Gutter Becomes USDA’s First Military Vets Ag Liaison

John Davis November 17, 2014

A Marine Corps Reserve veteran becomes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) first Military Veterans Agricultural (MVA) Liaison. This news release from USDA says Karis T. Gutter, the current USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (FFAS), will serve in the role to facilitate formal relationships between USDA and other government agencies and non-profit organizations to strengthen USDA support for veterans.

“Many of America’s veterans come from our rural communities, and are often drawn back to the land upon returning to civilian life,” said Deputy Secretary [Krysta] Harden. “Veterans are key to building our future generation of farmers, land stewards and conservationists. USDA already has a number of initiatives to help veterans find meaningful work in agriculture upon returning home, but this new position will help coordinate our efforts and make programs easier to navigate. I look forward to Karis’ leadership as we continue to support America’s heroes.”

Gutter, native of Terry, Mississippi (pop. 1,099), began his career in public service as an enlisted United States Marine Corp Reservist. Gutter served as a Corporal in the Marine Corps as a communications and field radio operator for six years and participated in humanitarian relief in support of September 11 and Hurricane Katrina. Prior to his USDA service, Gutter worked for the Hinds County Board of Supervisors in Mississippi and on Capitol Hill as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02).

This new position was created by the 2014 Farm Bill.

USDA

Secretary Vilsack Praises Farm Broadcasters

Cindy Zimmerman November 16, 2014

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack began his press conference at the 2014 National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention by thanking those who attended for their work.

“Obviously without your voices and without your access to audiences across the country, we wouldn’t be as successful in terms of getting the messages about the implementation of this new farm bill,” said Vilsack. “So we at USDA owe you all a debt of gratitude for the work you do every single day to connect rural folks with the activities of their government.”

Vilsack gave an update on farm bill implementation, and answered questions about the COOL WTO ruling, new Senate leadership, WOTUS, a second beef checkoff, China, trade negotiations, biotechnology, and more.

Vilsack also pointed out that he has now surpassed former Secretary Dan Glickman as the longest serving agriculture secretary in modern times. “Something which I’m very proud of and he’s very irritated about,” he joked. Technically, it looks like it will actually be December 10 when Vilsack meets Glickman’s total time in office of 5 years, 10 months and 20 days – but, we’ll give it to him anyway!

Listen to or download the press conference here: Secretary Vilsack at NAFB 2014

2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by

Audio, NAFB, USDA

Legislative Update from NAFB

Jamie Johansen November 14, 2014

Michelle Rook, WNAX Farm Director in Yankton, SD., led the discussion during the Legislative Roundtable at the 71st National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s annual convention. Blake Hurst, President of the Missouri Farm Bureau, and Steve Nelson, Nebraska Farm Bureau President, served as this year’s panelists.

The ag leaders reviewed the current direction of the United States agricultural issues and policy on the local, state and national level.

The duo first addressed their assessment on the recent midterm elections and how it will impact our ability to take care of some important ag business in the near future. Other questions from the floors included concern about Water of the United States and EPA, farmings ability to continue to feed a growing world and how the Farm Bill programs have been implemented.

Listen to the complete Legislative Roundtable here: NAFB Legislative Roundtable

You can find photos from the event here:
2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by

Ag Groups, Audio, NAFB

Smart Data Best for Decision Making

Chuck Zimmerman November 14, 2014

The challenge in precision ag these days seems to be less about how much data can be created – plenty of tools and programs to tell you everything about your operation – and more about how to create just the data needed without making farmers try to drink from some firehose of information. One of John Deere’s partner companies definitely sees it that way and was part of the program of the recent 2014 Develop with Deere conference in Kansas City.

Christopher Haak with AgIntegrated shared the stage with Tyler Hogrefe and brought a lot of the same thoughts on data transfer to the table but from a John Deere partner company perspective.

“The agricultural industry did a great job and made a lot of implements and had a lot of tools for a number of years,” Christopher says in an interview with me. “But the real problem has been how to effectively transfer that information and get it to end-users so they could make practical decisions almost on the fly.”

Christopher added usability of the data is getting better, as bandwidth is still at a premium, especially in rural America, and time is always money for farmers. He said we don’t necessarily need to be able to generate more data, but producers do need more effective ways of accessing the information they need when they want it.

“I think the next generation of precision ag tools is going focus around smart usage of data, not more creation of data,” he said.

You can hear my interview with Christopher here: Christopher Haak, AgIntegrated

Develop with Deere Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, John Deere, Precision Agriculture

NAFB Horizon Award & Farm Broadcaster of the Year

Jamie Johansen November 14, 2014

The National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s awards luncheon paid tribute to the 2014 Horizon Award and the Farm Broadcaster of the Year.

Ken Anderson is this year’s Farm Broadcaster of the Year and is an ag reporter and news anchor for the Brownfield Radio Network. His broadcasting career began in 1977 with KRVN Radio in Lexington, Nebraska. From there, he went to work for regional seed company NC-Plus Hybrids where he was in charge of marketing communications activities. That was followed by public relations stints with two advertising agencies. In 2008, Ken returned to broadcasting with Brownfield Ag News. Among Ken’s honors are the Excellence in Marketing Communications Award from the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) and the Editor’s Choice Award from the NAFB News Service. He has also received the Media Appreciation Award from the Nebraska Corn Board and the Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer Award from the Iowa Soybean Association. Ken is a past president of the NAFB Foundation board of directors and a past president of the Nebraska Agribusiness Club. A graduate of Nebraska’s ag leadership program (LEAD), Ken now serves on the LEAD Alumni Association board of directors.

Nicole Heslip was awarded the 2014 Horizon Award and brings the latest market updates and agricultural news to more than 250,000 listeners across Michigan. You can find her at many agricultural events around the state, providing remote coverage as well as working with local advertising. Nicole also currently serves on the communications work group for the Michigan Agricultural and Environmental Assurance Program and contributes to the Michigan Ag Council’s From the Farmer Blog. As a student at Michigan State University (MSU), she majored in Agricultural and Natural Resources Communications, and specialized in Agri-Business Management and Public Relations. She worked as a student for MSU ANR Communications, as well as Filament Marketing, a public relations firm in Madison, Wisconsin. As a dairy farmer’s daughter, Nicole grew up in Allegan County, where her family today milks over 2,800 cows and operates a custom farming business.

Photos from the event can be found here:
2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by

Ag Groups, NAFB

NAFB Hall of Fame and Meritorious Service

Cindy Zimmerman November 14, 2014

The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) bestowed honors on many deserving individuals during the convention’s Night of Honors Banquet.

Longtime NAFB member and radio advocate Bill Farmakis was awarded the Dix Harper Meritorious Service Award last night during the Night of Honors Celebration. The Award recognizes outstanding support and leadership to the broadcasting industry and association by a member of the Management & Sales Council or the Allied Industry Council. Bill speaks loudly and proudly to advertisers and agencies emphasizing the importance of placing agriculture commercials within agriculture programming. Bill works tirelessly behind the scenes to enhance the profile for farm broadcasting and serves as President of J.L. Farmakis, Inc, and is a 20-year member of NAFB.

2014 Hall of Fame Inductee Ken Root was born into an Oklahoma farm family. His career spans more than four decades, including teaching, radio, television, corporate communications and association management. Ken taught for two years at Union City High School in Union City, Oklahoma before moving into radio and television with his mentor, Russell Pierson. From radio and TV he moved to corporate communications and then from there, Ken started his own business, Root Environmental Services and Root Communications. In 1994 Ken became host of AgriTalk. Ken served the NAFB as executive director from 2002-2005. He, and partners, started the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network. He also became the National Farm Broadcaster for WGFA Radio in Watseka, Illinois.

The second Hall of Fame recipient is Royce Lee Bodiford who hails from Texas. He married his childhood sweetheart, Helen Hayes while serving as the National FFA Southern Regional Vice President. Royce graduated from West Texas State University with a B.S. in agriculture, while working at KGNC Radio/TV in Amarillo, Texas. In 1977, Royce was named General Manager at KGNC and strongly supported farm broadcasting and NAFB. In the 1990’s Royce moved to public broadcasting and became General Manager of KOCV-TV/Radio at Odessa College in Odessa, Texas. Currently Royce serves as Vice President of the Odessa College Board of Trustees. The NAFB played an important role in Royce’s career as well.

Photos from the Night of Honors and the convention can be found here:
2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by

Ag Groups, NAFB

BASF Support of NAFB

Cindy Zimmerman November 14, 2014

It would be a lot harder for working broadcasters to get their jobs done while attending the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention if not for the generous sponsorship of our friends at BASF.

“We support the broadcast center and the email center because we know that’s an important resource for farm broadcasters to get their stories out,” said BASF Communications Manager Sandi Wilson.

Another way BASF has supported NAFB in the past year is by the service of our friend Pat Morrow as an Allied Industry representative on the NAFB Board. “She was really happy to be able to do that,” Sandi says. Pat was unable to attend convention this year because she has been on a long term assignment for BASF in Japan, but she sends her best wishes to all.

And, BASF is also the sponsor of our NAFB convention coverage on AgWired for at least the 4th year in a row now, and that means we can bring you all the sights and sounds of the meeting – I’m sure Pat is watching from Japan! Thanks to BASF for all you do for NAFB!

Listen to my interview with Sandi here: Interview with Sandi Wilson, BASF

You can find photos from the event here:
2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by

Audio, BASF, NAFB

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes November 14, 2014

The National Pork Producers Council has named Dr. Daniel Kovich as assistant director of science and technology, focusing on food and feed safety and animal handling issues.
Verdesian Life Sciences, LLC (Verdesian) is bolstering its sales force to further enhance customer focus and service.
Pinnacle Agriculture Holdings, LLC has successfully acquired Reck Aviation, Inc.
Sarah Miller, a National Sales Account Executive with Meredith Agrimedia, has been named the MACA (Mid America Croplife Association) Ambassador of the Year.

Zimfo Bytes

Will Big Data Privacy Agreement Ease Grower Concerns?

Jamie Johansen November 13, 2014

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How do you feel about election results?”

It looks like the majority polled are very happy with our recent election results. And many are optimistic. Time will tell.

Here are the poll results:

Very happy – 47%
Very unhappy – 20%
Cautiously optimistic – 22%
Don’t care – 11%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, Do you think the new coalition agreement addresses ag data privacy concerns?

A coalition of major farm organizations and agriculture technology providers have announced an agreement on data privacy and security principles. The agreement was designed to encourage producers to use the full range of innovative, technology-driven tools and services to boost productivity, efficiency and profitability of agriculture with more assurance that personal data will be protected. Do you think this will ease grower concerns?

ZimmPoll

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