Get a friend to join NAMA and be entered in a contest to win a Flip camera. That’s cool. Your friend will be entered too. Just get it done by April 12.
Tell your friends, peers, and business associates how you benefit from being a member of NAMA – the learning and networking opportunities, skill development, access to agribusiness solutions, etc. They can access our social media sites directly from our website at www.nama.org to learn more about NAMA activities.
Every NAMA member who recruits a new member between now and April 12 will be included in a drawing for a new flip video camcorder. The more new members you recruit – the better your chances. New members will have their names entered, too.
Simply tell your recruit to join on-line at http://www.nama.org/register.aspx. Tell them to add your name and company in the box titled “Referred By.” They can also call the NAMA office at 913-491-6500 to join; remind them to say they were referred by you! Be sure to tell them they’ll be included in the drawing.
When will the drawing take place? During the annual Agri-Marketing Conference, April 21 – 23, at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City. We’d love to have you there, but you don’t have to be present to win!
The National Agri-Marketing Association has announced major award winners who will receive their awards at the convention in April.
The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) has named Dave Seehusen, Executive Vice President, Ag Business Development for Land O’Lakes, Inc., as the 2010 Agribusiness Leader of the Year. This award, which is NAMA’s highest honor, will be presented at the Opening General Session of the 2010 Agri-Marketing Conference, “From America’s Heartland to the Rest of the World,” April 22, 2010, in Kansas City, Missouri. The award honors outstanding leaders in agribusiness, education, government service or other agribusiness related areas who exemplify excellence in agribusiness by their significant contributions to the industry.
Dave Seehusen is known for his unique approach to individual and organizational leadership. He is a hands-on motivator on an individual level, while at the same time adept at building multi-functional teams and effective, often innovative, partnerships.
The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) has honored Stephanie Liska, CEO of Beck Ag, Inc., with the NAMA Marketer of the Year award. The award will be presented during the Second General Session of the 2010 Agri-Marketing Conference, “From America’s Heartland to the Rest of the World” on Thursday, April 22 at 11:00 a.m. in Kansas City, Missouri and is sponsored by Agri Marketing magazine.
NAMA recognizes its active members with senior management of marketing and/or sales responsibilities with the NAMA Marketer of the Year award. This award is NAMA’s most prestigious honor awarded to active members of the association and honors outstanding accomplishments in the field of agri-marketing
Stephanie Liska is a marketing pioneer who was instrumental in the refinement and widespread use of Word of Mouth Marketing in the ag industry. She has led ag marketers to leverage positive customer experiences into market share gains. Liska joined Beck Ag in 1998, shortly after the company’s 1997 formation and grew to become the organization’s leader. Liska has been instrumental in guiding Beck Ag to become a company focused solely on agriculture and committed to helping ag professionals succeed. She was raised on a family farm and has close to 25 years of successful experience in ag sales and marketing.
I know that a lot of regional Best of NAMA has been going on. Unfortunately I was not able to attend any of the activities. So congratulations to all winners.
Okay, so it’s snowing in Kansas City now. But the show will still go on tomorrow. That’s the Region 2 Best of NAMA. Are you going to a regional best? Check the calendar for all of them.
The Show Must Go On!
Worried about the weather in Kansas City? We’re not!
The Kansas City area will be expecting 3-6 inches of snow today, but we’re confident that by tomorrow evening all roads to Boulevard Brewing will be safe.
If you are registered and are unable to attend the event, there will be some sort of a refund. We will determine the amount after the event.
If you haven’t registered for the event yet and would like to join us, please click here to register.
It’s time for the next NAMA Webinar. This one will focus on Emerging Technologies and take place this Thursday, December 3 at 1:00 p.m. (Central Time).
Mobile and emerging technologies are making it easier for direct marketers to connect with their customers. But this landscape can be intimidating and confusing if you don’t know how to navigate it.
This session will introduce you to mobile marketing and its ecosystem of players. Learn how to launch a mobile marketing campaign from experts who have done it successfully – and see what other emerging technologies are on the horizon.
