Join Randa Zalman, Online Strategist and Sr. Account Supervisor at Redstone Advertising, as she presents the next in a series of NAMA webinars on Thursday, September 22, at 1:00 pm central time.

Companies are increasingly using the power of social media to connect with current members and to build membership and brands.  Others hold back, concerned about the difficulty in controlling messages and potential damage to their brand.  In this webinar, Randa will outline the myths, trends, strategic paradigms and possible problem scenarios that can happen online so you can simplify your approach.

Register now for the Social Media webinar online at the link below or call the NAMA Office at 913-491-6500: http://www.nama.org/ConferenceRegistration/Default.aspx?confid=37.

The Best of NAMA awards program honors the best work in agricultural communications.  Actually, the best of the best, since companies/agencies must first qualify through regional competition in order to advance to the national level.  The national awards ceremony will take place April 18, at the Hyatt Regency, Kansas City.

Best of NAMA operates on a regional judging format.  Entries are sent directly to the national NAMA office and judged by industry professionals at a regional level for possible advancement to national competition. A minimum point standard will be used and enforced at the regional level. Work that is not above a certain point standard will not be eligible to be advanced. If you place first or merit at the regional competition and score above the minimum point standard, you are eligible to advance to the national competition.  The NAMA office will notify you by February 1, 2012, regarding entries eligible for advancement.   An entry fee at the regional and national level is required.  If your entry advances to national, however, it will not be necessary to create another entry.

The deadline for submitting your entries is Friday, October 7. Submit your entries into the Best of NAMA Competition today. For more information on the Call for Entries, visit http://www.nama.org/amc/bon.

Register today for the 2011 Trends in Agriculture, November 8-9 at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City. The early registration deadline is October 24, so sign up today and save! Register online now or check out the Trends schedule below.

Interested in sponsoring a session or event at Trends in Agriculture? Contact Jenny Pickett at jennyp@nama.org or call 913-491-6500.

Tuesday, November 8

2:00 – 3:30 p.m. – Welcome & Keynote Session: Focus Pocus-24 Tricks for Retaining Command for Your Day – Paul Burton

Focus Pocus delivers a host of best practices for getting more done—the heart of accomplishment and its cousin success. The more you accomplish, the more successful you feel. After attending Paul’s presentation, you’ll walk away with a list of new ways to be more productive and more successful. He’ll show you how to:

1. Make a direct connection between productivity and its relationship to success.
2. Receive two-dozen suggestions for increasing productivity and command over work and life.
3. Become motivated to achieve greater career and personal success.

Sponsored by John Deere

3:30 – 4:00 p.m. – Break – sponsored by National Cotton Council

4:00 – 5:30 p.m. – Trends In Energy/Alternative Fuels - Nathan Schock, POET & Matt Roberts, PhD., Dept. of Ag Economics, The Ohio State University

What are the main influences escalating the demand for ethanol and other plant-based energy? This session examines the trends in the alternative fuel market and the initiatives needed to drive the production to meet the demand. You’ll also discover the messages and opportunities on which ag communicators and marketers need to focus.

5:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Welcome Reception

Mingle with friends and enjoy some great networking. Trends goes “off site” for this reception. You can look forward to a fantastic food in a relaxing atmosphere.

Wednesday, November 9

8:00 a.m. – Continental Breakfast

8:30 – 10:00 a.m. – Productivity In The Field – Panel Discussion

Moderator: Max Armstrong, Farm Progress
Panel: Theran Null, Gage’s Fertilizer & Grain
Terry Jones, Iowa Producer
Debbie Lyons Blythe, cattle rancher

The urgent need for increased productivity in agriculture will affect the ways our target audiences communicate, make purchasing decisions and get information. What are the trends that will speed the invention of new technologies and other avenues for communicating with growers and the channel? A panel of producers and growers will share their thoughts on what they use now, and what they’ll need to stay ahead of the curve.

10:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Break

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon – Meeting the Growing Demand for Exports for Trade – Panel Discussion

Moderator: Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse
Panel: Tom Dorr, U.S. Grains Council
Dan Basse, AgResources
Bailey Ragan, Bunge Grain, Biofuels and Fertilizer

Much of American agriculture is dependent on international trade. What does this mean for the future of the ag industry in our country? Our panel will discuss the technologies, policies and other productivity enhancements needed to meet the growing export demand. Come prepared with questions and discussion topics.

12:00 Noon – 1:30 p.m. – Professional Development Awards of Excellence Luncheon

Each year, NAMA honors members with hands-on responsibility in marketing communications, public relations, product/species management and sales. Awards will be given in each of these areas and the recipients will share their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities in agri-marketing.

PDA Awards Sponsored by Farm Progress Companies
PDA Luncheon sponsored by Agriculture Council of America

1:30 – 3:00 p.m. – Shared session with NAFB - Productivity to Feed a Growing Population – Jeff Simmons, Elanco

Solutions exist today to help meet food needs, but consumers don’t want technology used in food production. Right?

