USDA Undersecretary at Home in the Southeast

Cindy Zimmerman

Gale BuchananUSDA Undersecretary Dr. Gale Buchanan may work in Washington, DC but his heart is in the southeast. “I spent 21 years at Auburn University conducting research in peanuts and other crops,” said Buchanan. “Then went to the University of Georgia as the director of the Coastal Plain Experiment Station and dean at the college of agriculture.” He also attended the University of Florida, so he is a “triple Southerner.” I guess that makes him a cross between a Tiger, a Bulldog and Gator.

His main message to the Southern Peanut Growers Conference this week in Panama City was that the “future is predicated on information, knowledge and technology gained through research and education programs.”

He had much more to say about the potential for peanuts in feeding the world and playing a part in the biofuels industry as well.

Listen to my interview with Dr. Buchanan here:
spgc-buchanan.mp3

Be sure to check out the Southern Peanut Growers Conference blog as well as the SPGC Conference Photo Album

Uncategorized

Cattlemen’s Beef Board Down To Business

Chuck Zimmerman

CBB Admin SubcommitteeThe Cattlemen’s Beef Board Administration Subcommittee got things started here at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver today. I spoke with CBB Chairman, Dave Bateman, about what we can expect to see happen during this meeting.

Dave says that producers come together here at the summer meeting to do the work of the industry.

He says that the committee structure of the CBB is part of the groundwork of what happens here and that part of the process is to get the most bang for the buck while increasing beef demand.

One of the exciting topics they’ll be talking about is international markets. Dave says that the current value of the dollar, coupled with some real opportunities, makes for some interesting challenges. He says that attendance is expected to be slightly higher this year.

I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot more about this, but Dave also mentions the process that has been started here for recommending improvements to the Beef Checkoff Program.

You can listen to my interview with Dave here: cisc-08-bateman-1.mp3

You’ll find more posts on the CBB’s Beef Board Meeting website.

Feel free to check out and use photos from my Cattle Industry Summer Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference

Denver Soul Food

Chuck Zimmerman

Evan SlackThe first thing I did after getting into Denver today was go to lunch with my buddy, Evan Slack. He took me out for some excellent comfort food. Catfish, greens, cornbread, candied yams and sweet tea. Mmm, mmm. Tom’s Home Cookin’

Then he and I went to the Apple Store and AT&T store. I’ve got to wait until the end of November to be eligible for the iPhone discount (unless I can sweet talk my local rep into a deal). The iPhone data plan will save me almost $20/month so it’ll pay for itself if I can git ‘er done. We’ll see.

When I got to the downtown Sheraton there were a couple of poor, bedraggled protesters on the street. Before I could get my camera out they were ushered away by the local cops I think. They just kind of disappeared. Gotta feel sorry for those people. It’s a free country and they’re entitled to their opinion. But the animal rights wackos don’t ever quit trying to get in your face. Hey, have your opinion but just don’t try to stick in my space, eh?

Cattle Industry Conference

Using New Media to Reach Peanut Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman

Joy Carter at SPGCFarmers and others in agriculture are just like everyone else these days. For the vast majority of us, computer usage is becoming a part of our everyday lives, if it hasn’t already taken it over!

That’s why the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation made the decision to use the new media tools of blogging and podcasting to reach out and provide information on this year’s Southern Peanut Growers conference to anyone and everyone who has access to the World Wide Web on spgc.wordpress.com.

Joy Carter with the Georgia Peanut Commission, who is also editor of Southeastern Peanut Farmer magazine and responsible for outreach to media and growers, came up with the idea of using the blog for conference coverage.

“We wanted to open the door for more farmers and industry representatives not able to attend the conference to be able to see who the speakers are, see photos from the conference and hear more about issues within the peanut industry,” Joy said. The website is also being promoted to agricultural media who can download the photos and audio to use.

Joy says the Georgia Peanut Commission has also had great success in educating producers about legislative issues with AmericanPeanuts.com.

Listen to an interview with Joy here: spgc-joy.mp3

Peanuts

Public Affairs Division at Osborn & Barr

Chuck Zimmerman

Osborn & BarrOsborn & Barr has created a public affairs division led in part by Missouri’s just-past Director of Agriculture.

The new group will allow O&B, North America’s largest agency focused on agricultural and rural markets, help its current and future clients manage critical public policy priorities.

Specifically, the public affairs group will monitor key issues as they relate to agriculture, alternative energy and other rural priorities. It will provide strategic guidance for its clients as they manage particular issues, including grassroots communications efforts and community support. The group will do this while working closely with O&B’s public relations discipline in order to maximize all outreach opportunities and deliver the greatest value for its clients.

Co-leading the public affairs efforts for the practice will be Katie Smith, who most recently served as the Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Smith’s strong background in agricultural and energy issues is a natural fit for O&B.

