Rural Lifestyle on Highway 6

Some Stories from Business and Agriculture

It's been a busy week for agriculture and Rural Life Radio has been hanging with several. Here is a "Friday Wrap" of some things we've covered and some things coming up.  Enjoy!

Target Marketing - It Works...

We share this simple fact all the time, "Know Thy Consumer".  Know where they are and what they want...well before the sell.  Here in Iowa we just concluded two major events, The Iowa State Fair and Farm Progress Show.  One event brought brought in one-million people the other a fraction at 200,000.  However which worked best for the target audience?  "Practical Target Marketing - It Matters" is right here. 

Agriculture and Main Street

There is a common disconnect between the rural and urban understanding of the 2012 USDA Farm Bill.  The impact of agriculture on urban centers, and some rural towns, needs to be addressed and here in this piece with Bill Northey, Secretary of Agriculture for Iowa we look at the controversy of the "feeding programs" as well as crop insurance and...uncertainty in an uncertain profession.

 

Viral Video & Iowa Public Television

One of the this summer's biggest internet hits (nearly 7 million views) came from a trio of Kansas Brothers in a parody called "Farming and I Grow It." Our friend Paul Yeager visited the location for PBS's Market to Market. The goal of the video was to inform Greg's city friends about life on the farm. Shooting took 3 weeks to complete and had to be done around the farming work day. They had some help from their sister Laura in filming some of the memorable shots. At first the other two brothers, Kendal and Nathan had to be convinced to keep shooting. But, after a few days they started having fun and knew they have a good product.  Why am I sharing with you?  Because this is a lesson in connecting with your target market in a way that blends lots of angles for an industry that's had difficulties with a younger demographic.  The story will be tonight at 8:00PM and Sunday at 12:30PM during Market to Market. Here is the video but make sure you tune in for the back-story with Paul.

 

Media on Media

The Farm Progress Show for 2012 is history so what were the take-a-way items beyond Secretary Northey?  Here we talked to Chuck Zimmerman from AgWired about what he is hearing.  Media talking to Media...I think this is a solid idea for future features.

 

Rural Iowa Scores the Debate

We visited this week with Deb Brown of the Greater Franklin County Chamber who has secured a moderated debate with Rep. Steve King (R-IA) and his challenger former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack for mid September.  It's something Ames nor Clay County could get done.  How did it happen and what are the details?  Here you go.

 

Thanks for coming by.  If you want to comment here feel free or we can connect on Twitter @RuralLifeRadio and here is our advertising/communications agency Facebook Page. Have a great weekend! 

Crop Insurance & the Farm Bill 2012 - Bill Northey

What are producers during the Farm Progress Show 2012 talking about?  Three things:

• The Weather
• Crop Insurance
• The Farm Bill

Of those three items, we always talk about the weather.  However, this year given the drought it is on the top of the list.  We caught up with Secretary of Agriculture for Iowa Bill Northey for a discussion about farming, crop insurance and the languishing Farm Bill that's been stalled in congress.

 

If you would like to comment here, feel free. We can also connect on Twitter @RuralLifeRadio and here is our advertising/communications agency Facebook Page...just in case.  Thanks for coming by! -Michael (Photo - Chuck Zimmerman - AgWired)

Farm Shows vs. State Fairs

A number of years ago my writing assignment was to visit the farm equipment/products section of several state fairs and write a cover article for Acreage Magazine.  I packed up my notebook (what lap-top?) and 35mm camera and made the rounds. Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Iowa all had state fairs (Michigan has since closed shop) and what I found surprised me.

Gone were the large displays of farm and ranch equipment. At the Michigan State Fair I didn't see one tractor over 30hp.  In Illinois the total number of farm related displays, located in a valley of the fairgrounds, amounted to about 35 vendors all dealers.  Gone, at nearly each fairgrounds location was any large manufacturer support.  If John Deere was there they were in the guise of a dealer, not the manufacturer.  In their place were things like the underground "Pet Protector", to house critters if a tornado strikes, with founder Ernie.

That's why the article from my friend Dan Piller, "Agriculture Shows Outstrip Fairs' Impact" in the Des Moines Register didn't much surprise me.  It's been this way for years. The reason?  Target marketing.

