Rural Lifestyle on Highway 6

Iowa Power Farming Show - A Must See

This week snow and farmers invade Des Moines in a show of  strength.  It's the first major snow of the new year and the 56th Annual Iowa Power Farming Show a presentation of the Iowa/Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association.

"We've had some unque challenges this year", says association executive director, Andy Goodman. (photo)  "Veterans Auditorium is going through a major renovation so we had to move some exhibitors to the Polk County Convention Center.  But, even with that change we've had  more companies come and exhibit.  We've always got a waiting list.  The mood at the show promises to be upbeat:  It's been a solid year for agriculture and we expect this show to be the best we've done in some time.  We're excited for the producers and the exhibitors."

Many people don't realize that the Iowa Power Farming Show ranks as one of the top six indoor shows in the nation.  And...it's growing.

According to Tom Junge, show director, there will be 1660 exhibit booths featuring products and services from over 640 agricultural companies. "We're a real farm show", says Junge.  "Our show is meant for producers and rural lifestyle folks who want to come see, touch and experience the latest innovations in equipment, crop and soil science."  Last year nearly 20,000 people attended the three day event.

Attendees who don't want to fight the cold and winds of Des Moines can ride directly to the show entrance in the comfort of shuttle buses provided by Calcium Products, Inc.  The bus service picks up attendees at the free parking area of Principal Park and drops them off at the door of the convention center or the Wells Fargo Arena. "This is the third year we've provided this free service to farmers and their families", says Craig Dick of Calcium Products.  "We've added a couple of features including an attendant or "Flo" for each bus to answer questions and to help folks get to the right location.  We're also showing a new video about the yield seminars we did last year...and each "Flo" will be handing out a card with seminar times and locations for this year."  The farmer directed seminars  "Yield Pays the Bills...Yield Starts Here!" will be held each day of the show.  Here are the times and locations for the Calcium Products Seminars:

• Tuesday - February 1 - 11:30am - Hy-Vee Hall - Room 7
• Wednesday - February 2 - 11:30am - Hy-Vee Hall - Room 8
• Thursday - February 3 - 12:15pm - Hy-Vee Hall - Room 7

We're a strong lot...snow or no snow...hope the see you at the show!

If you want to carry on the conversation feel free to leave a comment below, send me an e-mail or follow me on Twitter @RuralLifeRadio -

 

Social Media and Tractor Parts - It's About Relationships...

Last week I did a seminar for the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA)  about advertising, marketing, consumers and social media.  I get to do these quite often and usually the reaction is 75% of the folks think it's "OK, but not for me."; 20% will go back and give it a try but won't incorporate the tools I give them so they quit in 60 days; and 5% will listen, take notes, catch fire and soar.

Eric Benton is one of the 5%

Eric and his bride Linda run Southeast Tractor Parts in Jefferson, South Carolina.  He contacted me this week.  Here's his story:

Eric understands that in order to grow his business he needs to have a better on-line experience but he is hampered by having nearly 40% of his consumer base stuck on 56K dial up.  (Another example why we need Rural Broadband...now! - But that's another story.)  His customers are in three groups:

• Rural Lifestyle Men/Woman - Age 25 - 45 owning five to fifty acres and one tractor they use for mowing, gardening and hunting plots.
• Male/Female Producers - Age 45 - 65 owning 200 to 800 acres growing soybeans, corn, wheat, turkeys, chickens, watermelon, tobacco, cotton and cattle.
• Repair Shops and Auto Parts Dealers.

Eric:  "I know there is a bigger market out there and I'd like to connect with more  people. That's why your seminar got me.  I do traditional media but with only so much money to advertise I need to find a way to connect with potential clients well outside my immediate area.  And, because one of the best things about my job is creating relationships, I figure this new media approach will work."

On return to South Carolina Eric and Linda put some more work into their online partnership with Tisco, they are setting up an eBay store and we're looking soon for them to be on Twitter, Facebook, a Business Blog and maybe even YouTube.  (He's looking at the Flip...Linda still needs convincing.)

Soon they will be using these tools to search out more customers, learn what folks need and engage in his favorite activity...building relationships.   And his cost?  Maybe $200 if Linda lets him get the Flip.  ;-)

Eric and Linda Benton "get it" they understand that building a tribe, a following and responding to consumers is a two way street...that builds long term customers and...profit.  We wish them well...

