I was just looking over some statistics from my recent coverage of the BIO 2006 Convention that I thought you might be interested in. These are only for AgWired since I did some posts on other ZimmComm blogs.
Not too bad for a couple days work, eh?
Alcohol Production Training
I think most of us know how to handle the consumption thing but what about production? I am going to go out on a limb and say that participants in this “school” must have a great time. Ethanol Technology Institute sponsors this event which will be in Toulouse, France at the end of next month. Ethanol Technology is owned by Lallemand Specialties, Inc.
Lallemand. I love that name. It just kind of rolls off the tongue. Say it slowly three times in a row right now. See what I mean?
For 25 years, The Alcohol School has been educating fuel ethanol and distilled beverage producers in the science of alcohol production. The week-long program is designed for lab, plant, and management personnel and is organized around lectures, laboratory demonstrations, seminars, and plant visits.
I just hope they supply Tylenol too. BTW. If you miss this one they’re going to do it again in Montreal in late September.
Could We Have International Farm Podcasting
Once upon a time I participated in a conference on international farm broadcasting at FAO. It looks like the event has produced results.
FAO now has a Rural Radio website up and running with lots of content. In developing countries radio can and is playing a key role in the delivery of information. Just like it did here in the early days of our development in America.
You can download a book they published called, “The One to Watch, Radio, New ICT’s and Interactivity.” (122 pg pdf)
Since it looks like they talk about blending radio and the internet I think that makes it “international farm podcasting” time.
Remembering Earth Day
Oops, (yawn) I forgot about Earth Day. I guess that’s because America’s farmers and ranchers believe every day is earth day and it just doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. Who are better stewards of the land than the people who farm it?
So if you missed it like I did you can see what Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said at the 36th Annual Earth Day Celebration, Wiggins, Colorado, April 24, 2006 right here.
AdFarm A Canadian “Best Workplace”
So the question is, “Does this apply to all their offices?” C’mon AdFarm staff, leave your comments here. Who knows, it may mean points at bonus time!
Agricultural marketing and communications company, AdFarm, was ranked third in Canadian Business magazine’s 2006 list of the “Best Workplaces in Canada.” AdFarm was the only communications agency and the only agricultural business to receive this special recognition.
The Canadian list follows the same methodology developed by the Great Place to Work Institute in San Francisco, used by Fortune and the Financial Times to compile similar company rankings. Full details on the 2006 Best Workplaces in Canada list are in the April 10, 2006, issue of Canadian Business magazine and online at www.canadianbusiness.com.
“The advertising and communications business depends totally on the talents and commitments of quality people,” says AdFarm CEO, Kim McConnell. “Creating a unique working environment is extremely important to our business success but also to the enjoyment and fulfillment we receive during our working hours. Being ranked the number three company in Canada is an award all AdFarmers take a great deal of pride in receiving.”
Feeding My Norwegian Senses
We’re now well into the second year of AgWired. Hard to believe. Time flies when you’re blogging. Once again this year, Pioneer Hi-Bred will be sponsoring my coverage of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Congress. This time I’ll be in Hamar, Norway in August.
This is going to be fun. The theme is, “Feed Your Senses.” This is the site of the 1994 Winter Olympics and like 
you, I’ll be learning all about Norwegian agriculture. I say, “like you” because we’ll learn about it together right here on AgWired. This will be the 50th annual IFAJ Congress. History in the making.
You can watch a short video to kind of get you in the mood. Click here to see the program in english.
If you have any questions about IFAJ or the Congress just let me know. We’ll be hosting one here in the U. S. in 2009.
IALF Golf Classic & Reunion
The rain we’ve been needing here in central Missouri is happening finally. I mention it since this is a golf story and it would have been too wet this morning to do that. I’m sure the weather will be fine for the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation golf tournament though. It’s June 26th at the Elk’s Golf Course in Pontiac.
You can register online.
First Weekly Toy Tractor Winner Announced
This just in from George Williams, The Deere Gear Store: The first winner of the weekly “Win a Toy Tractor Contest” is Walt Lehmann. Walt chose a 1 50 Scale 400D Articulated Dump Truck as his prize. Congratulations Walt!
Enter to win a John Deere Toy Tractor every week for the next three weeks.
Canadian Corn Users Call for Government Support
The Canadian Animal Industry Corn Users wants the Canadian government to provide the necessary support to ensure the survival of agriculture until [someone] finds the fix. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal ended the collection of provisional countervail and antidumping duties on imported U.S. grain corn after determining the imports do not threaten the Canadian corn industry.
The AICU, a coalition of the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and the Canadian Pork Council, suggests, while the problems prompting Canadian corn growers to start the challenge still exist, they need global attention. AICU General Manager Kathleen Sullivan says duties may seem to make sense in the short run, ultimately they hurt all of agriculture. “We don’t just compete in Canada,” said Sullivan. “A lot of our customers, like the pork and the cattle producers, compete in world markets and that means we need a level playing field between Canada and competitors.” Read More
Biotech Grows In South Africa
Thanks to the Council for Biotechnology Information I was able to meet two very interesting men from South Africa at the BIO 2006 Convention. Pictured with me in the middle are Advocate Mdutshane (L), a corn grower and tribal leader and Dr. Khosi Rebe (R), who is the assistant director of the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture. Both of these guys are supporters of biotechnology.
In my interview with them you’ll hear what people in Africa think about biotech and what they want American farmers to know about them and their country. You might be interested to know for example, that there is no market system there as we know it here.
You can listen to my interview with them here: 
South Africa Biotech Interview (13 min MP3)
AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by: 