2011 MoKan Ag Tour: Bus Rides, Bratwurst, & Brainpower for Ag Communicators

Written by NAMA on Monday, September 12, 2011 , 11:02 am

More than 55 attendees loaded the bus the morning of Tuesday, August 16, 2011, for NAMA’s annual MoKan Ag Tour. The tour is an on-farm experience where attendees learn about different agricultural operations.

This year’s first stop: Kurzweil’s Country Meats, a family-owned and operated, full-circle operation near Garden City, Mo.  Attendees visited the family’s “home-base” farm as well as their pork production facility.  The Kurzweil brothers shared how they raise their own grain, which is then fed to their hogs.  They also operate a full-service meat market, where tour participants saw how fresh bratwurst is made; the tour at Kurzweil’s concluded with a smoked pork-chop lunch.

The second and final stop on the 2011 tour was Crop Production Services (CPS) of Harrisonville, Mo. CPS is one of the largest national agriculture wholesale and retailers in North America; and tour attendees got an up-close-and-personal look at the products sold, the equipment utilized, and the services offered by CPS.

There’s Still Time to Register

Written by NAMA on Monday, August 8, 2011 , 12:01 pm

It’s not too late to register for the 8th annual NAMA Boot Camp, August 16-18, 2011 in Kansas City. Sign up for this program today to learn more about the agri-marketing industry. This year the Boot Camp will take it to a new level expanding on marketing and agriculture basics.

Sessions at this year’s Boot Camp include:

Producer Panel
A Year in the Life of a Row Crop Farmer
Making Social Media Simple
Creating Attention Getting Print Ads
A Year in the Life of a Cow/Calf Producer
Building Your Brand: Creating Lasting Emotional Bonds with Your Customers
Generations Panel
Managing Your Agri-Marketing Career
Today’s Food System, the Ethical Choice for People, Animals & The Planet

There will also be plenty of opportunities for networking during the reception on Tuesday, in addition to during the Opening General Session. Network during lunch on Wednesday and during the reception at the Boulevard Brewery or at the Dine Around that evening!

All attendees will receive a notebook packed with agricultural terminology, facts, case studies and speaker presentations. This notebook has become one of the most popular aspects of the boot camp experience.

Don’t forget the MoKan NAMA Chapter will be hosting the Ag Tour prior to the kick-off of the Boot Camp. This tour is optional.

Take a look at who’s already registered for the NAMA Boot Camp and the MoKan Ag Tour!

NAMA Boot Camp – http://www.nama.org/11bcreg.pdf
MoKan Ag Tour – http://www.nama.org/11agtour.pdf

You won’t want to miss the 2011 NAMA Boot Camp! To register for the NAMA Boot Camp or the MoKan Ag Tour now, visit http://www.nama.org/ConferenceRegistration/Default.aspx?confid=35.

For more information on the MoKan Ag Tour and the NAMA Boot Camp speakers and sessions, visit http://www.nama.org/programs/index.html.

Boot Camp Sessions Announced!

Written by NAMA on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 , 12:41 pm

Whether you’ve just entered the rough working world or one who’s been through the NAMA Boot Camp drill before, sign up for this program today to learn more about the agri-marketing industry. This year the Boot Camp will take it to a new level expanding on marketing and agriculture basics.

Join the National Agri-Marketing Association for the 8th annual NAMA Boot Camp, August  16-18, 2011 in Kansas City.

All attendees will receive a notebook packed with agricultural terminology, facts, case studies and speaker presentations. This notebook has become one of the most popular aspects of the boot camp experience.

Tuesday, August 16

7:15 a.m. – Ag Tour Registration

8:00 a.m. – MoKan Ag Tour (optional)
The tour is an on-farm experience where attendees will tour as well as learn about different operations.  The tour includes a trip to Kurzweils Meat a family-owned and operated, full circle operation. They raise their own grain, feeding raised grain to their hogs, and then using some raised hogs at the meat market.  The  tour will also visit the Harrisonville, MO, Retail/Wholesale location of Crop Production Services which is one of the largest National Agriculture Wholesale and Retailers in North America.

