How to write an #agblog - agriculture blog Part 2

Telling our story

In the past 60 days numerous other agriculture blogs have popped up, which is great for two reasons. 1. Farmers and rancher are becoming better advocates, and I think are realizing that it is important to tell our agriculture story. 2. For consumers you are going to get a better look at where you food comes from, and the people raising it without even leaving your kitchen table.

Last time I had a few tips on starting an #agblog (really these tips can be applied to any blog) and now I am excited about another resource you can use to help you get that blog off the ground. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Young Producer Council (YPC) have put together a series of social media guide including a "How to Guide for Beef Bloggers." I was fortuante enough to be able to work on this project lead by Cari Rinicker, with contributions also made by Chelsea Good, Sharon Briener and Erica Beck.

A subject that I touched on is a questions I get quite often - are people really reading my blog? There are a couple things to remember.

1. First off I think it is best when you are blogging for yourself. You will get much enjoyment out of your blog if you aren't writing for the comments.

2. However, it is nice to get a little encouragement once in awhile. Be sure to add Google Analytics to your blog. Only about one percent of blogger comment. Adding Google Analytics will allow you to know how many people are reading your blog and where the are finding (from link on your facebook page, twitter, a chat board etc.)

3. Make it easy to comment. About six months ago I allowed anonymous comments to be posted to my blog. Some people are going to want to interact with you, but not create an account to comment. Ninety percent of my anonymous commenters have left their name anyways. Also, I have removed the security word that you have to type in after leaving a comment. The security word is to protect against spam, however I have only had one spam comment and I was able to delete it easily. You want your readers to be able to comment as quickly and easily as possible.

4. Interact with your readers. Make sure you respond to their comments and say thank-you. Blogging is about a community, interacting and networking with others.

These are just a couple tips. I you have other tips or questions I would love to hear them! And for more advice visit the How to Blog Tab at the top of my Blog.

365 Days of Beef

Hamburger, T-bone, KC strip...

Could you do it? 365 days of beef, sure sounds good to me. After Oprah ran her special on "Going Vegan" Scott Bennett decided that he would do the exact opposite and add even more meat to his diet. This 22-year-old from Blackburg, Virginia, will document his journey through his blog 365 Days of Beef.

I think this is a fantastic way to celebrate I Heart Beef month - year round. Not only will he get to experience the benefits of lean beef, but he is surely going to get lots of questions about his project, which will allow him to talk about the beef industry and agriculture.

Today is the first day of Scott's adventure, wish him luck and be sure to check out his 365 Days of Beef blog. 

The Farmer's Trophy Wife and Farm Journal

Giving gratitude

What an awesome Friday. First this morning when I woke up I noticed that The Farmer's Trophy Wife had put together a selection of Crystal Cattle style Etsy goods for my birthday countdown. (Check back tomorrow, for more of my favorite things.)

I have no idea how she read my mind so well. Ever since my trip to Australia I have been looking for vintage burlap feed sacks to make pillows out of. 

I also was super surprised when I saw this tweet come across in my Twitter feed today. 

Thank-you to Anna-Lisa Giannini and Farm Journal for the Follow Friday shout-out. You can read the write up on Agweb.com

Anna-Lisa is an awesome agvocate herself and has recently started working for Farm Journal. It is great to see so many young agriculturist out there. 

And finally to Rachel at Ranch House Designs. I have always admired Rachel and all I have to say is...

I have a very exciting surprise for you on Monday! Stay tuned. 

crystal.cattle stepping it up

New Look.

Here is what I've have been waiting to share with you. If you stopped by my blog last night, you were welcomed with the new crystal.cattle blog header. The Boy surprised me at Christmas with a gift certificate for Ranch House Designs so I could spruce up my blog. I was so excited, and now you can see the final product.

If you are ever looking for a fabulous team to do some design work for you look up Rachel and her team. From blog, to websites, sale catalogs and print campaigns they are a great team. And stay tuned this week, because I have another surprise.

And thanks JJB, you are awesome.

LIfe As a Ag Girl - Kasey Hunt

Drum roll please.

