Mark Tuesday, March 22 on your calendar for the 30^th Celebration of Agriculture

Cedar Rapids Marriott, 1200 Collins Road NE, Cedar Rapids, IA

Reception starting at 6PM and dinner at 7PM

You are cordially invited to join members of Cornbelt Chapter NAMA at the 30^th Annual Celebration of Agriculture.  Many members of the chapter have attended this wonderful program for years and in fact, there are Cornbelt members on this planning committee.  Thank you Luann Pisarik and Dan Weise!

There is a dinner and speaker, Dr. Lowell Catlett, Professor of Economics, Agriculture and Genetic Engineering at New Mexico State University.  His presentation “When Farmers Rule the World” should prove thought-provoking and highly entertaining.

The cost is $40 per person, and reservations should be in to Luann Pisarik by Friday, March 4 to be sure there is enough seating at the table.

If you have questions, please contact Luann or Patty Kisner and we hope to see you there.

You are invited to a joint cocktail reception hosted by AAEA and the National Agri-Marketing Association at Commodity Classic.

When: Friday, March 4, 2016

Where: New Orleans Convention Center, Room: 342

Time: 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.

Stop by after the trade show closes but before you head out to dinner!

No cost or registration necessary.

Click for more information on Commodity Classic.

Thanks to BASF, Chesapeake NAMAand Great Plains NAMA. 

The “Six Sources of Influence” represents the best that social science has to offer from over seven decades of research. Join Joseph Grenny, the opening keynote speaker, in a fast-paced, hands-on presentation where he shares a simple model for understanding and changing human behavior.

Click the video below to watch Joseph Grenny’s sneak peek on the presentation he will give in April!

Register for the 2016 Agri-Marketing Conference in Kansas City!

2016 National Ag Day Essay Contest

Agriculture Council of America Announces 2016 National Ag Day Essay Contest Winners

The Agriculture Council of America has announced the winners of the 2016 National Ag Day video and written essay contest winners. The winners were chosen based on the 2016 Theme:  Agriculture: Stewards of a Healthy Planet.

The theme presented an opportunity for students to address how the agriculture industry nurtures and protects the planet. Entrants chose to either write an essay and/or create a video focusing on how today’s growers are overcoming challenges to provide a safe, stable food supply while protecting the environment.

“CHS enthusiastically supports rural youth and is proud to showcase their ideas and initiative,” says Annette Degnan, marketing communications director, CHS Inc., one of this year’s essay contest sponsors. “The essay and video contests provide the perfect platform for their visions and dreams to be shared with a broader audience.”

The national written essay winner, Emily Dougherty from Greenwood, Indiana, receives a $1,000 prize and travel to Washington, D.C., for recognition during the Celebration of Ag Dinner held March 15 at Whitten Patio at the USDA. During dinner, she will have the opportunity to read the winning essay as well as join with industry representatives, federal agency representatives, media and other friends in a festive agriculture celebration. Video essay winner, Ayodeji Ogunlana from Mission, Texas wins a $1,000 prize. Both entries can be viewed online at www.agday.org/media/pr11.php.

This is the 43nd anniversary of National Ag Day. The goal of the ACA is to provide a spotlight on agriculture and the food and fiber industry. The ACA not only helps consumers understand how food and fiber products are produced, but also brings people together to celebrate accomplishments in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.

The Ag Day Essay Contest is sponsored by CHS Inc., National Association of Farm Broadcasting and Penton Agriculture.

National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America and celebrated in classrooms and communities across the country. ACA is a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food and fiber community, dedicating its efforts to increasing the public’s awareness of agriculture’s role in modern society.

Founded in 1973, National Ag Day encourages every American to:

• Understand how food and fiber products are produced.
• Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.
• Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.
• Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry.

Learn more and register for events at www.agday.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 14
2:00–3:00 P.M.

The Six-Source Method Behind Influential Marketing 
JOSEPH GRENNY

Marketing is about influence. It is a systematic process of influencing human beings to behave in ways that are advantageous to the enterprise. If marketing isn’t changing behavior, it isn’t worth what it costs. Take a deeper dive in learning how the best marketing leaders never lose sight of this simple idea—and ground their efforts in the science of human behavior.

The Story of Innovation: Why Ideas Defy Logic 
SHANE BRETHOWR, Overflow Storytelling Lab

The biggest problem with innovation today isn’t discovery … it’s adoption. Discoveries are made every day, yet very few ideas are put into use, even when it’s in our best interest to adopt. In this presentation, you’ll find out why the acceptance of an idea defies logic, and how you can use the power of story to get your ideas adopted.

Shane is the founder of Overflow Storytelling Lab. Overflow uses the power of story to accelerate the adoption of ideas. Using expertise in story structure, organizational change management and diffusion of innovation principles, Overflow specializes in launching strategy, speaker development and propelling social causes. Overflow produces stories ranging from personal story trailers to animated shorts and documentaries.

ENCORE SESSION ON FRIDAY FROM 9:00 TO 10:00 A.M.

Producer Panel: Speaking to Different Generations of Decision-Makers
Moderator: MAX ARMSTRONG

When multigenerational farming operations make purchasing decisions, what shapes their decision-making process? Are they relying on coffee shop talk or an online forum?

Learn more about how to effectively communicate with producers of different generations in this session featuring a producer panel led by farm broadcaster Max Armstrong.

ENCORE SESSION FROM 4:00 TO 5:00 P.M.

