I know you probably don’t like surveys any more than I do but they are helpful and I’ve held off on this for a long time. In order for us to better know you I’ve created a very simple 12 question survey which will take you mere moments to complete. It’s very simple and fully self-explanatory and I will be eternally grateful to everyone who completes it.
It doesn’t even ask for your contact information so it’s completely anonymous and I’m fine with that as long as you are. So go ahead, please!
I’ve never been to a Farm Aid concert but not for lack of wanting to hear the music. They’ve announced who’s going to be playing on September 30 at Tweeter Center at the Waterfront, Camden, NJ.
Joining Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews are Jerry Lee Lewis with Roy Head, Los Lonely Boys, Arlo Guthrie, Gov’t Mule, Steve Earle and Allison Moorer, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Steel Pulse, Shelby Lynne, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra, Pauline Reese and Danielle Evin.
Post Update:I asked for and received some pictures from Paul McKellips to add to this post from yesterday. They certainly help tell the story!
I have received an audio report from Iraq that you might find interesting. The email I received says it’s from Paul McKellips who’s on assignment with the Department of State at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. The report: focuses on the Farmers Markets and roadside stands that Iraqis depend on for their fruits and vegetables. The potential for agriculture in this country is beyond belief.
In the last three years, American agricultural experts have introduced drip-line irrigation, fertilizers and modern cultivation techniques. Now, the country desperately needs a comprehensive national farm policy that supports farmers and provides motivation for producers to invest in their businesses and bring their products to market profitably. Iraq currently imports more than 85% of their fruits and vegetables from Iran, Syria and Turkey. Produce prices are ridiculously low as these countries dump their B-grade products into the marketplace.
You can listen here: 
Iraq Farmers Markets Report (3 min WMA)
Paul McKellips is on detail assignment to the U.S. Department of State’s Public Affairs GO Team in Iraq. He is permanently employed by USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Washington, DC.
There’s a new photo album available from the Agricultural Media Summit. It’s got lot of pictures. Even more than mine! In fact it reminded me that I never did upload mine and provide you with a link to the album. That’s done now.
Look and enjoy:
Official Ag Media Summit Photo Album – Use this link since I can’t seem to get it to make a hyperlink for some reason: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=mcvnm8h.ar9okkqt&Uy=kg80ud&Ux=0>%20&Uc=mcvnm8h.ar9okkqt&Uy=kg80ud&Ux=0
If you want your burger to be made out of some heart healthy soy protein and the meat of cows that ate “natural” then you should be looking for the So Lean brand. Back in July parent company Natural Harmony Foods announced that they had inked a deal with one of the largest retail grocery chains that would facilitate national distribution of it’s Flame Broiled Beef Patties which were then only available in the southeast.
Now Meatingplace.com says that the company “is coordinating a comprehensive direct mail campaign targeting food editors across the country” using it’s new marketing consultants at NutCom LLC.
I’m all for food choices and new uses for soybeans. But . . . I’m going to stick to my all meat burgers for now. I still like my soybeans after they’ve been processed by the cow and I don’t particularly care what kind of soybeans that cow ate.
Researchers at the University of Manitoba are confident sophisticated computer modeling will help ensure the emissions from biomass fuelled heating systems meet acceptable environmental standards. The two-stage greenhouse gas displacement system, developed by Vidir Biomass Systems, uses large straw bales as fuel and relies on primary combustion followed by secondary combustion to get a complete burn.
As part of 620 thousand dollar Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council sponsored project, researchers will be developing computer models designed to evaluate emissions from the unit. University of Manitoba industrial research chair Dr. Eric Bibeau says the goal is to create an automated system to maintain optimal conditions during operation to minimize gaseous emissions. Renewable CO2 is not an emission. Read More
My sponsor for my coverage of the Farm Progress Show last week was Monsanto and while sitting in the media tent there I had an idea for this week’s program that you might find interesting.
I’ve got 2 interviews for you. The first one is with Carly Kaufmann, Public Relations Account Exectuve for Osborn & Barr Communications. Carly’s job was to obtain interviews for her client (Monsanto) and develop relationships with the media (me). She was doing a great job so I asked her if I could interview her.
Before my interview with Carly though I had already interviewed Monsanto’s Director of Marketing, Jim Zimmer. I interviewed him about the big picture for the company. Jim makes sure farmers know of Monsanto’s committment to agriculture now and in the future.
I thought the juxtaposition of these two interviews would be interesting. The PR pitch and the result. I hope you like it.
You can listen here: ZimmCast 83 (9 min MP3)
The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also subscribe in iTunes.
It’s Farm Progress Show photo album time. I have a few pictures uploaded from the show for your viewing pleasure.
You can find them in this online photo album: 2006 Farm Progress Show Photo Album
If you use any of them, please credit ZimmComm New Media.
Say hello to Emily Zwahlen, new Farm Director for KKOW, Pittsburg, KS. According to an email from former farm director, Suzanne Hubbard, Emily just graduated with honors from Oklahoma State University with a degree in communications.
Suzanne is moving on to a position as director of the Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau which she says is much closer to home.
I’ve had 3 meetings in 3 different cities today but that doesn’t mean you don’t get a post from me. It may be the only one you get from me today though since it’s late, we’re going into a holiday weekend and I’m just plain whupped.
Here’s the big news though.
Yep. We broke the 10K mark and that’s a milestone. Our highest month before that was June with less than 7,000. So we must be doing something right.
So who are those 10,000 plus unique people? Well, who do you think they are? This is a pretty niche topic website. The number of visitors has climbed steadily since I started it. I haven’t really advertised it. Most of that traffic is coming from word of mouth (finest kind).
If you know who my visitors are would you write to me and tell me? Tell me how you would determine who they are. I keep getting asked, “Do you have some demographic information on who your visitors are?” Not really. I guess they’re just people with a high level of interest in agricultural marketing. That would include farmers, marketing/communications people at agribusiness companies and commodity groups, advertising agency personnel in media and public affairs/relations and ag media representatives in sales and editorial. That’s who I think they are because that’s who I write about.
I’m going to be doing some catch up posting over the weekend so check back during the times when you’re checking email or just browsing around. And before I forget, Thanks for visiting!!!!
