The Cedar Valley had it’s first Bar Camp this weekend.  I stumbled across it on facebook.  $5 got you a tshirt, 1/2 day of presentations/discussions and lunch.

There were 80 people registered, and there were about 50 people there.  They had a good sponsor base too.  Most of the time slots were filled up and divided between, Creative-Technology and Entrepreneur.  I spent most of my time in the Creative room.  I did attend one Tech preso – and found it quite interesting to be in a room full of people who spoke another language than I did (programming and more).  I also led a conversation about the 140 Character Conference, now known as The State of Now, along with the talented creative Megan Pralle.

Scott Kubie talked about how he used storify to create his resume, and how it got a lot of traction.  http://storify.com/scottrocketship/hire-scott-rocketship

A group of Cedar Valley creatives talked about how they join together at http://cvcreatives.us/ and make things happen.  They were also open to suggestions.  I spoke up and said what about those of us close to you?  They said I was welcome to join them.  I’m checking the site out — we will see.  I know they are a creative group of young people.  

One session was What is your favorite book?  I wondered what that would be about – and it turned out to be pretty interesting.  I got some new titles I want to check out.  They had not heard of Chris Brogan and Julien Smith (imagine?) so I suggested Trust Agents and Flinch.

10% Solution, The War of Art, The Book of Tea, The Little Book, ReWork, Don’t Make Me Think (this one will be first), The Glass Castle, Deep Survival, The Rise of the Creative Class, Self Deception in Leaderships and UnMarketing.

One gentleman suggested we try MarkDown, which is simple text to html program.  I kinda let my brain wander in this preso – and checked my email, facebook and twitter.  Ahh — it happens.

Somewhere during the day I heard PechaKucha — and find that quite fascinating.  http://www.pecha-kucha.org/  I think I’m going to need to visit http://www.pecha-kucha.org/night/des-moines/ and check it out further.

I give the day a thumbs up.  It was also great preparation for the State of Now — I met some new connections!

http://www.itseasytorecycle.org/grant-program.cfm

I also learned about grants last month – several in fact – from my Google Reader.  Because I receive notifications whenever http://www.mccrayandassoc.com/ posts a blog entry.

Most grants are for nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)3 designation.  However, via a Google search, I found sources for small businesses.

http://www.iowagrantsguide.org/index.php?get=small_businesses

Technology is a wonderful thing – if you can learn how to use it!

Today I worked on websites, tried my hand at coding a form for a friend, find someone to actually code that form, loaded a new photo gallery up on a website, made lunch, visited with my niece — and took 1.5 hours to watch The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame special on Netflix.  I thoroughly enjoyed Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and Stevie Wonder.  But it was Simon and Garfunkel that did it for me.  They sang The Box, You Can Call Me Al, Sounds of Silence and finally Bridge Over Troubled Water.

These are some words to live by.  I practice being this kind of friend and I’m very happy to say I have a couple of friends who are my Bridge.

When you’re weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes,
I will dry them all
I’m on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can’t be found

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you’re down and out
When you’re on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I’ll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
When you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind

It had Larry Sailer, Michael Libbie, Claire Celsi and I on the front cover because we were interviewed by CNN.

I posted on Facebook that I made the paper and they called me an avid blogger, which I rather like.

Jennifer Healey from the Farm Bureau sent me the pdf to post (here it is) and we didn’t know how to load a pdf onto Facebook (you can’t).

So being the avid blogger that I am, I decided to share it with you!

(It was extremely cool to be on CNN, and also in the Spokesman!)

 Find the Iowa Farm Bureau online here and this is NOT a paid blog post, ad or spot. The picture above, in the red shirt is Jennifer Healey.  This picture was taken on the Roy Arends farm last fall, on our Blogger Harvest Tour.  It’s how CNN found us in the first place – Claire Celsi had written a blog and CNN asked that some of those farmers join us in Des Moines for an interview.  

I want my grandkids to know this picture is me, and all my pictures are of me smiling.

I want my grandkids to say “THAT’S MY G-MA!!!”  I want them to always show their love for their family.

100 years from now, I want my descendants to smile when they see this picture.  They will know I’m from this century, and we smile in pictures.

This is a picture taken for the P52 Project.

The answer to the toilet paper question can be found at http://buyoneproductlocal.com/

image found on Pinterest at frenchbydesign.blogpost.com

Looks like Pinterest has reached its tipping point. I’ve received lots of new followers over the past two weeks. They are people I would never think would be interested in Pinterest.

Just goes to show you, sometimes I’m wrong.

Would you like to know how to find out who’s pinning your stuff? It’s simple really – and Sheila Scarborough from www.SheilasGuide.com showed me how to find out. Simply type http://pinterest.com/source/needalittleadvice.com/ (change needalittleadvice to your website address).

I’ve also started a board for my local area where I live. I work a lot in tourism, so this is a perfect venue for me. I’ve got a quote board, travel board, Greece board and more. I’m thinking it’s time to add some boards for my business.

What boards would you add?

Twin, my loyal cat.

Books and more books.

