What’s your opinion of state HSUS Ag Councils?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How did the ‘Polar Vortex’ affect you?”

Old man winter hasn’t left and chances are won’t anytime soon. This winter’s buzz word has been polar vortex. Has your winter been different then others? If so, has it been caused by this new buzz word. Or has winter at your house been about normal? Well, in this week’s ZimmPoll the majority said it made work more difficult. Farmers and ranchers around the country are among many other’s who don’t get a day off when the weather gets bad. I was surprised to see the number of people who weren’t really affected. Maybe they live in the deep South or maybe they are used to brutal weather and adapt.

Our poll results:

  • Not at all – 26%
  • Somewhat – 26%
  • Made work more difficult – 33%
  • Couldn’t work – 14%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What’s your opinion of state HSUS Ag Councils?”

HSUS has been organizing state Agriculture Councils with the intention to unite farmers. These councils are made up of farmers, ranchers and conservationists and HSUS says the goal is to foster better animal welfare and environmental stewardship. Councils have been established in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina and Ohio. Most recently they have created one in Missouri. Many question the legitimacy of these councils and claim they are front groups for HSUS. What do you think? Do you trust HSUS?

ZimmPoll

Riding in a New B20 Chevy Cruze

Chuck Zimmerman

Ride and Drive DayYou can ride or drive a brand new diesel vehicle at the 2014 National Biodiesel Conference today. Not only conference attendees but the general public.

There are four vehicles outside the San Diego Convention Center from Hino, Ford, General Motors and Jeep. I chose the Chevy Cruze and rode along and made a little video clip with my Google Glass. It will give you an idea of what the experience is like. I had to choose the Cruze since my new grandson’s name is Cruz!

There are lots of new photos in our online album now too:
2014 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Biodiesel, Biofuels, National Biodiesel Conference, Video

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Register for a media badge to access World Ag Expo for interviews, pictures, media day breakfast and tours and more.
  • The Arkansas Agriculture Department announces the release of Arkansas Grown.
  • Calling all cooperative communicators, the superheroes of communications with creative muscles of steel, to enter your latest and greatest projects into the 2014 CCA Communications Contest.
  • Humane Farm Animal Care announces new standards for products that are labeled Certified Humane and either “Free Range” or “Pasture Raised.”
Zimfo Bytes

National Biodiesel Conference – Strong Reality

Chuck Zimmerman

Joe Jobe NBBThis morning Joe Jobe, CEO, National Biodiesel Board, rallied his troops at the National Biodiesel Conference in San Diego. He told attendees that the petroleum industry is misleading Americans about fuel policy and called on President Barack Obama to stand firm behind his previous commitments to supporting alternative energy industries.

In his annual address at the Biodiesel Conference & Expo, Jobe shed light on current industry challenges and exposed cracks in how we think about energy.

He pointed out that biodiesel’s story is not unique, “Biodiesel’s story is an example of how effective government policy can be to jump start a fledgling industry. That is the same story of nearly every new industry that involves technological development. Strong government policy support along with a unique spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship, and risk-taking are the primary reasons that so many major modern industries had their start in America.”

You can listen to Joe’s speech here: Joe Jobe Speech

2014 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, National Biodiesel Conference

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

National Biodiesel Conference Blogging

Chuck Zimmerman

2014 National Biodiesel ConferenceIt’s hard to believe I’ll be the biodiesel blogger for the 9th year this week. The 2014 National Biodiesel Conference is taking place in San Diego and I’m on my way. I’ll be working as the Biodiesel Blogger on the NBB Conference Blog as well as publishing stories on energy.agwired.com.

Things will get going late today and through Wednesday. You can find the program here. I’ll be sharing lots of photos and interviews as I find them. Hope you enjoy them.

Our John Davis got a preview of the conference from NBB CEO Joe Jobe last month. Listen in if you missed it. Joe Jobe, CEO NBB

Ag Groups, Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, National Biodiesel Conference

Baby ZimmGlass

Chuck Zimmerman

Cruz with ZimmGlassThe ZimmGlass Project took a new turn last week when I traveled to Missouri to see my Grandson Cruz. Yep, Cindy and I are now grandparents! While Cindy was holding him this morning I let him try out my ZimmGlass. He didn’t say too much about it though.

So, is Google Glass going to be a future tool for the agricultural journalist? Answering that question is part of the purpose of the ZimmGlass Project. I took it on the road last week to the AFBF Convention and tried it out, shooting photos and video interviews which have been published right here on AgWired. I’ll be back on the road with it tomorrow to the National Biodiesel Conference.

