ACDC Newsletter

Making connections when animal disease crises hit. 

A recent exercise simulating an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Ontario, Canada, revealed “a lot of tactical issues to address.” According to a news report we have added to the ACDC collection, this fictitious outbreak took place in real time between December 11 and 14. It began at a dairy farm, then spread to veal operations located elsewhere. Results suggested:

• Producer groups knew their members and could communicate with them effectively.
• However, “non supply-managed groups do not have organizations which represent all members of their industry and have little legislated authority in a crisis.”

A call for coordinated communications was among the recommendations offered.

Title: Are our farms ready for major outbreak?
Posted at: http://archives.foodsafetynetwork.ca/animalnet/2006/4-2006/animalnet_april_9.htm

“Good communication is as important as good science.” 

That perspective came from a public health practice work group of the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. A 19-page report offered specific strategies for risk communicating. The strategies involved hazards of pesticide misapplications and seem appropriate, as well, for other kinds of risk to human health and well-being.

Title: Health education and risk communication strategies
Posted at: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/hec/mpan2.html

Welcome to development journalists in Nepal. 

We are pleased to send issues of ACDC News to members of the Forum of Development Journalists (FODEJ), a network of development journalists in Nepal. These journalists from print and broadcast media formed about four years ago, according to President Arjun Bhattarai.

“We feel serious need for one strong and registered alliance for development and investigation reporting to uplift Nepali people towards poverty alleviation. … We believe media can play a strategic role. …”

ACDC has a substantial body of information about journalism and communications, as related to agricultural and rural development. We look forward to helping support the efforts of FODEJ.

Contact: fodejnepal@gmail.com
Related title: Development journalism greater priority needed

Americans worried most about water pollution. 

When it comes to environmental issues facing the United States in 2006, Americans express the greatest concern about issues related to water pollution. A Gallup Poll conducted during mid-March revealed that a majority said they worry a great deal about pollution of drinking water (54 percent), contamination of soil and water by toxic waste (52 percent), and pollution of rivers, lakes and reservoirs (51 percent). These concerns obviously hold implications for farmers, ranchers and others in the food complex.

Title: Water pollution tops environmental concerns
Available online to Gallup Poll on Demand subscribers at: http://poll.gallup.com/content/default.aspx?ci=22492&pg=1

Connecting Japanese food producers and consumers through civic journalism. 

Writing in Japan Media Review, Kate Parry said her visit to Japan revealed “extraordinary examples of civic journalism already under way in Japan.” This style of journalism involves media both in covering news and encouraging civic engagement.

Agriculture-related civic journalism appeared among the examples Parry cited. Investigation by a newspaper, The Kahoku Shimpo, revealed widespread use of unregistered chemicals, even on “organic” farms. The paper established an online “Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Research Lab” as a virtual think tank to tackle the problem in a way that included the voices of producers and consumers.

“The idea of connecting producers and consumers through civic journalism has become a standard approach to agriculture coverage in the Tohoku farming region.”

Title: Civic journalism gains momentum
Posted at: http://ojr.org/japan/media/1077241122.php

Why cities care about the future of rural governance.

James Hunt, president of the National League of Cities, offered reasons such as these during the 2006 Agricultural Outlook Forum sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

• There is no longer a homogeneous definition of rural.
• There are many new faces in rural America. Seven out of 10 rural counties are dominated by manufacturing, health care, education, retail or other employment not related to farming.
• In the new economy, many different types of governing bodies oversee needs in rural communities.

“To truly be the new face of Rural America, we must set turf battles aside,” Hunt urged, “and create new ways of reaching decisions that allow all the various leaders to make decisions quickly and efficiently for the sake of their communities.”

Title: Why cities care about the future of rural governance
Posted at: http://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/2006%20Speeches/PDF%20speech%20docs/Hunt228.pdf

Communicator activities approaching

June 13, 2006
“Getting the word out. Are we communicating effectively?” A food safety communicators conference hosted by the Food Safety Network at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Information: http://www.foodsafetynetwork.ca/en/article-details.php?a=3&c=32&sc=419&id=874

June 17-20, 2006
“Brewing success.” 2006 Institute of the Cooperative Communicators Association (CCA) in Portland, Oregon.
Information: http://www.communicators.coop

June 19-23, 2006
“Networking communication research.” Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA) in Dresden, Germany.
Information: http://www.icahdq.org/events/conference/2006/conf2006_program.asp

July 17-18, 2006
“Ready, Set, Plan.” Crisis response workshop in Kansas City, Missouri. For organization administrators, communicators and others interested in executing functional risk and crisis responses. Sponsored by USDA-CSREES, Extension Disaster Education Network, K-State Research and Extension, and National Center of Food Protection and Defense.
Information: http://www.communications.ksu.edu/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=706

August 12-16, 2006
“Feed your senses.” Fiftieth anniversary Congress of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) in Hamar, Norway.
Information: www.ifaj2006.com

Do corn plants cry for help? 

Talking plants have seldom fit our mental image of agricultural communicating. However, we have added to the ACDC collection an ear-opening example. Researchers at the Max Planck Society in Germany have “identified a gene which produces a chemical ‘cry for help’ that attracts beneficial insects to damaged plants.” It seems corn plants, when attacked by certain pests, emit a “cocktail of scents” to attract parasitic wasps that lay eggs on the pests. Offspring of the wasps then feed on the caterpillars and relieve the corn plants.

Title: Corn cries for help when attacked
Posted at: http://archives.foodsafetynetwork.ca/agnet/2006/1-2006/agnet_jan_17.htm#story0

Best regards and good searching.

When you see interesting items you cannot find locally or online, get in touch with us at docctr@library.uiuc.edu. Tell us the titles and/or document numbers. We will help you gain access.

Please pass along your reactions, suggestions and ideas for the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center. Feel free to invite our help as you search for information. And please suggest (or send) agricultural communication documents we might add to this unique collection. We welcome them in hard copy (sent to Ag Com Documentation Center, 510 LIAC, 1101 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801) or electronic form at docctr@library.uiuc.edu.

June, 2006

Effects of a rural newspaper revolution. 

Media South Asia has published a two-part series about the impacts of recent efforts by some newspapers in India to generate more local news through district editions.

“By increasing distribution centres, using an improved road network to reach newspapers further into the hinterland by early morning, and hiring stringers to send news from very local centres for separate district pages, publishers are making an aggressive push to increase their circulation.”

You can learn from these reports about the techniques used and impacts observed among rural families and communities.

Title: Does the rural newspaper revolution promote development? Part I
Posted at: http://www.thehoot.org/story.asp?storyid=Web210214207141Hoot94627%20PM1365&pn=1&section=S13#

Title: Does the rural newspaper revolution promote development? Part II
Posted at:
http://www.thehoot.org/story.asp?storyid=Web61952349Hoot41830%20PM1375&pn=1&section=S13

New communication initiatives in peri-urban agriculture. 

Thanks to Harsoyo Oedijono, an agricultural communications faculty member at Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia, for alerting us to recent networking initiatives involving peri-urban agriculture. Connections between urban and rural sectors of all nations call for more attention. The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and other development agencies are taking active steps to address nutritional, health, environmental and other urgent issues at the rural-urban interface of societies. According to CGIAR, “Urban agriculture is far more than farms or gardens in an urban environment. Urban agriculture includes livestock raising, water management, and organic waste management.”
For example: http://www.cipotato.org/urbanharvest/home/about_ua.htm

An information network, Peri Urban Development in South East Asia (PUDSEA), was established in 2001 to involve several Asian and European universities in such an effort.
Information: http://www.pudsea.net

Effective communication will be a key to the success of such endeavors and we wish to actively scout for information to address that challenge. Can you help? Please call our attention to documents about the communication aspects of urban and peri-urban agriculture.

Water music: a multimedia environmental message. 

A creative approach to public education about protecting the Earth’s waters has taken shape through the efforts of art and magazine photographer Marjorie Ryerson and associates. Her book, Water Music, features 100 of her water photos, accompanied by “the writings and musical contributions of 66 world renowned musicians, who have creatively responded to the meaning and value of water in their lives.”

All net royalties go to the Water Music Fund of the United Nations Foundation. In addition, a larger Water Music Project – involving concerts, lectures, educational programs and other events – will add revenue to the Fund.

For consideration: What new and creative multimedia approaches to public education might highlight important dimensions of food and agriculture?

Title: Water music
Posted at: http://www.water-music.org

How consumers view the globalization of food.

We have added to the ACDC collection a Journal of Food Distribution Research article featuring results of two U.S. consumer surveys, one in South Carolina and one nationwide. Questions covered aspects such as:

• What words consumers associate with “globalization”
• How globalization has affected their personal lives and communities
• Their comparative views about seven attributes of domestic and imported foods
• Foods for which they are willing to pay more, in terms of production practices and location of production
• Safety of various kinds of food
• Their opinions about genetically modified crops and foods
• Trustworthiness of nine sources of information about the safety of food

Title: The globalization of food
Posted at: http://agecon.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/pdf_view.pl?paperid=17261&ftype=.pdf

Topics seldom addressed in the U.S. farm press? 

Al Tompkins, columnist for Poyteronline, (published by the Poynter Institute) has addressed several of such topics during the past year or so. Here are three of his columns we added recently to the ACDC collection:

Title: Rural areas still pay highest price in Iraq war
Posted at: http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=85646

Title: Farmers and suicide
Posted at: http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=73331

Title: Fraud on the farm
Posted at: http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=92354

Bookings close May 31 for this year’s 50th anniversary congress of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ).

It takes place in Norway during August 12-16, using the theme “Feed Your Senses.” The congress will be held at Hamar, one of Norway ‘s most versatile farming regions, a short drive from picturesque mountain ranges and valleys. The program includes briefing sessions on agricultural and trade issues; excursions looking at dairying, pig production, culture and food, forestry, science/biotech and horticulture; and professional development seminars. Both pre- and post- congress tour packages are also available. For more information and to register, visit www.ifaj2006.com.

Communicator activities approaching

June 2-6, 2006
“Excellence en communications.” International conference of the Association for Communication Excellence in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Life and Human Sciences (ACE), in Quebec, Ontario, Canada.
Information: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/ace2006/

June 13, 2006
“Getting the word out. Are we communicating effectively?” A food safety communicators conference hosted by the Food Safety Network at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Information:
http://www.foodsafetynetwork.ca/en/article-details.php?a=3&c=32&sc=419&id=874

June 17-20, 2006
“Brewing success.” 2006 Institute of the Cooperative Communicators Association (CCA) in Portland, Oregon.
Information: http://www.communicators.coop

June 19-23, 2006
“Networking communication research.” Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA) in Dresden, Germany.
Information: http://www.icahdq.org/events/conference/2006/conf2006_program.asp

An egg poem.

We close this issue of ACDC News with a poem contributed to Farm Journal magazine by “A. L. B.” in 1914. You may notice how little the egg prices to producers have increased during these past 92 years.

The eggs my hens do lay each day
Are as a heap of coins to me;
I count them every one apart,
My treasury, my treasury.

Each egg four cents – four cents in cash –
To fill a purse long since wrung dry;
I count each egg within each nest
And pray the price keep high.

O pullets dear that cluck and lay!
O fat old hens with yellow legs!
I stroke your plumes, barred, white and gray,
And sell your eggs, dear hens –
And sell your eggs.

Title: An egg poem

Best regards and good searching.

When you see interesting items you cannot find locally or online, get in touch with us at docctr@library.uiuc.edu. Tell us the titles and/or document numbers. We will help you gain access.

Please pass along your reactions, suggestions and ideas for the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center. Feel free to invite our help as you search for information. And please suggest (or send) agricultural communication documents we might add to this unique collection. We welcome them in hard copy (sent to Ag Com Documentation Center, 510 LIAC, 1101 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801) or electronic form at docctr@library.uiuc.edu.

May, 2006

Food challenge for 2006: satisfying the ethical consumer.

“Ethical considerations increasingly dictate food purchases, and companies that pay scant attention to this defining trend will lose out,” according to a recent report in Food Production Daily. It explained that consumers are deciding how to spend their money based on factors such as:

• Impacts food companies are having on the environment.
• How companies “source” their products.
• How they treat their workers.
• How they label their products.

Citing examples of adjustments by several multinational food marketers, the report observed that some “are beginning to realize that tapping into ethical consumerism makes good business sense.”

