The ag industry is constantly changing. New channels. New strategies. New information. After hearing from seasoned agri-marketers and candid producers, attendees at the 2010 NAMA Boot Camp (August 17-19) are now at the top of the agri-marketing learning curve.

Boot Camp kicked off with the traditional Ag Tour where some of the attendees actually got to see a litter of pigs being born at Oetting Hog Farms! The tour also included stops at a grain elevator and an ethanol plant.

That night, a networking reception—where attendees were given pointers on how to meet new people and form new contacts— preceded the evening’s dinner. Dave Mehlhaff demonstrated how to listen and look for common ground with colleagues and co-workers. To maintain and continue to develop the relationship, he emphasized, it’s essential to stay in touch.

A full day of sessions began the next day with a producer panel of representatives from row and cattle production operations as well as a wine producer. Moderated by Janelle Buxton, Successful Farming & Agriculture Online, a forthright Q&A session shed light on how producers use the Internet and the challenges they face juggling work, record keeping and staying on top of the latest innovations on the market. Conversations touched on everything from iPhone apps to YouTube and everything in between.

“The panels are always a big hit,” shared Jenny Pickett, NAMA Executive Vice President/CEO. “They provide such an inside view of what’s really going on within the industry and how marketers can best reach their audiences.”

Other sessions covered a wide range of topics, including building a communications plan, marketing to the animal health industry, using digital media, understanding target audiences, managing crises and marketing to the row crop industry.

Attendees had high marks for the in-depth research presented by Jack Semler, president of Readex Research, on the impact of digital media on farmers and ranchers.

Boot Camp also offered some stellar networking opportunities. Panelists and attendees mingled between sessions and attended a social hour at Kansas City’s famous Boulevard Brewing Company. Plenty of one-on-one Q&A sessions were conducted over drinks and appetizers.

First-time attendee Kassi Williams, Public Relations/Account Coordinator for Swanson Russell, was thrilled with her inaugural Boot Camp experience.

“I would recommend NAMA Boot Camp to anyone looking to jumpstart a career in the agriculture marketing industry,” she shared. “The networking opportunities were immense and the sessions were highly beneficial.”

Boot Camp came to a close with the Advocating for Ag Panel. Attendees were challenged to do their part to tell the real story of American agriculture and given concrete steps to help them achieve that goal.