Posted on June 30th 2009 at 5:56 am
by Diane
This event is what we consider “business casual”. The following are examples for women to wear: pant suits, light sweaters, khaki pants and summer skirts. Men usually wear very nice pressed jeans, khaki pants but sometimes also wear a sport coat or jacket. Usually men do not wear ties to the workshops and sessions during the day.
Friday night and Sunday night parties will both have a western theme. So plan on blue jeans or shorts and your belts, boots and hat!
For those of you going on the tours: We have been very careful to select locations that do not put you out in a field in the heat of the day. Most will have buildings with air conditioning. Regardless, wear loose fitting clothing that will be comfortable to travel in. We will have plenty of water and other cold beverages for you on all tours.
The only formal night is Tuesday night’s awards dinner. Ladies, we encourage you to bring a nice dress, sparkly sequins are fine! Gentlemen, you will definitely want to wear a suit jacket with ties.
IMPORTANT: Hotels in the U.S. have air conditioning and THEY USE IT! So if you tend to be cold natured or do not like air conditioning, you must bring a wrap or sweater. YOU WILL NEED IT! Have any more fashion questions? Let me know!
Posted on June 24th 2009 at 7:38 pm
by Diane
On Friday (26 June) I’m going to post a list of everyone who has registered from outside of the U.S. for the Congress. This way you can see who is coming from your country and other friends you have met from other Congresses. I am also going to include your ARRIVAL day because many of you have added on an extra night and we want to be sure that we have that correct. Keep in mind, we are going to pick you up at the airport, so this information is very important for you to check. Keep informed by communicating with your “buddies” too!
NOTE: Go to www.agmediasummit.com download your copy.
Posted on June 21st 2009 at 7:20 am
by Diane
Janet Hunter, who is working on our post-Congress tours, sent this to me and even translated it for all of our German speaking friends:
IFAJ friends,
The 2009 Congress is only six weeks from now. If you have any questions about the meeting or the agricultural tours, please e-mail your IFAJ buddy or me. We in Texas look forward to welcoming you to Fort Worth.
IFAJ Freunde,
der Kongress 2009 beginnt in nur sechs Wochen. Wenn ihr Fragen bezüglich des Treffens oder bezüglich der landwirtschaftlichen Führungen habt, bitte sendet eurem IFAJ-Partner oder mir eine E-Mail. Wir in Texas freuen uns darauf, euch in Fort Worth willkommen zu heißen.
Janet Hunter janet.hunter@farmcreditbank.com
Posted on June 18th 2009 at 5:50 am
by Diane
Some of you have requested some information on sources for agriculture in the U.S. Here are some links that you can go to prior to coming to the Congress. Steve Werblow, our co-chairman of the program committee furnished this information:
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service publishes great papers on markets and economics. There’s an index online at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Browse/. There are papers and articles on many topics, from individual crops to labor to trade issues, other countries, etc.
The USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service (http://www.nass.usda.gov/#) is a great place to find data on anything agriculture.
This is the USDA’s 2002 book on topics that are mainly organized around federal programs and priorities such as cultural and economic diversity, Factbook of Agriculture http://www.usda.gov/factbook/
The Texas Department of Agriculture has a fact sheet online at http://www.agr.state.tx.us/gt/channel/render/items/0,1218,1670_1693_0_1692,00.html
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As we find more information we will post it here. Want to know more? Let us know how we can help you. Post a comment here!
Posted on June 15th 2009 at 4:17 pm
by Diane
I’ve noticed many of you are flying on American Airlines and I just received this e-mail that I thought I’d pass on. Check it out and, for those who are flying a different airline, the rules are similar, but please check with your specific airline to be sure of restrictions.
Posted on June 12th 2009 at 7:12 am
by Diane
The following descriptions are for the tours that are scheduled on Saturday afternoon during the Congress. We need you to choose which one you want to go on. Please read through the descriptions and let your buddy know as soon as possible. This will be first come, first served so don’t delay in case a tour fills up before you get your first choice. You must decide by next FRIDAY, June 19 so we can finalize our plans.
TOUR 1: NORTHWEST FORT WORTH
ROCKY TOP THERAPY CENTER, Keller
Rocky Top Therapy Center addresses the needs of more than 200 emotionally, mentally and physically challenged individuals each week utilizing 53 therapy horses, a low-elements challenge course and a barnyard filled with pot-bellied pigs, goats, chickens and miniature donkeys and horses.
ALLFLEX, Dallas
Allflex is the world leader in design, technology, manufacturing and delivery of animal identification for traceability systems across all production. Allflex brings cutting-edge, practical applications of visual, electronic and radio frequency animal identification technology to livestock industries across the world, contributing to a safer global food supply.
SUPERIOR LIVESTOCK AUCTION, Fort Worth
Superior Livestock Auction is the nation’s leader in marketing load-lots of cattle via Satellite and the Internet. Committed to innovation and utilizing the best technology available, Superior leads the way in satellite video marketing and continues to take a leadership role in Internet marketing.
TOUR 2: NORTHEAST TOWARD DALLAS
TRI-TEX GRASS, Tioga
Tri-Tex Grass owns and operates an 800-acre farm in Tioga, Texas. They offer many different varieties and services for farmers’ grass needs. From big roll installation to one pallet of Bermuda, they have an experienced team ready to provide top quality and service.
HORSE FARM, Pilot Point area
This part of the North Texas area is famous for the horse industry with competitive horses and their fabulous facilities around every corner.
SOUTHFORK RANCH, Plano
Internationally renowned as the filming location for the “Dallas” TV series, Southfork Ranch is known worldwide as America’s most famous ranch.
TOUR 3: SOUTHERN FORT WORTH
ALPHA EQUINE HORSE BREEDING, Granbury
At Alpha Equine a variety of services are offered on the 300 acre ranch: mare management, foaling, stallion management, shipped semen, on-ranch breeding, year-round mare care, sale-fitting, etc. under a knowledgeable and professional staff overseen by Dr. M.C. Baker.
BURGUNDY BEEF, Grandview
From pasture to The Burgundy Boucherie – this country butcher markets, ages, cuts and packages their own beef and can prepare orders and deliver right to homes or businesses in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
BEAKLEY FARMS, Waxahachie
Diversified farm family business features cotton, wheat and sunflowers; boll weevil eradication and reduced tillage.