Today, I am excited to have a guest blogger - Mrs. Kasey Hunt. Kasey, President of the Missouri Cattlewomen's Association, wrote an article about our chance meeting earlier this year, and I think it just goes to show that there is always the opportunity to create a new relationship or network with someone, even when you might least expect it. Thanks Kasey!


“Life as an Ag Girl and Everything that Comes with It” by Kasey Hunt


After experiencing the Blizzard of 2011, I couldn’t be more excited for spring to get here. I had every intention of writing about my trip to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Convention and Trade Show. However, since the blizzard caused me to have three cancelled flights and I was fighting a horrible cold, I had to make the decision that home is where I needed to stay.

I have a "ear tag" name tag like this one
on my suitcases as well.

My blizzard wasn’t a complete waste because I was snowed in at my cousin and his wife’s house in Smithville, MO. They have two boys; ages four and one, and I had the opportunity to bond with them. Also, while standing in line to rebook my first flight, I saw an ear tag on a piece of luggage that read “my address (going to keep that secret).” I quickly introduced myself to the woman standing across from me who I found out was Crystal. We weren’t able to talk very long, but later exchanged a few Facebook messages. She ended up having the same trouble I did flying out of KCI, but she eventually succeeded.

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. What should have been a week of attending meetings, events and networking with others in the cattle industry led to a new passion, researching agriculture blogs. While Crystal and I were exchanging messages, she encouraged me to join her Facebook page Crystal Cattle. This page is why I started to read more blogs and I want to pass it along to you the readers why I think you may want to read it as well.

With the media and animal activist groups telling the story of agriculture instead of the farmers and ranchers, Crystal felt it was time for our voices to be heard. She started her blog two years ago this spring and absolutely loves being able to tell the story of agriculture to those who are not able to experience the life on an everyday basis. Her blog talks about everything from what is happening on her family’s farm,
to how to promote beef, the responses to negative agriculture articles and her weekly “Turquoise Thursday” where she writes about some type of western turquoise inspiration.

“Advocating agriculture doesn’t mean you have to start a blog.” states Crystal, “It can be as simple as posting a status of what is going on at your farm, or asking someone at your grocers meat counter if they need help selecting a cut of meat for supper that night.” If you are interested in starting a blog, Crystal has a few posts on her blog explaining how to start your own blog. She also states that NCBA’s Young Producer Council has an excellent “how to” guide on their site as well. Another tool Crystal finds helpful in sharpening her advocacy skills is the Master of Beef Advocacy program.

The responses Crystal’s blog has received have been overwhelming. She has had the opportunity to have great conversations with not only consumers, but ranchers that have been shocked to hear of what people think about agriculture. Blogging has been a wonderful way for Crystal to network, make new friends and she is proud to have more than 6,000 people a month read the agriculture story.

If you would like to read Crystal’s blog, you can find it at www.crystalcattle.com or on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/crystalcattle. “The life of an ag girl and everything that comes with it” may just inspire you to tell your story too.

Two years have flown by

So fast that I almost forget!

Last night, I was thinking jeez I think my two year blog anniversary is about to come up. Sure enough it was on April 3rd! So I'm a couple days behind in thanking everyone for their kind words, comments and motivation.

My blog started out with this very first post, and I can see that my little ole blog has definitely matured and grown during these two years. From my 101 in 1001 list (still working on it), to the Jimmy Johns I Believe quotes, my distaste for Chipolte, completing my Masters of Beef Advocacy, sharing plenty of pictures of cows, a trip to Australia and of course my love of cowboy boots and turquoise, these are all the things that make me who I am.

I hope if you enjoy reading you'll pass Crystal.Cattle onto you friends and family, and if you have  questions about agriculture let me know. I want people to learn about where their food comes, and be able to make educated purchasing decisions. And I can't wait to learn more too! That's the great thing about this blogging community is everyday I meet someone new or expand my horizons a little further.

And keep on following along, you never know what might happen next!

