3 Re-branding Changes I've Made In 2016

If this blog looks different than you're used to, don't worry! Keep reading, you're in the right place!

Hopefully you caught my last blog post, 7 Re-branding Changes I Made For 2016, a week ago. If you're new to my blog - Welcome! - and know you caught me right in the middle of "graduating". You can check out Roots Journey on social media for the full scoop, but basically since I'm graduating from Iowa State next semester, it's time for my blog to grow up and join the real world.

Anyway, last week I shared seven ways I'd worked towards this re-branding goal. Today is an update with three more things I've done in the new year to make progress.

Here's my new Roots Journey logo! I can't wait to make it part of my designs and social media posts!

1. To kick of 2016, I began using my new logo. Before this year, my posts were lacking a logo of any sort. Occasionally I'd use my head shot or "@Roots" in the corner of an image to identify it as mine, but nothing was consistent. After researching all the things I needed to do to take my blog to the next level, it was clear this was something that needed to be fixed right away. I'll save the process of designing and deciding for another day, but special thanks to all my Snapchat friends that tolerated hours of "This? Or this?" snaps as I worked trough it all!

2. Like I said at the beginning of this post, if you're a regular reader here, you may notice the page looks different. I updated my template. My page used to look like this:

Out with the old and in with the new! This is what Roots Journey used to look like in 2015!

While I liked the wood texture and green accents, it is awfully dark and distracting from the content. In my new look, I kept the country feel by adding the wood to my header image (that includes my new logo), but went for a simpler design for the rest of the page. Now, my page looks more modern and adult. This change scared me for a long time, but after checking out a few YouTube tutorials I was able to pull it off pretty easily. I'm discovering there is so much you can customize on Blogger if you take the time to learn!

3. Finally, I reworded my greeting on the right hand side of my blog. I'm not positive it's in its final form, but at least I have some key words that describe who I am and why I blog. (Like I said last week, I'm all about baby steps around here!)

"Hey there, it's Natalina Sents! I'm a Millennial blogger writing about agriculture and entrepreneurship. I love to travel, thrift and cheer on the Iowa State Cyclones."

I look forward to documenting my re-branding journey on the blog as I make progress. As always, feel free to share your thoughts or suggestions in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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7 Re-branding Changes I Made For 2016

If you've been following Roots on Facebook or Twitter lately, you've probably seen this post pinned to the top of my social media pages and wondered what it means. 

"Last week I applied to graduate from Iowa State. It hardly seems possible that 4 years have flown by. I decided if I have to graduate, my blog should too. In the next month, there will be lots of changes around here. Thanks for your patience with Roots' growing pains!"

More details are coming soon, but for now there are some exciting things you should know about my re-branding progress...






1. I've stopped using my personal Twitter handle. If you've been following me at @AnySense035 and wondering why I dropped off the face of the earth, make sure you go follow me at @Roots_Journey instead. Now that Roots has many readers I haven't met in real life, it's much less confusing if I just use one account. 

2. Number one has really helped me accomplish change number two: Share more focused Tweets. Even though you may not be able to tell by looking at my timeline, there is a method to my madness. All my tweets are somehow related to my travel, agriculture, thrifting or entrepreneurial goals. This has helped me gain a more "adult" following and keeps me from getting too distracted on social media.

3. With that, I also want to be a more engaged community member with people who care about the same topics as me. To do this, I'm being more intentional about scheduling time to participate in Twitter discussions like #FoodieChats on Mondays and #AgChat on Tuesdays. These conversations have been the starting place for some great relationships and awesome projects I'm excited to tell you about later. Attending #AgChat conference in Nashville last month was just the beginning of travels to meet my online friends. 

This is my current profile picture everywhere.

4. I also switched all my social media accounts to use one consistent profile picture. Along the lines of number one, I haven't had the privilege of meeting all my online followers. I'm easier to keep track of across the different social media platforms if people are familiar with a certain picture. (My current picture is almost 4 years old and due for an update, but I'm all about baby steps around here!)

5. While I was making sure each of my social media accounts looked consistent, I went ahead and made as many of them @Roots_Journey as possible. Now, I'm @Roots_Journey on Instagram and Twitter, plus a few other channels I plan to use more in 2016 like Pinterest and YouTube.

6. I bought my domain! Domains are pretty cheap, but to me this was a really big deal, meaning I'm serious about developing Roots as I grow personally and professionally. Now you can find my blog by just typing in www.therootsjourney.com to your address bar!

7. If you're a regular Roots reader you may notice a few tweaks to the layout of my website. Nothing has changed too dramatically, but I've added some social buttons to the sidebar so I'm easier to connect with. Also, there are new tabs across the top so my most popular posts about travel and Ag Jobs A to Z are easy to find.

