Going Once…Going Twice…SOLD!

Melissa Sandfort March 27, 2014

This week Aunt Jeanette writes:

…to the great-great-grandson of the original homesteader.

Approximately one month ago, Dan and I attended a land auction and came home as the proud owners of 160 acres of farm ground that has held his family’s roots for several generations. In 1870, Dan’s great-great-grandfather and his bride traveled in a covered wagon from Pennsylvania to the Little Blue River valley in south central Nebraska where they homesteaded and began farming. The piece of land we purchased came into the family in 1915 and is just a mile east of the original homestead.

The fertile soil in the Little Blue River Valley made a perfect place for this young couple to begin farming and raise a family – two sons and two daughters. (Now, just between you and me, I had to learn to love this flat, treeless land where the creeks and rivers seem to flow on the surface of the ground. Believe me, it was not love at first sight! I grew up in the southeast corner of Nebraska where there are hills, abundant trees, and creeks and rivers that are cut deep into the earth, providing endless entertainment for my two brothers and me while we were growing up.)

The layout of this newly purchased farm is perfect for center pivot irrigation. The pivot is being built as you read this and hopefully it will be up and running by irrigating season. Although farming practices have changed dramatically in the last century and a half, the basic goal remains the same – to be good stewards of the land that has been entrusted to us. The ability to irrigate crops, the knowledge of which herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizer to use, and which seed hybrid is appropriate for the type of soil are all integral pieces of this farming business. Up-to-date equipment and technological knowledge are also helpful in keeping up with the ever-changing times.

Family farms and heritage are becoming a thing of the past as children and grandchildren move away in search of “the good life” and choose to sell their land. However, for Dan and me, “the good life” is right here, embedded in the soil his ancestors called home. I am grateful Dan and I happened to be in the right place at the right time and circumstances allowed us to keep this piece of 99-year-old history in the family.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Farmland Movie Advance Screening

Chuck Zimmerman March 27, 2014

National Ag Day Activities was special this year because of of two great documentary films about farming. Last night it was a private advance screening of Farmland, directed by James Moll, with major support from USFRA. In the photo (l-r) is Randy Krotz, CEO, USFRA, James, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Bob Stallman, President of American Farm Bureau Federation. There were a lot of dignitaries on hand including two of the young farmers featured in the movie. Both Sec. Vilsack and Bob Stallman who is Chairman of USFRA made opening comments before we watched the movie. I spoke with Bob and James and you can listen to their comments below.

The movie gives you a very close and personal look into the lives of six very different types of young farmers who talk about the challenges of becoming farm owners/managers. There is no narration. The story is told completely by the farmers and the imagery of them at work. It is a real family story too and there are some very emotional scenes in the movie. If you haven’t been able to see it yet please do when you get a chance.

Farmland has a deal with D&E Entertainment for the film to first be distributed to 60 major market theaters beginning May 1. Keep an eye out for it in your area and think about calling your local theater to see if they would schedule it.

In case you’re wondering, the film features these farmers:

Leighton Cooley, Georgia
Brad Bellah – Texas
David Loberg – Nebraska
Sutton Morgan – California
Margaret Schlass – Pennsylvania
Ryan Veldhuizen – Minnesota

You can listen to my interview with the Bob here:Interview with Bob Stallman

You can listen to my interview with the James here:Interview with James Moll

You can find photos from all National Ag Day activities, including the Farmland premier, online here: 2014 Ag Day Photo Album

Ag Day, Audio, USFRA

Great American Wheat Harvest Premier

Chuck Zimmerman March 26, 2014

The National Premier Screening of The Great American Wheat Harvest movie took place yesterday as the first of many National Ag Day activities. On hand were the stars of the documentary that include:

Jim Deibert – JKD Harvesting
Jim & Tracy Zeorian – Jim Zeorian Harvesting
Dan, Kristy, & Emma Misener – Misener Family Harvesting
Lee Petersen – L. Petersen Farms
Eric Wolgemuth – Wolgemuth Harvesting

I spoke with this group of awesome and passionate custom harvesters before the film premier. I asked them about their experience of being filmed for the project. They all really enjoyed working with the producer, Conrad Weaver, and believe he truly captured their livelihood as it really is. They hope the non-farm public will feel what they feel.

You can listen to my interview with the harvesters here:Interview with Custom Harvesters

The film is now ready for prime time and Conrad is busy working on distribution. Later this year we’ll also be able to order a copy of the movie. I’ll announce that when we get the details.