Boiled eggs, fires, and peta-supporting celebrities

Farm and Ranch Blogs worth reading 


I hope you are having an awesome weekend with your family and friends. I am traveling back to Iowa to celebrate Easter with the Boy and his family. Today there isn't a post from me rather 3 things that I thought you might find worth reading

The Perfect Boiled Egg - I never quite get boiled eggs right, however I really do love to eat them. Especially, on salads, and with Easter here this weekend 5 Chick and a Farmer's tutorial has perfect timing.

picture from Life on Kansas
Cattle Ranch

Pastures up in flames - Have you noticed pastures on fire in Kansas (and a few other places too) lately. That is because it is burning season. Debbie Lyons-Blythe of Life on a Kansas Cattle Ranch does a great job explaining why burning last year's grasses is important for maintain good grass health and ecosystem. It's worth checking out the posts just to see the pictures.

10 Singers who support animal rights extremists - 10 misinformed celebrities that don't truly understand what HSUS and Peta are all about. They would love it if we were all vegans, and that means no more livestock. Celestet Laurent does a great job of identifying those that aren't supporting what my family does.

Young Farmers and Ranchers telling their story

The new advocates

You may have seen the new Summer Synergy tab on my blog. Summer Synergy is a program for youth in agriculture that are involved in showing livestock. This year I am assisting with the marketing contest. The Senior members have been challenged with creating blogs that tell agriculture's story. During the next few months I'll be featuring some of their blogs, and I hope you take the chance to check them out.

Sarah Nixdorff - http://www.downonthefarmnixdorff.blogspot.com/
Sarah family raises Hereford and commercial cattle. She recently wrote a neat post about bringing some of her city friends out to the Ranch, something that my sister and I did often when we were growing up.

Stacey Domolewski http://jocowgirlcountry.blogspot.com/

Stacey is a college student, who grew up on Purebred Angus cattle farm. She talks about her experiences on the farm and has some great recipes on her blog.

Also, if you are participating in Summer Synergy tell me about your blog. And if you are needing some help with installing Google Analytics let me know, and we'll get it sorted it out.

Young Farmers and Ranchers Blogs Part II

Tell your story.

There are lots of areas of agriculture, and although beef cattle are my favorite, I try to learn and be knowledge about all aspects. This month I am going to be featuring some brand new blogs from young agriculture agvocates.

Maryellen Gibson - Farm Kid Forever
Maryellen isn't a cowgirl, and doesn't own a pair of cowboy boots. She's a Shepard. I've been enjoying reading her blog and perspective on sheep and other areas of agriculture. I really enjoyed learning a lot about the sheep industry on my trip last year to Australia.

Farm Girl Forever

Dakota Wilson - Beef Undressed

I love one of Dakota's first posts about Artificial Insemination. Yes, this is a technology that we use in the cattle industry. She explains more about how it is done, and why on her blog Beef Undressed.  

A picture of Dakota's dad A.I.ing one of their Angus cows.

Rosie Templeton - Absolutely Agriculture

A passionate advocate Rosie blogs on a variety of topics. She has exposed me to some new way to connect with consumers, and how consumers could connect with me, like the Meet Your Farmer program.

One of the newborn Hereford calves on Rosie's farm.

Young Farmers and Ranchers Blogs Part III

Time to feature some more of the Summer Synergy #agblogs

Starting a blog can be a little intimidating, but I have been very impressed by the way these young people are jumped right into the advocacy waters on this project. Here are a couple more blogs for you to check out. And to learn more about the program or starting your own blog check out my tabs above.

Emily Puch - Life of a Farm Girl 
I really liked Emily's most recent posts, about the signs of spring in Alberta. Sometimes I forget that Canada is just getting into Spring, since there has been green grass in the Midwest for such a long time already. Plus, how can you resist new kittens...

From Life of a Farm Girl

Katie Dietrich - It ain't always pretty, but it is real

I really like this post of Katie's that talks about both her 4-H and dancing careers coming to an end. I took was really active in both of these activities, and it reminded me of myself. Yes, there are pictures somewhere of me feeding my show cattle with pink curlers in my hair because after chores we had to rush off to a dance competition. 

Katie in her dance attire

How to Change Your Blog Widths in Blogger

#Agnerds and fellow bloggers unite

I have been working with some of the Summer Synergy participants on their agvocacy blogs, and one thing I have noticed is that by changing the widths of the columns within their blog, they could quickly improve the eye appeal of their blog.

So how do you change the width of your blog in Blogger?

