Transcript Using technology as an agricultural communicator

Career Pathways
EDCI 660
Presented by
Amber Cloud Wolfe
Anna Siracusa
Courtney Stierwalt
Information Communication
Technology in Agriculture
A Career Pathway Course Presentation for Agricultural
Communications Undergraduate Students
Introduction
Agricultural Communications is ever changing. Many often think it is
talking to corn and animals, but in actuality Agricultural Communications
encompasses a multitude of job opportunities that are constantly
expanding. As with the times, careers in this field are relying more and
more on technology. Traditional positions of writers, editors, and
photographers are still present in the field, but the way we are doing these
jobs has changed. Today we would like to help open your mind to new
opportunities, and put you in connection with resources to help give you
the edge and learn the language of this field.
Your journey into your career search begins now!
Career Pathways
JOB POSTINGS , SKILLSETS & KNOWLEDGE
Visiting Media Communications Specialist
Job
Posting
Skills
•Reports to the Director of Communications and Marketing in Information Technology and
Communication Services (ITCS). This position will create and design materials to support the
communications and marketing endeavors that best represent the College of Agricultural,
Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES).
•Manage creative aspects of communications projects to support the College of ACES
communications and marketing needs, including promotional and creative writing, editing and
proofreading.
•Design and develop a wide range of electronic and print-based communications and
marketing materials including presentations, brochures, posters, print and online
advertisements, email communications, digital display templates, event invitations and other
materials as needed.
•Utilize excellent analytical skills to identify the target audience and independently choose
appropriate styles of visual design, appropriate styles and length of message, and quantity
and mode of message distribution to best reach that audience.
•Manage projects from conception to completion with a variety of clients, colleagues,
freelancers, students and vendors.
•Must communicate technical terminology and concepts accurately with clients, outside
vendors, freelance providers and others.
•Effective communication
•Analytical skills
•Print design
Education Content Specialist
Job
Posting
Skills
• Develops new educational resources and content for the program.
• Researches and identifies existing educational resources for use by the program.
• Ensures program materials are current and accurate.
• Modifies existing educational materials to incorporate new and innovative teaching
techniques.
• Uses social media to increase program success (i.e. chat room, bulletin board,
blog, Facebook).
• Communicates regularly with the coordinators and program staff.
• Networks and collaborates with coordinators as program requires.
• Participates in educational activities that provide subject-matter and job skills of
benefit to the program.
• Organizes and prioritizes assigned work, and schedules time to accommodate
work demands, turnaround time requirements, and commitments.
• Uses interpersonal skills effectively to build and maintain cooperative working
relationships.
•Effective communication
•Analytical skills
•Research skills
Additional Career Recommendations

Farm broadcasting

Journalists and editors of agricultural/rural magazines and
newspapers

Communication specialist, public relations practitioner, or
Web developer for agricultural commodity organizations,
businesses, non-profits

Sales representative for agricultural business

Science journalist

Land-grant university communication specialist

Public relations or advertising for firms that specialize in or
have agricultural clients
Students in the 'Multimedia in
Agricultural Communication' course are
developing science communication
videos for the Purdue Agricultural
Research Programs office. As part of the
project, they are researching the usage
of iPad-minis for online multimedia
production.
Career Pathways
USING TECHNOLOGY AS AN
AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATOR
https://www.facebook.com/YDAE.Purdue
Career Pathways
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Association of Communication Excellence (ACE)

ACE is an international association of communicators, educators and
information technologists. The organization offers professional
development and networking for individuals who extend knowledge
about agriculture, natural resources, and life and human sciences.

Mission: ACE develops professional skills of education, government,
and research communicators and information technologists to extend
knowledge about agriculture, natural resources, and life and human
sciences to people worldwide. ACE derives its basic mission from the
longstanding experience of land-grant universities within the United
States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and equivalent
institutions in other countries in delivering necessary information for
improving the lives of all citizens.
www.aceweb.org
National Agricultural Communicators
of Tomorrow
Vision

The vision of National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow is to be
the leading collegiate organization in developing and strengthening
agricultural communication students through professional growth
opportunities and educational programs.
Mission

The Mission of National ACT is to build relationships among agricultural
communication professionals and college students and faculty, to
provide professional and academic development for members and to
promote agriculture through communications efforts.
www.nactnow.org
National Agriculture Future of America

AFA men and women share the belief that the production, processing and
distribution of food and fiber, with support for agriculture business services, are
vital for our nation’s economy, both now and in the future. These men and women
share three characteristics – they are talented, passionate and committed to a
career in agriculture.

AFA’s strength comes from its unique partnerships with rural communities,
corporations, foundations, colleges, universities, and individuals that support
academic development, leader development and career development. This network
creates an atmosphere that stimulates the development of professionalism,
intrapreneurialism and intellectualism – each a key factor in human capital
development.

The term human capital is the recognition that people are essential assets who
contribute to development and growth of organizations and businesses, similar to
physical assets such as machines and money. The collective attitudes, abilities and
skills of people contribute to organizational performance and productivity.
Expenditures in identification, training, development, health and support are an
investment, not just an expense.
www.afuture.org
Career Pathways
PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES
Professional Resources
Great
resource for undergraduates for career options in
Agricultural Communication from UGA:
http://career.uga.edu/uploads/documents/wcidwami/AgriculturalCommunication.pdf

Journal of Extension publication on Leadership Styles in
Agricultural Communication
http://www.joe.org/joe/2004february/a1.php
Career Pathways
TECHNOLOGY
Technology Tools

Telematics


RFID technology


Radio frequency identification, or RFID, has been widely used in livestock to identify
animals. But global futurist Jack Uldrich says use of the tagging technology will expand to
crops as the technology gets exponentially better, faster and cheaper.
Soil and crop sensors


Imagine pulling up on your mobile computer a map that shows where all your vehicles are
operating and their fuel levels, how much product has been applied or how much crop
harvested, and even if a piece of equipment is ready to break down.
More farm equipment today is being outfitted with smart sensors that can read everything
from plant health and water needs in the crop to nitrogen levels in the soil. The sensors
then enable on-the-go application of inputs based on real-time field conditions.
Pervasive automation

Reid Hamre, AGCO, uses the phrase “pervasive automation” to explain all the new product
features that reduce operator workload. Growers should expect these types of automation
to largely take over operation of equipment in the future. The new automated features
allow operators to do more jobs with less strain and more accuracy because human error
is eliminated.
Technology Resources

Another great resource on Information and
Communication Technology
http://www.ictinagriculture.org

Farming industry news
http://farmindustrynews.com/precision-farming/20-technologies-changingagriculture#slide-13-field_images-45641
Career Pathways
CONCLUSION
What Ag Comm has prepared you for:

Reporting agricultural information to audiences such as
consumers, legislators, homeowners, farmers,
agribusinesses, commodity groups, and governmental
agencies;

Sales, marketing, photography, and media, communicating
about the importance of agriculture;

Journalism, news editorial, advertising, public relations, and
telecommunications; and

Using advancing technology to understand, teach, and
promote scientific agriculture.