ZimmComm Intern’s Agriblogging Adventures

Jamie Johansen

taylor interviewThis fall the ZimmComm Team was honored to have Taylor Truckey travel with us learning the ropes of the agriblogging highway. The talented young lady didn’t miss a beat as she jumped right in to conducting interviews, snapping photos and joining the crazy banter. It was an honor to have her join our efforts in sharing the news of agriculture. A special ZimmComm announcement awaits readers at the end!

After spending a few weeks working with the AgWired team this fall, I can truly say that I was able to learn the world of agriblogging from some of the best. My time as the AgWired Fall Intern had me traveling from Louisville, KY where I spent time at the 2014 National FFA Convention, to Kansas City, MO for the 2014 National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention. It was an incredible two weeks filled with a whirlwind of people, places, photos, blogging, and interviews sprinkled with lots of laughter and plenty of gold stars to go around!

Although I’m an agronomy major and my heart is with the crop production side of the industry, I will admit that I fell in love with broadcast media this fall. After having the chance to do some incredible interviews with even cooler people, I’ve learned how important it is to collect, condense, and share information to an audience of aggies across the country. One of my favorite interviews was conducted while at the National FFA Convention and Expo. I had the opportunity to sit down with Jeff Simmons, of Elanco, and hear the passion that he has for improving global food security by working with future and current generations of agriculturalists.

nafb photoboothAnother favorite experience was being able to attend the 2014 Trade Talk at NAFB Convention. Walking into a huge room full of agriculture companies with representatives there to share upcoming projects, platforms, and relevant hot topics within their respective industries was a neat experience. As you looked around the room, cameras were flashing, microphones were held up, and by the end, there were a few tired industry reps looking for the door.

I spent the first week in Louisville working with Jamie Johansen; I’m so thankful for Jamie and the time she invested into showing me how to interview, edit, and post content to all of the AgWired viewers. The week I spent in Kansas City brought the whole ZimmComm team together. Being able to see the “family” together made me feel right at home, especially when I was earning more gold stars then the rest!

Overall, I treasure my time as the AgWired Intern this fall and am so thankful to Chuck and Cindy for offering this opportunity to college students each semester. With that being said, I’m incredibly excited to announce that I will again be joining the AgWired group this spring as they travel to Commodity Classic and NAMA annual convention.

FFA, NAFB, ZimmComm Announcement

New Chairman of the Ag Retailers Association

Chuck Zimmerman

Dave DuFaultNow that we’ve heard from the past Chairman let’s hear from the new Chairman of the Agricultural Retailers Association. He’s Dave DuFault, Simplot, pictured on the left presenting a gift to now past Chairman Gary Farrell.

Before the ceremonies took place I talked with Dave. In the coming year Dave says ARA will continue to move forward with the ResponsibleAg program that has just kicked so that retailers can now get registered via the website. Dave also will be looking at communication. “How do we take what we’re doing and just not keep it within our industry but also take it outside our industry to create a better image of what we do everyday.”

Dave also wants to pitch next year’s convention in Palm Desert, CA. I hope to be there!

Listen to my interview with Dave here: Interview with Dave DuFault of Simplot, ARA Chair

2014 ARA Convention & Expo Photo Album

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, ARA, Audio

Past Chairman of the Ag Retailers Association

Chuck Zimmerman

Gary FarrellHe’s now the past Chairman of the Agricultural Retailers Association. He’s Gary Farrell (pictured left), Ag Enterprise Supply, who passed the gavel to the new Chairman, Dave DuFault, Simplot at the annual meeting in New Orleans.

Prior to the ceremonies I visited with Gary and asked him what he was most proud of accomplishing during his term. He says it is “The formation of the ResponsibleAg program.” It is a program that took years to come to fruition with some rough spots along the way. Gary is also proud of opening up a line of communication between the ag retail community and the USDA-NRCS. Gary won’t be sitting around now that his term is up. He has been appointed to a couple of boards that are important to the ag retail business.

Listen to my interview with Gary here: Interview with Gary Farrell, Ag Enterprise Supply

2014 ARA Convention & Expo Photo Album

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, ARA, Audio

Smart Ag in the 21st Century

Cindy Zimmerman

usda-outlook“Smart Agriculture in the 21st Century” is the theme for the 2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum to be held from Feb. 19-20, 2015, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, Va.

