Social media and farming case studies

The DMA Social Media Council interviewed professionals from the farming industry to find out how social media has helped them do better business by connecting with consumers and each other. DMA Social Media Council member and SEO strategist at SocialB, Lynsey Sweales, asked 3 farming professionals what enticed them to start using social media, how it has helped them market their business and connect with consumers directly, which platforms they use and 3 tips on using social media effectively.

Kit Papworth, Farmer
@farmerkit

Here Kit talks about his experiences as a farmer (he's also Chairman of Anglia Farmers but more about that in the final video of this series). Kit uses social media to get the farming message out to consumers and businesses. He welcomes the opportunity this gives him to answer the weird and wonderful questions consumers often ask him, such as 'why do you spray potatoes?

Georgina Parks, Brand Manager, Red Tractor
@TractorFood

The Red Tractor logo is used on food products – it's a food assurance scheme covers production standards so its main objective on social media is to increase brand awareness. Georgina explains how social media helps Red Tractor have a direct dialogue with consumers, businesses and its licensees.

Chris Reeks, Owner, La Hogue Farm Shop
@lahoguefarm

Chris didn't enter social media willingly – he admits that he was made to use it by his marketing adviser. But he's glad he did! He has seen the reach of his Cambridgeshire farm shop grow dramatically. In fact, 25% of his bookings for a Mother's Day lunch came from Facebook and Twitter.

Kit Papworth, Chairman, Anglia Farmers
@AngliaFarmers

Kit is a farmer and Chairman of Anglia Farmers (the largest UK agricultural purchasing cooperative). He talks about how social media helps him to not only connect with other farmers but also encourage people to enter the industry through the EDGE Apprentice scheme account on Twitter (@edgeapprentices). Kit Papworth - Chairman, Anglia Farmers

By Lynsey Sweales, deputy chair of the DMA Social Media Council and CEO of Social B