For the twitter conversations hosted on Tuesday nights at 8 pm Eastern, see the #AgChat & #FoodChat FAQs.
This Week’s Questions
The conversations on Twitter each week, revolve around topics and questions that come from the community. We will work with moderators to post the current convo topic and questions here on a weekly basis as possible.
Archives
Archives for #AgChat and #FoodChat discussions held prior to the launch of AgChat Foundation’s website (July 12, 2010) are housed here. From this point forward, archives will be maintained here and posted along with the other materials.
February 21th, 2012 – #FoodChat on Food and Ag, Panel with Registered Dietitians
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- What do dietitians do and why? (this may seem simple, but it’s a mystery to many).
- How can dietitians & farmers/ #agriculture learn more about issues each group faces?
- What online resources do you trust/use to find food facts?
- Do registered dietitians receive any agriculture education as part of their training at university or continuing ed?
- What questions do RDs have of farmers, ranchers and those in agriculture?
- Do RDs work with commodity groups to get in touch w/ farmers or use ed resources that are already made?
- What are RDs thoughts on biotech for improved nutrition, such as high oleic soybeans?
- Food labels takes back seat to front facing food marketing. Should retailers be > proactive food info role?
- How can food growers help improve people’s health through ‘Dietary Guidelines for Americans’ (ref link http://agtoday.us/xrzpmo )
- If nutritional value is equal, what is more important: local, organic, price?
- What is missing in consumer food/nutrition ed? Is it more info, diff delivery or what?
- What’s the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of tonight’s #foodchat?
February 7th, 2012 – #AgChat Corn: Food or Fuel?
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- Is food vs fuel a moral, philosophical, or economic discussion?
- For the livestock producers. Do you feed Dry Distiller’s Grain (DDGs)? Pros and cons?
- What is the nutritional difference in DDGs & corn?
- Oil price does affect corn price, so how can corn growers say they are not in the food fuel debate?
- How will changes to ethanol subsidies affect this debate?
- Why should it matter what a farmer does with his or her crop if its the best decision for their business?
- Do you think Asia’s increase in meat consumption has likely led to shortages in corn supply as much as ethanol?
- Food v Fuel usually means corn. What about acres for cellulosic like switchgrass etc?
- What benefits has biofuels brought? Or via @MarieB41 R they even necessary since we have centuries of oil still?
- Does it always have to be ‘food versus fuel’. Instead of ‘either’ ‘or’, ‘and’?
- What is the one executable idea you’ll be working on from tonight’s #agchat?
January 31st, 2012 – #AgChat Ag Degrees and Jobs
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Is there land grant/ag degree reverse snobbery if someone in ag not w ag degree. Viewed differently?
- What are some careers requiring degrees many don’t think of as ‘ag’? How do/should we connect the dots?
- How has (or hasn’t) your college degree played a part in your career?
- What’s the biggest challenge in your #ag professional life this year (besides economy)?
- Do we contribute to the perception that there are no jobs in ag by saying ‘less than 2% work in ag’ too much?
- Some say a master’s degree is the new bachelor’s degree. Do you think more jobs are requiring higher ed?
- What helped you most during college or early in your life to decide on a career?
- What are the top traits necessary to be successful in today’s ag & #food career/business or farm?
- Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your younger self about agriculture, education and a career?
- #careers in #ag started w/ a dream to get there. Did that dream take another direction? Education, Family, Etc
January 24th, 2012 – #AgChat Ag Water Issues
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- What’s your Twitter short definition of ‘Water Conservation’?
- What is your biggest water challenge?
- How are you managing your soil to increase water conservation & reduce the impacts of too much/too little?
- Do you use treated wastewater (greywater) on crops, and if not, how hard would it be to do so?
- How does drainage tile affect water conservation? Is the water removed through tiling a positive or a negative?
- What does ‘H2O secure’ look like for an operation?
- How does agriculture drainage affect the economics & environments of the landscapes where agriculture is practiced?
- Who are the key water conservation mentors/champions for your operation?
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- What water conservation measures would be fairly easy to implement on all sizes of farms?
- How has your water mgmt/conservation changed in the last 10 years? Last 30 years?
- What have you heard/learned tonight you’ll implement?
January 17th, 2012 – #FoodChat Food, Diets, Health, and Resolutions
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- Was health one of your new year’s resolutions? What was your resolution?
- Are you still sticking to your health resolution?
- How do you motivate yourself to eat healthy?
- What is your favorite health food?
- How do you decide if a food is ‘healthy’ or not?
- Where do you go for trusted nutrition information?
- Is the USDA @myplate helpful when making nutrition and food decisions?
- Nutrition programs are the largest part of FarmBill. Are there 2012 nutrition focused changes to consider?
- What will be the leading trends in food/health trend in 2012?
- Whats your fav kitchen gadget to help you prepare lean, tasty meals?
- With more adults sedentary how can we provide better education about nutrition?
- For #dietitian educators: what is your approach to education in schools about food nutrition?
- Does Jamie Oliver’s approach really teach or is it just entertainment?
- What is the craziest diet you have ever heard of or have been on?
January 10th, 2012 – #AgChat Conversation With AgChat Exec Director and Group
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- Who is @ezweber and what do you do for fun?
- What in your mind is the purpose for the AgChat Foundation?
- What is your vision for the Agchat Foundation?
- What is your favorite time of the year, ag wise, and why? #agchat
- What needs can ACF help you with in agvocacy, SM or related areas in 2012?
- How can people participate in AgChat?
- How do we effectively engage with each other (audience, ACF, consumers&producers;)?
- Will @agchat be moving past helping ag tell its story and into advocacy at the policy level?
- How are topics selected for #AgChat and #FoodChat?
- What are some of the types of events AgChat would attend in 2012?
- Where would you like to see ACF’s presence more? (SM or non-sm)
- What is the one executable thing you will go do / take on after this convo?
January 3rd, 2012 – #AgChat on Staying Connected
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- What is your best New Year’s Eve Farm story?
- Is McDonalds new ad campaign ‘creating new connections’ or ‘farmwashing’ (+’tive image of farmers for $$ gain)?
- How can we connect to farmers who are not SM savvy, on remote farms, or farms off the grid?
- Do you keep your personal & business connections separate or do they mix?
- How are you going to connect with your target audience in 2012? (& who is your target audience)
- What Social Media platform has been most successful in making connections for you?
- What new platform will you try in 2012 to connect with your target audience? (already saw some G+ mentions…)
- What tips do you have for Farmers and Consumers who want to Connect in 2012?
- Most ppl can maintain stable relationships w/~150 ppl. How do you keep up w/ your friends & associates?
- What will you add/change in your #agvocacy role in 2012?
- Last Q: What is the one executable idea you’ll be working on from tonight’s #agchat?
December 20th, 2011 – #FoodChat on Food and Holidays
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- What’s your favorite holiday drink?
- Do you have a favorite cheese & wine/beer pairing for the holidays?
- What are your standby refreshments for surprise guests?
- Butter or lard?
- Do you bake/cook to make gifts? What is your favorite thing to make?
- What’s your ‘go-to’ entree if you cook on Christmas Day?
- What’s your favorite ethnic dish for the holidays?
- How do you handle food traditions that aren’t welcome anymore (i.e. family won’t eat oyster stuffing)?
- If you are the Host, how do you organize the holiday food for the gathering? Do you ever theme the meals?
- What’s your ‘must have’ holiday leftover?
- How do you handle the ‘picky Eater’ during Holidays?
- What will you be leaving Santa for a snack on Christmas Eve?
December 13th, 2011 – #AgChat on Day Job, Farm Job
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- Do you prefer the farm life, the farm job, day job or both?
- What are ways to stay involved in your ag roots while working a day job that may not be agricultural
- What kind of day job first well with your farm job?
- How can you balance a day job and the farm effectively? What about with your family?
- What timesavers are essential to allowing you to have farm and off farm careers?
- How do you adjust when you leave farm job to day job or vice versa? Leave farm life for city life?
- As parents, do you have a specific plan for kids wanting to come back to the farm, i.e. college, work experience?
- How do you incorporate family members w/other full time jobs into your operation & make them feel important?
- What is the one executable idea you’ll be working on from tonight’s #agchat?
December 6th, 2011 – #AgChat on Youth in Agriculture
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- How old were you when you knew that involvement in agriculture was going to be your life’s work?
- 4H & FFA are traditional youth ag programs. What other youth ag programs are there?
- Is it important youth programs such as 4-H & FFA offer programs 2 teach farm business skills 2 future farmers?
- How do we keep youth involved with 4H & FFA when school activities seem to be better on college & scholarship apps?
- How can we better educate America’s youth about agriculture and importance it plays in our everyday lives?
- How will proposed child labor laws affect youth directly in or interested in agriculture?
- What responsibility does @nationalFFA and @4H have in helping more #ag ed students learn to be #agvocates?
