Speaking of the AgChat Foundation . . .
Thanks to a heads up from Charleston Orwig, I see that the AgChat Foundation has started their first “30 Days” series. This is inspired by a series started by Holly Spangler of Farm Progress.
For our first series, we’ll be talking about 30 Days of Agvocacy and Social Media – Join us on AgChat.org for different topics or issues related to agvocacy and social media with some outstanding contributors. The goal of this series is to provide you with instruction and how-to help when you are advocating for agriculture and making connections to non-agriculture friends, family and even strangers.
We will offer topics which appeal to both advanced agriculture advocates and for those who are new to sharing their stories with eaters of all kinds. These topics will include trainings which are often requested by the community such as the basics of Twitter, resources for free photos, how to become a better writer, photo tips, blog post ideas and more. More advanced topics will include increasing your followers on Instagram, WordPress widgets, strategies for starting conversations in public and the use of LinkedIn. We’ll also address concerns such as bad bloggers, what do consumers really want to know, tips for promoting a pro-foodchoice view, advocating without undermining other farmers and ranchers and more.
A way you can participate is not only to read but share using the #AgChat and #30DaysAgSoMe hashtags.
The AgChat Foundation has announced the 2015 National Collegiate Congress. This social media and agvocacy workshop is scheduled for January 17, 2015 at the Dow AgroSciences headquarters in Indianapolis. There will be an optional tour of Fair Oaks Farms on January 18. Approximately 165 students are expected to attend. The goal of the workshop is to challenge college students who are passionate about agriculture to expand their social media experience and help bridge the gap between consumers and their food.
“Social media is always fun for learning about new ways to connect, but in the long run finding the right
balance is what determines success,” says Lela Perez, a Texas A&M senior studying Animal Science. “I
would try to inform those needing to connect with consumers of what to actually say, rather than just
teaching them how.“
“I have been to many social media seminars, but most, if not every, teaches to an older audience. They
come off as elementary to a person in my demographic that uses and grew up with social media,” says
Clayton Glazik, a University of Illinois senior studying Agricultural Communications and Advertising.
“It’s refreshing to find a conference focusing on agriculture advocacy geared to my age group.”
“The collegiate demographic is an integral part of the agriculture industry. They are firmly tied to digital connections and when compared to all other demographics, are leading the way in social media. It is only natural that the AgChat Foundation offer an inaugural event targeting college, agriculture students across the U.S.,” replied AgChat Foundation’s Executive Director Jenny Schweigert. “Our training will focus on translating their current social media experiences to an understanding of how to tell agriculture’s story. Essentially, we are taking a proactive approach by fostering the future of the agvocacy community while connecting partners with the best and brightest recruits.”
The Congress is receiving support from Dow AgroSciences, National FFA and Animal Agriculture Alliance. Additional sponsors are needed to help make this event a big success. If you or your company is interested please contact the AgChat Foundation asap!
Jeff Simmons, President of Elanco, delivered a powerful call to action to over 60,000 FFA members on Friday, October 31 during the 4th General Session of the 87th Annual National FFA Convention & Expo.
Elanco has developed a campaign to bring awareness and solutions to those facing hunger and malnutrition around the world. Those behind the ENOUGH movement, and the thousands who have since joined the campaign, are committing to build a food secure world by 2050. Mr. Simmons spoke about ensuring not only safe, but affordable, nutritious food for our communities. He offered statistics on a growing population and the impact that this will have on our food system; malnutrition is the number one disease in the world. He encouraged FFA members across the nation to take action and improve food security and support for farmers in their own communities, on their farms, and in social media by using their voice to share the story of food.
“Do something. Tell your story like you’ve never told it before and tell it to people who don’t know our story. Then do something to activate a solution now, don’t wait.”
Mr. Simmons evoked a range of emotions in the crowd when he shared stories of families unable to feed their kids and themselves. Many were brought to tears and motivated in a way that they never had been before. The passion that Jeff has for increasing food security and ending hunger is only matched by his belief that the FFA members he addressed on Friday will be the ones who take action and change the lives of millions.
“The theme of this FFA Convention is ‘Go All Out’ and we need to go all out.”
Find out more about the ENOUGH movement and commit to helping end hunger issues by visiting SensibleTable.com. Check out #Feedthe9 on social media to follow the conversation.
