Using Text Messagingin Agriculture

Jim Lewis, Ag Agent, University of Maryland Extension,

Caroline County

Why Text?

• Not using e-mail• Grain prices• Now being used by:

• Doctors offices• Pharmacists• Mechanics• Utility company• Schools

Phone vs. Computer

Phone Computer

Only 10 messages at a time Unlimited

Minimal design capabilities Word, etc. – save as jpeg

Limited memory space Much larger

Carriers Texting Addresses*

Carrier Text Pix

Alltell 1234567890@message.alltel.com Same as text

AT&T (formerly Cingular)

1234567890@txt.att.net 1234567890@mms.att.net

Nextel(now Sprint Nextel)

1234567890@messaging.nextel.com Same as text

Sprint PCS(now Sprint Nextel)

1234567890@messaging.sprintpcs.com 1234567890@pm.sprint.com

T-Mobile 1234567890@tmomail.net Same as text

US Cellular 1234567890@email.uscc.net 1234567890@mms.uscc.net

Verizon 1234567890@vtext.com 1234567890@vzwpix.com

*Contact other carriers for their specific addresses

How To Prepare Text

• Type message into word document • Be sure to add line about who message is

from

• Make margins as large as possible• Use Arial Rounded at size 60 as font• Save as PDF to desktop• Open PDF file and save as jpeg

How To Send Text

• From Outlook create new message• Attach jpeg files to the new

message• Add your recipients (using proper

email address for specific carrier)• Hit send

Outgoing or Sent Uses

• Pest alerts• Crop management alerts• Meeting reminders

Incoming or Received

• Pix of diseased plants• Nutrient deficiencies• Insects• Questions about pesticides• Anything they would call about

POD WORM

Example of

Received

Thank you!Questions or Comments?

University of Maryland Extension programs are open to all citizenswithout regard to race, color, gender, disability, religion, age, sexual

orientation, marital or parental status, or national origin.