Taking a TextDrive

Chuck Zimmerman

TextDriveThis week ZimmComm New Media is going to take a TextDrive. Basically this means we’re moving to a new server. For a couple years now we’ve been with HostGator and for the most part they’ve been a good fit.

However, as we’ve evolved in the web publishing and social media world we need a company that really understands what we’re doing. As I was looking around at various companies we could work with I was pointed to TextDrive, a Joyent company. Ironically, this is the company that the original design artist for the AgWired theme moved to.

TextDrive is “hosting company run by and for people who love publishing on the web.” When I saw that slogan I had a gut feeling I was in the right place. This is going to be different kind of hosting management environment. I guess that means I get to learn something new. We’re hoping for a smooth transfer this week but just in case we have a hiccup you’ll know what’s going on.

After this move is complete it’s full steam ahead into the new year. This is going to be fun.

Uncategorized

iLuv BASF

Chuck Zimmerman

BASF Media iLuvYes, iLuv BASF and they love me. For I think the third year in a row, registered media with their AgMediaCentral website (currently registered) can add to their iPod system by filling out a survey once they’ve logged in.

I got mine filled out earlier this afternoon. You may remember that 2 years ago it was an iPod Nano. Then it was a nice iTunes gift card. Now it’s an iLuv Stereo Docking System.

I don’t know how the folks at Quarry Integrated Communications and BASF knew I wanted one but they have a winner gift for the agricultural journalist. The alert that came in the mail today also included another iTunes gift card by the way!

Way to go BASF. You made my day in a very musical way. I think we’re going to see a lot more content for these gadgets in the agricultural communications world in the coming year. Stay tuned.

Agencies, Agribusiness

New Communications Manager For Holstein USA

Chuck Zimmerman

Jim LeuenbergerThe Holstein Association, USA has a new communications manager. He’s Jim Leuenberger. Jim’s going to work out of his home in Wisconsin for the Vermont-based organization.

In his position, Leuenberger will be responsible for overseeing all Association communications efforts. They include editing the Association’s quarterly member magazine the Holstein Pulse, writing news releases, working with graphic designers to produce advertising, trade show materials, informational brochures, the Association’s annual report, and publicity for the Association’s annual convention. He will also serve as the Association’s primary photographer. “Jim’s vast knowledge of the dairy industry and exceptional communications skills make him one of the Association’s key assets,” according to John Meyer, Chief Executive Officer of Holstein Association USA.

Ag Groups, Dairy

Happy Holidays From Farm Journal

Chuck Zimmerman

Happy Holidays From Farm Journal Farm Journal Media has a unique holiday card.

It says on the emailed “card” that they would rather make a $3 donation to one of 4 charities in your name than spend $2 on a card to mail you.

I think this is a great idea. Save some trees, use the web and help out a worthwhile cause while saying “Happy Holidays” to your clients.

The four charities you can choose from are:
FFA National Scholarship Fund
St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
Unmet Needs – VFW program aiding families of our Armed Forces serving in Iraq
The American Cancer Society

The email says that the link to where you select is unique and not to forward so I can’t insert it here.

Media, Publication

Check The Status of BASF

Chuck Zimmerman

BASF BASF just announced (pdf) that their Status herbicide has received EPA registration.

“We’re very excited to launch Status herbicide as the premier herbicide for broadleaf weed control in corn,” says Leon Duchene, Status Product Manager with BASF. “It offers superior control of tough broadleaves over the leading competitor while providing peace of mind with crop safety and simplicity.” The innovation of Status is based on three key components: active ingredients dicamba and diflufenzopyr, as well as a unique patented safener – isoxadifen. Together, these ingredients enhance control of all major broadleaf weeds in corn while setting a new standard in crop safety from BASF.

You can hear the story directly from Leon by downloading a sound bite right here: Listen To MP3 Leon Duchene (30 sec MP3)

Or you can listen here immediately: basf-status-leon-duchene.mp3

Agribusiness, Audio, Corn

She Has The Seven Year Itch

Chuck Zimmerman

Chelsea ZimmermanI would like to take this opportunity to tell you how wonderful my oldest daughter is. For those of you who don’t know, her name is Chelsea and she’s working part time for ZimmComm New Media. We’re a community here so I feel comfortable sharing this with you. Many of you know that Chelsea was in an auto accident that left her paralyzed from the chest down.

Well she is a daily inspiration to her family and friends and now she’s got “Dad’s bug” and she’s blogging. So now she’s becoming an inspiration to a growing number of people around the country.

Today marks the 7th anniversary of the day she had the accident and she wrote about it. I hope you will agree with me that she is something special and I’m so proud of her I just had to share this with you.

By the way, I have 2 other daughters and they are just as wonderful. Our family was really brought together in a positive way that is hard to describe by what happened to Chelsea. They’re all wonderful and although they’re all grown up we’re going to take a holiday trip together to see family in Georgia and Florida.