USDA has announced that the forum’s plenary speakers and sessions will take a global, modern look at different aspects of today’s agriculture industry. Among the highlights, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and European Commissioner of Agriculture & Rural Development Phil Hogan will engage in a roundtable discussion on agriculture; Dr. Richard N. Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations, will address “Food, Foreign Policy and International Order; and USDA’s Chief Economist Joseph Glauber will deliver the 2015 Agricultural & Foreign Trade Outlooks.

The plenary panel focuses on “A Discussion on Innovation, Biotechnology, and Big Data” with wide latitude for panelists to talk about the intersection of these issues. Moderated by Secretary Tom Vilsack, the panel includes: Cory J. Reed, Senior Vice President, Intelligent Solutions Group, John Deere and Company; Dr. Robert T. Fraley, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Monsanto; Mary Kay Thatcher, Senior Director, Congressional Relations, American Farm Bureau Federation; and Dr. Robert Sutor, Vice President, Mobile, Solutions, and Mathematical Sciences, IBM Corporation.

Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden will welcome the plenary audience and also moderate an afternoon session titled “Tomorrow’s Opportunities,” focused on the potential of agriculture as a career, and the importance of new and beginning farmers and ranchers.

The Forum’s dinner speaker will be Ambassador Darci Vetter, Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Registration for the event is $400 until January 21, and $450 after that date. Plenary speeches will be webcast the evening of February 19, and breakout session speeches and presentations will be posted online at the end of the day on February 20.

Biotech, USDA

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • Select Sires Inc. is pleased to announce the hiring of Jennie Johnson as graphic designer and administrative coordinator for the beef sire department.
  • The National Corn Growers Association welcomes Brooke Appleton as director of public policy and political strategy.
  • Kubota Tractor Corporation announced that it will open a 450,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Parts Distribution Center in Edgerton, Kansas.
  • The annual DTN/The Progressive Farmer Ag Summit, which is being held at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park Hotel, Dec. 8-10, 2014, brings groups together for knowledge sharing and sessions that provide forward-thinking crop and livestock producers with strategies for success in the coming year.
Zimfo Bytes

Yamaha’s Commitment to Agriculture

Jamie Johansen

yamahaYamaha’s ATV/SxS marketing manager, Steve Nessl, stood in front of their brand new 2015 Viking VI while chatting with Chuck during the recent Trade Talk at the 2014 National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s annual meeting.

“It is the industry’s first true six passenger utility vehicle out there. Each person in the cabin has their own designated space. It’s not only a durable, reliable workhorse in the field, but also a comfortable and capable one for everyone who gets in it.”

Steve said Yamaha is a huge supporter of agriculture as a whole, but one specific long-lasting partnership has been with the FFA and Ag Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT). They are really interested in developing youth programs for the next generation of farmers and industry professionals.

Yamaha sponsored a scholarship program with ACT many years ago. Steve said the idea behind that was to seed the safety messaging with the appropriate young people who will be continuing to talk about agriculture now and in the future.

Beyond the agriculture market, Chuck talked with Steve about marketing to the the outdoorsmen. This is also something near and dear to Chuck’s heart. Steve said their products are one in the same and fit the needs of both industries.

Listen Chuck’s complete interview with Steve: Interview with Steve Nessl, Yamaha


2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Agribusiness, Audio, NAFB

AgNerd Monday – BudStraps

Chuck Zimmerman

BudStrapsI brought BudStraps to your attention recently and have now had a chance to try ’em out. When I’m traveling or working out I use Bose QC 20i headphones. BTW, I love them. But getting on/off planes, trying to talk with someone at the counter or just wanting to give my ears a rest I need to take them out. I know there are ideas like sticking the ends into your shirt or whatever but there’s a much better alternative.

BudStraps! These clip onto your ear bud cords and wrap around your neck. Think straps for your sunglasses. Same concept and quite brilliant.

