using text messaging

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?

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