Get the skills and strategies you need to grow professionally and lead in challenging times at the 2010 Agri-Marketing Conference, April 21-23 in Kansas City, Mo.

• Learn how to get ag’s message out using groundbreaking new media
• Discover how companies are forging unique partnerships to build trust
• Gain a renewed sense of pride in the promise of American agriculture

Take a trip to the Heartland for unbeatable networking and a line-up of internationally known keynote speakers.

David Meerman Scott
Receive a step-by-step plan to harness the power of new media and web-based communication. Using detailed case studies and real-world examples, David will explain how to tell compelling stories that turn tryers into buyers.

Andy Andrews
A trusted advisor to corporations, organizations—even presidents and military leaders—Andy Andrews will tell you how to excel in even the toughest economic climate.

Paul Mobley
Acclaimed photographer Paul Mobley shares portraits from his book American Farmer: The Heart of Our Country. Rekindle your zest for American agriculture and end the 2010 conference on an inspiring high note.

Remember, if you register by December 31, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a flip video camcorder.

To register, visit http://www.nama.org/ConferenceRegistration/Default.aspx?confid=8.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available for the 2010 conference, please contact Jenny Pickett at jennyp@nama.org for available sponsorships.

William B. Raufer, a long-time Quincy, IL resident, died Monday (Nov. 23, 2009) in Raleigh, N.C.

Bill was born Aug. 22, 1922, in St. Louis to William G. and Mary T. Raufer. He was raised in Bowling Green, Mo., and earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, earning the rank of master sergeant. During his time at Mizzou, he met Mary Jane Swift and they married in June 1948. They had three sons.

His early career took him to Des Moines, Iowa, with Meredith Publishing, then to Chicago with Quaker Oats Co. He moved to Quincy in 1952 with Moorman’s Manufacturing Co. and retired in 1984 after many years as the company’s advertising manager.

Bill and Mary Rose Warinner were married in 1970, each bringing three children to the marriage (never a dull moment!). Bill and Mary Rose retired in 1984 and soon moved to North Carolina. During “retirement.” Bill worked for 20 years as a free-lance writer for various publications, mainly in the agricultural industry. They loved North Carolina. Bill was known as someone who truly never met a stranger and enjoyed helping others. He will be sorely missed.

He is survived by sons, Mark Raufer of Springfield, Ill., Tom (Linda) Raufer of Bloomington and Eric (Cathy) Raufer of Bloomington; and stepchildren, Kathy (Bob Aufuldish) Warinner of San Anselmo, Calif., Robert Andrew (Wiweka) Warinner of Geneva, Switzerland, and Sarah Allen of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mary Rose recently preceded him in death on Nov. 5, 2009.

Bill had been a member of NAMA since 1963, when it was still just the Chicago Area Agricultural Advertising Association. Bill also received the R.C. Ferguson Award in 1985.

SERVICES: Following his wishes, cremation rites were accorded. No services are planned at this time. Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.

Midlands NAMA chapter members and guests held their November meeting at the Nebraska Farm Bureau office in Lincoln, Nebraska.  The topic for the meeting was the changing face of agriculture public relations.  A panel discussion uncovered how public relations methods and practices have evolved in recent years.  Panelists included Jason Ellis, Ph.D., assistant professor of agricultural journalism in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln; Dave Buchholz, president of David & Associates, a marketing communications firm headquartered in Hastings, Nebraska; and Cheryl Stubbendieck, vice president/public relations for Nebraska Farm Bureau.

The panelists discussed the most evident changes they have witnessed in recent years including the ability to engage with consumers via social media websites.  Agricultural businesses are willing to make that connection to the general public to raise awareness about agriculture.  One of the hardest challenges with the increase of social media tools and viral information is that bad information can spread rather quickly.  There is an increase for bad sources of information with the internet.  This makes it extremely important for agriculture public relations candidates to be technologically savvy and to help advocate the message for agriculture so it doesn’t get lost in the clutter.

A special thanks to Jason Ellis, Dave Buchholz and Cheryl Stubbendieck for sharing their insights into the changing face of agriculture public relations.

The final panel discussion of NAMA’s Trends in Agriculture “Connecting
with the New Ag Community” focused on “Speaking for Agriculture.” The
panelists talked about the issues, both environmental and political,
that face agriculture. They also shared insights on how to communicate
farmer’s values and the value of farm families. Tami Craig Schilling
is the Director of Strategic Communications for Monsanto, and a fifth-
generation agriculturalist. She spoke about how agriculture can
effectively help consumers understand those values.

This NAMA conference focusedd on the sociological, technological and
political forces that are affecting the ag community and produced
practical ideas agri-marketers can use to stay engaged in the new
marketplace.

NAMA’s Professional Development Awards of Excellence luncheon honored four NAMA members. Lou Ireland, Pioneer Hi-Bred International was honored in Marketing Communications, Deron Johnson of Rhea + Kaiser Marketing Communications was honored in Public Relations, Gary Robertson of Fort Dodge Animal Health in Product/Species Management, and Pete Weil of High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal in Sales. Each winner spoke about the challenges and opportunities in agri-marketing.

Also at today’s luncheon the gavel symbolizing the presidency of NAMA was passed from Carol Anderson to Susie Decker.

View a series of snippets from the awards luncheon below:

Another presenter on the “How Marketers are Building New Community
Ties” panel was Joel Jaeger. He is president of the mobile technology
provider Commodity Update. He sees significant potential in the mobile
market for agriculture, but emphasizes that it should be an element in
the blend of social media.

In addition to Commodity Update, Jaeger is also a partner in his
family’s farming operations in Colorado and Belize.

The first panel discussion on day two of Trends focused on How Marketers are Building New Community Ties.

3G-enabled smart phones, the “Tweeting Farmer,” and unusual partnerships are all part of the new ag community. This general session will feature practical case studies from marketers inside and outside of agriculture that have forged new links with their customers using new media and non-traditional collaboration. Joe Grigsby, VML, Leslie Bradshaw, a farm kid and University of Chicago educated Communications Manager with New Media Strategies in Washington, D.C., and Joel Jaeger, Commodity Update shared their experiences.

I interviewed each of them for you:

Joe Grigsby Interview (mp3)
Leslie Bradshaw Interview (mp3)
Joel Jaeger Interview (mp3)

NAMA Trends In Ag Photo Album