Step 1. Click on the Design tab on the Dashboard Page

Step 2. Next click on the Template Designer

This is the same place you click to change the color and font of your blog.

Step 3. Look in the upper left hand corner and click on Adjust widths

Click on Adjust widths

Step 4. You will now find these bars in front of you.

These are the widths of my blog, but remember you can choose to set up your however you like. 

By dragging the bottom two bars back and forth you will change the width of the outside sidebars to your blog. The smaller the left and right sidebars are the bigger your middle section will be. You also may choose to only have a two column blog, leaving one of the sidebars bars at 0 px.

The maximum entire width of your blog on Blogger can by 1000 px, but remember if you make you blog this big the entire blog might not fit on everyone's computer screens and they will have to scroll over.

This how to tutorial improves you blog! If you have any questions or would like to know how to improve other aspects of you blog let me know. Don't forget my How to Blog Guide that the top of my Blog as well.

How to Add Pages to Your Blog

Another how to blog post for my #agnerd and blogging friends

A lot of friends have recently asked me how to add tabs or pages to your blog. You can also create a mini website for your company or farm by using pages. So here is a adding pages tutorial for Blogger blogs, and don't forget to check out my How to Blog Guide for more Tutorials.

Step 1. Go to your Dashboard, find you blog and click on Pages. 

You will find this list on the left hand side. 

Step 2. Creating the page. 

You are going to likely want to create a blank page. 

You create your page just like you would create a post. Things to keep in mind.

1. keep the name of your tab short
2. the About Me tab/page is one of the most important pages to a blog.

Once you create the page, you will hit publish, just like you publish your blog post. 

Step 3. Make your tab/page go live

Once you have created all the pages you would like you need to hit save arrangement (the orange box in the upper right hand column). 

By holding your mouse over the vertical blue line into from of each tab name you can click and drag the pages into the order you desire. Remember to again click save arrangement after you make your change. 

Step 6. Ideas and creating a website 

My Crystal.Cattle Pages

Page ideas you might have for your blog:

About Me –  This one gets a lot of hits. I also have my complete contact information under here

Recipes – if you post recipes regularly you might want to include them under here

Photos – show off your photography skills

Other Blogs – if you don’t want to list all the blogs that you like in a blog roll on your homepage you can include them here, or other websites you enjoy

For those cattlemen that are using their blog as a website, you may want to set up tabs like For Sale, Sires, Show String, Contact Us, etc.

 ZNT Cattle have used the Blogger format to create a website for their family's cattle farm. 

How to get responses to your blog comments

Another How to Tutorial to improve your Blog. 

I love responding to all your comments that you leave on my blog, but do you ever wonder why sometimes you don't get any response? One of the most frustrating things is when you don't have an email address attached to your profile because this means I have no way to respond to you other than leaving a comment on your blog (that's if you have one.)

Today, I am here to help you out with these simple steps.

1. Go to your Blogger Dashboard

Once you are here click on Edit Profile. 

2. Scroll down to Identity

Fill in the email address that you would like the blog author to respond to. It doesn't have to match your username like mine does. 

3. You're done!

That's all it takes. Now a note to blog authors if the people leaving comments have done this when their responses show up in your email inbox hit reply and the commentor's email address will appear in the To: field. Feel free to link to this tutorial so your readers and learn how to add their email addresses as well.

I hope my friends will take a minute to do this because I love hearing from you, and I am sure you would love a response! And don't forget to check out the other How to Blog tutorials.

Optimizing your blog for smartphones

Another blogging tutorial.

Blogger has now come out with the option for you to optimize your blog for smartphones in just a couple steps. I converted my blog, and I hope many of my other blogger friends will consider doing theirs as well. Why? Well on my poor ole Blackberry, I can't bring up a lot of your blogs. Which therefore limits my on the road blog reading. So what do you need to do to optimize your blog for smartphones?

Step 1. Go to your dashboard

Click on Settings. Look at my impressive use of the pencil tool in photoshop!

Step 2. Select Email & Mobile

Step 3. Change your settings

Click on the yes option so a mobile version of your blog with appear when people are surfing the web via their phone. I was really impressed with how fast the photos loaded, and how easy it was to read my own blog. 