While the Iowa State Fair boosts attendance of over 1 million the vast majority are folks who don't know a plow from a planter. (OK, Jake knows this an Case Combine, Jovie doesn't have a clue.)  This week Boone, Iowa will host the Farm Progress Show outside of the small town on the relatively new permanent grounds. The show will attract over 200,000 folks who will wander among 577 exhibitors many of whom are manufacturers/distributors of farm equipment and goods.  A few days later these same exhibitors will head to the Husker Harvest Days event in tiny Wood River, six miles west of Grand Island, NE.

These two shows, managed by the same company, are among the largest of hundreds of farm shows across the country and are vastly different than state fair offerings. For weeks ahead of these events agri-business companies have been inviting growers to stop by their booth to see what's new and perhaps attend special parties and events all designed to get farmers to "kick the tires" and actually buy.  It's a controlled environment that is dedicated to agriculture and they have gotten bigger and better.

None of us who cover farm news will forget when Farm Progress was a "traveling event" and camped out in various cities.  One year, in Springfield, IL it rained for days ahead of the show and exhibitors were forced to wade through mud bogs shin high.  That's all coming to an end with permanent sites and paved streets.  According to Dan's story the 50 acre Boone site will be used by the Iowa Department of Transportation for a "paving experiment" meaning the grounds will have "real roads" by 2014.

Agriculture is big business here in the Midwest and  while the farm shows lack the "flavor" of state fairs they have become a major marketing tool for the industry.  But, will they have double bacon-wrapped corn dogs?  Nope...and that's a shame. 

By the way, the hashtag for Twitter is #FPS12 just in case you want to keep up and connect with others during the show. If you want to comment on this story here, feel free. We can also connect on Twitter @RuralLiferRadio.  See you in Boone!

The Power of Relationships

This past week I wrote about a couple of friends and a horse clinic taking place in Broken Bow, Nebraska, Horses, Craig Cameron & Broken Bow detailed the event and gave readers a reason to consider. (Photo: Craig & I 15 years ago. I've changed...he hasn't!)

This morning I got a call from Gary Kubicek, Sales & Marketing Manager for Running Horse Feeds telling me, "Michael, you are not going to believe it. We've got over 170 reservations for the first and second Craig Cameron clinics and over 80 for the evening clinic.  The folks at Evans Feed Company are shocked at the early success of this event. Thanks for your help!"

Two Thoughts

There is real power in maintaining solid relationships with all parties.  I didn't have to write a short piece about Craig Cameron and I didn't have to use the power of social media to spread the word.  Didn't have to...but did because of the long term relationship I've got with Gary and Craig.

Craig Cameron is a paid spokesperson for Running Horse Feeds but that does not mean the company takes Craig for granted.  Beyond the business deal Gary sees to it that he keeps in constant contact with Craig and his bride Dalene Cameron.  They are friends who just happen to have a business arrangement.

The point here is that far too often we forget about the personal relationships we have with those folks we do business with.  But, in the end that is the "magic bullet" that provides success...long lasting success.

If you want to comment here, feel free or let's connect on Twitter @RuralLifeRadio and here is our Advertising Agency Facebook page.  Thanks for coming by! - Michael

Horses, Craig Cameron & Broken Bow

My old friend and rodeo buddy Craig Cameron will be rolling into Broken Bow, Nebraska this weekend for a full day of horse clinics, food and fun.  

The event is taking place at the Custer County Fairgrounds and is being sponsored by our friends at Evans Feed Company, Inc. and Running Horse Feeds.

So, why am I sharing?  This weekend I heard from my friend Gary Kubicek the sales and marketing director from Running Horse Feeds and he tells me over 100 folks have already signed up and they're going for a record attendance.  The only thing is you've got to let 'em know you're going so they can cook food for you.  Give Bonnie at Evans Feed a quick call at 800-830-2119 so they can order up the groceries.

Craig will present three of his most popular programs: "Developing a Great Handle on your Horse", "Starting a Young Horse - Trailer Loading" and "Reining Lessons".  It's a full day with plenty of "hands on" with Craig.

 

And, just for fun...some out-takes with Craig when we were in Topeka on a shoot.

Have a great time in Broken Bow!

Two Events Celebrating Agriculture

This past week we were fortunate to take part in two agricultural events that were different but still major.  On Thursday I was invited to take part in the Agricultural Townhall Meeting sponsored by RFD-TV and held in the Media Center of the Cattle Barn on the Iowa State Fairgrounds.  Well known farm broadcaster Max Armstrong hosted the full hour event (no commercials) featuring US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack that centered on the drought, the stalled Farm Bill, the future of agriculture for young people and food security.

