I Scream You Scream For Dippin’ Dots

Chuck Zimmerman

Dippin DotsHave you ever tried Dippin’ Dots? They are awesome. How about winning a year’s worth?

Kicking off the summer season with “cool” news for ice cream lovers, Dippin’ Dots today announced a call for entries for the “Adventures of Packy Movie Mash-Up Challenge” — the company’s first-ever, user-generated online contest.

Contestants are invited to create an animated short film starring Dippin’ Dots’ mascot, Packy, via an easy-to-use, web-based game tool located at www.dippindots.com/contest. The grand prize winner will receive $2,500 and Dippin’ Dots for a year; and a wildcard winner will take home $1,000 and a six-month supply of Dippin’ Dots ice cream.

Entrants will be able to produce a 15 to 90-second movie using the all-in- one director’s tool. No cameras or audio/video uploads are required. The tool allows easy selection of various background scenes, animations, props and soundtracks provided by Dippin’ Dots, as well as the ability to add bubble- text dialogue similar to a comic book.

A panel of Dippin’ Dots judges will select the top five movies based on website visitor ratings and views, plus creativity and originality. The selected movies will advance to the finals where contest members will vote for their favorite as the grand prize winner. The top five movies will also be posted on YouTube where the most viewed entry will win the wildcard prize.

Notice how they used the “Y” word here (YouTube).

Food

Jax Your YouTube Video Onto Your iPod

Chuck Zimmerman

AppleSince I’m getting pretty comfortable with my Mac now I might from time to time let you know about some things that make using it even more fun. One of those is a cool little app I found from Joesoft called Jax. If you want to load video onto your iPod and you want it to be easy then this little program is what you need. It even lets you load YouTube videos which is what got my attention. The best thing about it is that it integrated right into iTunes.

Joesoft says their software is “Software for the Average Joe.” After downloading and trying it I would agree.

Uncategorized

iPhone Mania

Chuck Zimmerman

iPhone ManiaI think I have to mention iPhone mania, especially since you can even find it in a little town like Jefferson City, MO.

This is outside the local AT&T store here in Jefferson City, MO. There were people lined up even here to get their iPhone before anyone else. I think the store kind of overdid it on the security thing. They were locked up tight with a police guard outside. At 6pm they let in the first nine people. You can see number one-in-line going inside in this photo. Then they locked it back up again. One of the reporters outside said that a customer stopped by to pay her bill but they wouldn’t let her in. Now that’s crazy.

While I was standing there taking these pics a guy who looked like the store manage walked up in an AT&T logo shirt. Even he had trouble getting in. He wouldn’t do an interview either.

iPhone ManiaI stopped first at another local AT&T authorized dealer and they said Apple wouldn’t send them phones for today’s launch. Why? I need to buy one for the winner of our NAMA convention booth drawing. I’m not standing in any line to wait though.

So why should you care? Apple is going to revolutionize mobile content delivery. That means the information and way you communicate with your clients. Think about it.

I did go to the Apple Store just now and got this message saying I need to come back later. I guess that’s what I’ll do. Post Update: I was able to place my order online last night. It says I will have a 2-4 weeks delivery time.

Uncategorized

FEW Trade Show Tour

Chuck Zimmerman

Fuel Ethanol Workshop Trade ShowYou can learn all about this week’s Fuel Ethanol Workshop trade show right here.

Cindy’s getting into this YouTube thing finally. I did have to do some editing for her though.

In the video she does a walking tour through the trade show with BBI International (conference organizer) president, Kathy Bryan.

Cindy’s also got her pictures from the event in a photo album too: 2007 Fuel Ethanol Workshop Photo Album

Ethanol, Video

Farmers’ Markets Blogging

Chuck Zimmerman

Missouri Farmers MarketsThe Home Cooking blogger is now doing a little farmers’ market blogging. She’s Lane McConnell who is Ag Promotions Specialist with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Ag Business Development Division. Isn’t it amazing what you can do with these things?

Farmers’ Markets are an essential part of Missouri’s agricultural economy, providing an outlet for Missouri farmers to sell their produce to consumers across the state. A Look at Missouri Farmers’ Markets blog-site, offered by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, has been created for both consumers and marketers. This site features an insight look of the markets including photos, area market news and events and ways other markets across the state are marketing their local farmers’ market. The site will also serve as a place for marketers to go to find complete farmers’ market resources.

Uncategorized

Watch Your Fertilizer

Chuck Zimmerman

The Fertilizer InstituteIt of course pays to be vigilant and I would assume that most of the members and affiliates of The Fertilizer Institute take very good precautions. Even so, TFI felt compelled to issue this alert to members today.

In light of the recent discovery of a potentially viable explosive device in London, England, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) wants to remind you to continue to be vigilant in the protection of your fertilizer products as you prepare for the Independence Day holiday. This morning, TFI participated in a conference call with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the London incident. At this time, DHS has not raised the threat level in the United States.

