Public Relations Etiquette

Chuck Zimmerman

When I bring up PR etiquette in a conversation it usually generates a few chuckles. Now why would that be? Maybe I should refer to this as public relations professionalism. Whatever you want to call it the recent Ag Media Summit provided several opportunities to comment on it. During the event’s InfoExpo I had two situations that provide a real good lesson in what “not to do.”

The first one involved me walking to a scheduled appointment with an exhibitor to conduct an interview. While walking past a certain exhibit one of the people in the booth grabbed me by the arm, stopping me and “asking” if I could interview their representative who was at that moment already being interviewed. I explained that I had a scheduled interview and could come back later. My arm was still being held and further pressure was applied verbally to stay. I don’t know about you but even though I like a good welcoming hug, I’m not fond of being grabbed. Needless to say I did not return to this booth.

Another situation involved me in conversation with my scheduled appointment and prior to starting me interview (audio recording), a PR professional from another booth walked in between me and the person I was speaking with and proceeded to try to start a conversation as if I wasn’t there. I had to speak over the shoulder to my contact and say that perhaps we could finish if this was more important. Turns out it wasn’t and they were told to come back. Needless to say I did not visit their booth. Read More

Public Relations

Social Networking and Blogs #1 Online Activity

Chuck Zimmerman

This is no surprise to ZimmComm New Media but it may surprise many agrimarketers. According to a post on Nielsen Wire titled, “What Americans Do Online: Social Media And Games Dominate Activity,” social networks and blog dominate people’s web use.

Americans spend nearly a quarter of their time online on social networking sites and blogs, up from 15.8 percent just a year ago (43 percent increase) according to new research released today from The Nielsen Company. The research revealed that Americans spend a third their online time (36 percent) communicating and networking across social networks, blogs, personal email and instant messaging.

Up 43 percent! That’s huge. The company also released a report that says seventy percent of people worldwide now watch video online!

Social Networking

AAEA and LPC Awards Lists

Chuck Zimmerman

I’ve been meaning to link you to the listings of the awards presented by the American Agricultural Editors Association and Livestock Publications Council. These were announced at the Ag Media Summit.

AAEA Awards List (pdf)
LPC Awards List

ACN, Ag Media Summit, LPC

Citrus Expo Trade Show Sold Out

Chuck Zimmerman

The Florida Citrus Expo has a sold out trade show this year and pre-registration is strong. It’s the 19th year of the show.

More than 150 exhibitors are scheduled to show off their goods on Aug. 18-19 at the World’s Premier Citrus Expo at the Lee Civic Center in Fort Myers.

Attendance is free both days to bona fide grove owners and managers, citrus production managers, professional crop advisers, association representatives, board members and the citrus research community. For easiest entry and to help the Citrus Expo team develop the best head count for event planning, those expecting to attend either or both days of Citrus Expo are encouraged to preregister at www.CitrusExpo.net or by calling 352-671-1909. Advance-registration brochures have been distributed industry-wide, and registration will be available at the door as well.

Citrus, Farm Shows

Hang On!

Melissa Sandfort

You’re 10. You’re on the first uphill climb on a rollercoaster, about to surge down the other side at 100 mph with just a small lap belt holding you in. Your car-mate yells, “Hang on!” and you can’t help but notice your heart skipping a beat. And in 3 minutes, the ride is over, hair is crazy, but if you were like me, you lined up to do it all over again just for the thrill.

I guess that’s what life and work is all about. Hanging on for the thrill of the ride. I was once asked: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I was 17. I didn’t know where I’d be the next day, let alone 10 years from then. Some kids are born with the desire to work in agriculture; for others, it’s an “acquired taste.” I took for granted the freedoms I had on the farm growing up: The picnic bench watermelon-eating fiascos, the treasured arrowheads buried deep beneath the hay bales, the pigeon songs in the old barn. As a youth, I loved agriculture. I just didn’t know I wanted a job in ag.

So what really inspires today’s youth to work in the ag industry? Is it classes they take in school? Being a member of a club like 4-H or FFA? Guidance counselors, friends, parents, the media? According to a study by AgCareers.com (top link), perceived benefits to a career in agriculture include “rewarding opportunities that provide good benefits” and “optimistic about the number of opportunities available.” Now if we can only help shape the perceptions of influencers (parents, peers) who believe that a life in ag is hard work and little pay.

Most days it IS hard work, and the pay, well, volatile. But farmers and ranchers and those in the ag industry seem to like the thrill of the ride. After all, that’s what life is all about, right? And, like this tree frog on our sliding glass window…hang on. We’re in for one heck of a ride.

