Program Helps Farmers Commercialize Farm Inventions

Jamie Johansen

Incubator Client - GrassRoots Energy copyOttawa County, MI announced the official kick-off of the Great Lakes Ag-Tech Business Incubator.

The Incubator, a non-profit corporation, will specialize in helping farmers and entrepreneurs turn their ag-tech machine, equipment, or software ideas and inventions into successful businesses. “Most farmers are intuitive, can-do individuals who have innate abilities to solve farm problems with ingenious mechanical inventions,” said Mark Knudsen, Planning and Performance Improvement Director. “These inventions can often be the foundation for a thriving business.”

The Incubator provides specialized assistance designed to propel start-up companies through business hurdles. These services include, but are not limited to, validating concepts, obtaining patents, developing markets, streamlining regulatory permits, developing financial plans, assembling management teams, obtaining business financing, and developing supplier sustainability plans. In addition, farmers associated with the Incubator share their expertise with entrepreneurs to validate their ag-tech ideas, provide recommendations to improve new products, and field test prototypes. Ottawa County is uniquely poised to test technology involving wireless broadband since it has built out high-speed wireless broadband throughout the County.

State Representative Joe Haveman also announced at the Grand Opening that the State has awarded $500,000 to support the innovative Ag-Tech Business Incubator. “Ottawa County has built something entirely unique for farmers and entrepreneurs,” said Representative Haveman. “I am pleased to announce that the State will make a three year, $500,000 investment in this first of its kind incubator model to help develop businesses and jobs in the ag-technology sector.”

The state funding commitment will be in addition to funds that have been pledged by private sector sponsors and Member Counties.

Agribusiness

Meet the New USFRA Faces: Thomas Titus

John Davis

usfra-faces-thomasIf you get a chance to talk to one of the newest representatives in the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance’s (USFRA) Faces of Farming and Ranching program, you’ll certainly be taken by more than just Thomas Titus’ impressive height (6’8″!). You’ll hear just how enthusiastic he is to talk about the world of agriculture.

“Talking about agriculture was something instilled in me at a very young age,” he told Cindy during a recent interview, adding that his mother was active talking about the pork industry, addressing classrooms and even lawmakers in Washington, D.C. And he believes it’s important to keep telling that story. “Because at the end of the day, we’re consumers as well, and our number 1 priority is producing a safe, secure wholesome product.”

The Illinois pig farmer, who also has a corn and soybean operation and raises show pigs, besides the farrow-to-finish operation, admits the year-long commitment he’ll be making traveling throughout the country as part of the Food Dialogues conversations to help consumers be better aware of what America’s farmers are all is a big one. After talking with the whole family, he decided that this was too important for him not to try to do.

Thomas also encourages anyone who wants to talk more about agriculture to contact him.

“Feel free to reach out to contact me on Facebook or Twitter. If there is a question, that’s why we’re here and what we’re charged with – helping the consuming public understand what we do on a daily basis on our farm.”

You can here more of Cindy’s conversation with Thomas here: New USFRA Faces of Farming and Ranching - Thomas Titus

Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Farming, Pork, Swine, USFRA

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • Louis Dreyfus Commodities named Mayo Schmidt, former head of Canadian grain handler Viterra, as its new chief executive in the latest stage of a corporate shake-up at the 163-year-old global trading firm.
  • Zoetis, the Chinese Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), and Kansas State University (KSU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together and promote the Doctor of Veterinary Program (DVM) in China.
  • West Central’s board of directors announced their unanimous decision to name Milan Kucerak President and CEO-elect following Jeff Stroburg’s retirement at the end of the fiscal year.
  • The Maine Beef Industry Council (MBIC) will be closing by year’s end, and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) will take over collections and communications with producers in that state moving forward.
Zimfo Bytes

NSIP Commits to Rebranding Initiative

Jamie Johansen

NSIPFollowing a competitive RFP process, the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) has selected Demeter Communications for its Rebranding Initiative.

The purpose of the rebranding is to better position NSIP as the genetic selection tool for U.S. sheep producers, and increase usage of the technology for the benefit of all segments of the industry, according to Reid Redden, NSIP chairman. The Rebranding Initiative includes:

· Review of the current structure and operation of the organization and recommendations for changes to further the NSIP vision and mission
· Learn from other livestock industries and other countries’ lamb industries which have implemented this technology
· Conduct market research to evaluate awareness, perceptions and understanding of NSIP and its genetic technology
· Establish a vision, mission, goals and objectives
· Design a brand plan
· Develop a marketing plan

In addition to the Rebranding Initiative, Demeter Communications will also redesign the NSIP logo, develop a new website and prepare core collateral materials. The results will be unveiled during the Sheep Industry Convention January 28-31, 2015.

Ag Groups, Marketing, Sheep

Agricultural Retailers Navigating Forward

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 456This week I will be attending my first Agricultural Retailers Association Annual Convention & Expo. I’ve got a preview of what will be taking place in New Orleans from Brian Reuwee, Director of Communications & Marketing. Brian and I sat down during the recent NAFB Trade Talk session.

Brian ReuweeOne of the things that caught my eye about this year’s program is a focus on precision agriculture. There is a session on this topic for those “ultra-precision” farmers out there and how retailers can best support them. I would also call them AgNerds! Here’s some information on the conference:

Farmers relentlessly pursue the best course of action. And, like a trusted guide, ag retailers provide advice, analysis, products and services to help them discover the most successful strategies.