Some Quotes from Sec. Vilsack:

• Congress needs to pass the Farm Bill now because growers/producers need to know where they stand going forward;
• A major part of my job is to assure trading partners that the United States is a worthy ally and we take global food security issues seriously;
• We need to get back to teaching agriculture issues in the public schools only then will a society, so distanced from the farm, begin to understand the relationship between farm and food;
• The future of agriculture in the United States is in good hands given the leadership we see in FFA and other farm directed youth groups;
• Agriculture groups need to talk to each other rather than fight among themselves.  When we fight it does nothing to present a unified voice to non-farm state leaders.

Big props to RFD-TV and my old friend Patrick Gottsch (in the photo with Max and Sec. Vilsack) for doing these townhall meetings and his continued work to spread the good news of agriculture.  I wish I could find the video...it was very informative!

Agriculture & Social Media

My friend Deb Brown has been a brand spokesperson for the 140 Character Conference "The State of Now" for several years.  Following two successful events in Des Moines Deb felt that agriculture needed a special event centered on using social media to communicate with each other and the non-ag world.  She brought together several of us for the 140 Conference AgIowa.  While you'll soon be able to see the 17 presentations on UStream here is a quick video with some fun out-takes from the event.

 

Coming up, yet this year, Deb will work toward doing a session for Education and for Business all leading up to the Spring 2013 140 Character Conference in Des Moines. Nice job my friend!

Thanks for coming by.  If you would like to leave a comment here, feel free. Or, let's connect on my Twitter Stream @RuralLifeRadio. - Michael

AgIowa the 140 Character Conference

Coming up this Friday afternoon on the Iowa State campus it's AgIowa a 140 Character Conference highlighting the use of Twitter for agriculture.  

Why should you care?

Just like in any business growers and agri-business counts on information to drive business decisions and create sales.  Imagine being able to find new markets, share facts about the Farm Bill and meet other connected growers from around the world in real time.  That is the power of Twitter and the reasoning you'll receive during AgIowa - 140 Character Conference that kicks off at 2PM Friday the 17th of August.

Seventeen connected growers, agri-business professionals, marketers and communicators will share, in ten-minute segments, ways in which agriculture can grow their voice by using Twitter.  

Over the past several years hundreds of 140 Character Conferences have played out around the world from fashion to education to business.  This time the focus is agriculture. So, no matter if you are organic, traditional, raise horses, cattle,, sheep or speciality crops we hope to see you this Friday afternoon in the Scheman Building at ISU for a fun and informative conversation.  If you are already "connected" to Twitter help us spread the word with #140ConfAgIowa as the hashtag.  Oh, the cost?  Less than two bushels of corn! Here is where you register!   See you...Friday!

Communication & Agriculture

During the month August there are three huge opportunities to learn and teach for connected farmers and ranchers who want to reach out to others in agriculture and those who may have no idea about where their food comes from.

American Agricultural Editors Association

Each year the AAEA brings together some of the best minds for a three day learning session.  This year we'll gather in Albuquerque to better hone our craft.  From trade show meetings to learning better photography skills members will learn new and exciting methods as we reach out to growers and the general public.  

State of Now - Agriculture Iowa

On August 17 at Iowa State University farmers, ranchers and growers of all kinds have the opportunity to spend a day learning about how to connect, market and share information by using Twitter.  Deb Brown the organizer for the 140 Character Conference has assembled a great group, including farmers, who will present solid ideas to get you going and keep you on track.  The State of Now - Agriculture Iowa will take place in the Scheman Building.  Here is the link to get you started.

The Iowa State Fair

Imagine the possibilities when rural and urban folks get together for this eleven day celebration of Iowa. From video to blogs to Tweets the Iowa State Fair offers those of us committed to agriculture a rare opportunity to impact people with our story. For those of you using Twitter it's #IowaStateFair and @IowaStateFair is the Twitter "handle" where Emily will answer your questions and take your comments.

We'll be at them all and look forward to seeing you...

If you want to leave a comment here, feel free.  Or you can join us on Twitter @RuralLifeRadio or @InsightADV and here is our Advertising Agency Facebook Page.