Hello ZimmComm Fans:
Happy National Agriculture Day. Well, officially that was March 8 this year as multiple activities took place in Washington, DC, coordinated by the Agriculture Council of America. Chuck was there again courtesy of the American Seed Trade Association. During his trip to the Nation’s Capitol, Chuck saw the ending of a USFRA Food Dialogues event and then took reception photos for Sara Wyant and Agri-Pulse. Then it was time for coffee at USDA, a lunch meet and mingle at the House building and dinner with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack back at USDA. We’d like to thank ASTA for their support and congratulate the Agriculture Council of America for putting on a great day to celebrate American agriculture and all the farmers and others who produce safe affordable food in such abundance. If you’d like to see photos from event, Chuck took lots of them. You can also find interviews and various speaker remarks on AgWired.
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Is our food system broken?” Not according to you with 63% saying no and only 37% saying yes. During the Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum held prior to the Commodity Classic, one of our speakers was Gawain Kripke, Oxfam America. He told us “our food system is broken.” We think the statement was made out of frustration that we produce more food than we can eat in this country and a huge amount goes to waste. Since we don’t have a system to get waste food to those who need it they seem to believe the food system is broken. It’s a provocative statement and we’d love your thoughts.
Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Is maintaining the Renewable Fuels Standard more important to agriculture than the farm bill?” The statement was made during a recent meeting we attended that the Renewable Fuels Standard is more important to agriculture than the Farm Bill. What do you think?
Here are some interviews you might have missed this week:
• U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack remarks at National Ag Day Celebration Dinner
• High School FFA Students enjoying National Ag Day Activities
• Senator Debbie Stabenow on need to communicate with urban public
• Senator Pat Roberts on need to communicate with urban public
• Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse, talks about National Ag Day Activities
• Alan Bjerga, Bloomberg News, talks about moderating USFRA Food Dialogues
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