- What is your youth ag best/worst/funny moment/story?
- What jobs are available and what are employers looking for when hiring youth in ag?
- What is the one executable idea you’ll be working on from tonight’s #agchat?
November 22th, 2011 – #AgChat on FoodThanks
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- I would like to express #FoodThanks for my mom’s _________ #recipe.
- My guilty #FoodThanks pleasure is _________ .
- How do you extend #FoodThanks to other times of the year?
- Which part of the food system (or of ag) do you wish we could get involved with #FoodThanks?
- My dad makes the best ___________. #FoodThanks.
- Why are you thankful to live in rural America?
- For what kind of equipment are you most thankful?
- What wisdom from previous generations makes you most thankful?
- Does anyone ever thank you for being a farmer?
- How do you thank all involved with your operation during the holidays (and the rest of the year)?
- What part of food production are you thankful that someone else does?
- What is your best Thanksgiving memory centered around the farm?
- What is your approach to helping raise #FoodThanks non-farm awareness?
- Share a funny turkey memory #FoodThanks.
November 15th, 2011 – #FoodChat on Thanksgiving
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- Thanksgiving turkey or ham (kind of like iPhone or Android)?
- What is the most unique (hard-to-find?) ingredient in your Thanksgiving recipes?
- What’s the most creative way you can give #foodthanks online?
- What questions would you like Miss America to answer about food, farming & agriculture?
- How has Thanksgiving evolved since the first thanksgiving, what traditions have stayed the same?
- What is the best stuffing recipe for #Thanksgiving?
- What’s the best side dish and why?
- How do we use celebrations like Thanksgiving to overcome the general population's apathy towards healthy food & nutrition?
- If you could have 1 fact conveyed to students about farmers involvement with Thanksgiving, what would it be?
- If you connect with your community during Thanksgiving, where will you spend that time?
- What family Thanksgiving food traditions have you continued with your kids?
- Have you incorporated new foods into your Thanksgiving menu? What has been reaction from kids, adults?
- What are some of your best uses for Thanksgiving leftovers?
- How do you think most Americans feel about about their meal as compared to last year?
- What are you most thankful for this Thanksgiving?
November 8th, 2011 – #AgChat on Agri-tourism and Urban Ag
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- What role do those of us take who support ag, but don’t own a farm?
- Winemaking in Iowa is growing steadily. What’s happening near you that attracts agri-tourists?
- What do you consider to be “urban ag”? What comes to mind?
- What experiences draw the most people to agri-tourism farms?
- How can we work to enable students more affordable opportunities in urban ag/agro tourism?
- I love farm tours; are there other examples of learning + #ag = fun for rural & urban folks?
- How can the philosophies of urban agriculture and non-urban agriculture help each other?
- Are there any grants available for starting an UrbanAg operation?
- What is agri-tourisim?
- How do growers balance production and agritourism revenues (given the resources required for the latter)?
- What provincial/local/state regs did you need to overcome to set up your agri-tourism business & how did you comply?
- With agri-tourism, what liabilities exist and how do you protect against them?
- What are the pros/cons of 4-H, FFA, Scouts (other?) devoting more resources/funds to urban ag youth programs?
- What is the one executable thing you will do based on what you saw tonight?
November 1st, 2011 – #AgChat on Food & Ag Dialogues
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- Have you made a business change based on input from public or customers? If so, did you communicate that?
- How can we turn these conversations/online dialogues into real-world/offline action? Have any good examples?
- How can we best move from Preaching to the Choir (Ag) to Preaching to the Masses?
- Many ag ppl are not directly connected to food, most consumers are not connected to ag. Where is middle point?
- So what’s missing from the online dialogue about #farm & #food?
- Where do ag tweeps engage in discussion outside of Twitter? Blogs? FB? In person? What positives & negatives?
- When agvocating, where is line between providing info & diluting message w/too much tweeting, FBing & blogging?
- What have you found most effective w/people who are not aware of/interested in ag?
- Who (non ag) do you follow re: food & its connection to agriculture?
- #ag & #food issues are increasingly #global – does online dialogue help w/solutions at the global level?
- What technologies would help growers build the grower to consumer connection?
- What is the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of tonight’s convo?
October 25th, 2011 – #AgChat on the 2012 Farm Bill
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- What percent of #Farm Bill $$$$ goes to food programs & why are they important?
- Why are welfare programs like food stamps included in part of the Farm Bill?
- How can farmers & nutrition professionals work together on a bill to benefit both sides?
- What are your thoughts on the priorities Vilsack outlined on Monday? Transcript=> http://agtoday.us/v3ZqpK
- What steps should be taken for US ag to capitalize on growing global demand for ag products?
- Are current renewable energy policies beneficial to US ag as a whole?
- How do farmers, #ag & #nutrition tweeps benefit by taking time to read & understand Farm Bill details?
- What’s your very best source of information for #farm bill, #ag & #nutrition policy (URLs encouraged)?
- How do corn ‘subsidies’ impact corn acreages planted? What would be impact, if any, of ending?
- Would it be better policy to eliminate direct payments and create a better crop insurance program with that $?
- How should milk pricing and #dairy policy be changed in 2012 Farm Bill?
- What’s the one executable idea you’ll be working on this week as a result of our #farmbill convo?
October 18th, 2011 – #FoodChat on Food, Health, and Diet
- Moderation is half the battle. What are your favorite portion control tips?
- ‘Diet’ has too much focus on losing weight. What other words we you use to refer to healthy food choices?
- How important is physical activity in reducing diet related disease?
- What are some of your favorite foods that can promote health?
- What’s a common milestone for positive, sustainable changes?
- When do we stop thinking about what we eat and start thinking about what we do? (re: Roseto, PA)
- Does ‘food combining’ work to control weight? What are best ways to get protein if you do not eat meat?
- How does diet effect high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and abdominal fat?
- Based on tonight’s chat, what is one step you’re going to take to improve your health?
- What low cost frozen foods/pantry staples do you recommend for low cost family meals?
- What positive steps are you taking to improve your health?
- What approaches to healthy/nutrition food preparation do you use to make breakfast, lunch or dinner?
October 11th, 2011 – #AgChat with Open Topics Conversations
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- Who do you rely on to help you maintain your sense of humor during #harvest11?
- What farm organizations do you you as a farmer use or belong to – and how do you feel they’re perceived?
- How can we best inform our consumers about modern dairy production?
- How will this years slim harvest and grain shortage impact your operation?
- What are your thoughts on Renewable Fuel Standard circuit breaker for corn for livestock?
- What is the best source to get balanced information on agriculture policies?
- What do you know about #ag regulatory procedures in different countries?
- Are there any farmers/agchat people who have participated in the Peace Corps or international dev work?
- Do you think the ag audience is included in #foodday or #BAD11? Why or Why not?
- For blog action day (#BAD11), what food related topic will you write about?
- A recent study indicates organic ag no longer suffer yield drag. Will you be considering doing some organic?
- Do you think consumers have trouble finding answers to their food questions online?
- What do farmers see as their biggest challenges in 2012 business year?
October 4th, 2011 – #AgChat on Farm Technology
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- What is your favorite technology you use on your farm and why?
- What are your favorite resources for discovering new tech?
- Which technology has had the greatest impact on your farm environmentally?
- Most farmers think tech=production efficiency. What about communications efficiency w/ family, co-workers, community?
- How do I maximize the potential of a smartphone?
- For your farm’s operational budget, do you allocate a specific % toward technology purchases or upgrades?
- How do you deal with a lack of rural broadband?
- Do you have enough information on tech products to make an informed purchase? What’s missing to help?
- New tech takes yrs, even decades to reach market, & time is rising. How can we change that?
- Will the population of ppl involved in Ag continue to decrease due to tech allowing for more efficient production?
- Do you use technology to elevate your natural ag strengths and/or push you to improve your weaker ag skills?
- What would you like to see technology enabling Ag to accomplish in the next 20 years?
September 27th, 2011 – #AgChat on Parenting on the Farm
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- Did you grow up on a farm? & what did your parents instill in you?
- How can farms that don’t have kids safely host families or youth groups?
- Do you set an example for your kids as a community volunteer? Coaching, church, clubs, other?
- At what ages & which activities do you allow your kids to work on the farm?
- Farmstead rule: ‘kitchen table’ discussions (biz, personal) STAY within the family. What’s your #1 farmstead rule?
- How much do you allow kids to set their chore schedule or do you do it for them?
- If your adult kids (+18 yrs old) want to work on your farm, what do you advise them to do before becoming employees?
- Backing up to younger teens – how do you teach honesty? Ex: saying they did a chore that wasn’t done properly
- What activities farm related or not do you do as a family?
- Breakfast, not dinner, was our ‘family’ meal growing up on the farm. What about your family? Favorite memories?
- What’s one executable idea you picked up tonight?
