During a live broadcast this week, the following question was posed to Franklin County farmer Larry Sailer: How are you using social media to assist with farming? Facebook, Twitter and blogs have become virtual coffee shops.
Advocacy – helping others understand farming practices and educates the masses about important issues impacting agriculture and farmers.
Community Building – connects consumers with producers; helps farmers connect with the people their feeding; and connects people who have similar interests.
Relationship building – getting better acquainted with people you already know and meeting others with whom you can network and work together for a common cause.
Farmers Do Text. (In fact, I set up all of the farm stops for the WHO Radio 2011 Crop Tour through texting!) They also tweet and post status updates on Facebook, too.
“Twitter and Facebook are popular,” agrees Deb Brown of Debworks, a marketing organization based in Hampton, Iowa, that uses traditional and new media to help businesses get noticed. “Fifty-seven percent of Franklin County residents are on Facebook; it’s the new ‘party line’.”
I just love Deb’s sound bite but can’t help but wonder how many politicos connected “party line” to Democrats v. Republicans rather than the shared telephone lines that were common in rural areas when I was a kid.
Aren’t double entredrés great? The more I think about it, the more fitting I find it that social media has become the new party line. Rather than “drawing a line in the sand,” we can use social media to connect “two or more users in an exchange” of ideas. Regardless of whether people or Democrats or Republican, we can unite around common interests including family and community, food and fun!
Social Media is New "Party Line" during Iowa Caucus
Naturally, all Americans look forward to the time between Christmas and New Year’s. It’s often filled with rest, relaxation and anticipation for the future. Even if adults are working that week, it reminds me of taking summer classes while a college student: You do the work but the atmosphere is a lot more relaxed.
That is unless you’re an Iowan and it’s the week before the first-in-the-nation caucus! Then your telephone rings several times a day – even interrupts family gatherings as you celebrate the holidays – with political candidates trying to win your support. (On the upside, it beats having bill collectors call!) You can find 24/7 news coverage of the upcoming landmark political event as even the “local news station” is providing its own angle.
But I’m not complaining! I honestly believe it’s an honor for Iowa to host the caucus. We have the privilege of exercising our freedom to vote, take part in the political process, plus showcase all that Iowa and its wonderful small towns have to offer. And that’s exactly what happened when CNN’s Starting Point with Soledad O’Brian rolled into the Hawkeye State.
CNN producers met right before the New Year with Franklin County residents including Larry Sailer, farmer and Franklin County Farm Bureau member, and Deb During Brown of Hampton, founder of Debworks, who specializes in using traditional and new media to connect people.
“CNN found more stories about our bloggers tour,” writes Brown in a Dec. 30 blog post. “Residents of Franklin County were actually using social media! Suddenly the topic changed from politics to how rural communities were using social media. Larry Sailer – a farmer in the county, myself, Claire Celsi – businesswomen and blogger from Des Moines and Michael Libbie – advertising man and blogger will be on a live panel Monday morning. Starting Point with Soledad O’Brien – here we come!”
Click here to watch a news clip of Franklin County residents and bloggers, who were interviewed Monday on CCN’s Starting Point.
Farmers, support education in your community and help strengthen your rural communities by applying for a grant from America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education. Applications will be accepted from January 6 through April 15, 2012. Nominating your public school is as simple as completing a one page form.
Grants will be awarded based on merit, need and community support. That mean the more farmers who nominate a school district, the more it demonstrates community support and thus strengthens that school district’s application. So, encourage all of your friends and family members to apply! A little grassroots organization could go a long way toward helping your school.
Skeptical? Your odds are much better receiving a grant from the rural education fund than from winning the Publisher’s Clearing House. Just ask the folks who farm near Wells, Minnesota. Last year the United South Central School District in Wells, Minnesota, received a $25,000 grant for new lab equipment and graphing calculators.
America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education is sponsored by the Monsanto Fund to help farmers positively impact their communities by supporting local school districts. Specifically, the program gives farmers the opportunity to nominate a public school district in their community to compete for a merit-based grant of either $10,000 or $25,000. The program is available in 1,245 counties in 39 states. Overall, the program will donate more than $2.3 million to school districts.
Grant recipients will be selected by America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory council, a group of 26 farmers from across the country. Grants will be announced in August 2012.
For more information, visit GrowRuralEducation.com or call 1-877-267-3332. NOTE: The referenced website, including an online application form, will not be updated with 2012 information until closer to the application period. In the meantime, you can download a hard copy form here.
