Purple Plow Promotes STEM Learning

Cindy Zimmerman January 4, 2017

I’ve never seen a purple plow, but the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has just launched the Purple Plow Challenge site for middle-school students to research scenarios related to food, hunger and sustainability.

“The Purple Plow Challenge is a great fit for individuals, groups and classes in grades 6, 7 and 8. It’s perfect for makerspaces, after-school programs, in-school lessons, 4-H clubs, library learning, scout troops and more,” said Angela Mayfield, education director of the Foundation.

The Purple Plow Challenge contest will run seasonally beginning in January 2017. Interested teachers, mentors and students should check out the website – purpleplowchallenge.org – after Jan. 1 for the announcement of the spring Purple Plow challenge. Resources will be available for free download. Spring submissions are due May 1. See the website for complete details.

Resources for the Purple Plow project are made possible by the support of DuPont Pioneer.

AFBF, Education

Land O’Lakes Scores with Farmer Feeds Us Video

Cindy Zimmerman January 3, 2017

Land O’ Lakes scored big with a commercial that aired during bowl games over the weekend to remind everyone that the farmer feeds us all. I can’t believe I never heard the lovely poem by author Amelia E. Barr that was used for the video – truer words were never written!

Here’s the full version of the video:

Video

Harrington Writes Book about Iowa Journalist

Cindy Zimmerman January 3, 2017

Longtime agribusiness PR and marketing man Jerry Harrington is now a published author.

Harrington, who retired in 2014 after 16 years as marketing public relations manager for DuPont Pioneer, has written a book about a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper editor in the 1930s. “Crusading Iowa Journalist Verne Marshall: Exposing Graft and the 1936 Pulitzer Prize,” is now available from The History Press of Arcadia Publishing.

On December 12, 1934, police raided a canning factory in Cedar Rapids, uncovering an illegal liquor and gambling set-up. Verne Marshall, tempestuous editor of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, sensed a bigger story and a wider network of corruption. His aggressive investigative reporting led to multiple resignations, nearly fifty indictments and the dramatic trial of the state’s attorney general. These explosive exposés earned Verne Marshall and the paper the 1936 Pulitzer Prize. Author Jerry Harrington traces the legacy of Marshall’s incendiary crusade across Iowa’s political landscape.

While Harrington had a career in the agri-marketing industry that spanned three decades, he has been a history buff his entire life and received his master’s degree in history from the University of Iowa in 1981. A frequent contributor to Iowa History Journal, he recently won the 2016 George Mills-Louise Noun Popular History Award from the Iowa State Historical Society for a series on Iowa governors. Jerry is also a big comic book collector and combines his love of both by teaching “The History of American Comic Books” at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa City.

Order Jerry’s book here.

Journalism

It’s #PotatoExpo Time

Chuck Zimmerman January 2, 2017

It’s still very early in the new year but it’s already time for the annual Potato Expo, which takes place this week in San Francisco, CA. I’ll be back on the agriblogging highway and on location by Wednesday evening to be your eyes and ears at the expo, thanks once again to our friends with Nufarm.

Unite with others at high energy networking opportunities and gain practical business solutions at the 9th annual Potato Expo! Join more than 2,000 growers, suppliers, and experts at the largest conference and trade show for the potato industry held in North America.

Potato Expo 2017 offers educational programming covering the top issues facing the potato industry, provides countless networking opportunities with key decision makers, and showcases the latest products and services for potato production, storage, and distribution. Come to share knowledge and gain insight into the industry’s newest offerings and opportunities.

Last year was my first at the Potato Expo so I’m looking forward to being there again. If you’d like to see what last year looked like then check out those photos.

Coverage of the Potato Expo is sponsored by

Coverage of Potato Expo is sponsored by Nufarm

Nufarm, Potato

Bayer Recognizes Growers with Legacy Club

Kelly Marshall January 2, 2017

Stoneville cotton seed is celebrating the history of the south with a special Legacy Club to honor growers averaging more than 1,794 lb/acre of Stoneville seed cotton grown on 20- acres or more. The 1,794 mark was chosen to remember the year Eli Whitney patented the cotton gin.

Those who qualify for membership also have the opportunity to attend a Legacy Club event in their area for a chance to win a Polaris Ranger XP 1000 EPS. Throughout the spring of 2017, entries will be collected and one name will be drawn at random to receive the Ranger.

“In the Legacy Club, we remember our roots,” Wistehuff says. “Both our growers and our Stoneville cotton seed are deeply rooted in the cotton industry, and that history is what our local events will celebrate.”

