Fuel discounts during Nebraska State Fair; win Husker football tickets

Heading to the Nebraska State Fair tomorrow? The Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Ethanol Board announced they offering discounts on ethanol blends for flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 25 (and again on Monday, September 3 from 4 to 6 p.m.).

Discounts are are 20 cents for E20, 30 cents for E30 and 85 cents for E85 and are available at Bosselman's Pump & Pantry at 1235 Allen Drive in Grand Island and Aurora Cooperative's A Stop at 4155 E. Highway 30 in Grand Island.

In addition to the ethanol promotions, the groups are giving away a pair of Cornhusker football tickets to the September 22 Nebraska vs. Idaho State game and a pair of tickets to the November 10 Nebraska vs. Penn State game. Tailgate passes are included.

For more information and to register, click here.

 Winners will be notified on or before Monday, September 17.

For more information on ethanol promotions, FFVs, blender pumps, ethanol fuel and the Husker football tickets to be given away, visit the Nebraska Corn Board or Nebraska Ethanol Board booths in the exhibition building at the Nebraska State Fair.

Beatrice pork producer honored at Nebraska State Fair

Brian Zimmerman and his family were recognized by the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Pork Producers Association at the recent Nebraska State Fair.

Left to right: Alden Zuhlke, board member of the Nebraska Pork
Producers Association; Tammy Zimmerman;
Brian Zimmerman; Austin Zimmerman, and Bob
Dickey, farmer-director on the Nebraska Corn Board.

Zimmerman, owner/manager of Zimmerman Hog Farms near Beatrice, and his family were honored for their commitment to Nebraska agriculture, the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Pork Producers said in a news release. The annual award is given to a dedicated individual or family in the pork industry in Nebraska who shows respect and devotion to improving Nebraska agriculture.

Bob Dickey, farmer-director on the Nebraska Corn Board, and Alden Zuhlke, board member of the Nebraska Pork Producers and long time family friend, were present to honor Zimmerman and his wife, Tammy, and children, Austin and Shelby.

“I’m proud to be here today to honor a deserving pork producer and his family, for their commitment to Nebraska agriculture,” Dickey said during the presentation.

“Brian has always worked to promote opportunities in agriculture and the pork industry for youth leaders. It’s fitting for him to receive this award at the Nebraska State Fair, where so many 4-H and FFA youth get their start,” said Zuhlke.

Zimmerman has been very involved in the state as a past president of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association and has served on the board since 1996. Nationally, he is just finishing his term on the National Pork Board, has served on the National Pork Board’s Administrative Committee, Animal Welfare Committee and Demand Enhancement Committee. Locally, he is member of the Blue Valley Pork Producers and has served as president and state director.

Grain donation program nets $66,588 for Red Cross earthquake, tsunami relief

On the main stage in the Nebraska State Fair's Exhibition Hall on Sunday, the Nebraska Corn Growers Association presented a $66,588.07 ceremonial check to the American Red Cross. The check represented money raised through the Nebraska Corn Growers grain donation program that supported Red Cross relief efforts in Japan and the Pacific following the earthquake and tsunami there in March.

Nearly 9,000 bushels of grain – mostly corn – was donated and sold through the program, with money being sent to the Red Cross every couple of weeks. Some cash-only donations were also received.

Joel Grams presents the check to Susan Epps of the Red Cross.

“Nebraska farmers came together in a big way to support Red Cross relief efforts in Japan. For many years Japan has been one of our top global corn customers, but it’s also an important market for many other Nebraska ag products, including beef and pork. Supporting people there through the Red Cross was a great way help our neighbors in the global market, and we appreciate all who contributed,” said Joel Grams, a farmer from Minden who is vice president of the Nebraska Corn Growers.

The grain donation program began April 1 and ran through July 30. It was launched by the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Aurora Cooperative and the American Red Cross, with farmer-owned KRVN rural radio also supporting the initiative. Cooperative Producers Inc. (CPI) also joined in the effort by accepting grain at all of its locations.

