Patent attorney, author, and nationally recognized speaker on internet legal issues, Brett Trout led Iowa members through a crash course in the legalities of social media during a meeting of the Iowa Chapter on Friday, September 24.

Trout, author of CyberLaw: A Legal Arsenal for Online Business, provided insight on best practices and watchouts for online posts, tweets and blogs. To learn more about Trout, visit www.BrettTrout.com or read his blog at www.BlawgIT.com.

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.”