4 pages., Via online journal., ACE President Elizabeth Gregory North comments on JAC as evidence of the strong research tradition that is alive and well in ACE.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 30 Document Number: D10556
Notes:
3 pages., via website, DairyBusiness., Those within the food system wring their hands about the decreasing influence of science, often blaming consumers for our “post-truth” society. But, there is another reason for the decline of trust in science, according to The Center for Food Integrity (CFI) – one less comfortable to talk about, especially for those who conduct and sponsor research.
4 pages., Via online., "The chief ethical fear for the past 99 years of agricultural journalism has been that one of our number would cuddle up closer to advertisers than others of us, and reap unethical benefits of that. The chief charge of every Ethics Committee [of AAEA] has been to protect our collective readers from any hoodwinking that would come from such collusion. As I look toward that 100th year, I wonder who needs protecting from whom." Examines pressures on agricultural journalists in the wake of divided audience perspectives about the role of agricultural media in covering contentious political issues
Online via UI subscription. 10 pages., How libraries are teaming up with journalists to promote media literacy, spur civic engagement, and even take on reporting projects
Woodall, Colin (author / Chief Executive Officer, National Cattlemen's Beef Association)
Format:
Commentary
Publication Date:
2019-09-26
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 114 Document Number: D11004
Notes:
3 pages., National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Centennial Colorado., Commentary on messaging being used by interest groups to pit beef producers against one another.
Commentary on "self-financed, self-serving 'science'" used by agricultural interests involving a variety of food, agriculture, and environmental issues.
Gale, Wayne (author / Chair, American Seed Trade Association)
Format:
Commentary
Publication Date:
2019-06-18
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 114 Document Number: D11041
Notes:
The June 7, 2019 commentary by Barber in the New York Times was retrieved online at: https://seedfreedom.info/opinion-save-our-food-free-the-seed. It is filed with this document., Online via seedworld.com. 3 pages., Response to an opinion piece in the New York Times by celebrity chef Dan Barber. Barber reported on visiting a 24,000-acre farm in North Dakota and observing the large scale of operations. He concluded: "We should be alarmed by the current architects." In this commentary author Gale offered a differing view of the changes in plant breeding and the seed industry over the past 100-plus years - and what they mean for the future.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 121 Document Number: D11073
Notes:
Via AgNewsCenter.com, a proprietary information source. 3 pages., Suggestions from a recent agricultural communications graduate at California State University, Fresno.
Via online. 5 pages., "Industry in a frenzy, trying to decode the sludge of public opinion while still getting used to the idea this is something to take seriously."
Vincent, David (author / Rooster Strategic Solutions)
Format:
Commentary
Publication Date:
2019
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 132 Document Number: D11355
Notes:
Online via AgriMarketing Weekly posting of October 16, 2019. 2 pages., Seven tips for new college of graduates (mostly without farm backgrounds) as they join the ranks of agricultural advertising agencies and agribusinesses and begin working with American farmers and ranchers.
Roberts, Owen (author / President, International Federation of Agricultural Journalists)
Format:
Commentary
Publication Date:
2020
Published:
International: International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ), Ormstown, Quebec, Canada
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 163 Document Number: D11647
Notes:
2 pages., Online from publisher., During a global coronavirus pandemic, IFAJ President Owen Roberts emphasizes the vital importance of journalists in helping people be informed and safe. "The world will change hugely in the next 365 days as we grapple with the pandemic... But two things won't change: these are farmers' need to feed the world and journalists' role in helping them do so. Through our global network for agricultural journalism, we can make a difference in how effective this all works out."
1 page., Author expresses concerns about disappearance of trustworthy news content and urges agricultural readers to be "cautious in whom you trust and what you believe in the 24/7 news cycle. We deserve to know all sides of a story, not just the one that the 'conservative' or 'liberal' media outlet wants you to believe."
2 pages., In a preview of this issue about "messy data in conservation," the author links messy data to related topics in conservation and urges a trans-disciplinary embrace of messiness to accelerate conservation progress.
