Let’s Link Up

Chuck Zimmerman

FacebookI think blogging about agricultural marketing to an audience of thousands of people every month via a massively search engine optimized website is a pretty open form of communication. To enhance that effort you can now find ZimmComm on some additional social communication networks – Facebook and LinkedIn.

To view my profile and write on my wall you’ll need to have a Facebook account though. I’ve got pages created so far for AgWired and ZimmComm New Media.

LinkedInThe same is true with LinkedIn. If you’ve already got an account then visit me and let’s link up. I got started on this one from invitations from a few ag communicators who many of you know!

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Farm Art From Artist in the Sky

Chuck Zimmerman

Artist in the SkyEver wondered what your farm or business looks like from the air? How about having a picture taken? There’s lots of things you can do with it including using the photo in your marketing efforts (website, newsletter, flyers, emails) or just to hang on the office wall.

The folks at Artist in the Sky have lots of reasons why you might want to have this done. Their pricing seems reasonable to me and from the examples you’ll find on their website, they do a quality job.

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Karen Potratz Returns to Bader Rutter

Chuck Zimmerman

Karen PotratzWell the Christmas holiday is over and it’s back to work (sort of). A lot of offices are closed this week but not ZimmComm, although I did take time today to install a new HD plasma tv/home theater system! Thank you Santa.

So, back to business. And business has to do with Karen Potratz returning to Bader Rutter & Associates as a public relations group leader on the Dow AgroSciences account.

As a group leader, Potratz will oversee the agency’s public relations activities for the Dow AgroSciences crop protection, traits and seed businesses. She most recently worked at Morgan & Myers, Inc., as a senior counselor. Potratz previously worked at Bader Rutter as an account executive. Originally from Eldridge, Iowa, Potratz graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural journalism.

Agencies

Zimfo Bites

Melissa Sandfort

  • The National Cotton Council is urging consultants to join cotton producers at the 2008 Beltwide Cotton Conferences at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Jan. 8-11. The conferences’ theme is “Orchestrate Your Opportunities.” The general session will open with a welcome from Tennessee Department of Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens and feature updates from the NCC and Cotton Incorporated on the farm bill, cotton research and promotion, variety improvement and other important issues. The general session also will include a focus on herbicide resistance management; new harvesting technology, including onboard moduling systems; the new eXtension web site; current/future challenges and opportunities for cotton producers; and lessons learned from the 2007 growing season. Registration and hotel information, as well as the program, can be viewed here.
  • Hormel Foods Corp. announced that Fred D. Halvin has been named director of mergers, acquisitions and strategy, effective Jan. 1, 2008. Halvin, who had served as director of investor relations since 2001, will report to Ron W. Fielding, executive vice president of grocery products and mergers and acquisitions. Replacing Halvin as director of investor relations is Kevin C. Jones, current assistant secretary for the board of directors and senior attorney.
  • The USDA has opened a new agricultural trade office in China, located in the Sichuan capital of Chengdu, the fifth most populous city. USDA presently operates another three offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. In 2007, China imported approximately $8.2 billion in agricultural goods from the U.S.
Zimfo Bytes

Merry Christmas Trees

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast-151 - Merry Christmas TreesMerry Christmas Trees from the National Christmas Tree Association. This week’s program is about NCTA and I want to thank them for having audio available on their website. Here’s a good example of why we encourage multi media content on your site.

In the program you’ll hear from NCTA President, Beth Walterscheidt, Evergreen Farms Christmas Trees, Elgin, TX. She’s going to explain how to take care of your fresh Christmas tree, what to do with it after the holidays and why they’re involved with the Trees For Troops program.

White House Christmas TreeOne of the cool things the NCTA does is make sure the White House has a real Christmas tree. This is a picture taken at the selection of the tree.

A beautiful Fraser fir from Laurel Springs, N.C. will be the official White House Christmas Tree this year. The Blue Room Christmas Tree will be officially presented to First Lady Laura Bush by Joe Freeman and Linda Jones of Mistletoe Meadows Christmas Tree Farm. Freeman earned this honor by winning the National Christmas Tree Association’s (NCTA) national Christmas Tree contest held in August 2006 in Portland, Ore., and becoming Grand Champion. The Blue Room Christmas Tree was handpicked by White House Chief Usher Stephen Rochon, Superintendent of Grounds Irv Williams, Grounds Foreman Mike Lawn and White House Florist Nancy Clarke on Oct. 16, 2007.

