New Look For AgWired

Chuck Zimmerman March 23, 2008

By now some of you will have noticed that AgWired has a new theme. That’s what we call the look of the website. We’re still working on it but have tried to tie in some of the various ways that I’m connected including Twitter. Please feel free to let me know what you think. It’s just part of the effort to make sure we’re staying on top of the new media world.

On our Subscribe page you’ll find a link to add yourself to the list to get the monthly ZimmNews. This month’s edition will be coming out this week. We’re working on a new format for it too. You’ll be able to find things like “New Media Tips,” “What Others Are Saying,” Where We’ve Been/Going” and more. You can download last month’s edition if you didn’t get it (pdf).

ZimmComm Announcement

USAID reports Sweet Onion Success for Bolivian Farmers

Laura McNamara March 22, 2008

Farming isn’t just a national need, it’s an international need. That’s why the U.S. Agency for International Development is helping Bolivians meet their farming needs, while helping American consumers meet their need for sweet onions, chili peppers, peanuts and more.

More than 150 tons of sweet onions are giving some Bolivian farmers a $340,000 harvest. The recent bountiful shipment to Los Angeles marked a three-year U.S. Agency for International Development effort to make Bolivian onion growers international competitors.

The onions are cultivated more than 12,000 feet above sea level on land once considered unsuitable for traditional agriculture, says USAID’s Jorge Calvo, the program’s manager who views the high elevation as an advantage. The onions, along with a dozen other crops, are part of a USAID training program to improve Bolivian agriculture.

Because the rarified atmosphere prevents pests and crop diseases from thriving, the onions are grown without chemical fertilizers and pesticides, earning a coveted organic label. Organic sweet onions are in big demand and command higher prices, he says.

The agricultural program strives to make farmers prosperous by matching niche crops such as chili peppers, grapes, peanuts, peaches, raspberries, garlic and fava beans to Bolivia’s diverse topography and climate. Growers also apply the latest farming methods such as soil management, irrigation and mechanization in achieving year-round harvests, says Calvo.

So far, it’s working. The agency’s $20 million investment in 2002 has generated more than $40 million in family earnings, boosting per capita income for the 40,000 participating households by almost 50 percent in a country where the average family exists on just $4,400 per year.

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Farming, Food, International, Organic

Easter Recipe Links

Chuck Zimmerman March 21, 2008

I hope you get to eat some of these kind of eggs in addition to the real ones this Easter weekend. I’ll be spending a little less time than normal on the computer this weekend as I’m sure most of you will be too.

In the meantime I thought you should have some links to good Easter dinner recipes like:

All Recipes
Food Network
The Recipe Link
Kraft Foods
Busy Cooks
Chow

I hope you have a very blessed and wonderful Easter weekend.

Food

Parents Got Beef

Chuck Zimmerman March 21, 2008

Parents who love their kids ought to make sure they’re getting the nutrition of beef. So, as part of the new beef advertising campaign you can find Beef Checkoff advertising in Parents Magazine online. Apparently this is a value-added promotion.

One such example can be seen in the latest issue of Parents magazine. On a page titled “Contests and Promotions”, the magazine directed its readers to visit www.parentspromo.com to learn more information about various promotions offered by their advertisers. On that webpage, clicking on the beef checkmark, consumers could download a flyer titled, “Get Out There!” offered by the Nation’s beef producers.

“Get Out There” encourages families to participate in outdoor activities that offer families a chance to bond through quality time- reminding them that lean beef is just the fuel needed to help maintain the energy needed for an active lifestyle. It is an important message that beef is packed with nine essential nutrients, including protein that strengthens and sustains our bodies. The family activity guide offered through Parents’ website includes packing ideas, safety tips and planning recommendations for various outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, camping and bicycling.

Advertising, Beef

The Indiana MarketMaker

Chuck Zimmerman March 21, 2008

If you want to find some Hoosier goodness online then check out the Indiana MarketMaker. It’s where consumers, businesses and farmers are linked.

Hoosiers can now find farm-fresh eggs or just-picked apples right in their neighborhood, thanks to a new interactive Web site called MarketMaker. The Web site connects consumers, agricultural businesses and farmers, providing a one-stop shop to locate locally grown food products. “Consumers, local food buyers, retailers and restaurants are all looking for a quick and easy way to locate Indiana food products,” said Andy Miller, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “MarketMaker is the tool to open new markets to Indiana food producers, helping farmers reach their market directly.” Indiana MarketMaker – online at http://www.inmarketmaker.com – currently has more than 150 farm enterprises with more farmers and food businesses registering each day. The Web site is free to consumers, farmers and businesses.

