Deadline February 15, 2016

To recognize the contributions of the hundreds of volunteers and leaders in the agriculture, food and fiber communities who are dedicated to increasing public awareness of agriculture’s vital role in our society, the Charles Eastin Outstanding Service Award will be presented to an outstanding individual who has contributed as an advocate for communications between farm and city.

—The nominee can be any person over 21 years of age.

—Current members of the Agriculture Council of America Board of Directors are not eligible.

—The person may be nominated by anyone active in agriculture.

—The completed application should be forwarded to the the Agriculture Council of America via email at info@agday.org or submitted online at www.agday.org by February 15, 2016.

—A three-member committee, including at least one member of the ACA Board of Directors will judge     the applications and select the recipient.

—The award will be presented at the National Ag Day Luncheon in Washington, DC on March 18, 2015.

—The winner will be reimbursed for reasonable travel expenses to attend the annual Farm-City event to receive the award including coach airfare or mileage for reasonable driving distance, 2 nights hotel room and a $50 per diem for meals and other expenses.

The Charles Eastin Outstanding Service Award is named in honor of Charles “Charlie” Eastin, DVM, who passed away at the age of 86 on January 28, 2011. Dr. Eastin played an important role as a board member of the National Farm-City Council for many years. He served as the 35th Chairman of the NFCC from 1992-1994 and through the years, has chaired and served on many committees. Through his efforts, Lexington, Kentucky hosted a NFCC National Conference in the early 1990’s. As chairman of the Rural Urban Committee, he worked to build and maintain collaboration between the Lexington Rotary Club and University of Kentucky to host activities to further National Farm-City Council goals during Farm-City Week every year.

Charlie’s passion and dedication will continue to inspire those who work on behalf of promoting a greater understanding between rural and urban folk. The award’s tradition continues with the acquisition of the Farm City Council by the Agriculture Council of America. The Agriculture Council of America is privileged to present this award in his honor.

Click here to view the Guidelines and to submit an application. 

As part of its commitment to developing a strategic, long-term plan for the association, the NAMA executive committee recently participated in Brand Dimensionâ„¢, a brand discovery exercise conducted by the Brighton Agency.

Brand Dimension is a propriety branding process developed by Brighton to help clients connect the promise of their brand to the desires of its consumers or, in the case of an association, its members and industry.  The  process identifies, defines and creates alignment on core elemental aspects of the brand that form the foundation for all messaging strategies and platforms. Brand Dimension delves into audience beliefs and behaviors to get to a deeper understanding of the relationship between the audience, brand and category. It’s ultimately an examination of what the brand means to the audience and how it relates to them. These insights and understandings are the basis for the “story” the brand tells consumers. That story gives the brand authenticity and dimension, and allows consumers to immerse themselves into the brand, making it part of their personal experience.

“For NAMA, understanding its purpose and mission today, and developing its story, are important to ensuring the association is strategically positioned with the industry, members, and prospects for future success and growth,” said Jerry Gennaria, Vice President of Strategy & Insights for Brighton. “Brighton is proud to support NAMA as it continues to serve agricultural marketers and advance our industry.

Brighton, a full-service, strategic marketing agency headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., is a sustaining partner of NAMA. Its mission is to build relationships by connecting brands and people with thoughtful and engaging marketing solutions.

Southwest NAMA Lunch and Launch: Redefining our chapter

Join the Southwest NAMA Chapter to talk about how to shape the activities of their chapter.

Southwest NAMA members represent a geography where agriculture is a priority. The diversity of their members as well as the distance that separates them creates challenges when coordinating chapter activities, but also represents an opportunity to make the chapter as unique as the region.

Join the chapter either in-person in Dallas, or via conference call for a chapter-wide discussion about the chapter focus, activities and offerings. They want to make sure everyone can participate, regardless of your location.

What: Southwest NAMA Chapter meeting

When: Monday, February 1, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: (in-person) FleishmanHillard Dallas, 1999 Bryan St., #3400, Dallas, TX 75201

(via conference call) 866-574-0995, passcode 8993129

RSVP to Becky Johnson at becky.johnson@fleishman.com by January 29.

Lunch will be provided for those attending at the FleishmanHillard office.

Hang on to your cowboy hats!

Join North Central NAMA when the World’s Toughest Rodeo returns to Xcel Energy Center. Come early and kick up your boots to enjoy a social hour in our private suite on Friday, February 5, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. The rodeo begins at 7:30 p.m.

Cost: $35 for NAMA members, $50 for non-members.  Click here to register.

Or, go to the chapter’s Facebook page to register:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1121301197882805/.

Questions can be directed to Marcus Hasheider at marcushasheider@gmail.com.

Join other NAMA members and sign up now for the Florida Ag Hall of Fame Banquet, to be held on:

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Reception: 5:30 p.m.

Dinner and program: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Florida State Fairgrounds, Special Events Center, Tampa, Florida

Cost: $60.00 per person

Register:  http://floridaaghalloffame.org/annual-banquet-and-ceremony/

Order your tickets now as this extremely popular event fills up fast.  This year’s inductees are:

Thomas H. Braddock

Dr. Joseph C. Joyce

Billy Kempfer

Dr. Charles F. “Chip” Hinton

The Mid-America NAMA chapter volunteered at Second Helpings on January 7 to help prepare meals for those in need. NAMA members Spencer Morris,  Anjuli Skirvin, Mindy Backes, Ashley Woodward Fischer, Chelsea O’Brien, Leana Kruska and Kalyn Rose were on the food prep lines.

The volunteer team ended their day with some great conversations and a craft beer from Indiana City Beer!  

The Iowa NAMA chapter’s January monthly meeting was held on January 8th in Huxley, Iowa at the Monsanto facility. The sponsor for the meeting was Farmers Mutual Hail. Randy Krotz, of U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, spoke to the group about the organization’s history, tactics and strategies as well as their goals moving forward to build consumers’ confidence and trust in today’s agriculture. As is typical at Iowa NAMA meetings, the leftover food was taken to a nearby homeless shelter.

Iowa NAMA has a Happy Hour Networking event planned for February 12 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Stay tuned for more information.