Farmers and social media: communication, connection, community

The New Zealand Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme develops emerging agribusiness leaders to help shape the future of New Zealand agribusiness and rural affairs. Lincoln University has been involved with this leaders programme since 1979 when it was launched with a grant from the Kellogg Foundation, USA.There are no specific statistics for rural based New Zealanders use of any social media. As farmers increase use of on farm technology and hardware becomes hardier, smaller and more portable, carrying a smartphone or an iPhone on farm is becoming commonplace. Internet connectedness is improving as internet providers improve infrastructure and hardware becomes more internet linked. This report investigates use of facebook, twitter, instagram and linkedin in the rural sector