(LAS CRUCES, N.M.) – Agriculture is one of civilization's oldest pursuits, but it also has a place in today's online world.
That's why New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) hired a marketing specialist earlier this year whose focus is the social media and online marketing of New Mexico-made food and drink and New Mexico-grown agricultural products. Her name? Sarah Hacker – and, yes, she's quite aware of how amusing her last name is in the context of her computer-based field.
Hacker works with NEW MEXICO—Taste the Tradition® and Grown with Tradition®, the logos you'll often find on the labels of foods, drinks, and other agricultural products (like yarn spun from wool, etc.) made and/or grown in New Mexico. NMDA created the logos and related program in 2000 to help New Mexicans identify local food and ag products. Today some 225 local food/drink and agricultural companies are registered program members. (Participation is free; benefits include funding consideration for printing labels, advertising, attending trade shows, and more.)
Hacker's first order of business was to develop a social media presence for the logo program -- on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tastenewmexico and on Twitter at @tastenewmexico – as well as to take over the logo program's existing website, www.newmexicotradition.com.
"What Sarah's doing is highlighting local food and drink and other agricultural products, as well as the companies behind those products," New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte said. "It's a nice complement to what NMDA is already doing online at the departmental level."
Witte said his agency shares news and information about its programs and services that help both agricultural producers and consumers, as well as general news and information about New Mexico agriculture:
• On Facebook: www.facebook.com/NMDepartmentofAg
• On Twitter: @NMDeptAg
• Agency website: www.nmda.nmsu.edu
Witte said Hacker and other members of NMDA's Marketing and Development Division organize and host events showcasing New Mexico food and agriculture and the companies that make up that community. On top of that, Hacker helps manage a couple of grant programs to expand New Mexico agriculture.
"I have always had a passion for New Mexico and I'm so very excited to be involved with the New Mexico food and agricultural industry," Hacker said. "It is full of some of the best people I have ever met, which makes doing this job a sheer pleasure."
Hacker's earlier work lends itself well to her new role: an extensive background in social media, working for florists and commercial/retail nurseries, event planning and catering, and more.
To learn more about NMDA's service to New Mexicans – both agricultural producers and consumers – please visit www.nmda.nmsu.edu.