NCGA’s FSATF Report

Chuck Zimmerman July 18, 2005

I had not seen this report before seeing a link to it in today’s NCGA News of the Day. It’s the result of NCGA’s Future Structure of Agriculture Task Force II work. It looks like a lot of work went into this document. I wonder how it’s being used and if it will have any impact. Anyone know?

You can read the full report on their website.

Their Executive Summary makes a clear statement that some things need to change for production agriculture to continue to grow and be a viable business for farmers.To revitalize rural America, agriculture needs a new focus—an emphasis on entrepreneurship versus entitlement. Hundreds of farmer-owned ventures have flowered throughout the Grain Belt since the mid-1990s. But more investment beyond production agriculture is critical, since future profits in commodity agriculture will grow only in nickels and dimes; upstream processors, many of which can be farmer owned, will capture the real dollars from value-added agriculture.

The report makes a number of specific recommendations:

• Elevate bio-based research and technology to a national priority.
• Encourage farmer-owned brands by removing legal barriers.
• Reform producer-owned business structures to improve tax efficiency, easily raise capital and offer investor liquidity.
• Foster and fund value-added education and rural entrepreneurship.

Ag Groups

Milk Is Milk To Alex Avery

Chuck Zimmerman July 18, 2005

I don’t think I’ve pointed you to the Milk is Milk blog yet have I?

This is where the Center For Global Food Issues, director of research & education posts his thoughts. He is Alex Avery.

He doesn’t write often but when he does it’s well thought out and he makes good use of links. His latest post for example is on happy cows and unhappy birds. It’s about grazing and claims made by organic milk producers and environmentalists and he puts links to sites that contain information to back up what he’s saying.

I think this is a great example of how you can incorporate blogging into your web strategy since the blog is linked to from the Milk is Milk website!

Uncategorized

Farm Radio & Print In Florida

Chuck Zimmerman July 18, 2005

This week’s ZimmCast features Gary Cooper. No, not that Gary Cooper. Gary Cooper as in, president of Southeast AgNet & Citrus Industry magazine.

Gary has been in farm broadcasting all his life and now he owns a magazine. Ever wondered what it’s like to try to marry these two mediums together? Well, in my interview with Gary we talk about why he made the purchase and how he’s integrating these two mediums for the benefit of Florida citrus growers and the companies that advertise.

You can listen to my interview with Gary here

Our ZimmCast is also a weekly podcast which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar.

Audio, Media, Podcasts, ZimmCast

Johanns In Madagascar

Chuck Zimmerman July 17, 2005

Our Secretary of Ag, Mike Johanns was in Madagascar this past week. I wish they’d invited AgWired to go along. Cindy and I sponsor a child in Madagascar through CFCA and I’ve wanted to visit him and his family. Anyway, it looks like our secretary got some work done there.

Transcript Of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns At the Signing Ceremony for MOU and a Food for Progress Agreement – Antananarivo, Madagascar – July 16, 2005

SECRETARY JOHANNS: “Mr. President,Mister Ministers,

“Let me start out and say that it is a great pleasure to be here in Madagascar. My wife Stephanie and I are honored to be here. We have enjoyed firsthand the beauty and the natural resources of this remarkable country, and we look forward to our visit over the hours ahead. We certainly appreciate your warm welcome.

“I am here in order that our two countries will further develop our common interests, continued cooperation in the progress on economic reforms that will expand freedom, security and prosperity to all.

For the full transcript visit this link.

Uncategorized

Ag Law Meeting In KC, MO

Chuck Zimmerman July 17, 2005

I didn’t even know there was an American Agricultural Law Association until a notice about this conference was sent to me.

The 2005 Annual Agricultural Law Symposium will be held in Kansas City, MO at the Country Club Plaza Marriott, October 7 & 8. Registration information and program schedules:
PDF
MS Word
Registration forms:
PDF (the PDF form can be filled out on your computer using Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or above)
MS Word

For more information contact Robert Achenbach, AALA Executive Director or by phone at (541) 485-1090 (Eugene, OR).

Uncategorized

What Will Happen In Hong Kong

Chuck Zimmerman July 17, 2005

Don’t say it Supachai. We want to see something accomplished in Hong Kong. I’ve already been to one WTO Ministerial (Seattle) when nothing was accomplished. It just goes to show you how difficult it is and always will be to get hundreds of countries to agree on anything. The World Trade Organization is planning a conference later this year in Hong Kong and AgWired is hoping to cover it. Let’s just hope we have something to cover!