The Agricultural Retailers Association Annual Conference and Expo December 2-4 at the Sheraton New Orleans – French Quarter will help you navigate the changing ag retail landscape through panel discussions, presentations, networking and exhibits.
Find your path forward. Join industry experts, peers and colleagues at the only essential event for ag retailers and suppliers: the ARA Annual Conference & Expo.

Learn more about what’s going on during this week’s convention here: Ag Retailers Convention

2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

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Ag Groups, ARA, Audio, Precision Agriculture, ZimmCast

Meet the New USFRA Faces: Jay Hill

John Davis

usfra-faces-jayHe is the youngest of five siblings and the only one who chose to follow in his father’s footsteps into farming, but Jay Hill of Southern New Mexico says it’s definitely not been boring.

“You know, there’s some days when I thought, I should have been a lawyer or a doctor,” he told Cindy during an interview. “But I now feel this is the most rewarding position I could ever have in my life.”

Jay’s father started the family farm with just 20 acres after moving to New Mexico, playing some college football and never making enough money to move back to his native Tennessee. But they’ve built it up to about 700 acres now, raising cattle, pinto beans, red and green chillies, lettuce, corn and alfalfa. Now as one of the new representatives in the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance’s (USFRA) Faces of Farming and Ranching program, Jay hopes to make a difference and make consumers better aware of what America’s farmers are all about as he travels the country and participates in the Food Dialogues conversations.

“I hope we’re able to help break some of the stigmatisms we’ve had and really bridge the gap between our farm and your fork.”

You can follow Jay’s farm on Facebook here.

You can here more of Cindy’s conversation with Jay here: New USFRA Faces of Farming and Ranching - Jay Hill

Ag Groups, Audio, Beef, USFRA

I’m on the Top of the World

Melissa Sandfort

IMG950722Today, Aunt Jeanette writes:

Okay, I have to confess, I am not really the one looking down. I do not like high places. I don’t think I am afraid, but I would rather have my feet on the ground. The one exception is that I love to fly. I am entranced by the view from an airplane window. I would hop on a plane without a second thought, but the top of the elevator – I don’t think so!

I mentioned in previous stories that I work at our family-owned, small-town elevator. That is what I did the moment harvest began the end of September, and also for the past five harvests. It was an exceptionally wonderful year…the weather cooperated beautifully and the crop yields surpassed what the farmers in the area expected.

Learning how to run an elevator was never in my wildest imaginings, but it has been fun and I enjoy it. There are certain things I cannot do because I am just not strong enough. However, the customers are more than willing to help me do those things in exchange for Tootsie Roll Pops, Starburst Fruit Chews, or an occasional bottle of water!

One day, our son came to the elevator to check on me and see that everything was okay. He said he was going up to check on things in the elevator. As he went out the office door, I asked him to take a picture from the top. Now, I have been up to the headhouse before, but I have no plans to go up again. Once was quite enough.

There was a certain urgency among farmers as they know weather can change in the blink of an eye, so I did what I could to help, loved every minute of harvest, and enjoyed my view from the ground!

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Happy Thanksgiving From Our Table to Yours

Cindy Zimmerman

thanksgiving-2014aO God, source and giver of all things,
You manifest your infinite majesty, power and goodness
In the earth about us:
We give you honor and glory.
For the sun and the rain,
For the manifold fruits of our fields:
For the increase of our herds and flocks,
We thank you.
For the enrichment of our souls with divine grace,
We are grateful.

Supreme Lord of the harvest,
Graciously accept us and the fruits of our toil,
In union with Jesus, your Son,
As atonement for our sins,
For the growth of your Church,
For peace and love in our homes,
And for salvation for all.
We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Food, Harvest, ZimmComm Announcement

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • United Fresh Produce Association welcomes Mary Coppola as Senior Director, Marketing Communications.
  • Syngenta AG, the world’s largest maker of crop chemicals, said it will cut or relocate 1,800 jobs as Chief Executive Officer Mike Mack tries to tackle its cost base in countries such as Switzerland.
  • Reinke honored its top dealerships throughout the United States and Canada at the company’s annual convention held October 23-25 in Palm Springs, Calif.
  • U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is sponsoring 14-plus poultry-related seminars and workshops during the 2015 year.
Zimfo Bytes

Meet the New USFRA Faces: Erin Brenneman

John Davis

usfra-faces-erinShe might not have started out an Iowa farm girl, but Erin Brenneman has embraced the role on her husband’s family pig farm in the southeast part of the state.

“I was born and raised in the city, so I think that brings a unique perspective on farming,” the native of the Chicago suburbs told Cindy during an interview.

Now, as one of the new representatives in the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance’s (USFRA) Faces of Farming and Ranching program, Erin will get the chance to travel the country and participate in the Food Dialogues conversations to share stories and experiences on a national stage to help shift conversations about food production and set the record straight about how American farmers feed the nation and the world.

Erin said it was while attending Iowa State University and after when she moved to the family farm with her husband that she realized there was this incredible world of agriculture, something she shares on her personal blog, City Lights to Starry Nights.

“It just shows the little every day things that strike me on the farm. I just like to share the incredible world of what we do,” she said, adding those little things and the big things farmers do every day are why she wanted to be a USFRA Face of Farming and Ranching. “I know it’s not understood sometimes, and it needs to be. It’s great, and people really need to know that.”

You can also follow Erin at these sites:
Erin’s Facebook
Farm Facebook
Twitter

You can here more of Cindy’s conversation with Erin here: New USFRA Faces of Farming and Ranching - Erin Brenneman

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Audio, Swine, USFRA