Political Drama at NAFB?

Cindy Zimmerman November 9, 2016

The National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual meeting is carrying on the 2016 trend for political drama.

At the end of September, the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) announced the unprecedented removal of the organization’s president-elect Tony St. James, citing “violations of the NAFB Commitment to Serve agreement.” Two weeks later, NAFB announced that Tom Steever, who has the distinction of being the longest serving president in recent NAFB history, was appointed to take the role of Vice President until the end of the year, even though the website says Steever is president-elect and Tom Cassidy is still vice president.

St. James sent a letter to NAFB members this week to provide his side of the story to members who elected him to the office of NAFB VP two years ago and president-elect last year. (pdf link to letter)

St. James says in this letter that a phone call he received from NAFB President Brian Winnekins on September 8th asking for his resignation due to a non-sexual harassment complaint “was the first indication that there was a problem.”

During the conversation he mentioned a possible conflict of interest violation and prior instances of behavior but with no details and no opportunity for me to respond. Since the charge was vague I did not resign but did ask for a written account of the accusation/allegation(s) being considered. Prior to this call, I had never been addressed personally by any President regarding my behavior and/or conduct.

St. James further maintains that he was “denied repeated requests for written accusation/allegation(s)” and not allowed an opportunity to defend himself or attempt conflict-resolution. As a result, St. James says the board’s actions have put NAFB “in a compromising situation” because NAFB is incorporated in the state of Tennessee and therefore operates under Tennessee State Code which “specifically prohibits the removal of a Board Member by any group other than the group who elected the individual.”

The NAFB board and officer elections will be held on Thursday afternoon. Max Armstrong and Gary Truitt will contend to be elected as 2017 NAFB president – without having served on the board immediately prior, which is again unprecedented. In his election profile on the NAFB website, Truitt says, “The organization is facing a crisis; the normally routine succession of leadership has been disrupted.”

It may not be a crisis, but it is a distraction that has already been the talk of the hallways here at the Westin in Kansas City. The reason why we are laying out this information here is because we are a trade publication for this industry and this is news. We are not trying to take sides or make anyone look bad. We are simply trying to report the facts as we understand them. If this is important to you and you want more than the rumor mill, we encourage you to read Tony’s whole letter, read the NAFB Commitment to Serve agreement, take a look at NAFB policy regarding Non-Performance by board members (article IV, part 7), and ask questions.

NAFB

ARC Develops New Internship Program

Lizzy Schultz November 8, 2016

The Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) is creating a unique new collaborative internship program with an ARC member organization for the summer of 2017. ARC will coordinate the internship program and selection under this arrangement, and the member organization collaborating with ARC will host the intern.

The internship will be worth $5,000, with $1,000 of the total $5,000 payment to the intern to be used for the expenses related to the intern’s attendance at the annual professional development meeting of ARC held June 20 through 22 in Sacramento, CA.

The 10-12 week internship will begin in May of 2017. The intern spend 80% of their time on host organization projects. The remaining 20% will be spent supporting and attending the ARC annual meeting.

The application deadline is Dec. 12, and the host organization will be chosen by Dec. 31.

Student applications will open Feb. 1, 2017, and the student will be selected in April. The intern will be chosen by a representative of the host organization, along with a representative of Gardner & Gardner Communications and one board representative. These people will be part of a Futures Committee within ARC.

More information is available here. Click on the Contest and Awards Section at the top of the home page.

Agribusiness

AgHires is Redesigned

Chuck Zimmerman November 8, 2016

Looking for a job in agriculture? Got a job you need to fill? Then the redesigned AgHires job board and recruiting platform might be for you. The new site offers a more robust user experience whether you’re posting a job, searching for a job or just exploring the world of agriculture.

AgHires new website will keep candidates engaged using a more sophisticated searching algorithm, job alerts, job recommendations, news, blogs, and more. Job seekers will be able to apply to jobs with ease by uploading their resume, filling out a career profile, and/or applying on the employer’s website. They’ll also be able to use a virtual career assistant called “The Tracklet™” which will streamline the job search and application process by auto-populating online job application forms in a single click across the web. All activities will be managed in a central location in their account on AgHires.

Lori Culler, Founder of AgHires added, “Our new site will allow us to be entirely mobile friendly from end to end which includes the ability for job seekers and employers to manager their accounts from any device. With evolving technology our new model will allow us to adapt to change and meet new needs as they appear to better serve our job seeker and employer users”

Uncategorized

Illinois Ag Media Platform Adds New Digital News Manager

Jamie Johansen November 8, 2016

Jeff Brown has been named Digital News Manager for the Illinois-based FarmWeekNow.com, FarmWeek and RFD Radio Network. Brown will help lead a team of eight journalists providing content across some of Illinois’ leading platforms, providing news and information to Illinois farmers and other rural Illinoisans.

Brown previously worked for St. Louis-based Osborn Barr, where he managed content-marketing platforms for agricultural clients. He has also worked for Prairie Farms, the New Haven Register and the Alton Telegraph. Brown holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Missouri.

The media outlet is also in the hunt for an Advertising Sales Manager. This person will be responsible for planning, organizing and implementing the advertising and sponsorship programs for all of our communications platforms including FarmWeek® (73K weekly), FarmWeekNow.com (site, mobile app, e-newsletter), and the RFD Radio Network® (85 stations).

FarmWeekNow.com provides timely ag news, markets, weather and commentary 24/7 through its website, mobile app, and daily electronic newsletter. With a circulation of more than 70,000, FarmWeek is the most widely read agricultural weekly in Illinois. A survey of Illinois farmers this year by Ag Media Research shows the RFD Radio Network represents the most popular ag radio network in Illinois, growing its listenership by 13 percent in the last two years with a farmer-audience three times greater than its closest competitor.

Agribusiness, Marketing, Media

Deere Encourages ADAPT Adoption

Kelly Marshall November 8, 2016

One focus of last week’s Develop with Deere conference in Kansas City was AgGateway‘s new ADAPT Toolkit. John Deere was a leader in creating the ADAPT program, and they’re making sure the software developers at the conference have the information they need to put it to use.

Deere has developed their own plug-in for the system and tested it in the U.S. and Europe and it is working well. Deere’s Chip Donahue says now they’re moving ahead with plans to make sure the toolkit is implemented.

“We’ve got work to do,” Donahue says. “We did get to this point, but now we’ve got to move forward because it’s been a bunch of point sources and now people want integrated systems and that’s what our vision is and we’re helping deliver that.”

Develop with Deere is helping shape that vision with the connections and learning experiences offered. Another year or two and who knows what we’ll be seeing as a result?

Learn more about John Deere’s role in ADAPT in Chuck’s interview with Donahue: Interview with Chip Donahue, John Deere

Photos from this year’s conference can be found here: Develop with Deere Photo Album

Audio, John Deere, Precision Agriculture, Technology

Trimble Ag Software Announced

Chuck Zimmerman November 7, 2016

Trimble is holding a large customer event in Las Vegas this week – Trimble Dimensions. It is the site for a big announcement – Trimble Ag Software. This new farm data management platform combines their products Connected Farm™, Farm Works Software® and Agri-Data® solutions. This all-in-one tool offers customers a complete desktop, web-based and mobile-enabled agricultural software solution that simplifies farm data management to drive productivity, profitability and sustainability for farmers, crop advisors, ag retailers and food processors. I spoke with Ben Allen, Trimble, about today’s announcement to learn more.

Amid the current shift toward precision agriculture practices, farmers are also running into hurdles with technology integration. When farmers mix precision ag hardware and software with third-party vendors, the results can lead to lost time due to data re-entry, USB data transfer or multiple support entities. To combat these barriers, Trimble Ag Software seamlessly integrates with its hardware solutions as well as with other third-party manufacturers using Trimble’s API. By using one technology platform, supported by a global Trimble Vantage™ distribution network, farm data can now flow wirelessly across the entire farm and to trusted advisors. This provides timely crop input recommendations and eliminates data re-entry, saving time and reducing potential errors.

“In the consumer smartphone market, people are looking for hardware and software that works well together and makes life easier—the same is true for farmers,” said Benjamin Allen, enterprise solutions manager for Trimble’s Agriculture Division. “Agricultural technology can be very complex and farmers are adopting solutions that ease data transfer and provide enhanced mobile functionality.”

Trimble Ag Software doesn’t just solve problems for farmers. Over the last decade, Trimble has advanced its integrated agricultural technology strategy to provide solutions that touch nearly every aspect of the agriculture supply chain.

Crop advisors are using Trimble Ag Software to manage their farm customers’ data, leading to better input recommendations and solid metrics in real time that allow for quick adjustments and higher yields.
Ag retailers are using Trimble Ag Software to track leads, manage performance and empower their sales agronomists to better serve farm customers.
Food processors are turning to Trimble Ag Software to track data at different processing stages, meet regulatory requirements and manage the growing volume of grower data.

You can listen to my conversation with Ben in this week’s program here: ZimmCast with Ben Allen, Trimble Enterprise Solutions Lead, Agriculture

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

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Audio, Precision Agriculture, ZimmCast

Canned Beer of Bourbon Country

Chuck Zimmerman November 7, 2016

Here’s an announcement an Alebassador can get excited about. A beer that many in the agribusiness world know very well, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, by Alltech Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company, is now available in cans! This Alebassador is looking forward to finding it locally in Florida. If you love this uniquely flavored craft beer but don’t see it in your favorite store, just ask for it.

Just over 11 years after the introduction of Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale®, the beloved Kentucky Proud™ barrel-aged brew is showing up with a new look. On Oct. 26, Alltech Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. will release Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale in six-packs of aluminum cans.

Designed to look like the bourbon barrel that the brew ages inside, the new cans will show consumers exactly what they are getting.

“We are very proud to be ‘The Beer of Bourbon Country,’ and our new cans embrace that, showcasing the best ingredient in the beer: the barrel,” said Ken Lee, master brewer for Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.

Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale was the third product produced by Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. and quickly became their best seller. The first shipments across state lines began in 2008 to Ohio, and now in 2016, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale can be found in 27 states with plans for three more by the end of the year.
Read More

Alltech, Food

Peyton & Archie Manning to Keynote AFBF Convention

Lizzy Schultz November 7, 2016

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has announced that Peyton and Archie Manning will serve as keynote speakers during the AFBF Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show, to be held January 6-11, 2017 in Pheonix, Arizona. In their keynote, the Mannings will share about teamwork, leadership, motivation and their keys to success on and off the field.

From the football field to the corn field, both Farm Bureau members and the Mannings have a long-standing history of keeping their game faces on while providing the world food, fiber, energy … and football, and they both know a thing or two about working the family business.

Peyton, a future Hall of Fame quarterback, embodies what it means to be a professional athlete in this day and age, including his efforts to champion numerous charitable organizations and foundations to further his positive impact on the community, including the PeyBack Foundation, which he founded in an effort to help underprivileged youth in Colorado, Indiana, Louisiana and Tennessee.

Archie, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, enjoyed an impressive college football career at the University of Mississippi that included leading his team to the national championship game, finishing top-four in Heisman Trophy voting twice and twice being named to the All-SEC team. He was drafted with the second overall pick in the 1971 NFL Draft and continued his illustrious football career with the New Orleans Saints, Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings. In everything he does, Archie remains grounded and true to his “hard work means everything” mentality.

Don’t be a bench warmer. Register for the AFBF Annual Conference here.

AFBF, Events

AgCompass Points to Improved Efficiency

Cindy Zimmerman November 7, 2016

With commodity prices falling, already tight operating margins may become even tighter, increasing the need for farm partners to keep an eye on their operating expenses. One solution that many producers have turned to is remote hosting of their software so all the farm partners can be on the same page when making critical business decisions. AgCompass provides reliable U.S.-based software hosting to producers and CPA firms.

“With AgCompass, farm managers and consultants can look at farm data together in real time, securely from anywhere, allowing them to make informed and timely decisions that have a positive impact on the bottom line” said Nick Chambers, AgCompass business development manager. “AgCompass has been hosting software for agribusiness and CPA firms since 2003. Our solution provides the flexibility and collaboration that improves a farm’s efficiency, while producers maintain control and data independence.”

Chambers says AgCompass grew out of the ag industry and they work closely with farmers. “We offer a solution that is practical, affordable and free tech support. We are a good alternative to running software on a local PC which has quite a few risks to it. Hosting your software in the cloud gives you more flexibility in terms of access, the data is packed up every night and we provide software updates for our customers. We take the IT hassle out of the hands of the producer.”

The value of shared data is especially apparent as tax season approaches. AgCompass is used by CPA firms to help them collaborate more efficiently with their clients, to save on travel expenses, to reduce IT costs, and to focus on providing higher-value services.

Learn more about AgCompass in this interview: Interview with Nick Chambers, AgCompass

Dedicated to helping grow small businesses, AgCompass recently launched a new website at agcompass.com and a video. AgCompass also has a subscription newsletter and a blog with monthly posts from Purdue University’s Ag Economy Barometer. To schedule a free consultation and demonstration call 844-4-AGCLOUD.

Agribusiness, Audio, Markets, Precision Agriculture, Technology

Alaska FFA Wins 2016 Hunger Heroes Challenge

Lizzy Schultz November 7, 2016

The Alaska FFA Association was recently named the winner of the 2016 Hunger Heroes Challenge, a program that encouraged students to help donate 3.5 million meals to local communities before the 2016 National FFA Convention & Expo in October.

After each hunger service event performed as part of the challenge, chapters reported impacts and shared their stories in order to be eligible for a cash drawing. This year’s reported impact was a record-high: 3.8 million meals were donated and more than 37,000 volunteers recording 191,322 hours of service to fight hunger.

The state of Alaska had the highest percentage of chapters that reported impacts this year, with more than 150 members in all middle and high school chapters volunteering 33,919 hours to donate more than 35,000 meals and over 37,000 pounds of food. As a result, Tyson Foods, Inc. will provide a donation to a state-wide Feeding America Food Bank in Alaska.

Other chapters participating in activities across the country included Frazee FFA from Minnesota, which held a competition to see which school grades could donate the most food. Frappe’s efforts resulting in 1,057 meals. Cuba Rushford FFA in New York planted a conventional garden with fourth-grade students, resulting in more than 2,116 meals, and Heritage FFA in Tennessee collected change and donations during the two weeks prior to Thanksgiving in 2015. They were able to purchase six complete Thanksgiving dinners from the local grocery store and gave them to local families in need.

“The Hunger Heroes Challenge was a great way to inspire members to take action against food insecurity. We are very excited to recognize the Alaska FFA State Association and all of their chapters for their great efforts,” Michele Sullivan, the Living to Serve senior team leader, said. “Moving forward, in an effort to continue our support of the FFA vision of building communities, the Living to Serve team is launching a new series of grant opportunities beginning with the 2017-18 school year. The grant funding will support more diverse service focus areas that include community safety; environmental responsibility; hunger, health and nutrition; and community engagement. To capture the stories and impacts of all chapters that are living to serve, we will also be launching a new challenge for our members that has a broader focus.”

Ag Groups, FFA, Food

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