Monday, March 1, 2010 
With more than 1,500 agricultural exhibitors on 2.6 million sq. ft. of exhibition grounds and 100,000 attendees, it’s not surprising that several Bader Rutter associates attended the show on behalf of various clients, including Pfizer Animal Health, Dairy Management, Inc. ™, and Mycogen Seeds.
Click through the photo slide show below to see a few highlights from World Ag Expo 2010.
Monday, February 1, 2010 
Think back to your childhood: the sounds, the smells, the sights. Did you brush your teeth with Crest toothpaste? Eat Honeycombs for breakfast? When you think back, are you in a simpler world? A safe place filled with warmth and consistency?
If so, you might buy into one of the recession’s latest trends: retro marketing. Retro marketing is the technique of using “throw back” advertising and marketing tactics to elicit childhood memories and drive sales. How, you ask? Retro marketing slogans and art trigger thoughts of “the good old days” before the recession, when the world was less complex and more stable. By purchasing the product, a consumer subconsciously travels back in time and is, for a moment, comforted by the familiar.
Giants like Pepsi, General Mills and McDonald’s are taking part in the phenomenon, reverting to vintage logos, sepia tones and 70’s taglines. However, this tactic holds promise outside the general consumer market — particularly in agri-marketing.
advertising, agriculture, brand, farm, marketing in Marketing Friday, January 29, 2010 
As anyone in the agricultural industry knows, the consumer is often several layers removed from the real agricultural industry, including the many family farmers who are passionate for their land and animals. And many of the general population, unfortunately, may also be naïve to the need for large-scale agriculture to help feed the world’s growing population — the author cites that “over the next 40 years the world will be adding some 3 billion people.”
This article helps demonstrate that the American agricultural industry will continue to feed the world through the successful melding of large-scale corporate farms and small-scale family-owned operations. However, much work is needed to advocate for the preservation of agriculture.
agriculture, farm, food in Food & Agriculture Thursday, January 21, 2010 
I recently had the opportunity to attend a new agricultural conference in Orlando called AG CONNECT Expo. This trade show gave producers, manufacturers and industry experts from around the world the chance to gather and share information and ideas. Check out the photos from the show. One session I attended was a panel discussion on communications in agriculture, which of course piqued my interest.
A great deal of the discussion revolved around the increasing amount of misinformation being shared about modern agriculture. It was determined that one of the root causes for this trend is the fact that the American consumer is getting further and further removed from any connections to the farm.
During the session, a story was relayed on how Lynn Henderson, publisher of
Agri-Marketing, was in line for lunch when a conversation started with an attendee from a different event being held at the conference center. When Lynn explained he was attending AG CONNECT Expo with several thousand ag producers the person responded, “I’ve never met a farmer before.”
As an industry, this presents a huge communications challenge, especially when you take these factors into consideration:
agriculture, communication, farm, marketing in Food & Agriculture Tuesday, January 5, 2010 
Laurie’s grandpa, Bob Peterson, watches over the family farm
The article made me wonder what lessons my parents and brother learned last year managing their 350-acre, 100-head dairy farm in west central Wisconsin. They had a tough year, but are somehow weathering the storm and making it through.
During my trip home for the holidays, my 85-year-old grandfather stopped by for his morning coffee and daily discussion of the farm happenings. He reminded me that it is important to remember the family heritage, hard work and dedication that make our farm what it is today, and, hopefully, what will keep it operating for generations to come.
Persevering through hard times
My dad, like dairy farmers everywhere, forges into each day — snow, sleet, wind or hail — knowing that the farm, the cows and the fields are his legacy, pride and business. He takes with him the lessons learned, experiences had and memories made over the last several decades, and applies them to the financial struggles, sick calves and frozen pipes facing him today.
Wisconsin, agriculture, dairy, farm, food in Food & Agriculture Tuesday, November 10, 2009 
As a recruiter for Bader Rutter I am always looking for opportunities to meet and mingle with young, talented students who are passionate and interested in pursuing careers in agribusiness. To that end, I recently attended the Agriculture Future of America Leaders Conference Opportunity Fair in Kansas City, Mo., which is a unique event that gives professionals and student leaders from more than 70 colleges and universities the chance to network with one another.
