Coolbean the Soybean Teaches Science

John Davis April 10, 2015

A new e-book is teaching kids to think likes scientists. Coolbean the Soybean, now available as an interactive book for grades 3-5, helps children learn about agronomic, crop and soil sciences.

Author Shawn Conley is an agronomy professor and the Soybean and Wheat Extension Specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “I wanted to develop a fun, yet educational, tool to help teach today’s youth about where food comes from, career opportunities in agriculture, and explain why soybeans are so important, not only here in the US, but around the world,” says Conley. “My daughters were the main reason for writing this book, but I also remember being inspired at an early age by my first and second grade teacher, Mrs. Swiggum. Hopefully this book can help inspire the next generation of agricultural scientists.”

Previously released as a traditional graphic children’s book, Coolbean the Soybean transformed to an e-book in response to a generation of “digital native” students who want educational texts in a friendly format.

“We wanted to make it welcoming and accessible to boys and girls alike, and not intimidating,” says Lisa Al-Amoodi, managing editor. “The narration helps kids who may have a range of reading abilities.”

Coolbean explains modern farming techniques, how a seed becomes a plant and then produces a crop. The book tells the story of how soil, sunshine, and water affect the growth of the plant, intentionally following Next Generation science standards.

Check it out online at www.coolbeanthesoybean.org/.

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Soybean

COTTON USA Campaign Shows Everyone Loves Cotton

John Davis April 10, 2015

COTTON USA shows that everyone loves cotton in its new global advertising campaign. This year’s campaign has the slogan “I Love My Cotton” and cast five individuals from different corners of the globe, wearing cotton in different ways.

“These portraits reflect the authenticity and passion unique to COTTON USA: the singular mark that symbolizes purity of fiber, quality of fabric and responsibility for the planet,” said Cotton Council International President Dahlen Hancock.

The Texas cotton producer said U.S. cotton sets the global standard for quality and purity. With this campaign, he said COTTON USA hopes to show that U.S. cotton is a premium fashion ingredient, pushing the COTTON USA logo to the forefront and encouraging the growth of U.S. cotton worldwide.

The campaign was shot by renowned photographer Paola Kudacki and styled by the talented Karen Kaiser, and cotton garments ranging from T-shirts to dress pants and jeans to towels are worn effortlessly by models Julia Hafstrom, Lais Oliveira, Gaspard Menier, Bregje Heinen, and young Caitlin Espirtu.

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Cotton

AAEA/LPC Midwest Regional Workshop

Chuck Zimmerman April 9, 2015

It’s that time. Registration time if you’re interested in a little journalistic professional development.

2015 Midwest Regional Workshop

Register by April 27 for the joint AAEA / Livestock Publications Council workshop in Omaha, Neb., May 4-5, 2015 ($80 for members, $100 for nonmembers). Hotel reservation deadline is April 10 at the Embassy Suites Omaha-Downtown/Old Market ($129/night).

The workshop starts with tours of Omaha-based ag businesses on Monday, May 4, 1pm-5pm. A networking reception that evening is followed by a full day of sessions on Tuesday. Topics include multi-media assignments, breaking news tips, generational gap, transportation issues and storytelling. Hear from experts and sharpen your skills!

The first 20 to register get a rare, behind-the-scenes look at Omaha Steaks!

Click here for more details about the sessions and how to register. Contact Diane Johnson with questions, dianej@flash.net.

ACN, LPC, Media

Trapped!

Melissa Sandfort April 9, 2015

A few weeks ago, the Lion’s Club held their annual Holbrook auction. It was a HUGE gathering with thousands of items for auction ranging from cattle panels to coins to furniture. About any treasure you wanted to find could be found there.

I’ve been to auctions before but never bid on anything. When the festivities began at 9:30, I put my bidder number in my purse and moseyed along, just taking in the excitement. I had my eye on a few things, and when they began on the trailer where “my” items were and I threw out my first winning bid, it was a rush! My first purchase? A #6 crock and #4 butter churn. From there, I moved on to some apple baskets but planned on staying all day or until I went home with an old feed bunk, matching weathered table and wooden gate.

Finally at 6 pm, the feed bunk came up for auction. There were a few eager men gathered around the items and my plan of attack was put in motion. I told myself I wouldn’t pay more than $100 for all three items and much to my surprise, I was the only bidder and took them home for $10 total! I’d say I got the best buy of the day.

As with any sale, they grouped smaller items together in hopes of speeding up the process. When we looked through my stack of apple baskets, this old rat trap was there. I chuckled to myself because out of the hundreds of auctions and farm sales my grandfather has been to over the years, his best finds have come from buying a box of miscellaneous items they threw together. The best treasure was oftentimes hidden at the bottom of the box.

I’m not saying the rat trap was the best treasure by any means, but it sure did conjure up fun memories of grandpa digging through his $5 box. I’m hoping the cats that enjoy laying in the feed bunk (which was, by the way, the best treasure) will keep rodents away and I won’t have a use for this rat trap.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Propane Program Pays Off for Growers

Cindy Zimmerman April 9, 2015

The Propane Farm Incentive Program paid off for participants last year, according to the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC).

