the agriculturist

piercingPiercing the Campaign World

Story and Photo by Robyn Rose

 

The world of campaigns has nothing on this hard-working mom. For many years Melissa Pierce has been campaigning for businesses, associations and votes. This stay-at-home mom has gained a couple of tricks to keep up her sleeve.


Since graduating from Texas Tech in agricultural communications, Pierce has done an excellent job of making a name for herself in the freelance campaigning industry, especially in the Lubbock area. She has been hired to lead campaigns related to topics ranging from agricultural issues to alcohol sales.


Pierce’s latest project was the Sorghum Vote Yes campaign. This campaign, funded by the National Sorghum Producers, spread publicity to encourage producers to “Vote Yes” for the Sorghum Checkoff Program.


“Basically she coordinated the entire effort, so it didn’t take as much time away from staff,” said Jennifer Blackburn, communications coordinator for National Sorghum Producers.


Blackburn said Pierce was in charge of distributing all the information about the “Vote Yes” campaign. She traveled along with most of the National Sorghum Producers staff to inform and educate producers and voters of the Sorghum Checkoff benefits.


“The Sorghum producers were a very different audience compared to the alcohol campaign,” Pierce said. “Most people didn’t know what the Checkoff was when we began this campaign. Those who didn’t, I was in charge of changing their minds.”


While typically paid for her work, Pierce also has a huge heart when it comes to her public relations work. She most recently volunteered her talents through the West Texas Humane Society by writing and editing most of their newsletters.


This mom and wife spends most of her time in between jobs taking care of her daughter, Caroline and her grandmother, Mimi. She talks about both with enthusiasm.


Caroline is now a second grader. Pierce said she enjoys being a mom and with the work that she is involved in it leaves plenty of time for her to be a mom.


“I can get most of my work done during the day while Caroline is at school,” Pierce said. “So I can spend as much time as I want to with her when she gets out. I like spending time with her while she is still young.”


Melissa said she plans to keep working on campaigns when she finds another campaign that calls her name. She says her other volunteer work will keep her busy until she finds another job. Until then, she will work on keeping up with her daughter and the rest of her family all while quietly changing the hearts and minds of people through campaigns.