You can find photos from all National Ag Day activities online here: 2014 Ag Day Photo Album

Ag Day, Audio, Harvest, Wheat

USFRA Next Generation of Farmers Panel

Chuck Zimmerman March 26, 2014

One of the National Ag Day activities taking place in Washington, DC was a USFRA afternoon panel discussion on “The Next Generation of America’s Farmers and Ranchers.” The panel was hosted by our good friend Sara Wyant.

The event featured very personal stories from young farmers and ranchers on the challenges they face in taking over their family business. They talked about what it means to take on this responsibility in today’s environment, including some of the business and perception challenges they face and their opinions on key issues. They also addressed the challenges and opportunities for the next generation of farmers, as well as steps that can be taken to inspire more people to become involved in agriculture.

The panelists included:

• Leighton Cooley, 4th generation poultry farmer and Farmland documentary subject, Roberta, Ga.

• Will Gilmer, 3rd generation dairy farmer and USFRA Faces of Farming and Ranching, Lamar County, Ala.

• Peter Liebhold, Curator, Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, Washington, DC

• Joel Mathiowetz, Corn, soybean, pea and lamb farmer, Executive Director of Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation, Morgan, Minn.

• Seth Pratt, University of Idaho Agriculture student, Future Farmers of America, Blackfoot, Idaho

You can listen to the dialogue here:USFRA Next Generation Panel

You can find photos from all National Ag Day activities online here: 2014 Ag Day Photo Album

Ag Day, Audio, USFRA

2014 USPB Grower Survey Results

Jamie Johansen March 26, 2014

Coming out of the January 2005 Grower Survey, 73% of U.S. potato growers rated the job being done by the United States Potato Board (USPB) as “excellent or good.” By many standards that level of support for an industry organization is very strong.

In the summer of 2006, the USPB Industry Communications and Policy (ICP) Committee and Staff Department were created with the goal of segmenting communications, by each of the five production segments. In January 2009, when the next Grower Survey was conducted, 83% of U.S. potato growers rated the job being done by the USPB as “excellent or good,” an unprecedented 10% point jump, thereby, validating the new USPB Industry Communications strategy.

With the completion of the 2014 Grower Survey and the presentation of the results to the full Board at the USPB’s 42nd Annual Meeting, March 12, in Colorado Springs, CO, 88% of U.S. potato growers now rate the job being done by the USPB as “excellent or good.”

Noted USPB Vice President, Industry Communications and Policy, David Fraser, “While the 5% point jump to 88% is truly outstanding, and we are extremely pleased with this proof USPB Industry Communications programs are, indeed, successfully informing the industry of the ongoing programs, activities and success of the USPB’s efforts to build demand for potatoes and potato products, both domestically and globally, an even more remarkable number to us was the fact growers rating the job being done by the USPB as ‘excellent’ more than doubled from 13% in 2009 to 27% in 2014!”

For more information on this report or to read the full release check out uspotatoes.com.

Agribusiness, Potato

MorganMyers Launches Digital Food IQ Quiz

Jamie Johansen March 26, 2014

For more than 30 years, MorganMyers has built a world-class reputation for building, protecting and promoting brands that help feed the world. The agency’s commitment to working with outstanding food and agriculture companies has given it the chance to work with some great brands over the years. So, naturally, the agency wanted to show solidarity with, and raise awareness for, the agriculture industry by doing something special on National Agriculture Day.

To celebrate, MorganMyers has launched a digital Food IQ Quiz that is designed to raise awareness of some interesting information surrounding food and the agriculture industry.

“This has been a passion project for the team at MM,” said Tim Oliver, MorganMyers president. “Even though our staff is made up of some of the savviest people in agri-marketing, we all learn new and surprising things every day and we wanted to share some of the most interesting things with others.”

Ag Day, Agribusiness, Food, Marketing

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes March 26, 2014

Monsanto Company has announced that six new recipients will be awarded research grants as part of the Corn Rootworm Knowledge Research Program.
CAST Annual Report 2013 is now available to view.
DuPont Chair and Chief Executive Officer Ellen Kullman unveiled a newly expanded research facility at Delmas, South Africa, that will serve as the core of the DuPont Africa regional technology center.
Brookside Agra announced the hiring of Bill Bayless of Sparta, IL as its new Vice-President of Business Development.

Zimfo Bytes

Norman Borlaug Statue Installed Today

Leah Guffey March 25, 2014

Dr. Norman E. Borlaug’s statue was installed today at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on what would have been the great agricultural scientist’s 100th birthday. The leadership of the United States Congress, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Governor Terry E. Branstad of Borlaug’s home state of Iowa, and Amb. Kenneth M. Quinn, who chaired the Borlaug Statue Committee, were all part of the ceremony.

