Callie

Driving your tractor down a city street

Farm Roads to Urban Intersections:
Meeting People Where They Are

2012 Agriculture Institute of Florida Workshop and 2012 Annual Meeting

Wednesday, October 10
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Holiday Inn at Walt Disney World Resort (Downtown Disney)
1805 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista

Admission: Ag Institute Members: $65
Non-Members: $75
Students: $10
Admission includes all sessions and lunch
Registration: www.farm2urban.eventbrite.com

You can’t drive a tractor down a city street - or can you? Through social media like blogs, Facebook, and Twitter, you can drive a tractor, herd cows, share harvest updates or talk about hot news topics on even the busiest urban streets, anywhere in the world. But how do you know which road to take? Which vehicle is right for you or your company? And how do you avoid getting lost in the traffic?

Join the Agriculture Institute of Florida for Farm Roads to Urban Intersections, a workshop exploring social media avenues from planning your trip to “Are we there yet?” Guest speakers will focus on social media options, strategies for using these tools effectively for business and how to connect with non-agriculture audiences.

Sponsors: Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, U.S. Sugar Corp., Farm Credit, Florida Sod Growers Cooperative


This workshop is for:
• Anyone who’s wondering, “What’s this all about, and would this be right for me?”
• Companies or individuals who feel “stuck” in their social media efforts
• Communications professionals who want to use social tools more effectively
• Anyone who wants to better understand how social media is shaping how people view agriculture

Keynote Speaker
Ryan Goodman, www.AgricultureProud.com

So you have a blog. So what? Now that you're on the corner, you have to learn to speak the language in order to connect with audiences who may have never set foot on a farm. Since 2007, Ryan Goodman's been sharing his experiences in ranching and cattle management, as well as his perspective on current issues directly with urban audiences through his blog, Agriculture Proud, through Twitter, and through his Facebook page, I Am Agriculture Proud. What's made his efforts successful? Ryan shares the lessons he's learned along the way about creating dialogues, being transparent, and the fact that the road to agricultural advocacy must be a two-way street.

You CAN Get There from Here: The Art & Science of Social Media Strategy
Sue Otten, Chief Marketing Office, OMIX®

As social media tools and technology continually evolve, successful marketers must keep their eyes and ears open to new ways to connect with customers to maintain a company’s competitive edge. Ag industry communications strategist Sue Otten shares the art and science of social media engagement, highlighting proven models for creating content, disseminating the story through traditional and social media and monitoring the effectiveness of your engagement in the fast-changing communications landscape.

Roadmaps and Flight Plans: Getting Started Right
Dr. Tracy Irani / Rachel Divine
University of Florida Center for Public Issues Education
Thinking of entering the social communications highway? This session will cover the basic “how-to’s” of developing and posting great content, the most popular platforms and best sites to use, and the characteristics of successful online communications. Along the way, you’ll explore examples of ag businesses, organizations, and individuals already using social media and will leave with a take-home sheet to help you chart your path and determine if you’re ready to go.

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Florida agriculture's future leaders @ the WLI youth leadership training!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Dr. David Jones

Warm fuzzy from Dr. Jones Increasing Your Effectiveness presentation

Technology Session is underway at the Ritz! Hope everyone is enjoying it and learning something new!

Big Weekend for WLIANR!

It is a big weekend coming up for the Wedgworth Leadership Institute 

for Agriculture and Natural Resources! 

What's on the agenda you might ask? Here are a few of the exciting things occurring this weekend in Orlando:

• WLIANR Class VIII Graduation
• WLIANR's first-ever Youth Leadership Programming sponsored by Class VII
• Amazing speakers including Dr. David Jones and Halsey Beshears and others you won't want to miss!
• A Technology Tips session to cover all your bases including Facebook and how to update your alumni directory information!
• WLIANR Auction!
• Amazing awards! 
• WLIANR Alumni Association Annual Meeting

Other speakers and sessions will be included in this fabulous, leadership-filled weekend! For more specific information, check your inbox!

Hope to see YOU in Orlando!