Steven Garrett. October 26, 2012 National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (NAFMNP) Listserv

Outline Objectives Electronic mailing lists NAFMNP Listserv Case study: Alaska Recent NAFMNP activity Discussion/brainstorming

Objectives Participants will: Learn about electronic mailing lists. Learn about the NAFMNP Listserv and its utility for FMNP staff and stakeholders. Abandon less efficient ways to communicate.

What is an Electronic Mailing List? Incoming messages are sent to a single e- mail address, then distributed to all subscribers. Automated by mailing list software on a server. Subscribers often have some control, such as “digest,” or subscribe/unsubscribe. Incoming messages are sent to a single address and are distributed to all subscribers. Automated by mailing list software on a server capable of receiving email. In the case we are going to talk about today ,the mailing list software is made by a company called “Listserv.” More later on them. Often the subscribers have some controls, such as “digest,” or subscribe/unsubscribe. Digest is where you can get your emails batched into one daily email, so your inbox does not fill up. I was on a Listserv ran by the now-defunct Community FoodI Security Coalition that had 7,000 subscribers. I would get up to 50 emails a day.

Electronic Mailing Lists History Listserv changed batched emails from a single human to a computer automated model 1986: First mainframe version 1987: Database functions added (like archives) 1984: Unix version 1995: Windows version Other software of that era still in use: Majordomo and Listproc Listserv often used a generic term Google and Yahoo groups are free electronic mailing lists Listserv has become a generic term for email distribution lists (like “Kleenex” for facial tissue). However it is only one of several software systems that handle bulk email. I started being on ,and managing ,Listservs around 1991 or 1992. Back then, it was still done through command lines using UNIX. This is what the mailing software looked like that I used back then. Aren’t you glad you do not have to do email this way?

Advantages Over Previous NAFMNP Communication Only need to save and use one e-mail. One person manages the mailing list - instead of everyone. No need to schedule communication (like conference calls). All users see responses. Advantages Over Previous NAFMNP Communication One email sends to many people. No need to manage and send out revised mailing lists. One person (me) manages the email list - instead of everyone. Much more efficient. No need to be in one place at one time (like phone calls). Everyone can get the message and join the conversation when it is convenient

You send an e-mail to: NAFMNP@LISTSERV.WA.GOV. This is a graphic representation of how an electronic mailing list works for the visual learners in the audience. You send an e-mail to: NAFMNP@LISTSERV.WA.GOV. It goes to the Listserv server. The server forwards it to your colleagues.

Leverage the knowledge of federal, state, territorial, and tribal staff who coordinate the FMNP as well as stakeholders in order to improve program delivery. Listserv Purpose Primary users are state, territorial, and tribal staff who coordinate the FMNP as well as federal staff Interested stakeholders also welcome to join with permission. I mostly want to make sure that commercial interests (except for contractors) are not permitted to get on the list . Invitation or request only. No self subscription. People need to go through me. If I am not sure about the request, because I am new to FMNP, I will seek input from NAFMNP board members.

Listserv Topics Could include: Farmers market, farm store, and grower contract processing and monitoring. Potential useful resources and links. Management efficiencies. Announcements. Federal budget updates. This list is not meant to be exhaustive, just a broad guess at what we may use the list for.

Listserv Moderation FMNP is an unmoderated list. Allows a free-flowing conversation, but… No screening of emails. Tell anecdote about former co-worker who sent a dirty joke to every employee in the state organization.

“I’m with the State of Alaska FMNP Program “I’m with the State of Alaska FMNP Program. Our new computer system will no longer be able to issue FMNP warrants next year. I would love to hear from states who use a separate system.”   Alice Albrecht, Project Assistant Division of Public Assistance, WIC Program Listserv Case Study Alice will get up and talk about how helpful the listserv was for quickly gathering best management practices from around the country. I will provide her a template and timeline.

Listserv Requests (for the NAFMNP Conference) Paula Griffin/Trish Newman: Nutrition education materials and e-mail about how they are used. Alice Albrecht: Ideas for a round table discussion (received seven on-line comments). Listserv Requests (for the NAFMNP Conference) I will have a quick check-in with Paula, Trish, and Alice about how this request helped them develop their conference sessions.

Ideas We Might Discuss Monitoring farm stores for eligible food. Defining geography of eligible foods. Allowing versus stopping of brokering Point-of-purchase eligible-food materials. Performance criteria for growers and/or farmers markets. Ideas We Might Discuss These are just some questions that I have, what questions do you have?

Your Ideas About Future Topics? I will facilitate a discussion as if it were a Listserv.