SUPACHAI: “THESE NEGOTIATIONS ARE IN TROUBLE”
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi called on ambassadors in an informal meeting on 8 July 2005 to immediately change gear in the trade negotiations, stressing that “progress is nowhere near sufficient in terms of our critical path to Hong Kong”. He said that there is still a “slender chance” of averting a crisis, “but every hour must be made to count”.

Uncategorized

PMN Is 5 Years Old

Chuck Zimmerman July 17, 2005

The Plant Management Network (PMN) is celebrating its first five years of online publication. To commemorate the occasion, PMN took a look back interviewing some of those involved when it began.

Started in July 2000 as a single journal, PMN now offers a full suite of applied science-based agricultural resources. Said Tim Murray, first Plant Health Progress journal editor-in-chief and Washington State University plant pathologist, “As one of the web’s first electronic-only publications, I remember that when we first went online people wondered if it would last. After five years, I think the answer is definitely ‘yes’. Not only is the journal now part of the permanent literature, it has evolved into a comprehensive network for applied agriculture.” He added, “People I talk with today can’t imagine not having this kind of hands-on information available electronically.”

Internet, Publication

New COB For BIO

Chuck Zimmerman July 15, 2005

The Biotechnology Industry Organization has a new board chairman and annouces its new board of directors. The organization started in 1993.

BIO Names Chairman, Board Members for 2005-2006

WASHINGTON, July 15 – James C. Mullen, president and CEO of Biogen Idec Inc., has been elected chairman of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Board of Directors. Mullen replaces Richard F. Pops, CEO of Alkermes Inc.

“Richard Pops guided BIO through two important years marked by the successful negotiation and passage of historic Medicare reform that includes prescription drug benefits for senior citizens,” said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood. “As Richard’s term successfully ends, I look forward to the next two years working with Jim Mullen.

For more information, including a list of the new board members, contact Debbie Strickland, +1-202-962-9200.

Ag Groups, Agribusiness

Lamberton New To NAWG

Chuck Zimmerman July 15, 2005

There’s a new kid in town. Actually he’s not a new kid but he’s new to the National Association of Wheat Growers.

NAWG Hires Communications & Industry Relations Director

NAWG is pleased to announce that Lance Lamberton will join the organization’s staff on August 1 as Director of Communications and Industry Relations. In this post, he will be responsible for maintaining and cultivating relationships with news organizations and publications, communicating NAWG priority issues and managing special projects and relationships with NAWG industry partners.

Lamberton comes to NAWG with a long and distinguished career of communications experience and accomplishment. His career has included stints in the communications departments of Delta Air Lines, Lockheed Martin, Jersey Central Power & Light Company and Exxon Corporation. He also served as the Deputy Director of the White House Office of Policy Information under President Ronald Reagan.

For more information contact Lance.

Ag Groups

New Podcasting Info

Chuck Zimmerman July 15, 2005

I thought you might be interested in some new information about podcasting. Although you can debate the current statistics and maybe you don’t want to download and listen to audio wherever and whenever you want, a lot of people are doing it and I think it’s a great public relations tool!

To start with there’s a great little white paper on podcasting from the folks at Podblaze. It’s titled “What You Don’t Know About Podcasting Could Hurt Your Business: How to Leverage & Benefit from this New Media Technology.”

You can download the paper here. “The purpose of this white paper is to educate readers about the potential marketing value of Podcasting, and how to leverage this new media technology for maximum benefit. This new media audio technology provides ample opportunity for businesses and individuals to leverage their subject matter knowledge and expertise to generate increased brand exposure, improved product awareness, increased sales and additional revenue opportunities.”

Next you can check out this post at Podcasting News In it you’ll find information from a report by The Diffusion Group. For example, “Demand for time-shifted digital audio files or podcasts is expected to grow from less than 15% of portable digital music player owners in 2004 to 75% by 2010, according to new forecasts from The Diffusion Group, a consumer technology research and marketing firm.”

Finally, you might want to check out this book, “Podcasting: Do It Yourself Guide.” From the back cover, “It’s your show, and you can do what you want. Got something to tell the world? Want unlimited listening options? Podcasting makes it happen. It’s the hottest communication trend of the twenty-first century, and one of the first guys to jump on board is ready to get you started. Todd helps you choose software, subscribe to the best podcasts, produce one with equipment you already have, record and distribute your shows—even explore the geeky stuff. Whether you’re producing a podcast or listening to one, podcasting puts you in charge.”

So there you have it. Some new information and resources if you’re considering podcasting!

Podcasts

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