4 pages., Author suggests that"social forestry seeks to manage forests through local communities for their own plus national benefits, but is still falls short of the targets set. Reconciling local concerns for livelihood opportunities with the need for accountability requires intermediaries who successfully negotiate in the bureaucratic jungle of forestry as an institution."
Arnot, Charlie (author / Center for Food Integrity)
Format:
Commentary
Publication Date:
2020
Published:
International: Center for Food Integrity, Gladstone, Missouri.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 201 Document Number: D11706
Notes:
4 pages., Online from publisher website., Perspectives about how consumers will perceive technology in food and agriculture going forward. "...will they view innovation as positive and something they should embrace and support? Or, will innovation be perceived as another looming threat that should be avoided at all costs? The answer to those questions rests with those who bring the technology to market."
Online from publisher., Author observes how the U.S. Bureau of Land Management is losing sight of the traditional mission of maintaining public lands and passing them intact to the next generation. "The BLM's mission is not ideological and does no give preference to certain land users. Its legal mandate calls for managing public lands for a variety of uses, treating energy generation and conservation equally. But now, the agency is losing sight of that mission."
Online from publisher. 1 page., Consultant author identifies four trends he expects in retailing - in general and in food produce departments in particular.
Online from publisher. 3 pages., Case examples in the eastern U.S. of consumer food buying from local, -in-state, and regional producers, with expressions of increased interest and preference.
Online from publisher. 2 pages., Author suggests that while many in the produce industry use "sustainability" and "stewardship" as interchangeable terms,they are not. "True sustainability is a mindset that is international in its approach, purposeful in the value it adds to all stakeholders, resource-optimized for operations, circular in thinking, supply chain resilient, ecologically friendly and culturally attuned."
Online from publisher., Author describes the race that is on "to assemble and prove a tool that can deliver precision data and logistics throughout beef production spaces," connecting producers with consumers.
Online from publisher. 2 pages., Author notes that the COVID-19 pandemic is creating stress for agri businesses concerned about how to communicate effectively with their audiences. Digital obstacles such as ad blocking software, email opt-outs, and spam fatigue have forced marketers to adjust strategies. "Direct mail may offer the best bang for the buck during this pandemic." Consumers can read it whenever they want, it offers more engagement of physical senses, and is a tangible product in their hands.
Online from publisher. 1 page., Memories of a 32-year member of AAEA, including eight years as executive secretary-treasurer and recipient of the 2010 AAEA Meritorious Service Award.
Online via keyword search of UI Library eCatalog., Report of an interdisciplinary journalism project involving relationships between information gathering and reporting in the mass media and in medical communications. Involved links between fishmeal and the fish farming industry in Peru.
Online from publication. 7 pages., Merchandiser of fresh produce explains how theater events in a produce department can create fun and excitement and can make memorable impressions on customers.
Describes a disruption in past sales and marketing approaches related to food, consumers, and agriculture. Offers counsel for training of ag salespeople for the future.
Online from publication. 3 pages., "As we find evermore convenient ways to serve customers and work smarter, let's not lose the human touch. We all need it, no matter our age or location."
Online from publication. 2 pages., Author notes how, in the food marketing complex, diversification can help a business survive in this changing industry.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 202 Document Number: D11994
Notes:
4 pages, Via online from Broadhead website. 5 pages., Applied anthropologist offers predictions for a new culture state in a post-pandemic world. Among them: food access reimagined, transparency and traceability in the hands of consumers, expanded definition of "health" and shifting from protest to policy.
Online from periodical. 7 pages., Senior merchandiser of a produce wholesaler reports recent examples of successful events and displays in retail marketing of mushrooms and apples. "So, produce world, what will your customers see next when the curtain rises in your department? Create theater, create opportunity, and create sales!"
Online from periodical., Article briefly describes research indicating the windows of opportunity for encouraging babies to eat and like fruits and vegetables.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 202 Document Number: D12014
Notes:
Online from website of SpinSucks.com. 4 pages., Author briefly describes two case examples of crisis management (one effective, one ineffective), emphasizes the importance of a plan, and describes four steps to get started in planning.