Jeff Simmons, President, Elanco, will explore this modern myth that consumers don’t want modern, efficient technology used in food production. To better understand consumer opinions, Elanco commissioned a research review of 27 studies accounting for more than 97,000 consumers in 26 countries to further analyze this trend. The results may surprise you.

Learn more about consumer perceptions of technology and the role technology and choice play in feeding a growing population. Join the dialogue today at www.plentytothinkabout.org.

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Meet & Greet Reception with Speakers

To register for Trends in Agriculture, visit http://www.nama.org/ConferenceRegistration/Default.aspx?confid=36.

Mark your calendars for an upcoming chapter event near you!

If you have any write-ups or photos from your previous events, please send the information to Kathi Conrad at kathic@nama.org to get it in the NAMA e-News.

MoKan NAMA ~ Tuesday, September 13

Please save the date for a Mo-Kan NAMA Chapter luncheon discussion you won’t want to miss!  Tuesday, September 13, an experienced panel will tackle the issue of “How to Maintain Your Corporate Identity in a World of Social Media.”

WHAT:  September Mo-Kan NAMA Lunch Meeting
WHO:  Sally Behringer, BCS Communications, Cory Sullivan, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., David Darr, Dairy Farmers of America
WHEN:  Tuesday, September 13 – Networking at 11:30 am; Lunch and Panel begin at Noon
WHERE:  Trezo Mare, 4105 North Mulberry Drive, Kansas City, MO 64116 (in the shops of Briarcliff Village), (816) 505-3200

Meal cost is $15 for members, $25 for non-members. We will be drawing for a $50 cash door prize.  Make sure to bring your business cards!  Must be present to win.

Cornbelt NAMA ~ September 15

Please join Cornbelt NAMA for a TRI-tour – 3 in 1 on Thursday, September 15. We’ll meet at the Kirkwood Equine Center on the Kirkwood Community College Campus at 2:15.

2:30 – Diamond V  – walk thru their Research and Innovation Center at the Kirkwood Community College
3:30 – Liz Lindner, the Equine Center’s Assistant, will discuss how they market the facility that is eastern Iowa’s premier show facility
4:00 – tour of the Iowa Equestrian Center

In lieu of a charge for the meeting, we’ll ask for donations to the Iowa Equestrian Center.

Please reply to Luann Pisark at luann@jlfarmakis.com. (cell-319-631-2383 – in case you need to call for directions)

CAMA Webinar~ September 20

Topic: New challenges need new approaches for agri-food leaders

You are invited join us on Tuesday, September 20 to hear Dr. David Sparling, Professor and Chair of Agri-Food Innovation and Regulation, Richard Ivey School of Business.

Time:      2:30 pm – 3:30 pm EST   (1:30 – 2:30 CDT; 12:30 – 1:30pm CST & MDT)
Cost:      $30 per person

Click here to register for the webinar.

Thank you to our sponsor: Top Crop Manager

If you have any questions about the webinar or how to register, please contact Mary Thornley, CAMA Executive Director, (519) 389-6552;  info@cama.org

Ohio NAMA ~ September 21

Are you attending the Farm Science Review in London, Ohio? If so, Ohio NAMA is providing a meet and greet so NAMA members can get together and enjoy some snacks and beverages.  Please make plans to join them at the Vice President’s Tent on Wednesday, September 21, 2011, from 5:00 until 6:30 p.m.

Questions can be directed to Mike Krouse (mikek@unverferth.com)

Northern Prairie NAMA ~ September 21

Golferoo 2011! Registration deadline extended to Sept. 19!

King’s Walk Golf Course
Grand Forks, ND

Entry fees: $65/person
Membership Special: $200 – Tournament Registration plus 1 year of NAMA Membership
Sponsorship Opportunities – $100
Team: $350 – 4 player registration and recognition in tourney program and at awards banquet

Email your name, company, sponsorship level or registration option to Dave McSparron at dave@rrfn.com or call 218-230-3010
Please include other team members if you wish to play with a certain group or ask to be assigned to a team.

Iowa NAMA ~ September 30

The first 2011-2012 Iowa NAMA meeting is on Friday, September 30, at the Sheraton Hotel in West Des Moines. Iowa State Fair Marketing Director Lori Chappell will give us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to plan and promote the state’s largest event. Join us and find out why nothing compares to the Iowa State Fair!

Networking begins at 11:30 a.m. and the program starts at noon. The cost is $20 per person.

Please RSVP by Monday, September 26!

Get more information
Register Now!
I can’t make it

Where:
Sheraton Hotel
1800 50th St
West Des Moines, IA 50266

When:
Friday September 30, 2011 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM CDT

Badger NAMA ~ October 6

You’re invited to the Badger NAMA Reception at World Dairy Expo 2011!