5:00 p.m. – Boot Camp Registration

5:00-6:00 p.m. – Welcome Reception

6:00-7:30 p.m. – Opening General Session – Dinner – Networking Activity

Kick off the Boot Camp with a networking activity designed to help you get to know fellow attendees.

Becky Johnson, Senior Vice President, Fleishman Hillard
A “farm kid” from a farrow-to-finish swine operation and a former quality assurance chemist, Becky Johnson provides a unique combination of technical, practical and firsthand knowledge about the food and agricultural industry. Becky combines her production ag roots and food industry experience with an understanding of consumer concerns to help clients communicate messages that resonate with their target audiences.

Wednesday, August 17

8:00 a.m. – Continental Breakfast

8:30-10:00 a.m. – General Session – Producer Panel

Steve BerryModerator: Tom Hudson, Successful Farming
Producers: Jimmie Long, Jimmie Long Livestock, Cole Camp, MO; Rick Russell; Steve Berry

Learn how to communicate effectively with producers. The producer panel has become a Boot Camp favorite and attendees won’t want to miss the valuable insights from producers.  The panel will be moderated by Tom Hudson, Successful Farming and Agriculture Online.  Three producers will be joining the moderator to share their insights.

10:00-10:30 a.m. – Break

10:30-11:30 a.m. – Breakout sessions (choose one)

Rick RussellA Year in the Life of a Row Crop Farmer

Rick Russell
Spend a year in the life of a specialty producer.  This session will explore the challenges and business decisions that a specialty producer faces in a year.

Rick Russell is a fifth generation family farmer/rancher in Stafford and Pratt Counties in south central Kansas. He raises corn, soybeans, wheat, rye, and has a background cattle operation during the winter months on 2500 acres. A crop consulting service, along with GPS mapping and guidance, is part of the farm management.

Making Social Media Simple

Randa Zalman, Online Strategist and Sr. Account Supervisor, Redstone
Companies are increasingly using the power of social media to connect with current members and to build membership and brands.  Others hold back, concerned about the difficulty in controlling messages and potential damage to their brand.  In this discussion, Randa will outline the myths, trends, strategic paradigms and possible problem scenarios that can happen online so you can simplify your approach.

12:00 Noon-1:30 p.m. – Luncheon – Creating Attention Getting Print Ads

Jack Semler, Readex Research
Creating Effective Advertising in Agricultural Print Media will offer you an opportunity to learn what types of creative approaches in print advertising work best.  You’ll learn time-tested rules to the road and see actual examples of print ads that have been measured by Readex in various agricultural publications.  The session will conclude with a short, interactive experience where you guess which ad scored best!

1:30-2:30 p.m. – Breakout sessions (choose one)

Jimmie Long

A Year in the Life of a Cow/Calf Producer

Jimmie Long, Cole Camp, Missouri
Step into a producer’s boots without having to head to the farm. From risk management to calving, this session will cover the events a producer endures throughout the year.

Jimmie Long currently serves as the President of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. Jimmie presently runs Jimmie Long Livestock, which is his own order buying firm and his customers allow him to buy stocker cattle, feeder cattle and breeding stock for their ranches, backgrounders and feedlots. He is also a Field Representative for Kingsville Livestock Market.

Bill SheltonBuilding Your Brand: Creating Lasting Emotional Bonds with your Customers

Bill Shelton – Left Field Creative
Join Bill Shelton, of Left Field Creative, as he shares a highly successful approach to creating a comprehensive brand identity, position, and personality for your product or brand.  This step-by-step process will give you the tools to start re-branding and re-positioning the moment the session ends.

2:30-3:00 p.m. – Break

3:00-4:00 p.m. – General Session Generations Panel

Ken & Brad McCauley; Kathy & Chris Chinn
Two sets of producers will share their experiences regarding employment on the “family farm” as well as challenges and rewards they face as farmers. They will discuss how they help fellow generations learn from past experiences as well as current technologies and ideas to make their operations functional and profitable.

