As a member of Generation Y, social media is a part of my day-to-day operations. My most used apps include Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to keep up with friends and family. However, as an agricultural communications student and CRC intern, the tools in my social media toolbox begin to take on new utility.
The intended use of Twitter in particular has changed completely for many users. For myself included, Twitter can now be used for a stream of real time news updates rather than the musings of a bored teenager. Last week this came into play big time when the House was voting on their version of the Farm Bill.
Last Thursday I spent the first part of my day in the car with Tim Johnson, CRC President & CEO, on a tour of rice country to meet various rice farmers in the Sacramento Valley. On the other side of the country, lawmakers were engaged in a heated debate about H.R. 2642, the House’s version of this year’s Farm Bill. With the use of Twitter, we were essentially able to be in two places at once.
We chose to follow @agripulse, one of many sources tweeting about the Farm Bill. By refreshing my news feed every few seconds, Agri-Pulse’s reporter Sara Wyant provided her more than 7,000 followers with live updates of House proceedings. As we were eating lunch, the Farm Bill passed and we knew instantaneously.
Tim was then able to send out this important news to CRC members through various channels.
Following the initial news of the passage of the bill, direct quotes from representatives began streaming in along with details of the role call vote.
Live streaming news headlines means that interested parties won’t have to wait for the news reporters to get the story up on their website or for the paper to come out the next morning. Twitter gives you the news as soon as it happens. No longer is Twitter good only for following the every move of your favorite celebrity.
Maddie Dunlap is a senior agricultural communication student with a minor in agribusiness at California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo. She is the eighth generation of Dunlaps born and raised in Colusa County agriculture.
When Maddie isn’t studying hard at Cal Poly, she enjoys traveling throughout California, Giants baseball and attending county fairs.
No comments:
Post a Comment