As the publisher of AZ Rural Times I’m all over the internet – Facebook, Twitter, FriendFeed and many other networks. I do this because it’s important to get the AZ Rural Times read by as many people as possible – no other publication covers rural Arizona in the same way!
It was no surprise to me to encounter several places where you can learn about social media for agriculture, if you’re new to this idea, or expand your network if you’re familiar with social networking.
Here’s what they’re saying at Cause Matters:
Why should agriculture care about social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube? It’s really quite simple. Because the rest of the universe does and there certainly is a face being put on the agrifood business. If you’re not at the table, you can’t be a part of constructing that face – nor can you counter the misinformation campaigns. My research clearly shows HSUS, PETA, Sierra Club, Greenpeace and other activists working against ag are growing their communities nearly 40-fold in a year’s time. I believe we have a responsibility to provide perspective to counter the misinformation and be a voice in the conversation.
There are a couple of places to get started.
#agchat originated on the microblogging site, Twitter. Since there are a number of agriculture folks now on Twitter, it’s a logical tool to discuss issues related to our business. The mission of #agchat is to keep an ongoing, open dialogue amongst the various players in the agriculture, farming and ranching worlds.
Join #agchat’s Facebook site – there is a wealth of information there on getting started with Twitter and social networking.
Agville is like Facebook for the agriculture industry. Here’s what they say:
Agville takes the local coffee shop conversation digital. Agville is a social networking town where friends who work and love agriculture meet to discuss what’s new, what’s growing, and what’s happening. Agville is a connected network of professional growers, producers, family and friends from around the world and down the road. You can find someone, be found, be introduced, or introduce yourself. Come to Agville to play, socialize, or talk serious business. It is what you make of it. The possibilities are abundant and abounding.
Those are just the beginning – this is increasingly the way to keep informed and also to let others know about what’s happening in your community!