Date: Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011
Time: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m. – Student Chapter Program – “The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: What I wish I knew going into my first job” (professionals welcome to attend)
Location: Upstairs Lounge of WDE Exhibition Hall

Please join the Badger NAMA Chapter at our World Dairy Expo 2011 reception. Share some Expo laughs with your colleagues and relax after a long day working the tradeshow, watching the pristine bovine or entertaining clients. The reception will include beverages sponsored by Alltech, light appetizers and networking with dairy industry professionals from across the country. Friends and colleagues welcome to join!

RSVP via Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/BadgerNAMA

For any questions or additional information, please contact Andrea Bloom at abloom@vitaplus.com.

Southwest NAMA ~ October 11

Texas State Fair – Agriculture Awareness Day ~ 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

You are invited to a catered event by FH Chevy Texas.  Southwest NAMA will have the opportunity to drive a Chevy and meet other professional influencers in the area.  The Chevy Team will speak briefly on the Chevy Texas PR activities at the TX State Fair both this year and last.

Attendance reaches an all-time high at this signature NAMA event …

It was a record-setting year for Boot Camp—attendance reached the highest level in NAMA history!

Conversations were lively and attendees not only learned from panelists and presenters, but from each other as well. An opening keynote session on networking encouraged Boot Campers to make the effort to get to know new people and expand their networks.

Dan Greers of the Scoular Company had this to say about his first time at Boot Camp:

“I really enjoyed Boot Camp. Even though my dad grew up on a farm, I was a city kid, so being able to hear from many different agricultural aspects–dairy cows, hogs, row crop farming–really helped fill in the gaps and gave me a better understanding of the whole industry.”

The famous Boot Camp panels ranged from producers and growers sharing their thoughts on communication and marketing preferences to seasoned agri-marketers’ words of career wisdom. A “generations” panel also discussed the challenges and rewards of working on a family farm. (Visit YouTube to see how panel members work across generations in this excerpt from the generations panel.)

Producers on the panel emphasized how smart phones and texting make their lives easier. Especially when it comes to immediate access of market information and legislation updates. But they also stressed that well-timed direct mail, smart premiums and local testimonials in traditional advertising still work.

The generations panel shared lessons learned and each speaker agreed it’s important to let the next generation bear their own financial risk and be given the freedom to make–and learn–from mistakes.

A constant thread throughout the entire two-day conference was the need for farmers and those within the industry to tell the real story of American agriculture. Sessions on social media, building customer relationships and consumers’ true perceptions of technology in ag shared some great ideas for how to get those conversations started.

Randa Zalman, Online Strategist, Sr. Account Supervisor for Redstone gave tips for “Making Social Media Simple.” Randa emphasized the benefit of social media is ROR–return on relationships, and urged not to get too caught up in ROI. She shared excellent strategies for pitching a social media plan and other ideas for overcoming internal objections to adding social media to more traditional marketing plans.

Left Field Creative’s brand whiz, Bill Shelton led the charge for “Creating Lasting Emotional Bonds With Your Customers” in his fast-paced presentation. Making good on the claim that he could “take one look at you and tell what kind of beer you drink,” Bill explained how to use emotional triggers and positioning statements to make brands stand out and gain loyal followers.

Another take-away from this year’s Boot Camp is that a magic marketing bullet doesn’t exist. Agri-marketers need to test and ask questions to land on the right mix of face-to-face contact, direct marketing, radio and digital.

Check out NAMA’s Flickr page for photos.

More than 55 attendees loaded the bus the morning of Tuesday, August 16, 2011, for NAMA’s annual MoKan Ag Tour. The tour is an on-farm experience where attendees learn about different agricultural operations.

This year’s first stop: Kurzweil’s Country Meats, a family-owned and operated, full-circle operation near Garden City, Mo.  Attendees visited the family’s “home-base” farm as well as their pork production facility.  The Kurzweil brothers shared how they raise their own grain, which is then fed to their hogs.  They also operate a full-service meat market, where tour participants saw how fresh bratwurst is made; the tour at Kurzweil’s concluded with a smoked pork-chop lunch.

The second and final stop on the 2011 tour was Crop Production Services (CPS) of Harrisonville, Mo. CPS is one of the largest national agriculture wholesale and retailers in North America; and tour attendees got an up-close-and-personal look at the products sold, the equipment utilized, and the services offered by CPS.

by Colle+McVoy

September 1, 2011

Today, we, at Colle + McVoy celebrate the life of our former client, co-worker and friend, Gary McKenna, who passed away on August 30, 2011.  Gary will be remembered for his kind nature, warm smile, and true love and enjoyment of life. During his long career in agriculture, we had the honor of working with him on some of the agriculture industry’s most trusted brands including Ralgro, DeKalb, Caterpillar, Syngenta, SmithKline Beecham and more.  He also made many life-long industry friends through his involvement in NAMA and NAFB.

Gary faced the challenges of his prolonged illness these last few years with the same quiet grace and courage for which he was known.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Gary’s wife, Pat, his daughters and families.

We are thankful that Gary allowed us to be part of his life.  Here’s one for the road, dear friend.