Needless to say, I was more than impressed with the level of talent and ambition these students have for the agricultural industry. As I discussed the kind of work we do at Bader Rutter it gave me the chance to talk with these students one-on-one and learn firsthand about their passion for ag. I was astounded by the desire they have to share their experiences with others as they pursue their own career ambitions. I am encouraged to see the talent pool continue to grow in the ag industry. Who knows, down the road that might even make my job a little bit easier.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 At the root of every farmer is a foundation of hard work, pride and love. That sentiment was emphasized for us recently as we watched a Gilmer Dairy Farm music video, Water ‘n Poo. The video is a single shot of a farmer in the cab of his tractor fertilizing his field while singing a song about on-farm nutrient management. It’s an amusing way to spread the word about the pride dairy farmers have in the work they do and in being environmentally responsible.
The curiosity about where our foods come from and how they affect our world has intensified significantly. This is especially true with the release of books like Fast Food Nation and Omnivore’s Dilemma, movies like Food Inc. and Supersize Me, and a constant tidal wave of opinions streaming through social media channels such as Twitter and YouTube.
In too many cases, industrial farms are labeled as the enemy. But farmers have joined the conversation to tell their story, in their own words. The foods we need to nourish our bodies — the milk, the vegetables, the proteins — come from the hands of real people and families whose livelihoods depend on a healthy planet.
agriculture, dairy, farm, food, sustainability in Food & Agriculture Tuesday, October 20, 2009 
We are fortunate to work with some extremely professional and smart people in the agricultural marketing and communications field. I was reminded of that recently when representatives from one of our lead media partners, Farm Progress, visited the agency for an annual update meeting.
In addition to hearing what new things they are bringing to the agriculture market, we also got to hear from Bryce Knorr, senior editor of Farm Futures. The Farm Futures team of editors provides insight and commentary into everything from market trends, risk management and marketing to money management. Knorr posts a daily column, “Market Call,” on the publication’s Web site.
I feel optimistic about the ag market, and some of Bryce’s analyses confirmed those feelings for me. A few of his points were:
From the earliest days of the United States, farming has played a crucial role in the American economy and culture. The information Bryce shared with us, along with what we’re hearing from our own clients in the agriculture industry, leads me to believe that if we haven’t yet begun to see the proverbial light at the end of the economic tunnel, we soon will.
agriculture, farm, food in Food & Agriculture Tuesday, October 6, 2009 
Some people from my rural hometown, and even a few of my agriculture college classmates, often complained that “city people” don’t take time to understand the importance of the agricultural industry. But, I’m a farm kid, too. And after moving from a home where we didn’t have a grocery store within 15 miles, to a mid-size college town, to the big city of Milwaukee, my viewpoint changed. I started to understand that it is equally important for us “farm folk” to understand the perspective of the general consumer and agriculture’s biggest critics.
That’s why I liked a recent article called, “The Ten Reasons They Hate You So,” from the Truth in Food Web site, an independent group exploring the food system using scientific research, thought-provoking views and humor. While the article may take an extreme perspective, it provides a unique view on why food-consumer-activists may take issue with the role of large farms and industrial agriculture in today’s food system.
One of my favorite lines from the article is:
“Today’s farmer is just as generationally divorced from the modern, urban liberal-arts university as his city cousin is from the farm.”
agriculture, communication, dairy, farm, food, sustainability in Food & Agriculture Wednesday, September 9, 2009 
Lincoln’s Sunken GardensIt may sound crazy, but when you are feeling overwhelmed, try volunteering. For me, volunteering through the University of Nebraska Master Gardener Program allows me to engage with new people, helps me give back to Lincoln, Neb. — the community that I enjoy so much — and rejuvenates me to attack the workweek with a refreshed zeal.
