Michael Peterson Reaching Youth in Ag

Chuck Zimmerman

My Real Life TourHello from Lincoln, NE where the Michael Peterson, My Real Life Tour, continues. The photo album is updated and I’ve been working on some video clips and audio. Now I know you may be asking, “What does this have to do with agriculture?”

Well, to start with, my coverage is sponsored by New Holland, a company that is also sponsoring the tour. Then you also have the fact that a lot of these tour stops are in farming communities like yesterday when we were in Grand Island and Columbus, NE. I talked to students and adults who are involved in farming who were thrilled to not only see Michael perform but with his message. He’s also becoming a regular speaker at FFA meetings too.

Speaking of message here’s a short segment from his Tag You’re It show at Grand Island Senior High School.

My Real Life Tour Photo Album

AgWired coverage of My Real Life Tour is sponsored by:
New Holland

Agribusiness, New Holland, Video

Peace Be With Lee McCoy and Family

Cindy Zimmerman

Lee McCoyOur friend and colleague Lee McCoy passed away early this morning in the arms of his sweet and courageous wife Aurora. She wrote us this morning to say that Lee “rode away on Chariots and White horses to meet the Morning Star.”

As many of you know, Lee has fought a tough battle with cancer for the past two years, defying all odds to be a survivor. He has participated in yearly cancer fundraising bike rides, raising over $6,000 last year for the BriarRose Grand Peloton cancer ride (see previous post).

We have known Lee for so many years that I don’t even know how long its been and he has always, always been a friend. He has worked for Southeast Agnet on and off for the past ten years or so and prior to that and in between he worked as a farm broadcaster in Texas. He is also a past NAFB regional vice president. SE Agnet president Gary Cooper posted a special farewell to Lee here on their blog.

We will all miss his humor, his special ties, his cowboy hat, and his great big heart. He was truly the “Real McCoy.” Ride on, my friend. Peace be with you and your family.

Uncategorized

American Legion Cake is Slice of Real Life

Chuck Zimmerman

On today’s My Real Life Tour we stopped in Columbus, NE at the American Legion for lunch and they made Michael this great cake. A group of members escorted us into town on their motorcycles and there will be pictures in the photo album later.

Michael is the spokesperson for the American Legion’s Legacy Scholarship program. While we were at the American Legion Post he held a press conference in advance of this evening’s performance at the local high school.

You can hear Michael’s press conference/speech here: real-life-am-legion.mp3

AgWired coverage of My Real Life Tour is sponsored by:
New Holland

New Holland

Tag You’re It Program in Grand Island

Chuck Zimmerman

My Real Life TourToday on the My Real Life Tour we left Lincoln, NE early and headed to Grand Island where we had a Tag You’re It program on the final day of school for Grand Island Senior High School. The students were excited and I’ve got video interviews with some of them that I’ll be posting when I get to a good internet connection.

In fact, internet access has been spotty which is why I don’t have a Flickr album up yet. I think you’re going to enjoy it when I do and I’ll be posting a link to it of course.

If you’d like to hear the kind of message that Michael is delivering to young Americans then I’ve got a segment of his presentation for you. This one involves telling a story forward and then backward to make a point. Listen to the story here: real-life-08-michael-story.mp3

AgWired coverage of My Real Life Tour is sponsored by:
New Holland

Audio, New Holland

My Real Life Tour Bus Rolling

Chuck Zimmerman

My Real Life Tour BusThe My Real Life Tour Bus is on the road to Grand Island, NE this morning.

We just made a pit stop so I thought I’d use the AT&T connection while I’ve got it.

I’ll be starting a photo album of this week’s tour in Nebraska later today so you can look forward to that. My plan is to document the Michael Peterson “My Real Life Tour – Strong for America” tour during this last segment of the tour. I’ve already met some interesting personalities who you’ll get to meet soon.

