EU Commissioner of Ag Mariann Boel

Chuck Zimmerman

Mariann Fischer BoelWe heard from a lot of politicians today but the one I think who had the clearest message was the EU Commissioner of Agriculture Mariann Fischer Boel. She’s a pretty straight talking lady and I recorded her whole press conference for you. Later in the afternoon I got to interview her personally too.

She really likes to emphasize quality in production agriculture as you’ll hear from her remarks. She wants American farmers to know that she’s going to go to the United States later this year to meet and talk with farmers. She spoke a lot about the potential of biofuels in her press conference too. Just like in the U.S., biofuels is the hot topic here right now.

Listen to my interview with Commissioner Boel (1 minute):ifaj-berlin-boel-interview.mp3

Listen to the complete press conference with Commissioner Boel and note that some parts are done by an interpreter although she speaks English throughout (49 minutes):ifaj-berlin-2007-boel.mp3

Audio, Farm Shows, IFAJ, International

German Minister of Agriculture

Chuck Zimmerman

Green Week Press ConferenceThe biggest press conference of the day is taking place right now in the ICC center next to the press rooms. Just finishing up is Germany’s Federal Minister of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture, Horst Seehofer. He’s seated second from the left.

There are hundreds of media representatives here. It’s the most I’ve ever seen for an agricultural related event. The Minister spoke in German but we have translators and I listened in for a few minutes before heading to the computer room to get online. The first questions asked of him had to do with animal welfare which seems to be a big topic here in Europe.

I’m uploading all my photos to an online Flickr photo album for you too. You can find it using this link: IFAJ Meeting- Berlin – International Green Week. I’ll keep adding to it each day.

Farm Shows, IFAJ, International

I’m Thinking Japanese

Chuck Zimmerman

IFAJ Members From JapanThe IFAJ Congress 2007 will be held in Japan this year. We have representatives here from that country. The man on the left is Yamada Masaru with the Japan Agricultural News and to the right is Tadashi MURATA. We ate supper together last night.

Cindy and I are planning on attending. It will be our first visit to that part of the world and we’re looking forward to it.

If your company would like to find out how to become more involved with IFAJ or if you’re interested in sponsoring my coverage of the organization’s 51st annual meeting this year please let me know.

IFAJ, International

Getting Caught Up On The Latest Plans

Chuck Zimmerman

IFAJ MembersHere’s a fine looking group listening to IFAJ President David Markey get our meeting started.

Right now IFAJ Senior Vice President, Mike Wilson, is talking about our next organizational meeting which will take place in Lexington, KY and hosted by Alltech, Inc. I hope I can make that meeting too.

One of the great things about IFAJ is how diverse the membership is not only in terms of nationality but also types of media the members are involved in. You’ve got broadcasters, publication editors, web editors and yes, even bloggers here.

Mike’s also giving us an overview of our professional improvement session which will take place on Saturday. We’ll learn more about “How Public Relations people can work more effectively with agricultural media – vice versa.” I think a representative of each of the IFAJ corporate sponsors will be in attendance. That ought to be interesting.

IFAJ, International

IFAJ Board Meeting

Chuck Zimmerman

David Markey, IFAJ PresidentIt’s a new day here in Berlin. Most of you reading are probably asleep still so at least you can wake up to some new content here on AgWired!

Right now IFAJ President, David Markey, is kicking off our board meeting. We’ll be breaking up into committee groups shortly. I’m going to be participating in the Host Country Liaison Committee to discuss our plans for the 2009 IFAJ Congress which will be in Ft. Worth, TX.

David is in his second year as IFAJ President and has been working to whip us into shape as an organization. He’s really reached out to members to obtain input and then implement recommendations and make it a more professional organization. I’ll have more information for you as we move along.

IFAJ, International

Perrin At Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association

Chuck Zimmerman

Lisa PerrinI may be in Berlin posting from an IFAJ meeting and International Green Week but I’m still going to have other news posts too. Like this one about Lisa Perrin’s new gig with the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association. She’ll be their marketing communications manager.

