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IRRIGATION MYTH BUSTERS. Identifying Game Changing Facts & Building the Case. Mike Wade California Farm Water Coalition. Public Relations in Agriculture. “If a young man tells his date how handsome, smart and successful he is – that’s advertising .
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IRRIGATION MYTH BUSTERS Identifying Game Changing Facts & Building the Case Mike Wade California Farm Water Coalition
Public Relations in Agriculture • “If a young man tells his date how handsome, smart and successful he is – that’s advertising. • If the young man tells his date she’s intelligent, looks lovely, and is a great conversationalist,that’s marketing. • If someone else tells the young woman how handsome, smart and successful her date is – that’s PR.” – S. H. Simmons
California Water Overview • 2/3 water in the north • 2/3 of the population is in the south • About 1% of the population has a direct connection to agriculture
“San Joaquin farmers waste water, study says” • Agriculture uses 85% of the state’s water • Crops grown are “surplus” crops • Farmers are causing surface and groundwater pollution • Water projects destroy the environment and deliver water to a few greedy farmers who waste it because it is cheap
What Does the Audience Believe? • “If the public thinks you have a problem, you have a problem.” - SamraBufkinss
All content can affect public opinion • News stories • Opinion pieces • Online comments • Advertising Exploiting California’s Drought
Preparing Ready-to-Use Facts • “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.” – Warren Buffet
Use Documented Sources • University Studies • Government Reports • Public Opinion Surveys
Getting Out in Front and Delivering the Message • “If you don't tell your story, someone else will.” – Unknown • Tell the public • Tell the media • Tell elected representatives • Tell your members
Press Releases • Credible speakers • Member Communication • Social Media – 17,000 + • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Pinterest • Ally Development • Media Tours • Food Blogger Tours • Legislator Tours
Assessment • “Nobody counts the number of ads you run; they just remember the impression you make.” – Bill Bernbach, advertising pioneer and founder of Doyle Dane Bernbach
What have you accomplished? • Increased news coverage • Increased web site traffic • Increase in positive stories • Changing public opinion • Increased water supply and reliability • “Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.” – Walter Elliott
Questions www.farmwater.org/inz www.farmwater.org