September 20th, 2011 – #FoodChat on Food Concerns
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- Are consumers really that interested in knowing where their food comes from?
- What does sustainable farming mean to you?
- So it seems food & farm folks agree to that sustainability involves land, animals, people & economics. Where is the disconnect?
- Do you read the nutrition label on the back of food products? Does it help?
- How would ag tweeps design food labels & what would the labels share? (will ask food tweeps next)
- How would food & #nutrition tweeps design food labels & what would the labels share?
- At what point does a small farm become a big farm?
- What would create more connection between the producer & consumer? How would you like to connect with farmer?
- Ag folks, how are antibiotics used in animal ag today? Food folks, why has this become such an issue?
- How can ag and restaurant industries work 2gether to tell the real story? ie, Chipotle, how do we avoid?
- Where does one get important vitamins in fall/winter?
- What food ingredient would you go out of your way to obtain?
- Who or what is “Big Ag?” Please back up your answer with a reason.
- What is an executable idea you’ll be working on from this week’s chat?
September 13th, 2011 – #AgChat Harvest 2011
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- What is your favorite product to harvest and why?
- What steps do you take to stay safe during harvest?
- How can harvest from areas with plenty be shared with farms facing #disaster (fires in TX, drought in SW, floods in Northeast)?
- What are the most time consuming parts of #harvest11 work?
- What is landscape of available harvest labor nationwide, how has mechanization and economy affected sources?
- What’s the one thing you wish the non-farm public knew about harvest on the #farm?
- In disaster areas, are harvesting corn for silage or risking low bu/acre to sell corn stocks at high prices?
- How can you adapt harvest timing to get better yield or price?
- How are you managing buyer expectations in difficult yrs re: weather,pest management,etc as harvest nears?
- What is your favorite harvest vegetable to have around the kitchen?
- What’s the one thing you wish every farmer or individual involved in #harvest11 would do?
- When do you know, in the harvest process, if harvest is going to be really good or not so great?
- What is the one executable idea that you will be working on as a result of tonight’s convo?
September 6th, 2011 – #AgChat Open Topics
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- What is best way to get > girls interested in farming? Why do you think women are fast growing sector of ag?
- Are there any obstacles that women farmers face? How do you overcome?
- How can you turn a negative #ag news story into a positive conversation w. others?
- Many in #ag are busy, how do you make time to #agvocate using #SM? What’s 1 way we can help others w/it?
- Are any farmers planting crops specifically designed for use in biofuels or bioproducts?
- Is portable, electric, tether, or hardwire best for grazing? For which situation/acreage is which most natural?
- If you depend on family, neighbors, etc to help w/ #harvest11, how do you & your team cope when tensions run high?
- What’s your best advice for young ag professionals in the workplace? Or on the farm/ranch?
- What are some of the positive, or negative, effects of grazing cattle (re: land, cattle, wildlife, etc.)?
- Is wind energy too expensive for ag biz?
- How do you get children involved in the farm? Are there particular tools that help you?
- What advice do young professionals have for the more seasoned ag/farm/ranch tweeps?
- How can you make agri-tourism be a learning experience & not just an escape from the city?
- What is the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of this week’s conversation?
August 30rd, 2011 – #AgChat on Farm Disaster Preparedness
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- What disasters are you most likely to face on your farm?
- What resources do you rely on to develop disaster plans?
- If you’re in New York or other states flooded by #irene, please share what you’ve seen happen to farms & ag biz this week.
- Do you have an Emergency Disaster Plan in place for your #farm?
- Do you have a business continuity plan? Do you have a family disaster plan?
- What is your biggest concern when thinking about disaster planning?
- For those #farm & #ag tweeps in #drought stricken states, did you have a plan or do you have tips for this type of disaster?
- What’s one actionable step or action we can each take to support #farms & #ag tweeps impacted by disasters?
- Other than hail insurance, tips for limiting hail damage?
- How do you fortify your farmstead against high winds or tornadoes?
- Are you prepared in case you lose all your local written & computer records from a fire/flood/etc? How?
- Have any livestock farmers been in a mandatory evacuation situation? What do you do?
- What biosecurity measures do you have in place to prevent a disaster?
- What’s the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of this evening’s discussion?
August 23rd, 2011 – #AgChat on AgVocacy
- What forms of agvocacy are you involved in?
- Is it possible to #agvocate with out using social media? examples?
- How do we get different ag commodity groups to work together on agvocacy?
- Is it possible for organic and conventional farmer/groups to agvocate without demonizing each other?
- Have Farmers & Ranchers effectively utilized social media to educate & influence the public?
- How do we broaden our #agvocacy beyond the ag ‘choir’?
- If you come from a farming family but you’re not in farming, do you think it impacts your credibility to agvocate?
- Does receiving promotional items (ie hats, trips, etc) from ag company’s influence your #agvocacy?
- What do you feel are some of the best ways for youth (FFA, 4H) to partake in #agvocacy?
- Currently, who is your most influential #agvocate mentor/role model? Why?
- What do you feel is the most effective form or #agvocacy?
- What is the one executable idea you’ll be working on from tonight’s #agchat?
August 16th, 2011 – #FoodChat Summer Time Grilling
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- What are your tips for fav fruits to grill and how do you like to serve them?
- What is your most bizarre grilled item?
- What are the best tips for grilling sweet corn?
- What are some tips for preparing your dish for grilling?
- What makes a good grill? Fuel, grill make/model, cook?
- What end-of-summer tips do you have on the best temp for diff food? And avoid getting ‘carbonized burgers’?
- What tips do you have while you’re actually grilling?
- What are the best ways to keep FISH from sticking to the grill?
- What food preparation & grilling tips will assure safety of meat served?
- What are your tips for serving your end-of-summer grill?
August 9th, 2011 – #AgChat Agriculture Mobile and Smartphones
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- How much time do you spend on mobile (phone/tablet) compared to desktop/laptop to access Internet?
- Which parts of your business are most impacted by mobile technologies?
- If farmer has a smartphone, but only uses it only to text or call, whats your advice to use more of the device?
- Anyone else see a need to have a phone built into their tablet?
- What is the most agri-durable rain-dust-proof drop-in-the-manure-when-you’re-cutting-nuts-ready smartphone?
- As a farmer, do you ever scan QR codes to access more info from retailers or suppliers in advertising?
- What is the one tool/app you need on mobile on your farm/ranch?
- What’s the best tool & the biggest gap you see in agronomics on mobile technology?
- If I was to buy a tablet or smartphone tomorrow, what device should I buy?
July 12th, 2011 – #AgChat Open Topics
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- What NASA-relevant ag/food facts can we weave into #AllAmericanMeal tweets for meal in space on 7/14?
- What additional hashtags to #AllAmerican Meal could we use to expand #ag reach? eg #ISS #NASA #STS135 #NASATweetup #agchat
- What do you think of HSUS/UEP agreement supporting federal legislation governing production of egg layers?
- What measures do you take to keep livestock cool during hot weather?
- Do you think the USDA reports for planted acres and existing stocks are accurate?
- What technology would you perceive as top usage on your ag equipment?
- There is no Q7, small problem counting tonight:)
- Who helps you find time away from the farm? Do you rely on family, neighbors, employees to help out?
- What do you wish your fellow citizens knew about your farm, ranch or agriculture?
- What’s the one thing the #ag community needs to set aside to have a transparent discussion that builds trust with others?
- Will free trade agreements benefit all American agriculture?
- Have historically high beef/pork prices changed your buying/grilling habits this summer? What substitutions?
- Who is your most influential (ag) mentor? Family, friend, biz colleague, other?
- What is the one executable idea you picked up from this open floor convo that you’ll be working on this week?
July 05th, 2011 – #AgChat Farm / Ranch Family Relationships
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- Special section: open the floor with @jolenebrowncsp
- What are some ways to keep spouse & partners on farm feeling positive about each other?
- Who helps moderate difficult conversations in your ag business/farm?
- what suggestions & examples for getting kids involved in the operation & balance challenge with overwhelm?
- How can younger gen start convo about farm transition and family biz opportunities w/ parents,
- Should we tell kids to go out and look at other jobs first before joining family biz? Or what?
- how do you discipline you spouse? Kids & parents are easy. Spouse can bite back!
- How do you make working together fun?
- What are some of the best planning tools or resources available for family farmers?
- What do you do when your parents treat your wife and kids very badly?
- What are the most important variables in family farm planning and the most common pitfalls?
- What are best/worst ideas to keep intergenerational communication strong & healthy?
- How do you suggest handling children who want farm and those who don’t?
- What’s the one executable idea you’ll be working on as part of tonight’s convo?
June 28th, 2011 – #AgChat Ag Summer Time Fun
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- What is your favorite fair food, favorite county fair or state fair? Why?
- What would nonaggies be surprised to learn about county fairs?
