Get creative: Engage local elected officials in your conservation efforts Bona Heinsohn, Cook County Farm Bureau Christina Nourie, Illinois Farm Bureau

Agenda Social media Social media Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Illinois Farm Bureau Adopt-A-Legislator program Illinois Farm Bureau Adopt-A-Legislator program Tips for Engaging Legislators Questions Questions

Facebook: Usage Launched in February of 2004 from a Harvard dorm room 500 million active users, up from 5.5 million users in 2005 Average user has 130 friends and spends 700 billion minutes per month on Facebook Average user has 130 friends and spends 700 billion minutes per month on Facebook More than 200 million users are using a mobile device to access Facebook More than 200 million users are using a mobile device to access Facebook

Facebook: Ground rules Be authentic and transparent Be authentic and transparent Know your purpose in social media Know your purpose in social media Build a community around your purpose for engaging in a social network Build a community around your purpose for engaging in a social network Understand that your posts are a novelty to a majority of the US population Understand that your posts are a novelty to a majority of the US population Engage in conversations with your community Engage in conversations with your community

Facebook: Harvesting the benefits of Why should you take time to engage in social media? Network across the business Network across the business Listen louder Listen louder Gain technical knowledge Gain technical knowledge Share sound bytes about your field Share sound bytes about your field Put a face on your work Put a face on your work Engage in dialogue with people from different backgrounds Engage in dialogue with people from different backgrounds

Twitter: Usage 17 million active users 17 million active users Two-thirds of users access their accounts through a mobile device Two-thirds of users access their accounts through a mobile device 51% of active users follow companies, brands or products 51% of active users follow companies, brands or products In 2008, 5% of the population age 12+ were aware of Twitter in 2010, 87% of the population age 12+ is aware of Twitter In 2008, 5% of the population age 12+ were aware of Twitter in 2010, 87% of the population age 12+ is aware of Twitter

Twitter: Translating the twitterverse Twitter can be an incredibly effective tool for those who like a great deal of information, idea exchange and real- time networking. Twitter users generally fall into one of six categories … Twitter users generally fall into one of six categories … Signed up for, but think it’s a stupid fad Signed up for, but think it’s a stupid fad Able to find information that piques their interest, but not sure they really “get it” Able to find information that piques their interest, but not sure they really “get it” Building their communities and finding new communities Building their communities and finding new communities Feeling obligated to give information back to their communities Feeling obligated to give information back to their communities Realizing the power of messaging Realizing the power of messaging Addicted Addicted

Social Media: Resources The Facebook Guide Book (http: mashable.com/ guidbook/facebook/) The Facebook Guide Book (http: mashable.com/ guidbook/facebook/) The Twitter Guide Book (

Engaging Legislators…the old fashioned way Nothing replaces a personal relationship “Face time” is key Put a face to the name, the industry and the issue Go to the legislator; bring the legislator to you Takes work, creativity and persistence.

Illinois Farm Bureau Adopt-a-Legislator Program Developed in 2001 Northeast Legislator Coordinator 2/3 legislators from metro Chicago Limited connection to agriculture Build LONG TERM relationships & educate

Engage, Educate and Enjoy District office visits Develop personal relationship learn about urban district Develop personal relationship learn about urban district County Farm tour Experience agriculture and rural life Experience agriculture and rural life Continued Communication Springfield visits Springfield visits Annual Meeting Annual Meeting Action Requests Action Requests Other Events

Other AAL Activities Constituent Exchanges Constituent Exchanges Student field trips Student field trips Community Fairs Community Fairs Legislator Town Hall meetings Legislator Town Hall meetings Political Fundraiser Political Fundraiser Adopt an Acre Adopt an Acre County Fairs or other local “fest” County Fairs or other local “fest” Invite to co-keynote at CFB Annual Meeting Invite to co-keynote at CFB Annual Meeting Continue district / farm visits on a yearly basis Continue district / farm visits on a yearly basis Remember: Key is to form a LONG TERM relationship Remember: Key is to form a LONG TERM relationship

Adopt-a-Legislator Today 71 Chicago area legislators “adopted” 70 County Farm Bureaus 75 district visits and 65 farm visits Awareness & support on issues 65 AL’s rec’d FOA in 2010 House/Senate Ag Committee Bill sponsorships Expanding list of AAL activities

Tips for Engaging Legislators Be prepared & know your facts Never be confrontational Network, network, network Get to know legislative staff Keep your integrity Build coalitions Be positive & offer solutions Always say thank you!

The Bottom Line… An integrated approach to engaging your legislators will work best: Utilize social media to connect and network, but never underestimate the power of building an “old – fashioned” personal relationship to educate and engage your legislators.

Questions or Comments? Bona Heinsohn; Christina Nourie;