Title: Food challenge for 2006
Posted at: http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/printNewsBis.asp?id=64868

Trust, bias and fairness of information sources for biotechnology issues.

Researchers Gary J. Wingenbach and Tracy A. Rutherford recently examined this issue among 50 Texas journalists and 40 U.S. agricultural journalists representing newspapers and television media. In considering nine types of information sources, respondents ranked university scientists/researchers and newspapers most trustworthy, unbiased and fair in communicating about agricultural biotechnology issues. Respondents ranked television media and activist groups least trustworthy, unbiased and fair in covering such issues. This article in AgBioForum also reported on agricultural journalists’ attitudes about public involvement in scientific decision processes.

Title: Trust, bias and fairness of information sources
Posted at: http://www.agbioforum.org/v8n4/v8n4a03-wingenbach.htm

U.S. public’s top priority for homeland security? 

Protection against 9/11 style incidents is on the minds of U.S. residents, but not at the top of their list. Instead, they assign highest priority to (a) protecting the nation’s food supply from deliberate contamination and (b) preventing the release of chemical or biological agents. These findings came from a national survey of 4,260 U.S. adults during August 2005. The National Center for Food Protection and Defense funded the study.

“On average, respondents would allocate 13.3 percent more [funds] to protect the food supply chain and 12 percent more to protect against release of a toxic chemical or biological agent than they would to protect against another terrorist attack using hijacked aircraft.”

Title: Food supply seen as vulnerable
News report posted at: http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2006/03/23/67660?print

Research report posted at:
http://agecon.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/pdf_view.pl?paperid=20453&ftype=.pdf

Producers consider precision farming tools cost-effective.

“The benefits of adopting precision agriculture technologies exceed the costs required to use such systems,” according to a 2003 survey of Ohio farmers. More than half consider their overall precision farming system useful enough to justify the costs.

Types of tools considered most beneficial? Respondents pointed to (a) variable rate application of lime, phosphorus and potassium, (b) geo-referencing soil sampling and (c) satellite field photography.

Title: Survey shows precision ag tools worth investment
Posted at: http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/aganswers/story.asp?storyid=3583

On communicating with mules. 

Our ears perked up when we saw a report recently from Rural Heritage about “communicating with your mule.” If this skill is on your agenda, you can get some useful tips. And they may spill over into communicating with other humans. Author Sophia Sarember suggested that communicating with a mule is like communicating with a person who speaks a language different from yours. For example:

“In the process of getting my Chinese-speaking friend to help me in my work, I learn a little Chinese and he will learn some English,” she explained. Her concluding remark in the article: “Your mule will be your best instructor if you take time to open a respectful dialogue.”

Title: Communicating with your mule
Posted at: http://www.ruralheritage.com/mule_paddock/mule_communication.htm

Words of caution to federal officials about bird flu communicating.

A recent report on National Public Radio featured suggestions from psychiatrist Jody Lanard, an international consultant on risk communications. She praised U.S. federal officials for sounding the alarm about pandemic flu, but said their message has been undercut at times by statements that are misleading, self-serving or wrong. Examples cited:

• Comparing a pandemic with a forest fire. This image does capture the speed at which a pandemic can spread, she said, but it is “profoundly misleading to suggest that a flu pandemic can be snuffed out like a smoldering cigarette.”
• Mixing true and false statements, such as: “When it comes to a pandemic, we are overdue and underprepared.”
• Using true statements that can be misleading, such as: “We must stockpile vaccines and antiviral drugs and improve our ability to rapidly produce new vaccines …”
• Implying a passive public with government as big parent. She emphasized, “Everything that’s known about the psychology of fear tells us that people can tolerate more fear if there is something for them to do.”

Title: Sifting through official speak on bird flu
Posted at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyid=5071792

Communicator activities approaching

May 8-11, 2006
“NETC 2006.” National Extension Technology Conference in Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Information: http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/netc2006/

May 14-17, 2006
“International teamwork in agricultural and extension education.” Conference of the Association for International Agricultural Education and Extension (AIAEE) in Clearwater Beach, Florida, USA.
Information: http://www.aiaee.org/pdf/2006Announce.pdf

May 21-26, 2006
“Managing agricultural information for sustainable food security and improved livelihoods in Africa.” Conference of the International Association for Agricultural Information Professionals (IAALD) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Information: http://www.asareca.org/iaald-africa

June 13, 2006
“Getting the word out: are we communicating effectively?” A food safety communicators conference hosted by the Food Safety Network at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Information:
http://www.foodsafetynetwork.ca/en/article-details.php?a=3&c=32&sc=419&id=874

June 17-20, 2006
“Brewing success.” 2006 Institute of the Cooperative Communicators Association (CCA) in Portland, Oregon.
Information: http://www.communicators.coop

Another look at food oxymorons.

We close this issue of ACDC News with another round of contradictory or incongruous words from the dinner table. Examples:

White chocolate
Grape nuts
Plastic glasses
Jumbo shrimp
Fresh frozen
Non-fat ice cream

Have others caught your eye? If so, pass them along to us. Thanks.

Best regards and good searching.

When you see interesting items you cannot find locally or online, get in touch with us at docctr@library.uiuc.edu. Tell us the titles and/or document numbers. We will help you gain access.

Please pass along your reactions, suggestions and ideas for the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center. Feel free to invite our help as you search for information. And please suggest (or send) agricultural communication documents we might add to this unique collection. We welcome them in hard copy (sent to Ag Com Documentation Center, 510 LIAC, 1101 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801 ) or electronic form at docctr@library.uiuc.edu.

May, 2006

“I am a water journalist.” (Why not?)

“Unless water-related issues are debated and resolved, water wars are inevitable. Enter the water journalist,” reads the subhead of a report from Media South Asia. Author Shangon Das Gupta of Bangalore, India, identified levels at which water journalism can operate. Gupta also described several examples of it in action.

“Water journalism is a young concept and certainly an ambitious one. Yet it is an idea whose time has come. Unless there is an effort to create social literacy on the issue of water and equitable distribution of water through policy change, ‘water wars’ are inevitable.”

Title: Water journalism
Posted at: http://www.thehoot.org/story.asp?storyid=Web21021491123Hoot15944%20PM1701&pn=1&section=S13

Internet no replacement for traditional information sources for farmers.