- Each region has its own flavor of ag fun. What is your provinces/region/state unique ag fun?
- What foods are celebrated with harvest festivals in your areas?
- If you’re in fair mgnt, how do you measure event participation? How do you follow up on leads?
- What non-livestock components do the shows/fairs you attend offer? (eg.marketing, speaking, judging)
- What methods do you use to educate the spectators at your fairs or livestock shows?
- Fairs pretty big business. How can small counties compete with big counties/states/provinces?
- Neb state fair moved into largest city in rural area. Would other fairs benefit being close to ag producers?
- How can the state fairs that are struggling be strengthened to hold their own going forward?
- There are always bizarre things that show up at fairs. What is _the_ 2011 bizarre fair item? #agchat
- What is your favorite ag tourism memory and what do you think will be your next?
- What’s the #1 Summer Time Fun reason that would make you miss #agchat?
- Last question, what is the one new fair ride you’ll ride or exhibit you’ll go to this year?
June 21th, 2011 – #FoodChat, Nutrition and Restaurants.
- How do you make your restaurant decision- menu, price, location, etc.?
- Why do you choose an unfamiliar or new restaurant to try?
- Food selection & nutrition for rural areas: which growers, grocers & restaurants feed you each week?
- When you travel are you more apt to try the local specialties or look for Cracker Barrel? How to find too?
- Do healthy choices play a part in your restaurant choices? Compared to convenience, price, etc.?
- If you are dieting or watching eating habits, how does that affect your restaurant decision?
- What are some nutrition tips to know when going to a restaurant? Info & tools available?
- What impact do you think Groupon/LivingSocial has on you & restaurant industry?
- How does your favorite local restaurant stand out from the pack to earn your business?
- How do you get picky people to try new things and places?
- Do options like Gluten free alternatives at a restaurant make them more appealing/marketable? If yes then how so?
- Q12 we like to do the executable idea each week… What came up tonight that you will be able to act on?
June 14th, 2011 – #AgChat, Moms on Food and Agriculture.
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- Food is something that everybody eats. What food/ag story do you wish was being told to a broader audience?
- How do ag folks feel about the rise in the number of farmers’ markets?
- What about antibiotics in meat supply? I’d like to understand, especially w/recent E Coli outbreaks in Europe
- How much influence does labeling have on buying choices? Is it just as or more important as pricing for you?
- If decision making is 95% emotional, 5% rational, how does ag reach moms’ emotions and still be real?
- How do you balance nutrition vs. cost for meals? What are your non-negotiable rules about groceries/mealtime
- Panel, what values do you associate w/organic, natural, real, local. (one for ag coming separately)
- What are some positive things you’ve heard or seen about modern agriculture?
- Is animal welfare a factor in your food purchasing decisions? If so, why? If not, why not?
- What parts of food production would you like to know more about?
- What’s the one idea you’ll be working on in the next week as a result of our convo this evening?
June 7th, 2011 – #AgChat, Ag, Farm, and Ranch Blogs
- Do you prefer WordPress, Blogger, Posterous or other sites for blogging? Why?
- What got you started blogging and how do you keep inspired?
- What are key points for those who look to begin an #agblog? If beginner, what points do you need help with?
- What do you keep in mind when considering the design of your layout? What’s important about way your blog looks?
- Is it OK to blog about different subjects or should you try to focus on only one subject area?
- How do you decide what keywords to include in your post?
- What tools does the platform you have offer to make it easy to do quick, on the go posts?
- How often should you post & how else do you share your blog posts? (e.g. FB, feedburner)
- How can you effectively connect with consumers rather than preach to the choir?
- What ag/food topics need some blog focus?
- What is your biggest challenge as an ag blogger?
- Content not the problem, but finding time to blog is. What tips do you have to carve out time for agvocacy?
- There seem to be more #ag blogs is US than Canada. Suggestions on how we can encourage more Canadian ag blogs?
- What’s the one executable idea you’ll be working on in the next week as a result of this convo?
May 31th, 2011 – #AgChat, EPA over regulation impact on farming
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- What’s the single most disruptive regulation the EPA has imposed on U.S. Farmers and why?
- What are the most helpful EPA regs to your operations?
- How can farmers communicate the real-life struggles w/EPA regulations to politicians & consumers?
- How can any farmer make sure they are in full compliance with EPA regs?
- Does there need to be a better system of checks & balances for EPA & their regulations?
- Is this really a problem with EPA or the administration?
- How could the EPA expect to harness dust the way they’re talking in the Clean Air Act?
- What are resources available to farmers who are having trouble with EPA regs?
- What if there were no EPA and damage caused to environment was settled in court as property damage?
- What will you do after participating in tonight’s convo as it relates to EPA regulations and farming?
- What’s your executable idea? Related to Q10 I know.
May 24th, 2011 – #AgChat, Open Questions about Agriculture, Farming, and Ranching
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- How are farmers changing their practices & operation to handle this years floods? How about droughts?
- How does the flooding, drought & storms this year compare to folks memories or stories they were told?
- How much N loss is happening w/ wet weather? How are people dealing w/ all the rain (switching crops, etc)
- What do you think are the pros & cons of Land Preservation that preserves #ag land in perpetuity
- What are options for small biz owners, including farms, for health insurance plans? Where are coverage options?
- How does everyone deal with the nay sayers & extremists? It’s hard to not become angry.
- Fill in the blank. My most trusted resource for information & advice is ___________ (and why)?
- What is the biggest marketing challenge farmer’s face to bring their products to market?
- What is the biggest thing you did to promthe agrifood business this past month?
- Reg of livestock odor emissions historically unmonitored; rising air quality concerns has changed. Your take?
- What will the effect of high feed costs & a rapidly intesifying drought have on animal ag this summer?
- Boots, belt buckles or hats: What is you ag dress for success tip of the week?
- What’s the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of this week’s convo?
May 17th, 2011 – #FoodChat on Malnourishment & Food Insecurity in North America
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- What are some resources to find ways to help the food insecure in your community?
- What does ‘#food insecurity’ mean in your part of the world?
- More community gardens provide families opportunity to access to fresh foods, do these threaten trad farms?
- What are signs someone is beginning to be malnourished, especially children?
- Let’s discuss difference between malnourishment & undernourishment. Which is a bigger problem?
- What are 3 steps that can be done to address either malnourishment vs undernourishment in N. America?
- What is the best way to help malnourished people & preserve the person’s dignity?
- If obese but malnurished people start eating veggies, will veggies help w/ the malnutrition or need supplement?
- Can malnutrition be solved by organic farming or will it rely on conventional agriculture?
- How do you balance cooking real meals w/ a busy schedule & how can you teach #food insecure these skills?
- What is one specific action you’re going to do as a result of this convo to help malnourished & #food insecure people?
May 10th, 2011 – #AgChat on Farm Policy And 2012 Farm Bill
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- What are core ag policies that need to change to reflect solving tomorrow’s issues?
- Can you name & account for some distinct differences b/t Canadian & US ag policy?
- What has the best benefit to the general public in farm bill programs?
- How well do Congress and various federal agencies address the key issues facing modern agriculture?
- Who are biggest current & rising players in national political spectrum & how does it effects local policy?
- How can we revamp/replace existing programs that don’t work, w/o risking loss of funding altogether in congress?
- Since conservation programs are allocated funds (vs mandatory) should we see significant cut in those type programs?
- What is the role of Extension in Ag research? Where does that fall in funding priorities?
- How must gov balance need for ag innovation & choice w/concerns re food safety & creation of policy?
- What are the key Farm Bill 2012 points that will heat up during election? #agchat
- What are your thoughts on relevance of direct payments/price supports vs margin insurance in today’s environment?
- What is the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of this week’s conversation?
May 3rd, 2011 – #AgChat on Farm Risk Management
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- If your farm has a risk management program, what is it and why is it important?
- What is your region doing to entice beginning farmers?
- Is disaster repayment worth effort for small farms or cut losses? Tips on navigating/deciding after storms?
- What different marketing techniques do you use manage risks in ag commodity markets?
- What sources/places do you learn about #farm risk management? Any recommendations?
- How do you manage farm resources/decisions re: shifting energy prices (N, fuel, propane)?
- What are some of the many ways that farm families transfer assets fairly & effectively to next generation?
- What is your greatest worry currently? Where do you turn to reduce that risk?
- How do you use insurance in your farm’s risk management program?
- Just went to 1st property auction; what are positive, negative & lessons learned if you bought at auction?
- What’s the one executable idea you’ve learned from tonight’s convo that you’ll be working in next week?
April 26th, 2011 – #AgChat on New Tech Tips and Tricks
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- My favorite tool for Twitter is ____________ because __________________________.
- Q2 via @GinaSchreck Is there something specific you’d like to focus on in our discussion?
- What is the single most useful technology incorporated into your farm/business/life and how did you benefit?
