Applications are available for The AgChat Foundation’s Agvocacy 2.0 2012 social media training conference. The two-day event will explore how farmers can effectively share agriculture’s message using social media tools like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, blogs and mobile applications.

The third-annual Agvocacy 2.0 will be held Aug. 23-24 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Downtown Kansas City, Mo. Features of the conference include:

• One-on-one chats with agriculture's best and brightest in social media

• Networking with other participants

• Information about the latest tools and trends

• Real-world stories about taking the farm to consumers

• Insights on the human side of being social

• The tools to tell farming’s story confidently

“Graduates from Agvocacy 2.0 are making a significant impact in telling the agricultural story to consumers in the places where social communities are forming,” says Darin Grimm, president of The AgChat Foundation. “The prospect of equipping more individuals with the skills they need to successfully share their message is really exciting.”

For those interested in attending, the application can be found at http://www.agchat.org. Up to 75 people representing all sectors of agriculture will be invited to participate, with priority given to farmers and ranchers. Agvocacy 2.0 was completely sold out in 2010 and 2011, so interested applicants should apply early.

For 2010 and 2011 Agvocacy 2.0 graduates, The AgChat Foundation is accepting up to 25 returning attendees who also endorse a first-time applicant. This will allow for collaboration between those with beginner and advanced social media skill sets.

A memorial scholarship has been established to honor the life of AgChat Foundation board member Dr. Chris Raines and his work to educate consumers about meat production and science through social media. Two applications to the AgChat Foundation Agvocacy 2.0 Conference will be selected to receive a $250 scholarship to use toward registration fees. The recipients will be selected based on their involvement in the meat science industry.

For more information about Agvocacy 2.0 and The AgChat Foundation, visit www.agchat.org.