The United Soybean Board has a newly designed website which features the ability to do some customization of the content you see. It’s an example of what I call the “try to be everything to everybody” strategy since it’s got weather, news, markets, etc. I suppose that’s fine for some people but . . . maybe it’s just me but I like to visit specific sites/services that specialize in certain things like, well, weather, news and markets. I think organizations do this thinking it will keep visitors on their website longer or something. Does anybody have any data on whether or not the be-all portal concept works? How about just giving me simple access to the information I need about the programs the organization is doing and maybe letting me subscribe to it via RSS? Perhaps let me hear directly from the leadership about what’s going on? (blog, podcast, etc.?) The new site does look very nice and seems pretty easy to navigate but I didn’t take time to register and customize the content modules. Don’t have time.

Enhanced USB Home Page and “Beyond the Bean On-Air” Make Debuts

The United Soybean Board (USB) has added two new tools to communicate all things soybeans. On Dec. 1, an enhanced www.unitedsoybean.org launched, immediately becoming a destination for all farmers to find the resources they need to remain competitive. The new page, whose redesign was funded by the checkoff, gives users the power to choose from 17 unique sections of content and customize it to fit their daily operational needs. On Dec. 29, USB’s new television show, “Beyond the Bean On-Air,” hits the airwaves. Running Monday-Friday at 8:30 a.m. EST and Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. EST on DirecTV Channel 225, “Beyond the Bean On-Air” will complement USB’s Beyond the Bean magazine. The first episode includes a tutorial on the enhanced www.unitedsoybean.org. Interview opportunities with Phil Bradshaw, USB communications committee chair and soybean farmer from Griggsville, Ill.