Our third issue of Southern Soil has made its way out into the world. I hope you'll take a few minutes to check it out!
I have to admit that I love to hold books and magazines in my hands! You know, the old fashioned ones that are made of paper, not e-readers, smart devices and computer screens. Print material can be experienced with all the senses: you can feel, touch and smell the pages ... most of us probably choose not to taste them!
So, it's with some measure of regret each time I publish an issue of Southern Soil, that I can't pick it up and hold it and flip through pages (I have a weird habit of reading magazines from back to front).
But I will say that the platform we use for this magazine, www.issuu.com, does a really great job making the best of a digital product.
They are making lots of changes and updates which make using and viewing publications on their platform much more appealing. For instance: this was the first issue I was able to use their story creator to improve the layout so individual stories from within the magazine can much more easily be read and enjoyed on smart phones and tablets.
So, I'd like to quickly walk you through the process of viewing the magazine online and point out some features that you might have missed ... or you're just way better with technology than I am!
Here's Issue #3 opened to pages 4 & 5 (as indicated on the bottom lefthand corner). You can flip front to back (or back to front) by using the arrow keys to either side. Viewing the magazine in this format is best for laptops, computers and tablets.
You can use these handy keys on the bottom right to zoom in, search for key words, create a larger view, or go into full screen mode.
This is what you'll see directly below the two page spread view of the magazine. This is where some of the new features come in. Each article contained within the magazine is laid out as its own story. If you are using a smart phone to view the magazine, this is definitely the best option for viewing. Each story has been digitally optimized and formatted for that purpose.
It's also a great way to share a particular story, if you can choose only one, that you find fascinating!
And here's an example of one of the ways that a digital magazine has the printed kind beat! As you're reading through the magazine and you see something that interests you ... like an ad from someplace fabulous like Midnight Run Distillery and you think .... "Wow! I need to go find out more about this place!" You can just click on the link and it opens a new page for you, taking you directly to the site you want to see. How cool is that? (It's also pretty cool for advertisers who don't have to rely on readers to remember to look them up later.)
But it's not just ads! We hook you up with other cool things too, like Rebekah's website which, among other things, links to her blog Some Kinda Good (oops, I did it again!). You should totally check it out if you want some great recipes or insight into the food scene in Statesboro and Savannah.
So, that brings me to my favorite function of all ... the SHARE button! This is one you should use early and often! Share it on Facebook, share it on Pinterest, share it on Twitter! It's free to read and free to share, so share with your friends, share with your colleagues, share with your family! They just may thank you for it! And I know we will!
So What are you waiting for? Go forth and read and share and click on links!
Issue #3 of
Southern Soil
This issue highlights kids and agriculture and the wonderful lessons about life, the natural world, work and relationships the farm or garden can teach. Get to know a bit about the families behind Byne Blueberry Farmsand Southern Swiss Dairy, LLC. Did you know that Hunter Cattle Company offers educational tours for kids and adults alike? Take a peek at how Bethesda Academy uses its farm and garden to teach tomorrow's leaders important life lessons. Dig in deep as the conversation continues about our local food system, this time with Jeb Bush Director of Forsyth Farmers' Market. Thank you to Midnight Run Distillery LLC. for advertising with us and helping to keep these important conversations about our community going!