Thread by @ShaneAgronomy

For 2020 I have made a concerted effort to emphasize writing to clarify my thinking, force myself to research & to challenge my assumptions.

With that I’ve shared over 100,000 words in the 1st half of 2020.

Here are my 3 most read blogs, Upstream editions & key learnings:

Before getting to the posts, here are 3 things I’ve learned so far this year from writing consistently:

1. Writing is exceptional for networking.

The internet shrinks the globe & the industry in an exponential way.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have conversations with individuals from all over the world from VC’s to CEO’s to 35 yr industry leaders that have shaped ag.

Meeting new people helps broaden horizons, amplify learning and gain new perspective. It’s been the most positive aspect to consistent writing for me.

2. It’s okay to cringe at what you wrote 3 months or 6 months ago due to poorly thought out opinion/logic - it signals growth.

3. Consistent writing is not easy, but it’s worth it.

I often get asked how I find the time. And it simply comes down to making time for it. Being passionate about the topic is necessary.

I used to read about topics, but never let it sink in. Writing has helped it sink in.

While some of these I may have known on some level - experiencing them reinforces them in a powerful way.

Now onto the top blogs and Upstream Editions:

3. Blog:

Squishing the Fish in Agribusiness 🎣

Recurring revenue models are growing in interest outside agriculture and within. The challenge is shifting from products to services and from up front revenue to continued consistent revenue.

shaneagronomy.com/post/swallowin…

2. Blog

Navigating the Next Decade in #AgTech📊

Forecasting is a fools game, but I couldn’t help but brings to light what I see influencing agtech through to 2030.

shaneagronomy.com/post/all-parts…

2. Blog

The Shopify of Ag Retail🟢

The #agretail space is continuously evolving. The strategies have converged for years, but now the options and initiatives will diverge and digitally engaging farmers will be one area to watch.

shaneagronomy.com/post/the-shopi…

I started writing @UpstreamAg Insights to hold myself accountable week in & week out in staying up on & critically thinking about what’s happening within the agribusiness landscape.

Now thousands of individuals read from >30 countries weekly.

Here are the 3 most read editions:

3. Week of June 21st

Ranging from @BASFAgSolutions Annual Report analysis, to viability of drones in the future, to @Syngenta & FBN announcements + @AgVendHQ options for Ag retails.
upstreamaginsights.substack.com/p/upstream-ag-…

2. Week if March 8th

This received a lot of feedback initially and is still one I receive a lot of comments on because of the overview of @NutrienAgRetail Annual report along with a @BASFAgSolutions overview of outcome based business models.
upstreamaginsights.substack.com/p/upstream-ag-…

1. Week of February 9th

Over viewing aspects of FBN’s Anti Trust, E-commerce in Ag Retail and in Brazil, along with @yara strategy overview, data as a commodity and #agtech announcements/analysis that’s still relevant today.
upstreamaginsights.substack.com/p/upstream-ag-…

Upstream typically overviews ag news, but what I’m attempting to do is expand the insight from some news stories to be relevant for much longer and be drawn upon for background for months, and in some cases years to come.

Specific to Upstream:

For the 2nd half of 2020 I have one goal:
I see video & audio as a necessary medium to understand & thanks to being inspired by individuals like @timhammerich & @svnoles w/their podcasts have created a YouTube channel to begin dabbling in this area:

While I believe in quantifying goals and KPI’s, my target is more qualitative and is to simply use that medium consistently to better understand it.
I see video/audio as both beneficial in and of themselves, but also as an ancillary component to writing.

My ultimate goal through this all is to learn and improve. Increased readership = more feedback & constructive criticism = greater self improvement and understanding of the industry that I am so passionate about.

Thanks to everyone for reading my posts in the 1st half of 2020!