Organic Vegetable Farmers Blogging

Chuck Zimmerman

If you’ve always wondered about organic vegetable farming there’s a farm apprenticeship available at Old Shaw’s Farm in Vermont. The link will take you to the farm blog which was started by the former attorney owners who decided to get away from all that stuff and move out into the country.

It’s also interesting to note how well their blog is doing. According to a newspaper story, farmer Peter Griffin says they receive a couple hundred visits a day and emails from people all over the world. “There are a lot of farmers out there who have blogs,” he said. “For us it is a couple of things. I don’t view it as a marketing tool, but we do have CSA (community supported agriculture) customers, and CSA members read the blog. People send e-mails to us (saying), ‘I’ve always wanted to have a farm and I can live vicariously through you.’ ” Other farmers send them e-mail to inquire about unusual vegetables or how to find seeds.

Of course the story about this was posted onto LexBlog where “real lawyers have blogs.” Thanks to Smays for the alert.

Farming

Camp David Lunch on Christmas

Chuck Zimmerman

I’m not sure how many people really care to know this but the White House Press Office did share the lunch menu at Camp David on Christmas.

Turkey with Giblet Gravy
Cornbread Dressing
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Sweet Potato Casserole
Rolls
Ambrosia
Pumpkin and Pecan Pies

Sounds pretty good to me.

Uncategorized

Research Beef Online

Chuck Zimmerman

Beef Research WebsiteAs if the Beef Checkoff doesn’t have enough websites, now there’s one more. I’m really not sure I understand the philosophy behind the whole multiple website strategy. This one focuses on research. You can find a lead-in site to all of them at Beef.org (16 just for the Checkoff).

The topic of research may sound a little academic, yet it has been the cornerstone of nearly every decision that impacts the beef industry. Without research, there wouldn’t be a Flat Iron Steak, or monumental improvements in beef safety or even the unforgettable ad tagline, “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner.” A new Web site, www.beefresearch.org, showcases checkoff-funded research in fact sheets and summaries, graphics, extensive resource listings, related Web sites, staff contacts and even glossaries of terms. The site is basically reader-friendly, presenting facts and findings in layman’s terms.

Research presented on the site was managed by the checkoff-funded Center for Research & Knowledge Management (R&KM) at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, in four priority areas: human nutrition, beef safety, market research and product enhancement. Much of the information on the Web site, ranging from ethanol byproducts to anti-carcinogenic activity in beef, has stemmed from cooperative research efforts at some of the country’s leading university agricultural and meat-science programs.

Ag Groups, Beef, Internet

Merry Christmas From ZimmComm

Chuck Zimmerman

I'm an ElfI know this is kind of old at this point but it’s the only holiday picture I’ve got. Cindy and I are going to be spending some time with family and taking a posting vacation starting today and through Christmas.

This doesn’t mean there’s nothing to read here on AgWired if you should visit. So far there’s about 2,700 posts you can browse through. Keep in mind that they’re all categorized too. You can use the categories links in the sidebar to narrow down your browsing search. And there’s a keyword search function as well.

Cindy is an ElfNow just in case you missed it you can still see us do a little holiday dance for you.

All you’ve got to do is check out my moves here thanks to Office Max.

Or if you’d rather, you can see Cindy doing the elf dance here too.

Merry Christmas from ZimmComm New Media.

Uncategorized

New Year Resolution

Chuck Zimmerman

Actually this isn’t about that kind of resolution. Right after the first of the year ZimmComm New Media will have a big announcement for you and I just thought I’d tease you now so you can spend your holiday wondering and speculating. We’re taking another big step forward in the new media world and very excited about it.

So keep your eyes on your in-box when you’ve recovered from your New Year’s celebration. That’s all I can tell you right now. Mysterious I know. It’s meant to be. Let’s just say though that we’ll have more to offer and that’s a good thing for us and I hope for you too.

Yee-haw!