A recent survey evaluating the utility of the Iowa State Agriculture Extension Web site to farmers led researcher K. Clausse to conclude:

“Clearly, in the case of Iowa farmers, the Internet has not replaced traditional communication sources. The findings of this study provide evidence that Extension remains a valuable service to farmers. However, in the performance of its functions, it does not have to abandon traditional communication sources to disseminate information. If Extension continues to push the idea of streamlining information by simply putting it on the Web, many farmers are going to be without the valuable agricultural information they are looking for and need.”

Title: The utility of Iowa State University
Posted at: http://list.msu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0602a&L=aejmc&T=0&F=&S=&P=4385

Advice for agricultural freelancers.

Steve Werblow recently offered five tips to readers of the American Agricultural Editors’ Association newsletter, ByLine, based on his 10 years of experience in freelancing. He urged freelancers to diversify, seek professional help, get insurance, plan for retirement and enjoy their work.

Title: You a freelancer

Muddled messages in agricultural biotechnology.

This was Gaffe #3 in a list of 9 identified in a recent Nature Biotechnology commentary entitled “Ten years of biotech gaffes.”

Commentator John Hodgson explained: “What I deal with here are the ‘bio-bloopers’ that mattered, the events that had, or still have, repercussions for the life science industry or for those who depend on it.” His description of muddled messages touched on “media distortion” and willingness of scientific journals to widely publicize results that may be contentious or equivocal. He urged journal reviewers and editors to ensure that peer-reviewed data are reliable.

Title: Ten years of biotech gaffes

Tips for good neighboring by livestock operators.

We have added to the ACDC collection a research report about perceptions among neighbors of livestock operators in Ontario, Canada. Researcher Wayne Caldwell observed that findings provide an “important framework for the agricultural industry to develop approaches to prevent and deal with community issues more effectively.” Here are some of the tips he offered for a good neighbor policy:

• Prepare a communication plan that addresses concerns before building or expanding an operation.
• Advise neighbors of field activity, such as spraying fields or spreading manure.
• Hold Open Houses.
• Provide employment in the community.
• Have an open door policy toward neighbors.

Title: Positive perception of hog farms
Posted at: http://archives.foodsafetynetwork.ca/animalnet/2006/1-2006/animalnet_jan_23.htm#story4

Hitchhiker’s guide to rural telecom.

The ACDC collection also now contains a 16-page rural telecommunication glossary. It identifies and describes more than 100 terms – from ADSL [Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line] to Wireless Communication. The TeleCommons Development Group of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, created it in 1998 “to help you navigate the brave new world of information technologies for rural telecom.”

Title: The hitchhiker guide to rural telecom
Posted at: http://www.telecommons.com/uploaddocuments/telecommunicationsglossary5%2edoc

Continuing mixed reactions to food irradiation.

The new year seems to bring no new consensus about the desirability and future of irradiated foods. Here are two sample perspectives that have come to our attention:

Title: Broad failures signal weak future for irradiated foods
Posted at:
http://archives.foodsafetynetwork.ca/fsnet/2006/1-2006/fsnet_jan_23-2.htm#story4

Title: Food irradiation may start to take off
Posted at:
http://archives.foodsafetynetwork.ca/fsnet/2006/1-2006/fsnet_jan_9-2.htm#story0

Communicator activities approaching

April 19-21, 2006
“Jazzed!” Agri-Marketing Conference and Trade Show sponsored by the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) in Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Information: http://www.nama.org/amc

May 8-11, 2006
“NETC 2006.” National Extension Technology Conference at Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Information: http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/netc2006/

May 14-17, 2006
“International teamwork in agricultural and extension education.” Conference of the Association for International Agricultural Education and Extension (AIAEE) in Clearwater Beach, Florida, USA.
Information: http://www.aiaee.org/pdf/2006Announce.pdf

May 21-26, 2006
“Managing agricultural information for sustainable food security and improved livelihoods in Africa.” Conference of the International Association for Agricultural Information Professionals (IAALD) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Information: http://www.asareca.org/iaald-africa

June 13, 2006
“Getting the word out. Are we communicating effectively?” A food safety communicators conference hosted by the Food Safety Network at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Information:
http://archives.foodsafetynetwork.ca/animalnet/2006/2-2006/animalnet_feb_2-2.htm

Advice to young journalists – on sucking eggs. 

We close this issue of ACDC News with a heads-up on 43 principles for young journalists. They come from Pranay Gupte, who was senior writer and global-affairs columnist for the Straits Times, Singapore, when he wrote them. You will note a rural ring in one:

“Don’t try and teach your grandmother how to suck eggs.”

Title: The Pranay Principles
Posted at: http://www.pranaygupte.com/articles/207/

Best regards and good searching.

When you see interesting items you cannot find locally or online, get in touch with us at docctr@library.uiuc.edu. Tell us the titles and/or document numbers. We will help you gain access.

Please pass along your reactions, suggestions and ideas for the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center. Feel free to invite our help as you search for information. And please suggest (or send) agricultural communication documents we might add to this unique collection. We welcome them in hard copy (sent to Ag Com Documentation Center, 510 LIAC, 1101 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801 ) or electronic form at docctr@library.uiuc.edu

April, 2006

“We are what we eat. So why can’t we get our recommended daily intake of agricultural news?” 

Karen Lewis asked that question in an article in the Ryerson Review of Journalism. She described how daily newspapers in Canada have eroded the farm beat in attempting to deal with a “shifting pendulum of issues.”

“For the most part we are a well-fed nation, but most of us are malnourished when it comes to knowing our food,” Lewis observed. She reported hope, however, in potentials for repositioning the agriculture beat to include the consumer beat.

Title: The dying art of talking crop
Posted at: http://www.rrj.ca/print/247/

Progress toward a high-speed always-on agricultural marketplace.

Conferees at InfoAg 2005 heard James Conner of Agristar Global Networks Ltd. describe the current state of the Internet, the adoption of broadband and the implications of this progress for agriculture and rural America.

Title: Broadband adoption and usage
Posted at: http://www.infoag.org/conferencebuilder/programdesigner/cb_showfile.asp?matid=280&file=mtrls_connerjames.pdf

Internet connections for the price of two old tin cans.