Online from periodical. 3 pages., Author described the responsibilities and importance of the produce manager/specialist. "These hardworking individuals live in two worlds; they have one foot in the stores and one foot in the corporate office." Emphasized the need for communications leadership among the teams with whom they work.
"From the Editor" column online from this periodical. 2 pages., Addresses the question of why "communication" is so difficult to pin down. Suggests that it boils down to learning the fundamentals of grammar and writing - striving for perfection with the understanding that you will fall well short of it. And continuing to learn, including being involved with CCA.
Online from publisher., Brief report and analysis of research published by the National Academy of Sciences showing a strong positive relationship between meatpacking plants and local community transmission. "...the risk of excess death primarily came from large meatpacking plants operated by industry giants." Communities that shut down slaughterhouses reduced spread.
Online from publication. 16 pages., "History and the growing power of right-wing extremism point to a volatile future for the West during the Biden presidency."
Online from publication. 3 pages., Author compares the produce departments of two food stores, in terms of appearance, organization, selection, and staff assistance. Emphasizes how loyal customer retention affects grocery bills, which are "everyone's single-largest bill, behind a mortgage or rent."
Via UI Library subscription., Owner-president of Brock Associates, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, describes his career, the services his firm provides, outlook for agricultural commodities, and farm policy changes anticipated with the new federal administration.
Online from publication., Essay about the career, writings, and perspectives of a long-time faculty member at the University of Montana. One perspective emphasized: "Aging is unavoidable. Growing up, though, takes work."
Online from publisher. 4 pages., Author and current editor in chief of Progressive Farmer magazine describes his journey into agricultural journalism, with special emphasis on his participation in AAEA (1998 president) and the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists. "Why didn't someone warn me? I'm glad they didn't. Otherwise, I never would have joined AAEA or enjoyed the rich rewards of friendships from ag communicators both near and far."
International: Zimmcomm New Media, Cantonment, Florida.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 202 Document Number: D12106
Notes:
Online from ZimmComm News Media. 2 pages., A pioneer in agricultural uses of new social media expresses concern about FaceBook, Twitter, and YouTube having become political weapons. "Since the election, the level of censorship on all of the major social media platforms has just skyrocketed. Never in our wildest dreams did we ever think that freedom of speech and the press might be endangered in this country, but we do believe it is right now." FaceBook and Twitter platforms "are both essentially business platforms. Author reports a decision to put a temporary hold on ZimmComm business FaceBook accounts.
Online from publication. 3 pages., Food store produce specialist urges produce managers to get summer extra-help staff members identified early and begin to train them by mid-April. "June is too late, you know." The busiest quarter of the year for fruits and vegetables is often run with the least-experienced people, due in part to summer vacation schedules of experienced personnel.
Online from publisher. 3 pages., In this commentary, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Food and Farming argues that the "dirty dozen" list published annually by the Environmental Working Group is "scientifically unsupportable, negatively impacts consumers and it is insulting to farmers and farm workers working hard every day to provide produce to consumers." She says, "If we have learned anything from the pandemic, it is that science (not rhetoric or false claims) needs to guide our health and safety choices."
Online from publication. 3 pages., Ideas for staffing and promoting sales of fruits and vegetables in the produce departments of retail food stores during the Easter season, which features nearly as heavy volume as Thanksgiving.
USA: International Food Information Council, Washington, D.C.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 202 Document Number: D12153
Notes:
Online from publisher. 3 pages., Author suggests that say one form of produce is safer and more nutritional than another should be avoided. Cites top seven things to remember about eating healthy and safe foods "when this year's (or any year's) "Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen" lists invade your social media streams."
4 pages, The Covid-19 pandemic has been highly disruptive to Extension programming. Online programming has emerged as one of the primary approaches for maintaining engagement with the communities and populations Extension serves. Some have even suggested that it might become the default programming method, even after it is safe to return to in-person programming. In this commentary, I discuss some of the current limitations and challenges inherent in online-only programming -- ones that are often overlooked by Extension personnel. Further, I discuss key factors that Extension personnel should take into account when considering online programming for any future professional efforts.
