Just call them the Energizer Dairy

In today's news, we have been hearing a lot of recent updates on energy creation. These topics range from wind and solar to shale and biofuels. However, all of them are focused on providing clean, renewable energy sources that can be used for years to come. Your stance may differ depending on the energy type discussed. But, it is up to us as consumers to look at all possible avenues of production to keep the lights on in our homes and the engines running in our automobiles.

I discovered an interesting article published by the New York Times about a new form of energy and fuel. Fair Oaks Farms of Fair Oaks, Ind. is one of the largest dairy operations in the country, with around 30,000 cows. They are showing innovation because they are not only inviting the public to join them on the farm to see their operation and participate in fun activities like cheese making, but they are using the other less-desired byproducts, manure, to create energy.

As mentioned in the NY Times, "the farm is running sophisticated $12 million “digester” facilities that process its overabundance of manure, capturing natural gas that runs electric generators or is pumped underground to a fueling station."

Any remaining manure byproducts are then spread on farm fields as fertilizer. With the fuel being produced directly on the farm, the farm owners were able to build two fuel stations and open them to the public. Because of these pumps, Gary Corbett, chief executive of Fair Oaks, believes they will substitute nearly 2 million gallons of diesel per year.

Think about all of the innovation that went behind this project. From planning how to use the manure, building the equipment and marketing the new fuel station, Fair Oaks has underwent much planning and marketing to make this new project a success. Being featured in the NY Times is a great publicity opportunity and is helping to advocate for new energy methods in the agricultural industry.

Do you feel these new energy outlets are being properly marketed? How do you feel other energy methods like shale, wind or solar compare to the marketing of biofuels and natural gases?

Sharing the Smoky Mountains

This past week, I did something I have never done before: took a vacation during spring break. However, I did not do the typical spring break with the warmth of a beach. Instead, I traveled to Gatlinburg, Tenn. with a group of friends and stayed in a cabin within the Great Smoky Mountains.

The trip was certainly an adventure and provided us with a plethora of stories to take home. I was able to indulge in some great views for taking photographs, while the other boys got their fill on hiking, lounging at the cabin and touring the surrounding towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

As I reflected on our experiences this past week, I realized I would have never been interested in partaking in this trip before if it weren't for the many methods of advertising and publicity that is done for the area. When visiting Gatlinburg, it is plain to see it is a tourist attraction. From the national park having many different side areas for cars to pull off and view the mountains to overcrowded amount of shopping centers and amusement attractions, the area offered a wide variety of things for tourists to participate in and enhance their Tennessee experience.

From a communication standpoint, I think Gatlinburg does a great job at advertising the diverse options that travelers can experience. Whether you review the methods used on websites and social media or the traditional techniques with billboards, radio and television advertisements in the local area, there is a lot of successful marketing being presented to continue reeling in consumers like myself.

This was my first time in Tennessee and if I am able to go back in the future, I hope to see a different part of the state that is not as consumer driven. After taking this trip, I am grateful to have had this experience and see what these little areas do to market their assets to travelers.