Who’s Yer HAT Daddy?

Chuck Zimmerman

Hoosier Ag TodayA couple years ago the idea of farm podcasting was just not “mainstream.” Now what’s happening? There’s a growing number of farm podcasters. Say it can’t be so Chuck. Sorry. It’s so.

Hoosier Ag Today, a radio program service Indiana’s agricultural industry, has announced the development of a multi-media web site, . The site focuses on serving the informational needs of Hoosier farm families and rural residents with a unique blend of text, audio, and graphics. A daily podcast that can be downloaded directly or by subscription through a podcast download program like iTunes is also offered.

“Farmers are using the internet in a variety of new and different ways,” said Gary Truitt, President of Hoosier Ag Today. “We have incorporated a variety of approaches into the site to take advantage of current and future trends.”

The daily podcast combines several of HAT’s radio programs into one informative and entertaining podcast. “The number of farmers and agri-business professionals that are using podcasts is relatively small, but the percentage is growing every year,” said Truitt. The podcst allows HAT listeners to hear the programs on their schedule. The site also contains audio files of all Hoosier Ag Today programs that can be listened to while on-line.

Hoosier Ag Today was launched in September of 2006 and is currently broadcast by 21 radio stations across Indiana

Media, Podcasts

New Media Articles

Chuck Zimmerman

I get asked for information about blogging, podcasting and how to use RSS all the time. So when I got asked to write a column about new media for a local business publication I thought it would be a good idea since I could start putting things down in writing.

I think the first few articles have come out very well and have created a page here with links to them in case you might want to learn a little more about blogging, podcasting and RSS.

Feel free to read and if you’ve got more questions or would like a personal consultation just give me a call.

Uncategorized

New MBIC Chairman

Chuck Zimmerman

Andrew McCreaAndrew McCrea is the new Chairman of the Missouri Beef Industry Council. This will be his 6th and last year on the board too. He’s a cattleman from northwest Missouri and an award winning farm broadcaster to boot.

I think the MBIC has some great new leadership.

I interviewed Andrew for an upcoming MBIC Report podcast and asked him about what he thinks the priorities are for the MBIC in the coming year. Download his answer: Listen To MP3Andrew McCrea (1 min MP3)

Or listen right now:

mbic-mccrea-soundbite.mp3
Audio, Beef

MBIC Board Is Meeting

Chuck Zimmerman

Missouri Beef Industry Council Board MeetingToday I’m attending the board meeting of the Missouri Beef Industry Council. We’re meeting in Kansas City. Pictured here on the left is outgoing MBIC Chairman, David Dick who’s making a point to new Executive Director, John Kleiboeker.

I’ll be taking some pictures for them and doing some interviews for their weekly podcast. John’s the subject of my ZimmCast this week in case you haven’t had a chance to listen.

I’ll have an interview with the incoming MBIC Chairman coming up in a follow up post shortly. You’ll find out who he is then.

Ag Groups, Beef

AFT’s $10,000 Steward Award

Chuck Zimmerman

American Farmland TrustI can’t imagine any farmer not wanting $10,000. Now being deserving of it, that’s another matter. All the farmers I know are good stewards of the land so maybe they should all be nominated.

Nominations are now being accepted for American Farmland Trust’s 2007 Steward of the Land Award. The $10,000 prize is presented each year to a farmer or rancher that best exemplifies American Farmland Trust’s mission of stopping the loss of productive farmland and promoting farming practices that lead to a healthy environment.

Nomination forms can be completed online, or can easily be printed out for completion by tradition methods at the same address. You may also call 202-378-1255 for an application, or with questions. Nomination materials will be accepted until 5 p.m. EST on Friday, December 1, 2006.

Ag Groups

Meet The NAMA PDA Recipients

Chuck Zimmerman

National Agri-Marketing AssociationThe National Agri-Marketing Association has named the recipients of its annual Professional Development Awards of Excellence. They will be honored at the upcoming Agribusiness Forum in Kansas City, MO.

