OK: DEPARTMENT OF AG ENTERING SOCIAL MEDIA ARENA
News Date December 08, 2009
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry has entered the world of social media including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and is encouraging state commodity groups to provide and share information so that events and points of interest are easily available to the general public.
Social media will help the agency rapidly address important issues within every facet of agriculture from animal disease, feed, forestry, fertilizer, Made in Oklahoma products, Ag in the Classroom, food safety and consumer protection, said State Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach. When there is a need for fast notification and clarification on agriculture concerns, social media can help.
“Given the popularity of social media and the necessity to inform the general public as well as our agriculturally based constituency we feel that becoming involved in social media is a positive and cost effective venue,” he said. “Keeping Oklahomans up to date on important ag issues in a timely and accessible manner and allowing an open channel of dialogue is important.”
As of April of 2009, Facebook had more than 67.5 million visitors to its site with users sharing more than 1 billion forms of content every week. Facebook allows for updates to fans, posting of events and interactive applications for fan participation with posts.
The Department of Agriculture currently is posting information to social media sites that can be accessed through the website www.oda.state.ok.us.
Viewers will be able to access upcoming events, make comments about important topics as well as ask questions that can be addressed in a public forum. (Contact: Blayne Arthur, blayne.arthur@oda.state.ok.us).