Many of our readers belong to the American Society of Association Executives and one of them brought the cover story of their latest magazine to my attention. You have to be a member to get it and I’m not but at least you can see that blogging is getting the attention of associations!
It really is a great communications tool for associations. What faster, easier way can you have to communicate to members and get their immediate feedback?
As podcasters ourselves we keep an eye out for the latest in this fast-growing way to distribute audio content. There’s really too much going on in podcasting to bring it all to you here. But when we see something interesting we’ll let you know. Like Family Friendly Podcasts, which is a relatively new podcast directory that won’t list anything that contains foul language, sexual situations or drug or alcohol promotion. This does limit the list of currently available podcasts somewhat. They have listed the ZimmCast though and really like what we’re doing.
Family Friendly Podcasts is published by 1st Podcast Publishing. 1st Podcast Publishing will teach you how to create your own podcasts or you know who else you can call (hint, hint).
You might also be interested to know that TV Guide is now podcasting. As their website says “In this exclusive weekly Podcast, you can listen to Michael Ausiello and the TVGuide.com crew as they provide inside scoop, offbeat opinions and answers to your questions about the latest entertainment headlines, the hottest TV shows, the newest movies and the biggest celebrities. “
You know if I was having problems with my rut challenged soil and wondering what to do about it I’d call Valley!
Valley Introduces Rut Solution for Especially Challenging Soils
Irrigation season will be much easier for some growers if they don’t have to deal with wheel ruts. Certain soil types make this a challenge, and Valley is coming to the rescue. The industry leader in mechanized irrigation already has the V-3 Drive on the market, which puts three wheels at the base beam to provide more traction and flotation. Some situations, however, call for maximum assistance, and that’s why Valley Irrigation is now introducing the Spider Dual Drive.
Field test results show a 30-50% wheel rut reduction with the use of the Spider Dual Drive from Valley. Product Manager Jim Mikula says “This product provides a solution where other options have not proven acceptable. It’s the highest flotation and traction option available. The Spider Dual Drive minimizes rut depth in the field, and can be added to any span of a pivot, wherever the grower finds the most challenging soil conditions.”
For more information contact Kim Lang. By the way, Kim attended my Blogging 101 presentation at the Midlands NAMA chapter meeting last month. I hope we’ll see her put some of those creative ideas to work, along with others who were also there!
Who am I not to post an announcement about a new web look?
Holstein Foundation Website – Same Address, New look
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., May 31, 2005– The Holstein Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of their newly redesigned website with improved site features and layout at www.holsteinfoundation.org.
“We have seen excitement for the Foundation at a whole new level this year. It is only fitting that our website reflects that,” said Jodi Luttropp, Holstein Foundation Programs Manager.
The redesigned website will appeal to the broad audience the Holstein Foundation works with to provide a wealth of information that is easy to find. For example, youth might look for practice questions for Dairy Bowl, a dairy judging team coach can download a related workbook and a proud grandparent can look for photos of their young stars in the photo album.
For more information contact Lisa Perrin.
The United Soybean Board has created a nifty little e-newsletter for media types which contains just a few short stories.
Stories in the latest issue include:
Supreme Court Rules Favorably for Beef Checkoff
Biodiesel Making Friends in High Places
Soy Biodiesel Joins the Yacht Club
Soybean Checkoff Rises to Fight the Aphid Challenge
Each story is short and contains suggestions for individuals to interview about each subject. I like how simple it is. You can scan it in just a few seconds to see if you’re interested and you know who to contact for more. Pretty good idea if you ask me.
Contact Chris Toebben or Tyler Kelley at Osborn & Barr Communications, 888-235-4332, for more information.
The media event that the Ethanol Promotion & Information Council coordinated last Friday was truly an awesome piece of public relations! It sure doesn’t hurt to be tied into the greatest spectacle in racing. Way to go Tom Slunecka and the folks from the Integer Group, led by Joanna Schroeder.
As a wrapup I had promised some more photos. This is my first time trying this so hopefully when you use this link you’ll be taken to the Flickr photo album I created for this event. Indy 500 – Team Ethanol
Last Friday agriculture received a great amount of publicity through the media event coordinated by the Ethanol Promotion & Information Council (EPIC). It was easy to see that they generated stories because there were many reporters already covering the pending Indy 500 race. They were eager to interview all the media contacts for the event.
This week’s ZimmCast features an interview with EPIC executive director, Tom Slunecka. Tom discusses the Indy 500 promotion and the mission of his organization. I know I posted the interview already but here’s a link to it again. 
The ZimmCast is our weekly podcast. With podcast subscribing software you can use the link in our sidebar to subscribe.
There’s apparently more to learn about the recent Supreme Court decision on the beef checkoff. What I wonder is how many of those 26 million homes will be tuned in!
Beef Checkoff Leaders to Hold Satellite Forum
on Supreme Court Decision
CENTENNIAL, COLO. (May 25, 2005) – The Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the Federation of State Beef Councils Division of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association will hold a Satellite Forum on RFD-TV on Wednesday, June 1, 2005, from 9 to 10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (8 p.m. CDT, 7 p.m. MDT, 6 p.m. PDT), to discuss the long-awaited Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of the beef checkoff.
This special program will feature call-in questions from viewers and a panel discussion that will include Al Svajgr, a Nebraska cattleman and chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board; Monte Reese, the board’s chief operating officer; and Myron Williams, a cattleman from South Dakota and chairman of the Federation of State Beef Councils Division of NCBA.
The 60-minute Satellite Forum will broadcast live on RFD-TV, which reaches more than 26 million homes. Viewers nationwide may call in to a telephone number provided on-screen with questions or comments for the panel members.
The live RFD-TV broadcast may be viewed on:
DISH Network Satellite Channel 9409
DirecTV Satellite Channel 379
MediaCom Cable Systems, Check Local Listings
NCTC Cable Systems, Check Local Listings
For more information contact Donna Moreno.
Well, Jimmy got 47 laps in but he’s done. I don’t have any information on why but he’s out. That’s tough but it gives me a good excuse to pack up and leave early and beat the crowd out. At least while the car was running it looked good!
That’s all for me from Indy today.
It is one of the most famous sayings in sports, “Gentlemen, (and ladies now), start your engines.”
The race got off to a smooth start and you can hear what it sounds like here. The audio includes the announcer, car startup and as they pass the green flag.