Angela Ridpath and Pamela Sandler have helped national brands like Payless ShoeSource, Burger King and Beauty Brands adapt and excel in this era of change. And they can help you, too!
Sara Mooney is the Director of the AG CONNECT Expo and attended the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk along with my man Rich Jefferson. I had been wanting to talk to them about their Advocating For Agriculture awards program where they will recognize three individuals who support “in a compelling way the work of farmers and ranchers to provide abundant and affordable food and fiber.” There are three categories: Ag Woman of the Year, Community Leadership and Ag Innovation.
The grand prize winner of each of the three award categories will receive a free trip to AG CONNECT Expo 2010, including roundtrip airfare for two to Orlando, Florida, from anywhere in the continental U.S. Nominations are due by the end of this week, November 28. Then online voting will start on December 4. All winners will be announced on December 18 and I’m sure we’ll have them posted here.
“AG CONNECT Expo’s awards are a way for our trade show to put a spotlight on the significant contributions that those in production agriculture make to our quality of life,” said Sara Mooney, the Director of AG CONNECT Expo. “We want the awards to draw attention to those whose work and accomplishments this year exemplify ‘advocating for agriculture.’”
You can listen to my interview with Sara below and read more about the awards by clicking on the “more” link. (more…)
The final panel discussion of NAMA’s Trends in Agriculture “Connecting with the New Ag Community” focused on “Speaking for Agriculture.” The panelists talked about the issues, both environmental and political, that face agriculture. They also shared insights on how to communicate farmer’s values and the value of farm families. Tami Craig Schilling is the Director of Strategic Communications for Monsanto, and a fifth-generation agriculturalist. She spoke about how agriculture can effectively help consumers understand those values.
This is part of the Paulsen Marketing video interview series. They are also the sponsor of the NAMA Blog.
NAMA’s Professional Development Awards of Excellence luncheon honored four NAMA members. Lou Ireland, Pioneer Hi-Bred International was honored in Marketing Communications, Deron Johnson of Rhea + Kaiser Marketing Communications was honored in Public Relations, Gary Robertson of Fort Dodge Animal Health in Product/Species Management, and Pete Weil of High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal in Sales. Each winner spoke about the challenges and opportunities in agri-marketing.
Also at the luncheon the gavel symbolizing the presidency of NAMA was passed from Carol Anderson to Susie Decker.
View a series of snippets from the awards luncheon below:
You can find photos from the awards luncheon in the photo album.
This is part of the Paulsen Marketing video interview series. They are also the sponsor of the NAMA Blog.
Another presenter on the “How Marketers are Building New Community Ties” panel was Joel Jaeger. He is president of the mobile technology provider Commodity Update. He sees significant potential in the mobile market for agriculture, but emphasizes that it should be an element in the blend of social media.
In addition to Commodity Update, Jaeger is also a partner in his family’s farming operations in Colorado and Belize.
This is part of the Paulsen Marketing video interview series. They are also the sponsor of the NAMA Blog.
NAMA Trends in Agriculture Day Two began with a panel on “How Marketers are Building New Community Ties.” Leslie Bradshaw is the Director of Engagement, Public Affairs for Bradshaw Vineyards. She provided insight into the question many farmers and producers have about social media.
Bradshaw is also planning to launch a community and industry-friendly site, www.SocialMediaforAgriculture.com and is seeking input for the site.
This is part of the Paulsen Marketing video interview series. They are also the sponsor of the NAMA Blog.
This week’s NAMA Trends In Agriculture conference provided a great program opportunity for this week’s ZimmCast. You’ll get to hear from the morning panel on day two. I interviewed each of them and have included them in the program. The session focused on how agrimarketers are building new community ties.
3G-enabled smart phones, the “Tweeting Farmer,” and unusual partnerships are all part of the new ag community. This general session will feature practical case studies from marketers inside and outside of agriculture that have forged new links with their customers using new media and non-traditional collaboration. Joe Grigsby, VML, Leslie Bradshaw, a farm kid and University of Chicago educated Communications Manager with New Media Strategies in Washington, D.C., and Joel Jaeger, Commodity Update shared their experiences.