Internet

New Leaders for World Dairy Expo

Chuck Zimmerman March 21, 2008

The World Dairy Expo has elected some new leaders at their recent annual meeting as follows:

President: Mike Holschbach, Heatherstone Enterprises, Inc., Baraboo
Vice President: Phil Niemeyer, Nasco, Vice President, Fort Atkinson
Secretary/Treasurer: Dean Hermsdorf, Vita Plus Corporation, Cottage Grove

Also serving on the Executive Committee are:
John Dalton, Daltondale Farms, Hartland. Ray Kuehl, Purebred Breeders of World Dairy Expo, Waunakee; Roger Ripley Accelerated Genetics, Baraboo; Bill Barlass, Barlass Jerseys, Janesville; and Bob Kaiser, University of Wisconsin Extension, Juneau. World Dairy Expo General Manager, Mark Clarke and Will Hughes of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection serve as ex-officio members of the Executive Committee.

Holschbach succeeds Roger Ripley as president of the board. Ripley, who is the President and CEO of Accelerated Genetics, has served on World Dairy Expo’s Board of Directors since 1985. A member of the Executive Committee for 16 years, he served as board president for the past six years.

Ag Groups, Dairy, World Dairy Expo

Dr. Gerald Poppy Dairy Business Director for Diamond V

Chuck Zimmerman March 21, 2008

Dr. Gerald Poppy has been promoted to Director, North American Dairy Business for Diamond V.

In his new position Poppy will be responsible for overseeing and interacting with all Diamond V dairy representatives working directly with Diamond V dairy products. Dr. Poppy joined the Diamond V team in 2006 as the Western Region Manager, where he was responsible for managing the western sales team and expanding the companys presence in the western United States. Before joining Diamond V, Poppy held several director and technical services roles for Monsanto Dairy Business. Prior to Monsanto, Poppy worked as a dairy nutrition and production consultant, as well as a practicing veterinarian.

Agribusiness

National Ag Day in Words

Chuck Zimmerman March 20, 2008

On National Ag Day we’re going to learn more about it from the Vice Chairman of the Agriculture Council of America, Greg Webb, State Governement Relations, Archer Daniels Midland. The Council is the organization that hosts Ag Day and all its related events.

In talking to Greg I learned that this year the theme was “investing in people, policies and programs to enhance consumer’s choices for a healthy world.” He says the website contains a wealth of information that speaks to how American agriculture is accomplishing this. Greg also encourages companies and organizations to hold their own local Ag Day event and use the Council as a resource for ideas and materials.

Ideas for how you can do something in your area include:

Farmer’s Markets
Ag Day Breakfast
Mall Exhibit
Fair
Pizza Party
Adopt-A-Legislator
Adopt-a-Classroom
Petting Zoo
School Lunches
Library Display
Point-of-Purchase

Here’s some “ADVICE FROM THE FIELD:”

“One of our favorite events is a pizza party held for more than 700 4th grade students. We work with different commodity groups, ag businesses and organizations to demonstrate how agriculture affects their everyday life. This not only helps educate the children, but also their siblings, parents and the entire community.” Diane Olson, Missouri Farm Bureau

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 163 (13 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:zimmcast163-3-20-08.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

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Audio, ZimmCast

Ag Day Field Assignment

Chuck Zimmerman March 20, 2008

I know I just did a post about Charleston Orwig but since they’ve already updated their blog, Field Assignment, with an Ag Day message then I’ve got to bring it to your attention. C’mon. More of you have recognized today haven’t you?

I had a very hearty breakfast and lunch so far today. Thank you to our farmers.

Agencies, Video

Cotton Joins American Hereford Association

Melissa Sandfort March 20, 2008

The American Hereford Association (AHA) and Hereford World is proud to announce Adam Cotton, Wichita, Kan., has joined the Hereford team and will serve as the Southwest region field representative.

In this position, Cotton will attend Hereford sales and events as well as assist breeders with marketing and genetic selection. He will also assist in educating members and commercial producers about AHA programs and other beef industry opportunities.

Cotton will serve as the communications link between the AHA and breeders in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Cotton grew up in St. Joseph, Missouri and his family had a cow/calf operation near St. Joseph. He has been involved in the cattle industry all his life and as a youth showed polled Hereford cattle, was involved in the American Hereford Association Junior Program, 4-H and FFA.

He spent two years at Blackhawk East Junior College in Kewanee, Illinois before transferring to Kansas State University where he graduated with a bachelor of food science and industry degree with a minor in business. Most recently he has been serving as a quality assurance technician with Farmland Foods in Wichita.

Beef

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