Ready to learn more about the agri-marketing industry? Join us for the third annual Boot Camp, August 22-24 in Kansas City.

What you can expect.
You’ll be able to see the industry in action at the Ag Tour prior to the Boot Camp, hosted by the MoKan NAMA Chapter. In addition, you’ll participate in panel discussions which include producers in the ag industry as well as what to expect from clients and agencies. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a producer? Join us for an inside look at a year in the life of a livestock or crop producer. The Boot Camp will also teach you about ag policy and how it relates to you, business-to-business marketing, internal marketing tools, how to work with check-off boards, dealing with activists, evaluating media and the future of agri-marketing. And don’t forget the networking! We’ve got plenty of chances for you to connect with your peers at the Boot Camp.

As an added bonus, all attendees will receive a notebook packed with ag terminology and facts as well as case studies and speaker presentations.

Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned veteran, the NAMA Boot Camp will give you the tools you need to more professionally market to the agricultural industry.

Who should attend?
Agency account executives; Media professionals; Art directors; Copywriters; Marketing professionals; Sales professionals; Previous Boot Camp attendees

Visit http://www.nama.org/programs/bootcamp.htm for the NAMA Boot Camp Schedule.

To register now visit, https://nama.org/programs/bootcamp-register.htm.

Get the company recognition to match your marketing or PR objectives by sponsoring a session or event at the 2006 Agribusiness Forum, November 14-15 in Kansas City.

As a sponsor of the Agribusiness Forum, your organization will be noted as a front runner in supporting up-to-the-moment industry information. Additional benefits include: Recognition in the program booklet, and from the podium during the session; Recognition by signage at the sponsored event (if applicable); Recognition in post-forum articles in the Agri Marketing magazine; Recognition on the NAMA Agribusiness Forum Website page; First right of refusal for sponsorship of the same item for next year’s Agribusiness Forum.

If you are interested in sponsoring a session or event at this year’s Forum, contact Eldon White in the NAMA office at (913) 491-6500 or via e-mail at eldonw@nama.org.

Again this year, the NAMA Agribusiness Forum takes place prior to the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB) convention. The Forum will take place at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center which is near the NAFB hotel.

Special thanks to our current Agribusiness Forum Sponsors:

Associations, Inc.
Beck Ag Com, Inc.
Cattlemen’s Beef Board
Colle+McVoy
DTN
Farm Industry News – The Corn & Soybean Digest
Fastline Publications
High Plains Journal
Hoard’s Dairyman Magazine
John Deere Agricultural Marketing Center
KFRM Radio – The Voice of the Plains
McCormick Company
Pioneer Hi-Bred Intl., Inc.

During these interactive workshops, topics focus on membership recruitment for the chapters, finding new leaders and programming for the upcoming year as well as on the regional Best of NAMA awards ceremonies held in January.

Region III
Region III hosted their leader workshop on Thursday, June 22 in Northfield, MN just prior to the North Central Golf Outing. Attendees at this leader workshop included: Cliff Meyer, Region III Director (Farm & Ranch Guide/MN Farm Guide); Bret Kealy, Past Region III Director (Bock & Assoc., Inc.); Dawn Foster, Cornbelt President (Farm Credit Services of America); Brittney Roorda, Iowa President (The Meyocks Group, Inc.); Sarah Clemenson, North Central Treasurer/Scholarship Chair (Conklin Company, Inc.); Roger Reierson, Northern Prairie President (AdFarm); Katie Lukens, Membership Chair (AdFarm); and Greg Smith, North Central President (Padilla Speer Beardsley).

Region III will host their Best of NAMA Ceremony on January 11, 2007 in Fargo, ND.

Region II
Region II hosted their workshop on June 28 at the Kansas City Airport Hilton. The event took place the evening prior to the MoKan Golf Classic. In attendance at the workshop was: Kristin Andrews, Great Plains President (High Plains Journal); Ken Dean, MoKan Membership Chair (High Plains Journal); Kyle Bauer, Executive Committee (KFRM Radio); Melissa Sanders, Region II Director (AdFarm); Becky Johnson, MoKan Community Outreach Chair (Anderson Kisner Fallon); and Melanie Acklin, MoKan Programs Chair (Osborn & Barr).

Region II has not yet set a date for their Regional Best of NAMA Ceremony. More information on Regional Best of NAMA ceremonies will be announced as they are scheduled.

Region IV
Region IV will host their Leader Workshop on Monday, July 10 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Special thanks to Rhea & Kaiser for hosting the Region IV Leader Workshop at their offices in Naperville, IL.

Special thanks to all of the chapter leaders who attended the Leader Workshop!

On May 18, the North Central NAMA chapter met at Rahr Malting Company in Shakopee, Minn. The group toured one of the site’s five malt houses and got a first-hand look at the malting processes of steeping, germination and kilning. Those in attendance took away the key message that “malt is important.”

The tour ended in the Rahr Malting laboratory where John Moore, brew master of Barley John’s Brewpub in New Brighton, Minn., greeted the group with growlers of beer. Attendees enjoyed samples of Moore’s handcrafted beer, from the Little Barley Bitter to the Wild Brunette to the Old Eight Porter. During the beer-tasting event, members had the opportunity to network with other attendees.

With heads full of knowledge and bellies full of beer, attendees agreed, it was another great NAMA event.

The MoKan NAMA chapter hosted their annual Golf Classic on Thursday, June 29 at the Prairie Highlands Golf Course in Olathe, KS.

Nearly 40 golfers enjoyed warm weather and cool beverages while golfing and concluded the event with an awards ceremony and a mexican fiesta buffet.

Winners of the 2006 MoKan Golf Classic were: Jeff Jackson, QuickFarm; Leigh Ann Cleaver, Blasdel Cleaver Schwalbe; Chet Slump, iNet Solutions Group, Inc.; and Kelly Schwalbe, Blasdel Cleaver Schwalbe.

Judging by the picture, a good time was had by the attendees. Special thanks to all of the attendees and sponsors for this year’s Golf Classic.

The North Central NAMA Golf Outing was held Thursday, June 22 at Willinger’s Golf Club in Northfield, MN. Sixty-eight golfers took part in the event, and had near-perfect weather and course conditions.

The winning group at this year’s outing were Lyle Orwig, Kim Keesey, Glen Aines, and Lee Orwig. However, Jeanne Miller with J.L. Farmakis took home the new irons and bag donated by the host golf club.

Thanks to everyone who played and supported the event as well as the hole and prize sponsors!

National and chapter committee leaders are currently recruiting committee members. If you are interested in becoming a member of a national or chapter committee fill out the on-line form at http://www.nama.org/leader/leaderform.htm.

You can make the most of your membership by taking a committee role at the chapter or national level. In addition, you will gain hands-on leadership experience that will benefit you in your professional and personal life. Sign up today!