MFB sold on Gratiot County public relations campaign
MFB sold on Gratiot County public relations campaign
MFB sold on Gratiot County public relations campaign
MFB sold on Gratiot County public relations campaign
MFB sold on Gratiot County public relations campaign
Gratiot County FB wins County Activities of Excellence Award
GRAND RAPIDS, Dec. 2, 2008 — Over the past year, residents of Gratiot County have become well acquainted with local farmers. They’ve listened to them on the radio, read about them in the newspaper, and seen their faces on the big screen.
Most importantly, they’ve heard farmers – in their own words – describe how they protect the environment, care for animals, produce safe and high-quality food, and contribute to the local economy.
In recognition of this successful public relations campaign, the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) is honoring the Gratiot County Farm Bureau with the organization’s 2008 County Activities of Excellence Award. Gratiot County Farm Bureau leaders received the honor Dec. 2 at MFB’s 89th Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids.
Presented annually, the County Activities of Excellence Award recognizes innovative, action-oriented programs developed by county Farm Bureaus in the areas of education and agricultural promotion, member services, information/public relations, leadership development and policy implementation.
For the Gratiot County initiative, the county Farm Bureau partnered with the Michigan Ag Council to launch a cohesive, multi-media campaign branded by the slogan, “The Power of Green.” The campaign used images of individuals and families and powerful testimonials from local farmers and business owners to raise public awareness about modern agricultural practices and the importance of the county’s agriculture industry.
In an ad featuring Gratiot County Farm Bureau President John Crumbaugh, for instance, Crumbaugh is photographed in a swine facility with his wife and two children. In a quote, he speaks to the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program and asks, “Why would I pollute when it will cost me lots of money in penalties? I wouldn’t. My family eats the things I’m producing, so I’m going to do it right.”
Ads like this were customized for each media market, which included three local newspapers, two area radio stations and the local movie theater. In addition, posters were made from the print ads to display in local businesses.
According to Sally Thomsen, chair of the county Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education Committee, the county Farm Bureau’s original objectives were clearly met through 13 weeks of print ads, 40 days of radio advertising, and a one-year contract for theater advertising.
“We wanted to put a face on the issues for people who might not even know a farmer, but who are having their opinions formed by misinformation from anti-farming special interest groups with a social agenda,” said Thomsen. “Additionally, we wanted to reinforce the family-farm business structure prevalent on most Gratiot County farms.”
MFB selected the Gratiot County Farm Bureau from award entries received. The award application now moves on for consideration in the American Farm Bureau Federation County Activities of Excellence national contest.
MFB is the state’s largest general farm organization, representing more than 47,000 farm families.
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Editor’s Note: Visit http://www.michfb.com/annual for photos from the awards ceremony. For more information after Dec. 5, contact County Activities of Excellence Award program coordinator Lori Chamberlain at (800) 292-2680, ext. 3234.
Gratiot County FB wins County Activities of Excellence Award
GRAND RAPIDS, Dec. 2, 2008 — Over the past year, residents of Gratiot County have become well acquainted with local farmers. They’ve listened to them on the radio, read about them in the newspaper, and seen their faces on the big screen.
Most importantly, they’ve heard farmers – in their own words – describe how they protect the environment, care for animals, produce safe and high-quality food, and contribute to the local economy.
In recognition of this successful public relations campaign, the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) is honoring the Gratiot County Farm Bureau with the organization’s 2008 County Activities of Excellence Award. Gratiot County Farm Bureau leaders received the honor Dec. 2 at MFB’s 89th Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids.
Presented annually, the County Activities of Excellence Award recognizes innovative, action-oriented programs developed by county Farm Bureaus in the areas of education and agricultural promotion, member services, information/public relations, leadership development and policy implementation.
For the Gratiot County initiative, the county Farm Bureau partnered with the Michigan Ag Council to launch a cohesive, multi-media campaign branded by the slogan, “The Power of Green.” The campaign used images of individuals and families and powerful testimonials from local farmers and business owners to raise public awareness about modern agricultural practices and the importance of the county’s agriculture industry.
