The National Association of Farm Broadcasters has their 2005 directory online for your viewing pleasure. A number of significant organizational changes were made in NAFB this past year like the creation of the Management Council, which now has board representation and the re-structuring of the board itself to be smaller. You can see the results of some of those changes in the new directory.
Wine is made from grapes, the growing of which can be said to be agriculture, therefore, this is about agrimarketing.
I just saw this release about glow-in-the-dark wine labels and think it’s an interesting idea. It would add a nice visual aura to your wine cellar when the lights are out!
I’m sure there are a lot of wine review sites so I don’t intend to start another one but if I ever get to taste a bottle I’ll let you know what I think.
First Glow-in-the Dark Label Brings Unique Twist to Wine Labeling
Napa Valley, CA, April 17, 2005 — Carneros della Notte winery today announced their debut release, consisting of two pinot noirs vintage 2003 now available at www.carnerosdellanotte.com. This new producer is created in partnership by three men of diverse backgrounds and is producing ultra-premium pinot noir wines from three different clones and three different rootstocks. The grapes are harvested by hand and exclusively at night while the juice chemistry is more stable. The winery’s name reflects this practice and translates to “Carneros of the Night”. Carneros della Notte is also the first producer to use a glow-in-the-dark wine label to further articulate the winery’s unique approach to pinot noir production.
The premier releases are the Los Carneros Pinot Noir, a 100% Pinot Noir from the Carneros region of Napa and Sonoma Valleys, which retails at $48.00 per bottle, and the Napa Valley DIII Vineyard Pinot Noir, which is produced with grapes grown exclusively from David Harmon’s Carneros-Napa Valley vineyard and is offered at $150.00 per bottle.
Carneros della Notte’s founders are Dave Harmon, a former founder of wine.com and past chauffeur to Robert Mondavi and Winemaker Sal Godinez who has been a vintner in the Carneros area for more than twenty years and Darin Applebury, a United Airlines pilot.
For more information, please contact David Harmon, Partner, 707-312-1202.
Here’s the front label of the 2003 D III Vineyard Pinot Noir.
Here’s somebody who’s figured out how to use the internet to market himself. His name’s Jack Schultz and he’s the CEO of Agracel, Inc., which is an industrial development firm, specializing in the agurban market. To find out what an agurban market is you need to read his book, “BoomTown USA.”
I say he’s got this internet thing figured out because there’s the Agracel, Inc. corporate website, then you’ve got the Boomtown USA book website, then you’ve got Jack’s blog, “BoomtownUSA” and you can subscribe to his e-zine “The Agurban.”
That’s a pretty tightly integrated and good looking package if you ask me.
Here’s an excerpt from the last issue of The Agurban:
Turning a one-horse town into a team-driven wagon
And hopefully that wagon is headed forward! Does your community’s economy, it’s very existence, rely on one or two companies wrapped up in the same industry? Have you ever wondered what will we do if XYZ Company closes, leaves, shuts down? But you quickly turn your thoughts elsewhere, before the panic sets in, thinking, “Oh, that could never happen to us, they’ve always been here, they’re not going anywhere.” WRONG! Having an economy that relies heavily on one industry is a scary if not suicidal economic development strategy. You have to diversify.
High Point, NC (pop 90,000) is famous for being the furniture capital of the world. They have two shows/year when they have 80,000 buyers from around the world into the town for a full week. It is estimated to bring in over $1.1 billion and is the largest economic development event in the state each year. In addition to having a furniture cluster in High Point, they also have a fabric cluster and even a photography cluster. They have 14 photo studios and have more studio square footage than ANY other city in the US.
For the rest of the story you’ll have to subscribe or contact Jack Schultz.
I’m not very familiar with the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association but I noticed they’re having their annual meeting in Memphis at the end of the month.
Elvis May Rendezvous with TOCA in Memphis
You can do anything you want to do, but don’t step on his blue suede shoes or dribble barbecue sauce on his sequins. If it’s Memphis an Elvis sighting must be a high priority for members so please mark April 29-May 1 on your calendars for the 16th annual gathering of the Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA).
You can get the program and register here.
I’ve spoken with a number of people who won’t be able to attend next week’s 2005 Agri-Marketing Conference & Trade Show. For them, NAMA has the next best thing.
Don’t worry, you won’t miss out on everything! Most of the professional development sessions at the 2005 will be recorded for the NAMA Learning Center. The NAMA Learning Center, powered by Ag Technologies, provides convenient and easy access to information, education and training, based on your specific needs. The Learning Center hosts a collection of presentations covering diverse issues in the fields of sales, product management, public relations, marketing communications, and the agricultural industry in general. You can view speaker presentations from select Agri-Marketing Conference and Agribusiness Forum Seminars on-line, at your convenience.