Yellow walls.

Pictures of birds and oceans and roses and travel.

Computers that hold stories told and stories yet to come.

I dreamed a dream, that did come true.

I dreamt it in my sleep and thought about it all day long.  It was in the thinking that made the dream come true.

Project 52

Tonight I went to a meeting at TownsEnd Winery.

We meet once a month, roughly, and build relationships and figure out ways to get people into our county and into our businesses.

There’s Country Heritage bed and breakfast, TownsEnd Winery, Carlson’s Tree Farm, Cathy’s Country Cook’n, Cornerstone Cottage and Cornerstone Cottage Kids, Latham Hi Tech Seeds, Debworks and Val Plagge (2012 ASA/Dupont Young Leaders of the year for the state of Iowa recipients) representing Franklin County at this meeting.

I promise by the time you’re done reading this blog post, you’re gonna want to travel to Franklin County Iowa and take advantage of one of many kick butt itineraries we’ve got coming.  Now we haven’t set prices yet, but we do promise you’ll get way more than you’ll pay for.

Here’s just a few of our ideas:

City to Farm Excursion

See how the new pig farmer raises pigs.  These little piggies cross over a scale and take their weight first.  Then they get to go to the food court for a little nosh.  Tired from all that weighing and eating, they retire to the lounge area.   What? Yes – the pig barn is set up with a food court in the middle and a couple of lounge areas to the side.  It’s great for weighing, eating, and sorting.  You won’t want to miss that.

Next take a ride on a tractor.  A nice big tractor pulling either a planter, a disc, a plow or maybe even a combine.  This ain’t your grandpa’s farm partner — we’re taking big, hunkin’ heavy duty machinery that will make a sailor blush, it’s so stinking big.

While your out there, walk up the stairway to the top of the grain bins.  That’s right – these farmers have circular stairways going around the bin so you can walk clear to the top and see three counties!

Bike Trail with a Twist

You’ll stay at the world famous Country Heritage Bed and Breakfast.  True to their name, they are out in the country only one mile away from the bike trail that traverses through Franklin County.  After a big country breakfast, take one of the bikes and head to the trail.  Go west (young man) and find your way to the Carlson Tree Farm.  It’s only a few miles away and once there, you won’t want to leave.  Perhaps you’ll take part in a scavenger hunt, and find all kinds of treats, coupons and fun things along the way.  Or maybe you’ll toast marshmellows over the open fire and make s’mores kids only dream about.  Be sure to visit the lodge and relax with a cup of hot cocoa or maybe a toddy.  There’s a tractor and haywagon that leave all day long taking folks on hayrides around the property.  See where they grow their own wheat and make their own bread.    Tag your own Christmas tree – and come back to get it during the holidays!  At the end of the day you’ll sit around the fire and listen to some truly scary ghost stories!  Don’t worry about getting home – the fine folks at the B and B will just come get you.  And yes, you’ll feel like you’re right at home.

Or go east and find yourself in the lovely town of Hampton.  Swing on downtown, just a few blocks off of the bike trail.  If it’s warm, stop at the aquatic center and go for a dip (try out that two story slide while you’re there).  Pop into one of the many specialty shops and pick up a neat gift for your loved one.  Hungry?  We’ve got Mexican, American, Chinese and fast food — we can fill your belly up!  Make your way east to Hansell and find TownsEnd Winery.  They promise good wine, great company and plenty of stories.  Once again, don’t worry about getting home — the fine folks at the B and B will come get you.

You can sit around and wait for something to happen, or you can get together with a group of committed friends – and MAKE something happen.  That’s what we are doing in Franklin County.  Making things happen.

See you soon!

We are currently looking for speakers – and tickets will go on sale next week.  Early bird pricing is $40 until March 1.  It rises to $70 after the 1st of March.  Student tickets will always be $14.

Interested in being a speaker?  Find more info at http://desmoines2012.140conf.com/call-for-speakers 

What does the day look like at a 140 Character Conference?

We start at 9 a.m. The Stoner Studio Theatre will be set up for attendees to be comfortable while listening to and interacting with the speakers. Wifi will be brought in to allow cell phones, laptops, and notebooks to transmit messages to the outside world.

As with any conference, there’s got to be some flexibility.  At a conference on the Now of Technology it stands to reason that things may change right in the now of it all.  And every good planner has a great outline – and here’s how it’s looking as of today.

Jeff and Deb will welcome and convene the event.  Each segment will be hosted by a local Iowan — Shannon Latham will host the Agriculture segment, other segments are Small Business, Education, Politics, Tourism, Life, Media, Community. We are still looking for co-hosts for those segments as well.

Then the fun begins.  The speakers will begin. Each individual has 10 or 15 minutes and panels have 15 to 20 minutes.  The idea for presenting in such a short time frame is to eliminate the lecturers, get to the point and share their information in a tweetable format.  Get to the point (which is the point).