Here are some initial thoughts on using it in the field.

Battery Life Short – This is not a huge problem for someone like me who carries multiple extra mobile chargers like our new Golden ZimmComm Mobile Charger but could be frustrating if you’re out in the field away from an outlet for an extended period. It made me only turn it on when needed.

Data Hog – I chewed through a month’s data on my Verizon plan in a few days in part because I was allowing ZimmGlass to back everything up via Google+. I don’t need to do that and will turn that off. I’ll also be using wifi only whenever I can rather than the mobile network through my Samsung S4 mini.

Shooting Photos – I would like to have more control over the composition of my photos, focus point, lighting, etc. There are limited ways to share out the photos direct from the device too. For example, I can share it via my Twitter account but can’t compose a note to go with it. Photos came out quite good considering the specs of the camera but I would really like to see these improve significantly.

Shooting Video Interviews – This worked quite well but . . . in a noisy environment like a trade show it was difficult to get close enough to the person I was interviewing to hear them clearly. The sound quality in general was not great but certainly usable. I also found it awkward to be the tripod. Meaning that you have to hold your head absolutely still while doing questions/answers. That’s not natural but I think I can get used to it.

The more I’ve used my Glass the more comfortable I am with it and the quicker I am able to use it. I had a few instances of the device not responding and having to be restarted. Hey, it is a computer after all. And it’s a beta device.

So at this point I can see it becoming a device I use more and more assuming there are improvements in battery life and camera. I know there are many apps being built for Glass but I have not had time to work with many of them at this point.

Media

IFAJ Leadership in Berlin

Chuck Zimmerman

IFAJ 2014 LaunchThe leadership of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists is meeting in Berlin. It is an annual meeting in conduction with the Green Week food show.

While there the British Guild held a launch party at the British Embassy to kick of this year’s Congress which will be held in Scotland. Thanks to Facebook for this photo of British Guild of Agricultural Journalists’ chairman Jane Craigie with IFAJ 2014 congress chairmen Adrian Bell, left, and Howard Venters.

IFAJ 2014 was launched in the British Embassy in Berlin. Our special guests on the night included the IFAJ presidium, executive members, His Excellency, Simon McDonald, the British Ambassador to Germany, and Owen Paterson, the Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs.

IFAJ, Media

Young Farmers and Ranchers Win Big During AFBF

Jamie Johansen

afbf-14-yfr-awards-generalEarlier this week during the 95th American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions were announced.

The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibit superior leadership abilities. Participants are evaluated on a combination of their agricultural operation’s growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership outside of Farm Bureau.

Brandon and Katherine Whitt of Tennessee won the Achievement Award. They are the winners of either a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado or 2014 GMC Sierra. The Whitts will also receive paid registration to attend the 2014 AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in Virginia Beach, Va., in February.

The Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting in which active discussion and participation are expected. Participants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas and information on a predetermined topic.

Nathan Prill of Michigan won the Discussion Meet. He will have his choice of either a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado or a 2014 GMC Sierra, plus free registration to the 2014 AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference.

The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, their leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.

Linda McClanahan of Kentucky won the Excellence in Agriculture Award. She will receive her choice of either a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado or 2014 GMC Sierra, plus free registration to the 2014 AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference.

Check out photos from AFBF Convention here: 2014 AFBF Convention Photos

AFBF, Ag Groups

Ethanol Policy Important to Illinois FB

Cindy Zimmerman

ilfb-guebertNew Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert took an active role in the policy development session at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting this week in San Antonio.

“I’ve always enjoyed policy and being a part of Illinois Farm Bureau and the policy making decisions,” said Guebert, who was elected to replace Phillip Nelson as president of the organization last year. “We have a tremendous grassroots organization and it’s always been a pleasure to be a part of that process and carry what is important to Illinois farmers to the American Farm Bureau.”

Guebert says one of the big issues for Illinois farmers is ethanol and maintaining a strong Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). “Midwest farmers have worked so hard and so long to get those standards where they are today,” he said. “It’s just difficult for us to understand why we’re being forced to rollback those standards.”

Farm Bureau delegates voted to reaffirm “their support for the renewable fuels standard and approved a policy supporting renewable fuels tax incentives for the production of biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol and installation of blender pumps” – proposals put forth by Illinois Farm Bureau.

Other big issues for Illinois at the AFBF meeting were ag data and dairy policy.

You can hear all of Chuck’s interview with Richard here: Interview with Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert 2014 AFBF Convention Photos

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio, Ethanol