I thought the Chicago Mercantile Exchange had some strange tools before but this takes the cake. Snowfall futures and options, starting with 2 cities, New York and Boston. How many people will buy these I wonder?
CME, the world’s largest and most diverse financial exchange will begin listing and trading snowfall futures and options on futures beginning Sunday night, February 26 on the CME Globex electronic platform. CME Snowfall futures will be based on a CME Snowfall Index and will be offered initially on two U.S. cities – Boston and New York. These contracts will trade on a monthly basis from October through April. “The impact of weather can influence regional and local markets, playing a critical role in the overall economy,” said CME Managing Director of Products and Services Rick Redding. “Since 1999, CME has been offering temperature-based futures products to help market participants manage weather-related risks. Backed by CME Clearing, CME weather futures provide the safety and soundness investors are seeking to manage their weather-related risk.”
On The Road Again
It’s time to get back on the road again. I was going to have a little clip of Willie’s song here but it didn’t work out. I bought it on iTunes, then found out that I can’t even open the stupid file except with iTunes. I don’t like that.
So I’ll be headed home from the National Biodiesel Conference tomorrow which is an all day affair. I might get something new here during my layover on the way. Who knows. All I know is that all my batteries are charging (cameras, computer, recorder) and I think I need my own recharged too. I hope you like the multimedia element that my coverage is including now. It’s kind of challenging to have my audio recorder going at the same time as I’m taking video with my left hand and still photos with my right. But that’s actually the case and some of the video and stills you can see here and on other ZimmComm blogs this past week were taken at the same time!
Willie & Annie Nelson Support Farmers
It took most of the day to get a personal interview with Willie but I got ‘er done. Ask NBB Board member Greg Anderson how difficult it was. Let’s just say they weren’t letting the media do one-on-one’s but where there’s a will there’s an agriblogger.
Willie Nelson and his wife Annie received a big award today from the National Biodiesel Board. I was able to interview both of them during his big media event at the Pearson Ford Fuel Depot today. It was the announcement of a pump going online there to sell “Bio-Willie.” These biodiesel people know how to attract the media and a crowd. I think there had to be over 500 people there and I counted at least 10 tv cameras. I didn’t see any farm reporters though. I was just the lone agriblogging farm podcaster.
You can listen to my interview with Willie and Annie here: 
Willie & Annie Nelson Interview (2:00 min. MP3 File)
It’s always nice to see what’s going on too. I’ve got a short video clip of Willie on stage at the fuel pump promotion: 
BioWillie Pump Promotion (:39 wmv file)
They had a band which I assume was Willie’s band playing before and after the press conference at Pearson Ford Fuel Depot. You can listen to a song they wrote about Willie buying the Carl’s Corner fuel station in Texas here: Song About Willie (2:51 min. MP3 File)
Emily Richards For Biodiesel
This post is just to follow up my last one since it’s now the day after the Emily Richards Concert here at the National Biodiesel Conference.
Emily gave a great performance last night at 4th & B. One of the songs she played was dedicated to the people in the biodiesel business. It’s included in the section of her concert that I edited out for you here.
You can listen to a couple of Emily’s songs from last night here: Emily Richards Concert (10:23 min. MP3 File)
It’s always nice to “see” things as well as hear them so I have a short video clip from last night you can watch too: Emily Richards In Concert (5:06 wmv file)
Blogging With Emily Richards
It’s “meet the stars” week here in San Diego. I wasn’t real familiar with Emily Richards until today. But I’m a fan. Tonight we get to see a live show. Emily is a singer/songwriter that vocally supports biodiesel. If you want to see what she looks like on a motorcycle you’ll have to visit the Biodiesel Conference Blog.
I interviewed Emily earlier in the day to learn about why and how she supports renewable fuels. Emily says biodiesel is bada*s! You can learn more about her on her website.
You can listen to my interview with Emily here: Emily Richards Interview (5:12 min. MP3 File)
You can hear what Emily sounds like (with permission) here: Emily Richards – Surrender (3:38min. MP3 File)
You can watch a short video clip of the motorcycle in action, although not with Emily on it here: Green Motorcycle Demo (:41 wmv file)
Podcast File to use with your subscription software: 
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EPA Administrator Promotes Biodiesel
I don’t think I’ve ever posted as much multi-media content as I have from this National Biodiesel Conference. I know it’s making my posting light here on AgWired but that will change after I’m back Friday. I thought you might enjoy some of it here though.
This morning we had a visit by EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson. He gave a short speech then visited the Ride & Drive area outside the convention center.
He answered a few questions from the press there in front of the vehicles.
You can watch a short video clip (not much audio on it) here: Stephen Johnson Press Conference (2:27 wmv file)
You can listen to his speech here: Stephen Johnson Speech (15:04 min. MP3 File)
Podcast File to use with your subscription software: How To Subscribe
The Luke Perry Press Conference
I know posting has been a little light here today but you can visit the Biodiesel Conference Blog if you want to see what I’ve been up to. For example, my buddy Luke Perry here did a press conference just a little while ago to publicly support this renewable fuel effort. Daryl Hannah jumped into the press conference a little late but you can hear her too.
Just in case you’re wondering what that’s like I’ve got audio from the whole press conference for you here as part of the special biodiesel podcast series I’m doing for the National Biodiesel Board and I took a short video clip too.
You can watch the video clip here: Perry/Hannah Press Conference (2:09 wmv file)
You can listen to the press conference here: Perry/Hannah Press Conference (25:19 min. MP3 File)
Podcast File to use with your subscription software: How To Subscribe
Daryl Hannah On Biodiesel
Here’s a ZimmCast that’s a little different. The first star to support biodiesel is Daryl Hannah.
I got to interview Daryl at the National Biodiesel Conference. Charris Ford, founder of Grassolean Solutions, was also in on our interview. These folks are very dedicated to renewable energy and conserving our natural resources.
You can listen to this week’s ZimmCast here: 
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General Session Setup
It’s Super Bowl Half Time. Mick Jagger is in better shape than I am at the moment. How old is that guy?
Have you ever wondered what it looks like in a ballroom before the conference? You know. A setup to hold a couple thousand people, stage, screens, projectors, sound system, etc. Here’s a short video to give you an idea.
Watch here: 
NBB Conference Room Setup (50 sec. WMV File)
Floral Paradise In The Winter
It sure looks different in San Diego than the midwest this time of year. We’ve got flowers everywhere.
After a very dry Denver it’s actually nice to feel some humidity here in the harbor area.
There’s a lot of activities taking place here at the National Biodiesel Conference and you’re going to get to experience a lot of it here on AgWired.