Stoneville cotton seed must be planted on 100 percent of qualifying acres between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016, and club qualification is open to all 17 cotton-producing states. Growers are encouraged to contact their local Bayer sales rep or agronomic services representative to learn how to sign up, and visit www.Stoneville.com/LegacyClub for more information.

Agribusiness, Bayer, Cotton

ZimmPoll Comes to a Close

Jamie Johansen December 30, 2016

As we say farewell to 2016, we also say goodbye to our ZimmPoll. For the past six years we have brought you a weekly poll on current events and issues impacting agriculture. The first ZimmPoll took place in November 2011 and asked the question, “How do you think agricultural interests will fare in the new Farm Bill?” Since then we have posted 289 ZimmPolls with the most response coming from one posted in June 2011 asking the question, “What do you think of USDA’s proposed GIPSA rule?”

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What 2016 ag news will have most impact on future?”

Reflecting on the top ag news stories in 2016 allows us to take a trip down memory lane. The easy majority winner in this poll didn’t take us back too far in history. The Trump cabinet is still being discussed and that will continue well in to 2017. As we look further into 2017, I am sure we will also continue to discuss upcoming mergers, the autonomous tractor, GMOs, biofuels and the ever-changing farm economy.

Here are the poll results:

New Trump cabinet – 75%
Mergers and acquisitions – 9%
Concept driverless tractors – 0%
GMO labeling – 8%
Higher biofuel levels under RFS – 0%
Farm economy – 8%

Thanks to New Holland for being our ZimmPoll sponsor for six years!

ZimmPoll

Alltech Selected to Host ARC Intern

Jamie Johansen December 29, 2016

The Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) has announced Alltech will host the ARC intern in the spring and summer of this new year.

ARC member Susanna Elliott of Alltech plans, among other traditional duties, to utilize the intern to assist with communications efforts surrounding its ONE: Alltech Ideas Conference, an event that attracts more than 3,000 leaders in agriculture from nearly 70 countries.

“We plan to have the intern write press releases, blogs, articles and social media posts,” Elliott says. “Alltech is a strong supporter of ag-related education. We are thrilled to host the intern.”

“The ARC Foundation is excited to re-energize and re-introduce our internship program,” says Executive Director Den Gardner. “The board is committed to creating a first class internship program and know that the folks at Alltech will represent our organization well in this endeavor. Now it’s on to the internship application process.”

Student applications open Feb. 1. ARC will use Ag Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) chapters and NAMA student chapters, among other efforts, to publicize and search for potential interns among the college ranks. The intern will be based in Nicholasville, KY. The student will be chosen in April.

Ag Groups, Alltech, ARC, Education, Marketing, Public Relations

#Seed Industry – Past and Future

Cindy Zimmerman December 29, 2016

“Glancing Back and Moving Forward in a Rapidly Changing Industry” was a popular session at this year’s American Seed Trade Association CSS & Seed Expo, featuring (LtoR) Jon Leafstedt with Kincannon and Reed, DuPont Pioneer president Paul Schickler, and Sonny Beck, founder of Beck’s Hybrids.

Reflecting on the past 20 years, this panel of seed industry leaders discussed their personal career paths, their methods for finding good talent and their predictions for the future, with a focus on developing people and corporate culture within their teams.

Click on the links to listen to each of their comments and discussion with all led by ASTA CEO Andy LaVigne.

Sonny Beck at ASTA-CSS 2016 Paul Schickler, President of DuPont Pioneer Jon Leafstedt, Kincannon & Reed ASTA CSS Panel Discussion

ASTA CSS 2016 Photo Album

Coverage of ASTA CSS and Seed Expo brought to you by

and

Coverage of ASTA CSS and Seed Expo brought to you by BASF Ag Products

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Seed

Want to Start an Agricultural Company? Why Not.

Joanna Schroeder December 29, 2016

*Special to AgWired from Bill Clark

Have you been thinking a lot lately about the benefits that you can reap from starting your own agricultural company? Well, if you have been holding yourself back, there really is no reason to do so. Continue reading for a short list of some helpful tips that will assist you in getting started right away so you can make your dream a reality.

First Off, Get a Higher Education
Whenever you want to start your own company, you should consider getting a degree, but many times, a bachelor’s degree in business won’t cut it. There are many career paths for MBA graduates, including starting an innovative agricultural company. So when it comes to answering the question, “Is an MBA worth it,” the answer is yes.

An MBA will instill in you a variety of valuable lessons, including how to choose the right niche, how to set up your company for long-term success, how to manage your finances, how to make bigger and better sales, and how to effectively train, lead, and inspire your staff.Read More

Agribusiness, Education

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