When doing sustainability work it is crucial that we be able to tell our story effectively and personally. In telling our stories we build community, find allies and kindred spirits, and contribute to the emerging vision of what our food system could be. This is so clear both from our own experience of moments of inspiration but also from the massive amounts of jobs available to people who want to manage social media and communications for organizations of all sizes. It is also often the case for non-profits and small business that the owner/operator also finds themselves as the social media and communications manager as well! Social media has become a valuable tool to reach folks and inspire change - but we receive very little training on how to think strategically about what we want to say, how to say it, and what types of images might be most effective in telling our stories. THIS is why we have incorporated these "social media" assignments. Our intention is that you folks will make real posts, with real stakes, for a real organization (ML) to develop your skills and provide you with marketable experience.
Each of you will complete four social media posts for Merry Lea while you are here with us. Two will focus on your Food Systems course and two will focus on your Ecology of Ag Systems course. Your will compile your posts and provide them to the Merry Lea Communications Specialist. These posts are grade pass/fail. We the Communications Specialist accepts your post for publication - you pass the assignment. When creating a post try to incorporate these two concepts when appropriate:
Express hope for the future
Help folks (including yourself) envision their personal role in bringing about a more just, regenerative, and equitable food system
Turning in Social Media Posts - You will be emailing each of your posts to Elena by the due date. The photo MUST be attached to the email (NOT included in the body of the email or a google doc). The text can be either in the body of the email or an attached Google Doc.
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Elena Email: emfischer@goshen.edu
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Food Systems posts
These posts will be structured as a campaign and will be posted in real time by Elena (hence the varied due dates). Here is the sign up sheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16BiO-wy6yQ7qv27YmlSk8lne-vIB958j-tCGxio8Q0k/edit?usp=sharing
Ecology of Ag Systems Posts
These posts will be informational. They are designed to educate our audiences about Ecology and Agroecology. These will also be submitted and approved by Elena but she will hold on to these and post them throughout the year. Therefore - all of these have one single due date - August 2nd.
NOTE.....at least 1 of your posts for Ecology of Ag Systems should highlight the Merry Lea Farm property and what we're doing. We want people to know what is happening here at Merry Lea!