Smith will co-lead the new public affairs group with Neil Caskey, who currently oversees O&B’s growing government client roster. Caskey, who joined O&B almost two years ago, previously served as an association executive and legislative assistant.

Agencies

New Media Musings

Chuck Zimmerman

One of my favorite new media commentators is Jeff Jarvis, BuzzMachine. Here’s some comments from his latest post.

My most striking realization since getting my iPhone (love it, thanks for asking) is that radio is doomed. Pandora is a wonder, creating my own radio station, live and on the fly without need for a broadcast tower.

And then there’s TV. Comscore just said that Americans watched 12 billion videos in May, up 45 percent over last year. Say that again: 12 billion. It’s a mass medium, still: the mass of niches comes to life.

So what are you doing to make sure your customers see you, hear you, find you? Or are you still one of those who says, “I know a farmer who doesn’t even own a computer”? Yeah. I know one who doesn’t know how to read either.

By the way, I’ve read his comment about Pandora on the iPhone in several places. Free music, no commercials, just the kind you like, in fact, you fashion your own unlimited “stations.” No, you can’t listen to farm programs on it. Not my point though.

Uncategorized

Peanuts on the Beach

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast-179 - Peanuts on the BeachSouthern peanut growers know the place to party and this week that’s Panama City, FL. While I get ready to go west to Denver, Cindy is attending the Southern Peanut Growers Conference. In this week’s program you can hear several of her interviews. We’ve got Randy Griggs, Alabama Peanut Producers, several guys from Trimble and Ag Technologies, the companies sponsoring the conference blog we built and Wesley Powell, past president of the National Peanut Buying Points Association. Wesley talks about grilling peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

The program this week ends with music from the Podsafe Music Network. Since we’re talking peanuts, you get to listen to “Peanuts” from one inch from midget. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 179 (18 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:Interview With Peanut Growers - ZimmCast 179

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, Peanuts, ZimmCast

Chris Romas New Burpee President

Chuck Zimmerman

Chris RomasI’ve always loved the name, Burpee. It’s just a cool name for any company. I’ve seen their seeds around for as long as I can remember.

W. Atlee Burpee & Co., the nation’s largest and best-known purveyor of seeds, plants and home gardening supplies, announced today that Burpee’s Chief Operating Officer, Chris Romas, has been promoted to the position of President.

George Ball, who has run Burpee since 1991, announced the promotion today in an employee-wide meeting, saying that much of the success Burpee has enjoyed in recent years can be attributed to Romas’ “dynamic leadership.” Ball calls Romas’ leadership of the Retail Division team “outstanding,” adding that he is confident Romas will serve as a capable leader, taking the company to new heights.

In his new position Romas will be responsible for all aspects of managing the Pennsylvania-based company and all managers will report to him.

Ball was clear in his announcement that he is not retiring, and that he will remain as Burpee’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. In stepping back from day to day operations, Ball will focus on acquisitions, planning and new product development.

Agribusiness, Seed

Grilled PBJ on the Beach

Chuck Zimmerman

Grilled PBJSounds like a drink almost, doesn’t it? Cindy’s lounging around on the Gulf of Mexico at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference, eating grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Can you imagine?

I tried something new today that I had frankly never even thought of eating before – grilled peanut butter and jelly. Don’t know why I never thought of it – after all, I like toast with peanut butter and jelly. But, grilling gives it a much richer flavor that, as Wesley Powell of Bainbridge, Georgia says goes great with a tall glass of cold milk for breakfast. Add some sliced bananas and you have yourself an “Elvis” sandwich!

Powell is past president of the National Peanut Buying Points Association, which grills up these tasty morsels every year at the SPGC. He shares his secrets to making the perfect grilled PB and J in this interview: spgc-wesley-npbpa.mp3

You can see these delicacies on display at the conference.

Southern Peanut Grower Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Peanuts, Video

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Novus International, Inc. announces the appointment of Bob Buresh as Technical Manager of Poultry for North America. Buresh joins Novus from Tyson Foods, where he served as the Director of Poultry Nutrition and Research for 18 years. He has also held positions with Eastern Minerals, Inc. and Purina Mills, Inc.
  • The National FFA Organization has selected 40 outstanding young people to participate in the 2008 New Century Farmer Program. This exclusive, highly competitive program develops young men and women who are committed to pursing a career in production agriculture. Participants representing 21 states will take part in an intensive five-day seminar July 28 through August 1 in Johnston, Iowa.
  • The Wisconsin Dairy Products Association (WDPA), sponsor of the annual World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest, has finalized an agreement with Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) regarding contest entries. The WMMB is sponsoring a contest reimbursement program for all Wisconsin dairy processors. Wisconsin companies that enter a new cow’s milk dairy product in the 2008 World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest will receive from WMMB a 50% reimbursement on the $50 contest entry fee. Click here for more details.
    Zimfo Bytes