We have added to the ACDC collection a recent African Business article describing imaginative efforts to bring cheap Internet connections to rural Uganda. Professor Victor van Reijswoud of Uganda Martyrs University engaged the skills of a local blacksmith. The blacksmith connected tin cans and a small receiver to provide a point-to-point antenna with a 10 km range, all at a cost of less than $5.

“I am an appropriate technology expert,” van Reijswoud explained, “which means you make and repair tools within your own environment.”

Title: Internet connections for the price

Communicating the perils of eating trans fats.

A race is on to inform consumers about the new rule requiring companies to list the amount of trans fats on food labels.

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) rule became effective Jan. 1, 2006. The FDA says the fats increase the risk of heart disease. Trans fats often are found in snack and fried foods and baked goods.

Initial reaction to the rule has been mixed. The rule “allows people to identify what foods are most important to them, look at the cost to their health, then … decide what’s worth it and what’s not,” said a nutrition advisor. But a spokeswoman for Publix Super Markets in Florida said: “Even just reducing a product’s trans fat [content] might change its integrity. A cookie or a turnover still has to taste the way it’s meant to taste. That’s the obstacle.”

You can monitor related documents in the ACDC collection by using Subject search terms like “nutrition labeling” and “consumer information.”

Some sample documents:

“Questions and answers about trans fat nutrition labeling”
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/qatrans2.html

“FDA to allow temporary exemptions to trans fat labeling”
http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/news/ng.asp?id=64374

National Restaurant Association’s regulatory comments on trans fat labeling
http://www.restaurant.org/government/comments/hs2002_12_16transfat.cfm

Twelve new research reports about agricultural communications 

They were presented at a recent conference of the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists (SAAS) in Orlando, Florida. Reports touched on teaching, listening, research and practice in communicating about a variety of agricultural topics. The titles:

• “Environmental groups identify barriers to agriculture in adopting water quality BMPs [Best Management Practices].”
• “A semiotic analysis of biotechnology and food safety photographs in Time, Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report.”
• “Teaching students to write: a review of history, movements and methods.”
• “Themes, authors and citations in the Journal of Applied Communications, 2000-2004.”
• “Evaluating genetically modified food labels: a focus group study.”
• “Podcasting agriculture news.”
• “Understanding the U.S. public’s lack of knowledge about agricultural biotechnology and its implications for print media.”
• “ ‘The stuff you need out here:’ a semiotic analysis of agricultural magazine advertisements.”
• “Bridging borders: organizing short-term agricultural communication study abroad programs.”
• “Cognitive and affective responses by Lubbock Chamber of Commerce affiliates to agricultural news.”
• “Communication efforts of Florida extension agents during the 2004 hurricane season.”
• “Local marketing and promotional efforts of Florida extension agents.”

You can view these papers online at: http://agnews.tamu.edu/saas/saasproceedings.html

Communicator activities approaching

March 23-25, 2006
Spring meeting of the Agricultural Relations Council in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Information: Jeri Mattix Omernik of Rocky Mountain Marketing Communications at: jmo@rmmc.biz

April 19-21, 2006
“Jazzed!” Agri-Marketing Conference and Trade Show sponsored by the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) in Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
Information: http://www.nama.org/amc

May 8-11, 2006
“NETC 2006.” National Extension Technology Conference at Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Information: http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/netc2006/

May 14-17, 2006
“International teamwork in agricultural and extension education.” Conference of the Association for International Agricultural Education and Extension (AIAEE) in Clearwater Beach, Florida, USA.
Information: http://www.aiaee.org/pdf/2006Announce.pdf

May 21-26, 2006
“Managing agricultural information for sustainable food security and improved livelihoods in Africa.” Conference of the International Association for Agricultural Information Professionals (IAALD) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Information: http://www.asareca.org/iaald-africa

Oh, those ornery gremlins.

We end this issue of ACDC News with several examples of gremlins we have seen at work recently in agricultural writing and editing.

(Headline): “[ ] calls for hearings to look into lacks enforcement of Packers & Stockyards Act.”

(Expressing appreciation): “The authors thank [ ] for supporting this study while maintaining responsibility for any errors.”

(From a candidate for leadership of a farm organization): “I am a teem player, trust me.”

Best regards and good searching.

When you see interesting items you cannot find locally or online, get in touch with us at docctr@library.uiuc.edu. Tell us the titles and/or document numbers. We will help you gain access.

Please pass along your reactions, suggestions and ideas for the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center. Feel free to invite our help as you search for information. And please suggest (or send) agricultural communications documents we might add to this unique collection. We welcome them in hard copy (sent to Ag Com Documentation Center, 510 LIAC, 1101 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801) or electronic form at docctr@library.uiuc.edu

March, 2006

Are nano-foods a great hope? Or a next round of the “frankenfood” debate?

Nano-rice, nano-cheese and hundreds of other food and nutrition products containing microscopic-scale additives are in the research stage, according to a report by John Feffer of AlterNet, a project of the Independent Media Institute. He examined potentials of this new science, including possibilities for stirring public distrust over health and safety concerns.

“… with often unlabeled products in a largely unregulated environment, nano might fall into the same trust gap.”

Title: The evolution of frankenfoods?
Posted at: http://www.alternet.org/module/printversion/23534

On images: “Frankenfood” most clever. “Factory farming” most powerful.

In a recent column, Dan Murphy observed that the phrase “factory farming” has entered the popular lexicon, “becoming in some journalistic quarters an ill-informed synonym for all of modern agriculture.” He offered two suggestions for U.S. livestock breeders, feeders, packers and processors:

•  Evolve toward more “enlightened” technologies related to livestock.
•  Change the terminology, perhaps to “managed production” as a better way to encompass the science, technology and animal husbandry inherent in raising cattle, pigs or chickens for food.

Title: Tearing down the “factory farm” fallacy
Archived 1/20/2006, at: http://archives.foodsafetynetwork.ca/animalnet-archives.htm

When the government contracts for information services.