Ring in the New Year with Fire Crackers and Iced Cranberries
After years of the same New Year’s Resolutions making American’s Top 10 List, Parade magazine is offering 55 ideas to switch up things for 2021. Idea number one is to “focus on a passion not your looks” followed by “workout to feel good not to become thinner.”
Other Top 10 Resolutions for your consideration include:
Start each day with gratitude. (Latham’s Marketing Team members begin its weekly meeting by expressing something for which they are grateful. It helps set the tone for a great meeting!)
Ten resolutions sounds lofty, doesn’t it? Perhaps that’s why only 50% of people who make resolutions are successful after six months. Sometimes less is more; fewer is better.
There are a few, simple practices you can put into place to increase the likelihood of achieving success. University of Scranton psychology Professor John Norcross, in a special story to CNN, offered these evidence-based tips for making and keeping your New Year’s resolutions:
Make short, attainable goals.
Develop a specific action plan.
Publicly declare your resolutions to hold yourself accountable.
To hold herself accountable, one of my friends reviews her resolutions daily. She prints her annual goals on an interesting piece of paper and places them in a cute frame beside her bathroom sink. Then each morning she reflects upon her list and decides what she needs to do to continue to work toward achieving her goals. She is truly one of the most productive and successful people I know.
In the short term, my holiday weekend goals are to “Eat. Drink. Be Merry.” That’s why today I’m sharing with you two of my favorite recipes from my mom’s recipe box. Cranberry Slush has been a holiday tradition for more than 30 years. The Fire Hot Crackers are always a hit. Try topping these crackers with summer sausage and cheese.
1 T. red pepper flakes (double the flakes for a little more “fire”)
½ T. onion powder
1 pkg. dry Ranch dressing mix
Directions:
Mix oil garlic and onion powder, crushed pepper, and dressing mix. Pour into a 2-gallon bag. Add crackers and carefully shake bag so that crackers get coated. Let the bag set for 15 minutes and then shake it again. Pour onto paper towels and let dry. (COOK’S TIP: Top with paper towels, as well, to remove excess oil.) Store in airtight container.
Motorists have one more “tool” for their winter survival kit, thanks to a new smartphone application. It’s available – free – for both Android and iOS systems.
“The app will help you find your current location, call 911, notify your friends and family, calculate how long you can run your engine to keep warm and stay safe from carbon monoxide poisoning,” says Iowa State University Extension Safety Specialist Charles Schwab in a recent Wallaces Farmer article. “You can use the Winter Survival Kit app to store important phone and policy numbers for insurance or roadside assistance. You can also designate emergency contacts you want to alert when you become stranded.”
The Winter Survival Kit app can be used to determine geographic location. It’s gas calculator estimates how long the car engine will run on the remaining fuel plus every 30 minutes it will remind motorists to turn off the vehicle’s engine and check the exhaust pipe for snow buildup to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. In addition, the Winter Survival Kit app provides information on preparing one’s vehicle for winter driving and on staying safe when stranded in a storm or stuck in snow. Click here to read the entire Wallaces Farmer article, “Phone App Is Winter Preparedness Tool for Motorists.”
Much time will be spent this week reflecting on 2011 and resolving to make changes in 2012. One change farmers can make in 2012 is resolving to better manage weeds.
Weed resistance is a growing problem (literally) in our area. One weed that continues to cause problems is waterhemp. As you make plans for your 2012 soybean weed control programs, please ask yourself the following questions:
Am I using multiple modes of action and residual herbicides with post-emergence in my soybean herbicide program to help prevent resistance from taking place in my fields?
Am I allowing weeds to compete with my crop early in the season that may be impacting yield?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, the best step to take is to address the issue by using FULL rates of pre-emergence herbicides in your soybean fields. Kevin Bradley, a weed scientist from the University of Missouri, conducted trials with waterhemp in soybeans. According to Bradley’s research, a pre-emergence herbicide applied before soybean planting reduced late-season waterhemp density by 97 percent.
Results like that – 97% reduction in waterhemp density – is worth trying! After all, resolving to change your weed management program is a lot easier than resolving to walk or run on one’s treadmill every day.
Corwith Farm Service Gives New Meaning to “Full Service”
Latham® dealers Pete and Bonnie Wilhite of Corwith, Iowa, give “full service” new meaning.When customers stop by Corwith Farm Service on Main Street, they can pick up everything from alfalfa pellets (yes, rabbit food) to fresh ground hamburger. Patrons can also enjoy a cup of fresh-brewed coffee, play a game of cards and place their seed orders for the year.