I hope this tutorial was useful. Even if you are a just a blog reader encourage your friends and bloggers to consider switching to the mobile template so we all can get a little more reading done. And don't forget to check out my other tutorial and advice on starting your own blog under the How to Blog Guide tab. 

Feed Sack Bag Give-a-way

What is up for grabs?

Remember the very popular Feed Sack Bag post that featured both cloth and plastic feed sack bags, along with a tutorial? Well that tutorial came from my blogging friend the House That Ag Built. Sarah turns lots of her Feed Bags into reusable grocery bags and bags that are great for the beach. The best news - she wants to give one away to a Crystal Cattle reader.

The Bag that is up for grabs. Perfect beach or travel bag for the summer.

I love all the colors on this bag. Who knew a feed sack could be so pretty.

Now here's how to enter.

1. Follow Crystal Cattle

2. Follow The House That Ag Built

For additional entries 

3. Like the Crystal Cattle facebook page

4. Tweet about the contest out over twitter (make sure you tag me)

5. Blog about this contest 

Please leave a comment on this blog post how you have entered. I really encourage you to check out the House That Ag Built blog. Sarah is a teacher and has worked really hard to teach her students about agriculture and where their food comes from. I will draw a winner Sunday, June 26 at 6:00 p.m. CST.

Blogs Worth Reading

Today I want to highlight a couple of my fellow bloggers:

The Great Arizona Bale-Out 

In my Life Isn't Very Fair When You Are a Farmer post I didn't mention one of the other natural disasters that has been effecting agriculture this year - wildfires. In Arizona there are some massive wildfire fires that have burnt up thousand of acres of grasslands leaving little feed for cattle and livestock. Anna on Life Be Delicious takes about how you can support their Arizona ranchers and farmers.

Am I Eating Dirty Foods

Do you question which tomatoes you should buy when at the grocery store - the regular ones, the organic ones, or should you leave the grocery store and visit a Farmer's Market. There is an article from Men's Health magazine circulating, and I don't agree with it very much. Amanda Hill has done a great job of commenting on the Dirty Foods article, I would have said the same thing, so check it out. 

Social Media Lemonade Stand

Are you needing help with your blogging? Then talk to me about redesigning your blog or helping you generate a larger social media presence. If you want those cool new blog features, feel like you need a new template, or want to get that facebook page started then visit my About tab and shoot me an email and we'll talk about some ideas and strategies. Also, one of my blogger friends does some nice design work, and is raising some funds to go to an agriculture social media conference. Brooke Clay will help you redesign your blog header for a small fee, and then will use the funds to fund her trip. Hopefully, she'll write a post about what she learns when she gets back. 

What are some of your favorite blogs or posts out there right now. I am always looking for good reading. 

Instagram the greatest iPhone app

Click, Edit, Post

Recently, I made the switch from Blackberry to iPhone, and in the process I asked my facebook followers what their favorite apps were. I got some really great suggestions, but I have to say my favorite so far is Instagram. 

So what is it? Instagram allows to your take, edit and upload photos to your Instagram profile. The photoshop actions (those are the things that change your photos to black and white, sepia, etc) are awesome, and just take one click to apply. Once your photos are posted your followers can then like or comment on your images, and you can do the same back to them. The app even allows you to post the photos simultaneously to your Facebook or Twitter pages. It is also a simple way to capture your Wordless or Wordful Wednesday photos.  

Ever since I've downloaded the app I have been snapping photos our the Boy's cattle, the farm and all the things I've been whipping up in the kitchen! Remember this post about showing cattle? Those are all instagram photos. 

I wanted to share with you some of my favorite instagram photographers just incase you decide this app is for you. And search for Crystal Cattle if you want to follow me. 

I love the photos that kaitmcdee post. You can tell she is a farm girl with style. I am pretty sure I would pose with the Ivomec gun like that. (Side note: Ivomec is a dewormer that you pour on the backs of cattle to control parasites in livestock. Got to keep them healthy)

I follow Angsamp both on Instagram and on Twitter. She is always posting beautiful photos of her ranch. Plus she has a cool combination of jobs lawyer and rancher. 