A recent issue of ACDC News reported some concerns about government agencies (U.S. Department of Agriculture among them) hiring ghostwriters and freelancers. This matter touches on a related subject of contracts awarded by government agencies to public relations and advertising firms. You can see a list of USDA contracts/purchase orders awarded to public relations and advertising firms during 2001-2005 at:

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_10B?contentidonly=true&contentid=foia_orders.xml

“I feel that we as taxpayers are best served when the programs that have been funded for our public good are effectively utilized,”

Observed Warren Clark of CCI Marketing in a note to the Center. He called attention to case examples involving support for programs of the USDA rural development agency, including a branding effort, expansion of broadband and Internet service, and expansion of ethanol production in rural America. For your information, here are reports of two USDA media relations programs supported through contracts with commercial firms:

Branding change: USDA Rural Development battles lack of awareness
Posted at: http://www.agrimarketing.com/show_story.php?id=32042

Horizon Organic USDA organic standards media relations program
Posted at: http://www.accesspr.com/horizonorganic.html

USDA guidelines for quality of information.

You can view current USDA policy statements, including references to use of commercial sources, at sites such as:

USDA Quality of Information Guidelines
Posted at: http://www.ocio.usda.gov/qi_guide/index.html

Broadcast Media and Technology Policy
Posted at: http://www.ocio.usda.gov/directives/files/dr/DR1490-001.htm

How governments can help harness information for development.

A 1996 proposal to the World Bank by Eduardo Talero and Philip Gaudette identified five areas in which governments can help harness information technologies in developing countries:

•  Improve government efficiency, including better flows of information.
•  Set fair rules of the game.
•  Act as a catalyst in infrastructure projects to overcome barriers and meet the information needs of their societies.
•  Push the education agenda.
•  Jump start the private sector.

The authors cited examples of such efforts in nine countries.

Title: Harnessing information for development
Posted at: http://www.worldbank.org/html/fpd/harnessing/index.html

We face intimidating language barriers.

The Agricultural Communications Documentation Center contains information about agriculture-related communicating in more than 100 countries. However, most of the information is in English. We are sensitive, then, to the huge gaps in our coverage. Vikas Nath has described some of the language barriers facing efforts to close such gaps.

“Every day over two million pages are added to the Internet but there is very small content representation on the Net in the vernacular languages of the Southern countries. Statistics point out that over 85 percent of the content on the Net is in English, fewer than one in 10 people worldwide speak that language.”

Title: Heralding ICT enabled knowledge societies
Posted at: http://www.cddc.vt.edu/knownet/articles/heralding.htm

Communicator activities approaching

March 6-8, 2006
“Practice change for sustainable communities.” Conference of the Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (APEN) in Beechworth, Victoria, Australia.
Information: http://www.apen.org.au/

March 23-25, 2006
Spring meeting of the Agricultural Relations Council in Memphis, Tennessee.
Information: Jeri Mattix Omernik of Rocky Mountain Marketing Communications at: jmo@rmmc.biz

April 19-21, 2006
“Jazzed!” Agri-Marketing Conference and Trade Show sponsored by the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) in Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
Information: http://www.nama.org/amc

Opera-loving sheep grow golden fleeces.

An Australian flock of merino sheep has produced a bale of the world’s finest wool, with help from opera. According to a recent Reuters news report, an Italian designer bought the bale for $232,500 (Australian) – or 357 times the normal market price for wool. Is that what one could call “value-added?”

According to the report, this special flock in New South Wales is kept mostly indoors in small groups. The sheep listen to music, including Italian opera and recordings of Italian singer Andrea Bocelli. They are fed a secret diet of grains and specially grown hay.

Title: Operatic Aussie sheep
Archived 1/26/2006 at: http://archives.foodsafetynetwork.ca/animalnet-archives.htm

Best regards, good searching – and keep singing.

When you see interesting items you cannot find locally or online, get in touch with us at docctr@library.uiuc.edu. Tell us the titles and/or document numbers. We will help you gain access.

Please pass along your reactions, suggestions and ideas for the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center. Feel free to invite our help as you search for information. And please suggest (or send) agricultural communication documents we might add to this unique collection. We welcome them in hard copy (sent to Ag Com Documentation Center, 510 LIAC, 1101 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801) or electronic form at docctr@library.uiuc.edu.

February, 2006

On farmers knowing less and less. 

Industrialization of agriculture and other forces are boosting concerns about farmers knowing less and less in the scheme of things. For example, concerned observers note that increasingly, producers understand less about a total process and become more dependent on the few who understand it as a whole.

A growing body of literature about this issue often speaks in terms of the “deskilling” of farmers and loss and underuse of “traditional knowledge.” You can track some of this interaction by conducting Subject searches in the ACDC database, using terms such as deskilling and traditional knowledge. Here are a few sample documents that include references to farmer deskilling:

The impact of agricultural biotechnology on social cohesion
Posted at: http://www.genomecanada.ca/ge3ls2005/proceedings/06_03.asp

Biotechnology and agricultural skilling in India
Posted at: http://law.wustl.edu/centeris/confpapers/stone.html

Opening spaces through relocalization: locating potential resistance

“I am at a loss about where to begin.” 

This college student who contacted us recently was preparing a speech on the topic: “Agriculture and the media: how should our story be told?” We may have overwhelmed her with suggestions because rural-urban communicating and media coverage of agriculture are strong suits in the ACDC collection.

Here are some of the terms we suggested for an online Subject search, using the Database Search page of the ACDC Web site:
“rural-urban communication”
“media effectiveness”
“media relations”

Are we blowing food safety out of proportion?

Jon Bell, chief executive of the Food Standards Agency, United Kingdom, recently said he does not believe so. Presenting the Society of Food Hygiene Technology Annual Lecture, he used three case studies to illustrate how the Agency is approaching food safety issues:

• BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) or mad cow disease in cattle
• Sudan 1, a non-approved red azo dye that has turned up in some imported spices and oils
• South Wales E.coli outbreak

Title: Are we blowing food safety out of proportion?
Posted at: http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/societyhygienelecture2005.pdf

Clear Channel defends remote news.

That headline topped an event summary we added recently from the Institute of Rural Journalism and Community Issues, University of Kentucky. The summary covered a panel discussion at the 2005 annual convention of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Two executives of Clear Channel Communications and a University of Colorado faculty member took part.

The discussion touched on a 2004 instance in which the central production hub system used by Clear Channel resulted in late coverage of important local news (including forest fires and weather warnings) by an unnamed Clear Channel radio station. Executives of the group placed blame not on the system but on poor program execution at the station. One executive noted that “any one of the company’s 900-plus local program directors can decide what stories go on the air.” They also cited advantages of the hub concept.

