When Social Media is, Literally, Outstanding in Your Field

No industry is unsuitable for social media, right?

That’s what folks in my field would like to believe - and it’s what I’ve counseled clients. But I will confess I’ve harbored my secret doubts about some industries being likely to embrace, or gain much, from the world of blogging, Twittering, forums, YouTube, podcasting, Facebook and the like.

And one of those industries I doubted was farming…

I like it when I’m wrong. (It means I’m learning!) The other day I came across an online agricultural community, or I should say, communities!

Farmers in the ‘Dell’

The power of Web 2.0 - blogs, forums, photo and video sharing, podcasting, Twitter and such - gives new and very modern meaning to “Farmer in the Dell.” By Dell, I’m referring to the lauded blog created by the computer maker a couple of years ago to respond to consumer negativity (known as “Dell hell”). At the time, it was a groundbreaking response from a corporation, and helped pave the way for transparency - and Web 2.0 use - embraced by many industries today.

We’ve come a long way, baby… and apparently, farmers haven’t been left behind.

Welcome to Moo Media, which includes:

• Beef Blog
• Purdue University Animal Sciences’ Beef Team channel on YouTube
• SwineCast. (podcasting for pig professionals), DairyCast, PoultryCast…
• Crop Village community

I owe a humble apology to farmers and ranchers for my stereotype of them as inept in social media… Shame on me for a lack of imagination.