The 2010 Trends in Agriculture conference wrapped up with a Washington update: what to expect in 2011. Jim Wiesemeyer, senior vice president of policy and trade issues for Informa Economics Inc.’s Washington office, says the next few years could be the beginning of a golden era for agriculture.

How do agrimarketing firms find and engage agriculture communities and consumers? Joseph Rueter, a partner in Creation Station in Minneapolis, shared his insights with the Trends in Agriculture conference.

The second day of NAMA’s Trends in Agriculture kicked off with a panel discussion on “Macro Food Trends.”

Dan Halstrom is the Senior Vice President of marketing and communication for the U.S. Meat Export Federation. He emphasized a focus on global trade is essential.

Carol Bagnoli heads the Consumer Insights Strategy group at General Mills. She said consumers are focusing on health issues, especially where their food comes from.

Rose Mitchell is the Senior Vice President of Governmental Relations for Hy-Vee. She sees tremendous growth in organic products.

Jim Compart is President of Compart Family Farms and also the President of the Minnesota Pork Producers Association. He sees over-regulation as a barrier to producers export opportunities.

Next up at Trends in Agriculture today: Creating Effective Digital Brand Communities.

Dr. Jay Lehr capped off the first day of NAMA’s Trends in Agriculture in Minneapolis. Dr. Lehr, an economist and futurist, talked about the challenges agrimarketers have in communcating agriculture’s story to consumers.

Trends in Agriculture continues tomorrow, with the focus “Agriculture in a Globally Local World.”

The 2010 NAMA Trends in Agriculture conference is underway in Minneapolis. The kick-off session got underway with Mark Pearson of Market to Market, talking about “Agriculture in a Globally Local World.” Pearson says the shift in how we’re connected with the rest of the world today is having a significant influence on American agriculture.

Trends continues this afternoon and tomorrow. Next up: “Feeding the World.”

The early registration deadline for Trends In Agriculture is this Friday, September 24. After the 24th, registration rates will increase.

In addition, the NAMA block at the hotel has closed. The hotel is sold out on Monday, October 4, but may have rooms available on Tuesday, October 5 and Wednesday, October 6. If you are unable to book a room at The Marquette (612-376-7400), feel free to contact the following hotels that are nearby for rooms.

The Radisson Plaza Hotel – 612-339-4900

Marriott City Center hotel – 612-349-4000

For more information on Trends In Agriculture visit http://www.nama.org/trends/index.htm.

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 13, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency in 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 advance. 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, 2011, 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 copy of the entry.

New this year!
Check out our new category, the Producer’s Choice Award. In this category, you’ll be able to enter a single page ad that will be judged by producers. This category is made possible by Successful Farming & Agriculture Online and Readex Research.

The deadline for submitting your entries is Friday, October 8. 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.