Twittering from the farm? CNN online recently wrote an article regarding the use of social media in agricultural areas and its growth among the farming community. Ohio State University Extension Educator, Andy Kleinschmidt was quoted in the article and I had the opportunity to ask hi
m a few questions.
Kleinschmidt works directly with farmers to improve crop production and bring the knowledge of The Ohio State University’s Department of Agriculture out to rural areas. A “newbie,” as Kleinschmidt claims, to social media, he is quickly learning the newest tools of the “farming” trade. Using Facebook, Twitter, Friend Feed and his personal blog, Kleinschmidt says he is excited to stay connected to farmers and the agriculture community in real-time.
As with many other social media users, Kleinschmidt explains that social media allows for “two-way conversation, instant feedback and collective knowledge;” great ways to interact with colleagues and consumers. “There is an incredible power in the sharing of industry information; social media allows a farmer in North Dakota to share insight with a farmer in Iowa, it has truly broken down communication barriers and made farmers across the country accessible to one another,” said Kleinschmidt. Another benefit Kleinschmidt claims: “It gives a name and a face to the food you eat; so many people don’t think about where their food comes from, but now, social media really brings the food up to the fork.” Social media offers consumers a way to connect with their local providers and offers providers a way to clear up any misconceptions about the farming industry.
Agchat is, as Kleinschmidt explains it, “the best cocktail party on the internet.” A real-time twitter conversation among agriculture pros where people can ask and answer questions about the industry. “It’s great because it allows people to float in and out of conversation,” Kleinschmidt said. Agchat allows you to join th
e conversation at your convenience and to talk to whomever you’d like outside of the public conversation.
For Kleinschmidt, blogs are still king, the best way to share in depth information online while still allowing feedback and connection to readers.
The biggest challenge for Kleinschmidt? Communicating the importance of social media to those farmers who are still a bit behind the times, although they use the newest, best technology for their specific trade (ie. auto-steer tractors), social media is not yet on the list of their top priorities. But, for Kleinschmidt and many others in agriculture social media is becoming a necessary tool they just can’t live without.
