On-line Social Networking

If you’ve been following the news lately, you’ve probably heard references to social networking tools like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogging. Television news sites are now posting online comments from their viewing audiences during news programs thanks to these tools. Some shows have taken it a step further, gathering videos and stories from their audience and sharing these on the air as well as on their websites. Instead of just watching the news, now you can join in and be a part of the news, sharing your thoughts on world events as well as stories in your own backyard.

What does that mean to you as a Farm Bureau member? It means a new way of sharing information with not only your local Farm Bureau members, but with FB members in other states, nationally and around the world. Now you can find people who have the same interests and concerns that you do. You can form a small community online to work on a project or discuss political issues. You can learn best practices from other people in your industry from the comfort of your own home. You can download training manuals, equipment catalogs, watch video tutorials and keep in touch with family, co-workers and friends.

A recent study of Internet users found that nearly 70% of rural Farm Bureau members, and 35% of urban members, are estimated to be without high-speed Internet access. If you are still using dial-up to connect to the Internet, you have probably experienced the frustration of waiting for a website to load or trying to download a file only to have your connection slow down or disconnect. Many Farm Bureau members live in areas where high-speed DSL and cable just don’t reach. Through Agristar Global Networks, members receive a discount on equipment and a free month of service as part of the benefit, as well as access to email, markets, weather and ag news.

Satellite gives rural users access to high-speed Internet through a small dish placed on the roof or on a pole in the ground. After the install is complete, you’ll be able to surf the web as fast as your friends in the city. Maybe you’ll even post a photo of the new satellite dish on that blog you’ll start writing!

And, Arizona Farm Bureau now has a twitter account. Look for them online!