Farm Progress Show Iowa Biennial Location

Chuck Zimmerman

2008 Farm Progress ShowLooking past this year’s Farm Progress Show to next year, the location has been set and it’ll be the permanent biennial site in Iowa. The dates for 2008 are set for Aug. 26, 27 and 28. The location is east of Boone, Iowa.

This long-term facility for the nation’s largest outdoor farm show will be developed on nearly 600 acres at the intersection of U.S. Highway 30 and Iowa Highway 17. Extensive site construction will begin this spring and is scheduled to be completed in time to host the 2008 show. The show will be held every other year on this site, with alternate years at its other permanent biennial facility in Decatur, Ill. The developed Iowa site will also be known as the Central Iowa Expo. It will host other events and activities when it is not occupied with the Farm Progress Show.

“We are very excited to establish the nation’s greatest ag showcase in central Iowa and make this Central Iowa Expo site a permanent biennial Farm Progress Show location,” says Don Tourte, Farm Progress national sales and events director. “The communities of Boone and Ames have been exceptional to work with, and we look forward to the next 20-plus years together.”

This year’s show is schedule for August 28 -30 in Decatur, IL.

Farm Progress Show

FarmerFeeds For Farm Podcasts

Chuck Zimmerman

Farmer FeedsMy friend Dwayne Leslie, from north of the border just announced a new website that you should visit. It’s Farmer Feeds. I was one of the people he had look at this when it was in beta and I like what I see here of the finished product.

FarmerFeeds.Com has been launched as the first website designed to help the farm media communicate better with farmers and the agriculture industry. “Farmers spend more time with the radio than they do with any other form of media. ” says FarmerFeeds.com creator Dwayne Leslie. ” Listening to audio content on their MP3 player is the natural progression so they can listen to the daily markets and news regardless of what time it is or where they may be. Having the opportunity to listen to specific programming from outside their regular listening area is also a huge benefit.”

With the explosion of personal MP3 players and Ipods, many producers of farm radio programming have adjusted their online offerings to allow others to download their audio files in a standard MP3 format to their computer so that it can be listened to when it is more convenient. This is known as “podcasting” Read More

Media, Podcasts

Charlie O’Brien VP of Ag for AEM

Chuck Zimmerman

Charlie O'BrienCharlie 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.

Equipment

LPC/AAEA Midwest Regional Workshop

Chuck Zimmerman

LPC Midwest WorkshopThe 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.

ACN, LPC

Plant Pathology Journalism Award

Chuck Zimmerman

American Phytopathological SocietyI 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.
 Read More

Media

Agriblogging and Farm Podcasting

Chuck Zimmerman

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.

Podcasts

Biodiesel Store Online

Chuck Zimmerman

Doug WhiteheadThe 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: Listen To MP3 Doug Whitehead Interview (3 min MP3)

Or listen immediately here: nbc-07-whitehead.mp3

Audio, Biodiesel

Eye on Biodiesel Award – Gene Hemphill

Chuck Zimmerman

Gene Hemphill AwardEach 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: Listen To MP3 Gene Hemphill Presentation (4 min MP3)

Or listen immediately here: nbc-07-awards-hemphill.mp3

Agribusiness, Audio, Tractor

Etiquette Johnson Style

Chuck Zimmerman

Diane JohnsonHave 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.

Uncategorized

BioWillie Song With a BeatMaster

Chuck Zimmerman

Emily Richards & MeI 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

Audio, Biodiesel