More Productivity Through Better Focus

Chuck Zimmerman

The kick-off session for NAMA Trends in Agriculture is “Focus Pocus: 24 Tricks for Regaining Command of Your Day.” Our presenter is Paul Burton, QuietSpacing. I visited with Paul about his topic because, like a lot of busy people today, I am always looking at ways to become more productive.

Paul says one of the ideas he wants people to use to regain command of their day is removing the clutter from their workspace. He says it’s amazing how distracting things you see even in your peripheral vision can become. He’s got lots of good ideas and each attendee got a copy of his book by the same name as the session.

You can listen to my interview with Paul here: Interview with Paul Burton

2011 NAMA Trends in Agriculture Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
Audio, NAMA

NAMA Strategic Plan

Chuck Zimmerman

The National Agri-Marketing Association is rolling out a new Strategic Plan. It was previewed at the NAMA Leader Workshop by the NAMA Executive Committee. Here’s Marvin Kokes, NCBA, presenting one of the three key strategies from the plan.

Marvin says those three strategies are; Increase our strategic partnerships on both the local and national levels; Communicate with members and partners more effectively and Grow NAMA membership in non-traditional segments. More information about the plan will be forthcoming from the organization as this plan unfolds.

You can listen to my interview with Marvin here: Interview with Marvin Kokes

2011 NAMA Trends in Agriculture Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
Audio, NAMA

NAMA Leadership Workshop

Chuck Zimmerman

Prior to the NAMA Trends in Agriculture session a Leadership Workshop was held for chapter leaders and others. The Chair for the workshop is Amber Harrison, Bratney Companies.

I spoke with Amber about what the workshop offers to member leaders. She says the theme of the workshop is “Progress Through Programming and Productivity.” The focus is how chapters can improve member attendance at events. One of the ideas she was offering was mixing up the time of day to hold a chapter meeting (lunch, evening social, etc.).

In addition to developing program development and member recruitment ideas Amber says the NAMA Executive Committee is participating to roll out the new NAMA Strategic Plan.

You can listen to my interview with Amber here: Interview with Amber Harrison

2011 NAMA Trends in Agriculture Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
Audio, NAMA

Study Shows Strong Agreement Between Farmers and Consumers

Melissa Sandfort

Consumers’ interest in agriculture and personal respect for farmers is high, even in countries where less than two percent of the population works in agriculture, according to the BASF Farm Perspectives Study, which surveyed 1,800 farmers and 6,000 consumers. Yet farmers and consumers also agree that farmers’ reputations remain low. The study, which outlines the way farmers and consumers view the farming profession, its challenges and its support network, revealed surprisingly strong agreement on major issues, including the role of farmers and the major challenges farmers are facing in the 21st century.

The study was carried out in Brazil, India, the United States, Germany, Spain and France in cooperation with the global market research firm Synovate GmbH and Professor Dr. Ulrich Oevermann, Professor for Sociology at the University of Frankfurt.

Both farmers and consumers view farming as a vocation, one that is dedicated to providing nourishment, supporting rural culture and caring for the land. “Steward of the land” or “Caretaker of the land” is farmers’ favorite self-description in all six countries (over 80%), but registers significantly lower with consumers (50-60%). In a related question, many consumers blame farmers for environmental problems, with concerns strongest in Brazil, India and France (38-43%), the U.S. and Germany (23%).

Around 80 percent of farmers and consumers from all countries agree that farming’s primary objective is to feed the world. Consumers show a high level of interest in farming (from 84% in India to 50% in France), but also admit that they do not know enough about farming to judge it properly. The price of food and, conversely, the price of conservation remain obstacles for both farmers and consumers.

Click here to read more from the full study.

BASF, Farming

Outgoing NAMA President Has Positive Message

Chuck Zimmerman

Outgoing NAMA President Vicki Henrickson, BCS Communications, has presided over her last board meeting. That is if she passes the gavel tomorrow at lunch. Vicki is one of the most energetic cheerleaders for NAMA that I know.

I spoke with her after the meeting to find out some of the informational highlights from today’s meeting. Membership is up, meeting attendance is up and entries in the Best of NAMA competition are up. It’s all good. Vicki says the organization is in strong financial shape and the future looks bright.

