cowboy
We’re looking ahead to next year and you know how you like to plan your budgets. Have you got some money to support IFAJ and AMS?
If your company or organization would like to help support the IFAJ Congress 2009 then you can find information on how with the all new sponsor brochure (pdf).
The world’s premier agricultural communicators will ride into Fort Worth, Texas, to catch the spirit of the old West in a combined IFAJ Annual Congress and Agricultural Media summit (AMS). Don’t miss this opportunity to reach more than 150 international ag communications professionals, plus 600 U.S. ag communicators attending AMS. In the first U.S.-hosted IFAJ Congress since 1992, participants will attend workshops and seminars, an agribusiness-focused trade show (InfoExpo), agricultural tours, and networking events.
Maximum exposure is our goal with our sponsors and trade show exhibitors. Let us help you develop a sponsorship package that meets your needs for reaching influential audiences in north America and around the world. saddle up and catch the cowboy spirit!
For questions about 2009 IFAJ/AMs sponsorships, please contact:
Karen McMahon, sponsorships co-chair, (952) 851-4680
Gregg Hillyer, sponsorships co-chair, (636) 561-4976
For questions about InfoExpo, please contact:
Laurie Potter, InfoExpo chair, (515) 284-2853
Getting Some Brownfield Belt Buckles
I hope these kids don’t have to go through an airport metal detector with these belt buckles on. Here’s a picture of the winners (Josh Wampler, Joey Carr, Tyler Klein, WKBV’s Chris Nolte, and Kaitlyn Culy).
Brownfield, Ag News for America, and WKBV-AM 1490 are excited to announce the 2008 Indiana Ag Youth Awards winners from the Wayne County 4-H Fair.
Brownfield’s Dave Russell and WKBV Program Director Chris Nolte traveled to the Wayne County Fair on June 27, 2008 to present outstanding youth with engraved belt buckles. The winners were Joey Carr for Grand Champion Barrow; Josh Wampler for Grand Champion Heavy-Weight Goat; Kaitlyn Culy for Grand Champion Steer; and Tyler Klein for Grand Champion Light-Weight Goat.
The Indiana Ag Youth Awards provide a way to honor the successful commitment these young leaders have shown in agriculture. Visit our Ag Youth website, http://www.BrownfieldAgNews.com/2008youthawards/, to check the 2008 county fair schedule, see photos and hear interviews from the 2008 Indiana Ag Youth Awards winners.
Cruising The Buckeye
I will not be able to attend the Great Buckeye Tractor Cruise but I’m hoping that my Buckeye Buddies will send along a photo or two and some commentary.
They’re looking for some volunteer help. At least that’s what Dustin wrote on my Facebook. If you’re interested in helping out then send him an email and let him know. I’m sure he’d appreciate it.
ABN Radio is pleased to host the inaugural Great Buckeye Tractor Cruise to raise money for Camp Quality, an Akron-based organization that serves children who have been diagnosed with terminal cancer and provides a support system for their families.
Sign-up as a driver, volunteer or contributor for the Great Buckeye Tractor Cruise by contracting Event Coordinator, Robyn Callicoat of ABN Radio (937) 408-0684.
Tractor Daze
If you’re looking for something to do in the Kansas City area this weekend then consider Tractor Daze. It’s put on by the National Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Come out to the Ag Hall on Saturday, July 12 from 10am-5pm for “Tractor Daze.” This fun-filled, family event is jam-packed with activities for all! For the tractor enthusiast there will be tractor pulls, a pedal tractor display, and tractor games. The history buff in the family can tour the Museum of Farming or watch a blacksmith demonstration. For the little ones there will be a petting zoo and miniature train rides. Concessions will also be available.
This event will also feature a silent auction with gift certificates and gifts donated by local merchants and restaurants. The proceeds from the auction will benefit the Ag Hall.
Admission: Adults-$7; Seniors (over 62)-$6; Students (with ID)-$5; Youth (5-16)-$3; 4 and under is free.
Beef Radio Spot Put To Video
You absolutely have to check out this post on Defamer to watch the video clip set to one of Matthew McConaughey’s new Beef radio spots. I’m sure NCBA won’t be upset for being given credit for the Beef Board’s work.
Did you stuff your face with enough beef over the holiday weekend? If not, Matthew McConaughey is gonna be mighty pissed off. Check out the new radio spot he recorded for the National Cattleman’s Beef Association. You know, the dudes who came up with that “Beef, it’s what’s for dinner” slogan? Well, they got themselves a brand new golden-haired, A-list pitchman and the results have become a bit of an obsession here in the Defamer offices. Why does it fascinate so? Maybe it’s because McConaughey plays up his every vocal tic for maximum effect, like he’s trying to lure a small child into a windowless van with some candy.
Even better are the comments posted so far. Like:
The extreme close up of the braying steer. I weep. Want to hate the Matty, but can not, not with Andre Previn arranging the score.
Or
I’m going to Ruth’s Chris for dinner tonight and TOTALLY ordering “the power of protein in the land of lean beef”.
Sustainable iPhones
It might be stretching it a little to say that this story is really about agriculture and the iPhone but . . . for those of you who are already in line to get the new iPhone 3G on Friday, you might appreciate it. The story and pic comes from Macworld.
iPhones and sustainable agriculture don’t have a lot in common, but a bedraggled group of publicity-seekers and iPhone enthusiasts who want the next U.S. president to plant an organic farm on the White House lawn have connected the two as a reason to line up for Friday’s iPhone 3G launch.
Led by a fresh-faced sprite called David Bowman Simon—who looks more likely to be driving his father’s SUV than getting his hands dirty hoeing a row of seeds—Waiting for Apples’ mission is to encourage people to grow their own food while setting a Guinness World Record for the most time spent waiting in line to buy something.
I guess Macworld thinks organic farming is “sustainable.” Wonder what their definition of sustainable is. I’m all for gardening and if you don’t want to put some Miracle Gro on it then that’s your choice. Can’t say that would sustainable in my book, especially not financially. Okay. I’ll stop there. This is really going to help feed the world. Okay. Okay. I’m stopping.
These folks are really just trying to get support for a frivolous petition called The White House Organic Farm Project.