She will oversee the 3-A-Day of Dairy Mom’s grassroots network events and other consumer programs. She also will be responsible for coordinating promotion programs on behalf of Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program and will work with state Departments of Agriculture on marketing programs of mutual benefit. Perrin will be based in Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association’s Harrisburg office.

Perrin was raised on a family dairy farm in Alexander, N.Y. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Cornell University and completed the Cornell Dairy Fellows and Farm Credit programs. Most recently Perrin served as communications manager for Holstein Association USA, Inc. Additionally, she honed her commodity marketing skills with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in Denver, Colo., and Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association in Reston, Va.

Ag Groups, Dairy

IFAJ Really Is International

Chuck Zimmerman

IFAJ MemberI know you’ve heard me say before how beneficial involvement is in IFAJ. Getting outside our little comfort zones when you’re reporting on a global industry is something that all agricultural journalists should take time to do.

I will have to meet this guy tomorrow and find out what country he’s from and what he’s going to do with the video he was shooting of tonight’s presentations. I spoke with people from Japan, Finland, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Switzerland, The Netherlands and of course, the good old USA. Many of these people are becoming friends as we see each other at different meetings out and about.

I’m actually here representing Joann Alumbaugh on the IFAJ board since she couldn’t make it. Tomorrow I’ll provide a report of the plans we’re making to host the IFAJ Congress 2009 in Texas which will be held in conjunction with the Ag Media Summit.

Farm Shows, IFAJ, International

IFAJ Leaders Ready To Meet

Chuck Zimmerman

IFAJ LeadersInternational Green Week makes a very convenient spot for the IFAJ to hold its annual board meeting. Seen here are IFAJ President David Markey (l) and Senior Vice President Mike Wilson (r).

Our welcoming reception tonight courtesy of Messe Berlin was a great place to touch base before we get down to business tomorrow. We’ll start out with a morning meeting before taking part in some press conferences tomorrow afternoon.

On Saturday IFAJ has another meeting in the morning and then an afternoon professional improvement session. It’s going to be a busy couple of days here.

Farm Shows, IFAJ, International

Messe Berlin Opening Reception

Chuck Zimmerman

Raimund HoschWelcoming agricultural journalists to Berlin this evening was the CEO of Messe Berlin, the company that organizes International Green Week. He’s Raimund Hosch and I interviewed him after the presentation.

Raimund describes his organization which puts on huge shows like this one throughout the year. When I get to the venue tomorrow I’m sure I’ll collect some interesting statistics for you.

One of the interesting things Raimund points out is how this big agricultural food show has become a very political scene as each year more and more politicians use it as a platform to make a case for their various positions. Each year a different country plays “host” to the show and this year it’s Germany. However, Raimund says that Germany decided to take a back seat and make the publicized host the European Union. They’ve got to like that.

Listen to my interview with Raimund:ifaj-berlin-2007-1.mp3

Audio, Farm Shows, IFAJ, International

Blogging From Berlin

Chuck Zimmerman

Checkpoint Charlie BearI will find out the story behind Checkpoint Charlie Bear. He sits outside the Crowne Plaza Hotel here in Berlin city center. He certainly helps you know where you are.

I just got settled in to the hotel and thought I’d start off with a short video clip for you. You can expect more than this over the next several days. Once I get into the Green Week complex there’s going to be lots of demonstrations that will lend themselves well to video.

I can’t say that Berlin is the prettiest city I’ve ever been in but then I don’t have a car to drive around in either. I was here for International Green Week years ago and got to take a tour. I know there’s a lot to see in the area.

You’ll be seeing a lot of information from the IFAJ board meeting and the show at International Green Week. As I recall it’s acres of food from around the world. When I was here before I didn’t even have a digital camera but I did take a lot of pictures. I should have scanned some of them. Now why didn’t I think of that.

Post Update:

According to a hotel staffer the bear is a “buddy bear” which is one of many scattered throughout the city (sounds like the Cow Parade) and the bear is the city mascot. If you’ve got more than that let me know.

IFAJ, Video