You can see the selection of the tree in their YouTube video:

At the end of the program I’ve got some music from the Podsafe Music Network that fits into the Christmas spirit I hope you’re in. It’s called “Christmas Tree Farm” by the Pushstart Wagon. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 151 (8 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:zimmcast151-12-24-07.mp3

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, Video, ZimmCast

Ulitmately the Consumer will have to pay more…..

Harry Siemens

harrycjob-crop.jpgHarry Siemens – As we come to the end of this year, several thoughts come to mind. The first is how things have changed for the main sectors in agriculture: Grain and special crops and the cattle and hog industries. Twelve months ago, the grains industry was wondering what 2007 would be like prices wise, having just come off an excellent crop year following two poor ones.

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International

McKinney Joins Brownfield

Melissa Sandfort

attecab5.jpgBrownfield, Ag News for America, is pleased to announce Kari McKinney is joining the Brownfield team as the Promotions Coordinator. “We are pleased to welcome Kari to Brownfield Ag News,” said Cyndi Young, Brownfield Farm Director. “Her enthusiasm along with a background in agriculture and knowledge and experience in local radio make her a great asset to the Brownfield team.” attecab6.jpgMcKinney is a recent graduate for Drury University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Advertising. She has a background as a Marketing Intern for Drury University and as a Sales Intern for 99 Hit FM in Springfield, Mo. Growing up in rural Missouri, McKinney’s appreciation for agriculture started at a young age. She helped with her family’s farm and her father is a retired agricultural teacher. McKinney is married. She and her husband, Christopher, live in Jefferson City.

Media

Zimfo Bites

Melissa Sandfort

  • The 2008 Commodity Classic trade show is sold out and a waiting list is in place for additional exhibitors. The trade show, featuring cutting-edge products and services and technological demonstrations, will be the largest in Commodity Classic’s history with 213 companies in 840 booths. A complete list of exhibitors and their products/services can be viewed here. Commodity Classic, the annual convention and trade show of the American Soybean Association, the National Corn Growers Association, and the National Association of Wheat Growers, will be held Feb. 28-March 1 in Nashville, Tenn.
  • Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. has established a scholarship program for college students who are pursuing careers in the dairy industry, and will award $1,500 scholarships in March 2008. Applicants must also be enrolled in a two- or four-year accredited college, university or trade school. High school seniors planning to enroll, as well as post-graduates, also are eligible to apply. Applications are due Jan. 15, 2008 and may be submitted online.
  • The National FFA Organization celebrates another banner year in 2007. With membership at more than a half million and the highest in 29 years, FFA is growing with 7, 358 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. FFA held the second of seven national FFA conventions in Indianapolis in October this year, and boasted 53,418 attendees and a record 3,168 members receiving their American FFA Degrees. The new National FFA Merchandise Center opened in June and was dedicated just prior to the national FFA convention. The National FFA Foundation raised a record $13.1 million in support of FFA and agricultural education. For more information on FFA success, visit the Web site.
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Harry’s Christmas Message

Harry Siemens

Harry and FamilyFrom Laurelle, Harry, Judith, and Lynn Siemens, Winkler, Manitoba Canada:

Three of the most powerful men of their time that first Christmas focused on Jesus –
Psalm 148:11, 13 – Kings of the earth, and all people; princes , and all judges of the earth. . .Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

Here is Harry’s commentary on the hog business and a short Christmas message at the end….Harry’s Commentary

Audio, International

AgriMarketing Services Guide Digital Edition

Chuck Zimmerman

2008 Annual Marketing Services GuideLike the monthly edition of the magazine, the 2008 Annual Marketing Services Guide is now digital. If you were a subscriber to AgriMarketing Magazine you’d probably already have a link to it in your inbox. If not, you’ll still be able to see it online in a few weeks.

In it you will find key information about the 1,100 organizations serving North American agricultural producers. This digital edition provides you hotlinks for immediate access to their Web sites and e-mail addresses for instantaneous communication.

Starting the third week of January, the Guide can be accessed by going to www.AgriMarketing.com and accessing the “Archived Issues” link on the top of the screen.

Publication