Thanks for letting me share this story with you.

Uncategorized

Success At Farm Futures Management Summit

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm Futures Management SummitThe Farm Futures Management Summit has concluded here in St. Louis. Actually the bonus, extra program is now in progress for farmers who wanted to learn more about farm management in multi-family operations.

One of the people who had a lot to do with making this a successful first time conference is Cindy Johnson, administrative assistant, Farm Progress Companies. At lunch she was publicly thanked by the company and received this nice bouquet of flowers.

One of the sponsors of the Summit is the United Soybean Board. They were represented here today by Hugh Whaley. Hugh says that this has been a good investment for the soybean checkoff organization and offered some observations on the Summit which you can download here: Listen To MP3 Hugh Whaley (1 min MP3)

Or you can listen here immediately: hugh-whaley.mp3

Publication

2007 Eat Mor Chikin Calendar

Chuck Zimmerman

2007 Chick-fil-A CalendarI just love the “Eat Mor Chikin” cows. They’ve got their 2007 calendar out just in time for a Christmas present or your office wall. Watch a video clip about the promotion.

Over the years, Chick-fil-A’s “Eat Mor Chikin” Cows(R) have taken on some entertaining roles as stars of the chain’s annual Cow Calendar – from super heroes to secret agents to television stars. For the 10th edition of the Atlanta-based chain’s calendar, The Good, The Bad & The Hairy, the Cows are donning boots, spurs, lassos and 10-gallon hats for some rootin’-tootin’ western-themed fun.

Each month in the calendar depicts a scene in the American West with the Chick-fil-A Cows doing what they do best — trying to save their own hides by fighting for a burger-free frontier. Stars of the 2007 calendar include 12 free-range cowpokes, such as “Bessie James,” “The Porterhouse Boys,” “Gristley Adams” and “Sacowgewa.” In addition to the entertaining images, the calendars also include $28 in monthly food and beverage coupons.

Priced at $5, the 2007 calendar is available through mid January at participating Chick-fil-A restaurants throughout the country (while supplies last) and online at http://www.chick-fil-a.com/.

Food

New Holland and Michael Featured Again

Chuck Zimmerman

Pennsylvania Farm ShowHow would you like to have a state agriculture secretary helping you with your public relations efforts? That’s what New Holland has going for them in Pennsylvania.

Country music recording artist Michael Peterson will perform at the 2007 Pennsylvania Farm Show at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said today. “We’re happy to welcome Michael Peterson to the Farm Show,” said Wolff. “As a musician and a friend to agriculture, he is a perfect fit to entertain Farm Show visitors and we look forward to his performance.” Peterson’s award-winning CD, “Down on the Farm” will be sold during the concert with proceeds benefiting the FFA. Peterson will also greet fans after the show for autographs and photos. This event is free of charge and is sponsored by New Holland and Messick’s Farm Equipment.

I know I keep bringing up the New Holland/Michael Peterson CD promotion but here’s another example of how it’s working for them. How do you put a price on this. This announcement came out as a national news release sent by the PA Dept. of Agriculture.

New Holland is one of our clients here at ZimmComm and I’m looking forward to working with them again in 2007! Happy Holidays Gene and Michael.

Agribusiness, Equipment, Public Relations, Tractor

Great Speakers at Farm Futures Management Summit

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm Futures Management SummitSince Farm Futures is going to do this Management Summit again next year you should really consider getting involved. I am not only impressed with the quality of the speakers gathered here but also the farmers in attendance. I’ve spoken with quite a few of them and these guys and gals are sharp. They want to figure out how to best manage their farm operation and are willing to spend the time it takes to attend conferences like this.

Speaking of speakers, look at this list: David Kohl (pictured leading an all-speaker session late yesterday), recently retired as professor of agricultural finance at Virginia Tech; Danny Klinefelter, professor and Extension economist at Texas A&M University; Mike Boehlje, professor of agricultural economics and an instructor in the Center for Agricultural Business programs at Purdue University; Jay Penick, president and CEO of Northwest Farm Credit Services; Dick Wittman, manages a 17,000-acre dryland crop, range cattle and timber operation in northern Idaho in partnership with three other family members; Bryce Knorr, senior editor of Farm Futures; Arlan Suderman, market analyst for Farm Futures; Kevin C. Dhuyvetter, professor and Extension agricultural economist in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University. And of yeah there was Mike Adams, host of the nationally syndicated radio show “Agri-Talk.” How does he keep getting in posts on AgWired? Probably because we see each other all over the place.

What a group though. You may wonder why no interviews posted here. Well, these fine farmers paid a lot of money to attend this conference. If you want to know what the presenters had to say, then get yourself to the next one! How’s that for a pitch Willie?

Publication