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  • Poynter Institute has created a set of online courses just for AAEA members in 2014, available to you at reduced cost.
  • Fortune Fish & Gourmet President & CEO Sean O’Scannlain is the new Chairman of the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the seafood industry’s leading trade association.
  • American Lamb Board (ALB) is elevating its 2014 strategic communications program to focus more on educating consumers about the basics of lamb, from cuts and cooking methods to the responsible practices of the industry’s 82,000 shepherds.
  • Missouri Cattlemens Association is currently hiring for a Communications Manager.
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Would You Wear Google Glass?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Would you wear Google Glass?”

Some are still unsure what Google Glass is and even more have no desire to wear them at all. But those techies out there look willing to jump on the bandwagon with Chuck and see how these computers you wear on your face could make work easier or simply life more entertaining. Chuck brought his ZimmGlass with him to AFBF earlier this week and captured a few photos and video interviews. But admits there is a learning curve to master them.

Our poll results:

  • Yes – Depending on price – 38%
  • Yes – No matter what – 8%
  • No – 42%
  • What are they? – 12%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “How did the ‘Polar Vortex’ affect you??”

Last week the country faced record lows. Some trudged through heavy snow and blizzard like conditions and others battled ice and freezing rain. Chuck and Cindy even suffered in Florida with temps in the teens. Windchill conditions closed schools and cancelled events. But farmers and ranchers nationwide still had work to do. Even more of a reason to thank a farmer! How did last week’s extreme cold affect you?

ZimmPoll

Not-so-beardless Duck Dynasty Brother at AFBF

Cindy Zimmerman

afbf-robertsonHe’s been called the “beardless brother” of the Robertson clan, but he had a full face of fur at the Farm Bureau meeting this week, albeit not quite the ZZ Top look the other “Duck Dynasty” males sport.

As the newest member of the “Duck Dynasty” cast, Alan Robertson told thousands of farmers and ranchers that his reason for joining the family’s television series after three seasons on A&E was to show America what a “real home” looked like and to have a larger platform to spread his message about “the kingdom of God.” The former pastor said his family’s motto is “Faith, Family, Ducks.”

Robertson believes the reason Duck Dynasty is so popular is that viewers want shows that demonstrate the Christian family values that Americans need and are missing today.

“Something ordinary to us and probably to you [farmers] like working hard all day and coming home to have dinner around a table at night has become extraordinary to people in the 21st century,” said Robertson. “That’s what the kingdom of God is – having a place called home.”

Listen to an excerpt from Alan’s comments here: Duck Dynasty brother at AFBF

2014 AFBF Convention Photos

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio

Atlanta Harvest is Urban Farming

Chuck Zimmerman

Atlanta HarvestWhen Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke to the AFBF Convention yesterday he talked about the idea of urban farms and how we should be open to the idea of farm diversity. I just had this project brought to my attention since one of the founders has a connection to my family in Georgia. It’s Atlanta Harvest. They’re looking for funding as they get the project off the ground. Here’s what their mission statement says:

The mission of Atlanta Harvest is to cultivate passion and drive innovation in the city, for the city. We love the city of Atlanta and want to see it thrive through dignifying work opportunities and increased access to locally grown, farm fresh food. Our goals are:

  • To close the gap between local food producers and local food consumers
  • To further spread the art and career of farming to distressed neighborhoods in the city
  • To support communities through increased economic vitality
  • To meet the Atlanta market’s demand for farm-fresh organic produce from within the city

We will accomplish these goals by creating a food hub and a network of independently-owned, high-output farms. The food hub will provide processing, distribution, and marketing for the farms. The farms will produce a consistent, organic supply of leafy greens! Through our farming network, individuals or organizations with little to no farming experience can quickly own and operate their own farm. And thanks to the food hub, they will have a guaranteed buyer and seller for all that they produce. The Atlanta Harvest model is designed to serve both farmers and customers.

Farming, Video

AFBF Voting Delegates Make Policy

Chuck Zimmerman

Florida Farm Bureau DelegationThe annual meeting of the voting delegates of the American Farm Bureau Federation is underway here in San Antonio, TX. This is grass roots at its finest.

Throughout the day the delegates will work through the AFBF policy book making changes and perhaps adding new policy positions. Each one is placed on very large screens so everyone can easily read the proposals and see the changes as they are made and voted on. Of course there is discussion but the process moves pretty quickly.

I spoke with Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick who sits on the AFBF board. In my interview he walks us through the process and talks about the policies of highest importance to Florida farmers and ranchers. I worked for Florida Farm Bureau once upon a time. It is where I got my start in agricultural communications! John is pictured with the FFBF delegation.

You can listen to my interview with John here: Interview with John Hoblick 2014 AFBF Convention Photos

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio, Farm Policy

United Soybean Board Tackles Weed Resistance

Chuck Zimmerman

Bob HaselwoodBob Haselwood, Kansas soybean farmer, is the Vice Chairman of the United Soybean Board (USB) and Chuck met up with him during the 2014 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Convention to see what we can see from USB in the upcoming year.

Bob shared that their main focus during AFBF is to talk with farmers about weed resistance. USB recently helped fund a joint project working with 16 state universities to increase education and communication with farmers about weed resistance.

“Today we have charts on the different chemicals and how they relate to one another. We also want to make sure they are using the right rate at the right time. We are trying to take a proactive stance over weed resistance.”