“Response to the grain donation program was simply tremendous and we appreciate everyone who contributed. Money raised through the program was passed directly to Red Cross efforts in Japan and the Pacific where it helped make a difference for so many,” said Susan Epps, executive director of the Cornhusker Community Chapter of the American Red Cross, who was on hand to accept the check.

John Willoughby (left) and Bill Schuster.

As part of the program Sunday, farmers John Willoughby and Bill Schuster shared some of their photos and stories gathered while taking part in a mission to Japan in July. They and several others went to promote U.S. beef but also to prepare and deliver meals to evacuees. For more on their mission, click here.

For a compilation of posts relating to the Red Cross efforts, click here, and for photos from the presentation, click here.

Ethanol promotion, discounts during the State Fair (and Husker tickets!)

The Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island gets underway today and the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Corn Growers Association are on hand with a display talking about the faces of Nebraska farmers — and a whole lot more. Just make your way to the Exhibition Building on the fairgrounds.

For a full schedule of the corn-related activities, click here.

In the mean time, the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Ethanol Board have partnered to promote ethanol, flex fuel vehicles (FFV) and blender pumps at this year's fair. They've even thrown in some ethanol discounts and a chance to win Husker tickets!

The ethanol discounts take place next weekend — Saturday, September 3 through Monday, September 5 at two locations in the Grand Island area. Those driving FFVs will enjoy 20 cents off E20, 30 cents off E30 and 85 cents off E85. (FYI - The discounts come back for Husker Harvest Days!)

The discounts are at the Bosselman's Pump & Pantry (1235 Allen Dr. location only) and the Aurora Cooperative's A-Stop 24 location at 4155 E. Highway 30. For a map and details on the fuel discounts, click here.

“There are approximately 100,000 FFVs in Nebraska and nearly 90 percent of consumers don’t know they drive a flex fuel vehicle,” said Kim Clark, ag program manager for the Nebraska Corn Board.  She said the fair is a great opportunity for people to come out, learn about FFVs and find out if they have one parked in their garage.

To address FFV and ethanol questions specifically, the groups will host a Q and A session on the Exhibition Building stage on Saturday, September 3 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. The “Do You Flex Fuel?" program will feature an auto mechanic, fuel retailer, ethanol expert and an automobile salesperson.

As for the Husker tickets, the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Ethanol Board are giving away two pairs -- one pair for the September 10 Nebraska vs. Fresno State game and another pair to the September 17 Nebraska vs. Washington game.

Registration for your chance to win is online -- just click here. Winners will be notified September 6.

Good luck! ...and be sure to stop by the Nebraska Corn Board or Nebraska Ethanol Board booths at the fair for details.

Nebraska State Fair begins this Friday!

It’s that time of year again!

Yep, you got it. The Nebraska State Fair is right around the corner. Starting this Friday, August 26 people from all over Nebraska and of all age ranges will attend the State Fair.

With this year’s Department of Agriculture theme, “The Story of Nebraska Agriculture”, the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Ethanol Board are partnering together to provide information for consumers about flex fuel vehicle (FFV) education, ethanol education, and blender pumps at each of their booths in the Exhibition Building.

In addition to ethanol information and education, the Nebraska Corn Board booth will have a video about the, “Faces of Nebraska Family Farmers” and jars of corn representing corn production from 1930, 2011, and the future.

There will be a few events you can attend while at the State Fair to learn more about flex fuel vehicles, ethanol, and blender pumps. On Saturday, September 3rd from 3 - 4 pm, the Nebraska Corn Board is hosting a Question and Answer Panel on FFV’s, blender pumps, and ethanol on the stage in the Exhibition Building.

Also during the State Fair, if you have an FFV, you can enjoy additional savings at blender pumps in Grand Island. See the Nebraska Corn Board or Nebraska Ethanol Board booth for more information. Check out either of the booths anytime during the State Fair for more information on promotions, to learn about flex fuel vehicles, which ethanol blends you can use in your FFV, and more.

You can also visit the Nebraska Corn Board website for more information www.NebraskaCorn.org . The Nebraska Ethanol Board has a flex fuel vehicle club where you can sign up to receive news and information about flex fuel vehicles, blender pump promotions and ethanol discounts, www.NE-Ethanol.org/FFV.