I have talked about Our Little Ranch Photography before, and both Luke and Catherine has Instagram profiles. It just goes to show you don't need a high powered camera to take beautiful photos. Caution though Luke is also snapping pictures of delicious food - you might get hungry. 

Since I can't always be around for the crops being harvested I love it when other people post pictures. Kuhngirl1 also have picture of everything from cowboys to baby pigs to cupcakes on her profile. 

And finally I love Christina of Little Fashion Diary. Everyday she posts fun outfits and new finds, you can tell this girl likes to laugh and have a lot of fun. Her blog is definitely worth checking out if you love fashion or need some inspiration.

If you are on instagram or sign up let me know. I would love a peak into your everyday. 

Dooney & Bourke Turquoise Handbag

Pretty things.

Remember when I featured the Dooney & Burke Ostrich Skin handbags that were to die for. Well some how I missed this one turquoise one.

Dooney & Bourke Handbag, Venus Barrel Satchel available here

But what should we pair this awesome bag with. Well thanks to my friend Cathryn at The Farmer's Trophy Wife she has given us some options. 

Crystal Cattle, summer by FarmersTrophyWife featuring sleeveless dresses

Sleeveless dress, $31
Soda sandals, $25
Talullah Tu fringe earrings, $28
Metal shades, $32
Dooney & Bourke Handbag, Venus Barrel Satchel, $198

And I know a lot of you are ready for this heat to be over and done with so let's start thinking about Fall. Those boots are pretty awesome. 

Crystal Cattle, autumn by FarmersTrophyWife featuring coral earrings

McQ by Alexander McQueen long sleeve sweater, £190
Lucky brand jeans, $80
Black boots, $100
Coral earrings, $30
Black sunglasses, $32
Dooney & Bourke Handbag, Venus Barrel Satchel, $198

And finally although I am "Not a Mommy Blogger" I still had to share this cute outfit. The Farmer's Trophy Wife is expecting and I've enjoyed seeing all the wonderful things she has been picking out for the baby's room. 

Crystal Cattle, maternity by FarmersTrophyWife featuring silver jewelry

J brand maternity, $198
Red Herring Maternity maternity, £10
Low Luv x Erin Wasson silver jewelry, $49
Melody Ehsani mirror jewelry, $84
3.1 Phillip Lim square sunglasses, $68
Ariat Men's Rambler Cowboy Boots - Square Toe, $130
Dooney & Bourke Handbag, Venus Barrel Satchel, $198

Social Media Friends - James Decker

"Friends"

It is amazing the number of people that I have connected with via my blog, Twitter, social media. People that I call my friends, yet we have never met in real life. I wanted to do a Q&A with a few of them. Not only because they are really interesting people, but they also have some good advice for us.

Let's start off with James Decker. James and I crossed paths through Twitter and here's what he had to say.

1. Name and where you are from 

James Decker – Stamford, Texas

2. A little bit about your agriculture background

Descended from dryland sharecroppers and cotton/wheat farmers; personal background through my youth and the present day in wheat farming; returned to my hometown to open up a law practice dedicated to serving agriculture producers, rural landowners, and rural business; also engaged in grass roots efforts for rural development and beautification, co-founder of the Ruraltopia.com blog.

3. What is your favorite social media platform or tool?

Twitter – it is an efficient, practical, and handy way to connect across the world to develop friendships, build business and professional relationships, and share ideas between like-minded people in a way that was simply unimaginable just a few years ago.

4. When using Twitter what hashtag do you like following or using the best?

#agchat because it provides a great “jumping off point” for networking in agriculture and obtaining data and resources

5. Give us your favorite agriculture fact?

Agriculture producers are the most efficient, resilient, and productive members of the economy. A tiny fraction of the American population grows enough food to feed the booming population of the entire country and this group of people does that in the face of soaring input costs, uncooperative weather, ever-burdening laws and regulations, and declining amounts of available land.

6. What is your favorite smartphone app and why?

The “Twitter for iPhone” app is the most handy and useful social media app I have, but as a huge baseball fan, the “MLB At Bat 11” provides me great enjoyment and entertainment throughout the season.