- Smartphone use is quickly growing. What apps are you recommending to your friends, colleagues & partners?
- We’re going to call open floor [for] Q5.
- Please compare/contrast using a tablet vs a laptop. Pros? Cons?
- Speed of growth in SM and tech is overwhelming. What discovery techniques do you use to stay ahead?
- What one tech related conference would you recommend attending?
- Tools used to schedule tweets & posts-co-tweet vs Vitrue? Other automation tools to cross-post between SM channels? And One Executable idea from tonight’s convo. [Q's got combined:]
April 19th, 2011 – #FoodChat on World Food Prices
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- What are some ways you can feed a family nutritionally sound meals on a budget?
- It seems much of food staple pricing is market driven. What can consumers do to effect lowering prices?
- How has the increase in prices changed your food buying habits?
- Is ethanol really driving up food prices or are there other factors responsible?
- What are some helpful sources to track food price issues?
- Buying in bulk food is an option, but what tips do you have to manage it? e.g storage, etc.
- Used to stretch meat with vegs. Now with high cost vegs, how do we stretch vegs with meat and keep it low-cost low fat?
- Do you as a consumer have any food safety concerns over private labels?
- What goes into the bottom line to store/market, processor, farmer, etc of a food dollar?
- What’s the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of tonight’s discussion?
April 12th, 2011 – #AgChat on International Trade
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- How do international free trade agreements affect me as a family farmer?
- How would the elimination of farm subsidies help increase international trade?
- What is the greatest international agricultural trade success story you are familiar with?
- Do you think the US is the best at international ag trade? If not who and why.
- Panama Canal will be complete in 2014. Will aging US infrastructure keep up with transportation demands?
- Who are the key trade organizations outside the US that ag businesses need to pay attention to?
- Do you think individually negotiated trade agrmnts will become more prevalent instead of 3-6 country deals?
- What can be done to improve agricultural trade & harmonization between US and Canada?
April 5th, 2011 – #AgChat on Social Media in Agriculture
- How can social media enhance phone, face and email interactions?
- What are some of your favorite social media productivity tools?
- What classes, books, or other resources have you utilized to help you with social media?
- How do you balance “sharing”" on social media sites without “sharing too much”?
- How do we get more of the #ag community involved in social media?
- Do farmers need their own social media site? Why or why not?
- How do you break through the ‘noise’ to agvocate?
- What other communities or hashtags do you follow to connect with people outside of #ag ?
- How do we build social media connections with people not connected to #ag ?
- How do you handle non productive conversations with detractors?
- What is one executable action you will take as a result of tonight’s convo?
March 29th, 2011 – #AgChat on Safety
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- What are the most pressing safety concerns in your region?
- Has a previous ‘close call’ emphasized safety for you? Was in a priority before?
- Anything else you should have on had for NH3 safety? We carry rubber gloves, goggles & water w/ us.
- What precautions do you take for moving farm equip on roadway, how do you react when approaching equip?
- Lack of sleep due to short planting window leads to making bad decisions/shortcuts. How to others address?
- Do you feel safety has improved in agribusiness, farming or ranching? In what way?
- Next wk is Nat Public Health Wk & theme is injury prevention. What child injury prevention is in place in ag?
- Injury (to kids) down 60% since 1998 (@NIOSH). Why? Attitude shift? Safer equip? Education?
- How can we better/more frequently discuss safety w/ workers? Children?
- What do proposed fed budget cuts $ for Ag Safety Centers (Div of @NIOSH/div of CDC) mean to ag, a dangerous biz?
- What is the one executable idea you’ve learned as a result of tonight’s conversation?
March 22th, 2011 – #AgChat on World Water Day
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- What crops are best suited for dryland soils?
- How do we address the issue of diminishing aquifers?
- #ag relying on nonrenewable H2O sources,what steps are being taken to address its H2O exhaustion?
- How can balance between urban water&rural water usage w/out causing farmland to go dry be found?
- Where are the critical water issues within North America? Why are they critical?
- How can we encourage a better complement between wastewater use in ag and urban growth?
- What are some ways that #dairy farms can reduce, reuse &/or recycle #water?
- How can ag and env work together to be more sustainable by protecting wetlands?
- farmers where H2O gov reg’lted when do you find out what allotment for the year is?
- How is treating nutrient runoff from CAFO’s being addressed?
- How have farmers communicated their water stewardship to the media?
- What future technologies do you think will have greatest opportunity to help farmers conserve water?
- What is the one executable idea you’ll be working on from tonight’s #agchat?
March 15th, 2011 – #FoodChat on Wines
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- What are some of your favorite inexpensive ( < $15) wines?
- How do you figure out what U like beyond ‘reds’? What are some of easy ways to distinguish among types?
- what’s quickest way 2 win over a young wine drinker? Same 4 old wine drinker? Suggestions?
- what are the best types of wines to cook with? and what do you cook?
- What is best varietal grown or wine made in your area? And links to local or favorite wineries.
- Is a tropical climate good to ferment wine and expand business?
- How many small-scale wineries grow their own grapes versus purchasing from CA etc? Is purchasing more $ viable?
- Do people realize there’s an entire industry of grape-growing in cold-climates?
- What do you need to know about year of production? How does it impact flavor/quality?
- Do different varietals benefit equally from aeration? What are the benefit differences or significance?
- How do your store your wine at home? cellar vs. under the counter cooler, etc. Tips?
- What is your executable idea from tonight’s chat? Pick good homework!
March 8th, 2011 – #AgChat discussion on Rural Crime
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- Which law enforcement agencies are most involved in rural areas, is there a coordination plan?
- What is the biggest need for fighting rural crime?
- What are information sources that describe rural crime and its economic/social impacts?
- With fuel prices rising, do you anticipate a rise in gasoline and diesel fuel thefts?
- How is the ‘war on drugs’/drug abuse affecting crime rates in your rural area?
- Is there a difference between crimes of desparation and hunger vs. crimes of money hungry drug abusers?
- With the $ of metal, nothing’s safe from opportunity thieves. Do we need to secure everything?
- What are some of the things one can do to minimize the risk of becoming a victim of rural crime?
- Should dumping animals (e.g. horses) beconsidered a crime? Is the occurrence increasing in your area?
- What are some of the successes against rural crime in your areas?
- What is the one executable idea you’ll be working on from tonight’s #agchat?
March 1st, 2011 – #AgChat discussion on Sowing Social Media Seeds
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- What #SM tools do you consider your strengths? What about your weakness?
- What’s a lesson you’ve learned in SM over the last 6 months that could be beneficial for others to know?
- SM is not most peoples full time gig. What do you do to balance ag SM story sharing with everyday life?
- How do you encourage hesitant people to join in on social media?
- Describe any experience you’ve had in ‘sharing your farm story’ with media (ag and/or non-ag).
- What are the difficulties you encounter when explaining ag to non-ag friends, especially online?
- For those wanting to share/converse with non-ag, who/what/where are some social media hubs/hang-outs?
- Do you have a SM work flow? How would you describe it? Does it work for you?
- How important is it to remain active on SM during the growing season? How will you manage the time?
- What is one executable idea that you’ll take away from discussion tonight?
February 22nd, 2011 – #AgChat discussion on Agricultural Education
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- What are the top skills or knowledge that students should gain & develop in ag ed classes & #FFA?
- How can landgrants/Extension remain relevant & survive bloated ‘academic overhead’ forcing cuts of field agents?
- How much education is being done regarding ag policy?
- How can #AgEdu teachers better involve their community in chapter and state activities, ag & non-ag?
- What does ag & #agbusiness mean to your community? Jobs? Pride? Heritage? Tradition? etc.
- How does FFA keep ‘high-end’ students in programs w/increased push on college prep. hard 2 fit science classes
- How can we get ag ed classes into more urban areas where there is a gap in agricultural literacy?
- How can schools/towns without FFA or vocational ag provide ag education opportunities for youth?
- What is the one thing that you feel ag ed & FFA could improve upon?
- What are universities in your area doing to improve farm economics & technology?
- What’s the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of tonight’s conversation?
February 15th, 2011 – #FoodChat discussion on Dietary Guidelines for Americans
- What are some of the biggest changes in the new guidelines?
- Ideal goal is to get calorie count below 2000 (ie, eat less), does that imply ag should produce less food?
- How can a person make simple sense of the dietary guidelines?
- What are benefits of eating more veggies, less animal products?
- Dietary guidelines focus on energy balance. Do you take steps to achieve it? How?
- Will the Dietary Guidelines lead to meaningful changes in how we eat?
- How do the Dietary Guidelines tie to agriculture? What should producers do & how can they do it?
- What can we expect to see different on packages and labels due to Dietary Guidelines (DGAs)?
- Recent news stories & many in this convo say Americans should eat less. Do you agree? Why/why not?
- What’s the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of tonight’s convo?