There will be a break for lunch and networking – it is catered in.  You will want to come and go and collect in the lobby, stand outside, have conversations with others.  It’s often been said that the real value at a conference is found in the hallways.  Consider the idea of cross pollination.  Imagine the local seed company in Alexander Iowa conversing with the banker in Des Moines and the Rhode Island organic farmer.  What are the possibilities for expanding your knowledge base and connections in the real world?

The Conference ends around 6 and of course we’ll feed you lunch!

Partnerships are a great way to get things done.  I’m working with a group here in Franklin County that include a seed company, a small business owner, a bed and breakfast owner, a member of the soybean association, a marketing company (me), and a winery owner. We meeting every couple of weeks to discuss what we as residents and businesses in the county can do to grow our businesses and attract more consumers.

I spoke with Shannon Latham, of Latham-Hi Tech Seeds in Alexander, Iowa.  She’s a member of our partnership team. 

Shannon, I know you are involved in the Girl Scouts with your daughter.  How do you see the Girl Scouts helping to build up our community?

 One way is to tap into local organizations that are working along a similar path.  Interestingly enough, the new Girl Scout handbook (at least for Junior Scouts) says you can “make a walking tour for your community.”  The Girls Guide reads:

If people appreciate places, they will want to take care of them! Find out about the history of some buildings in your community.  Put together a pamphlet that tells what you’ve learned, along with a map that locates the buildings. Give your pamphlet to friends or to your town’s visitor’s bureau.

As the Junior Girl Scout leader for West Fork, I’d gladly have my troop help on fulfilling this requirement for Sheffield.  I’d even be glad to contact fellow Girl Scout leaders in other communities within Greater Franklin County.  That’s one way to make a difference.

Another option Girl Scouts have to earn the Girl Scout Way badge is to “improve part of your community.”  The guidelines read:

Get permission from the person in charge of a park to leave it better than you found it.  Maybe your Junior group can “adopt” the park for a season and pick up trash, sort recyclables or weed and water plants every week.

I believe one could interpret “park” loosely to include Harriman-Nielsen (which provides a great opportunity for cross-generational leadership) or the Old Stone House.  Recruit one troop to adopt a specific historical place and help maintain it for a season. Then when these groups hold events, the Scouts’ families are more apt to come and invite others to join them at the event because they feel some ownership toward it.

The really great thing about this is that it doesn’t cost money!

I truly believe our Tourism Committee or Promotions/Marketing Committee of the Chamber can serve as a catalyst for involvement countywide by a larger group of people, working toward one united goal of inviting people to their “home county.”  It also accomplishes the goal of increasing awareness of local residents to the number of opportunities available to them right here in Franklin County.

Shannon – talk to me about partnerships and collaboration.

Another idea to foster collaboration is to give members a reason to work together. I realized that small business owners need examples of how they can come together and apply for Tourism Grants.  Donnis and the Country Heritage B&B could partner with Town’s End winery to provide a “Sweetheart Deal” for folks traveling to Franklin County during the month of February.  They could put together a “one-priced package deal” that would provide them with ideas (and coupons) for local specialty shops; dinner for two at Ridgestone; wine tasting on Saturday at Town’s End and boat rental.

Another idea is to put together a “Christmas in Franklin County” package.  Somehow we need to help bring together Franklin County business owners to create a “package dealers” that could include:

• One targeting families: Carlson Christmas tree where kids can feed the animals and run through the trees.  Even if a family isn’t able to transport a whole tree, they could buy greenery and wreaths), Cocoa with Santa at Cornerstone Cottage Kids, etc.
• One targeting couples: Make your wreath at Carlson’s Christmas Tree Farm, wine tasting at Town’s End, tickets to see “A Christmas Carol” (I realize this would require reserving a few tickets specifically for this purpose because otherwise it will sell out), etc.

These are just a few top-of-mind ideas that would only get better with input from more people.

Our partnership group will be creating many new ways to work together and market each other — what kinds of things could your community do? 

A little more about Shannon Latham:

Shannon Latham is one of the principals of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds and serves as the company’s vice president. She is responsible for the company’s marketing, communications and event planning. Prior to joining the family business in 2005, Shannon operated her own communications business for two years. She also worked for six years as an account executive and public relations specialist for The Meyocks Group in West Des Moines. Other previous work experience includes serving as agricultural program coordinator for the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship where she did public relations for the Beginning Farmer Loan Program and coordinated the Iowa Agricultural Youth Institute (IAYI).  In addition, Shannon served a two-year stint as director of legislative affairs for the Agribusiness Association of Iowa where she coordinated grassroots lobbying efforts.

Shannon earned an MBA from the University of Iowa and a B.S. in Ag Journalism / Public Service & Administration in Agriculture from Iowa State University. Active in civic and professional organizations, Shannon is an active member of the Tourism Committee for the Greater Franklin County Chamber.  She has served as a Girl Scout troop leader since 2007 and as Cub Scout Den Leader since 2009.  She recently finished a three-year term as a Trustee for the Iowa 4-H Foundation, as well as on advisory boards for the Iowa Small Business Development Center and the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at North Iowa Area Community College. In addition, Shannon has served as president of the Iowa Chapter of National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA).