Ag Angle – Urban Agriculture
The most recent #AgChat conversation focused on agri-tourism and what other urban agricultural opportunities are available to people who may or may not be directly involved within the ag industry.
Even just within the triangle area their are endless urban ag opportunities that anyone can take advantage of including community gardens, farm tours and city farm lots that are all open to the public. More »
The Ag Angle – #AgChat
Agriculture is much more than just sows, cows and plows; it encompasses all components of the food, fuel, fiber and feed industries. The AgChat Foundation, who introduced us to the term agvocate (agriculture advocate), works to connect farmers and ranchers with consumers through various social media platforms. It’s an exciting chance for the advertising and public relations industries to be at the forefront of this agvocacy movement.
To see some of the results social media has had on the agriculture industry, you can watch this AgChat YouTube video.
@AgChat is a moderated Twitter conversation that takes place every Tuesday night from 8-10 p.m. EDT. The discussions allow participants to voice their viewpoints and ideas on hot topics within the agriculture industry. Chats begin with 15 minutes of introductions and networking followed by questions agvocates have submitted to the moderator throughout the previous week. The last five minutes are reserved for pitching new ideas for the next #agchat conversation and promoting your own agvocacy efforts.
Recent #AgChat topics include:
- Parenting on the farm
- Harvest
- Farm disaster preparedness
- Mobile devices
- Family and business relationships
If this sounds like something you may be interested in check out the AgChat Foundation’s website and follow @AgChat on Twitter to join in the weekly conversations!
Check back soon for more ag and social media news!
Celebrate National Ag Day
Today is National Ag Day, the cornerstone of National Ag Week, March 13-19. It is a time when producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and many more gather to celebrate and recognize the amazing abundance of American agriculture. Special events are planned in Washington D.C., as well as at the local and state level throughout the week.
The National Ag Day program believes that every American should understand how food, fiber and renewable resource products are produced; comprehend the vital role agriculture plays in our economy; appreciate the job agriculture does in providing safe, abundant and affordable products; and acknowledge and promote career opportunities available through American agriculture.
At Howard, Merrell & Partners, we agree and gladly aid in spreading the word. Many of us have our family or career roots there. We have and continue to serve clients in the food/fiber/renewable industry value chain. That is a very large group — 21 million people in the U.S. are now employed to support the 301 million consumers in the country.
Join us in today’s celebration – honor American agriculture by saying: “Thank you.” And promote it today.
What is the value of American agricultural industries? Read these winning, insightful written and video essays from these high school students.
Congrats Courtney!
We have just promoted Courtney Beck!
Courtney is a strong writer and an organized individual, with a deep knowledge in agriculture. What a great combination for our clients in that space. She can work a tradeshow, coordinate a media interview, handle a crisis situation, and manage copy for a newsletter — all with style and grace. Now a Senior Writing Specialist and Senior Account Executive, Courtney will continue to be the day-to-day contact for a number of our clients in the agriculture and food markets.
Congratulations!
Welcome: Sarah Umstead Walker
Another Tarheel has joined Howard, Merrell & Partners!
We recently hired Sarah Umstead Walker as an account executive in the Account Management department. Sarah brings with her experience working with clients in the agriculture industry as well as solid knowledge of writing and client relations. Both these attributes make her well suited for the BASF Plant Science’s NutriDense® brand team, which has already benefited from her energy and her knowledge. More »
Social media and…agriculture?
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about social media – Is it Mashable? Twitter? The latest news (and N.C. sensation) about Apple and its iPhone?
For a growing part of the online community, social media also goes hand in hand with cows and corn. The agriculture industry has embraced online tools such as Twitter chats, Facebook pages and live-blogging to promote the people that take food from the farm to our forks. More »
Searching for An Account Executive
We’re seeking an experienced account executive to help further a dynamic and fun business-to-business account. If you think strategically, take initiative on your own, work independently and bring plenty of enthusiasm to the table, we want to meet you. The ideal candidate will have 2+ years of advertising agency experience. Prior experience in the agriculture industry is a plus.
We need an organized team member who can effectively multi-task and easily communicate with clients, partners, agency creatives and vendors. A real agency account exec. Not someone who just needs a job.
Qualifications: BS/BA in Marketing, Advertising or related area; Excellent writing and oral communications skills; Understanding and appreciation of strategy and strategic process.
Send resumes to emaughan@merrellgroup.com
