Engaging Farmers in Social Media Shapes the Agriculture Story

[shaney]

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For many people it is easy to see why these applications fit into our personal lives but when we talk about business applications the water can get much muddier and some personal steering and experimenting can be required. As Michele Payn-Knoper mention in the above interview, it is really about conversation and not the mis-interpretted random un-replied blank bland statements about your need to find a washroom.

As Michele and I discussed its about rising the profile of the conversation about agriculture and how we produce the food for the world. It is our responsibility to engage and not be defensive or ignorant to the world around us. It is our responsibility to make sure that we use the tool available to us to ensure that agriculture's story is told.

On top of the external conversation, social media also allows farmers to share knowledge and improve the skills on their farm. I have had many conversations with people on weed identification, seed cleaning and seed varieties.

Don't get me wrong the power of a face to face conversation is still un-rivaled but the advantages of social media are a great addition to more traditional communication methods. Let me know how you use social media to talk about agriculture. Do you like twitter or facebook better for convos on ag?

[cottonpicken]

You need to bust a few finger nails off while fixing
something,then you will see why we look at you with
disgust.

bla,bla bla connversation
i wrote something i can change the world cause i was
on twitter and twenty people read it bla bla bla

Twenty bucks sahaney benefits off of gooffchicks
bloggy

[shaney]

Well you just lost 20 bucks because I see no economoic benefit whatsoever from Michele.

[rockpile]

Coot (Cott), A question - is Agriville nothing more
than a form of social media where a a small
enclosed group e-mail back and forth (mostly
likeminded) whining and bitching about all today's
troubles and how unfair the world is? Sounds to me
like someone is suggesting using up to date
technology to advance simple knowledge of what
you are doing, to create a dialogue and
understanding between your efforts and their basic
needs. Not that profound really - if this years'
weather and market events are a negative slam
dunk, then going to Government for help is not
likely as effective as explaining to your consumer
audience for understanding and support. A grand
opportunity, I'd say. Your responsibility to the end
user does not end at the end of an auger - that is
old school mentality. Thanks Shaney for expanding
the box. An opportunity well explained.

[Happytrails]

I agree that it is of utmost importance that the urban majority is made aware of who grows their food and where. Whether or not we food growers should add that task to the rest of our duties is my question. The upside down food chain that exists in the developed world is to my knowledge unique in history. Maybe the Mayans were similar for all I know but they couldn't make it work. My suggestion is that the 19 people that each of us is feeding (us including the fuel suppliers, factory workers, truckers, mechanics, miners, loggers, etc.) should select representatives to research where their food comes from. Considering the life and death importance of food one would think that the consumers might show some interest in the source. Unfortunately the world isn't perfect and people's behavior is often more random than rational. So it is quite possible that we not only have to feed the majority but also educate them on how and why we do it and reassure them that it is safe to eat. In that light social media offers the only solution. Carry on the good work Shawn. HT

[cottonpicken]

Shes running a bullshit business and capitalizing on
someones ignorance.

You think facebook and twitter and her deserves your
two cents then you need some sence.

[Happytrails]

Hey Cott...you're out here. Why?

[cottonpicken]

Because im fallable.