I’d like to thank AgWired Sponsor, Fluidigm, for their support of the ZimmCast. AgWired coverage of the NAMA Trends In Agriculture Conference is sponsored by Paulsen Marketing.
You can listen to this week’s ZimmCast below.
The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our a Subscribe page.
The afternoon panel discussion at the NAMA Trends In Agriculture conference included David Cleavinger, a fifth-generation Texas farmer/rancher. He talked about how producers can use a combination of social media and personal connections to bring greater understanding of the importance of agriculture in their lives. This is part two in the Paulsen Marketing video interview series. They are also the sponsor of the NAMA Blog.
Once again this year I’ll be posting video interviews from the NAMA Trends In Agriculture conference produced by Paulsen Marketing. Here’s the first one with our opening keynote speaker, David Kohl.
It’s one thing to say there’s a new ag community. It’s another thing to live in it as a farmer. At the NAMA Trends in Agriculture conference a panel of producers addressed this subject. The panel included a row crop farmer from Texas, a dairy producer from Wisconsin and the California Association of Winegrape Growers.
Their task was to share specific examples of how success and growth today require more than good agronomic practices. A lot of the discussion focused on the growing anti agricultural forces that are reaching consumers with messages that are not based on good science and often meant to obtain a political agenda. They all agreed that new technology offers communications channels that can help farmers tell their story.
I spoke with one of the panelists, Daphne Holterman, Rosy-Lane Holsteins, after the session. She says that they all realize that they can’t just be “a farm in our little neighborhood or rural communities anymore but we have to be a big player in a bigger pond.” She says it’s important to talk out about being the true environmentalists. The digital age is making this more necessary than ever.
Yes I can multitask. In fact, during the opening keynote presentation here I was also moderating today’s FuelChat session for the Renewable Fuels Association. I think I was only having to post via about 10 different social media channels. Piece of cake.
Our opening keynote speaker at the NAMA Trends In Agriculture conference is David Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Agricultural Finanace and Small Business Management, Virginia Tech and President, AgriVisions, LLC. His topic is “Defining the New Ag Community.”
David set up his session with a number of facts and figures including the fact that 70% of North American farm ground will change hands by 2025 and that women and minorities will become major decision makers. Then since we’re all agrimarketers he started talking about the move to the digital world. He asked participants how many were involved in social networking and podcasting. Only a couple of hands were raised for podcasting. I think he was surprised by that. Yeah. Let’s go agrimarketers. Get your podcast on!
He offered the 10 C’s of going digital which include: Commitment, Collaboration, Consumers, Customers, Community, Connecting, Competition, Control, Communication and Cost & Capital Return. He offered a parting thought that “success in social media/digital is balance of high tech and high touch.”
I’ll be posting a video interview with David that’s being produced by Paulsen Marketing. I’d like to thank them for sponsoring AgWired coverage of this year’s NAMA Trends In Agriculture Conference once again.
The NAMA Trends In Agriculture Conference is underway in KC, MO at the Hyatt. The first order of business was the board meeting. You can see NAMA President-Elect Susie Decker, Farm Progress Companies, leading the group. I got there just as they were wrapping things up.
I actually interviewed Susie with my new SONY PCM-M10 but had a “whoops” and it didn’t record. So I caught board member Beth Burgy, Broadhead+Co, in the hallway and got it right.
Beth and Susie said that the board will be surveying members to find out what other professional organizations they belong to and what their preferred methods of communication are including Twitter, Facebook, etc. The idea is to find new ways to engage members “where they are.” It’s an initiative that will be playing out in the coming year.
Commodity Update is making mobile updates possible from this week’s NAMA Trends In Agriculture Conference. Sign up for yours now.
Sign up today for Mobile Updates and maximize your Trends in Agriculture experience. It’s FREE. Registration enters you to Win an iPhone or iPod touch, your choice!
Please note: Your privacy is of utmost importance to us. Your cell phone number will not ever be shared or sold; in fact, it will be discarded at the close of the conference.
Congratulations to this year’s winners of the National Agri-Marketing Association 2009 Professional Development Awards of Excellence. These awards honor NAMA members based on outstanding achievement in the professional development areas. This year, Awards of Excellence were presented in the areas of marketing communications, public relations, product/species management and sales.