TFI encourages you to report any suspicious activities to the appropriate law enforcement officials. Incidents can also be reported to the National Infrastructure Coordinating Council (NICC) at (202) 282-9201 or via email at nicc@dhs.gov.

Ag Groups

More From Monsanto

Chuck Zimmerman

Monsanto Speaking of Monsanto (2 posts back). . . Here’s some more news from the company about their investment plans related to corn production facilities.

Monsanto’s Board of Directors has approved a three-year, $610 million capital investment for the company’s U.S. corn production facilities. The investment plan includes expansions at nine existing corn production facilities, as well as two sites in the heart of the Corn Belt. This represents the largest reinvestment that Monsanto has made in its history as an ag company. Additional details related to the expansion have not been disclosed at this time.

Additionally, Monsanto posted projected trait acreage (pdf) for 2007. Final numbers for 2007 will be released this fall. Read More

Agribusiness, Corn

Connecting Rural America

Chuck Zimmerman

USDAIt’s really getting hard to ignore the fact that broadband internet access is available or in development everywhere in rural America isn’t it? We’re sure not ignoring it. In fact, we’re helping companies take advantage of it!

Deputy Agriculture Secretary Chuck Connor today announced the availability of $8.9 million in grants for communities without broadband service to provide residential service and connect facilities such as police and fire stations, health care, libraries and schools. “The Community Connect Grant Program has proved to be effective in reaching those rural communities where broadband service is least likely to be deployed,” Conner said. “Connecting residents and essential community facilities improves local services and the protection of the citizens of these communities.”

Grants are available to communities in the most rural, economically challenged areas where loans will not be sustainable. In Horseshoe Bend, Idaho, for example, no company had invested in providing broadband delivery to the community of 770 people. However, local businesses, schools and residents worked with the BitSmart Corp. to file a USDA Community Connect Grant, which was approved. Now, BitSmart has established wireless internet availability and an integrated system connecting law enforcement, health care providers, and school and government offices. Additionally, students in a business class at the high school are serving as BitSmart’s local operations staff.

Applications for grants are due by close of business August 13, 2007. There is a minimum grant level of $50,000 and a maximum grant level of $1,000,000 for projects. The application guide for this grant program can be found at http://www.usea.gov/rus/telecom/ .

Internet, USDA

A BASF and Monsanto Headline

Chuck Zimmerman

BASF It seems like these two companies are sure working together a lot lately. You can listen to BASF’s director of business operations talk about Headline here.

Monsanto BASF Corporation and Monsanto Company announced a co-promotional agreement today that will see each partner’s sales force promote Headline fungicide from BASF – an ideal combination to help corn and soybean growers improve yields and manage risk.

“Today’s agreement is significant for BASF and Headline,” said Markus Heldt, Group Vice President, North America, BASF Agricultural Products. “We’re seeing a lot of momentum for Headline fungicide driven by outstanding results from growers who applied Headline last year. This agreement provides another platform for us to take that message and share those success stories with even more corn and soybean growers.”

The agreement, which covers marketing to corn and soybean growers nationally, recognizes that successful growers are looking for crop production system solutions that are proven to boost yield and reduce their risk.

Under the agreement, Headline will be promoted in Monsanto’s Roundup Rewards program.

Agribusiness, BASF

Carbonate Your Strawberries

Chuck Zimmerman

Carbonated StrawberriesThis sounds like a very tasty treat. Carbonated strawberries you can make yourself. I love strawberries, always have. I remember my Mom telling me that when we’d go to the U-pick field near where I grew up in central Florida I’d always eat more than I picked. I think she exaggerated. Thanks to the California Strawberry Commission for this idea.

Fireworks won’t be the only thing making people exclaim “oooh” and “aww” this Independence Day. Carbonated Strawberries will eclipse almost any light show going on overhead. That’s right — Carbonated Strawberries! Fresh, delicious California strawberries that sparkle and effervesce like Pop Rocks when you put them in your mouth. Ice cold and fizzy, they will be sure to be a crowd pleaser and conversation piece.

The secret seems more like a science experiment than a recipe. It’s an easy combination of strawberries, dry ice and water. Dry ice really isn’t frozen water, but rather carbon dioxide in its solid state that holds a temperature of around -100ºF. It doesn’t melt but turns into carbon dioxide gas when it warms up. Carbon dioxide is what makes sodas bubbly. When it infuses the strawberries, it carbonates them just like a beverage.

How to make Carbonated Strawberries:

Place dry ice in a large metal bowl. Cover dry ice with a barrier — a piece of styrofoam, plastic or other material — to keep strawberries separated from the dry ice. Make sure to leave some space between the barrier and the edges of the bowl. Place strawberries on a plate and set on the barrier. Slowly pour water into the space between the barrier and the bowl so that it contacts the dry ice. The dry ice will then begin to create a “fog” around the berries. You don’t want to pour too much water in all at once — add as needed once the “fog” starts to dissipate. Strawberries will be carbonated in 20 to 30 minutes.

Ag Groups, Food