Title: Clear Channel defends remote news
Posted at: http://www.uky.edu/CommInfoStudies/irjci/ruralradio.htm

Agricultural journalism has come of age in the Philippines

According to a news report we added recently, Reporter Rudy A. Fernandez cited examples of ways in which agricultural journalism has become “a big plus factor in the country’s efforts to push farther the frontiers of national development.” A professional organization, the Philippine Agricultural Journalists Inc., has contributed in this process, according to the report.

Title: Agri journalism in RP comes of age 
Posted at: http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/ht/ht005599.htm

How you can gain access to documents. 

When you search the ACDC collection you should be aware that it often can serve you mainly as an alert system – a starting point. For a variety of reasons, citations often will not give you full-text electronic access. For example, they may have been published under copyright or prior to digital formatting. So here are some strategies you can use to gain access to documents you identify through your ACDC searches:

• Check the “Notes” section of the citation. Sometimes/Increasingly we can provide URLs that link you to the full-text document.
• Check to see if your local library or reference center subscribes to the journal involved or has the book or report on the shelf.
• Try title searches on search engines such as Google.

No luck finding them locally or online? 

Please send us the titles and document numbers. All are available here in the Center or elsewhere within the University of Illinois Library, so we can help you gain access to them. Depending on the number and size of documents, copyright regulations and other factors, we may be able to scan them for electronic transmission or photocopy them for delivery to you by mail or fax. Services such as these are available on a cost-recovery basis. You may be able to borrow books of interest through interlibrary loan services.

Communicator activities approaching

February 15-16, 2006
“Food Labelling Conference 2006” in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Organized by the Dutch Ministry for Health, Welfare and Sport and the Food Standards Agency ( United Kingdom ) with support of the European Commission. Features presentations from the food manufacturing, food retail, consumer and small business perspectives.
Information: http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk/foodlabelling/rotterdam/

March 1, 2006
Registrations due for the 2006 conference of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education in Clearwater, Florida, May 14-17, 2006.
Information: http://www.aiaee.org/pdf/2006announce.pdf

March 6-8, 2006
“Practice change for sustainable communities.” Conference of the Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (APEN) in Beechworth, Victoria, Australia.
Information: http://www.apen.org.au/

March 23-25, 2006
Spring meeting of the Agricultural Relations Council in Memphis, Tennessee.
Information: Jeri Mattix Omernik of Rocky Mountain Marketing Communications at: jmo@rmmc.biz

Some rural computer language.

We close this issue of ACDC News with a few computer terms featuring rural definitions that roam the Web.

Download: Getting the firewood off the pickup
Mega Hertz: When you are not careful downloading
Hard drive: Getting home in mud seasons
Byte: What black flies do
Main frame: The part of the barn that holds the roof up

Title: Humor 153: rural computer language
Posted at: http://www.ptg.org/pipermail/humor/1997-July/000062.html

Best regards and good searching.

Please pass along your reactions, suggestions and ideas for the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center. Feel free to invite our help as you search for information. And please suggest (or send) agricultural communication documents we might add to this unique collection. We welcome them in hard copy (sent to Ag Com Documentation Center, 510 LIAC, 1101 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801 ) or electronic form at docctr@library.uiuc.edu.

February, 2006

The fog started to burn off.

Robert Derham observed that phenomenon several months ago during the BioValley Green Biotech Event in France.

The auditorium vibrated with exciting research reports and proposals, Derham explained, while subdiscussions broke out about concerns, such as how transgenic research was being misunderstood and politicians were not helping. Nothing cleared the fog, however, until one of the speakers “offered a paradigm shift.”

“You have to take the time to communicate to the public,” said the speaker. “If we don’t, the activists will.”

“And with that,” Derham observed, “people settled back into their chairs and side conversations almost immediately ceased – the fog of doubt and disbelief had abruptly cleared the room.”

Citation: Communicate to the public
Archived October 24, 2005, at: http://archives.foodsafetynetwork.ca/agnet-archives.htm

Update on U.S. public sentiment about genetically modified (GM) food.

During November the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology reported results of the fourth (2005) comprehensive survey involving a national sample of American consumers. Among the findings:

• Americans continue to know relatively little about GM foods and biotechnology.
• Awareness of transgenic animals is quite low and people are opposed to research into genetic modification of animals.
• Consumers most strongly support GM uses designed to protect against disease.
• Although consumers know little about the potential importation of GM products from abroad, they favor American regulation.
• Consumers strongly believe that ethical and moral considerations should be part of the animal cloning regulatory equation.

Citation: Public sentiment about genetically modified food: November 2005 update
Summary posted at: http://pewagbiotech.org/research/2005update

Communicating about avian flu. 

Given the global threat of avian/bird flu, we are beginning to actively scout for documents about public perceptions, media coverage and other communication aspects of this issue. You can monitor the ACDC collection by using the Subject search term, avian flu. Here are samples of documents being added to the collection:

Infectious diseases
Posted at: http://www.pollingreport.com/health3.htm

Avian flu pandemic could be massive disaster and few are noticing
Posted at: http://www.jsonline.com/bym/invest/may05/322853.asp?format=print

Superb flu pandemic risk communication: a role model from Australia
Posted at: http://www.psandman.com/col/abbott.htm

Consumer group calls on federal government to calm fears, criticizes animal rights groups for fueling needless panic
Posted at: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?acct=104&story=/www/story/11-08-2005/0004210594&edate=

Legacy of farming methods comes home to roost
Posted at: http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/legacy-of-farming-methods-comes-home-to-roos/2005/12/04/1133631143093.html

To help strengthen this new and important part of the ACDC collection, please send us documents about the communication aspects of avian flu, or refer us to them. Thank you.

Covering the meth epidemic in rural America.

A special report from the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues describes efforts by nearly two dozen newspapers and broadcast stations to report on the complexity, severity, and personal and social fallout of methamphetamine abuse in rural areas. One reporter was cited as adding to her coverage with a poem titled “Ms. Crystal Meth.” It concluded:

Now that you’ve met me
What will you do?
Will you try me or not?
It’s all up to you.
I can show you more misery
Than words can tell.
Come, take my hand.
Let me lead you to Hell.