Lou Ireland, Senior Marketing Manager, N. American Sales/Marketing Communications, Pioneer Hi-Bred Intl., Inc. is honored with the award of excellence in Marketing Communications.
Deron Johnson, Vice President, Director of Public Relations, Rhea + Kaiser Marketing Communications, received the award of excellence in public relations.
Gary Robertson, Marketing Manager, Livestock Biologicals, Fort Dodge Animal Health, is honored with the Product/Species Management award of excellence.
Pete Weil, National Accounts Manager, High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal, received the sales award of excellence.
These awards will be presented during a special luncheon at the 2009 Trends In Agriculture conference, November 11, at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City, MO.
If you are a member of NAMA, the organization is providing you with a chance to win a GPS. Just recruit a new member prior to November 5 and both of you will be entered in a drawing.
Tell your friends, peers, and business associates how you benefit from being a member of NAMA – the learning and networking opportunities, skill development, access to agribusiness solutions, etc. They can hear what other members think about NAMA at http://www.youtube.com/ExploreNAMA.
Every NAMA member who recruits a new member between now and November 5 will be included in a drawing for a new GPS. The more new members you recruit – the better your chances. New members will have their names entered, too.
Simply tell your recruit to join on-line at http://www.nama.org/register.aspx. Tell them to note “Referred by” and add your name and company in the box titled “Submitter’s Name.” They can also call the NAMA office at 913-491-6500 to join; remind them to say they were referred by you! Be sure to tell them they’ll be included in the drawing.
When will the drawing take place? During Trends in Agriculture, which takes place November 10 and 11 at the Hyatt Regency in Kansas City. We’d love to have you there, but you don’t have to be present to win!
Commodity Classic took place in Anaheim, CA. You'll find all of Chuck, Cindy and Joanna's photos here.
Exposing HSUS
If you're involved in agriculture then you should become familiar with HumaneWatch.org.
HumaneWatch.org is the work of David Martosko and in this week's program you get to meet him via my phone conversation with him. He's compiling a great online library of information on this group.
Get a friend to join NAMA and be entered in a contest to win a Flip camera. That’s cool. Your friend will be entered too. Just get it done by April 12.
Okay, so it’s snowing in Kansas City now. But the show will still go on tomorrow. That’s the Region 2 Best of NAMA. Are you going to a regional best? 
It’s time for the next NAMA Webinar. This one will focus on Emerging Technologies and take place this Thursday, December 3 at 1:00 p.m. (Central Time).
Sara Mooney is the Director of the 
This week’s NAMA Trends In Agriculture conference provided a great program opportunity for this week’s ZimmCast. You’ll get to hear from the morning panel on day two. I interviewed each of them and have included them in the program. The session focused on how agrimarketers are building new community ties.
3G-enabled smart phones, the “Tweeting Farmer,” and unusual partnerships are all part of the new ag community. This general session will feature practical case studies from marketers inside and outside of agriculture that have forged new links with their customers using new media and non-traditional collaboration. Joe Grigsby, VML, Leslie Bradshaw, a farm kid and University of Chicago educated Communications Manager with New Media Strategies in Washington, D.C., and Joel Jaeger, Commodity Update shared their experiences.
It’s one thing to say there’s a new ag community. It’s another thing to live in it as a farmer. At the NAMA Trends in Agriculture conference a panel of producers addressed this subject. The panel included a row crop farmer from Texas, a dairy producer from Wisconsin and the California Association of Winegrape Growers.
Thanks to John Walter, 
Our opening keynote speaker at the NAMA Trends In Agriculture conference is David Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Agricultural Finanace and Small Business Management, Virginia Tech and President, AgriVisions, LLC. His topic is “Defining the New Ag Community.”
The NAMA Trends In Agriculture Conference is underway in KC, MO at the Hyatt. The first order of business was the board meeting. You can see NAMA President-Elect Susie Decker, 
Commodity Update is making 
Congratulations to this year’s winners of the 
If you're involved in agriculture then you should become familiar with HumaneWatch.org.
