Is rural America stricly ag?

Just came across  this article in USA Today about the changing status of what's "rural" in America.

It's a few months old, but an interesting read with info to the research study. 

Elvehjem Ribbon Cutting

Madison, Wisconsin will be host to hundreds of huge smiles next Saturday when the Elvehjem Elementary’s Boundless playground becomes officially open for play. Boundless playground systems allow children of all abilities the opportunity to play and grow stronger together.

Even though she won't admit it, our own Kelli Betsinger has been instrumental in the fund-raising for this project. Despite an early setback, Kelli and the other volunteers raised $200,000 to build an all-abilities accessible playground for their community - a first for the state, too.

Kelli's son, Noah, might possibly be the happiest boy at the ribbon cutting as he also celebrates his ninth birthday that day (we're sure Kelli will be the busiest mom!).  

Happy birthday Noah and hats off to Kelli and the other Elvehjem volunteers on bringing fun home to all the children of Madison.

A quick introduction.

Regardless of whether you’re sitting on the home computer, you’re in an agency, or sippin’ a cup o’ Joe while using Starbuck’s Wi-Fi, I hope you’ll find this introduction interesting.

Hello! I’m the newest addition to the Paulsen PR team, and #33 to the Paulsen roster, Ashley Sanner. My ‘official job title’ is Public Relations Coordinator/Writer and I’m responsible for maintaining regular contact with a national client for the purpose of discovering and producing relevant stories for their markets, as well as uncovering trends in each of their divisions.   

Prior to joining the Paulsen team, I completed a six-month internship with a marketing and advertising firm in Sioux Falls. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in December 2007 from the University of South Dakota in Mass Communications with emphasis in public relations and advertising along with a minor in English.

I also lived in Los Angeles, California last summer to fulfill a Fashion Media internship at American Apparel. After hearing this story…..people immediately always ask me, “Why on Earth did you ever come back to South Dakota?!”

Well, at first I loathed the idea of coming back – trading sandy beaches for a blistering cold tundra? Hollywood Blvd. for 41st St.? Um, yeah. I don’t think so!

But, sometime in-between my return to Vermillion and my college graduation, I found that I couldn’t really imagine myself being anywhere right now other than South Dakota. I feel like there are endless opportunities here and so many places I still have no clue about and have yet to discover.  Plus, I never would have had the opportunity to join the Paulsen agency and meet as many talented and motivated people as I have here, had I stayed in Southern California. For me, it’s been a win-win situation. I get the opportunity to write and tell stories; all while working with a fun and diverse group of people that enjoy a good competitive game of kickball and a great cup of coffee.

I lovelovelove my new job! There is so much to learn and take in! But, I’m really looking forward to the challenges and experiences that lay ahead!

 

 

rural lifestyle keeps spreading

Dig this article on CNN today: 

Small towns beckon big city professionals.   

Looking for a good ag cause for business to help support?

It's good to give back... and as branding goes, it doesn't hurt when your business supports a great cause.

Saw an article for Farm Rescue on CNN this morning. Got me thinking about how, as marketers, we sometimes become so caught up in selling, we forget about supporting people like Bill Gross (pictured below).

Or at least I know that happens to me. Odds are if you grew up in ag, work in ag, for ag, or marketing to the ag sector, you know someone who's been affected by a farm accident.

Learn more at  FarmRescue.org.