The Eastern Chapter of NAMA had a dinner meeting on Tuesday, August 5^th in Seneca Falls, NY.   This time and location was chosen because of the large summer farm show, Empire Farm Days, taking place.

While a couple of attendees had to cancel at the last moment, the chapter still had a good group there.  In addition to Eastern President Bruce Button, NAMA members Andy Dellava, Hoard’s Dairyman and Taylor Weisenself, Ag-Bag, attended.  Non-members included Kevin Decew, Yamaha; Ian Hitchener and Joan Kark-Wren, Country Folks.

The chapter is planning on having another meeting in February tied into the New York Farm Show in Syracuse, NY.

We are just two weeks away from the 11^th Annual NAMA Boot Camp, but don’t worry it’s not too late to register!

The 2014 Boot Camp will take place August 19-21 in Kansas City at the Sheraton Crown Center. This event is filled with great opportunities whether you are just starting out in the working world or if you’ve been through Boot Camp many times before. If this is your first time in the agriculture business then you are in luck; you will get a beginner’s course about the business including a notebook packed with agricultural terminology, facts and case studies. If you are a more seasoned veteran, you can choose from a variety of different breakout sessions and pick the one that interests you most.

Aside from the great speakers lined up for you this year, we also have some fun scheduled into the program. The first night of Boot Camp there will be a networking reception where you’ll have the opportunity to meet a wide variety of people. In today’s working world, meeting the right people can make a huge difference in growing your career – you never know who you could meet! The next night we will have an off-site reception at Snow and Company. Located in Kansas City’s Crossroads Art District, this frozen cocktail bar will quench your thirst and cool you off on a hot, summer night.

Find a complete schedule of this year’s activities on the Boot Camp website. 

And be sure to sign up today so you don’t miss out on these amazing opportunities. Register online or call the NAMA office at (913) 491-6500.

Summer is coming to an end… but that can be a good thing because that means it is almost time for the NAMA Fall Conference!

This year NAMA is taking you to Downtown Chicago for your next dose of agri-marketing education. We have a great line-up for you this year so you do not want to miss it.

The keynote speaker this year is Steve Hughes, founder and President of Hit Your Stride LLC, who has made it his mission to help people look and sound smart when presenting to a crowd. Everyone has sat through at least one of those boring PowerPoint presentations where you zone out and don’t learn a thing. But Steve Hughes is going to put those ineffective presentations to an end. Don’t miss out on his great tips and tricks for a better presentation.

This year’s breakout sessions will focus on what’s going on in agribusiness in today’s changing world. Sessions will include: updates on trends in agriculture, how to anticipate a PR crisis, how drones could play a part in the future of agriculture and much more. Plus you will have a great opportunity to meet the right people at the Networking Reception, sponsored by Brighton Agency. Unwind after the first day of Fall Conference in the amazing Crimson Lounge of The Hotel Chicago.

See you in the Windy City on September 16^th & 17^th for the best Fall Conference yet!

For a full schedule, registration details, hotel information and anything else you need to know visit the Fall Conference 2014 website.

The 2015 date for National Ag Day is set for March 18^th. This is the 42^nd anniversary of National Ag Day and the theme for this year is “Agriculture: Sustaining Future Generations.” The purpose of National Ag Day is to help Americans understand the role agriculture plays in their daily lives.

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) will host events in the nation’s capital including the Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon and the National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner. Also, the ACA will arrange for approximately 100 college students to travel to Washington D.C. and deliver the message of Ag Day to the Hill. In addition to the events in Washington D.C., the ACA will hold an Ag Day Essay Contest and an Ag Day Poster Art Contest for students to get more involved in the efforts behind National Ag Day.

These events and activities mark a nationwide effort to express the importance of agriculture in America today. A number of producers, agricultural associations, corporations, students and government organizations involved in agriculture are expected to participate.

National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America. The ACA is a non-profit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food and fiber communities. The ACA dedicates its efforts to increasing the public’s awareness of the role of agriculture in today’s society.

Be sure to check the Ag Day website for updates on the upcoming events.

The 2014 MoKan NAMA Ag Tour is the first day of NAMA’s Boot Camp. We will be starting bright and early on Tuesday, August 19^th to make sure we can fit all the great activities in before the Boot Camp Welcome Reception that night. Our first stop will be Wade Farms in Stewartsville, MO. We will learn about new technologies and equipment while touring this 15,000 acre corn and soy operation. You will have the opportunity for a hands-on farm experience like none other.

Next, we will head to Shatto Milk Company for a full tour of the dairy operation and lunch will be provided on-site. Finally, we will finish at Jowler Creek Vineyard & Winery. Here we will learn about their unique process that focuses on sustainability. Plus we will get some samples of their award-winning wines! You do not want to miss out on these great stops filled with agriculture, learning and wine!

Please note: The MoKan Ag Tour is prior to the NAMA Boot Camp. While we hope you’ll attend both, you do not need to be registered for the NAMA Boot Camp to attend the Ag Tour.

To get the full schedule and to register for this event visit the NAMA Boot Camp website. You can register for Boot Camp while you’re there!

Get to Fall Conference a day early for the Chicago NAMA Chapter Ag Tour. Even if you are not planning to attend Fall Conference, you can still meet up with us for the tour. We will be departing from The Hotel Chicago on Monday, September 15^th at 12:00 p.m. Lunch will be served on the bus while we are on the way to Fair Oaks Farms where we will be spending the day.

During the tour, you will get the opportunity to see Fair Oaks Farms’ 30,000 cow dairy operation. You will learn how the cows are cared for and visit the rotary milking parlor to learn about this unique milking technology. Then, you will head over to the Pig Adventure to see the interactive displays and observe the gestation and farrowing operations.

The last stop is to the new Farmhouse Restaurant, Bakery and Farmers Market at Fair Oaks Farms where you will get the opportunity to tour the kitchen and interact with the chefs. These chefs will then serve dinner with food produced on-site that is prepared in its completely viewable kitchen.

For a more detailed schedule and to register visit the NAMA Fall Conference website.

On July 28, NAMA and NAFB welcomed Ag Media Summit attendees to a reception at Champion Sports Bar in the Indianapolis Marriott.  Approximately 75 people were in attendance. This reception is the second such event hosted in conjunction with Ag Media Summit.

Attendees had a great time networking with colleagues; here are a few photos of the festivities.