Thank You and Hello
Happy New Year! May 2017 be full of promise,opportunity and success — the best that’s yet to be.
First of all, a big “thank you” to Bill Schaefer. Over these past seven years, I’ve really appreciated working with him, and Spudman has grown into an amazing brand under his editorial direction.
My name is David Fairbourn, and I am the new managing editor for Spudman. You may recognize me from my years at the United States Potato Board, now called Potatoes USA, and I had the pleasure of working with Bill in my capacities there. I also met many of you when I lived and worked in Idaho. I’ve traveled to each potato region in the United States and met many of you on your farms, at your research projects and events, in your packing facilities, greenhouses, storages and manufacturing and processing plants.
In my new role, I’m here to listen and to learn, to record and to report the accounts of this fast-paced, changing and challenging potato industry.
I’m thrilled with Spudman’s dedicated multimedia communications strategy, which goes beyond print to tell you about new products, technologies, programs and events. According to the 2016 Agri Media Survey from Connectiv Agri Council, farmers and ranchers see digital media continuing to grow in relevance and importance over the next three to four years. Mobile is growing rapidly for accessing sites and deploying ag-related apps. Overall, 59 percent of you use smartphones, and this has increased in each age group since 2014; however, you are not moving away from traditional media. Your top source for learning about new ag products and services comes from ag magazines.
Whether it’s print, digital, video or events, Spudman engages across all of these platforms. At Potato Expo, a special print edition called Spudman Today relates timely news and information during both days of this national meeting and trade show. On the digital front, eSpudman delivers industry news, exclusive features and supplementary content to Spudman magazine. The SpudmanTV YouTube channel is where you can watch interviews with experts from farms, production and research facilities. And don’t forget the educational webinars, Spudman Facebook and Twitter pages and Spudman website for the latest news and information.
Banker, mechanic, biologist, business leader, computer programmer — as a farmer, you are forced to wear many hats. We understand and appreciate your challenges and will supply you with the most beneficial content to support you in these roles. If we haven’t yet had the pleasure,I look forward to meeting you in person. If we are already acquainted, I look forward to continuing the conversation.
