There are only a couple things that I get out of bed early for. Although I am ranch wife, an early riser I’ve never been. I’m more of a night owl. :) Last night I read a couple blogs that really got me thinking about the value of social media.
First – a thought on the elections – YIPEE!!! Ok – that’s my personal opinion. Take a look at this map
http://www.foxnews.com/interactive/politics/election-map-2010/#race=racesInPlay&pres=false
This map also has the ability to show you how the map looked in 2008 and also before the election on the 2nd. My impression is that the majority of the country’s land mass made the decision this election. Now my challenge to all of agriculture is how to engage and communicate and build relationships with the population centers in this country. We have kids that don’t know where milk comes from, that veggies are also found in the store and that it all starts at the local grocery store or maybe Wal-Mart. Social media is a phenomenal tool, we can reach out to others and open dialogue without leaving our offices or perhaps from our tractors or horseback or 4 wheelers. Most folks want to better understand where their food comes from and if we are doing a good job at keeping it safe. They want to be assured that we are giving our livestock the best care we can and that WE CARE!! It isn’t a ‘all for the dollar’ business at our ranch but a love of the land and the privilege to be able to care for it to the best of our ability. Social media allows us to communicate on a personal level!! November is a month of being thankful. America has the safest and most plentiful food in the world. Our farmers are raising more with less ground and less fertilizer. Ranchers cattle are more efficient and productive than ever before. Ok – I step down from my soapbox…. but we need to be involved personally in talking about our products. Getting to know the farmer/rancher growing your food makes the consumer more confident in what you are buying. One more sidebar – Missouri lost an initiative on puppy mills – again look at the map http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrMaps/20101102/ballot_Issue_map.asp?eid=300&oTypeID=25
and then read Darin Grimm’s blog post on the election and the map that matters!! http://daringrimm.wordpress.com/2010/11/03/election-2010-the-map-that-matters/
OK – thought two – found this about the #140 Conf i.e. 140 Character Conference (Twitter) held in Kansas – http://www.webdancers.com/2010/11/early-report-from-kansas/
What I want is all parents and teachers to watch and understand is this video. Although we personally live in an area that doesn’t have cell service and are able to limit the usage of cell phones with our kids, many parents aren’t that fortunate. Learn how to use this tool called social media!!! I can’t emphasize this strong enough. It is this new generations’ preferred method of communication and they don’t hear you with out it!!
“If you want to build a filter for your kids – build the one between their ears – it’s portable!!!” @kevinhunnicutt
Watch it and start learning the network!!!
and thought 3 – opened my devotional & found it was on communication. Has three fantastic points -
1. We must be prepared.
2. We must be interesting.
3. We must be practical.
Read the whole thing here – “Gone Fishing” by Chuck Swindoll
Let’s get involved, the world has changed, you have a story, you have passion, just start telling your story!!
Really nice post,thank you