February 8th, 2011 – #Agchat discussion on Winter Farm and Ranch Work
- What’s your favorite way to have fun on the farm when there’s snow on the ground or during winter months?
- For those on crop #farms: How much time in winter do you spend planning the next season?
- How does winter weather affect your daily operation, feed supply, livestock health? How are you faring so far?
- What automatized/computerized systems do you use more in the winter?
- Do you read more in winter? What kind of things do you want to read about during the winter?
- What’s your favorite #farm, #ranch or #ag conference to attend in the winter and why?
- For those w/ animal ag operations, what keeps you up at night during the winter months?
- What precautions do you take to keep your animals warm in winter?
- What is your favorite winter activity on the farm & why?
- How do farmers and their feed suppliers deal with bad road conditions in winter?
- What activities do farmers do beyond only ranch/farm work in winter, recognizing farmers are people too!
- How do you share daily life in ag with consumers? A blog, video, other? How do you fit it in your schedule?
- What’s the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of tonight’s conversation?
February 1st, 2011 – #Agchat discussion on Farm Animal Welfare
- Define ‘humane’ Is it different than ‘welfare’?
- Are there $ studies showing ALL costs of farming methods? Incl antibiotic use, health cost to consumers?
- What are the differences between different 3rd party humane certification programs?
- What role should third party audits play in assuring consuming public of proper animal care?
- How much added value do consumers perceive ‘animal welfare’ certified products?
- How does the ability of animals 2 exhibit natural behaviors (eg. pigs rooting) affect animal welfare?
- Certified Humane allow chickens & pig 2 b kept inside all the time. If this is humane, then what is ‘not humane’?
- What are your opinion’s on #OLCSB (Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board) production standards/practices.
- Farmers care about humane animal care. Whats best way 2 convey & build bridges 2 those concerned?
- What’s your relationship w/veterinarians, Extension educators & others 2 develop strong animal care plans/actions?
- How do we determine 1 housing method’s better? If more humane 2 b confined how do we promote w/o negativity?
- What is your executable idea from tonight? What actions will you follow up with?
January 25th, 2011 – #Agchat discussion on Agri-Marketing
- What do agrimarketers see as their biggest challenges in the next year?
- What are good examples of marketing pairing with sound agronomic/technical info? Links?
- Do ag marketing contests like those in NAMA and FFA portray realistic skills?
- What advice would you give to #ag students looking at marketing as a career option?
- For conventional growers, what are thoughts on shifting to certified organic? Marketing advantages or disincentives?
- What agricultural publications do you read and why? Do you read them online?
- How do you integrate integrity&honesty in marketing / promotions of food?
- What advice would you provide U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) leadership to build ag trust&image among US consumers? http://usfraonline.org
- What is your participation with the National Agri-Marketing Association (nama.org)?
- How is animal rights movement, EPA regulatory overreach affecting agrimarketing efforts?
- Mobile & tablet marketing: what are you seeing in ag? Favorite apps being used? Will producers use them?
- How has SM changed agrimarketing practices? How are conventional methods holding up?
- Have you considered incorporating gaming elements (voting, points, etc) to agri-marketing plans? re: Applying Game Mechanics to Functional Software http://bit.ly/galGJg
- What’s the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of this weeks discussion?
January 19th, 2011 – #FoodChat discussion on Healthy Eating
- What diet-related resolution(s) have you made this year?
- What are your top healthy #food tips for people traveling with little time?
- With all the recent hype about sustainable, natural, organic, etc., how do you implement these?
- What is your favorite simple and slimming recipe? Can you provide us with a link?
- What are some tips for someone who wants to start eating vegan or vegetarian?
- When shopping with healthy choices in mind, what benchmarks should I use to buy beef, pork and chicken?
- What’s healthier for you, butter or lard.
- How can we easily measure our food intake for healthfulness?
- What food labels are backed by gov regs and which are just marketing? How do you find out?
- What do you think is the healthiest breakfast?
- What is one useable idea you will take away from tonight’s chat?
January 12th, 2011 – #Agchat discussion on Farm Subsidies
- #Farm subsidies may not be well understood. What exactly are farm subsidies and how are they used?
- Is CRP program helping or hindering young farmers who need access to pasture to lease or buy but can’t find any?
- Is it fair that food stamp recipients have a means test while farm subsidy recipients don’t?
- What’s the ‘fix’ for farm prices to allow food to be produced economically & give farmers fair income?
- Do government regs ‘ subsidies result in a net increase or decrease in the cost of meat?
- What influence can subsidies have on what crops ‘ animals a farmer chooses to produce?
- How can we help others understand the various kinds of payments producers can receive and what’s required?
- Direct payments appear to vary in importance by region. What do you grow, where and how important are they to you?
- How best can we respond to concerns about why ethanol is subsidized? What is your personal opinion?
- How would you change or re-structure the farm subsidy program?
- What’s the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of this week’s discussion?
January 4th, 2011 – #Agchat discussion on what 2011 looks like for Agriculture
- Where will the bright spots in your operation be for 2011-2012?
- What changes will 2011 bring to farmer lifestyles? More Social Media? new practices? new rules?
- What do you see as the key trends involving agriculture and/or agri-food in North America?
- (Who?) How will you measure your connection to the non-farm community in 2011?
- What one thing do the veterans wish those of us new to the (ag) game understood?
- What business skills do farmers need to build in 2011?
- What will you stop doing this year – and what will you start doing?
- What is one executable idea you will be working on from tonight’s #agchat
December 21, 2010 – #Foodchat – Holidays: food, baking, and sharing
- Do you give holiday baked goods as gifts? Is it heartfelt or cheap?
- What is the best storage technique to preserve for a prolonged time?
- When you read a baking recipe, what do you see that tells you it is most likely a good one?
- What is a good gift for someone that bakes or cooks?
- When baking, should you use butter or lard?
- When should you use bleached or unbleached flour?
- When hosting Christmas supper are you better to stretch your cooking abilities or play safe?
- Is Christmas baking best done alone or in groups?
- What experiments could you do with kids while baking to teach concepts in food science?
- What is your best baking tip for the holidays?
- What is your favorite baking short cut or time saver secret?
- Now it is time for the executable idea!
December 14, 2010 – #AgChat Discussion on reviewing the past year and looking ahead to 2011
- What was agriculture’s greatest success in 2010. Why?
- How are ag groups going to harness growing passion of farmers wanting to explain new methods to raise food?
- What does agriculture success look like 2011 in federal legislation?
- What are some of the up and coming technologies that look useful or have potential to help ag and SM?
- What will be the big, new ideas/Agvocate efforts to promote food production to consumers?
- What are some good ways to measure the ‘reach’ of your social media efforts?
- What are your #agvocate New Years resolutions?
- What are some events or programs that have increased ag-consumer connections? How will they look in 2011?
- What effect will gene & method patents have on ag? What are effects of current laws, & what if the laws change?
- What are #farmers doing to prepare for climate change/greenhouse gas laws/carbon trading/carbon offsets?
- What’s the one idea you’ll be working on as a result of our convo? As in, how are you going to make the rest of 2010 count?
December 7, 2010 – #AgChat Discussion on Local, State & National Politics
- How will changes caused by mid-term elections affect political decisions that pertain to agriculture?
- All politics are local. What are some regional #ag legislation that other regions should know more about?
- Should agriculture be subsidized? ie many believe corn/ethanol lobby is hooked on subsidies. Is this good for ag?
- What are the major leadership traits needed by #ag folks in order to work together on politics?
- What local based regulatory issues are the biggest concerns to your operations?
- With so few people really understanding where their food comes from, how do we prevent uninformed legislation?
- What states seem to ‘get it right’ in terms of balance of legislation, regulation, and policy? And why?
- Do small-scale farmers feel large prod ag has more influence in political discussions &decisions than they do?
- For tracking policy and legislation, what resources do people use?
- Anything you want to pitch?
November 30, 2010 — Discussion on Mentoring & Early Career Connectivity
- What professional connections should every young #Ag producer have?
- What is main hindrance in understanding between experience & youth? (ex: communication method, gen differences?)
- I am just getting started on my own What are major roadblocks? What kept everyone going besides love for #ag?
- What are examples of current mentorship programs that are working, how are those set up?
- What is the best way for young people to connect w/ a mentor?
- Farming/ranching seem so experience based. Is there any definitive literature or speaker we can learn from?
- Do you think it is important for young producers to get involved in #agpolicy at nat, state & local levels?
- Is #ag experience more desirable thank marketing experience? If so what are best resources to learn about ag?
- What advice do more experienced producers have re financial difficulties in a tough economy?
- What opportunities are there for reverse mentoring in agriculture?
- How can more experienced producers or #ag peeps find those young people that need more guidance?
- What is the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of this week’s convo? Specifics, please.
November 23, 2010 — #AgChat Discussing #FoodThanks
- Who is the person to whom you would want to give #foodthanks?
