Charlie O’Brien will be boosting an “expansion of services” for the agriculture-related members of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. He’ll be the new Vice President of Agricultural Services.
“Agriculture is a vital industry segment and AEM has a long history of representation,” stated AEM President Dennis Slater. “The agriculture sector faces increased business challenges and opportunities, and we are broadening our activities to most effectively meet the needs of our ag equipment members. Charlie has solid management and leadership credentials to help us achieve this goal.”
O’Brien’s responsibilities include directing AEM’s ag-specific member work groups, and acting as chief staff liaison to the AEM Board of Directors for ag-related issues. He will also serve as primary liaison with ag-specific industry organizations, customer groups and government agencies. And, he will lead AEM initiatives related to the forestry sector as well as renewable energy.
LPC/AAEA Midwest Regional Workshop
The Livestock Publications Council and American Agricultural Editors’ Association are teaming up to offer a workshop in Des Moines next month. It’s the LPC/AAEA Midwest Regional Workshop on the “Nuts & Bolts of Ag Communications.”
It’s about design and writing. To find out more about the program and to register contact Diane Johnson. The program is on March 29 and the deadline to register is March 22.
Plant Pathology Journalism Award
I wonder why websites are not eligible for this journalism award. I guess that would exclude bloggers wouldn’t it? This shows how change is coming slowly to some as new media keeps moving forward.
The Plant Pathology Journalism Award, sponsored by The American Phytopathological Society (APS), recognizes outstanding achievement in increasing public awareness, knowledge, and understanding of plant pathology. Eligibility is limited to science writers and journalists of information concerning the science of plant pathology or issues related to plant health appearing in mass media, including print (newspapers and periodicals only) and broadcast media readily available to the general public. Books, websites, and institutionally sponsored publications are not eligible. Individual items and series are both eligible.
The award consists of a $1,000 cash prize, a commemorative plaque, and travel expenses to attend the APS Annual Meeting for presentation of the award. All nominations must be received by March 31, 2007 for work published or aired in 2006.
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Agriblogging and Farm Podcasting
Those are two of my favorite terms and what’s becoming the largest part of our business.
If you’re a regular AgWired reader or subscriber then you know I’ve been cross posting onto multiple blogs over the last 9 days. They include two websites which offer a good example of how you can use this platform as a unique, effective and “cool” channel of communication with your clients and members.
Example number one: Beef Board Meeting. This producer-targeted website now has 30 new posts from the Cattle Industry Convention that all contain pictures and most of them contain interviews or audio files of press conferences and speeches. The posts were done while the event was taking place and traffic is 5 times higher than last year when the site was introduced. Additionally, all my pictures were placed into an online photo album for anyone to find and view (241 pictures).
Example number two: Biodiesel Conference Blog. This consumer/industry-targeted website now has 37 new posts from the National Biodiesel Conference that contain all the same type of content (pictures, interviews, speeches and press conferences). Additionally, 21 of the audio files were placed into a podcast series for people to subscribe to and download to their computer/iPod. And all my pictures were placed into an online photo album (296 pictures).
Now while I was doing that I was also cross posting onto AgWired, Domestic Fuel and World Dairy Diary which places the content in another highly search engine optimized environment. I don’t know about you but I think this beats a printed daily conference newsletter any day!
The fun doesn’t stop here though folks. Next up is next week’s Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, KY. This will be my first time attending and my sponsors are John Deere and Syngenta. Then it’s on to the National Ethanol Conference in Tuscon, AZ. And after that I’m sure I’ll see a lot of you at Commodity Classic in Tampa, FL.
Biodiesel Store Online
The National Biodiesel Board has launched a one-stop marketplace for biodiesel interests to do business over the Internet. It’s AllThingsBiodiesel.com, and was introduced at the National Biodiesel Conference.
AllThingsBiodiesel.com takes its place as the world’s largest biodiesel marketplace, focusing on products, services and industry-related companies. A variety of services assembled within it include online ads and classified ads, the biodiesel store and a biodiesel directory, in which companies can be listed for free.
Additional features on AllThingsBiodiesel.com include:
• A biodiesel store with offerings that range from apparel to books and promotional materials.
• A continually-updated biodiesel directory that is searchable various ways, including by name or category. Businesses can sign up now at www.AllThingsBiodiesel.com for a free spot in the directory.
• Services include real estate listings, business services, feedstock purchases and shows and meetings, to name a few.
• Banner ads and other levels of advertising are available. For more information, contact Doug Whitehead, NBB Project Manager (pictured), at dwhitehead@biodiesel.org. Advertising space is limited.
“AllThingsBiodiesel.com is for companies who want to get the word out on their product on a large scale,” said Whitehead, “to companies who need to know where to turn for services and products helping their biodiesel business, to consumers wanting to make biodiesel-related purchases.”