I have plenty of flower and vegetable beds at home that need sweat equity, so I was looking for a way to volunteer that called on my gardening, people and marketing skills. So far I’ve helped clean up my community, worked with young gardeners and, most recently, participated as a garden docent at Lincoln’s Sunken Gardens. I’ve given unscripted tours, answered questions and helped with marketing ideas. But my favorite part is just being a friendly face at the gardens.
The people who work for the Parks Department, the volunteers and all of the visitors are fantastic. It’s amazing how many people volunteer. Each spring, a large contingent of volunteers helps plant the annuals. And come fall, more volunteers put the beds to rest for the winter.
agriculture in Lincoln Office Friday, August 7, 2009 Rain, wind, mud and cold normally are not issues when planning for a trade show event. That is of course, unless it’s a unique show like Wisconsin Farm Technology Days (WFTD). But we learned this year, that no matter what happens outside, the show must go on!
WFTD is a three-day agricultural trade show held outside on a different grower’s farmstead each year. During the month of July. In Wisconsin. Anyone from Wisconsin knows just how unpredictable our weather is.
agriculture, food, trade shows in Food & Agriculture Tuesday, July 28, 2009 
Our clients at Ball Horticultural and W. Atlee Burpee & Company confirm that vegetable gardening sales have surged up this year, as much as 30 percent (plants and seeds). While the consumer media has focused on the obvious economic benefits of growing your own, there are other noteworthy motivations behind this trend.
The increasingly influential generation Y has demonstrated heightened interest in more responsible living and the sentiment is gaining traction. This spirit of responsibility is not just about the environment, it’s about our communities, our health and our quality of life.
The economy may have been the tipping point for novice gardeners to dig in and plant their first vegetable gardens, but the concern for locally grown foods, eating more nutrient-rich produce and an interest in controlling how food is grown are all part of the equation. These motivations along with research that shows that once people try gardening, they become gardeners for life, will likely sustain the trend well after the recession is over.
agriculture, marketing, sustainability in Food & Agriculture Tuesday, July 21, 2009 
While having lunch the other day, I was reminded again how thankful we are at Bader Rutter to be connected to the food industry. I was making a salad from a local grocery store salad bar, and started to think about how almost all the ingredients were somehow connected to our work.
We help clients market products that protect the lettuce and vegetables. We tell the stories of the dairy farmers who produce the cheese. We promote the messages of the pork industry that produces bacon bits. And we help market seeds to the sunflower growers whose product tops my salad with a little crunch.
Through public relations, advertising and digital solutions, we also support several manufacturers whose equipment is used to plant, harvest, cook, process, package and even distribute food to America’s dinner table.
Working with the people in all of these industries — from farming to processing to packaging — has given us a greater understanding of what it takes to provide the delicious and nutritious foods that sustain our families and communities. We are honored to be even a small part of that process.
agriculture, dairy, farm, marketing in Food & Agriculture Thursday, June 25, 2009 
Two years ago we moved our Lincoln, Neb. office three blocks to the north. Not a big deal in most cities, but to us, those three blocks mean we are that much closer to Memorial Stadium, home of our beloved Husker football team. Heaven on earth, indeed.
Not only that, but being smack dab in the middle of Lincoln’s Haymarket District, we’re now a stone’s throw from several coffee and candy shops, restaurants, brew pubs and even the YMCA — if you skip the rock a few times.
What’s more, that we often take for granted, is that we’re strategically located in the middle of all types of agricultural activity.
agriculture in Lincoln Office Monday, June 22, 2009 
Milk prices are down at the farm — about half of what they were a year ago. So even though June is dairy month, it may be more difficult than usual for the industry to strap on a party hat and celebrate. But to us, that is exactly what we need. Lower prices mean there is even more reason to remind everyone of all the things we love about dairy.
To show our support of the dairy industry and to celebrate June Dairy Month, we asked our associates to take a dairy quiz to earn an ice cream sundae bar at work. What better way to celebrate our love for dairy than by eating ice cream? Not surprisingly, we got an excellent response rate. Here are a few of the interesting tidbits we learned about our associates and their sometimes slightly odd relationship with dairy.
agriculture, dairy, farm in Food & Agriculture 
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