BudStrapsBudStraps allow you to simply clip your earbuds around your neck for a run, ride, walk or simply to sit there, playing your Xbox (us too:). They wash quickly under warm water, prevent cord tangles, and help protect you from losing your cords in situations that might be dangerous like driving a car or riding a bike.

So, no more dangerous dangles or irritating tangles. They’re comfortable and you really don’t even know you’ve got them on after a while. They’re easy to remove when you want to put your buds back in a case, although they fit right into mine.

In case you need to see how to put them on BudStraps made a video for you.

Thanks to BudStraps I have an extra pair to give away. If you leave a comment here or reply to me on Twitter or Facebook by Friday Noon central this week I’ll pick a name at random to send you your very own BudStraps!

Gadgets

GROWMARK Preparing for Next Season

Cindy Zimmerman

nafb14-growmarkA farmer’s work is never done so now that the harvest is complete, it’s time to prepare for next season.

“We’re getting done getting the ammonia on because of the cold weather,” said GROWMARK Regional Agronomy Business Director Nate Pierce during an interview at the NAFB convention last month. “We need to start making our plans and working with the growers to figure out how we’re going to get it done this spring.”

Pierce says GROWMARK is a strong advocate with growers for nitrogen management as a system. “That is multiple applications of nitrogen and utilizing a 4 Rs approach,” he said. “That doesn’t mean putting on more nitrogen, it’s just doing it in split applications with different products in a tank.”

Pierce also talks about some of the factors involved in decision making farmers the coming year in this interview: Interview with Nate Pierce, GROWMARK


2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
Audio, Farming, Fertilizer, GROWMARK, NAFB

2015 Designated as International Year of Soils

John Davis

soil-renaissanceThe United Nations has designated 2015 as the International Year of Soils (IYS) to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of healthy soil for food security and essential ecosystem functions. Soil Renaissance, a group led by our friends at Farm Foundation, is celebrating IYS and its first year in existence as a movement to make soil health the cornerstone of land use management decisions, as well as bring attention to the critical role of healthy soils in vibrant natural resource systems.

In its first year, farmers, ranchers, educators, researchers, suppliers, NGOs, foundations and government agencies have joined the Soil Renaissance with their expertise and support. “Collaboration has been the linchpin to our success so far,” said Farm Foundation President Neil Conklin. “The multitude of challenges in understanding healthy soils requires many hands at work. No single person or organization can fully address the diverse and complex issues of soil health across the nation and the world.”

The Soil Renaissance has begun implementing a Strategic Plan that focuses on four foundational issues key to all aspects of soil health work: a standard for measuring soil health; economic tools to assess the value of soil health; identifying research needs; and education and outreach. Teams of experts from across the United States have formed working groups around these four areas, and are working to accomplish important goals.

“Soil health is a key factor in any agricultural production system, whether conventional or organic. Yet soil is too often ignored or overshadowed by other factors,” said Noble Foundation President Bill Buckner. “It is critical that we listen to the producers who are earlier adopters of soil health initiatives, and work closely with researchers, policymakers and industry experts to ensure our soils are protected and sustained for future generations.”

Soil Renaissance is partnering with the Soil Science Society of America to bring attention to the importance of soil and soil health.

Ag Groups, Farm Foundation, Soil

Learfield Adds Minnesota and Michigan

Chuck Zimmerman

Brownfield Ag NewsLearfield Communications and Brownfield Ag News just keep growing. Now a couple of M states, Minnesota and Michigan!

Learfield Communications Inc and Saga Communications announced today that the two companies have reached an agreement under which Learfield has acquired the Minnesota and Michigan News and Ag Radio Networks from Saga. The agreement becomes effective immediately and terms of the transaction are confidential.

Learfield, which was founded in 1972, began as a regional news and farm radio network. This acquisition brings to seven the number of state radio news networks operated by Learfield and adds significant coverage to Brownfield Ag News, America’s leading farm radio network. In total, 382 radio stations are now served by Learfield’s agriculture programing and 431 radio stations by Learfield news services.
“We are very pleased to now have these important news and agriculture information services as members of our stable of radio networks,” said Greg Brown, President and CEO of Learfield. “Saga is one of the country’s most admired and successful radio companies and we appreciate the opportunity to add these quality services to our family of networks.”

Media