Farmers' Social Media Benefits

Last week Michele Payn-Knoper @mpaynknoper and I (independently) asked the question on Twitter of what the benefits are of social media to farmers. Through the responses, here is a summarized list of the benefits as seen by those in agriculture.

• share information and ideas with and learn from other farmers and ranchers and others associated with agriculture.

• meet connect, interact and share with more and different people--people you'd probably never connect with otherwise.

• provide quick, responsive networks and communities for farm use and important emerging issues.

• communicate with niche farmers (for example Angus Breeders), like you.

• build a great network for agriculture's future.

• market farm and ranch products

• connect and interact with consumers, creating conversations and relationships with them.
• allow agriculture to share positive information.
• educate people who are not associated with agriculture.
• serve as important voice for agriculture where there wasn't always one before.
• create a way to participate in agriculture conferences without being there.
• widen the scope of local farmers.

Though Twitter these people contributed to the statements of benefits @iamafarmer2 @nel1jack @kansfarmer @gilmerdairy @celestelaurent @kmrivard @HuskerFarm @cruisin88 @swindham @phildawgkey @cornfedfarmer

Advice to Farmers, from @DayAngus

"Hard to believe the average age of IL farmer is 62. I find many are afraid to touch a computer but will run the yield monitor."

"Step out of your comfort zone & join other #ag advocators using SM. Tell your #ag story."

"Sharing information and ideas is the heart sole of #ag networking. SM helps me accomplishes this in an instant.

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