  • Steve Engle, executive vice president, Woodruff Sweitzer, will receive the marketing communications honor. Engle has led the development of the highly successful “Ready to Rumble” launch campaign for AGCO brand tractors as well as the highly successful re-positioning of EVEREST Herbicide from Arysta LifeScience North America.
  • Barry Nelson, public relations manager, John Deere, will receive the award of excellence in public relations. Nelson is responsible for media relations, strategic integration of public relations with overall advertising/communications strategies, internal and special communications, managing the contributions/donations budget, and providing customer support with timely information about John Deere products and services.
  • Anita Vanderwert, national director of ag sales for Brownfield, will be the recipient of the award of excellence in sales. Vanderwert has been involved in ag communication and ag sales and marketing for over 15 years. Vanderwert has been the primary link to customers, and as a result, the primary driver of change and adaptation of new technology. Further, she has pushed for new offerings to serve ag customers pushing Brownfield beyond the borders of exclusively offering only radio solutions. By listening to her, as she has been listening to customers, Brownfield has improved web applications and web solutions, expanded email and daily electronic update services, created new “event marketing” opportunities in addition to blogging, podcasting, rss feeds and agricultural forums.

Congratulations!

NAMA

Why I Post Paul’s Reports

Chuck Zimmerman

Paul McKellipsYou may wonder why I post stories from Paul McKellips. He’s the guy in Iraq reporting on agriculture and most importantly in my mind, the positive things our soldiers are doing that are changing people’s lives while helping protect us. Well, Paul has volunteered for a whole year in Iraq next year so I’m looking forward to a lot more to come.

He just sent out a letter to those of us who are using his reports and I’m going to share a few excerpts with you. Here’s why he’s doing it:

I feel a personal responsibility to serve my country during a time of war. I’m keenly aware of the sacrifices made by my father and his generation in World War II. When I load up with a couple of cameras and a Marantz PMD 660, my work pales in comparison to the men and women who load up with an M-16 and a 75-pound pack. But I can do this, and I should. It’s my duty.

I’m a man of faith. I put my trust in a Heavenly Father who is just as capable of protecting me at home as He is in Baghdad. This is my calling right now, to do whatever I can with the talents that I’ve been given, to make a difference. Read More

International

NCMA Will Be SSFPA

Chuck Zimmerman

National Meat Canners AssociationAccording to a story on Meatingplace.com, the National Meat Canners Association has changed its name to the Shelf-Stable Food Processors Association.

According to a news release, the change reflects the group’s expansion to include all shelf-stable food products. The new name will be effective Jan. 1, 2007.

Food

Be a Corn Leader

Chuck Zimmerman

National Corn Growers AssociationThe National Corn Growers Association is looking for a few good leaders. Do you think you’ve got the right stuff? Know someone who does?

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Nominating Committee invites all corn grower members to become an integral part of the organization’s leadership by applying for the Corn Board.

Newly elected board members will begin service on Oct. 1, 2007 for Fiscal Year 2008. “The corn industry has the opportunity to really make significant changes for the future,” said Gerald Tumbleson, NCGA chairman and Nominating Committee chairman. “There are a lot of things happening, and we must have growers who can bring enthusiasm and creativity to the board in order to expand the future of the carbohydrate economy. Our members continue to represent corn growers successfully on both a national and international scale. Being on the Corn Board also means working to enhance our industry and representing the needs of the grassroots.” Read More

Ag Groups, Corn

YouTubing It

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s about time we got some agricultural video into YouTube don’t you think? I’m just getting started on this but thought you might enjoy my first upload. I actually posted this earlier this year at the CMA Music Festival but thought it might have some broad appeal in the YouTube universe. I guess we’ll find out. One thing I already learned is to save my raw video files and use them to upload since I’ve been converting them to pretty small Windows Movie Video files. They still work though. I think you can expect to see more video from us in the coming year!

Feel free to share with your friends, neighbors and hey, even your enemies!

Video