Listen to my complete interview with Jeff here:Interview with Jeff Simmons, Elanco
Find all our photos from the event here: 87th National FFA Convention Photos
The Ponchatoula FFA Chapter (Louisiana) was selected as the National Model of Excellence award winner at the 2014 National FFA Convention. This award is highly competitive and sought after by chapters across the country; the Ponchatoula FFA Chapter had to complete an extensive application process that included a detailed application, a speech, and a 10 min interview. Two members of the Ponchatoula FFA Chapter were on stage to accept the award on behalf of their chapter and fellow members. Brooke Hoover, a college freshman, and Joshua Ippolito, a high-school junior, were very proud and excited to be here at the 2014 National FFA Convention. When asked what the best part of being at convention was, they shared their appreciation and enthusiasm for the alumni and community support that brought them here.
“Just being able to be here and representing because our FFA Alumni sponsored us to be here and its such an honor to be able to bring this back and say thank you so much for sponsoring us and I hope that we did you proud,” said Brooke.
“With this money we can go out and implement more important community service projects that we have wanted to do so much, but haven’t been able to do,” added Joshua.
The Ponchatoula FFA Chapter looks forward to using the scholarship money to further projects that will have a lasting impact on their community.
Listen to my complete interview with Brook Hoover and Joshua Ippolito here:Interview with Ponchatoula LA FFA
Find all our photos from the event here: 87th National FFA Conventions Photo
This year’s American Seed Trade Association’s CSS 2014 & Seed Expo has been redesigned to focus on the most relevant and cutting-edge issues facing the seed industry. Organizers are inviting potential attendees to take a look at the schedule and see the topics for the Dec. 8-12 event in Chicago, Illinois, the largest seed industry conference in the country.
Keynote speaker Bill Whitacre of J.R. Simplot Company will address attendees during the General Session Tuesday, December 9. Popular presenter Dan Basse will also return with his market outlook and trend report during The Economics of the Export Market Breakfast on Wednesday, December 10.
Also new this year will be a dedicated, fully functioning media room that will offer private areas to live broadcast and host one-on-one interviews. Industry press conferences on a variety of topics are also being planned. All media will receive complimentary registration.
For a full schedule of events, registration and hotel information click here. Register by November 15 to take advantage of discounted hotel pricing.
As FFA members work their way through the National FFA Convention Expo in Louisville, they are greeted by a variety of agribusiness and collegiate exhibits. Although each exhibit has developed it’s own message, theme, and purpose, many share a common goal of focusing on future opportunities and growth within agriculture. FMC is no different; they are inviting members to step into a video booth at their exhibit to record what “investing in the future of farming” means to them individually. FMC has built a history of investing in future agricultural leaders and producers by supporting FFA chapters, communities, and students through their scholarship and internship programs.
As Carson Roberts, of the Union FFA Chapter in eastern Oregon, made her way through the FMC exhibit, she shared her thoughts on what investing in the future means and why it is important for our industry.
“Investing in the future to me means educating our youth about agriculture, what it means, and why you should get involved. About only 2% of the population is involved in producing food for our community.”
Carson spoke about her Supervised Agriculture Experience, where she breeds and shows market swine, her involvement in her FFA Chapter, where she serves as the chapter photographer, and her commitment to being active in her chapter by attending meetings and events diligently. Although this wasn’t Carson’s first time at National Convention, she was as excited as ever to be here representing her chapter and state at the 87th Annual National FFA Convention in Louisville.
When asked about her favorite aspect of convention, Carson was enthusiastic about the opportunity to meet FFA members from across the nation.
Listen to my interview with Carson here: Interview with Carson Roberts, Union FFA Chapter
Find all our photos from the event here: 87th National FFA Conventions Photo
During her presentation at the Bayer CropScience Corn and Soybean Future Forum Julie Borlaug told the audience they are not doing a good job of communicating what they are doing to the broad general consuming audience. That raised a few eyebrows.
What she suggests is making message more personal and not so polarizing as we sometimes see with the GMO debate as a good example. Activists are using emotion to make their points and I think we need to get emotion in our messaging too. That doesn’t exclude including scientific information. Julie has an example in our interview.
Listen to my interview with Julie here: Interview with Julie Borlaug
Starting out the second day of the Bayer CropScience Corn and Soybean Future Forum was Liam Condon, CEO, Germany. The theme of his remarks was how Bayer CropScience is advancing sustainable agriculture.
One of the remarks that Liam made during his comments that struck me was how the growth in demand for meat in countries around the world is driving changes in farming practices. The reality is we need to produce a lot more food and without using more arable land.
Like many of our presenters here he also talks about the need to be sensitive to what consumers want and to better communicate with them how the agricultural industry is working to supply them with it. He specifically mentions the use of social media to help accomplish this.
Listen to Liam’s remarks here: Remarks from Liam Condon, Bayer CropScience