I hope these re-branding changes make Roots more fun for you to follow. As always, feel free to comment or email with any feedback about the new look! Thanks for reading!

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Ag Jobs A to Z: Graphic Designer

Photo credit: Beck's Hybrids

Life changing. That's the best way to describe last summer's internship with Beck's Hybrids. I learned so much about myself, my work habits, and agriculture. At the same time, I worked next to some of the most talented communicators and marketers in the industry. 

Jenna is a graphic designer at Beck's and is part of the team that made my experience so great. Watching her work ethic, creativity and passion taught me about the type of employee I want to be. I'm so thankful she's sharing her career story for today's Ag Jobs A to Z blog!

1. Where did you go to school?
I attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma and graduated with a degree in animal science and an ag economics minor. After a year and a half in the work force, I went back to school at a private art school in Kettering, Ohio, The School of Advertising Art (saa) for a diploma in advertising art. 

2. What inspired you to go into graphic design?
I’ve always been very artsy, and when I was deciding where to go to college, as a high school junior, I was torn between my passion for agriculture and my passion for art. I ultimately chose agriculture because that’s where I felt led, but I stayed involved with art: drawing on my own, taking a few electives here and there. Then I graduated and went into ag sales, but I found myself more drawn toward the marketing materials I was using to help make sales and that were used to advertise to my customers. Also, while working with dairy farmers, I saw a need for positive public relations and the promotion of agriculture in a positive light to people who don’t understand all of our agricultural practices and why we do them. These large producers didn’t have websites or promotional material, or any real way to promote themselves or their business. But, it wasn’t about promotion in the sense of making more money, it was in the vein of improving public understanding and perception. If your neighbors understand why you do something, and what you’re doing on your farm, when that inevitable manure spill happens, hopefully they might be more understanding. Or if they understand why gestation crates for sows are for the safety of the litter, for example. I was drawn to promoting agriculture, and improving the image and understanding of the industry. 

After a year and a half of not being fulfilled in my sales role, I left the company and with no job lined up, wasn’t sure what I was doing. I was looking for jobs and I ran across a communication position for Select Sires, a reproductive management service for dairy and beef producers, but I didn’t have the graphic design skills to fill the role. I happened across a graduation announcement from a local high school youth in my hometown that was attending saa. I instantly felt led to investigate the school. It seemed to provide the training I would need to fill a role like the one at Select Sires. So I submitted my high school art portfolio and college transcript, and was awarded a scholarship for the combination. Saa is focused on real world, tangible skills, and you are on a computer from day one of classes. It is small and the instructors are design professionals actually working in the industry. 

3. How long have you been working in graphic design?
Just over four years. I graduated from saa in 2011 and immediately started working for the international headquarters of the fraternity Beta Theta Pi in Oxford, Ohio. It wasn’t anything I’d envisioned. I’d planned to find a marketing role for an ag company or start consulting and immediately changing the world, but as all things happen for a reason, and typically not like you plan, the opportunity to work for a non-profit in Higher Ed appeared. I spent three years with the fraternity, and learned SO much, but then, like every opportunity I’ve had, an acquaintance from high school worked for Beck’s Hybrids in Atlanta, Indiana. He kept encouraging me to reach out to the marketing director and share my portfolio. Finally, after about three conversations, I followed through, and I was invited in for an interview and was hired. I am approaching one and a half years at Beck’s, and I consider it my dream job, combining ag and art. I work with amazing people who share a passion for agriculture but also wish to positively influence the public, with campaigns showcasing the hearts and souls of farmers and why they do what is often a thankless job, Beck’s “Why I Farm” campaign. 

4. What skills are necessary for a career in graphic design?
Your basic computer skills and some ability to sketch or draw are givens. Being creative is also a good skill to have, and the desire to learn and explore new technologies and methods and styles, as the world of design is always evolving. But one thing I cannot stress enough is the ability to write. You don’t have to be a novelist or grammar maven, but I remember one instructor saying, “You can have a great eye and design a great ad, but so can many other people. If you can write copy or an engaging headline or tagline, that takes you to the next level.” I enjoy writing, so I put that skill to good use on many of my projects. 

5. How does your job fit into the agricultural industry? (Who do you work with? Who do you help? Who helps you?)
I work for a company that has an in-house design team, so my “clients” are my company and any subsidiaries of my company. But they are clients none-the-less and I still have to meet their needs and know my audience. My audience is farmers. And right now, farmers who are 45-65 years in age, but not forgetting that the next generation is quickly taking over that target audience spot. So we need to be adapting how we market and design, like the platforms we use. I will work with other companies if we’re co-branding or working cooperatively with a partner on a project. I have a creative director who I work with, as well as other designers and video production specialists that all come together to complete a total campaign or provide support on a project, like photography needs. 

6. What career/internship opportunities are there in graphic design?
Career types:
Print focus - graphic design, production artist (Agency, in-house, non-profit, freelance)
Web/digital design (Agency, in-house, non-profit, freelance)
Web backend design (coding, html) 
Print production (working at a printer)
Art Director (agency or in-house) – responsible for managing the designers and over seeing that all projects are being completed 
Creative Director (agency or in-house) responsible for overall creative vision for the company or project

While there are specific internships for design (I completed an externship at a small creative agency in Dayton, Ohio) sales and marketing internships shouldn’t be overlooked, either. Being in sales taught me a lot about marketing, but primarily how to read people and understand their wants/needs. That’s taken me very far in my success as a designer and marketer. Classes and tutorials can teach you how to use the tools and design, but sales and marketing taught me how to work with people, read people, and better use my design skills to influence people.

There are a few options out there when it comes to graphic design industry segments:
1. Agency – High level design. This is long hours and intense work with many different clients who are outsourcing projects to a creative agency. Many designers will start as production artists, where they are given the creative concept by their creative director and will produce it to spec. Also, there are account managers where you will work with the client to understand, meet and convey their project needs, and help keep the project on schedule. You will have the opportunity to work with many different industries and clients and the scope of projects is large, but the hours can be long, and you are expected to work until it’s done, and your work better be great. The rewards you’ll reap, though, are also great. 
2. In-house – The idea of in-house teams is growing and expanding. I work for an in-house team, where a company hires all the components of an agency, from a creative director, to graphic designers and video specialists to copywriters. They eliminate the need to outsource projects to creative agencies, because company paid employees can do all the work. In-house has gotten the wrap of not being as talented or up to par with agencies, but this isn’t true. The quality of work can be just as high as agency, and I personally feel, better, because employees have a personal investment in the company, not just “Another project from another client from a company I don’t know anything about.” At Beck’s, we have many “clients.” From the main brand to departments and entities that fall under the Beck’s umbrella, I feel like I can constantly be challenged with new and different projects. 
3. Freelance – for the designer who wants to control their hours and when they work, whom they work for, how much they make and what they work on, freelance is great. You’ll also likely work from your home or a rented office space, probably won’t have co-workers unless you partner up with someone, and you’ll be responsible for obtaining work, which unless you have a built up list of regular clients and steady work, could be stressful as sometimes there might be dry periods when you don’t have work. 
4. Non-profit – In many cases, a designer working for a non-profit is dealing with a reduced budget, and are forced to be a jack of all trades, because the non-profit cannot afford to outsource work or hire an entire team, so the designer may be writing, designing and handling the printing/execution of the project, as well as the social media. But this allows for greater creativity too! Working within confines of a limiting budget forces you to go outside the box and find alternative solutions that have big bang for the buck. The budget may be smaller, and the restrictions greater, but the reward of having an impact on your audience and helping a non-profit are great. Again, a large budget and fancy tools don’t define a great designer. 
5. Print Production – this is strictly print design - another option would be to work for a printer or in prepress for a printer. You’d be responsible for making sure a project or job were set up correctly to be printed, and then operating the presses/tools, executing the finishing of the projects and communicating with the project lead or designer. 

7. Is there anything else you would like a student audience to know?
Knowing Photoshop and InDesign and having the latest software will not make you a great designer. They are tools to help elevate your work, but they do not make you a designer. 90% of being a successful marketer and designer is knowing your target audience and smart design. Just because something looks great doesn’t mean it will resonate with your audience. I can’t stress enough that every piece you design is meant to influence and affect the viewer on an emotional level. And being able to convey that and understand that will help make you a successful designer.

RESEARCH. Know whom you are marketing to, know who will be reading your ad. You have the ability with words, type, color and imagery to influence a demographic. This all comes from observing your surroundings, other people and how they look at things and take things in, and relying on more than just design skills. Being well rounded as a designer will make you so much more appealing to perspective employers. Don’t dismiss your creative writing class or your gen ed biology, you never know when having that knowledge will come in handy. Learn to read people, learn to observe your surroundings, and most importantly, learn to learn. That skill will take you farther than any class you take.  

Huge thanks to Jenna for her answers and advice. I'm glad she could be a part of Ag Jobs A to Z! It's so great how art and agriculture came together in her career journey. 

Thanks for reading!

#CowAppreciationDay 2015

Social media is awesome! Every time I log on I learn something new. This morning, #CowAppreciationDay posts filled my news feed. Who knew cows had their own special day?! 

After reading post after post, I thought of Angel. Angel was the big momma cow and boss of the herd at the farm where my 4-H calves were kept back in high school. She was big and gentle. Always the first to greet me when I came to do chores, and first in line for head scratches. We all knew she was a little spoiled, but you could hardly get mad at her when she learned how to lick open her gate. Angel was almost all white and was a great mom to my show calves Heaven and White Cloud. I looked and looked, but I don't have a picture of her to share.

This is Angel's daughter, Heaven. She was the first calf I showed at the fair. Working with her taught me a lot about responsibility and work ethic. Here's a picture from high school. I'm blow drying her after a bath. It didn't matter if I was hot or tired, she needed fed, walked, and washed everyday.

I'm so disappointed that's one of the few pictures I have of the cows I worked with. But it turns out there are lots of awesome Women in Agriculture in one of my Facebook groups who are willing to share their pictures. I hope you enjoy their stories as much as I did!

This is Crystal Wiese's momma cow, Star. She's a Jersey (a dairy breed) and about five years old. Last fall, Star had a calf that Crystal's son showed at the fair this summer. 

These adorable pictures come from Katee Pevler. Their family love of cattle has been passed through more than four generations and looks good for the future with these handsome little cowboys!

Meet Squirt! This dairy cow is Jennifer Donald Neumann's oldest cow. She's 18 and still going strong. The next picture, with the calf, is Squirt's grandson who was born this year.

These pretty ladies are Gretchen Allen's newest Dexter heifers. Heifers are young females that have never given birth.

Say hello to Annabelle who lives on A Dairyman's Wife's farm. Here's a little story about her:

"Tonight was a bittersweet night on the farm for me. My favorite heifer on the farm, which is really my favorite animal on the farm, she was 'kicked' out with the cows tonight. This means  when heifers get to breeding age, and a good size they are taken out of the big heifer pen and put out in the barnyard with the cows and our two bulls to be bred. Annabelle is a little over a year and a half old, and my first love on the farm! Sorry Farmer! ;)"

For more from A Dairyman's Wife, check out her blog.

I'm so thankful I stumbled across #CowAppreciationDay! These little stories really brightened my busy day. I'd love to hear what things you're learning on social media! Thanks for reading!

Summer 2015 Internship Update #1

By now, if you've been following the Roots Facbook page or Twitter, you know I've been interning in Atlanta, Indiana at Beck's Hybrids this summer. I began the Monday after my finals wrapped up in May and have been loving life "out east" ever since! Today is my 35th day on the job, so I'm way overdue (Imaging that! ;) ) for an update!

Part of my experience at Beck's is writing a weekly Intern Avenue blog post. It's great to have people holding me accountable to blog. I know down the road I'll be glad the stories of my summer have been saved. I'm also thankful for the opportunity this has given me to get more writing advice and critique. My supervisor has been great about kindly pointing out my weaknesses and helping me achieve my goal of being a more engaging/entertaining author.

I think my writing has improved, but check it out for yourself by reading the Intern Avenue blogs I've written so far:

First Impressions of the Beck Experience

Love For Stories

Blessed with the Best

The Road Less Traveled By

Who I Am: A Father's Day Tribute

What If and Why

I've also been able to contribute to the social media pages the Marketing Department manages. Below are all the links to their accounts, so be sure to like or follow them to see some of my work. Lately, I've been having a lot of fun adding to the Beck's Pinterest page!

Beck's Facebook

Beck's Twitter

Beck's Pinterest

Beck's YouTube

Beck's Instagram

This summer it's also been really cool to contribute to the #WhyIFarm movement Beck's started in 2013. You can read more in my first Intern Avenue, but Why I Farm is what got me hooked on the company in the first place. The Love for Stories post tells about my trip to Iowa filming a Why I Farm video. I can't share much on the subject yet because our work hasn't been released, but in the mean time visit WhyIFarm.com and enjoy some of the free download-ables. Keep your eyes peeled for exciting announcements later this summer on Why I Farm's Facebook and Twitter.

This will have to do for now, but I look forward to telling you more about all my experiences in Indiana. Meanwhile, keep a close eye on the Beck's Blog for my posts every Friday. Thanks for reading!

Monday Night Movie Night!

Whoever said scrolling through Facebook is a waste of time, sure didn't have friends like me. I swear my friends post the coolest things! The last Monday Night Movie Night post was found thanks to social media, and this week I'm sure you'll enjoy this song my fellow blogger friend, Lexi, shared.

If you liked the song, American Farmer, as much as I did, you may want to check it out on iTunes. You can find it by searching for American Farmer Single by Maria Doud. Thanks for reading!