PERC reports that participants of the program, which provides up to $5,000 toward the purchase of new propane-powered irrigation engines, reduced their per hour energy costs by more than 40 percent in 2014 compared with their previously owned diesel-fueled irrigation engines. “Today’s propane engines are built from the ground up for efficiency, power and reliability,” says PERC agricultural director Cinch Munson. “Results from our 2014 Propane Farm Incentive Program show that these new engines are cutting producers’ operating costs, while using an American-made fuel source that’s better for the environment.”

Over the course of the year, the 87 propane-powered irrigation engines demonstrated through the 2014 Propane Farm Incentive Program irrigated nearly 9,000 acres of 10 different crops. Ninety-five percent of those engines received overall performance ratings of 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale, with 5 being high performing.

“Since 2009, PERC has helped bring over 30 new engines in a variety of sizes and horsepower ratings to the agriculture market,” said Munson. “These engines cost less than comparable Tier 4 diesel engines, and have lower operating and maintenance costs.”

PERC also reports that 90% of the 2014 program participants say they are likely to purchase another propane-powered irrigation engine and 96% are likely to recommend a propane-fueled irrigation engine to others based on their experience operating their incentive engine.

Learn more in my interview with Cinch here: Interview with Cinch Munson, PERC

Watch PERC’s testimonial video from Walvoord and Sons farm in Nebraska about their experiences using propane for irrigation and much more.

Audio, Irrigation, PERC, Propane, Video

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes April 8, 2015

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service announced that it is accepting applications for fiscal year 2016 funding for five export market development programs.
Mark your calendars for the 17th Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference, July 23-25, 2015, at Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Georgia.
As of April 1, Valent U.S.A. Corporation became the exclusive provider of the MGK crop protection line of insect control products within the United States.
AEM Hall of Fame nominations are due on June 5, 2015.

Zimfo Bytes

USDA Official on the Road for Trade

Cindy Zimmerman April 8, 2015

photo credit: AgNet West

USDA officials have been on the road this year meeting with agricultural stakeholders around the country to talk about the importance of Trade Promotion Authority for the president in expanding international markets for U.S. products.

USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Alexis Taylor was in California a few weeks ago and today she was in Florida. She’s also visited with producers in Oregon, Washington, and Pennsylvania. “I do see a geographical difference in the issues that they’re facing in various markets,” said Taylor. “But consistently I am hearing very strong support for the president to get Trade Promotion Authority and passage of the Trans Pacific Partnership.”

Taylor says one of the main concerns she has heard is that the TPP be a truly comprehensive trade agreement. “There’s a concern that maybe agriculture will be left behind,” she said. “But one of our priorities is that this is a comprehensive agreement – it will cover all of agriculture.”

There is a sense of urgency to get Congress to approve TPA so the TPP can be concluded by the end of this year, since next year is a presidential election year, so Taylor encourages farmers who support it to tell their story. “Agriculture has a great story to tell when it comes to exports,” she said.

Listen to my interview with Alexis here: Interview with Alexis Taylor, USDA-FAS

Audio, Trade, USDA

Hoverson Elected to Lead United States Potato Board

Jamie Johansen April 8, 2015

Carl Hoverson of Larimore, ND, was elected Chairman of the United States Potato Board (USPB) March 12, 2015, at the organization’s 43rd Annual Meeting in Colorado Springs, CO. In 2014, he served as a Co-Chairman of the USPB International Marketing Committee. He previously served two years on the USPB Domestic Marketing Administrative Committee.

Hoverson has been growing Russet Burbank potatoes for frozen processing. “My two sons and I grow 5,100 acres of irrigated potatoes for the JR Simplot Company,” he explains. Sugarbeets, wheat, corn, soybeans, canola and navy beans are also produced on Hoverson Farms.

Hoverson has served as the secretary/treasurer of the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association. He attended the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, and North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, studying civil engineering.

Hoverson has six children: sons Michael and Casey, and daughters: Alyssa, Fallon, Norah and Paris. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, and growing potatoes.

Ag Groups

Agri-Marketing Conference Preview

Chuck Zimmerman April 7, 2015

In just a week agricultural marketers and students from around the country will be gathering in Kansas City, MO for the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference. The ZimmComm team of Cindy, Jamie and Taylor and myself will be there bringing you all the play by play action.

I spoke with the Chair of this year’s conference, Christine Hart-Nieland, Brighton Agency, about what we can expect at this year’s event. Growing Greatness is the theme of this year’s conference. Chris says the theme comes from holding the event back in the Nation’s breadbasket as a way to celebrate the greatness of American agriculture and also because the conference is designed to help members grow their own greatness in their professional lives.

Listen in to our conversation to get details about next week’s conference: Agri-Marketing Conference Preview

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

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Ag Groups, Audio, NAMA, ZimmCast

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