Convoy Duty Done

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello AgWired fans. My marathon road trip for ethanol awareness with the AASHTO Celebrate the Interstate 50th Anniversary Cross Country Convoy is over! Over 80 posts on Domestic Fuel to date but I’ve got more to add over the weekend. You can use this link to scroll back through my trip and listen over 25 interviews and audio clips, lots of pictures and even a bunch of video clips. I’ve posted some here but not a lot.

I know posting has been light but I will be making up for it. I’ve got more road trips coming up for one thing and they’ll be very agrimarketing related.

So thanks for hanging in there with me on this journey. It’s been a blogging adventure and if you’ve had a chance to follow along I hope you’ve enjoyed it.

Uncategorized

Dueling Satellite Radios Video

Chuck Zimmerman

Dueling Satellite RadiosHere’s another edition of “Dueling Satellite Radios.” This time I have a video clip for you. Keep in mind that these aren’t factory installed and only temporary in the truck I’m driving.

I’m going to have to give some thought as to how to end the competition today as we end this cross country convoy in Washington, DC. I find that there are programming options on both Sirius and XM that I like. It’s a close race.

Watch dueling satellite radios (and hear convoy radio activity too): Watch wmv file Dueling Satellite Radios (2 min WMV)

Video

Eisenhower Farmed

Chuck Zimmerman

Eisenhower Farm ImplementsThis morning we got to tour the Eisenhower farm at Gettysburg. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that he farmed. Of course, that’s why it was called a “farm.”

He raised Angus cattle and strip farmed row crops in rotation to practice good land management.

Please comment if you know what these implements are.

Uncategorized

Local Radio Interview

Chuck Zimmerman

KWOSI’ve been a spokesperson for the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council on this cross country convoy trip this past 2 weeks. Media opportunities have arisen at various stops.

I am real happy with this one I got to do with my local AM radio station, KWOS. Thank you John Marsh for your phone call.

You can listen to the program here: Listen to MP3 KWOS Coffee Break (4 min MP3)

Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

Audio, Ethanol

Stopping At Firestone Headquarters

Chuck Zimmerman

Andrew & ChuckWe got in to Akron, OH way too late last night to post anything. We stopped in at Firestone headquarters for dinner though before getting to our hotel. I got a nice interview with Andrew Firestone, great grandson of Harvey.

Post Update: Okay, I’ve had some time to do some editing and posting here in Pennsylvania. So here’s an interview with Andrew. His family grows grapes and makes wine and he understands the value of the people who contribute to our food supply. In fact, he quoted someone who spoke at the Firestone company picnic prior to our arrival as saying, “We don’t make tires. We make equipment that feeds this nation.” Listen: Listen to MP3 Andrew Firestone Interview (5 min MP3)

Tomorrow it’s onward to Maryland.

Audio

Playing In The Parking Lot

Chuck Zimmerman

Bob LeeHang in there with me AgWired fans. By next week I’ll be back to a more normal posting schedule. This cross country convoy gig is taking up a lot more time each day than I thought. However, the relationships and contacts I’ve been making are fantastic. We are allowed to play sometimes as we trek across the United States on I-80. Here’s Bob Lee (left), founder of Country Coach, Inc. with one of the toys he brought on the trip.

Besides a remote controlled car, Bob also brought a vintage Thunderbird and a couple of Honda tricycles. Of course he’s riding in a custom Country Coach and his toys are riding in bright yellow truck. Bob has an interesting story to tell which you can listen to here:: Listen to MP3 Bob Lee Interview (4 min MP3)

Here’s a short video clip of Bob playing: Watch wmv file Bob Lee & Toy (1 min WMV)

Audio, Video

Milk That Soccer Star

Chuck Zimmerman

Freddy Adu - Got MilkThere seems to be no end to all the “Got Milk” stars. Here’s a new MilkPep “Got Milk” campaign poster with Freddy Adu, soccer star. The Egg Board has a soccer star too and now the milk people do too. So have a glass of milk with that omelette!

The ad copy reads, “Kick into gear. Get noticed. On and off the field. The protein in milk helps build muscle, and some studies suggest teens who choose it tend to be leaner. Staying active, eating right, and drinking 3 glasses a day of lowfat or fat free milk helps you look great. Score one for milk.” The ad debuts in the July 4th issue of Sports Illustrated.

Ag Groups, Dairy

Active Egg Eaters

Chuck Zimmerman

Kick It UpThe “Let’s Get A Sports Figure” strategy is still alive and well. The American Egg Board is teaming up with soccer star Kristine Lilly. They’re offering tips on healthy eating for active kids. It’s nice to know that not all kids are fat, lazy video game players. Seems that way sometimes from all the news media.

It’s that time of year when children trade in their school supplies for soccer cleats, skateboards and swimsuits. And moms know best that active kids are hungry kids. In fact, 98 percent of moms agree that healthy snacks give kids the nutrients and energy they need to perform well in sports and other summer activities, according to a new survey by the American Egg Board. However, more than three-quarters (76 percent) of moms admit they need help finding healthy snack ideas that are also kid-approved. In response, the American Egg Board has teamed up with U.S. soccer great Kristine Lilly and sports nutritionist Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD, to educate moms on how they can provide healthy snacks that keep kids fit, satisfied and energized all summer long.

I’m still not sure why food has to be “kid-approved” though. Where I grew up you ate what was put in front of you or you went to bed hungry!

Ag Groups

Korea-Japan Key Markets for Canadian Pork

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry SiemensThe Canadian Pork Council has identified Korea and Japan as key markets with which the pork industry would like to see Canada aggressively pursue bilateral free trade arrangements. Recently, a coalition of nine Canadian agricultural groups, including the Canadian Pork Council, applauded transport minister David Emerson’s aggressive approach to negotiations for bilateral trade agreements and his commitment to accelerate efforts to clinch new trade deals.

CPC President Clare Schlegel notes increasingly Canada’s competition is working at bilateral arrangements to gain preferred market access so the coalition is absolutely behind the government’s efforts in the bilateral platform as well as the multilateral front. Read More

International

We’re In Illinois Now

Chuck Zimmerman

Jim RobbinsUpon arrival in Illinois today we were greeted by a bunch of folks, including Jim Robbins, Illinois Corn Marketing Board.

Jim is a corn grower in Illinois right below Chicago. He spoke to our convoy group about the good things ethanol brings to America. He also commented on how important the interstate highway system is for transporting agricultural commodities.

I interviewed Jim prior to his speech: Listen to MP3 Jim Robbins Interview (4 min MP3)

Audio, Corn, Ethanol