I interviewed Doug while I was in San Antonio yesterday. Download and listen to him explain how it works: 
Doug Whitehead Interview (3 min MP3)
Or listen immediately here: nbc-07-whitehead.mp3
Eye on Biodiesel Award – Gene Hemphill
Each year the National Biodiesel Board bestows the “Eye on Biodiesel” awards, designed to recognize individuals and groups who have advanced the board’s mission of public education and industry growth. The awards were presented by NBB Chairman Darryl Brinkmann (left) and NBB CEO Joe Jobe (right). Michael Peterson is pictured in the hat. Award for:
Innovation – Gene Hemphill/New Holland Co., Manager North American Industry Affairs.
New Holland in 2006 approved the use of 20 percent biodiesel (B20) in all of its equipment using New Holland engines. It is the first Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to announce full support of B20 in all of the diesel engines that it produces. Hemphill is a big reason for New Holland’s support; he was advocating its use in their equipment almost a decade ago. Also, in 2003, New Holland was the first large farm equipment company to join the Biodiesel Alliance that connects the widespread support base for biodiesel. New Holland also awarded use of its tractors to the nation’s two top recruiters of the Biodiesel Alliance.
Download and listen to the presentation with Gene here: 
Gene Hemphill Presentation (4 min MP3)
Or listen immediately here: nbc-07-awards-hemphill.mp3
Etiquette Johnson Style
Have you ever felt like there’s things you should know when in a public setting with a client or prospect that would help you be more successful? If so, Diane Johnson can be your teacher. I think she’s only got a few seats left for this professional development seminar – “The Art of Dining and Social Graces.” Contact her to register or find out more. Diane is the Executive Director of the Livestock Publications Council.
Hour Session to Include:
Accepting and extending the invitation
Toasting and hosting and guest duties at the table
Practical application of the silverware, glasses, place settings
Your chair, the napkin and excusing yourself
Complete Dining Tutorial
Proceeding through the meal course by course
American vs. Continental Styles
Difficult foods and hard to pronounce words on the menu
Managing the wine list
Excusing yourself from the table
Appropriate conversation and introductions
Appropriate tipping and gratuities
Plus plenty of time to ask your questions and enjoy a
fine evening with your friends.
Professional Seminar to be held: Thursday, February 22, 6–8 pm, Pierponts at Union Station, Kansas City
Special Session Price: $60/person* {cash or check only}
*Meal & beverages are additional & will be paid directly to Pierponts.
BioWillie Song With a BeatMaster
I know posting has been a little light here but there’s a lot you can find on the other two sites I’ve been posting to this past few days. You can see the full picture of me here with Emily Richards if you visit them (Domestic Fuel – Biodiesel Conference Blog). I thought you might enjoy this.
Here’s your chance to hear a new song from Emily Richards and her new band – 2012AM. They came by the media room this afternoon in advance of their performance tonight at the National Biodiesel Conference which I’ll be attending. We sat down for a group interview in which I found out why they’re involved.
Listen to my Emily Richards Band (2012AM) interview here:
nbc-07-richards.mp3
Listen to the BioWillie Song here: biowillie-master.mp3
Merle Haggard Press Conference
One of the newest stars to advocate biodiesel is Merle Haggard. The legendary country star performed for attendees at this year’s National Biodiesel Conference after meeting with the press and the board of the National Biodiesel Board.
Before coming to the auditorium where he performed though his bus got a fill up with biodiesel. During the press conference Merle said that he was learning about the benefits of biodiesel. When asked what attracted him to the renewable fuel source his answer was “the smell.”
As someone who is in a diesel powered bus a lot he says he really doesn’t like the smell of burning diesel but heard that biodiesel smelled different and that was what got him interested. He also said that he’s happy for how the development of biodiesel is helping American farmers. We didn’t really have a good place to put our microphones for the press conference so Joe Jobe’s biodiesel straw hat was recruited.
I recorded the full press conference which you can download and listen to here. It’s moderated by NBB CEO Joe Jobe: Merle Haggard Press Conference (14 min MP3)
Or listen here now:
nbc-07-haggard.mp3AgriTalk Video
I was in the media room here at the National Biodiesel Conference today watching AgriTalk get set up and had to ask John Herath, producer, why he had a very nice looking little Sony camera set up since they’re a radio show. He’s in the foreground working the computer and other gear.
Here’s his answer which he emailed me later:
Here’s the rundown on our new video offerings. We started adding video clips to our website to off our listeners a glimpse of the people and places we see in our travels. Currently on our front page at www.agritalk.com We are featuring AgriTalk segments with actor Larry Hagman and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson from the National Biodiesel Convention in San Antonio. Check out the archives for video highlights of our coverage from the Cattle Industry Convention, including an interview with USDA Secretary Mike Johanns.
I think I need a little video editing lesson from John. I like what they’re doing. Branching out! The rules have changed. John inspired me to shoot my own video so here’s what the media room was like this morning: