MZA+Co to Lead Public Relations for AgriGrowth

Kelly Marshall

agrigrowth-logoMinnesota AgriGrowth Council announced it has hired MZA+Co to lead its communications and public relations efforts.

Founded in 1968, AgriGrowth is a non-partisan, non-profit member organization representing all areas of Minnesota’s food and agriculture sectors. AgriGrowth is the only organization in Minnesota whose diverse membership and public policy work is solely devoted to ensuring a pro-business environment for the food and agriculture sector, the second largest sector of the state’s economy.

“AgriGrowth has a long history of effective engagement and advocacy on public policy issues and we’re excited to bring the experienced team at MZA+Co on board to continue to strengthen our outreach,” said AgriGrowth Executive Director Perry Aasness. “Kurt Zellers, Brian McClung and Chas Anderson have decades of experience at the highest levels of government and working with media around the state. We are looking forward to partnering with them on our communications efforts.”

MZA+Co is a public relations and public affairs company known for its strategic approach to helping clients meet their goals.  The company began in January of 2015 and boasts a leadership team with many years of experience in public relations, business, government crafting, communications and public affairs initiatives.

Agribusiness, Public Relations

FFA Members Learn Leadership in Washington D.C.

Kelly Marshall

ffaMore than 2,100 FFA members from throughout the country are gathering in Washington, D.C. this summer to hone personal skills, grow leadership abilities, and create a meaningful community-service plan designed to make a difference in their home communities.

The 2015 Washington Leadership Conference is the second-largest student experience that the National FFA Organization hosts each year.  Participants spend a week learning from educators, counselors, and FFA staff in workshops, seminars and small groups.  The students learn personal and leadership skills to help them as they return to their local FFA chapters and their communities.

“Students who attend the Washington Leadership Conference learn their purpose, how to value people, how take action and the importance of serving others,” National FFA Organization CEO Dr. Dwight Armstrong said. “They leave with the knowledge and the confidence to act in ways that help their schools, communities and their country.”

Agricultural education teachers attend the conference as well, learning how to motivate and help develop their students’ personal growth and leadership potential and how they can help maximize their local FFA chapters’ community-service initiatives throughout the year.

At the conclusion of each weekly session is a civic engagement activity where participants apply what they have learned at the conference to a real, hands-on service activity. In a partnership with Meals of Hope, students will pack approximately 60,000 highly palatable meals that will be delivered directly to the food insecure of Washington, D.C. 

Participants will also visit many of the sites of D.C., as well as visit with members of Congress.

Ag Groups, FFA

New Holland’s True Blue Salute Supports Heroes

Kelly Marshall

TrueBlueSalute_logoNew Holland has expanded the True Blue Salute program in honor of the bravery, service, and sacrifice of America and Canada’s military and first responders.  This program provides equipment incentives to all current and retired United States and Canadian military and first responders.

“New Holland is honored to show our appreciation and support of our military and first responders through the True Blue Salute program. It’s our way of saying thanks to the heroes in North America who serve and protect us,” says Mark Hooper, Senior Director Marketing for New Holland in North America.

New Holland is extending a special equipment offer to active, reserve, retired military and honorably discharged veterans, and current or retired first responders, including police officers, fire fighters, and emergency medical technicians. New Holland will offer $500 off the purchase of select new New Holland tractors, light construction equipment, and hay and forage products purchased from an authorized New Holland dealer in the United States or Canada. A valid, government-issued military ID card or other proof of service is required. Information on eligible equipment is available from local, authorized New Holland dealers.

Agribusiness, New Holland

Will EPA Change RFS Volumes?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How will a ban on antibiotics impact your livestock operation?”

Our poll results clearly state that producers are not sure how the change in federal antibiotic guidelines will impact their operations. The livestock industry is currently working with producers to help with his transition and working closely with your veterinarians to create a health plan designed for your operation will be key.

Here are the poll results:

  • It won’t – don’t use them – 7%
  • Positively with correct health plan – 27%
  • Big financial impact – 13%
  • Unsure – 53%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, Will EPA change RFS volume proposal?

The EPA recently released a new proposal for biofuels volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard – one that has made no one happy but particularly corn farmers and ethanol producers who note that the agency is not implementing the law as intended. EPA is holding a public hearing to get comments on the proposal but will it lead to a change?

ZimmPoll

Bayer CropScience Celebrates Investments

Cindy Zimmerman

bayer-200Bayer CropScience this week celebrated two recent investment milestones: the completion of a $33 million office modernization project and the groundbreaking of Greenhouse 6, a $34 million research facility at its Research Triangle Park (RTP) headquarters.

“The modern office at our North American Crop Protection and global Seeds headquarters in RTP reflects Bayer’s desire to play a leading role in shaping the future of innovation in the life sciences industry,” said Bayer CropScience CEO Liam Condon. “Whether we are expanding our facilities here in the United States or other locations throughout the world, we seek to do so in a way that promotes and achieves our mission of ‘Bayer: Science For A Better Life.’”

This newly renovated facility boasts a modern and open design where employees have the resources and space to work efficiently, as well as amenities further enhancing Bayer’s reputation as one of the Triangle’s best places to work. Now, more than 700 scientists and specialists work together in this LEED certified $33 million space, which was specifically designed to increase cross-functional collaboration.