Citation: Special report: Covering the meth epidemic in rural America
Posted at: http://www.uky.edu/CommInfoStudies/IRJCI/reports/reportsmeth.htm

Communicator activities approaching

March 1, 2006
Registrations due for the 2006 conference of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education in Clearwater, Florida, May 14-17, 2006.
Information: http://www.aiaee.org/pdf/2006announce.pdf

March 6-8, 2006
“Practice change for sustainable communities.” Conference of the Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (APEN) in Beechworth, Victoria, Australia.
Information: http://www.apen.org.au/

March 23-25, 2006
Spring meeting of the Agricultural Relations Council in Memphis, Tennessee.
Information: Jeri Mattix Omernik of Rocky Mountain Marketing Communications at: jmo@rmmc.biz

“Things my mother taught me.”

In closing, we pass along to you these food-and-farm insights from Annabelle who posted them on Fortune City:

My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
“If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.”

My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
“Shut your mouth and eat your supper.”

My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
“Close that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?”

Reference: http://members.fortunecity.com/panforum/compend/c050118.html

Best regards and good searching.

When you see interesting items you cannot find locally or online, get in touch with us at docctr@library.uiuc.edu. Tell us the titles and/or document numbers. We will help you gain access.

Please pass along your reactions, suggestions and ideas for the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center. Feel free to invite our help as you search for information. And please suggest (or send) agricultural communication documents we might add to this unique collection. We welcome them in hard copy (sent to Ag Com Documentation Center, 510 LIAC, 1101 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801) or electronic form at docctr@library.uiuc.edu .

 January, 2006

Happy New Year.

Welcome to this first 2006 issue of news from the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center. If you are new to ACDC News, we hope you find it interesting and useful.

Our basic mission continues:

Work hard to be a valuable resource for better communicating about agriculture, food, natural resources and related endeavors of societies worldwide.

Mixed messages about tomatoes-for-health claims.

How is this for a mixed message, pointed out in a recent Boston Globe article?

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently ruled that food companies can tell consumers that eating as little as one-half cup of tomatoes and tomato-based products weekly reduces the risk of prostate cancer.
• However, companies must also tell consumers the FDA does not believe the science behind that message.

Citation: It’s good for you, but …
Posted at: www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2005/11/30/its_good_for_you_but?mode=PF

Three new songs promote 4-H in Canada.

Three original songs by a country rock band are helping promote 4-H in Ontario, Canada, as part of a 90th anniversary celebration of the youth organization. These new songs reflect the “Learning To Do By Doing” motto of 4-H:
“I Am Home”
“Four Good Reasons”
“Giving Back”

All members of the group, called The GMOs, have either been 4-H members or associated with 4-H. “We all drew on our positive experiences to help bring the songs together,” explained GMO drummer and co-founder Len Kahn.

Citation: 4-H Ontario commissions three original songs
Posted at: http://www.4-hontario.ca/press2.cfm?documentid=3694

Empowering women farmers with information.

The Agricultural Communications Documentation Center recently added documents to its collection that highlight information programs for women farmers in Uganda and The Ukraine. These documents further enhance the extensive Center collection about communications in the lives and activities of women farmers globally.

In Uganda, women are using an interactive CD-Rom to become better farmers, according to the British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC). “The CD gives advice on ways to improve yields from crops and livestock, how to market what is produced, and helps the farmers think about new products they can make and sell.” The information tool is available in Uganda ‘s local languages.

Meanwhile, in The Ukraine, a project responds to women farmers “who identified lack of information as the major obstacle to becoming successful entrepreneurs in a new market economy.” The project provides the farmers with computer training and Internet access at eight “telecentres,” where they obtain a variety of agricultural information.

Citation: Ugandan women farmers go hi-tech 
Posted at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sci/tech/2078444.stm

Citation: A CD-Rom for Rural Women in Africa 
Posted at: http://www.wougnet.org/News/cdupdate.html

Citation: Sustaining women farmers in Ukraine
Posted at: http://www.undp.org/info21/pilot/pi-ukr.html

“My stab at a couple of new word/terms.” 

Thanks to Chuck Zimmerman of ZimmComm for sending these timely agri-terms:

Agriblogging – Posting agricultural information that includes links to various kinds of media content like audio, images, documents and video on a Weblog.

Farm podcasting – Making audio and/or video files that contain farm information available for Web access subscription via an RSS feed that allows the subscribers to capture the file on their computers and digital audio/video players.

ZimmComm is doing both agriblogging and farm podcasting on several sites, including AgWired at http://www.agwired.com

Encouraging words we appreciate.

Thanks to all who shared with us reactions such as these during recent months, along with suggestions about how to make the Center more useful:

• “I appreciate your quick response to my question.”
• “This is very helpful. Thank you!”
• “You have a tremendous database.”
• “Once again, thank you so much for the contacts.”
• “Thanks for producing ACDC News. A great service to agricultural communications.”
• “Your database has been a wonderful tool in my work.”
• “Have put your Web site in my Favorites file!”

Communicator activities approaching

February 1, 2006
The Agricultural Communicators in Education Research SIG issued a Call for Graduate Student Award Competitions (research proposal, outstanding thesis, and outstanding dissertation). The calls are located on the Research SIG Web site (http://www.aceweb.org/sigs/research/new.html ), which includes award submission guidelines, scoring rubrics, and direct links to all three online submission portals. Award winners will be announced at the ACE Annual International Meeting in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Please forward this information to colleagues and graduate students. 

February 4-8, 2006
Annual meeting and conference of the Agricultural Communications Section, Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists (SAAS), in Orlando, Florida.
Information: http://www.saasinc.org/orlando2006/orlando_mainpage.asp

March 1, 2006
Registrations due for the 2006 conference of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education in Clearwater, Florida, May 14-17, 2006.
Information: http://www.aiaee.org/pdf/2006announce.pdf

March 6-8, 2006
“Practice change for sustainable communities.” Conference of the Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (APEN) in Beechworth, Victoria, Australia.
Information: http://www.apen.org.au/

March 23-25, 2006
Spring meeting of the Agricultural Relations Council in Memphis, Tennessee.
Information: Jeri Mattix Omernik of Rocky Mountain Marketing Communications at: jmo@rmmc.biz

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