After recently participating in a webinar hosted by DMI (Dairy Management Inc.) I learned a great deal about personal branding and how to make yourself appear more approachable on social media. It would only be fitting to share my new-found knowledge, so here are 5 ways to increase your personal brand.
1. Create a Brand Statement.
A brand statement is a line or phrase used to describe the person you are and what you do in life. It gives readers the chance to build credibility with you and understand what it is you're hoping to educate them about. Use your brand statement as a bio about yourself on social media.
Example.
To consumers across the world, Justin Bartholomay is a 5th generation rancher who does his best to raise wholesome, nutritious beef from North Dakota.
Format.
(Who your audience is), (Your name)(Your reputable background)(What you do/what your product is)(where you are from).
2. Use the app Evernote.
Evernote allows for bloggers and social media gurus to stay on track and up to date with everything they have going on. From scheduling to reminders about events or meetings to attend, Evernote gives you the chance to keep on top of things. This is crucial in personal branding as it gives others the opportunity to realize how organized and professional you are.
3. Google Yourself.
Have you ever done a Google search on yourself before? Do it! Making sure that only posts come up that attribute to your reputation are important. No one wants to be embarrassed of what comes up on Google for themselves, so be sure to check in on this and do your best to fix it if you are not pleased with what you find. A good Google search makes you a much more credible person.
4. Use Social Media in a fitting way.
There are multiple forms of social media out there, but don't feel as if you need to be heavily involved in each and every one. It's actually more progressive if you pick the social media format you like the most, and dig into that one further trying to reach out to as many people as possible. For me, I love taking photos, so Instagram is my social media app of choice.
5. Blah Blah Blah BLOG!
Blogging is becoming a new and creative way of telling your opinion to others. It's great for storytelling, which in the agriculture industry is one of the absolute best ways to help consumers better understand the farming and ranching process. If you don't already have a blog, take the time to create one and post on it as you have time to. Don't feel like you need to do daily posts, or even weekly posts for that matter. Simply doing one post and reaching out to a couple people will make more of an impact than never posting at all. When creating a blog use either your name or your farm name, as it is easier for others to find your blog through a simple Google search.
Enjoy! And get branding!
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Debunking the Bunk
PBS Frontline recently aired an episode themed "The Trouble with Antibiotics," which focused on the use of antibiotics on farms. It was an informational segment that was difficult for me to watch without cringing in distress. Throughout the film there were parts in which I found disagreement. And with a little bit of research, my argument is worth mentioning.
Within minutes of the film beginning, it claims that 70 percent of antibiotics produced in the United States today are sold to farms for the use in animal agriculture. According to the Animal Health Institute, this statement is one of contradiction. "The 70 percent figure was deduced from comparing two sets of data that are not comparable. The number for animal use collectively used a whole different methodology than the estimate presented for human use. The first rule learned in Statistics 101 is if the data sets measure different universes in different ways, the data cannot be compared." I couldn't agree more. How can one assume the high percentage when the data doesn't coincide.
AHI also kindly informs us of some other facts that REALLY portray the myth. "In addition, 35 percent of the use attributed to animals are compounds not used in human medicine, thus having no potential for reducing the effectiveness of antibiotics used to treat human disease. The 35 percent is included by others only to inflate the animal use number and mislead readers."
Another debunkle. The film quite openly portrays that antibiotics in livestock are making humans more resistant to antibiotics. According to Richard Raymond, MD, former Undersecretary for Food Safety, USDA, "Because of oversight by the FDA, and using best available science, there is actually very little overlap between antibiotics frequently used in animal health and in human health; rather, use of antibiotics by humans is the main culprit for the resistant bacteria confronting patients and human health practitioners today. the CDC confirmed this in its recent report and noted that 50 percent of antibiotics prescribed for use in human health are inappropriate."
So there you have it. Antibiotic resistance caused by animal agriculture? I think not.
Within minutes of the film beginning, it claims that 70 percent of antibiotics produced in the United States today are sold to farms for the use in animal agriculture. According to the Animal Health Institute, this statement is one of contradiction. "The 70 percent figure was deduced from comparing two sets of data that are not comparable. The number for animal use collectively used a whole different methodology than the estimate presented for human use. The first rule learned in Statistics 101 is if the data sets measure different universes in different ways, the data cannot be compared." I couldn't agree more. How can one assume the high percentage when the data doesn't coincide.
AHI also kindly informs us of some other facts that REALLY portray the myth. "In addition, 35 percent of the use attributed to animals are compounds not used in human medicine, thus having no potential for reducing the effectiveness of antibiotics used to treat human disease. The 35 percent is included by others only to inflate the animal use number and mislead readers."
Another debunkle. The film quite openly portrays that antibiotics in livestock are making humans more resistant to antibiotics. According to Richard Raymond, MD, former Undersecretary for Food Safety, USDA, "Because of oversight by the FDA, and using best available science, there is actually very little overlap between antibiotics frequently used in animal health and in human health; rather, use of antibiotics by humans is the main culprit for the resistant bacteria confronting patients and human health practitioners today. the CDC confirmed this in its recent report and noted that 50 percent of antibiotics prescribed for use in human health are inappropriate."
So there you have it. Antibiotic resistance caused by animal agriculture? I think not.