Borlaug dedicated his life to breeding better varieties of wheat, and worked with farmers, scientists, politicians and others to improve agricultural methods and policies to alleviate hunger and malnutrition worldwide. His achievements earned him recognition as “Father of the Green Revolution” and the distinction of being the only American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal and the National Medal of Science.

The Borlaug statue was created by Benjamin Victor.

Chuck was there and will have lots of photos from today’s event which he’ll upload as soon as he can and add the link here.

Post Update: You can find all of Chuck’s photos here: Borlaug Statue Unveiling Photo Album

Listen to the statue unveiling ceremony here:Unveiling Ceremony of Dr. Norman Borlaug Statue

Ag Day, Audio, Food, World Food Prize

Agri-Pulse Kicks Off National Agriculture Week

Cindy Zimmerman March 24, 2014

The National Agriculture Day celebration in Washington DC has events spread across three days – and really it should be more because it is officially National Agriculture Week.

We started it all off with a bang, thanks to the Farm to Fork politics session sponsored by our friends with Agri-Pulse, who are celebrating their 10th anniversary of business this year – just like us! Sara Wyant and Allen Johnson are pictured here with Senator Debbie Stebenow (D-MI), chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, who stopped by to say a few words to everyone and congratulate Agri-Pulse for a decade of service to the industry.

“It’s great to see all of you and not be asked for an update on the progress of the farm bill,” the smiling senator joked to the crowd of nearly 400 gathered in the Hart Senate Office Building overlooking the capitol city. “I’m just glad to be part of the team as we take the next steps of bringing the farm bill to fruition with all of the steps toward implementation.” Ag Day Comments by Sen. Debbie Stabenow

Those steps toward implementation were the main topic of discussion as USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden sat down with Sara for the main event. “Congress did give us a long time to plan, I’ll have to say that,” said Harden, who said the process really started when she took over the office last August, and continued as they waited and waited for Congress to finally get the bill passed.

Harden says USDA is focused on getting the livestock disaster piece implemented first. “We will be ready by April 15th,” she promised. “We will make sure that we provide this benefit to these livestock producers who definitely are in need.” Deputy Agriculture Secretary Krysta Harden and Sara Wyant of Agri-Pulse
Agri-Pulse Ag Day Photo Album

More National Agriculture Day/Week coverage to come.

Ag Day, Agri-Pulse, Agribusiness, Audio, USDA

The Continuing Saga of Pancake Ray

Chuck Zimmerman March 24, 2014

If you’ve stayed up very late on Thursday night at the Agri-Marketing Conference the last couple of years then you know of Pancake Ray. He’s the chef of the Rhea & Kaiser After the After Party.

Well, the saga of the man known as Pancake Ray continues this year. If you’re attending the conference in Jacksonville, FL and need a middle of the night meal then you’ll need to stop by Pancake Ray’s Food Truck. Yep, Ray lost his diner but he’s got a food truck and he’s actually making his way south as we speak.

Ray is traveling from Dibble Oklahoma to Jacksonville Florida to feed the people of NAMA for the 3rd year straight. This year, he’s making the voyage in his food truck. Since it only goes 25 MPH due to carbonator issues it’s taking him a little longer than expected. On the way, he’s been making pit stops to learn the culinary secrets of the gulf coast. He’ll be making facebook posts from the road, taking pictures of his findings.

Here’s an image of Ray from his first After the After Party, serving some of the hungry.

This year the After the After Party, thrown by Rhea & Kaiser is on April 10th – Thursday night at Midnight. Right in front of the hotel. You should be able to smell the burritos. Look for his food truck. Look for him. Look for food.

Here’s the menu:

1. Breakfast Burritos – including eggs, meat, and other things.
2. Chicken & Waffles on a Stick (don’t eat the stick).
3. MOST IMPORTANTLY – Ray’s secret masterpiece that he will unveil at NAMA.
What is it? Find out at NAMA.
Is it food? Kind of.
Is it safe? Probably.
Why is it a secret? It’s not done yet.
Will it taste good? Bet your ass.

I mentioned earlier that Ray lost his diner. He also lost his girlfriend, Julie. So he’s got a lonely food truck and he’s looking for a little romance in the Sunshine State.

I only put that in here so you keep a wary eye on Rat and his Food Truck. He’s taking his deliciousness to the road – but only for NAMA. Everyone else isn’t worthy. Also, mobile food trucks are the new thing right now – alongside the finest chefs in the business – Wolfgagng Puck, Wanda Sykes – they’ve all got food trucks so why can’t Ray?

I’ll have a part two of this story for you next week. But for now you can listen to what’s going on with Ray in this week’s program.

You can listen to this week’s program here. Continuing Saga of Pancake Ray

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

Agencies, Audio, ZimmCast

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