AgWired

As we headed in to the opening reception this evening at the convention center we were encouraged to pick up a little flashy thing and wear it.

The reception was sponsored by Syngenta and these little flashing button things say, “Knowledge, Trust, Service and Presence” and of course, Syngenta.

By wearing them around the trade show somehow you’re eligible to win a chance at one of six $50 gift certificates at Bass Pro Shops. I’m game. There’s a new store not far from where I live.

AgWired coverage of Commodity Classic is being made posssible by our good friends at New Holland.

The first stop this afternoon was the media room to get checked in.

They have lots of ethernet cables set up this year and wireless. We should be in good shape and I know we’ll be in good hands.

Thanks to the staff at both NCGA and ASA for providing us with a nice place to base out of.

AgWired coverage of Commodity Classic is being made posssible by our good friends at New Holland.

Well it is currently 10:00p.m. here in California which means to me it is midnight back in Illinois. I am exhausted after a day full of traveling but super excited that I am finally in California! The first comment I have to make is I am extremely disappointed that they have discontinued the snack on the airplane. I was sitting in O’Hare waiting for my flight to board and pondering whether or not to buy a snack for the plane. Well of course I didn’t because they give you the granola bar and/or peanuts during the flight, right? Wrong! Despite the lack of a snack I had a great flight and landed in sunny California this afternoon. It was my very first time seeing palm trees and they didn’t let me down. I took lots of pictures. I checked into my hotel room and waited for the rest of the crew to arrive. Everybody loves Raymond is a very good show by the way.
We just returned from a wonderful meal from The Catch, a restaurant a few blocks away. It was a great meal, but I was so tired I almost fell asleep in my food. I’m going to bed in a few minutes but let me first tell you what some of the plans are for tomorrow. At 7:30 a.m. I will be attending the FFA breakfast meeting/press conference. In the afternoon we will be going to the opening ceremony of the Commodity Classic Trade Show which includes a performance by Michael Martin Murphey. The day will be concluded with the DEKALB and ASGROW NCGA yield contest winner event. It should be a great day to start off the 2006 Commodity Classic. See you tomorrow!

I’m here. It’s a gorgeous sunny afternoon in Anaheim. Time for the fun to begin.

Actually it’s almost time for the “CALIFORNIA DREAMIN” Pre-opening Reception. Then it’s supper at the Golden Vine Winery in Disneyland courtesy of Bayer CropScience. I have a feeling it’s going to be a late one but I’ll be collecting audio and pictures never fear.

AgWired coverage of Commodity Classic is being made posssible by our good friends at New Holland.

Commodity Classic Student blogger Margy Fischer, sponsored by Monsanto

Hello! My name is Margy Fischer, I’m a senior at the University of Missouri – Columbia studying Agricultural Journalism, and I’ll be blogging on this site during the 2006 Commodity Classic thanks to a student fellowship with Monsanto. It was almost three weeks ago that I learned of this opportunity from Bill Allen and am very grateful for this trip.
Blogging is completely new to me. The closest I may have ever come to posting a blog would be the weekly e-mail updates I would send my friends this past summer while interning in Washington DC. If those e-mails can serve as any precedent, then my posts will be full of anecdotes and observations of my surroundings. But my lack of experience with “new media” could be interesting enough that you’ll want to stay tuned.
I am intrigued by the idea that blogs have the power to turn bystanders into sources and reporters. In my journalism classes we discuss the philosophies behind our journalistic principles and practices, and blogs have done an amazing job of throwing convention to the wind. This week in Anaheim I want to experience as much as I can and in turn present all of that to you.
It was beautiful here in Columbia today, so the weather in California will be hard pressed to beat a day like this. However, I hope that I am so busy attending events and meeting people that I won’t be able to leave the convention hall. Those are probably the reasons why I am very excited to be attending this year’s event. So a big thank you again to everyone who made this possible.

Hello, My name is Mary Irelan and I am a student at the University of Illinois. I am currently a sophomore and I am majoring in Ag Communications. I would like to start off by thanking my sponsor, Monsanto, and specifically Tami Craig Schilling and Mica DeLong for allowing me to take part in this amazing experience. I would also like to thank Chuck Zimmerman for giving Margy and I the opportunity to blog for this website. I am extremely excited to participate in the Monsanto Future Ag Journalist Fellowship and I know I will learn a lot.
A little background on me: I am from a grain farm outside of Sparland, Illinois which is just north of Peoria. I live with my parents Dave and Jean and my sisters Elizabeth and Christine. I was extremely active in 4-H and FFA and even live at 4-H House at U of I.
I am currently packing my suitcase and getting more excited and, I must admit, nervous by the second. I have never been west of Nebraska so the prospect of visiting California is exciting in itself. This will be my first time attending Commodity Classic and I can’t wait to take it all in. I’m looking forward to meeting lots of people and learning about new technology about to be brought out into agriculture. The Lorrie Morgan Concert is going to be a plus as well. I’m eager to hear the major announcement Monsanto is making to the public and also one being made by FFA.
There is going to be lots to do and lots to see. I hope you continue to log on to read about Margy and I as we experience the 2006 Commodity Classic in Anaheim, California.