Ken & Brad McCauley comprise a father-son farming duo from White Cloud, Kan.  They each have their own farms: Ken owns K&M Farms, Inc., while Brad is the owner and operator of McCauley Inc.  Together, their operations total 4,600 acres.  They raise both corn and soybeans, which are grown mostly for seed.  Working the land is in the McCauleys’ blood: Ken started farming 160 acres while in high school and began farming full-time nearly 40 years ago; Brad followed suit in 1994, beginning his farming career while still in high school.

Kathy Chinn is a 4th generation farmer and Chris, her daughter-in-law, represents the 5th generation in the Chinn Family.  Chinn Hog Farm is a 1,500 sow, farrow-to-finish hog farm in northeast Missouri.  Kathy manages the daily operations in the sow barns and Chris oversees the financial records of the farm and the family-owned feed mill.  Kathy is married to Gary and together they have two sons, Kevin and Kyle, and four grandchildren.  Chris is married to Kathy’s oldest son, Kevin, and they have two children, Rachelle and Conner.

4:30-6:30 p.m. – Reception at Boulevard Brewery

A shuttle will take attendees to a special reception at Kansas City’s own Boulevard Brewery. Founded in 1989, Boulevard Brewing Company has grown to become the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest. The reception will take place in the beautiful Heim Room that features a unique view of the Kansas City skyline.

Paul Redhage7:00 p.m. – Dine Around (optional)

Attendees can attend an optional dine-around. This is a great way to get to know your peers and learn about NAMA. This event is optional and dutch treat.

Thursday, August 18

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast

9:00-10:00 a.m. – General Session – Managing Your Agri-Marketing CareerBeth Burgy

Panelists:
Paul Redhage, FMC Corporation
Beth Burgy, Broadhead
Colleen Church McDowall, Osborn & Barr
Bob Brunker, J.L. Farmakis

Listen as professionals in the industry discuss the best way to manage your career.  This interactive session will feature client, agency and media professionals that have Colleen Church McDowallsignificant experience and expertise.  Come armed with questions!

10:00-10:15 a.m. – Break

10:15-11:30 a.m. – Closing Session

Today’s Food System, the Ethical Choice for People, Animals and the Planet

Jim Fallon, Center for Food Integrity
The Center for Food Integrity is dedicated to building consumer trust and confidence — bringing Bob Brunkertogether stakeholders at every level of the food chain to reach consumers in meaningful ways with a unified voice and address the issues most critical to consumers.

You won’t want to miss the 2011 NAMA Boot Camp! To register now, visit http://www.nama.org/ConferenceRegistration/Default.aspx?confid=35.

For more information on the NAMA Boot Camp and hotel reservation information, visit http://www.nama.org/programs/index.html.

NAMA Boot Camp Sessions Announced!

Written by NAMA on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 , 10:00 am

Register today for the 8th annual NAMA Boot Camp, August 16-18, 2011 in Kansas City. Sign up for this program today to learn more about the agri-marketing industry. This year the Boot Camp will take it to a new level expanding on marketing and agriculture basics.

Sessions at this year’s Boot Camp include:

Producer Panel

A Year in the Life of a Row Crop Farmer

Making Social Media Simple

Creating Attention Getting Print Ads

A Year in the Life of a Cow/Calf Producer

Building Your Brand: Creating Lasting Emotional Bonds with Your Customers

Generations Panel

Managing Your Agri-Marketing Career

Today’s Food System, the Ethical Choice for People, Animals & The Planet

There will be plenty of opportunities for networking during the reception on Tuesday, in addition to during the Opening General Session. Network during lunch on Wednesday and during the reception at the Boulevard Brewery or at the Dine Around that evening!

All attendees will receive a notebook packed with agricultural terminology, facts, case studies and speaker presentations. This notebook has become one of the most popular aspects of the boot camp experience

You won’t want to miss the 2011 NAMA Boot Camp! To register now, visit http://www.nama.org/ConferenceRegistration/Default.aspx?confid=35.

For more information on Boot Camp speakers and sessions, visit http://www.nama.org/programs/index.html.

NAMA Boot Camp Sponsorships Available

Written by NAMA on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 , 8:37 am

Program planning is underway for the 2011 NAMA Boot Camp!

The 2011 NAMA Boot Camp will take place August 16-18 at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City.

