Social Media Beyond the Choir

Jamie Johansen

AgNerds from across North American came together in Kansas City, MO to attend the 2012 Agvocacy 2.0 Training. “Beyond the Choir” was a common theme throughout the week as we tweaked how to use social media in telling our story of agriculture to those not quite as familiar with it. Some came as social media gurus and others with a lot to learn. Some came from a life-time of farming and others a simple passion for agriculture.

Briåna Belko grew up a city girl in California, but her roots went back to the family farm. Now she works on her families calf ranch and uses social media to share her story, relating to those wearing heels and those in boots.

“It started when I went to college in LA. I had a conversation with a classmate about milk and he honestly thought milk came from the grocery store. I could tell how he said it that he had no idea it came from a cow. That totally through me off because I was born and raised in the city, but I had dairy farms all around me. I knew where my milk came from. So, going into this job I went in with a passion. Knowing there are a lot of people who don’t have the advantage of knowing where there food comes from. It has been a huge learning curve for me. When farmers are talking about different things on the farm I don’t know what they are talking about. I know I represent a larger majority of people who have even less of a clue as to what goes on on farms.”

You can follow Briåna on Twitter @HeelsToBoots and don’t forget to check out her blog, From Heels to Boots.

Listen to my complete interview with the Briåna here: Interview with Briåna Belko

Here’s where our photos can be found. 2012 Agvocacy 2.0 Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Dairy, Education, Social Networking

Farm Futures 2013 Planting Intentions Survey

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm Futures released the results of a 2013 planting intentions survey. I visited with Arlan Suderman, Market Analyst, to learn what they found out.

U.S. farmers are unsure about whether to increase corn acreage next spring, despite high prices and sharply lower production caused by this year’s historic drought. Instead, Farm Futures magazine’s first survey of 2013 planting intentions shows growers would rather boost soybean and wheat seedings.

Results of the survey of some 1,800 growers were released Tuesday morning on the opening day of the Farm Progress Show held Aug. 28, 29 and 30 in Boone, Iowa.

Corn and Soybean Acres Shift

Farmers plan to put in 93.1 million acres of corn in the year ahead, down 4% from this year, when they planted the most corn ground in 75 years. Farm Futures’ survey found producers actually planted slightly more corn in 2012 than reported in June by USDA, though they abandoned more of that ground than the agency estimates due to the ravages of the drought.

Instead of increasing corn plantings, as most experts assume, farmers want to continue expanding soybean acreage in the year ahead. Growers said they want to seed 78.1 million soybean acres next spring, up 1.2% from this year’s total. Farm Futures also found higher soybean acreage this year, though greater abandonment, too.

“Ironically, this shift from corn to soybeans mirrors a similar shift taking place in South America as well, casting doubts on the world’s ability to rebuild tight global feed grain stocks without a significant shift in global weather patterns to boost yields in 2013,” notes Farm Futures Market Analyst Arlan Suderman.

You can listen to my interview with Arlan here: Interview with Arlan Suderman

2012 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2012 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland and Monsanto Roundup Ready Plus
Audio, Farm Progress Show, Farming, Media

Sunrise at Farm Progress Show

Chuck Zimmerman

Good morning AgWired fans. We’ve got a beautiful morning for the start of the 2012 Farm Progress Show. Cindy is attending a Koch Agronomic Services breakfast while I’m uploading my first batch of photos from here at the show, including from last night’s Monsanto media dinner. Things will warm up today but that’s expected and we’ll be working out of the New Holland sponsored media tent.

Speaking of Farm Progress, the company just announced the launch of its new website.

Farm Progress has retooled and launched its state and regional magazines’ websites to provide users with a more feature-packed and flexible Internet portal. The producer-centered website will be presented to readers and show visitors at the 2012 Farm Progress Show Hospitality Tent, hosted by Wallaces Farmer, Aug. 28, 29 and 30 near Boone, Iowa.

The introduction brings more than a new look to its Internet environment; it gives users more graphics, an enhanced “markets” window that includes the key business markets, commodity reporting with handy charts from the homepage, and an upgraded weather display.

AgWired coverage of the 2012 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland and Monsanto Roundup Ready Plus

Farm Progress Show, Media

Farm Progress Show Media Tent Ready

Chuck Zimmerman

The media tent at the Farm Progress Show is ready for the over 300 ag journalists that have pre-registered. Helping get things ready for us for the 26th year is Gene Hemphill. I visited with Gene to see how things were going here at the city in the field.

Gene says we’ve got more permanent buildings and he’s seen more exhibit decorations than ever. I think we’ve also got more exhibits than ever too. Need to check on that. I’d like to thank New Holland for being our coverage sponsor once again and Monsanto for their support as well.

You can listen to my interview with Gene here: Interview with Gene Hemphill AgWired coverage of the 2012 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland and Monsanto Roundup Ready Plus

Audio, Farm Progress Show, New Holland

I’m Farming and I Grow It

Jamie Johansen

The Agvocacy 2.0 Training would not of have been complete without a surprise performance from the Peterson Farm Boys. Their YouTube video, “I’m Farming and I Grow It” went vial this summer and has almost reached 7 million views. Greg and Nathan Peterson not only performed but took time out of their busy schedule to talk with us about why they made the music video parody and why they share their passion for agriculture.

After I waited in line for fans to take the opportunity for some photo opts, I got to talk with the boys. You can find my complete interview below.

The Peterson Farm Boys YouTube Channel is stock full of videos educating viewers about the world of agriculture. Greg shared the simple equipment he uses to shoot and edit the videos. You don’t have to be a professional. We can all share our story.

