October 29, 2009

Farmers using Twitter to educate public, promote businesses

ELK CREEK—While some people still don’t know what Twitter is all about, farmers and agriculture supporters are utilizing the real-time short messaging service to promote agritourism and educate the non-farming public about agriculture.

Twitter users can post 140-character messages. People and groups can follow a discussion, and users can follow others and know what they’re doing. Many farmers around the country are using Twitter to provide moment-to-moment detail about their operations.

Sherrie Severt Taylor of Grayson County, who manages her family’s Christmas tree farm with her husband, Carlos, has been “tweeting” about Severt’s Tree Farm since August.
Taylor said she created a Twitter account to promote her family’s business, network with other Virginia businesses and also “to educate the public about the Christmas tree industry, with a more personal touch.

“I have learned more about my business’ targeted audience and have continued to learn more about farmers’ markets, local nurseries and garden centers to understand how I can cater to their needs,” she said. To follow her updates and learn more about Christmas tree farming, visit twitter.com/fraserfirgirl.

The American Farm Bureau Federation, several state Farms Bureaus—including Virginia Farm Bureau—and other groups use Twitter to share news and facts about agriculture.
Visit SaveOurFood.org/GetInvolved/Join/Pages/SocialMedia.aspx for more information about Virginia Farm Bureau’s electronic communications and to connect with the organization’s Save Our Food campaign.

Contact Sara Owens, VFBF special projects coordinator, at 804-290-1133.