Marketing, Growing and Delivering Specialty Crops
Moderator: TOM KARST, Managing Editor, Vance Publishing 

Agriculture is about more than corn and beans—at least the corn and beans most people instantly think of when they think of agriculture in the United States. This year NAMA takes a look at specialties agriculture in the United States and how it’s helping to address the pressing issue of global population increase.

Hear from top executives involved in leading specialties operations around the country. Our discussion will include everything from planting the initial crop and getting it harvested to packing it and making sure it gets to the store so it arrives fresh on the table. What’s the best way to market to these decision makers? How do they market their product to the consumer? And mainly, how are specialties crops closing the gap on demand as populations rise?

You’ll gain a better understanding of specialties crops and hear directly from top industry insiders about the challenges they face and how you can help as an agrimarketer.

ENCORE SESSION FROM 4:00 TO 5:00 P.M.

THURSDAY, APRIL 14
4:00–5:00 P.M.

Bigger Success. Less Content. Outsized Results.
ANDREW DAVIS

Learn how brilliant marketers leverage high-quality, regularly scheduled content to deliver stunning results. Let’s face it. One of the most difficult aspects of executing a consistently successful content marketing strategy is keeping up with creating ALL that content. Guess what? You don’t have to.

In this must-attend session, Andrew Davis will show you real-life examples of successful companies of all sizes that have created less content but delivered stunning results. (Without relying on ‘viral’ videos or top five lists.) You’ll get the step-by-step instructions designed to help you grab your audience’s attention and keep it. You’ll be armed with five simple secrets that will drive a steady stream of sales right to your door.

Digital Sociology
RICHARD (RICH) NEAL

Digital sociology identifies the diverse elements of online collectivism (“sharing of the mind”) and takes the social media conversation beyond social listening, “dashboards,” and the popular buzzword of “big data.”  This session, led by the creator of digital sociology, offers new insights to help you to better understand the complex behaviors encompassing the interactions of individuals, groups, subcultures, cultures and populations.

Move beyond social listening and learn how emergent thoughts live, grow, weaken and die, and how this can impact your business. As a pioneer in both the social web and big data revolutions, Rich was the first to identify the need for a construct of multidimensional comprehension in the emergent digital domain.

His book, Expanding Sentience, focuses on online collectivism based from mathematical epidemiology and has been used in several universities’ marketing science courses. He has over 20 years in worldwide technology and business leadership with a history of success in expanding market share in a wide range of industries.

FRIDAY, APRIL 15
9:00–10:00 A.M.

Overcoming Obstacles
JIM MORRIS

After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, Jim Morris found that his biggest challenge was not going back to play major league baseball at the age of 35, it was living everyday life with this disease.

In life we all have obstacles that come our way. It’s the way we choose to handle those obstacles that make us who we are. It comes down to a choice; dig in and plow through or turn away and give up.

Ultimately, facing challenges and remaining a person of integrity while enduring it all makes us better people, all while being an example to others.

Advertising and Editorial: Are We Speaking the Same Language?
Moderator: GREG HORSTMEIER, Editor-in-Chief, DTN/The Progressive Farmer

As more agricultural advertisers and media companies consider new formats for marketing content in an increasingly digital world, the need for consistent, ethical approaches for delivery continues to be a critical issue.

Building off successful Media/Advertising Ethics breakout sessions at last year’s NAMA Annual Meeting and Ag Media Summit, panelists from key industry segments will discuss consistent terms and guidelines for sponsored online content and special projects. They’ll reveal results of a recent survey of media leaders regarding editorial terminology and integrated advertising trends … and the implications this has for the industry.

Come with questions and concerns—this is an interactive session.

Panelists: 
TOM LINDELL, Managing Director, Exponent/Colle+McVoy
MITCH ROUDA, President, Farm Journal eMedia
JENNA OESCH, Monsanto Vegetables North America Marketing Lead

     

Student NAMA Presentations

Registration is now open for the February meeting. The University of Tennessee, Martin chapter will present their marketing plan for the chapter’s consideration and feedback. Due to a scheduling conflict, they will distribute Mississippi State’s presentation later this month for feedback.

Plan to spend a little of your time next week supporting these students, networking with peers and enjoying a good lunch. Midsouth NAMA looks forward to seeing you!

Free parking is available in the Parking Can Be Fun garage next door to Archer Malmo. Remember to bring your parking ticket with you to the meeting so it can be validated.

Register to Attend

When: Friday, February 19th, 11:30am – 1:00pm
Where: Archer Malmo Offices, 65 Union Ave, 5th Floor
Cost: $25

Help NAMA Combat Hunger, Register to Run Today

Last year 48,000 older Iowans received help through home-delivered meals from WesleyLife Meals on Wheels, more than 35,000 were left in need. The Iowa NAMA Chapter asks that you join them to stand against hunger by participating in the Cold Run for Warm Meals – a 2.5 mile run/walk benefiting WesleyLife Meals on Wheels.

When: SATURDAY
March 26, 2016

Start Time: 9:30 a.m.

Where: GRAY’S LAKE
SW Entrance 2100 Fleur Drive
Des Moines, IA 50321

Register Now!

Celebrate your accomplishment with family, friends and other athletes at the official post-race party hosted by Confluence Brewing. Confluence will open at 9:00 a.m. for all non-runners. Registrant’s first beer will be provided free-of-charge by Confluence. Snacks will be provided and awards will begin at 10:30. All registration proceeds benefit WesleyLife Meals on Wheels.