The ABEF Media Auction is moving to the Fall! Please support ABEF and donate a media package to the Fall auction. Deadline to donate is September 10. Other items will continue to be auctioned at the April conference. Click here to donate
After the dust from the ag tour settled, attendees from across the country gathered at the Sheraton Crown Center in downtown Kansas City for two days of intense agri-marketing education courtesy of NAMA.
Gail Calhoun of Calhoun Consulting kept the crowd on their toes during the General Session of the first full day with case studies and a fast-paced presentation of different communication styles. She explained how to assess one’s own communication style and those of others to create cohesive teams that deliver stellar projects. Calhoun also broke down the best methods for memorable presentations and explained how to capitalize on individual communication strengths as well as counter weaknesses.
The Boot Camp favorite—The Producer Panel—was next and didn’t disappoint. This year’s panel featured two row crop producers and a purebred bull breeder. Each panelist gave candid, honest answers to questions about how they prefer to receive information important to their operations. A big takeaway across the board was the importance of relationships and trust when it comes to buying decisions. Panelists also commented on the necessity of testing seeds, chemicals and equipment on their own farms and the effectiveness of testimonials in advertising.
Even those familiar with ag learned something new at Boot Camp.
“As an agricultural public relations professional, NAMA Boot Camp was a great event for me,” shared Nora Nolden, Assistant Account Executive with PadillaCRT. “Even with a background in agriculture, I still found the sessions and topics relevant and useful to my everyday work life. The most beneficial part to me was definitely the producer panel. They gave us great insight into how growers interact with their products and make their decisions.”
First-time Boot Camper Carrie Sears echoed the kudos shared by Nolden. “My compliments and sincere thanks to all the 2014 NAMA Boot Camp organizers and presenters,” she said. “Every session had practical, timely and relevant information. Combined with the invaluable networking sessions, I not only increased my industry knowledge, I have creative ideas and useful solutions I can employ immediately.”
Day one was capped with breakout sessions. After a luncheon that included the presentation of an ag media usage study from Readex Research, attendees could choose from several breakout topics: crisis management, Ag 101, new tech in creative and a deeper dive into ag topics with Ag 201.
The conversations continued at Snow & Co in the KC Crossroads Art District where Boot Campers gathered for a reception and some great networking.
Everyone returned for day two and an opening session on how farmers use radio. Even as other traditional media usage declines, America’s farmers still rely on radio for information and news.
Before ending Boot Camp with an insider’s look at “Farmland—The Movie,” a panelist of digital marketing specialists shared their views on keeping up with trends and developments in marketing technology.
Boot Camp Chair, Amanda Sollman, Senior Account Executive at broadhead., was pleased with this year’s event.
“I think we had a great lineup of speakers at this year’s NAMA Boot Camp,” she shared. “I hope that attendees – whether they are new to ag or not – were able to glean at least a couple of nuggets of information that will help them in their careers.”
Thank you to all the speakers for sharing great information with all attendees. And thank you to everyone who attended Boot Camp this year. We hope to see you all next year!
To see photos of the Boot Camp festivities, visit the NAMA Flickr site.
Participants of the MoKan Ag Tour, August 19, had a unique opportunity to experience the diversity of Midwest agriculture first-hand. The event is the annual kick-off to the NAMA Boot Camp in Kansas City, where new and seasoned ag professionals alike spend the day experiencing the many different nuances of agriculture in the Kansas City area.
First stop on the tour was Wade Farms in Clinton County, MO—a second-generation, 15,000 acre, row crop family farm. The Wade’s currently grow 100% waxy corn for Ingredion, Inc. in Kansas City and seed beans for Pioneer as well as commercial soybeans. At the farm, the group not only learned what it takes to manage a well-oiled modern-day row crop operation, they also had an up-close opportunity to see the farm’s state-of-the art equipment and farm management system.
Next, the tour took in the sights, smells and tastes of Shatto Milk Company, a working dairy operation in Osborn, MO. Currently milking 400+ cows, Shatto prides itself on bringing the best dairy product to the Kansas City market. With award-winning flavors such as Root Beer, Cookies and Cream and Cotton Candy (seven flavors in all), as well as cheeses, ice creams and butters, the group had plenty of items on-hand to sample. Shatto hosts more than 100 people each day, Tuesday through Saturday, for their tours, which includes a visit to the bottling facility and the milking barn, for a lesson on hand-milking.
The final stop on the 2014 MoKan Ag Tour was at Jowler Creek Winery and Vineyard in Platte City, MO. Owners (and former NAMA members) Jason and Colleen Gerke treated the group to a tour of Missouri’s first green and sustainable vineyard, complete with mowing sheep and a taste of all seven wines in production. The Gerke’s shared their story on how their dream came to be, including the marketing and branding that went into getting their business off the ground.
View all the photos on the NAMA flickr site.
The reception co-sponsored by the Cornbelt and Iowa chapters on Wednesday, August 27, was a resounding success. Members from throughout the United States and Canada attended the reception, held at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. The day was cooler than a typical August day which was definitely appreciated by all. Click here to see pictures taken during the reception.
Thursday, September 11 | 3:30 p.m. | Café Centraal | Bay View, Wisconsin
With multiple generations in the same office, it’s more important than ever to avoid communication mishaps amongst different ages and capitalize on the skills each person brings to the team.
In this interactive and informal workshop, Bob Hagenow, Vita Plus sales manager, will help attendees explore common generational preferences, habits, and fears as well as strategies to enhance communication and collaboration for all ages.
The workshop will begin at 3:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 5:30 p.m.
Start bridging the generation gap now! Bring a coworker or client from another generation to be entered into a special Badger NAMA drawing!
Cost: $30 for Badger NAMA members, $50 for non-members and $15 for students.
Questions? Contact Sarah Duwe ([email protected]) or Andrea Bloom ([email protected]).
Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 9th for the upcoming Rocky Mountain NAMA event!
The meeting will be hosted by Rocky Mountain NAMA in conjunction with the Colorado Ag Network, so it will be a unique opportunity to meet with a new sector of agricultural professionals.
Date: Tuesday, September 9th
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location:
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
9110 East Nichols Avenue, Suite 300
Centennial, CO 80112
Speaker:
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association will present its team of culinary experts that will showcase tasty cuts of beef and discuss how they can be paired with select brews and wines, so come and enjoy!
More details to follow, but please share this SAVE THE DATE with co-workers and friends that would be interested in attending the upcoming event.
Please RSVP for the event by September 3rd so we can make sure we have enough tasty beef for the group! RSVP to Lisa Mokrohisky at [email protected]
The Northern Prairie NAMA Chapter and the MN Agri-Growth Council (MAGC) cordially invite you to a networking reception from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9th, at the Big Iron Farm Show grounds. Stop by and have a pork sandwich and a beverage, while you network with current and future food and ag industry professionals and learn why MAGC and NAMA support the food and ag industry. This event is open to members, non-members and students.
Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Time: 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Red River Farm Network Issues & Events Center, located between Hartl Ag Building and the Expo Center
Questions? Call or email Craig Anderson: [email protected] or 701-492-9194
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