In today’s day and age the number of ways to communicate are changing rapidly, particularly within the last couple of years. Among the assortment of social media tools available the use of Twitter continues to explode, particularly within the business community.
Within this organization I believe I was the first to “tweet” when I came on board three years ago. Today, many of our organization colleagues and members are actively and daily using Twitter because is proving to be both efficient and informative.
But for those who wonder what all the buzz is about, I can’t say it any better than Terry Daynard in this recent article. The following is an excerpt from his blog:
“Twitter helps me in farming. It was my best source of timely information in 2012 on the spread of armyworm and aphid infestations – as well as what to do about them. It’s equally good for real-time information on crop performance, markets, ag policy, weather damage, or just about anything else you’d want to know. And it’s free… Until recently, I started most days reading the (Toronto) Globe and Mail on line. But now I check Twitter first, and read several articles I’m attracted to by Twitter links. I read stuff from all over the world, often in obscure on-line publications I’ve not known before. If I still have time at breakfast, I’ll then check the Globe – good to know what’s on the national stage – but it’s pretty boring compared to Twitter.”
To read the complete article visit this link:
http://tdaynard.com/2013/05/14/a-message-for-all-you-older-guysgals-get-on-twitter/
I also include below, a reprint of an article originally published in our June 2010 issue of goldenhorseshoe. It includes some handy tips about lists that you may find useful. In addition to the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) list mentioned in the article below, other GHSCIA lists that may be of interest to you include:
- OMAF: Tweets from Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) and Ministry of Rural Affairs (MRA) personnel
- GHSCIA Sponsors: Tweets from the companies who support our GHSCIA communication efforts through sponsorship
By subscribing to a list, for example the OMAF list, you will get all the posts from the crop unit team and other ministry personnel on agriculture issues all in one handy package.
It’s easy to follow lists and you can follow lists in the same way you follow people. If you are interested in subscribing to follow either of these lists, follow these simple steps:
- Go to www.Twitter.com/GHSCIA
- Select “Lists” from menu on the left-hand side. A new screen will appear with the lists populated on the right-hand side below the profile picture
- Scroll your cursor over the list you are interested in and select it; a new screen will populate
- Click subscribe
Handy links have also been provided here. Simply click on the link and select “Subscribe” when prompted
The following article was originally published in the June 2010 issue of goldenhorseshoe.
All a’Twitter–New ways to get information - By Anne Howden Thompson
Technology has continued to evolve constantly presenting new and evolving methods of communication. Only a few short years ago Twitter was relatively unheard of, but as it has matured, more and more businesses, community organizations and politicians are joining this new social media world. Many are finding that used judiciously, it can be a powerful and useful business communications tool. More and more agricultural businesses are joining the Twitter world and you can find news and events within the Golden Horseshoe Soil and Crop Improvement Association on Twitter.
So, how do you use it?
Type http://www.twitter.com/GHSCIA into your Internet browser to bring up a listing of “tweets” (the word for Twitter postings) that have been posted on the Golden Horseshoe Twitter home page. This will give you access to the information that has been posted there.
But Twitter becomes even more powerful when you become engaged in the conversation by activating your own Twitter account and selecting accounts to “follow.” More and more businesses, companies and organizations are flocking to the Twitter world and you can custom-design the type of information you want to receive by handpicking who you want to follow.
In the same way that you can follow individuals and businesses you can follow lists that have been created. Those new to the Twitter world will want to establish “lists” early, otherwise the messages and postings that will come to your home page can very quickly become overwhelming. As an example, type in www.twitter.com/GHSIA/OSCIA to see a list created by the Golden Horseshoe Soil and Crop Improvement Association. This is a complete listing of all the OSCIA colleagues who have joined the Twitter world. Many times news and events that are posted by one OSCIA colleague will have interest to farmers in other regions. The www.twitter.com/GHSCIA/OSCIA list keeps those messages in one handy spot. Check them out. Better yet, follow!