Until we walk again…

Uncategorized

Registration Open For AG CONNECT Expo 2011

Chuck Zimmerman

Registration is now open for AG CONNECT Expo 2011 in Atlanta, GA.

AG CONNECT Expo, the new global Ag trade show in North America, announces that registration has opened for the 2011 show. AG CONNECT Expo 2011 is slated for January 8-10, 2011 (Preview Day January 7 by special admission) at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. This new international agriculture event showcases the latest industry innovations, products and technology and offers access to leading company and industry experts worldwide.

Registering in advance saves over 30 percent off the show registration fee. Attendees can also save money by registering in advance for the extensive educational programming that will take place at the show. Go online to www.aem.org for full details and to register.

AEM, Farm Shows

AgWeb.com Re-Done

Chuck Zimmerman

It looks like another major farm publishing company has a completely re-engineered website up and running. Farm Journal’s AgWeb.com has a new look. I haven’t received any official notice on it but the effort was announced at this year’s NAMA convention where I spoke with Mitch Rouda, President of Farm Journal’s e-Media division.

If you’d like to see what the new AgWeb is all about you can take a video tour.

Media

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Clinton Griffiths pulled up to the AgDay news desk as the program’s new Anchor and Managing Editor. Veteran broadcaster Al Pell resumes his fulltime duties as AgriBusiness Director for both AgDay and U.S. Farm Report.
  • Thomas Tracy was named Senior Vice President of Operations at Farm Credit Services of Illinois effective August 1.
  • The growers and shippers of Northwest pears have recently adopted a set of minimum standards for the conditioning of Anjou pears.
  • Biagro Western has recently developed a patented new seed treatment that will increase crop emergence, improve stress tolerance, and combat other key issues facing growers today: Take Off ST.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Wyffels Brings Producers, Developers Together with Corn Strategies

    John Davis

    Hello from Texas, where the family and I have been spending the last few days trying to get roots set down. Just getting caught up after the last couple of weeks of packing up the moving truck and searching for a home in this region. It’s been quite a process (picture the Clampetts, loaded down vehicles, but using a 26′ truck and no Jethro to carry the heavy stuff!), and we’re just starting to catch our breaths a little.

    Wanted to pass along these interviews from the recent Wyffels Hybrids Corn Strategies event in Malcolm, Iowa, where I talked to a couple of producers who rely on the Wyffels brand and the company’s product development manager.

    Marc Loes grows all Wyffels on his 600 acres around Cascade in Easter Iowa (along with feeding about 3,000 head of cattle). He says this event reinforces the idea that you really have to look at marketing a lot more.
    You can hear or download my entire conversation with Marc here: Marc Loes

    Eric Totemeier, who farms about 700 acres (2/3 corn and 1/3 soybeans) near Columbus Junction, Iowa, told me that the gathering with its multiple speakers was great, and the setting right next to a genuine Wyffels Hybrids corn field made it feel like home. But most importantly, and Marc echoed this sentiment, farmers are able to form a real partnership with their Wyffels representative. “There’s always out there with you through thick and thin.”
    Listen to or download my entire conversation with Eric here: Eric Totemeier

    That’s music to the ears of Wyffels Product Development Manager, Brent Tharp, who showed off some of the company’s new hybrids that will be ready for next year’s spring planting. “[The farmers attending] like what they see. If you do walk a Wyffels lineup, you can see the diversity we have in our germplasm. Each hybrid is not the same.”
    More of my conversation with Brent is available to listen to or to download here: Brent Tharp

    Audio, Corn, Seed

    Conservation In Action Tour Wrap-up

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Tim HealeyConservation Technology Information Center Chairman Tim Healey, AGROTAIN, gave us a preview of the Conservation in Action Tour. Now you get to hear his wrap-up following the CTIC board meeting.

    Tim says the tour was a real success and I echo that. We learned a lot about what farmers are doing in this Chesapeake Bay area and especially in the area of conservation. These were not only old farms but ones using the newest technology. That made for a real contrast. Tim says you can’t continually farm land like this without using good conservation practices. Public policy makers told him that they did not realize that these conservation practices we saw were being used on farms in this area. I’m glad they were with us! The CTIC board has announced that next year’s tour will be in northwest Ohio, probably the week of August 8th. I know you always like to to “better” next year but I’m not sure how you can beat this tour this year. Tim says it can be done though. Hope I’m there to see it. Tim Healey Interview

    Conservation In Action Tour 2010 Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the Conservation In Action Tour is made
    possible by and the

    Agribusiness, Audio, Conservation, CTIC, Fertilizer