- What are some ways we can show #foodthanks in our communities?
- Who are some of the people behind the scenes that help bring food to people every day?
- If you wanted to help those in need for Thanksgiving (or any day), what organizations would you pair up with?
- How would you like to see an agribusiness express it’s thanks?
- What can we do to make sure that people actually appreciate the work that goes into raising food?
- How can countries who don’t celebrate Thanksgiving recognize & give thanks to their farmers? Ideas?
- How can this broad-based community coming together via #foodthanks & keep lines of communications open?
- What solutions do you have for excess #food that could go to waste? And can you manage to deliver it?
- How will you share foodthanks on FB, blog, Linkedin or YouTube tomorrow?
- What food are you most thankful for and how an you educate someone about that food?
- What’s the one executable you’ll work on TOMORROW (international #foodthanks day) as a result of our conversation?
November 17, 2010 — #FoodChat Connecting Food & Farm
- What’s the best way #ag tweeps can connect with you, share info that’s useful?
- What is the best way for #food peeps to share concerns, ask questions and interact with you?
- What needs do consumers have that farmers aren’t meeting?
- How do #foodies & #food bloggers work with #ag folks to ‘promote public dialogue as a continuum instead of debate?’
- We’ll have open floor with special guest @jenniferperillo until 9:15. Please use Q5 in advance of your questions to her.
- What is your favorite cookbook?
- Do people care more about the origins of their #food or that their food is safe?
- How are you viewing the trend of ‘blended’ biotech foods, like the ‘fish/lettuce’ I saw on the news?
- What are some of the ways #ag can best connect with #food buyers & influencers?
- Would a #farm/#food award to highlight the people/process involved help increase consumer awareness?
- What is the one thing you learned in this convo or one idea you’ll be working on in the next week?
November 9, 2010 — Regional and National Ag Policy Discussion
- What emergencies are you worried about or have you faced on your operation?
- What biosecurity products and procedures do you currently use on your farm or ranch?
- What disease symptoms should farmers be concerned about that shout ‘emergency’?!
- What is being done to ensure that international food and feed imports meet North American biosecurity standards?
- What specifics are included in the disaster response plan for your farm/ranch?
- How often should disaster preparedness simulations be run?
- What lessons can we learn from past disasters in order to better prepare for impending ones?
- What is needed to help people put a workable emergency response plan into place?
- How can we more effectively communicate to and engage system wide stakeholders in the event of an emergency?
- What is one executable idea and/or task from tonight’s convo?
November 2, 2010 — Regional and National Ag Policy Discussion
- What are the regional differences between ag policy east, west, Midwest, southern & plains?
- Does U.S. public have much influence in the development of ag policy? Should they have a greater influence?
- How do you form policy that’s beneficial for all ag, not just a specific industry, i.e. Cattle, wheat, corn, etc.
- What are some key lobby organizations or companies that can affect ag policy?
- How have activists positively or negatively impacted ag policy in your area?
- How do ag policies help/hurt young people trying to start farming or ranching?
- Why is the U.S. government reluctant to support more funding for R&D in agriculture?
- What steps have you taken to connect with your legislators and speak with them about ag policies?
- What are the top ag issues that must have policy changes in 2011?
- What’s one executable idea that you’ll take away from tonight’s discussion?
October 26, 2010 — World Go Vegan Week
- What are some of the cultural reasons a person opts for the vegan lifestyle?
- Why is that we view vegans as anti ag? They still consume ag products. How can we encourage positive interactions?
- Do you think Veganism should be pushed in schools?
- How do we do a better job at talking about the life cycle in #food production?
- Is anyone not eating more fruits & veg? So is friction coming from vegetarian choice or application of philosophy?
- Is Disney/animal animation (anthropomorphism) to blame?
- Is Meatless Monday really anti-ag or just pro fruit & veggies? Is there a difference?
- World Go Vegan Wk by In Defense of Animals. Can their philosophy & animal ag’s co-exist? Common ground?
- If veganism starts at a young age, how can we approach that & provide info for complete picture?
- From a purely human point of view, what’s needed to maintain mineral/vitamin/caloric intake in a vegan diet?
- What’s the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of tonight’s conversation?
October 19, 2010 — #FoodChat Open Mic Night
- What changes do you expect in food awareness with Wal-Mart driving ‘Global Sustainable Agriculture Goals’?
- Does anyone have any advice on how to start a new farmers market?
- What is your definition of ‘local’? Regional? 100 miles? County?
- What’s your opinion of Country of Origin Labeling (COOL)?
- Eating healthy in the Fall/Winter is tough; no summer berries & fruit. What could one eat?
- What are some of the steps crops go through to end up at food makers (Kraft, Coke, etc.)?
- Where can you purchase USDA Prime Grade grass-finished steak? Why don’t more grass-finishers grade beef?
- How can #ag do more to help home gardeners grow their own food?
- What creative ideas do you have for fall recipes?
- What’s the one thing you really wish you knew about the #food your family eats?
- What’s the one executable idea you learned this evening that you’ll be working on in the next week?
October 12, 2010 – Food Insecurity and Hunger
- How can US farmers thru USDA Africa offices be more involved in bringing tech & experience to Africa’s farmers?
- What role do biotechnology products play in solving hunger issues?
- How can farmers use social media to raise awareness about global hunger?
- What role do smallholder farmers have to play in improving food insecurity?
- Could trade liberalization effect food insecurity in 3rd world countries? If so, what would be the outcomes?
- What policy changes can governments enact to improve food security?
- What role will fertilizer source, e.g manure, urea & nitrates play in intensification of ag to feed others?
- If you could wave a wand and make a new biotech trait in a plant, what would it be? Who would it help?
- What can be done on a local level to help with food insecurity?
- Hunger has always been around. What are we doing different to really change & what should we be doing differently?
- Work Food Day is 10/16. What is the one executable idea you will take from this convo to make a difference & celebrate that?
- #agchat until:2010-10-12 – Twitter Search
October 5, 2010 – Ag Working Together
- What are some areas of common ground for those in #ag to work on / move forward?
- How do we find connection/common ground? e.g. 1000 hog facility & person with 100 rabbits or a dozen chickens?
- Do you see differences in working with local farmers vs. across groups? If so, what should we take away as BMPs (best management practices)?
- What are examples where you’ve seen seemingly opposing sectors of agriculture working together (besides #agchat)?
- How can commodity groups & other ag service groups utilize 4-H / FFA programs for #ag instruction & #agvocacy?
- How can Ag groups work together for local 4-H, Extension & FFA to prevent them from losing state funding/support?
- What are the core issues that seem to divide those in ag?
- Why is it so easy for our pundits to divide #ag?
- There seems to be a great deal of ‘turf protection’ going on. What can be done to change that?
- What are some groups that straddle #ag / #food / environment that those in ag need connect to?
- What’s the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of tonight’s conversation?
September 28, 2010 — Agri-Tourism
- What are some popular agri-tourism vacations?
- What are some model agri-tourism spots that consumers, farmers, & ranchers should review?
- Is there a great example of a community that has made a positive economic impact with agri-tourism?
- What are some types of agri-tourism that can take place in #urbanagriculture?
- Agri-tourism is edu-tainment. What should farms using this approach do operationally different?
- What affect can/does agri-tourism have on consumers in both rural and urban communities?
- What sort of potential liability issues should farmers look for before opening farms to tours?
- What county/city/zoning ordinances & State/Fed laws do you need to be aware of with agri-tourism?
- Agro-tourism seems at odds with farm biosecurity protocols. Is there any way to reconcile the two?
- What are biggest risks in agritourism? What advice is there for those wanting to enter agritourism?
- How much time do you put on Agri-Tourism relative to the rest of the farm?
- How hard is it to keep your farm in tip-top shape for visitors? Does it have to be sparkly clean & perfect?
September 21- #Foodchat – Food and Nutrition Blogging
- What do you blog about, why and what are your priorities?
- What sources do food bloggers believe to be credible and why?
- Where would they (food bloggers) prefer to get their information about food production and processing?
- If food has lost its identity, what part of food production needs to be better explained?
- So how can new media and social media help connect farmers to food bloggers & those who want it straight?
- When you read or write food blogs, do you focus on nutritious recipes?
- Do you think you have any biases. Do other #food bloggers have biases?
- How can people in agriculture best connect with people in food nutrition?
- How do we address things like ‘hormone free’ that sound good but cannot be accurate #food / #nutrition info?
- What are the three most important issues to to you as a #dietitian and those in food nutrition?
- What is the one executable idea that you’re going to work on in the week ahead as a result of this convo?
September 14- Safety on the Farm & During Harvest
- How does technology help with operator safety during harvest?
- How do we keep children safe during harvest time?
- What level of training are farmers/ranchers needing for farm safety and compliance with state/fed regulations?