Uncategorized

Give Me Broadband For Christmas

Chuck Zimmerman

eMarketerHow many of you remember when most households didn’t have a television set or even a radio? It wasn’t that long ago. A new estimate by the folks at eMarketer shows that when it comes to broadband internet access we’re fast approaching a saturation level. Are you making sure your communications strategy is geared up for this?

According to eMarketer’s estimates, an important milestone will be reached over the next 12 months — high-speed Internet penetration will surpass 50% of US households, equating to over 60 million residential broadband subscribers.

They also state in this article that “an increasing number of broadband households are utilizing their high-speed connections for value-added services such as voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), Internet protocol TV (IPTV), paid audio and video content and more.” None of these national studies and estimates breaks out farmers but does anyone really think they’re somehow different from the rest of the population?

Internet

LaBarbera Promoted at Rhea & Kaiser

Chuck Zimmerman

Rhea & KaiserSue LaBarbera has been promoted to management supervisor at Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications.

“Sue is a natural leader who doesn’t shy away from responsibility, which she takes very seriously,” said Steve Rhea, president and chief executive officer of Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications. “She’s of immeasurable value to clients and this agency.”

LaBarbera started at Rhea & Kaiser as an account executive with the Evanston Northwestern Healthcare account. She later took on team leadership responsibilities for the Aurora Healthcare and TechPac accounts. LaBarbera was a member of the Rhea & Kaiser new business team that won the American Academy of Dermatology account in 2002 and she is a part of the agency’s new-business management team.

Agencies

Remembering Sonja Hillgren

Chuck Zimmerman

I just learned that Sonja Hillgren, senior vice president/editorial for Farm Journal Media, just passed away after a battle with cancer. This is sad news. All of us involved in agricultural communications will sincerely miss Sonja.

Since I’m sure many of you knew Sonja I’m posting the obituary that was forwarded as well.

SONJA HILLGREN of Philadelphia on December 19, 2006, she was the loving wife of Bruce T. Downs, also survived by her sister Annette M. Bray (William L.) of Richfield, MN, brother John A. Hillgren (Shirly J.) of Sioux Falls, SD and many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to her Funeral Service at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 1904 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, 11:30 A.M. on Friday, December 22, 2006. Int. Hills of Rest Cemetery, Sioux Falls, SD. In her memory, donations to the Church (address above) would be appreciated. Oliver H. Bair Co. 610-446-8585

Publication

World Ag Expo is 40

Chuck Zimmerman

World Ag Expo is 40In case you didn’t know it, the World Ag Expo is turning 40. That’s not old though, I’m here to tell you.

The 40th World Ag Expo is just around the corner! The largest agriculture exposition in the world has something to offer every farmer, rancher, dairy producer or agribusiness professional. For the latest information and media resources, please visit our website at www.worldagexpo.com.

2007 World Ag Expo

Where: International Agri-Center- 4450 South Laspina Street, Tulare, CA 93274 (Located in California’s Central Valley, 45 miles south of Fresno and 60 miles north of Bakersfield, just off Highway 99. Airfields are located in Tulare, Visalia, Fresno and Bakersfield.)

When: February 13,14,15, 2007 (the second Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of February)

Cost: $9 General Admission; $24 for 3-Day Pass

Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Contact: (800) 999-9186; Fax (559) 686-5065; email info@farmshow.org

Farm Shows

You Can Feed Your Zune

Chuck Zimmerman

Feed Your ZuneFor those of you (like me) who were wondering why Microsoft would spend millions pushing a digital audio player that doesn’t let you auto subscribe to podcasts – wonder no more. Now you can FeedYourZune.

FeedYourZune is the perfect companion software for your new Zune Player from Microsoft! And it’s 100% FREE to download and use! FeedYourZune is a full featured RSS reader and Podcast Media Player.

I wonder why they didn’t do this to start with and bundle it in the software that comes with the Zune. Whatever the reason there’s now more choices for the consuming and farm public to get their podcasts. It’s getting easier every day folks.

Podcasts