First Time Farm Podcasting Mentioned In USDA Press Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

I think it’s probably the first time the term’s been introduced into a USDA press conference and AgriMarketing Pros is glad to have had the opportunity to do it!

Farm podcasting. It’s a new thing and it’s the future of farm broadcasting. Well, actually the future’s here now!

Chuck & Sec. of Ag Johanns

In today’s NAFB Washington Watch program I was able to ask a question during the press conference with Sec. of Ag Johanns. Since I’m also doing work here this week for the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association I asked about the status of the Office of Management & Budget’s decision to re-define “rural community,” which will have an impact on whether REC’s are eligible for loans from the Rural Utilities Service.

You can listen to the Q & A here: Farm Podcasting Q & A

We had to introduce ourselves and I did by including the mention that we’re farm podcasting! Later I realized this might be the first time the term farm podcasting has been used in a USDA press conference.

If not, let me know.

We’re doing a limited amount of farm podcasting at the moment here at AgriMarketing Pros. You can subscribe to our weekly ZimmCast for example. We also make the weekly Missouri Beef Industry Council Report and Missouri Corn Growers Association CornTalk program available here as well.

I am looking forward to working with broadcasters, agencies, companies and organizations to develop and produce new farm podcasts.

Farmers are no different than the rest of us when it comes to the computer. If you still doubt it then you might ask the Farm Service Agency why they’ve moved to internet only applications for assistance as was mentioned early today in the USDA session.

Audio, NAFB

Gathering Around The Big Table At USDA

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm broadcasters gathered around the big conference room table at USDA this morning for their exclusive press conference as part of the NAFB Washington Watch program.

NAFB/USDA Press Conference

Besides meeting with Sec. of Ag Johanns, and newly sworn in Deputy Sec. Conner, the group of farm broadcasters heard from other USDA officials like Bruce Knight, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Jim Little, Administrator, Farm Service Agency, Ross Davidson, Administrator, Risk Management Agency, Tim Ryan, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development, Keith Collins, Chief Economist, J. P. Penn, Under Secretary for Farm & Foreign Ag Services, William Hawks, Under Secretary for Marketing & Regulatory Programs and Ron DeHaven, Administrator, Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service.

NAFB

USDA’s Big (NOT) Announcement AT NAFB Washington Watch

Chuck Zimmerman

It was prepped as a “Major Announcement” by USDA and I applaud USDA for working with farm radio & tv reporters like those attending today’s NAFB Washington Watch program, however, news it was not.

You can listen to the complete press conference with Ag Secretary Mike Johanns here: Johanns Press Conference

USDA Press Conference

Pictured are (l to r) USDA Deputy Secretary, Chuck Conner (sworn in this morning), Secretary of Ag Mike Johanns and NAFB president Emery Kleven, Waitt Farm Network.

Basically Johanns announced that USDA would be conducting a series of public listening sessions on the next farm bill. No start date, locations or format.

I think USDA was trying to use this opportunity with farm broadcasters in town to build a relationship with the media and that’s a good thing. I just wish there had been more details to the announcement.

During the session both sides, USDA and farm broadcasters, took turns patting each other on the back, so it’s obvious this morning’s press conference was a way for further strengthening a long standing relationship. Several of the broadcasters in attendance volunteered to host a listening session in their area, including NAFB at their annual convention in Kansas City this November.

Audio, NAFB

He Remembers When He Got An Electric Typewriter At USDA

Chuck Zimmerman

After 31 years at USDA, Larry Quinn, Assistant Director of Communications, has worked for 11 different Secretaries of Agriculture. At the NAFB Washington Watch dinner he spent some time reviewing the many changes that have taken place in the communications field since he started at the department.

Larry has been instrumental in assisting farm broadcasters with the Washington Watch program for many years. Tomorrow he’s arranged for us all to visit USDA and we’re prepped for a major announcement by Sec. Johanns.

Larry Quinn

NAFB

NCGA President Talks About Marketing And Legislation In Latest ZimmCast

Chuck Zimmerman

In our ZimmCast this week I interview Leon Corzine, President of the National Corn Growers Association, about marketing and legislation. Although sometimes these seem very separate they really are very related aspects of the business of agriculture.

You can listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast

Leon Corzine & Chuck

The current edition of ZimmCast is always available in our “Audio Programming” sidebar.

Ag Groups, Audio, NAFB, Podcasts, ZimmCast

Issues Forum Action At Washington Watch

Chuck Zimmerman

Another Chairman of this year’s NAFB Washington Watch is Ken Root, WHO. Ken is a past NAFB president and executive director who’s now back on the air on WHO.

Ken Root & Larry Mitchell

Here Ken’s interviewing Larry Mitchell, CEO of the American Corn Growers Association.

NAFB

Thanks For The Steak NCBA

Chuck Zimmerman

The lunch sponsor at NAFB’s Washington Watch was the National Cattlemens Beef Association, NCBA. Of course we had steak!

Jay Truitt was on hand to welcome the farm broadcasters attending and mention his past experience as one himself. He said that his daughter would tell her school teacher that Daddy talked to farmers and drank coffee. Sounds like a farm broadcaster description to me.

Jay Truitt

NAFB

Welcome To Washington Watch

Chuck Zimmerman

One of the Chairmen of this year’s NAFB Washington Watch is Tom Brand, KFEQ. Tom got things started today at the opening luncheon by welcoming the 33 farm broadcasters in attendance as well as the various organizational representatives.

Tom Brand

Tom is also a past president of NAFB.

NAFB

NRECA Members Learn How Bureaucrats Work

Chuck Zimmerman

Today at the pre-NRECA Legislative Conference members can attend a morning session called “Congressional Insight” that turns them into federal legislators. They’re set up in a congressional office setting and made to deal with staff, media, legislation and round-the-clock meetings with constituents, lobbyists and colleagues.

That’s followed by a class in ethics. Sounds to me like something some real senators and representatives ought to attend!

Later on today official registration begins before this conference kicks off tomorrow.

Uncategorized

Major Announcement Tomorrow From USDA

Chuck Zimmerman

Tommorow the NAFB group will attend a USDA briefing at which Ag Secretary, Mike Johanns, is expected to make a big announcement. At least that’s what the press release USDA put out late Friday said.


JOHANNS TO MAKE MAJOR NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT

WASHINGTON, Apr. 29, 2005–Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns will make
a major news announcement during a speech to the National Association
of Farm Broadcasters.

WHO: Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns

WHAT: Secretary Johanns speaks to NAFB members, makes announcement

WHEN: Monday, May 02, 2005, 9:10 a.m. EDT

I’ll be there and post what we find out right here as soon as I can. I should have the audio available to listen to depending on what type of access they have available. You’d think it would be pretty good. However, at this Hyatt hotel I’m in, I’ve been having some technical problems accessing our web server via their high speed wireless access. It’s not making me happy.

NAFB