From Fuel To Fashion

Chuck Zimmerman

BIO Fashion ShowThe media was treated to a nice brunch this morning on industrial biotechnology, “from fuel to fashion.” The fashion part comes in with the fashion show. We had models wearing clothing made from biobased products. Like the nice gown shown here.

I recorded the introduction to the fashion show which you can listen to here: Listen To MP3 Fashion Show (2 min MP3)

I took too many pictures to post so I uploaded them to an online Flickr photo album which you can find here: Bio fashion Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by: Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications

Audio, Biotech

Enzymes And Ethanol

Chuck Zimmerman

Novozymes BoothThe #17 Team Ethanol car is on display here at BIO 2006 in the Novozymes booth. Nobozymes is one of the sponsors of the car.

I interviewed company VP, Jorgen Thorball about how Novozymes is involved in the production of ethanol. It’s all about enzymes. The enzyme products his company produces are being used in the production of ethanol to increase the efficiency and cost-effectivess of the process. He says they’ve made great strides and that this will only continue.

You can listen to my interview with him here: Listen To MP3 Jorgen Thorball (6 min MP3)

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by: Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications

Audio, Biotech, Ethanol

BIO President On Ag & Renewable Fuel

Chuck Zimmerman

Greenwood & MullenThe President of BIO, Jim Greenwood (l) and Chairman, Jim Mullen (r), made some remarks to the press this morning.

I asked them about agriculture and renewable fuels. Jim Greenwood answered and he gave a very good synopsis of how important biotechnology is to agriculture and our food supply. He also talks about the importance of technology advances in biofuels. You can listen to Jim Greenwood’s answer here: Listen To MP3 Jim Greenwood (3 min MP3)

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by: Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications

Audio, Biotech, Ethanol, Farming

Question For Governor Blagojevich

Chuck Zimmerman

IL Gov Rod BlagojevichIt wasn’t real easy but I was able to ask llinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich, a quick question after he cut the ribbon prior to the trade show. I think it’s interesting how agriculture is being integrated into this year’s conference here in Illinois so I asked him about the importance of agriculture and especially renewable fuels to the state.

You can listen to his answer here: Listen To MP3 Governor Blagojevich (1 min MP3)

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by: Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications

Audio

BIO Trade Show Ribbon Cutting

Chuck Zimmerman

BIO Trade Show Ribbon CuttingThe trade show here at BIO 2006 is in full swing and it’s huge. I don’t see how it’s possible to visit every aisle in 3 days if that’s all you did.

To kick it off, Illinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich, did the ribbon cutting. Just before they pulled the scissors out he and BIO President, Jim Greenwood made a few comments.

You can listen to the ribbon cutting remarks here: Listen To MP3 Ribbon Cutting Remarks (3 min MP3) Note: The audio was a little too hot but it’s very understandable.

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by: Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications

Audio

Chicago Arrival Video

Chuck Zimmerman

BIO ArrivalWhat does a bored blogger do after 7 hours of driving? Find something to blog about. Kids, this is not something I recommend unless you’ve driven several million miles like I have.

Short video clip: Watch WMV file Arriving In Chicago (2 min wmv)

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by: Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications

Video

2008 World Ag Expo Chairman

Chuck Zimmerman

Shelley & Dan KhalTalk about getting the word out in advance. I guess this show is so big you’ve got to start working on it over a year out. Shelley Khal, chairman of the World Ag Expo Media Committee, has been named 2008 World Ag Expo show chairman.

The future chairman brings a heritage of passion for World Ag Expo to her role. She is not only the wife of past chairman, Dan Khal (2003), but a member of a large family of Orange Jacket volunteers. Brother-in-law, Andre, works for Dan on the Building Committee; sister-in-law, Carla, helps in the Media Center as does son, Brian, 13. Son Chris, 20, is on the Motor Pool Committee while son David, 15 1/2, helps in the Media Center and in ‘07 will serve on the Freight Committee. Other family members serve as interpreters for the International Business Center .

Farm Shows

Canadian Support Extreme Measures to Contain Avian Flu

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry SiemensA report from Ipsos Reid shows most Canadians will support extreme measures to contain the threat of a human pandemic resulting from avian influenza. With many experts predicting H5N1 Avian Flu could reach North America by this fall, a survey of 16 hundred Canadians conducted earlier this month, as part of a tracking study of attitudes toward the issue, found six in ten Canadians have concerns about the virus.

Vice president in charge of Ipsos Reid’s public affairs trends division Dr. Glenys Babcock says the study explored potential public policy. “”It turns out Canadians overwhelmingly support serious measures to contain avian flu should it arise in Canada as an epidemic,” said Glenys. “We asked about people spending time in quarantine due to the avian flu, should they be in contact with it, and facing criminal charges if they violate it, businesses being required to waive sick leave, mandatory court ordered quarantines and pets, including destroying pets infected with the H5N1 virus to prevent transmission of the virus to humans.”Read More

International

Grassroots In Action at D&PL

Chuck Zimmerman

Tiny Miss GeorgiaI’ve been meaning to follow up on a story from last month on how D&PL’s grassroots initiative for National Agriculture Week went. Janice Person was kind enough to send me a page from their employee newsletter that highlights individuals and how they found creative ways to distribute the “Did You Know” cards supplied by the National Cotton Council. For example, the picture is Mary Madeline, this year’s Tiny Miss Georgia Cotton who attended the state’s ag week kick-off with her mom. Her dad (D&PL employee) made sure they had cards in hand as Mary Madeline visited with commissioner of agriculture Tommy Irving (shown in photo).

The efforts of D&PL’s employees and business partners to draw positive attention to the cotton industry for National Agriculture Week went well. The photo at right from agwired.com shows the type of attention we received from media – this was shared by customers and others who found the information of interest.

We have heard some success stories on how well employees used the cards and want to say thank you to everyone who helped raise awareness.

In addition to this, employees at the National Cotton Council conducted similar efforts across the U.S., with employees in their Washington DC and Memphis offices joining their field employees. And Planters Bank in the Delta handed them out at the 14 branch locations across the region.

It sounds like this might become an annual event.

Agribusiness