Are you a Husker Football fan?! Just for answering a few questions about ethanol, you could win two tickets to a Husker football game. Find out more at our booths, but also visit NebraskaCorn.org or NE-Ethanol.org to enter, starting August 26th.

While at State Fair, meet some Nebraska CommonGround volunteers while tasting some food and recipes while you’re at it! On Saturday, September 3 from 5:15 – 6 pm at the Exhibition Building stage, sample some great recipes from Nebraska farm women and hear their stories of life on & off the farm.

Are you on Twitter? If so, you can tweet with the hashtag #NeCornEthanol all throughout the fair and we will be awarding prizes daily!  


See you at the fair!

Schedule Short-cut for Nebraska Corn Events:

Friday, August 26th	State Fair Parade through Fonner Park at 5 pm • Come see the Sustaining Innovation trailer at the State Fair Parade and get some candy corn!
Monday, August 29th	"Nebraska Corn for Kids” presentation 10-10:30 am on Exhibition Building Stage
Tuesday, August 30th	“Nebraska Corn for Kids” presentation 10-10:30 am on Exhibition Building Stage
Wednesday, August 31st	Nebraska Corn Growers “Beef Pit” Day • Come get some great tasting beef from the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Beef Pit in the Exhibition Building – and see some friendly corn growers serving you!
Saturday, September 3rd	“Do You Flex Fuel” Panel on Exhibition Building Stage 3-4 pm • Hear from the experts about using ethanol in your flex fuel vehicle.
	“Cookin’ with CommonGround” demonstration on Exhibition Building Stage 5:15-6 pm • Sample some great recipes from Nebraska farm women and hear their stories of life on & off the farm!
Sunday, September 4th	4-H & FFA Appreciation BBQ 11 – 1:30 pm • If you’re a 4-H or FFA member or family member – pick up your free lunch ticket and get a great pork lunch while the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Pork Producers Association honors a Nebraska pork producer.
	Nebraska Farmer’s Check Presentation to Red Cross 1 – 2 pm • The Nebraska Corn Growers Association will be presenting a donation check to the American Red Cross from the grain donation program that Nebraska farmers across the state donated to help with the Japan Relief Effort.

Great day at the State Fair for Tomasevicz

Nebraska corn farmers were well represented by Olympic gold medalist Curt Tomasevicz at the State Fair yesterday.

The Nebraska Corn Board signed Tomasevicz to be the official spokesman for Nebraska corn this upcoming year.

Tomasevicz, a Shelby, Nebraska, native, won the gold medal with his teammates on the U.S. men’s bobsled team, nicknamed “Night Train,” in the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Watch it here or read about it here!

In addition to six television interviews, three radio interviews, a few newspapers interviews and photos, two public addresses, a stop in the Beef Pit for an appearance (and lunch!), a trip to the VIP area to meet dignitaries and a stop in the livestock arena, Tomasevicz managed to sign many many autographs for fans and pose for pictures.

He even let a few lucky folks hold his gold medal. It was a great day to promote corn; ethanol; corn-fed beef, pork and poultry, and the economic importance of agriculture to the state of Nebraska.

While a few photos are included here (just click on an image to make it larger), you can find more at the Nebraska Corn Board's Flickr page.

For those who missed a chance to visit with Tomasevicz or see him on TV, he'll be at Husker Harvest Days on September 15.

Nebraska corn at the State Fair

Just inside the Exhibition Building's main entrance at the Nebraska State Fair you'll find the Nebraska corn display – just walk in and veer to the south (left) toward the stage. The corn display is hosted by the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Corn Growers Association.

And here's what it looks like:

While there, you can get a few facts on livestock, too, including the opportunity to see (and touch!) different types of corn products that are fed to animals.

 You can also sign up for a chance to win a new lawnmower!

On Saturday, the Corn Board's Kelsey Pope and Don Hutchens took the opportunity to pull the corn trailer through the fair parade.

Here they come!

Here they are.

And there they go!

If you're out at the State Fair and enjoying the fabulous facilities be sure to stop by and say hello. And if you're at the fair on Wednesday, be sure to stop by and see a bit of Nebraska gold.