At the Ag Relations Council business meeting president, Jeri Omernik, reported that there are currently 74 members and that the legwork has been done to organize and set up new procedures to jump start a solicitation of new members and re-institute the Golden ARC Awards program. She said that the transition from having NAMA oversee the organization is complete and they’re seeing a lot of renewed interest from past and potential members.
Polka Music Time At German Fest
German Fest wouldn’t be authentic without polka music right? So that you can get the flavor of the event, here for your pleasure is a cut of polka music from one of the live stages at German Fest in Milwaukee.
You can listen here 
Enjoying German Fest
So what do you do at German Fest? You find a good beer and sit down with friends and enjoy. Here’s some of the happy group from the ARC meeting doing just that.
NAFB President At German Fest
You never know who you’ll run into at an event like German Fest. As we were wandering around we noticed Emery Kleven, current president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters taking a photo. Emery’s not here for ARC or AMS. Just “Festing” along with thousands of his best friends.
ARC Heads To German Fest
The Ag Relations Council group headed to German Fest by trolley just as soon as business was over.
ARC Group Meeting This Afternoon
On a beautiful day in Milwaukee the Ag Relations Council was inside discussing ethics in public relations. Interestingly, I checked my subscriptions afterwards and found this one at Adjab on this very subject called “Advertising and editorial get a little cozier.”
No Color Printer At The Hilton
Allow me to rant for a moment. While the ARC panel is going on I thought I’d see if I could get a document color printed here at the Hilton. No color printers on site. The concierge sent me on a 15 minute walk to Kinkos. Guess she didn’t know that it closes at 2pm on Saturday. So on my 15 minute walk back I did take this picture of the Milwaukee Riverwalk area. It had a calming effect on my feelings at that moment. It’s hard to see in this little photo but Usinger’s, a fine Wisconsin sausage maker is in the background.
Hopefully I can get my document printed on Monday morning.
ARC Panel On Ethics In Public Relations
The second panel of the day for ARC, which is still in progress, in on “Ethics in Public Relations.” Pictured (l-r) are Gary Myers, Morgan & Myers, Bruce Herz, Bader-Rutter, Dr. Karen Salttery (moderator), Marquette University, Deron Johnson, Rhea & Kaiser and Lisa Hull, Charleston/Orwig.
ARC Panel On Bioenergy
The first part of the Ag Relations Council program was a panel on “The Bioenergy Issue.” Very timely with the passage of energy legislation this week! Pictured (l-r) are ARC President, Jeri Omernik, panel moderator Dr. Lynn Hamilton, Michigan State University, Susan Crane, WE Energy and Bob Oleson, Wisconsin Corn Growers.
ARC Board Meets
The board of the Agricultural Relations Council just concluded meeting a little while ago. Joining them was their scholarship winner, Katie Knapp, from Magnolia, IL, who’s attending the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She’s in the middle of Carroll Merry (left) and Jeri Omernik (right).
The board discussed several issues as they continue to guide ARC through a re-organization process. Topics included increasing membership and increasing awareness of the ARC, holding the Golden ARC Awards, public relations accreditation, and meetings next year.
I’m late to our afternoon program so I’ve gotta go.