AgWired

What a way to conclude the classic. Lorrie Morgan dazzled us all tonight in a performance put on by Monsanto. She sang a few of her older hits such as “Watch Me Walk Away”, “Something in Red”, and “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” She even brought out some new ones that will be on her upcoming new CD. My favorite of the evening is a poignant song called Mirror, Mirror. She continued the energy throughout the night and had everyone clapping and dancing in their seat. It was a great night for everyone.

Ag Journalism – what is that? Well, my five-second explanation is it’s journalism with a focus on agriculture, the food system, and the life sciences.

The biggest appeal for me in Ag Journalism is the variety of issues impacting this industry.

Although I spent the last few days in Anaheim, California at the Commodity Classic with the focus of discussions on the corn, soybean and wheat industries, there are numerous topics impacted by these commodities. For example, the Secretary of Agriculture’s speech yesterday included comments about CAFTA, the Doha Round, river navigation, trade with China, the Farm Bill, soybean rust and biofuels.

Agriculture is united in the interest in technology, productivity, markets, and rural development. No matter where farmers are meeting, or where news is announced, the implications are global because of their breadth of influence.

Now who wouldn’t want to report on something like that?

We have a winner in our “Guess whose boots contest.” Diane Johnson was the first person to guess – Colleen Church McDowell.

I have no idea what your prize is yet Diane but you will receive something for your quick and accurate guess.

Thanks to those who emailed a guess. I did want it posted as a comment. Maybe I need to provide a lesson in how to post.

On my last evening before leaving Anaheim I had the pleasure of meeting the man who designed AgWired. You see, it’s been almost a year since AgWired debuted and I had never met him. Since that time, Robert has designed a number of blog sites for us and our clients. He’s one talented dude.

During a great supper we brainstormed a number of ways to improve on our growing list of ag-related blogs and podcasts. I’m excited about the possibilities and hope you will be too since we’re going to continue to push the envelope on new ways to communicate with the agricultural community.

Yep, his name is Robert Canales. He’s really one of the first members of the ZimmComm talent pool that we’ve put together to introduce you to the new media world. Thanks Robert for all your efforts and I can’t wait to show off more of your work.

Wow!! I was dazzled this morning by Howard Helmer, the World’s Fastest Omelet Maker. His secret? Two eggs and two tbl. of water. Here is his technique: Beat the eggs and water (salt and pepper if desired). In 10in. non-stick omelet pan over medium -high heat, heat butter until just hot enough to sizzle a drop of water. Pour in egg mixture. It should immediately start to sizzle. With an inverted pancake turner, push cooked portions from the edge of the pan so the uncooked portions can spill onto the hot pan surface. (Dig a hole, fill it up! Dig a hole fill it up!). Fill half of the omelet with desired ingredients and fold omelet in half. Flip over onto plate and serve! Mmm good!

He even did special omelets. One he put Ranch dressing in for more flavor. One he added wine, and one he caught on fire with wiskey. It was really neat to watch.

Well I’m really hungry now but luckily it is lunchtime so I get to eat. I am leaving right now to go to the beach!! This will be my first west coast experience and only third time seeing the ocean at all. I know, I know, I should get out more. Well I’m off for some fun in the sun but I will be back tonight to report on the Lorrie Morgan Concert that is happening at 8:30pm. Bye!

It’s sunny again in California. What a gorgeous last day for the 2006 Commodity Classic! Margy pretty much summed up everything that happened yesterday in her last blog so I won’t go into too much more detail. I will say however that this experience has been amazing and Margy helped make that happen for me so thanks Margy for being a great “fellowshiper”. I hope everyone that returned home today had safe travels. I, however, are still in the great state of California and I have to attribute my good mood to the beautiful sunshine. Its around 60 degrees right now, which is a little chilly for California standards but warm for this Illinois girl in March.

This morning I attended a learning session on the upcoming 2007 Farm Bill. I know that a lot of you are extremely interested and even concerned about the changes that will come from this bill. Well, I wish I could tell you something you didn’t already know but unfortunately I can’t. The panel was formed with minority staff director Mark Halverson from Iowa, and a majority staff director named Steve, who, I am so sorry, but I forgot to get his last name. He wasn’t in the program either, but I guess that’s not an excuse. At any rate they talked about the upcoming farm bill and it seemed to me they talked a lot for not having anything to say.

The room was packed to the brim with farmers, and media, and anyone else who wanted to hear what they had to say. Everyone wants to know whats going to happen next year but I’m not sure anyone has the answer. I’ve heard many comments made that everyone wants to keep the 2002 farm bill the way it is and not change many things. Unfortunately, as they were saying in the session, change is coming whether we want it to or not. Change can be a good thing though and if there is a change with the conservation reserve program I think a lot of people would be happy to see the budget increase in that area. They also talked about how the World Trade Organization would effect the bill as well. The outcome of trade agreements could greatly effect the farm bill. I guess we will see what happens.

My final day at Commodity Classic is coming to an end. Rain and mostly cloudy skies were not able to put a damper on my last day.

It was an early morning due to the Monsanto press conference at 7:30. Not strategically, or comfortably thinking, I wore shoes with a heel. As the day went on, the amount of time spent on my feet started to accumulate just as fast as my feet started to swell.

Regardless of any inflation below the ankle, I was mentally charged by the energy of all the people in the general session this morning. John Phipps from Farm Journal Media was an entertaining and focused emcee introducing the dynamic set of speakers from Secretary Johanns to the governor of Minnesota and of course one of the favorite country artists from this conference, Michael Peterson.

The phrase “conference center” can be misleading, especially for anyone involved in the media at a meeting such as this. One would think the phrase would imply a central location for all activities, but me (in my poorly planned high heels) trekked from the second floor media room to the third floor general session and then across the street to one hotel and then back to the second floor media room and back across the street to another hotel. Again, I reiterate my poorly planned footwear complicated these travels.

All of these walks were before lunch and completely worth everything I learned.

After lunch I attended a learning session presented by Tom Dorr, Undersecretary of Rural Development for USDA. He is a self-professed optimist for rural America and presented his vision for prosperous rural economies across the country. Part of his plan enables Americans to have choices on where to live and how to where. One of the main tools for allowing these opportunities would of course be technology and connectivity.

Tonight I was able to meet with different ag media such as Successful Farming and Farm Journal. Companies and their publications such as these show a high level of interest for students to be developed agriculture journalists. They are looking for educated and experience writers who will embrace the opportunities technology allows for today and will present for us in the future.

I am fortunate to take part in a program that offers this level of professional development and networking opportunities. I think this is a testimonial for all of those that I’ve met, been sponsored by, or have spent time with this week toward their level of dedication for quality of coverage of this industry. I am sincerely grateful for the time and experience I’ve had here in Anaheim.

I have an early flight, but I will hopefully be able to post one more entry from the OC…

Margy, Mary and I have a lot more to bring you from Commodity Classic but I thought I’d give you an update of our schedule since it’s getting late in the day on Friday and time’s running short. We have a lot more to bring you over the next several days. Right now I’ve got to head back to the trade show for some final interviews and pictures.

Margy and I will be flying home early tomorrow so that’ll be a long travel day with little time for posting. Mary gets an extra day so I’m sure we’ll see more from her.

I might have a post or two before I leave but I’ve also got a dinner meeting with the man who designed AgWired. I’ve never met Robert and really looking forward to it. I’m sure he’s got some great ideas you might see in the near future.

Until then, I hope you’re enjoying the Commodity Classic coverage by the team here. We’re having a lot of fun bringing it to you.