Both Greg and Nathan will be at K-State this fall while their younger brother Kendal finishes up high school. All three brothers still work on the farm and even if their future careers take them off the farm, they won’t go too far from their roots of faith, family & agriculture.

You can order your very own I’m Farming and I Grow It t-shirt. Wear it proudly and see how many conversations you can strike up about agriculture anywhere you go.

Listen to my interview with the Peterson’s here: Interview with The Peterson Farm Boys

Here’s where our photos can be found. 2012 Agvocacy 2.0 Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Social Networking, Video

What Producers Want

Jamie Johansen

A true highlight during the 2012 NAMA Boot Camp was the Producer Panel. Agri-marketers from across the country had the opportunity to learn how to effectively communicate with producers. After the panel I got to chat with Reggie Underwood, a Texas farmer involved in all facets of agriculture.

“I think the greatest thing these ag marketers can do is to have the folks that are in the field prepared. They need to have information that has good sound data on it. It needs to be easy for us to read and understand. The market research and data needs to share whats in it for me so I can make a decision right now on whether to go forward with that technology if it fits my operation.”

Listen to my interview with Reggie here: Interview with Reggie Underwood

You can find photos from the event here:2012 NAMA Boot Camp Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, NAMA

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

    Third Annual Agvocacy 2.0 Conference

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCast 363Three years of Agvocacy 2.0 training and counting. That’s what the AgChat Foundation just accomplished with the conclusion of their third annual event in Kansas City.

    I was there to conduct a presentation on story telling and media creation with the Peterson Farm Brothers. We had a great session in which I just had to bask in the shadow of their YouTube greatness! 🙂

    The Chair for the training committee that put this great event together is Kathy Swift, Cow Art and More, in the middle of the picture with the committee. They were glad the conference finally came to an end. Kathy is a full time large animal vet in Gainesville, FL too. She says that with two years of learning how to put on this type of conference, their goal was to put on the best conference ever. I think they did it. The goal was to provide attendees with basic social media training along with advanced training. A large part of the conference was focused on communicating “outside the choir.”

    Listen to this week’s ZimmCast here: Third Annual Agvocacy 2.0 Conference

    Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsors, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong and Monsanto, Roundup Ready Plus, for their support.

    The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our Subscribe page.

    Ag Groups, Audio, Social Networking, ZimmCast

    “Ethanol Rocks” Video Contest at Farm Progress Show

    Joanna Schroeder

    The annual Farm Progress Show is heading back to Iowa this week and Boone, Iowa will be swarming with thousands of attendees checking out the latest and greatest in agricultural and energy technologies and products. One group who will be showcasing its work is the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA), a state affiliate of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). Organizational employees will be educating members about what they are doing to help Iowa corn growers just inside the gate at booth 26N.

    ICGA will also be promoting the “Ethanol Rocks” video contest open to high school and college students. Those students who attend the Farm Progress Show along with their coordinators can enter to win a Sony Handycam and NCGA backpack filled with just the right loot to get them started on their film career.

    “With school starting, NCGA is taking this opportunity to reach out to high school and college students, along with FFA and Ag Club coordinators to sign up for our “Ethanol Rocks” video contest,” said NCGA First Vice President Pam Johnson. “In addition to finding out more about this program, show attendees can stop by the Iowa Corn Growers Association booth, visit with corn growers and learn what NCGA and Iowa Corn are doing to promote our industry at the national and state levels.”

    The short videos should be two minutes or less and should highlight the benefits of ethanol fuel blends to the U.S. environment and economy. The first place winner will pocket $1,500 and the second place winner to take home $500. There will be winner for two categories: high school and college students. Videos must be received by 5:00 pm CDT, Monday, October 15, 2012.

    In addition to getting the low-down on 411 for the Ethanol Rocks video contest, Farm Progress attendees can also stop by the ICGA booth to sign a petition to keep the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in place. There is also an opportunity to win free registration to the 2013 Commodity Classic and visitors can walk away with educational materials on programs, topics and policies affecting the corn industry.

    Each day during the show, at 2:00 pm, ICGA will host membership VIP educational sessions where speakers from the Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team, CommonGround along with industry spokespersons will discuss how to involve the next generation in agriculture, discuss the economics of corn stover and learn about feed feasibility trials using corn stover.

    The ZimmComm team will be posting live this week from the Farm Progress Show so don’t miss out on the one-of-a-kind coverage only Chuck and Cindy can bring.

    Agribusiness, Biofuels, Corn, Ethanol, Farm Progress Show, NCGA

    Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Woodstock, ON is known as the Dairy Capital of Canada but is also home of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show – the nation’s largest agricultural trade show. As Cindy and I gear up for a big one here in the USA it’s time to look ahead to the big show in Canada!

    From September 11 to 13, thousands of farmers flock to the show for its infamous demonstrations and 725 exhibitors. You can find a list of features for 2012 here.

    New for the dairy producer in 2012 are: FIVE robotic milking systems will be on display presenting the full scope of today’s options. The BriteSpan Dairy Innovation Centre, a fully operational barn, will showcase the DeLaval VMS Voluntary Milking System and Lely Astronaut A4 as they milk side-by-side. Farmers can also see the Astrea 20.20 robotic milking system from Ag-Co Products Ltd., MIone (Milking Intelligence) from GEA Farm Technologies and the MR-S1 Milking Robot from BouMaticRobotics Canada.

    Since 1994, this annual event has built a hefty reputation as the one-stop-shop for new farm equipment and technology. For dairy crowds and farmers of all types, it’s a must-see event.

    For more information, visit www.outdoorfarmshow.com or follow @outdoorfarmshow on Twitter.

    Farm Shows, Farming, International