How about you?

If you want to carry on the conversation slip me an e-mail, connect on Twitter @RuralLifeRadio or head to our company Facebook Thingy...yep, we've got one.

 

 

Depot Street Memories - Bill Sheridan

I was rolling through the Urbandale Hy-Vee - a mile north of Highway 6 - when I hear, "Hi Michael, Bill Sheridan!"  Bill Sheridan...he was an old Fort Dodge friend and he was  involved in...everything.  Bill volunteered for nearly every community benefit project in town.

He's that kind of guy.

We said hello, he asked about my family and I his.  It was a brief reunion but it stuck with me.

While in Orlando doing some work for the National Tractor Parts Dealers Association a package arrived at the office.  When I got back I opened it to find a note and a book.  They were from Bill.  The note said a bunch of nice things about me and others who have crossed Bill's path over the years.  And the book...

Depot Street Memories - I started reading it yesterday.  It's the story of growing up in Lawler, Iowa in the 1950's and '60's.  Lawler is a much smaller place today, like many rural towns.   It was small then too...but to kids...everything seems bigger.  The story is every kids story...if you were fortunate enough to live in a place where everybody knew who you were and if you got in trouble, at any time of the day...or night, your parents knew about it within an hour. 

Spies I tell you...

Sheridan weaves in happiness and sadness sometimes just pages apart.  That's what makes it real...and worth the effort.  Sure, many of us can tell the same type of stories...but for those of you who want to remember...and relive living rural at a time of great expectation and growth.  Pick it up and enjoy.

Here is how you can get your copy of Depot Street Memories: www.sheridanwrites.com

Thanks Bill for thinking about me...and for shouting out a big "Hello!".  It's great to re-connect.

I'm still reading...but from what I've been through it's very nice...thanks for doing this.

Ag Tradeshow Report 2011 - Tobias Eichberg

It came yesterday and wherever two or more are gathered I've shared this with them.  It's the brand new comprehensive worldwide trade show guide for agriculture written by my friend Tobias Eichberg.  If you manufacture farm machinery, provide agricultural services and attend trade shows (who doesn't) the Ag Trade Show Report 2011 is a serious planning document featuring detailed information about over 200 ag tradeshows...worldwide.

I could write loads...but why not have a look?

   

You can reach Tobias through his website:  www.ei-cons.com

Thanks for coming by Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country...

Saving The Barn...

I guess it's silly...trying to save an ancient barn in the middle of property owned by    the West Des Moines High School...But those of us with a passion for rural get it.  What is ironic is this is happening in Iowa... 

As I write this over 1,000 people have joined the Facebook Page, "Save The Maplenol Dairy Barn" and that's just in a couple of days.  Folks from across the urban/rural spectrum see the value in keeping and using something that is part of...Iowa. 

What is it they see?

They see the past as a mirror to the future.  A link to a time when we knew where our food came from.  A time when agriculture wasn't something studied as history or science but lived...daily.  It's a link to the story of life and death; of work and sweat and reaping and sowing.  And...in their hearts they long for a connection.  Even if that connection comes from old brick and mortar and peeling paint.

A barn carries that story from generation to generation.  When everything changes the barn...no matter its shape...stands as a monument to something real and wholesome.

The people who have signed their names...and those of you who haven't yet...understand these things.  For the life of me I can't figure out why others, who are much smarter than me, can't see it.

But then...maybe it's too simple.

Photos - www.lucky-soda.com  

 

 

 

Taking A Trip...

It's been awhile since I had to travel five miles each morning to feed.  We had moved to a new place up the road and the critters were still at the "home place" which meant I had  make a twice-a-day (at least) run.  On the cold winter mornings, sort of like today, I'd pop a couple of pieces of bread into the toaster, pour a cup of black coffee, wait til the toast popped up and smear some peanut butter on both sides.  Hot coffee and  warm peanut butter sandwich in hand, it was out the door and into the truck.

Funny how tastes and smells work on you.

I took that trip this morning...in my mind.  I do every time it's cold and I have that "memory menu" for breakfast.  We're no longer feeding cows and horses...more like birds and dogs.  But, I sure do like taking that trip...even for just a bit.

Thanks for coming by...and Happy New Year from all of us down Highway 6.