If you are interested in sponsoring a session or event at the NAMA Boot Camp, please fill out the sponsorship confirmation form at www.nama.org/programs/bootcamp-spo.htm or contact Jenny Pickett at 913-491-6500 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Sponsorships Still Available

Written by NAMA on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 , 11:40 am

Get your company noticed by becoming a sponsor at the 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference, April 13-15, in Kansas City. Companies with marketing budgets of all sizes can participate. The higher your support, the more benefits you’ll receive….Sustaining Partner, Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze. In addition, you can get more company visibility by claiming one or more of the sponsorship opportunities. These opportunities are available on a first come, first serve basis, with first right given to last year’s sponsor. The high profile Best of NAMA Celebration Reception in the Connection Point is just one of the many opportunities available.

NAMA Sustaining Partner

The NAMA Sustaining Partner would provide maximum exposure for a company seeking to align themselves more closely throughout the year with NAMA.  The program delivers extensive overall promotional benefits and exposure at all three key NAMA events (Conference, Boot Camp and Trends in Agriculture).  The partnership provides the ability to carry marketing objectives to new levels while assuring that NAMA has a more stable means of sponsorship income throughout the year.  The baseline commitment is $10,000 over the course of one full year.

The NAMA Sustaining Partner will receive all the sponsorship benefits of a Platinum Level Sponsor, plus the following:

  • Use of Strategic Partner logo in advertising and promotion
  • Web banner ad on NAMA web site that rotates with other Strategic Partners on an equal basis
  • One comp registration at each of the three key NAMA meetings
  • One comp NAMA membership
  • Ad on digital signage at annual Conference
  • Logo recognition as a partner on promotional materials for all three key NAMA events
  • Verbal recognition at all three key events

Who’s already a Sustaining Partner? Take a look!

Adayana
Agri Marketing magazine
Broadhead
Commodity Update
Farm Progress Companies
High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal
John Deere
Paulsen Marketing
Rhea+Kaiser Marketing Communications
Successful Farming
Syngenta
ZimmComm New Media, LLC

Please review the benefits and opportunities of sponsorship at the 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference and confirm your interest by filling out the online sponsorship form at http://nama.org/amc/sponsor/form.htm or contact Jenny Pickett at (913) 491-6500 or email to [email protected].

MoKan Ag Tour A Success

Written by NAMA on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 , 7:20 am

The 2010 MoKan Chapter Ag Tour on August 17 was a resounding success.  Not only did the attendees experience a lot of variety, but it also fell during a one-day upper 70s cool down from the two weeks of +100˚ heat that the Kansas City area had been experiencing.

The first stop was at a row crop and hog farm operation owned by Steve and Sharon Oetting, in Richmond, Missouri.  They are the 7th generation on the farm, which began in 1839.  One of the sows gave birth during the tour, adding a little extra excitement.

The bus then carried everyone to Carrollton, Missouri, to visit Pence Aerial Service at the Carrollton Airport.  After viewing a video from the National Agricultural Aviation Association, Dale Pence answered questions and gave an aerial demonstration with a liquid version of fertilizer.  Attendees were able to view the global positioning system in the cockpit afterwards.  Ag pilots have a 2-to-3 year wait for new air tractors.  Eighty-eight percent of aerial applications are made by airplane and 12% by helicopter.  Pilots, who must wear protective helmets, must have both a commercial pilot’s license and a commercial pesticide license.  There are only 6,000 such operations within the United States.

The final stop was at Ray Carroll County Grain Growers, a combination ag retailer, grain elevator and ethanol plant just outside Carrollton, Missouri.  As the tourists donned hardhats and eye protection, they were taken through the various grain storage areas.  In addition to grain storage, the site also has various pieces of agricultural equipment, which is often rented out to farmers.  The arms on one of the sprayers were extended to their full 120’ span to give a first-hand look at the breadth of that machine’s reach.  Fertilizer prescriptions are another option that farmers take advantage of there.  Adjacent to the grain elevators is an ethanol plant that processes 19 million bushels of corn annually for ethanol.  One hundred percent of the corn comes from the two local counties; and the byproducts of the corn are also processed.  The grain storage portion began 15 years ago, with the ethanol plant going live just 3 years ago.

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