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

Facelift For World Dairy Diary

Chuck Zimmerman

World Dairy DiaryThe last ZimmComm site to get a facelift this year is our World Dairy Diary. The new theme is now live and there are a few more tweaks that we’ve got to do but I think it’s ready for prime time.

I have been very pleased with how we’ve seen the traffic grow on this site. With the type of niche content we’re dealing with you know who we’re reaching. A lot of thanks go out to the sponsors we’ve had including Pioneer Hi-Bred for whom we’re producing a bi-monthly podcast called Forage Forum which is syndicated via this site and also on their Growing Point website.

We have a lot of development potential for World Dairy Diary and hope to continue to build on the base we have established. If you or one of your clients would like to be involved please let me know. We can come up with some creative marketing ideas using this new media mechanism.

Dairy

Boot Up Your Agri-Marketing Knowledge

Chuck Zimmerman

2007 Boot CampIt’s hard to believe it’s time to look forward to another NAMA Boot Camp. But you can now register online if you’re interested in attending.

Post Update: ZimmComm New Media is now a sponsor of this year’s NAMA Boot Camp. We’re sponsoring the closing session on Thursday at 10 am on “Ethanol – Today and Tomorrow” presented by Robert White, Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

Join the National Agri-Marketing Association for the 4th annual NAMA Boot Camp, August 21-23 in Kansas City.

What you can expect.
You’ll be able to see the industry in action at the optional Ag Tour prior to the Boot Camp, hosted by the MoKan NAMA Chapter. In addition, you’ll participate in general sessions on Networking, Successful AgriTourism and Ethanol. Learn how to communicate effectively with producers during the producer panel as well as what to expect from clients and agencies during the Client/Agency panel.

Breakout sessions at the Boot Camp will include:

Little Red Writing Hood and the Big, Scary Communications Plan
Maximizing Your Trade Show R.O.I.
BioSecurity
Shifting Demographics in Agriculture
Farm Bill Update
New Media

And don’t forget the networking! We’ve got plenty of chances for you to connect with your peers at the Boot Camp. As an added bonus, all attendees will receive a notebook packed with ag terminology and facts as well as case studies and speaker presentations.

Who should attend?
Agency account executives; Media professionals; Art directors; Copywriters; Marketing professionals; Sales professionals; Previous Boot Camp attendees.

Register here.

NAMA