The National Corn Growers Association and Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, are joining forces to equip farmers to represent corn grower interests and counter misinformation using social media.

Starting in January 2011, NCGA will launch a series of hour-long social media training webinars sponsored by Pioneer for farmers. Each month, NCGA members, state corn association staff and others interested in using the Internet to promote today’s farming will take part in live online presentations that will focus on how growers can benefit personally and professionally using various social networking mediums.

“NCGA’s mission is to create and increase opportunities for our members, and promoting the image of corn is a very important part of that,” said Grower Services Action Team Chair Brandon Hunnicutt, a farmer in Nebraska very active in using Facebook and Twitter. “There is great value for our industry in developing a corps of farmers savvy in social media to engage in public discussions about today’s agriculture.”

“America’s farmers have a compelling story to tell about their work to feed and fuel the world,” said Judd O’Connor, Pioneer vice president, North America Sales. “Pioneer Hi-Bred is proud to partner with the NCGA to help farmers tell that story through social media.”

In addition to covering the mechanics of utilizing social media, webinar curriculum will include strategies for goal-based outreach, developing content for conversations and becoming an online ambassador of the corn industry. The goal of the program is to grow the enthusiasm and activity of corn farmers who will use social networking as a useful tool to connect and educate policymakers, regulators and the general public.

The series will be conducted by The Vandiver Group, a strategic communications firm based in St. Louis. Webinar presentations will be recorded and available at NCGA’s website.

For more information contact:

Susan Powers, NCGA, 636-733-9004, ext. 122