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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

Partnership For Farming Entrepreneurs

Jamie Johansen

afbf-14-ladanThe American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and The Georgetown University McDonough School of Business Global Social Enterprise Initiative (GSEI) recently announced a partnership to help strengthen rural America. The multi-year collaboration will address solutions to building greater economic opportunity and security for those who live in rural communities, starting with a program involving the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative to advance rural entrepreneurship.

Chuck spoke with Ladan Manteghi, Executive Director of Global Social Enterprise Initiative at Georgetown University, about the collaboration.

“The purpose of the Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative is really to help provide resources to anyone who has an idea for a new business or who have a entrepreneurial spirit and be able to strengthen the economic security of rural America.”

“Farmers are considered the original entrepreneurs and we believe that is the case. But often times there are two components to this. Farmers have ideas beyond whats in the farm gate. We want to be able to provide the tools and resources necessary to bring those ideas to market. Second, there are a lot of people in rural America who aren’t farmers and want the opportunity to build economic security and financial opportunity and need these resources as well.”

Ladan also shared hopes for a future collaboration with USDA. During the AFBF Convention Sec. of Agriculture Vilsack said, “It creates a sense of entrepreneurship so that you have investors and entrepreneurs looking for opportunities to start businesses in rural areas. The program dovetails with what we are doing at USDA– trying to educate investment banks and investors about the opportunities to invest in rural opportunities.”

AFBF President Bob Stallman said, “Our partnership with Georgetown is dedicated to giving them and other leaders in rural communities nationwide both a forum and the practical means to brainstorm, strategize and bring their inspirations to fruition and, ultimately, strengthen their communities.”

Components of the program will include:

– Rural innovation challenge to provide an opportunity for rural entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and business ventures in a collegial, yet competitive environment, and to receive mentoring and recognition
– National summit on rural entrepreneurship that convenes thought leaders in rural economic development, public policy, and entrepreneurship to discuss barriers and solutions to increased business development in rural areas.
– An online rural innovation hub that highlights stories of rural entrepreneurs’ experiences, learning, and successes, and serves as a virtual meeting place for individuals to share information.
– Training workshops and webinars that give business tools and guidance in areas such as market research, concept and product development, pitch development and fundraising techniques, marketing, and more.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Ladan here: Interview with Ladan Manteghi

2014 AFBF Convention Photos

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio, Education, USDA

Patron Saint & Protector of Animals

Chuck Zimmerman

Saint Anthony the AbbotToday Saint Anthony Abbot, is commemorated by the Catholic Church. He is the patron and protector of animals. In Rome, St. Peter’s Square will be filled with animals and the Italian Association of Livestock Farmers has organized a series of events to honor their patron saint.

From the Vatican News Service:

The day began at 10:30 with Mass in the Vatican Basilica presided by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, vicar general of His Holiness for Vatican City. At noon there was a procession of horses and riders along Via della Conciliazione in which the military band of the IVth Regiment of mounted police will take part. After the procession, around 12:30, the guests of honor, cows, goats, rabbits, sheep, chickens, etc., and their owners, were blessed.

The members of AIA also invited all residents with pets to join in the celebration and, if they wished, to make use of the free veterinary visit offered to their four-legged friends.

Throughout the day, from 9:00am to 3:00pm, there was an exhibition of animals in the Pio XII Square directly in front of the Bernini colonnade around St. Peter’s Square, an entire farm in the city, showcasing Italian livestock production.

International, Livestock

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  • U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed 13 members to serve on the National Watermelon Promotion Board.
  • This week the Seafood Industry Research Fund (SIRF) held their inaugural benefit dinner at NOBU restaurant in Miami Beach, Florida.
  • FarmLogs announced that it has closed a $4 million Series A round of financing led by Drive Capital, a venture capital fund launched in 2012 by two Sequoia Capital veterans.
  • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed 17 members and 17 alternates to the Cotton Board.
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Sharing the Farmers Voice Through Music

Jamie Johansen

afbf-14-wesleyAttendees of the 2014 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Convention had the opportunity to hear music from James Wesley. Chuck had a chance to chat with him following the concert and James admitted that he was surprised at how many farmers and ranchers were there to take part in the annual convention. A true testament to AFBF members commitment to the organization.

James Wesley grew up in a small town in Southeast Kansas and seemed to always have an itch to get out. You might recognize his song “Thank A Farmer.” Growing up in a farming community James shared that he truly understands how hard it is to be a farmer. James said he has a big heart for farmers nationwide and for those who serve in our country’s military.

James said it was his sophomore year in college when he got the bug for country music. He had been singing for wedding and birthdays in the area, but then sent a demo into Nashville in 1994. Got a record deal and pursued that for nearly ten years. He shared with Chuck that family was his priority and moved back home with his wife. Now his kids are grown and he is back in Nashville to continue his career in country music.

He shared that he excited to start working with the National FFA Convention in the future in an effort to raise money for members who can’t afford a FFA Jacket.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with James here: Interview with James Wesley

2014 AFBF Convention Photos

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio