The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the world is green again. Springtime is the perfect time to throw those barn doors open – but not just to make milking more pleasant. While attending a presentation analyzing society’s changing perception of agriculture, I heard a producer ask, “What are ways to engage the public?”

Most people who know me, know that I really like to plan things. In fact, most days I can get so caught up in what I’m going to do next that I forget what I am doing in the moment. However, even with all those plans, I find the secret to successful planning is to be able to throw said plan out the window at a moment’s notice.

Back when I was just a rookie reporter I was introduced to a new phrase – “meeting season.” The established journalist that shared the term with me had been through their fair share of meeting seasons, at least 25, I’d say. At the time, our editorial team was sitting down for one of our semi-annual planning meetings and trying to decide who could go where.

It is hard to believe this is our final issue of 2011. Last year, we introduced our plans for a new Canadian edition at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock, Ontario.

One year later, we returned to celebrate accomplishments made thus far and announce bigger plans for the future.

What a pleasure I had attending the Western Canadian Dairy Seminar in Red Deer, Alberta, this spring. While there was still plenty of snow and freezing temperatures, the great company and brewing coffee kept a soul warm.

Before the seminars started, I skated around a few dairy farms with other interested parties in our plastic biosecurity boots. During the preconference tours, we visited Chubanna Holsteins, Roneamer Farms Ltd. and Dykman Farms Ltd. Each farm was doing something unique.

I’ve always enjoyed hearing from readers and therefore I was really excited to hear from our newest admirers after the release of Progressive Dairyman’s first Canadian issue in January.

People told us they were “impressed” with the magazine and that it held “valuable content.” Some of our advertisers told us they had already received phone calls inquiring about their products or services.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. We would love for the dialog to continue. In my mind, if our publication isn’t meeting your needs, then it is our responsibility to improve.