You can listen to my interview with Vicki here: Interview with Vicki Henrickson

I’ve got a photo album started for the NAMA Trends in Agriculture conference which you can find here: 2011 NAMA Trends in Agriculture Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
Audio, NAMA

Swanson Russell Promotes Four

Melissa Sandfort

Swanson Russell announces the promotions of Staci Nass, Shelton Crouch, Nicole Hansen and Kassi Williams.

In the Lincoln office, Nass was promoted from graphic-tech specialist to graphic designer. She began her career with Swanson Russell in 2004 as a production artist. A native of Lincoln, Nass graduated with an associate degree in graphic design from Southeast Community College in Milford, Neb.

Hansen, who joined the Lincoln office in 2007 as a student runner, was promoted to associate account manager. Originally from Aurora, Neb., she received her bachelor’s degree in business marketing from University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2009. Hansen’s primary account assignments will be Rain Bird, Turfco and Project Evergreen.

Crouch joined the Omaha agency in 2001 as a graphic designer and is now an interactive art director. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Dana College in Blair, Neb. Crouch assists healthcare clients with email marketing, digital advertising campaigns and online branding.

In the Omaha office, Williams was promoted to associate account manager. She began her career at Swanson Russell in 2010. A native of Knoxville, Iowa, she graduated with bachelor’s degrees in journalism and animal science from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Williams’ clients include handles Merck Animal Health, Global Animal Management, eyeD, Land O’Lakes Purina Mills and the Nebraska Children’s Home Society.

Agencies

NAMA Board Meeting

Chuck Zimmerman

The business of the National Agri-Marketing Association continues in Kansas City this morning in advance of the Trends in Agriculture conference.

Here’s the board of directors meeting. Presiding is outgoing President, Vicki Henrickson. One of the first items of interest I’ve learned is that NAMA membership is at its highest level since 2001. Now that’s a positive message. I’ll get a board update from Vicki later this morning to share with you.

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
NAMA

Got Roper? No? Join NCBA

Chuck Zimmerman

If you’re a Roper/Stetson fan and having trouble finding the cash to buy some new boots or a hat then becoming a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) might be just the ticket (or coupon). Here in my hot little hand is a 50 percent off, one time only coupon for an online order at the Renton Western Wear (Roper/Stetson) website. This new membership benefit announcement was made yesterday.

NCBA is excited to offer its members an outstanding new opportunity through an exclusive partnership with Roper and Stetson. Under the partnership, new and existing NCBA members will receive significant discounts on Roper and Stetson apparel and footwear.

Anyone who joins NCBA will receive a 50 percent off coupon for Roper and Stetson apparel and current members will receive quarterly 25 percent off coupons through the National Cattlemen publication. Additionally, participants who pay a full registration at the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show will receive a Roper and Stetson coupon to use at the trade show. NCBA Vice President of Membership and Association Marketing Marvin Kokes said the partnership showcases the organization’s outstanding reputation and commitment to its membership.

“Our most important partner in the development of our association is our members,” Kokes said. “The partnership with Roper and Stetson allows our members to benefit from their commitment to our association and entices new members to get involved with NCBA.”

Ag Groups, NCBA

Dean Kleckner Endorses Herman Cain For President

Chuck Zimmerman

I love the tweet I just saw from the Herman Cain Campaign announcing their new YouTube ad for Iowa which says that it “even features smoking tractors!” Now that is funny right there.

In the video you’ll see Dean Kleckner, Chairman, Truth About Trade & Technology, explain why he endorses Herman Cain for President.

politics, Video

NAMA Exec Committee Meets

Chuck Zimmerman

The National Agri-Marketing Association Trends in Agriculture conference provides an opportunity for the organization’s board to meet. Prior to the board meeting, the NAMA Executive Committee meets. Hey, it takes a lot of work to run this organization! Here’s the group getting things done today.

The program for Trends in Agriculture kicks off at 2pm tomorrow afternoon. The NAMA board will be meeting prior to that in the morning.

Heading over to the NAMA Exec. Committee meeting I have already run in to members of the U.S Farmers & Ranchers Alliance which is meeting today and tomorrow. I hope to get an update on their activities to share later today.

This is going to be a fun week of agricultural marketing and communications.

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
NAMA