Join us for the next NAMA webinar on Tuesday, March 30, at 1:00 p.m. (Central Time) for Online Engagement.

The purpose of social media implies that individuals and organizations interact in online environments. However, many organizations use social media to broadcast their messages and have not used social media tools to listen or interact. Because there is so much “noise” online, clients or potential clients ignore organizations’ bull-horn messages.

Anne Mims Adrian, Associate Director, Information Technology for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System & College of Agriculture, Auburn University, will discuss how to build relationships in online communities by engaging others and will compare online presence and engagement to traditional online publishing. She will also describe how expectations of online activities have changed in the last few years and will share a few suggestions of appropriate ways to interact online.

To register for the upcoming webinar visit http://www.nama.org/ConferenceRegistration/Default.aspx?confid=19

Join the Carolinas/Virginia NAMA chapter in celebration of National Agriculture Day and National Ag Week. Check out the activities below. All members are welcome to attend the event.

Wednesday, March 17^th
Senator Bob Martin Agricultural Center in Williamston
2:00 p.m.

Commissioner Troxler will present Ag Day Proclamation from Governor Perdue and make remarks about the importance of agriculture to the US and North Carolina (Number one industry in North Carolina worth $70 billion).  State Representative Edith Warren and State Senator Clark Jenkins plan to attend this event.

Friday, March 19^th
Ag Day Press Conference at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market in Greensboro
12:00 Noon

Commissioner Troxler will present Ag Day Proclamation from Governor Perdue and make remarks about the importance of agriculture to the US and North Carolina.  Media will be invited to this event.  Commissioner Troxler will entertain questions from the media.

In addition to these activities, an Ag Day News Release will be sent to the media in North Carolina talking about Ag Day and the importance of agriculture to the US and North Carolina.

Ag Day banners will be put up at state farmer’s markets in these NC cities:
Asheville
Charlotte
Greensboro
Raleigh
Lumberton
Williamston (Event Center Horse Complex)

No RSVP is necessary for these events.

Carolinas/Virginia NAMA
The Carolinas/Virginia Chapter’s Best of NAMA Awards Banquet was a resounding success on January 26.

Awards recipients were recognized and applauded for the hard work that went into the winning entries.  The Best of NAMA banner provided by the awards committee proved to be an excellent background for pictures.  Chatham Hill Winery, Morrisville, North Carolina, was an excellent location for the event; one that many were unaware of until that evening.  Entries were displayed in the “cask” room with the buffet set up next to the free wine tasting in the main room.

Midsouth Best of NAMA
The weather finally cooperated for Midsouth Chapter members to recognize and applaud First Place and Merit Winners of Best of NAMA at their rescheduled event.  Chapter members gathered at Owen Brennan’s in Memphis, on Thursday, February 18, for a sumptuous buffet and wonderful awards program.