- What’s the most dangerous roadway situation you’ve been in while driving/pulling farm equipment?
- What is most likely to get you into trouble when operating farm equipment for any purpose?
- How old do your kids have to be before you let them help with harvest (operate equipment)?
- What programs you suggest to involve victim families who want to be proactive helping others prevent or cope?
- Please post/share your links to resources for farm safety information.
- What executable idea will you take away from tonight’s session?
September 07- Translating Science Behind Food and Ag to Non-Farmers
- What are the most effective ways to help the farmer understand the ‘language’ that scientists use?
- Where do you get the best information – what is your trusted or go-to source for new applicable science?
- Is #ag sometimes a little too sterile and matter-of-fact with our explanations to non-farmers?
- How selective are farmers in changing farm protocols with new research vs doing the the way we’ve always done it?
- What ‘scientific’ discoveries have made a practical impact on your operation in the last decade?
- How do we connect to consumer the safety of science when it benefits the farmer but not consumer? eg GMO & rBST
- How can we communicate to the scientists the need for non-scary sounding techniques in growing food?
- Who is doing a great job telling the science behind #food to non-farmers?
- What specific needs does #agriculture have for practical scientific advancements?
- What’s best method to convey science to producers-print media, radio/TV programming, internet, blogs, Twitter?
- What is the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of tonight’s convo?
August 31 – Social Media Tips & Tricks
- What is your biggest social/new media concern/issue, where you need help, assistance or guidance?
- How do you juggle time management with #socialmedia?
- What tools for mobile social media do you find helpful?
- What will be the next big social media tool or trend in the next 5 years?
- What others are using to measure their success and/or impact?
- Where does social media fall in your current #farm / work priorities?
- What are next steps for those in ag to connecting with consumers/non-ag using social/new media tools?
- What tools like Tweetreach, google analytics can you use to track outreach of certain hashtags and keywords?
- What has been some of your best ways to connect with people on Facebook?
- Who are some of your recommended #socialmedia experts outside of #ag to follow/connect with?
- What’s the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of our convo on #socialmedia tips & tools for #ag?
August 26 – Regional Food Production
- What are your top three local or regional foods?
- What are the major regions, and what are their production focus / specialty?
- What types of fruit grow wild in your area? What do people do with them? (pies, jellies, etc)
- What food products do you buy locally & which do U buy (at a local store) from sources elsewhere in the world?
- Is regional or local food more important for end products, ie meat, dairy, eggs, fruit than for ingredients eg, wheat, corn?
- What are the top regional issues that impede profitable food production?
- Does increased focus on local/regional hurt emerging agricultural economies such as eastern Europe and Africa?
- When traveling, what types of regional foods do you eat? How do you find them?
- What R top 3 barriers 4 farmers 2 sell directly or more directly 2 end customer? How can farmers overcome?
- What are some unique products/practices being produced regionally that other regions might consider?
- What are some unique products/practices being produced regionally that other regions might consider?
- What is one thing you will take away from tonight’s discussion?
August 17, 2010 — Food Labels
The following questions were posed during the August 17, 2010 #Foodchat discussing What’s Right With Food Labels
- What info on a food label causes you to put the item back?
- What about food labeling is confusing to you?
- Should the use and definition of terms like natural, organic, grass-fed etc be voluntary or regulated?
- What sources do you use to help you make sense of food labels?
- Do you look at labels at home as well as at store? Who do you consider when evaluating foods-Yourself? Kids?
- Do parents teach kids to read labels and use them when shopping?
- What additional info would you like to see on #food labels to help you make better choices?
- Does Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) impact your food choices?
- With all the requests/regs is a there point where there would be so much on label that people won’t read it anymore?
- How does nonspecific labeling effect those with less common food allergies (i.e. spices)?
- How does label comprehension and subsequent buying behavior differ amongst generations? Or does it?
- What’s the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of this eve’s #foodchat?
August 10, 2010 — Family – Farm Relations
#AgChat on August 10, 2010 discussed topics around family – farm relations, Jolene Brown was a special guest for the session.
- Why is the #farm succession planning talk so hard to have and how do you start the conversation?
- What are top 3 most important issues to address during the transition of a farm from one generation to next?
- What do you do if you meet succession planning resistance from your family?
- How do you tactfully fire a family member?
- How do we know when it is best not to farm as a family?
- Should spouses w/off farm jobs have part in managing decisions? Liv situation is affected by farm’s success/failure.
- How do you handle issues that arise when son/dtr marries non-farm person? e.g. Son was just fine, then he got married
- What does a business family member do that drives you crazy?
- Does your family have an estate plan in place? Any tips to figure it out?
- What is the one executable idea you’ll be working on as a result of tonight’s conversation?
August 3, 2010 — National Farmers Market Week
The following questions were posed during the August 3, 2010 #AgChat discussing National Farmers Market week, CSAs, etc.
- Do you have a farmers market in your area? What type of products are your fave to get local?
- Can ‘conventional’ agriculture have a place in the CSA/farmers market world or is it more of a ‘niche’ arena?
- What resources do you use to find farmers markets in your area?
- How can you know if your food products have been handled safely at farmers’ markets?
- Do consumers assume their local farmers market or CSA is organic? If not, do you seek out organic specific CSAs?
- What are some ideas to connect consumers closer to their food in restaurants?
- What food safety advantage does ‘knowing your farmer’ & farmers markets provide to the eater?
- What is your number one reason for supporting farmers markets or CSAs?
- Do CSAs/farmers’ markets provide easier avenue for younger generation to get into ag than traditional farming?
- What role do you think CSAs and farmers markets play in the future of agriculture?
- What is one actionable item you can take forward from this discussion?
July 27, 2010 — Organizations Driving Our Industry
The questions below were discussed in the July 27 #AgChat discussion on Twitter. The link provides you access to the many replies and perspectives offered.
- What needs do you have that current ag organizations are not meeting?
- What do ag orgs offer those not in ag & why people should join?
- How are current Ag orgs restructuring to meet needs of next generation of #farmers & #ranchers?
- What makes a national conference or event hosted by an Ag Org worth attending?
- What is it that makes your experience with an ag organization good? People? Activities?
- What are specific ways ag orgs can collaborate to more proactively share msg around food, fuel, feed & fiber?
- How many Ag orgs are too many for 1 small town or #ag industry? How to retain membership & enhance value?
- What actions/activities lend credibility to an #ag organization to it’s consumers?
- What are creative ways #Ag orgs are minimizing costs to members? e.g. yrly fee, but free ongoing ed seminars.
- How do you peak the interest of recent college graduates (and keep them involved) in #ag orgs?
- What’s the one executable idea you’ll be working on from tonight’s convo?
July 20, 2010 – Food & Health #Food Chat
- How will the nutritional disclosure law help people re: eating out?
- What should consumers look at labels (no transfat & heart healthy) & nutrition or ripe, whole foods & drinks?
- What advice do you have for sorting through constantly changing info & conflicting studies?
- How can we evaluate the soundness of diet ‘crazes’? low-fat, low-carb, calorie restriction, vegetarian, etc
- Where do our genetics stop & choices start when it comes to eating & weight?
- What are some easy ways to incorporate healthy foods into your diet?
- How do frozen foods and fresh foods vary in nutritional value?? Which is better?
- How do food & fitness needs change over a lifetime?
- How can consumers better track their calorie intake if no time to keep plugging numbers in at an internet site?
- What are some sources of healthy & easy to prepare recipes for busy parents & families?
- What are other countries doing about health policies, food, and consumer choice?
- What findings out of the IFIC 2010 Food & Health Survey have gotten the biggest surprised reaction?
July 13, 2010 — Practical Sustainability #AgChat
- Please begin by defining ‘sustainable farming’ and ‘un-sustainable farming’ (with examples).
- What changes have you made on your operations to become more sustainable?
- How do we balance institutional (social, cultural) vs scientific/technical needs for ag sustainability?
- What are things that every farmer–no matter conv, org, big, or small–to make operation more ‘sustainable’?
- On ag sustainability, should we focus on a few big innovations or broader dissemination of existing tech?
- How has the adoption of Precision Ag technologies impacted the sustainability of farming?
- How important is H20 resource sustainability to your Ag operation? How much control do you have over issue?
- Preserving biodiversity critical issue in sustainable ag. How is ag working now to preserve biodiversity on farms? Pt 1 of 2
- How can we do better to preserve biodiversity on farms? Pt 2 of 2
- What are disincentives to adopting sustainable farming practice? i.e regional/crop differences?
- Are government subsidies only alternative to ‘practical’ sustainability? If farming not practical, you are out of bus without subsidies.
- How can the feed business sustain reasonable profit margins when their retail price for commodities is negated by fund traders?
- What info resources do you recommend consummers and producers pay attention to for #ag #sustainability?
- What’s your one executable idea from this evening’s convo?
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