USB is staying on top of the use of technology and has launched www.TakeActionOnWeeds.com. Growers can utilize this quick reference point on their phones, tablets and computers.

Looking into the future Bob says he is optimistic about the 2014 soybean crop. He also discussed their support of the bio-diesel industry.

You can listen to my interview with Bob here or watch it below: Interview with Bob Haselwood


2014 AFBF Convention Photos

AFBF, Ag Groups, Soybean, USB

Bridging the Gap Between Farmers and Consumers

Chuck Zimmerman

USFRADelegates of the 2014 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention are a few of the lucky ones who get a sneak peak of the Farmland film. Directed by James Moll, USFRA is a huge sponsor of the documentary that takes you into the lives of farmers and ranchers across the county.

Randy Krotz, U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) talks about their support of the movie, Farmland.

“Farmland is the generational story of agriculture. The movement of a farm through a generation like we are all used to in agriculture. It’s a great look at beginning to understand the issues around agriculture and the separation between consumers and farmers that has happened over the last five or six generations.”

Randy is honest and knows an 80-minute film won’t change the minds of all viewers, but he hopes it will open their hearts and minds to new ideas and give a better understanding about the food they eat that is different then what they have been exposed to in the past.

USFRA continues to advocates for the entire agriculture community through their Food Dialogues that are held across the country. These events bring together differing opinions and provide a place for questions to be asked and experts to answer them. Their next Food Dialogue event is scheduled for next month at the USDA Ag Outlook Conference in Washington, D.C.

You can listen to Chucks interview with Randy here or watch it below: Interview with Randy Krotz

2014 AFBF Convention Photos

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio, USFRA, Video

Ag Secretary Vilsack Speaks to AFBF

Chuck Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Tom VilsackThis morning’s general session at the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention featured a speech by our U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

Yes, he spoke about the farm bill and the need for Congress to pass a new one. Interestingly, he also told us a personal story about being an orphan. Through his adopted father’s side of the family he’s three generations removed from the farm. It was an inspiring story which started with him trying to come up with a one word description of agriculture. He says that it was that great grandfather farmer who was successful enough to raise a family that included children who either farmed or became successful in other businesses. In his grandfather’s case it was the brewing business, then in his father’s case it was real estate and then he became an attorney and ultimately U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. The word he came up with is Freedom. He drew applause during the telling of the story which obviously means a lot to him on a personal level.

You can listen to Secretary Vilsack’s speech here: Sec. Vilsack Speech

Immediately after his speech Sec. Vilsack spoke with the media and you can listen to it here: Sec. Vilsack Press Conference 2014 AFBF Convention Photos

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio, USDA

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Talia Goes

    Zimfo Bytes

  • AgStock collection has been acquired by Design Pics, Inc., located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • The Missouri CattleWomen’s Association last week crowned Julie Crouch of Lincoln, Mo., as the 2014 Missouri Beef Queen during the 46th Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show at Tan-Tar-A Resort, Osage Beach.
  • The most recent report on household food security by the United States Department of Agriculture found 20% of American children to be food insecure.
  • Join NAMA & AAEA at Commodity Classic Friday, February 28, 2014 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Room: 006A from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
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Ensuring Accessibility to Biotechnology

Jamie Johansen

afbf-14-5Ensuring access to biotechnology was the topic Biotechnology Industry Organization’s (BIO), Dr. Cathleen Enright, presented on during the 2014 American Farm Bureau Federation convention this week in San Antonio.

Cathleen is the Executive VP for Food and Agriculture at BIO. Her presentation focused on the need to advocate on behalf of biotech in light of challenges from activists and others. She also drove home the point that farmers and ranchers need to have access to this technology.

“The current climate is challenging as I’m sure you are aware. There is a lot of opposition that has come on the last couple of years. Folks are making very good use of social media with an online presence. Our industry hasn’t done a very good job of that. These folks had an agenda and they did a really good job of making their case. We just weren’t there. Now we are with GMO Answers. It is one piece of a multi-pronged strategy that we have to pay full attention to and invest in.”

Cathleen stated that GMO’s are the only technology that allows us to make multi-year gains in a single season. She added that this means profitability for famers and the ability to meet the world’s food demand and feed 9 billion people by 2050.

Remember there has not been any scientific study proving there is any negative impact from GMO’s. She reminds us that it’s simply a gene of known sequence and function that produces a trait in a crop that is of known function and structure. There is no mystery.

The first step to opening that dialogue is acknowledging people’s skepticism about food made with GM ingredients.

“We have great stories that are not being heard because we are not believed,” she said. “Only when our audiences understand we are listening to them will they listen to us.”

Last year BIO launched the GMO Answers website, through which they invite anyone to ask any question about biotechnology. And ask people did. From July through December, 626 questions were posed and 404 were answered. Another 100-plus are in the process of being answered. Also during this time, there were more than 120,000 visits to the site and more than 526,000 page views, with visitors spending more than 5 minutes on the site on average. These questions are answered by independent, third-party experts.

BIO is hitting the road with GMO Answers and collaborating with many other organizations to help educate the public about biotech. Cathleen explains that this technology isn’t going away, but we do need to speak out and explain it.

Listen to the complete audio from ag media’s interview with Dr. Enright here: Interview with Cathleen Enright

2014 AFBF Convention Photos

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio, GMO