Get Clover Country and Help 4-H

Chuck Zimmerman

Country Clover is a new CD made by the National 4-H Council. It’s “Songs From Famous 4-H Alumni” featuring artists like Sugarland, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire and many more. I got a copy when I interviewed Anarosa Garcia, Corporate Development Manager, National 4-H Council, at the recent NAMA Convention. Proceeds from the sale of the CD will benefit the activities of 4-H.

Anarosa tells us about 4-H today and how they’re continuing to have strong membership with a goal of adding about 1 million youngsters. You can hear all about the organization and Clover Country in the following video interview.

This is one in a series of interviews we conducted in partnership with AgriMarketing Magazine and exhibtors in the NAMA Connection Point.

Ag Groups, Education, NAMA, Video

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Novus International, Inc. announced a worldwide agreement with emerging biotechnology company BioResource International, Inc. (BRI). The signed agreement states that Novus will be the exclusive worldwide marketer for BRI’s patented enzyme technologies.
  • BASF is pleased to announce the appointment of Nevin McDougall as Vice President, U.S. Business Operations, Crop Protection Division. Most recently, McDougall led BASF operations in the Asia Pacific region as Group Vice President for Agricultural Products.
  • Jed Harms, president of Kemin AgriFoods North America, announces the promotion of Andrew G. Yersin, Ph.D., to Director of Research and Development. In this role, Dr. Yersin will guide the activities of scientists pursuing new Product Development, Applied Research and the Customer Laboratory Services group that supports existing Agrifoods products.
  • Rabobank International announced the appointment of John J. Ryan as President and Chief Executive Officer of its U.S. farm lending subsidiary, Rabo AgriFinance, effective Oct. 1, 2008. Ryan will replace Richard E. Henderson who earlier this year announced his intention to retire in the fall.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Chuck Leavell Promotes Forest Management

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Charlane PlantationChuck Leavell, Rolling Stones Keyboardist, has become an outspoken proponent of sound forestry management. He’s got a tree plantation, Charlane Plantation, near Macon, GA. He just played for a UN biodiversity convention in Germany and is touring there with the German Forest Owners Association. I’ve had the pleasure of talking with Chuck and I like how he’s trying to pull together activists and businessmen like himself.

    The German organization supplied us with some audio.

    Listen to Chuck here: chuck-leavell.mp3

    “Use it or lose it” – that’s the credo of Rolling Stones keyboardist and forest owner Chuck Leavell, who has been promoting sustainable forest management around the globe for years. The musician will convey his belief that only sustainably managed forests maintain biodiversity to the delegates of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity at a concert on 18 May 2008 in Bonn, Germany. He supports the German Forest Owners Association (AGDW). This organisation has been driving the integration of the protection of species and habitats in sustainable forest management for years. By now, there is no forest in Germany that is not managed according to the principles of sustainability which makes wood from Germany an environment-friendly resource.     Read More

    Ag Groups, Audio, Forestry, International

    Iowa NAMA Sponsors Farm Olympics

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Johnston Green DaysThe Iowa Chapter of NAMA is going to be busy in June with Johnston Green Days, June 19-22. Here’s some details from the Des Moines Register.

    Another new event is the Farm Olympics, sponsored by the National Agrimarketing Association’s Iowa chapter. Roxi Beck, a spokeswoman for the association, said the event will feature several stations designed to help children and adults understand the link between the food on their plate and agriculture.

    “We want to help connect the dots to show people where the food they find at the grocery store comes from,” Beck said. “Kids can ride a pedal tractor through an obstacle course, see how much fruit they have to press to fill a glass with juice, and dress up in overalls and other farm clothes. We’ll have a trivia contest and lots of other family-friendly activities.”

    Donations will be accepted at the Farm Olympics site just behind the Bill Riley stage, and proceeds will benefit the Iowa FFA Foundation and Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, Beck said.

    There’s no admission charge to the beer garden in case you were wondering.

    NAMA

    Sunny Day in Mid Mo

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Claysville CreekI’m not sure if this is called Claysville Creek but it’s a creek that runs right by Claysville, MO.

    It’s a beautiful day in mid MO so I got out on the Katy Trail today on my bike with my iPod cranking out some of this.

    My Blackberry Curve comes through to show how nice it looks. You can also find the picture in my Twitter account.

    Uncategorized

    Fastline’s 30 Year Celebration

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Another one of the booths I visited at the recent NAMA Convention Connection Point was Fastline. Participating in this interview are Bill Howard, Publisher, Matt Coniglio, National Accounts Manager and Joe McWilliams, VP Sales and Marketing. Learn all about the company and publication. They’re celebrating 30 years this year!

    This is one in a series of interviews we conducted in partnership with AgriMarketing Magazine and exhibtors in the NAMA Connection Point.

    Media, NAMA, Publication, Video

    ZimmComm New Media Training

    Chuck Zimmerman

    New Media Training at ZimmCommThis past week we did some new media training here at ZimmComm World Headquarters. My Mac looks great on a 42″ Plasma.

    John, Laura, Michelle, Cindy and Chelsea all watched as we went through the new version of WordPress and discussed posting policies and our new live video application.

    In light of some of the latest news on how big the blogging business is getting I think I need to train me an army.

    A good time was had by all. Cindy took the picture btw.

    Uncategorized

    The Growing Business of Blogs

    Chuck Zimmerman

    eMarketerRemember back almost 4 years ago when you first heard about new media (blogs and podcasts) being used in agriculture? You know where, right? Well that “fad” has certainly become much more mainstream than many thought it would.

    My favorite place to keep up with what’s going on in my new media world is eMarketer. They’ve got a new report out, “The Blogosphere: A Mass Movement From Grass Roots,” which has some interesting information. Here’s a couple of excerpts:

    More importantly, by 2012, more than 145 million people—67% of the US Internet population—will be reading blogs at least once a month. That is up from a readership of 94 million in 2007, or 50% of Internet users.

    “A big factor driving the increases is the niche orientation of the blogosphere,” says Mr. Verna.

    Like podcasts, blogs tend to appeal to specific audiences. Accordingly, much of the demographic targeting that marketers work so hard to achieve in the mainstream media is already done for them.

    “Furthermore,” adds Mr. Verna, “the rates at which blog readers notice and click on ads suggest that they are a well-primed audience.”

    Where are you placing your advertising these days? Same old, Same old or . . . . . .

    Uncategorized

    Associated Ag Publications Does Ruralpolitan

    Chuck Zimmerman

    During the recent NAMA Convention I visited with Bob Van Voorhis, Associated Ag Publications. In the following interview with him we talk about who they are. They’re connected with Farm Bureau and Bob discusses why that relationship is special. Bob also talks about their coverage and audience using words like, “ruralpolitan.”

    This is one in a series of interviews we conducted in partnership with AgriMarketing Magazine and exhibtors in the NAMA Connection Point.

    NAMA, Publication, Video

    2008 NAMA Boot Camp

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Mark August 12-14 on your calendar if you haven’t already for NAMA Boot Camp ver. 5.

    The NAMA office is expecting about 125 to attend this year’s program and sponsorships are available.

    The program will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center, our Kansas City NAMA home. Online registration is available.

    NAMA