A social network for horse lovers? That’s right. I got an email from Helene Young seeking some input on what’s she’s doing with this new website.
HorsesRing is an online place where you can connect other horse lovers, share thoughts, pictures and knowledge, as well as support others, celebrating the common joy of horses.
So please visit and let her know what you think. She says it’s a very “stable meeting place.”
Ag Biotechnology In Australia
There’s a big biotechnology conference going on in Australia this week. I was invited to attend but have to be in Kansas City and then on to Norway. Darn the luck, eh?
But that doesn’t mean I can’t let you know what’s happening down under. Here’s an interesting story.
Victorian scientists are using leading biotechnology to take the sneeze out of the chief culprit of hayfever – ryegrass – which afflicts 1.8 million Australians and hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Minister for Innovation, John Brumby, today announced the findings to mark the start of the Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference (ABIC) in Melbourne.
Mr Brumby said the researchers at Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) had developed a new variety 
of ryegrass, which does not cause the sneezing and itchy eyes of hay fever. “Through the use of innovative biotechnology, relief is now in sight for sufferers and businesses alike across the world,” Mr Brumby said.
Alleluia! I would love to leave my Zyrtec behind. I’m sure many of you would too. How about John’s title? Minister of Innovation. I like that. I also like the fact that they’re sending me great pictures to go along with the information. I’ve got more to post later today.
Oh, and by the way, did I mention I wish I could be there to take these pictures myself?
Award For Grower’s Boyd
I love this picture. Vicky’s posed on a fence rail, the background is out of focus but she’s not. I know, it’s hard to see on a 150 pixel wide web resolution jpeg but it’s “creative.” I like that.
So Vicky has a nice picture and a nice award.
Vicky Boyd, editor of The Grower, recently earned two high accolades in Fresno County California Farm Bureau’s 12th annual journalism awards. Boyd received honorable mention in the agricultural print media category. Her February 2006 article “A Mite-y Big Problem,” which tackled the widespread issue of bee loss due to mites, placed third in the same category. Boyd said her recognition is significant coming from some of the top leaders in the journalism and produce fields.
“Receiving these high honors from such a prestigious judging panel in the largest agricultural county in the nation is strong reinforcement and excellent recognition for The Grower,” Boyd said. “My peers are telling me that I’m reaching the right people and delivering an accurate message in my work.”
Dave’s Picture
I was going to add this picture of Dave Russell to the post I did on him going to work for Brownfield but, well, time slipped by and just in case you aren’t searching the archives and watching your feeds closely . . .
Here’s Dave Russell and here’s the story.
Virtual Press Rooms”R”Us
This week’s program continues the theme from last week with a focus on new media in agricultural communications and discussing a few examples.
Cindy joins me in this week’s program. You’ll be seeing her out and about more as we get called on to use our “traditional” media skills to create great online content for blogs, podcasts, news releases, newsletters, e-newsletters and websites. It’s amazing what a little bit of multimedia capability allows you to do on the internet today! It’s digital online public relations.
Listen here: 
ZimmCast 79 (13 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.
Mixed Reaction To USDA WIC Change Proposal
The Produce Marketing Association is happy that the proposed changes to the USDA, WIC program now includes fruits and vegetables.
“We applaud the revisions in the WIC Program. Increasing access to fresh produce encourages healthier eating habits and provides for broader food choices,” said Kathy Means, PMA vice president of government relations.
But the International Dairy Foods Association and National Milk Producers Federation are unhappy that the proposal cuts dairy. So what are you going to do?
The Vocus Is On PR Web
How many of you have used PR Web to send a press release? Show of hands. Yeah, quite a few of you. I know, I get them. I’ve always liked PR Web, especially dealing with them. They make it easy for both sides. I’ve always thought they were the friendlier service. Lately I’ve been impressed with their completely embracing new forms of social communication and not trying to stay in the traditional media delivery box.
They’ve done well enough to attract a pretty substantial buyout from Vocus, Inc. As you’ll hear in this week’s ZimmCast, which I’ll post in a few minutes, you really need to design your press releases today for your customer as much as the media. That’s what PR Web has been evangelizing.
PRWeb uses proprietary SEO tools and a team of specialized editors to help ensure that its customers’ news receives maximum exposure throughout the full spectrum of new media. PRWeb-distributed press releases are indexed by major search engines, distributed to thousands of news sites, including Google News and Yahoo News, and delivered through more than 20,000 RSS feeds, that collectively reach tens of millions of consumers and thousands of journalists daily. The company was also among the first to embrace the social media press release concept through the integration of such technologies as podcasting, blog trackbacks and Technorati tagging.
“The internet has led to a dramatic increase in the number and types of media outlets and other website destinations from which consumers and journalists get their news,” said Rick Rudman, President and CEO of Vocus, Inc. “PRWeb has fully developed the technologies, features and pricing model to enable organizations of all sizes to maximize their online visibility and to exploit the potential of this new communication channel.”
Now the question is, “Would Vocus like to purchase a great “agricultural” news release distribution service that’s using the same focus (on new media/social communication)?” AgNewsWire.AgWired.com
Agricultural New Media Terms Defined
If you want to find out things you might consider bookmarking Wikipedia. It’s an online encyclopedia in wiki form. Call me if you don’t know what a wiki is. As a wiki anyone can add a page or edit an existing one. Seems like trouble but I think it works pretty well from what I’ve seen.
There are some new pages that I thought I’d bring to your attention. Check out Agriblogging and Farm Podcasting. Feel free to add to what’s there. That’s what it’s all about.
NAMA Boot Camp Coming Up
I guess the reaction to Boot Camp Guy was so positive last year that they NAMA brought him back again. NAMA Boot Camp is scheduled for August 22-24 at the Hyatt Regency in KC, MO. Last year I did a blogging and podcasting session. This year I’ll be out blogging and podcasting for an agricultural client during those dates on their blog!
Boot Camp sessions this year include a Producer Panel moderated by Dallas Ford, Alpha Scouts and Ag Policy and How it Relates to Your Job with a representative from USDA Rural Development. Dr. Gene Brown, The Henry Bloch School of Business at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, will present Business-to-Business Marketing and Hugh Whaley, Osborn & Barr Communications will close the Boot Camp with The Future of Agri-Marketing.
Web Access To LikeKnowledge
FFA just unveiled the website for it’s LifeKnowledge program. Remember that their annual convention is coming up October 25-28 in Indianapolis.
The National FFA Foundation has launched a new website to help teachers, parents and school leaders get the most from FFA’s new LifeKnowledge leadership curriculum. The website www.ffa.org/ageducators/lifeknowledge, is tailored to specific audiences – teachers, parents, school leaders, supporters and media – with sections to help each group learn more about LifeKnowledge and what it can do for them.
Along with news and information about LifeKnowledge, the website also offers a free monthly e–newsletter, LifeKnowledge AT WORK, which site visitors may view and obtain an online subscription. Designed with local teachers in mind, LifeKnowledge AT WORK features tips from teachers, education experts, leadership gurus, as well as a magnitude of other resources.