“Because
of oversight by the FDA, and using best available science, there is
actually very little overlap between antibiotics frequently used in
animal health and in human health; rather, use of antibiotics by humans
is the main culprit for the resistant bacteria confronting patients and
human health practitioners today. The CDC confirmed this in its recent
report and noted that50 percent of antibiotics prescribed for use in
human health are inappropriate.” - See more at:
http://www.foodinsight.org/Myths_Facts_about_Animal_Antibiotics_in_Food_Production#sthash.RAwDgfYZ.dpuf
“Because
of oversight by the FDA, and using best available science, there is
actually very little overlap between antibiotics frequently used in
animal health and in human health; rather, use of antibiotics by humans
is the main culprit for the resistant bacteria confronting patients and
human health practitioners today. The CDC confirmed this in its recent
report and noted that50 percent of antibiotics prescribed for use in
human health are inappropriate.” - See more at:
http://www.foodinsight.org/Myths_Facts_about_Animal_Antibiotics_in_Food_Production#sthash.RAwDgfYZ.dpuf
Antibiotics
in livestock are making humans more resistant to antibiotics - See more
at:
http://www.foodinsight.org/Myths_Facts_about_Animal_Antibiotics_in_Food_Production#sthash.RAwDgfYZ.dpuf
Antibiotics
in livestock are making humans more resistant to antibiotics - See more
at:
http://www.foodinsight.org/Myths_Facts_about_Animal_Antibiotics_in_Food_Production#sthash.RAwDgfYZ.dpuf
Antibiotics
in livestock are making humans more resistant to antibiotics - See more
at:
http://www.foodinsight.org/Myths_Facts_about_Animal_Antibiotics_in_Food_Production#sthash.RAwDgfYZ.dpuf
Sunday, October 12, 2014
A Squeal of Fortune
The pork industry is on a rise, and for families that have been involved for generations, their longevity will pay off for them in the near future. Since 1973 hog prices have increased over time. This is much expected with consideration of inflation and cost-of-living increase, but the demand for pork is unrelated, and that has tremendously increased over time.
Families are willing to spend more money on pork-related products, thus driving the market to stay steady, and with new world-wide markets available, the industry is off on a great run. U.S. pork exports have risen from 1,600 million pounds exported in 2002, to 5,400 million pounds exported in 2012. That's an increase of over 300%!
Unfortunately though, the industry continues to see a decline in people interested in raising hogs. The number of farms has decreased incredibly from 647,000 operations spread across the nation in 1977, to 68,000 in 2012. This fall allows for those interested in raising hogs the opportunity to do so.
If you want to simply raise a couple pigs as a hobby, or want to get into it big-time and raise thousands, there are plenty of people out there to help you get to where you want to be. Contact the National Pork Board for more information at info@pork.org.
You won't want to miss out on this squeal of fortune!
Families are willing to spend more money on pork-related products, thus driving the market to stay steady, and with new world-wide markets available, the industry is off on a great run. U.S. pork exports have risen from 1,600 million pounds exported in 2002, to 5,400 million pounds exported in 2012. That's an increase of over 300%!
Unfortunately though, the industry continues to see a decline in people interested in raising hogs. The number of farms has decreased incredibly from 647,000 operations spread across the nation in 1977, to 68,000 in 2012. This fall allows for those interested in raising hogs the opportunity to do so.
If you want to simply raise a couple pigs as a hobby, or want to get into it big-time and raise thousands, there are plenty of people out there to help you get to where you want to be. Contact the National Pork Board for more information at info@pork.org.
You won't want to miss out on this squeal of fortune!
Sunday, October 5, 2014
The Fate of That Plate
We've all been faced with a challenge at some point in our lives, but what if that challenge was a day-to-day occurrence. For many people scattered about our great nation, hunger is an issue. I bet you never thought of that, ey? How can people possibly go hungry in a land filled with dollar menu fast-food chains and a smorgasbord of buffet lines. There is undoubtedly a lot of food throughout the U.S., but not everyone has the luxury of having access to it. I come from a small town of roughly 120 people, and I can think of one or two residents that probably have a harder time finding their next meal than the rest of us. Struggling people are out there. We need to adjust our vision, so these people are no longer overlooked.
It truly is hard to fathom that in 2013, 49.1 million Americans lived in food insecure households. Did you catch that? 49.1 MILLION AMERICANS in our own, amazing country that's full of freedoms. But how free are we really if there are people unable to receive a healthy diet every day? I firmly believe we lack the freedom of equality. Yes, we are all Americans, but people are becoming left in the dust. Once and for all, our nation should be filled with citizens who can all foresee their next meal. That's equality in my book.
Now yes, unemployment continues to be an issue, with nearly 8.8 million Americans searching for careers. I find this an easy cop-out though, to say that people are not trying to take care of themselves, but really, who are we to judge? I think those calls should be left for the man upstairs. Of course we hope unemployment diminishes over time so that people have the fiscal ability to create a strong foundation for their lives. But for now, it's up to us to help aid in that lifestyle change. Give generously to your local food bank when possible. Take time out of your day to not worry about your to-do list, but to concentrate on your help-who list. Together we can make a positive difference.
It truly is hard to fathom that in 2013, 49.1 million Americans lived in food insecure households. Did you catch that? 49.1 MILLION AMERICANS in our own, amazing country that's full of freedoms. But how free are we really if there are people unable to receive a healthy diet every day? I firmly believe we lack the freedom of equality. Yes, we are all Americans, but people are becoming left in the dust. Once and for all, our nation should be filled with citizens who can all foresee their next meal. That's equality in my book.
Now yes, unemployment continues to be an issue, with nearly 8.8 million Americans searching for careers. I find this an easy cop-out though, to say that people are not trying to take care of themselves, but really, who are we to judge? I think those calls should be left for the man upstairs. Of course we hope unemployment diminishes over time so that people have the fiscal ability to create a strong foundation for their lives. But for now, it's up to us to help aid in that lifestyle change. Give generously to your local food bank when possible. Take time out of your day to not worry about your to-do list, but to concentrate on your help-who list. Together we can make a positive difference.
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