I have not read the book, just the release. But because the author is from Ocala, FL, I thought I’d post this. We moved to Missouri from Ocala back in late 1991.
Susan G. Mehaffey presents agricultural methods that could create more jobs and produce more food than conventional methods in her new book, “Diary of a Small Farmer” (now available through AuthorHouse). Mehaffey’s book is a summarized journal on her methods and experiences with animal husbandry, free-range rabbitry and force-fed organics. She describes “Diary of a Small Farmer” as a “how-to book with innovative, backyard agricultural engineering and research that sparked worldwide business ideas that may shape the future.”
I’m not sure about “free range rabbits.” I remember raising a few as a kid and thinking that when I got them fattened up they’d make a nice meal sometime but then one of my cousins came over when I was gone and let’s just say they didn’t survive his attention. That was the end of my rabbit raising.
Excel-ent Website
According to Meatingplace.com “Wichita, Kan.-based Cargill Meat Solutions has launched a new Web site for its Excel Fresh Meats brand.”
You can find the latest news releases or learn more about their beef or pork products.
MarCom Awards For Osborn & Barr
Osborn & Barr did pretty good at this year’s MarCom Creative Awards.
More than 5,000 entries were submitted by companies, organizations and educational institutions throughout the United States and several foreign countries.
O&B received the highest award, Platinum, in the Video/Film/Self-Promotion category for the O&B agency reel, a compilation of the various advertising, public relations and digital projects the agency has produced in the last year set to music. In the Public Service/Pro Bono/Marketing Piece category, O&B won Gold with its VIP Client Event Invite to Quidam Cirque Du Soleil. The award-winning projects were products of collaborative work from several O&B creative team members among the agency’s five offices.
“We are honored to be recognized by the MarCom Creative Awards. The companies and organizations that enter this competition submit quality work and truly innovative concepts,” said Cheryl Bergeron, vice president, creative director. “O&B is proud of our creative team, and pleased to see them rewarded for their outstanding work for the agency and our clients.”
Second Chinese Joint Venture For Pioneer Hi-Bred
Actually Dupont made the announcement for it’s subsidiary, Pioneer. The first joint venture was back in 2002 – Shandong Denghai Pioneer Seeds Co., Ltd. This one was just announced.
DuPont today announced that its subsidiary Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., has formed a joint venture with one of China’s largest seed production companies, Dunhuang Seed Co. Ltd., to provide top-performing corn hybrids to Chinese farmers in the spring market.
“I’m excited about the opportunities for the Pioneer business in China and the increased productivity that we can bring to Chinese farmers,” said Paul Schickler, vice president, Pioneer International Operations. “This partnership brings together two strong seed companies and combines their strengths to benefit the agricultural industry.”
Dunhuang Seed contributes extensive local field seed production experience. Pioneer’s strengths are in developing products that meet farmers’ needs, providing agronomic advice to its customers, and post-harvest seed conditioning expertise. With this unique combination of strengths, the JV is poised to offer Chinese farmers the highest quality seed and some strong new hybrid corn products for the spring corn market.
Wang Da-he, chairman of Gansu Dunhuang Seed Co. Ltd., said, “The comprehensive cooperation between the two parent companies is a complementary one, which will upgrade China’s corn seed sector and its commercialization process, and meanwhile lay a solid foundation for further development for both Dunhuang Seed and Pioneer.”
Time For a New Web Host
Hello AgWired fans. You may have noticed that AgWired has been down periodically over the last several days. This was originally caused by an attack last week that hasn’t stopped. I guess that once you have a website with the level of traffic we have you become a target. If you want all the gory technical details I’ll be happy to share them sometime but it would probably bore most of you.
I am in the process of seeking alternative hosting solutions. I’ve been with HostGator for a couple of years and for the most part they’ve been a good company. However, this situation shows their weaknesses and the alternatives they offer are pricey and I’m not sure they have the support that understands web publishing, etc., etc.
I’m writing this just to let you know that if you see us down temporarily, you’ll know why. I am hoping to have the situation resolved within the next week. Thanks for your patience and for your support!
Communicating The Syngenta Message
I spoke with Travis Dickinson, Vice President of Marketing for Syngenta Crop Protection, at the recent NAFB convention. He was there to talk about their AgriEdge and AgriSure products.
As usual I wanted to talk about how the company is communicating their message to farmer and dealer customers. In particular I asked him about their website strategy and how well that was working: nafb-syngenta-dickinson-soundbite.mp3
Travis says that the company plans to continue to utilize the communications mechanisms available to it and do so more efficiently and effectively. You can download the full interview with Travis here: 
Travis Dickinson Interview (5 min MP3)
Or you can listen here immediately: nafb-syngenta-dickinson.mp3
IFAJ 50 Year DVD
You can still obtain copies of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists DVD. It commemorates 50 years of the organization. We celebrated that birthday in Norway earlier this year. Thanks to IFAJ Treasurer Marcus Rediger for the reminder.
I know they’re free to members but maybe if you ask them nicely they’ll let you have a copy even if you’re not. It’s all about trying to help create awareness and interest in this great organization. I’ve got a copy and think it’s very well done.
The IFAJ has launched a special DVD to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Material for the DVD was gathered during the 2005 congress in Switzerland and provided by member countries. It features national delegates and agricultural journalists talking about globalisation and important issues from their viewpoint. “All stress the meaning of a world-wide network for the exchange of information, opinions and questions,” said producer and IFAJ treasurer Markus Rediger. He hopes the DVD will help promote the IFAJ and share its vision as an organisation striving towards a more professional approach.
Nothing Common About Common Thread
Here’s a Christmas gift for the serious FFA supporter and anyone who wishes they had made it to the FFA Convention, or even if you did. It’s the Common Thread: Convention Souvenir DVD and Proceedings.
Own the brand new convention souvenir video and revamped convention proceedings! Did you see the cameras? We were everywhere! The DVD features all the best highlights covering the entire week of convention with great interviews, fun footage, session clips and more. With nearly an hour of coverage, you will want this DVD whether you attended convention or not!
Proceedings is our version of the convention yearbook! It features award winners, keynote speaker and national officer addresses, an American FFA Degree recipient listing and much more. Buy them together to receive the best deal.
Gibbs & Soell Has I Power
Last week Gibbs & Soell announced a branded service they now offer not only to clients but to anyone who’d like to take advantage of it. It’s called I Power.
To learn just exactly what I Power is I interviewed agency vice president, Steve Halsey. I was particularly intrigued by his statement, “It is amazing what can be accomplished when you bring the right people to the table, turn off the computers and wireless phones and have a thorough, well-structured and strategic discussion.” A meeting without computers or wireless phones? Sounds like it would be way too productive to me. But that’s the point he says.
Using a proprietary process developed by the agency, I Power helps organizations maximize their return on communications investment by creating concise, credible and audience-relevant messages. Originating from the agency’s media training program, I Power has quickly evolved into a stand-alone service for developing communications strategy. It is currently available to existing clients, as well as other interested parties, on a project basis.
So to get the full scoop on this new service from Gibbs & Soell you can download the ZimmCast: ZimmCast 97 (13 min MP3)
Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:
zimmcast97-12-11-06.mp3The 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.
Have Your-elf a Happy Holiday
It’s time to start getting into the holiday spirit so I thought I’d offer you some (strange) holiday cheer to perk you up when you get into the office on Monday morning.
OfficeMax has some really wacky little online stuff to help us all out. So without further ado here’s where you get your morning fun.
I didn’t want to leave Cindy out so you can watch her doing the elf dance here too.