The Wilhites bought the town’s grocery store, formerly known as Ron’s Food Center, in April 2010. The previous owners, Ron and Mary Cronin, had operated the store since August 1975 and were looking to sell once Ron was diagnosed with cancer. The sale of the business to someone locally – and to a friend no less – helped bring some peace of mind to the Cronins and community members alike since an independent grocery store is the heart of a small town.
After purchasing the grocery store, the Wilhites made a few changes. They added a coffee corner and began selling deli sandwiches for people in need of “grab and go” lunches. They also added more fresh fruits and vegetables to their product offering.
There was a learning curve, admits Bonnie. It’s hard to gauge what will be a good seller, so sometimes the family’s meals are based on what needs to move from the grocery store shelves. Corwith Farm Services cuts its own meat, so Pete had to learn how to operate the saws and grinders. Fortunately, the same person who had been working at Ron’s Food Center for the past 10 years continued working when the store changed hands. The Wilhites also added an additional employee to the payroll.
Pete works at the store each week day from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. He carries out groceries, and if need be, he’ll make deliveries. Bonnie spends Fridays at the store, after working 40 hours from Monday through Thursday as the operating room and emergency room supervisor for Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.
“Corwith Farm Services isn’t a job to me,” says Bonnie with her ever-present smile. “All week I’m helping with surgeries and dealing with emergencies, so the grocery store is really an outlet for me. On Fridays I get to catch up with friends and with bookwork.”
In addition to their “day jobs,” Pete and Bonnie farm. They raise corn and soybeans plus have cows and calves on pasture from spring to fall. Both of their children were active in 4-H and showed cattle at the county fair.
“We love living in the country and are glad we were able to raise our kids on the farm,” says Bonnie. “There is always something to do. When our kids were younger, I didn’t have to worry about where they were because they couldn’t go anywhere without us driving them!”
The Wilhites’ kids are on the go now. Their 21-year-old daughter, Chelcee, is in her final semester at Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids. She is working at the medical clinic in Britt before returning to the classroom in February. In May, she will complete her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN). Lucas, age 20, is a sophomore at Iowa State University in Ames where he’s majoring in business. (Lucas is also seeking a summer internship, so you know whom to call if you’re looking to hire!)
While their college kids are home on break, Bonnie is sure to mix up a few of their favorite foods including homemade pizza and Mexican Corn Dip. This dip, along with Cyclone-colored tortilla chips, is on the menu for Dec. 30 when Iowa State takes on Rutgers during the New Era Pinstripe Bowl in Yankee Stadium.
Easy Homemade Pizza
Ingredients:
1 package yeast
1- 1/4 c. warm water
1 tsp salt
3 to 4 c. flour
Directions:
Mix and knead. (The more you knead, the lighter the dough is.)
Let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
Put in pizza pans and top with your favorite toppings.
Many farm-related activities, such as feeding the cattle and plowing the farm yard, must be done no matter what the thermometer reads. That’s why it’s important for farmers to take special precautions, so the cold temperatures don’t take their toll.
Wear mittens instead of gloves. Mittens allow your fingers to remain in contact with each other, enabling your hands to stay warmer.
Cover your head and ears. The head, neck and ears lose heat faster than any other part of the body.
Stay dry.
Do not drink alcoholic beverages. Alcohol actually causes the body to lose heat more rapidly.
Watch for frostbite and other signs of hypothermia like numbness or disorientation. If you suspect frostbite or hypothermia, it’s important to:
Seek immediate shelter in a warm place.
Handle any frostbitten area gently. Don’t rub them!
Replace cold, wet and clothing with dry items.
Warm the body gradually, not by a stove or fire.
Contact your local emergency medical services for help with frostbite or hypothermia.
Farm children are at risk whether they are helping out with the chores or just enjoying the many adventures that might exist on a sunny, but bitterly cold day. Snowmobiling, sledding or just having a snowball fight with Grandpa may be dangerous.
Children may not be able to identify the signals of danger, so help them stay safe by monitoring their actions frequently. Winter can be a beautiful and fun time of the year to enjoy the farm if precautions are taken to prevent the cold from endangering those who are experiencing its glory. For more information on farm safety, visit www.fs4jk.org
It’s not often that a company shares its “internal battles,” but today we’re airing one! Just as many football teams across the nation are preparing for bowl games this holiday season, the product team at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is trying to determine the value of both offense and defense.
“Defense is the best offense there is!” says Latham Product Manager Mark Grundmeier. He stands by the defensive power of L2183R2. This Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybean has the best defensive package in the industry. It has the industry’s best store (1.5 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the best) for Iron Chlorosis. Place it on medium to heavy soils and Marks says it’s tough to beat.
