The Country Living Association got its start just six months ago, but the Association has quickly established a growing membership. Coutrney Yuskis says the association has reached the 10,000 member milestone and the number of enrollees continue to rise daily.
“We were able to hit the ground running with sponsors, an informational Web site, educational clinics and most importantly, people who want to join,” says Yuskis. Membership in Country Living Association is focused on individuals and families who reside in the country and businesses who supply these families with goods and services relating to country life.
Country Living Association has experienced a great deal of support from the industry. John Deere and Allied Insurance and Nationwide® Agribusiness Insurance Company are founding sponsors of the association. Land O’Lakes Purina Feed, Tractor Supply Company and Fastline Publications are gold-level sponsors. These sponsors reach audiences who also are the focus of the association. Living the Country Life magazine serves as the organization’s official publication and “Living the Country Life” broadcast and Web site align with the association’s mission.
“We’re extremely pleased to have corporations of this stature as sponsors,” says Yuskis. “These companies value people who live in the country and want to play a leading role in making our members’ lives easier and more rewarding.”
Country Living Association also is hosting educational clinics throughout the United States this year. Farm Safety 4 Just Kids will participate at the clinics and provide safety training. In addition, the Country Living Olympics will be held October 20 in Kansas City which will include competitive events complete with prize money and awards.
Besides significant growth in CLA membership, also on the rise are the number of radio stations and networks delivering “Country Living Minute.” This program is a one-minute daily feature which provides information on topics of importance to people who live the country life. Topics for the daily features range widely, from taking care of animals on the farm and when to call the vet to purchasing equipment and hiring contract labor. Another avenue to provide information to CLA members will be webinars which are underway for this fall. The webinars will be hosted by experts and focus on information to make rural life easier.
“Our goal is to help connect people who live in the country with information and services that make their lives more rewarding,” says Yuskis. “Likewise, CLA is about fun and showcasing the lifestyle our members experience every day. An example of this is the Country Living Olympics event this fall. The event will be fun to participate in and entertaining to watch, and the prize money will make it highly competitive,” adds Yuskis.
The next event will be held Saturday, July 14, in Mankato, Minn. Country Living Association will host a KTOE Listener and Customer Appreciation Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Tractor Supply Company (TSC), 1771 N. Victory Drive, Mankato, Minn. Lynn Ketelsen of Linder Farm Network will emcee the event, which will include food, fun and information important to those living a rural lifestyle.
Country Living Association is dedicated to creating and fostering a community for like-minded people who share a passion for country living. Membership in Country Living Association is focused on individuals and families who reside in the country and businesses who supply these families with goods and services relating to country life. To join the association, or for more information, visit www.countrylivingassociation.org