Most presentations from the 2005 Agri-Marketing Conference & Trade Show will be available on the Learning Center beginning May 1. Visit, http://www.namalearningcenter.org and rent a presentation you missed or want to see again. Members receive a special discounted rate.
If you still need to register it’s not too late. Register here. Or you can just show up next week and register when you walk in.
Valent’s, MaxCel plant growth regulator receives new registration and they add to their PNW sales team.
MaxCel™ Plant Growth Regulator Receives New York Registration
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (April 14, 2005) – New York apple growers now have access to a state-of-the-art product for use in post-bloom thinning and sizing programs. MaxCel™ Plant Growth Regulator has been registered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
For more information contact Elsa Zisook.
Valent Adds Ag Veteran to PNW Sales Team
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (April, 14 2005) – Valent U.S.A. Corporation is pleased to announce the addition of Chuck Cary to its Pacific Northwestern sales team. Cary will be responsible for serving Valent customers in southern Washington and northeastern Oregon.
For more information contact Elsa Zisook.
Ag Secretary Johannes is at all the meetings! I guess that’s what you’ve got to do when you’re new.
Next up for him is the World Pork Congress.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns will deliver the keynote address at the World Pork Congress in Washington, D.C., April 28-29.
Johanns headlines a distinguished list of speakers and panelists from around the world who will discuss the latest trends and developments in pork research, production and marketing. The World Pork Congress, being held in the United States for the first time, has registrants from 33 countries.
For more information contact Mike Wegner.
While we’re at it with National Pork Board news. They’ve got another meeting scheduled:
Pork Checkoff’s Financial Management Conference to take place in July
The Pork Checkoff is offering the 2005 Financial Management Conference July 17-20, 2005 at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, Calif.
The 2 1/2-day conference has had great attendance in past years with an average of 125 industry producers, CFOs, lenders and accountants participating in each one. Participants have received relevant information useful for making financial decisions and dealing with the uncertainty of the industry and the economy.
For more information contact Cindy Cunningham.
If you’ve wondered what a NAMA convention is or are just curious to know more about next week’s program then listen to my interview with Eldon White, NAMA Executive Director.
Eldon describes the various keynote speakers, student competition, trade show and networking opportunities presented by the 2005 Agri-marketing Conference and Trade Show.
You can listen to the interview here: 
Eldon White Interview
AgriMarketing Pros will be exhibiting and blogging our way through. If you’re there and we interview and write about you, you’ll receive a special “blogging” gift!
Another upcoming program on RFD-TV features the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
Spread the Word!
NCBA will hold a Satellite Forum on RFD-TV on April 21 from 10 to 11 p.m. Eastern Time (9 p.m. CT, 8 p.m. MT, 7 p.m. PT), to update cattlemen on recent NCBA actions and international trade developments, including trade with Canada. NCBA President Jim McAdams, International Markets Committee Chairman Jamie Willrett, and Dr. Gary Weber, NCBA Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs, will comprise the panel. NCBA will share information and take questions and comments from viewers. The live RFD-TV broadcast may be viewed on: DISH Network Satellite Channel 9409, DirecTV Satellite Channel 379, MediaCom Cable Systems and NCTC Cable Systems. Repeats of the program will air on RFD-TV on April 22 at 7 a.m. ET and 1 p.m. ET, as well as Sunday, April 24 at 6 p.m. ET.
For more information contact Joe Schuele.
An interesting way to learn more about what’s happening at R-CALF is to tune in to RFD-TV.
R-CALF USA to Make Second Appearance on RFD-TV
(Billings, Mont.) – R-CALF USA will make its second appearance on RFD-TV during a one-hour simulcast at 8 p.m. EDT on Monday, May 2nd, at the RFD-TV studios in Nashville, Tenn. The live call-in show will be rebroadcast at 4 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 3rd, and again at noon EDT on Tuesday, May 3rd.
RFD-TV is a network serving the interests of rural viewers, and its programs offer viewers the opportunity to listen to in-depth discussions on hot issues with leaders from various organizations in the agriculture industry. RFD-TV is broadcast via satellite. On the DISH Network, viewers can watch the program on Channel 9409, and on DIRECTV, viewers can tune in to Channel 379 to catch the show.
The first half hour of “R-CALF USA Live!” will feature discussion of the organization’s positions on various issues important to independent U.S. cattle producers. During the second half of the show, R-CALF USA invites viewers to call in and ask questions. The toll-free call-in number will not be announced to viewers until airtime on Monday.
Speaking on behalf of the organization will be R-CALF USA President and Founder Leo McDonnell; Chuck Kiker, R-CALF USA director for Region V; and, R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard. Hosting the program is Shae Dodson, R-CALF USA communications coordinator.
For more information contact Shae Dodson.