President John Latham, on the other hand, insists that Latham® Hi‑Tech Soybeans L2182R2 is the way to go. “Offense, offense, offense,” chants John. He wants to raise 80-bushel beans and insists that L2182R2 is the way to do it. While L2182R2 is a great offensive product, John says it also has a solid defense package.
Which matters more, offense or defense? Our Seed-2-Soil® specialist says that one of the best predictors of a soybean product’s performance is its field position. “Just as it is on the gridiron, a good field position makes it easier for the offense to score,” says Peter Bixel, team lead for Latham’s Seed-2-Soil program. “Teams with poor defenses provide poor field position, which allows their offense to gain more yards but probably results in fewer points scored. Placement can help soybean products maximize yield potential.”
Can soybean growers – and championship football teams alike – benefit from having both a strong offense and a strong defense? Watch the video link below to see Mark and John go “head to head” on this issue.
guest blog post submitted by Deb Brown of debworks
Deb Brown is the CMO, chief foot soldier, answering machine and traveler at Debworks. Debworks is a marketing organization, traditional and new media, dedicated to getting the word out about your business. www.debworks.com | deb@debworks.com 641-580-0103
What if you made the decision to purchase one product locally? You might be surprised at the huge impact just one purchase could have on a small town.
Let’s just consider what would happen if every resident of Greater Franklin County decided to buy their toilet paper locally. There are 15,000 people in Greater Franklin County and the average person uses 105 rolls of toilet paper a year. Do the math – just this item would keep almost $2 million dollars in sales in our county. Two million! It would also generate $140,000 in sales taxes.
Last year it was estimated that the amount actually spent on toilet paper in Greater Franklin County was $335,800 – that’s lost revenue of $1,631,244! We haven’t even covered the fact that revenue spent in local businesses tends to stay in the county. They pay their employees and local taxes, shop for products locally themselves, contribute to non-profit organizations locally and generally support the local community.
Debworks has a commitment to shopping local. The first thing that comes to mind is shopping at the retail stores. And we do that. But we’ve expanded our commitment to say – we support local too. I live and work in Franklin County and think it’s important that we learn to work together not only to improve quality of life, but also to strengthen our businesses.
What does that mean? Easy enough – shop local! (See www.debworks.com/5-things-consider) But it’s more than just shopping local. It’s also working together. John F. Kennedy said “a rising tide lifts all boats” (he took it from a New England Chamber of Commerce). That means if we all work together, we all get better together.
We’re doing a few things in Franklin County that are making a difference:
1. Thinking about advertising and promotion in an artistic kind of way.
Our Franklin County Arts Council puts on two big productions a year. At the winter event, it’s a live radio play done on a stage set in the 1940’s. There are 6-8 commercials between the acts. These commercials are from local companies! So not only is your commercial seen live at both showings, it is recorded and played on the radio (and you get the spot for your use) and it is also filmed and you receive that as well. We like the idea “write once, use many times” – and this works well! You are supporting the arts, and getting your name out there too. Win-win.
We invited 10 bloggers and their families into our community. We fed them, housed them and entertained them for a weekend. In turn, they wrote about their adventure in Franklin County. The short tail on this is – we got immediate blog coverage from Midwest bloggers. The long tail is – we are still getting noticed and talked about. CNN found Franklin County and asked some of our residents to come to Des Moines and talk about the caucus with them. We’ve been featured in newspapers around the state for this tour. Uptake author Jody Halsted is still posting there about Franklin County. It continues to be a productive venture.
3. Debworks and Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds are putting together a Partnership Seminar to be held at the end of the month at TownsEnd Winery.
We’ve invited a few local businesses to attend and brainstorm on different ways to partner this year. We’re looking at the calendar for the year’s events (thanks to the Chamber for keeping a great community calendar!) and figuring out how we can be involved and partner up with other businesses. For example, Shannon’s Pumpkin Patch might partner up with Country Heritage Bed and Breakfast. For visitors traveling out of town to visit the Harriman Nielsen Historic Farm over their Festival weekend, they could stay at the B and B and take home a great pumpkin from Shannon’s Pumpkin Patch and attend the Festival. Just imagine what the winery, the Soybean Association and the downtown retailers could dream up!
So why not take a good, hard look at what is available in your community. What is the Historical Society doing? How about County Conservation? Don’t forget the Farm Bureau and Soybean Association. Now – how can you as a business owner create some fun things that bring people to you? As a consumer – where can you shop local and help support your community?
