AgChat Foundation Conference #ACFC11- Pt. 2

After all the touristy fun I told you about in Part 1 of this post, it was time to get down to business. The conference centered around the theme "Advocating Beyond the Choir," and offered speakers, sessions, and exercises all geared towards sharing your story with the people who really need to hear it.

A whole lot of agvocates. Photo by Chuck Zimmerman.

We conversed with a mommy blogger panel about how they make safe food choices for their families. We listened to people currently working in the business of communication in agriculture as they shared some solid gold tips and advice. We learned about Twitter, Facebook, and blogging as tools for telling our stories. We live tweeted the entire thing with the hashtag #ACFC11.

My top ten takeaways from #ACFC11

1. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care, via Jeff Fowle. Incredibly important message to those in the business of raising food.

These "I Heart Alberta Beef" keyfobs were my swapmeet item. I swapped for rare Dr.Pepper, Arkansas rice, and some awesome Animal Ag Alliance bumper stickers. Read more about the swap meet on Ryan Goodman's blog.

2. North America has an amazing variety of agricultural products and practices. 

3. Agriculture needs to quit the "in-fighting." We are all doing what works best for us as individuals, our families, and our operations. The only change will come from woking together.

4. My Twitter friends are even more amazing, hilarious, and funny in real life.

5. I absolutely, without a doubt, want an education and career in agriculture. Specifically in communicating our stories.

Getting to know eachother with an icebreaker involving balls of yarn.
Photo by Chuck Zimmerman.

6. Your ROI (return on investment) from blogging and involvement with social media can come in a variety of ways. For me, getting a foot in the door for agriculture communications, building a trusted network, and maybe even landing a job thanks to my social media involvement will be my ROI.

7. Consumers, for the most part, are not doubting our ability to grow quality food. They just want reliable information to make them feel safe about the food they're eating.

8. I love travelling. I hope I can find a job one day that involves a lot of travel and meeting new people.

9. There is nothing more valuable than in-person connections and relationships. Social media is a great way to build upon ad even create these, but shouldn't become a substitute.

10. I would love to attend #ACFC12. 

If you were also at the conference, I'd love to hear your top takeaways from the conference!

AgChat Foundation Conference #ACFC11- Pt. 1

{Note: This started as one post. Then I realized I had way too much to tell you about my trip to Nashville. Part Two is coming at you tomorrow!}

Remember the #AgChat Foundation conference I told you about? It was this past weekend in Nashville, Tennessee, and I think I may have finally recovered enough from all the agnerd-y fun and information overload to tell you about it.

This conference featured a day and a half packed full of education on social media, "agvocacy" (agriculture advocacy), and networking. I was able to meet dozens of people whom I've only ever spoken to on Twitter, blogs, or Facebook, and meet new people who share my passion for agriculture. More on that tomorrow!

I arrived in Nashville early with another Albertan agvocate, Rebecca, for some fun and touring. We wore out our boots on Broadway in 38C degree weather, careful not to miss a single western store. I've told you before that I have a weak spot for boots.

These almost came home with me. Until I saw the $700 price tag. One day, Corrals, one day.

On Saturday night we met with Colleen to see the one and only Grand Ole Opry. To say it left me speechless may be an understatement. With wildly talented acts lik Vince Gill, Little Jimmy Dickens, Larry Gatlin, and Bill Anderson, the Opry did not disappoint.

Rebecca & I in our Opry best

Vince Gill. Amazing.

Our final free day was spent with Marie and Rachel touring the Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Thank goodness these ladies were as devout country fans as myself. We had perma-goosebumps on the backstage tour of the Ryman, and learned about the livesof country music's most famous, including Hank Williams and Johnny Cash, at the Hall of Fame.

Ryman Auditorium backstage tour

Ryman backstage

Patsy Cline. LOVE.

Did I mention I am an incredibly huge Patsy Cline fan? My family was subject to many a Patsy cover (my favorite being Walkin' After Midnight) from my 8-year-old self.

We also took in some live music and fried food. 

The south loves their fried food. 

And for this, I love the south.

More to come on the actual conference tomorrow!

Nashville Bound

Accepted!

One month from now, I'm headed to Nashville, Tennessee for the Agvocacy 2.0 conference!

I told you about this conference here, and how badly I wanted to get there. I didn't win the photo contest (but solid effort on the votes, guys!) so sponsorship it is! I've made a list of local business that I'll be approaching for small donations towards my flight, hotel, and registration fees.

If you are an #AgChat conference alumni and have any great sponsorship ideas, let me know!

Also, if you know of a great agricultural business that may be interested in sponsoring little old me in my quest to change the world, I'd love their contact info. :)

So for second time this summer, I'm headed east and south for ag-related greatness!

I can't wait to meet the other hundred or so agvocates from all over North America and learn about advocating for agriculture.

Nashville, here I come!

Wanna send me to Nashville? #agchat

Here's the deal:

About 2 months ago, I succumbed to the powers of Twitter.

I haven't look back since.

Follow me @rotempleton

I love Twitter. There are so many networking opportunities. My followers and those I follow are almost all involved in agriculture in some way. I'm learning a lot about different types of farming and ranching all over North America.

And I thought it was just another channel for my random musings and thoughts (it's that, too).

Here's another thing I discovered on Twitter: #agchat

AgChat is a conversation that takes place on Twitter every Tuesday night about ag-related issues. This week's topic was summer ag activity, giving me a great opportunity to tell people about Summer Synergy and the Calgary Stampede.

There's also an AgChat Foundation. 

The AgChat Foundation is hosting a conference this year in Nashville, their 2nd annual Agvocacy 2.0 conference. It will focus on the use of various types of social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs, etc.) and their usefulness in communication between agricultural producers and consumers.

When I read that description, I thought, I have to go to this. I'll admit, I love a good conference. That may be strange, but there's nothing better than networking with like-minded people and bouncing off one another's ideas to reach a goal.

I love meeting new people. I love learning about agriculture communications. I get antsy when I stay home for too long..or in the same country, for that matter. I feel like I would love Nashville. And I need to start dispersing that box of 400 shiny new business cards somewhere!

If that story has you ready to send me a first-class ticket to Nashville, be my guest! If not, I have another way you can help me out.

Here's the photo I submitted. It's one of my favorites, taken and edited by me.

The AgChat Foundation is having a photo contest, with the winners earning scholarships to Agvocacy 2.0 pending acceptance, as well as a feature in their calendar. The most votes on your picture gets you there!

I chose a picture I took out on one of our pastures last summer. It's one of our herd bulls, 9P, with his ladies and calves. I just love how it looks like a bovine family photo.

Go to the AgChat Facebook Photo contest. Click this link to go directly to my photo. Click VOTE! You can do this once a day. Which I'm sure all of you will, because you are very supportive of my latest slightly crazy but awesome endeavor.

FYI: I'll find out whether or not I've been accepted at the end of July.

I encourage you to check out the other applicant's photos. There are some amazing shots!

Thank you so much for your help. What would I do without you?

PS. Happy Canada Day :)