AgWired coverage of My Real Life Tour is sponsored by:
New Holland

New Holland

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • DuPont and Genencor, a division of Danisco A/S, announced an agreement to form DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol LLC, a 50/50 global joint venture to develop and commercialize the leading, low- cost technology solution for the production of cellulosic ethanol — a next generation biofuel produced from non-food sources — to address a $75 billion global market opportunity.
  • Land O’Lakes Member Services, which was formed at the start of the Cenex and Land O’Lakes joint venture more than 20 years ago, will transition to a new structure effective June 30, 2008. Member Services will be separated and its staff, products and services will be transferred to CHS and Land O’Lakes.
  • To help celebrate the upcoming 2008 Summer Olympics, Illinois 4-H along with the U of I area studies centers is sponsoring a Passport to the World Camp: Countdown to the Beijing Olympics: Sports and Games around the World. The camp will be held at 4-H Memorial Camp near Monticello on July 23 – July 25. Registration fee is $115/participant. Additional information and registration materials can be found here.
  • Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced the appointment of Aaron A. Barcellos of Los Banos, Calif. and Steve Cantu of Tranquility, Calif., to the Cotton Board and will serve in their positions until the position terms end on Dec. 31, 2008.
Zimfo Bytes

Historic Haymarket

Chuck Zimmerman

Historic Haymarket DistrictI’m staying in the historic Haymarket District of Lincoln, NE. I’ve got a couple more pics in my Twitter feed.

When you enter the area, you are met with aromas from our many restaurants and are visually overwhelmed by the beautiful restoration and artwork of the old warehouse district. You hear the sounds of people living, working, and enjoying life in our district 24 hours a day. Reach out and touch history, sit at a sidewalk café and taste some of the best food and drink any area can offer, or find something special to take home from one of our unique shops.

Yes, I’ve been visually overwhelmed. It’s been an interesting day of travel including a meeting in KC, MO on the way. Tomorrow I’ll be traveling to Grand Island, NE for a school assembly for the My Real Life Tour so you’ll see more content being posted here.

Until then . . .

Uncategorized

Getting Real on the Road With Michael Peterson

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast-171 - A Real Life TourMichael Peterson is helping young people get real in their life. He’s on the “My Real Life – Strong for America Tour” and I’ll be joining him this week in Lincoln, NE. During the week I’ll be posting frequently from the various events taking place on this last leg of the current segment of the tour.

My Real Life Tour AssemblyI spoke to Michael today about the tour and got a preview of what we’re going to experience this week. It sounds to me like a great opportunity for companies and organizations to get involved to support our youth who will be tomorrow’s leaders. You can click on the picture for a larger one.

My Real Life Tour AssemblyA Real Life Tour stop is a week long event that includes multiple school assemblies like the one you see Michael in above. It’s all about reaching the students and as you can see from this picture, they love Michael. In fact, from what Michael’s told me the activities that make up an assembly program really hold these kids attention.

This week’s program ends with a little bit of Michael Peterson performing “Down on the Farm.” I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 171 (18 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:zimmcast171-5-19-08.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

AgWired coverage of My Real Life Tour is sponsored by:
New Holland

Agribusiness, Audio, Education, New Holland, ZimmCast

EPIC Kicks Off 92nd Indy 500 Festivities

Laura McNamara

92nd Indianapolis 500This Sunday marks the 92nd year for the infamous Indy 500 race and the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council has all kinds of pre-race activities scheduled for this week.

Tomorrow, both EPIC and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council will be sponsoring discounted fuel at Crystal Flash pumps in Indianapolis. Consumers will get to fill up with EPIC Fueling LogoE10 for $2.97 or E85 for $1.85. EPIC is sponsoring a corvette giveaway with Hank FM on Wednesday and EPIC will host the Ethanol Summit and Panel Discussion on Thursday.

The rest of the weekend will feature member activities, driver autograph sessions, garage tours, the IPL 500 Festival Parade and, of course, the Indy 500 race.

You can find complete coverage of Indy 500 events and activities on energy.agwired.com.

Corn, Ethanol, Indy Racing

Bader Rutter Promotions

Chuck Zimmerman

Bader RutterBader Rutter just announced some promotions.

Kevin Kahler has been promoted to senior interactive media specialist in the agency’s Digital Solutions Group. He has been with Bader Rutter since 2003, most recently holding the title of interactive media specialist.

Zach Szewczyk has been promoted to account executive. He joined the agency in 2007 as an assistant account executive in the Account Management Group. Szewczyk will continue to work on the GE Healthcare account.

Wendy Mayo has been promoted to account executive in the Public Relations Group. She began her career for Bader Rutter as an intern before joining the team as a writer in 2006. Mayo will continue to work with Merial, the agency’s animal health account. She graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and journalism.

Toni Czajka has been promoted to team leader in the agency’s Account Management Group. She joined Bader Rutter in 2006 as an account supervisor for the GE Healthcare and John Deere Credit accounts.

Agencies