In an ad featuring Gratiot County Farm Bureau President John Crumbaugh, for instance, Crumbaugh is photographed in a swine facility with his wife and two children. In a quote, he speaks to the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program and asks, “Why would I pollute when it will cost me lots of money in penalties? I wouldn’t. My family eats the things I’m producing, so I’m going to do it right.”
Ads like this were customized for each media market, which included three local newspapers, two area radio stations and the local movie theater. In addition, posters were made from the print ads to display in local businesses.
According to Sally Thomsen, chair of the county Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education Committee, the county Farm Bureau’s original objectives were clearly met through 13 weeks of print ads, 40 days of radio advertising, and a one-year contract for theater advertising.
“We wanted to put a face on the issues for people who might not even know a farmer, but who are having their opinions formed by misinformation from anti-farming special interest groups with a social agenda,” said Thomsen. “Additionally, we wanted to reinforce the family-farm business structure prevalent on most Gratiot County farms.”
MFB selected the Gratiot County Farm Bureau from award entries received. The award application now moves on for consideration in the American Farm Bureau Federation County Activities of Excellence national contest.
MFB is the state’s largest general farm organization, representing more than 47,000 farm families.
-30-
Editor’s Note: Visit http://www.michfb.com/annual for photos from the awards ceremony. For more information after Dec. 5, contact County Activities of Excellence Award program coordinator Lori Chamberlain at (800) 292-2680, ext. 3234.
Gratiot County FB wins County Activities of Excellence Award
GRAND RAPIDS, Dec. 2, 2008 — Over the past year, residents of Gratiot County have become well acquainted with local farmers. They’ve listened to them on the radio, read about them in the newspaper, and seen their faces on the big screen.
Most importantly, they’ve heard farmers – in their own words – describe how they protect the environment, care for animals, produce safe and high-quality food, and contribute to the local economy.
In recognition of this successful public relations campaign, the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) is honoring the Gratiot County Farm Bureau with the organization’s 2008 County Activities of Excellence Award. Gratiot County Farm Bureau leaders received the honor Dec. 2 at MFB’s 89th Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids.
Presented annually, the County Activities of Excellence Award recognizes innovative, action-oriented programs developed by county Farm Bureaus in the areas of education and agricultural promotion, member services, information/public relations, leadership development and policy implementation.
For the Gratiot County initiative, the county Farm Bureau partnered with the Michigan Ag Council to launch a cohesive, multi-media campaign branded by the slogan, “The Power of Green.” The campaign used images of individuals and families and powerful testimonials from local farmers and business owners to raise public awareness about modern agricultural practices and the importance of the county’s agriculture industry.
In an ad featuring Gratiot County Farm Bureau President John Crumbaugh, for instance, Crumbaugh is photographed in a swine facility with his wife and two children. In a quote, he speaks to the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program and asks, “Why would I pollute when it will cost me lots of money in penalties? I wouldn’t. My family eats the things I’m producing, so I’m going to do it right.”
Ads like this were customized for each media market, which included three local newspapers, two area radio stations and the local movie theater. In addition, posters were made from the print ads to display in local businesses.
According to Sally Thomsen, chair of the county Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education Committee, the county Farm Bureau’s original objectives were clearly met through 13 weeks of print ads, 40 days of radio advertising, and a one-year contract for theater advertising.
“We wanted to put a face on the issues for people who might not even know a farmer, but who are having their opinions formed by misinformation from anti-farming special interest groups with a social agenda,” said Thomsen. “Additionally, we wanted to reinforce the family-farm business structure prevalent on most Gratiot County farms.”
MFB selected the Gratiot County Farm Bureau from award entries received. The award application now moves on for consideration in the American Farm Bureau Federation County Activities of Excellence national contest.
MFB is the state’s largest general farm organization, representing more than 47,000 farm families.
-30-
Editor’s Note: Visit http://www.michfb.com/annual for photos from the awards ceremony. For more information after Dec. 5, contact County Activities of Excellence Award program coordinator Lori Chamberlain at (800) 292-2680, ext. 3234.
