I’m a bit of a skeptic when it comes to electronic gadgets.

I don’t really know what an iPad is, nor do I care to have one. The only “blackberry” I ever bought was the kind you get at a farmers market, and pour some sugar and milk over top.

I own one personal laptop, one television and a cell phone, and there are days I wish it was less.

But the reality is, some of these things are part of today’s world — the world of sharing news quickly, accurately and to an audience near and far.

Trying new things

In the past year, I’ve learned a little about “social media,” the concept of sharing ideas and information with large Internet audiences.

I’ve started a Twitter account at “ckick1,” and I’ve even made a few contributions to the company’s Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/farmanddairy.

Now, I’ve progressed to the thing you’re reading — a blog. It’s a new concept at Farm and Dairy, and one I think will do well.

A blog gives us a chance to comment on some of our daily experiences, without compromising the integrity of our reporting.

Our stories should be objective and fact-driven, and our blogs … well … objective and fact driven, but also fun.

There’s a backstage scene to everything, and that’s what I think these blogs will show. I look forward to raising questions, answering questions and asking readers for their own insight.

My story

I think this blog will become more about topics and issues than myself, but since it’s the first time around, here’s some facts about me, the blogger.

I grew up on my family’s farm in Wayne County, Ohio, and exhibited steers at the county fair through 4-H and FFA. I return to the farm regularly to hunt and camp.

I graduated from Ashland University with a degree in creative writing and journalism. I’ve been a reporter since 2006, when I started for The Daily Record in Wooster. I’ve covered everything from county government to agriculture. In the fall of 2009, I started with Farm and Dairy.

I work full-time from my home in Wooster, and cover most of northcentral and central Ohio.

I’m a morning person, after a full pot of coffee. I can eat about anything that’s fully cooked. I drive a Chevy car, but if I had it to do over, I would have bought a Ford in an instant.

I care about all types of agriculture and agribusinesses.

I think Ohio is a great place to be a farm reporter and I love the diversity of farms.

Keep reading

It may take me a while to get used to this thing called blogging, but I’m sure it will come. If can learn what a Tweet, a retweet, and a status update all are, and how to upload pictures to a Facebook site, then this should be achievable, as well.

Chris Kick lives in Wooster, Ohio. An American FFA Degree recipient, he holds a bachelor’s in creative writing from Ashland University. He spends his free time on his grandparents’ farms in Wayne and Holmes counties.
Chris Kick
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