Editorial: Welcome to TheCropSite Newsletter

Thank you for signing up to receive our weekly newsletter.

We are here because agriculture is no longer a local industry - it's global. And to be successful, you need to be aware of the important global issues facing the agricultural industry.

TheCropSite newsletter is packed with premium international crop and agricultural news. And, you'll find in-depth articles covering hot topics, important research and industry reports.

When you click on TheCropSite.com, you'll find a new, easy-to-use design and many new features, including CME futures prices and analysis, and global weather.

And now, on to my editorial...

A year and a half ago I was working at an agricultural advertising agency in the Chicago suburbs with great clients like Bayer CropScience and Pfizer Animal Health. And along came a great opportunity... to be a senior editor for an international online news source and launch a brand new site - The CropSite. Plus, I'd have the freedom to create a unique user experience for farmers and the agricultural industry that simply didn't exist.

I think in order to make a career leap, you have to really believe in the concept. And when I leapt, I did believe in the importance of farmers having a global view of agriculture. But after a year in this role, I realize that I only understood what a "global view" means conceptually.

A year ago I didn't really know what climate change was all about. I didn't know how important bioenergy crops are becoming to the world. I didn't know how difficult meeting food supply and security demands are for some countries. I didn't know what deforestation really meant. I didn't know how differently we farm in the US compared to other countries. I didn't know what it means to have to feed 9 billion people in as little as 20-30 years - yes, I'll admit, this is one that I'm still trying to grasp.

Building TheCropSite has broadened my scope of knowledge and understanding beyond just my little corner of the world - the US Midwest. Where ever your little corner of the world is - I hope TheCropSite will help broaden your perspective so you can make more informed decisions for your farming operation or agribusiness.

And I'll make you a promise - that every week in this e-newsletter, I'll share something new - an insight - that I've learned while at an industry event or talking to farmers or people in the agricultural industry.

Sometimes my insights may be business-related, sometimes they'll be serious, and other times they may be entertaining, but I'll always do my best to give it to you straight.

And your feedback is always welcome.

Best wishes in 2012