Greenhouse 6 is the third in a trio of new, state-of-the-art facilities at the RTP headquarters, which will increase Bayer’s capabilities to analyze and develop crops and find novel seeds and traits that will ultimately lead to solving farmers’ greatest challenges. Greenhouse 5 and Greenhouse 1 are the other two facilities that make up this trio. Greenhouse 5 opened in 2012 and Greenhouse 1 is scheduled to open late 2015.

“We are proud to continue making investments in Research Triangle Park and around the United States,” said Jim Blome, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience North America. “As we expand our business and grow our research hub in RTP, we further enhance our abilities to make meaningful contributions to farming and modern agricultural production ensuring that we all have enough safe, abundant and affordable food. That’s a job we take seriously.”

Agribusiness, Bayer

Corn Growers to Protest EPA Proposal on Ethanol

John Davis

rallyforruralamerica1Corn farmers are going to make their voice heard on the Obama Administration’s cuts to ethanol. The National Corn Growers Association says producers from more than a dozen states are expected to turn out at a public hearing and rally in Kansas City, Kansas, this Thursday, protesting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to slash nearly 4 billion gallons of corn ethanol from the Renewable Fuel Standard through 2016.

“Last time, we were very clear to EPA about what we wanted,” said NCGA President Chip Bowling. “It is simple: EPA should follow the statute. For farmers and others in rural America, this new EPA proposal means low corn prices and ethanol plant and industry cutbacks. And for everyone, it means higher gas prices and dirtier air.”

All farmers who can make the trip are encouraged to attend the hearing and public rally, with free bus transportation provided from several points across four states – Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa. The buses are scheduled so growers can depart and return the same day, and free food and refreshments will be provided.

A rally in conjunction with the public hearing will kick off at 11:30 a.m. at nearby Huron Park, with several prominent agriculture, business and political leaders talking about the importance of renewable fuels for rural America.

Ag Groups, Corn, EPA, Ethanol, NCGA

InfoAg Conference Heading for Another Record Attendance

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 479There is an AgNerd’s paradise of a conference coming up in July. It’s the 2015 InfoAg Conference, the premier event in precision agriculture. I will be there courtesy of John Deere and GROWMARK. We learn more about this year’s conference and program from Quentin Rund, Conference Secretary, PAQ Interactive.

InfoAg ConferenceInfoAg 2014 was a record-setting success. Over 1400 participants shared in presentations on a wide range of topics on technology applications and data management and interpretation. As with previous InfoAg Conferences, the networking among participants was again a highlight of the experience. New relationships formed at InfoAg will lead to greater benefits and opportunities for those involved. Ideas exchanged in the hallways and the exhibit hall will form the basis for the new deliverables at the next conference. Those who took advantage of the Pre-Conference Tour on Monday picked up some additional first-hand knowledge and interactions.

Quentin says that pre-registration has already assured a new record attendance at this year’s conference. I asked him what he thought were the most important improvements in precision agriculture he’s seen since the first InfoAg Conference 20 years ago. He says ease of use for precision ag software and hardware coupled with the ease of transferring and using large quantities of data have been big drivers to move the industry segment forward.

Listen to my conversation with Quentin in this week’s program: 2015 InfoAg Conference

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

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Audio, Info Ag, Precision Agriculture, ZimmCast

Syngenta Rejects Monsanto’s Latest Approach

Chuck Zimmerman

I really haven’t paid a whole lot of attention to this issue and do not have any details beyond what has been released and publicly stated. But seeing this video just released by Syngenta featuring the Chairman of Syngenta’s Board of Directors, Michel Demaré, prompted me to share it. He outlines the company’s position on Monsanto’s recent approach, which was rejected for not being in the best interests of Syngenta, its shareholders and its stakeholders. I will say that it has been interesting to hear the variety of suggested names for a merged company. You can probably think of a few of your own.


Agribusiness, Syngenta

Honors at #ASTAannual

Cindy Zimmerman

Distinguished Service and Lifetime Honorary Member awards were presented by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) during the closing banquet on Friday night.

asta-15-petersonHonored for distinguished service to the seed industry were retired DuPont Pioneer quality supply technology manager Greg Lamka, and Betsy Peterson of the California Seed Association. Lamka, who was unable to attend to receive his award in person, retired after a 22 year career with Pioneer and still serves as a consultant in the seed industry. Peterson has been director of technical services with the California seed group for the past 13 years but will be retiring June 30 to pursue her first love – textiles design.

asta-15-monkJerry Monk of Warner Seeds received the lifetime honorary award in recognition for his service to ASTA and the seed industry. As a 44-year veteran of the industry, Monk is a past president of ASTA and current president of the Seed Association of the Americas. He began his career with Kelly Green Seeds in 1971, bought the company in 1984, acquired George Warner Seed Company in 1999 and Semillas WAC in 2001. He has since expanded the company into Central and South America.

2015 ASTA Annual Meeting photos

ASTA, Seed

Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey

John Davis

Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey.

open-micA downturn in commodity prices and the biggest animal health emergency in that state’s history has taken a financial toll on Iowa agriculture. In this week’s interview, Iowa’s Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey addresses producers’ recovery from avian influenza and their preparation for further challenges from the disease. Northey discusses the impact of the EPA’s delay in announcing RFS volume standards and his disappointment with congressional action on TPA. The road to the White House leads through Iowa and he shares his message for candidates seeking the Oval Office.

Click here to listen to Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey.

Agri-Pulse, Audio, Trade