7. If we want to follow you, like you, tweet you where should we go?

I can be found on Twitter here: @jamesdecker2006, on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/james.decker and blogging about rural issues at http://www.ruraltopia.com.

Social Media Friends Katie Pinke

Now we really are friends

In my last social media friends profile, I featured James Decker, someone that I have connected with through social media, but never have met in real life. Today, it is Katie Pinke's turn, and we HAVE met before. I first knew Katie through her blog Pinke Post, then Twitter, and now the awesome facebook group Rural Women Rock. In August Katie was coming through Kansas City and we got to meet face to face for the first time.

Our first meeting. I laughed and told some friends it was like a blind date! p.s. Katie had some awesome turquoise pieces like that cardigan and a beautiful turquoise bracelet. 

We had a blast. I mean Jack Stack BBQ, to blonde gals, and lots of conversation about agriculture and social media, who wouldn't have a good time. Plus, Katie is a MAC make-up girl like me. Friends for life!

And with that I bring you Katie. I hope from each of these posts you learn a little more about social media, and gets to know another farmer or someone that is involved in agriculture.


1. Name and where you are from 
Katie Pinke, Wishek, North Dakota

2. A little bit about your agriculture background

Agriculture is just who I am although I didn't really grasp it until I was an adult. My family farms in east central ND which we call GriggsDakota . I'm the first of the 5th generation and my son is the first of the 6th generation. We raise 6-7 different crops and my uncle operates a cow/calf operation alongside with grandparents. I lived on the farm as a young professional with my son. After getting married, my husband, son and I made a drastic life change when my husband jumped off the corporate wheel. We moved from Fargo, ND back to his hometown in the heart of a rural agriculture area in south central North Dakota. My husband, Nathan, owns and operates a lumberyard, planning and general contractor business with his parents who started the business in 1977. Nathan is the four generation builder. The chest of carpentry tools that his Great-Grandpa Henry brought through Ellis Island from Germany still are in our lumberyard today. Our building business is definitely a big part of the agriculture community as most of our business is from farmers and for the ag industry. Agriculture is our livelihood. We bought some land and built a house in a hayfield where we raise our family of five now. Our kids are ages 14, 3 and 2.  We make frequent trips to our GriggsDakota farm where my parents farm 2 1/2 hours north of us. 

Professionally, I work remotely for an agriculture focused marketing communications firm, AdFarm. http://adfarmonline.com/aboutus.php (video of me talking of my work on link)

3. What is your favorite social media platform or tool?

Hard question. Only 8% of Americans are on Twitter but I love my different Twitter communities. It's a unique connection builder. My favorite social media platform though is my blog, Pinke Post. It captures all that I am as a prairie working mom. I have been blogging for what will be 4 years this fall and I have over 700 blog posts. It's truly my journal and I met connected with so many amazing people through it. My blog enriches my life beyond anything I could have ever dreamed or known. 

4. When using Twitter what hashtag do you like following or using the best?

I have SO many I love to follow. I don't follow the "ag" related hash tags much unless I need to for work. I try to connect with #foodies #recipes #workmom and others that have similar interests to me outside of agriculture. I follow other key words also like fresh produce, local farms, California farmers for our client Know A California Farmer #kacf

5. Give us your favorite agriculture fact?

I have about 100 favorites ag facts! Here's one though: 

Katie, also does the best Hunk
of Meat Mondays posts.

North Dakota is #1 in numerous agriculture products but being #1 in barley production is unique for me because our GriggsDakota farm contracts barley to Anheuser-Busch which makes us #1 in beer. However...I hate beer so I don't really celebrate this fact literally but I know a lot of beer drinkers that do. 

6. What is your favorite smartphone app and why?

I don't do a lot on my phone with apps because I'm on a Blackberry for work and TALK on my phone a lot. I use UberSocial for Twitter though and it's great.

7. If we want to follow you, like you, tweet you where should we go?

http://facebook.com/pinkepost

http://pinkepost.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/katpinke

Anything else you would like to add?

Social media has transformed how I gather information and communicate. I am truly thankful for the relationships and connections I have made through social media. Thanks for being one of those connections and relationships Crystal! My love for cattle AND turquoise has definitely grown because of reading your blog and connecting with you.