In May of 2003, 15,085 people did exactly what you are doing right this moment - they explored the Michigan Department of Agriculture's Internet site. The MDA's web site is one of the primary public faces of the Department, says Harry Bell, one of the MDA employees helping communicate Agriculture's many programs and updated information through technology.

Updated information flows to the public by way of the Internet.  The MDA Intranet is an internal vehicle for carrying ever-changing information to the approximately 550 MDA employees.  MDA's Marketing and Communications Division, in concert with the Department's Public Information Officer, oversees both sites.

In this river of internal and external information, the Department is fortunate to have three knowledgeable webmasters/producers. They write, edit and place information and services on the Internet and Intranet. They are continually updating content and trying to improve delivery to those using their services.

"We all work together, but we all have separate areas of expertise," says Bob Andorfer.  "'A Day in the Life of a Webmaster' would be a different story each day because, as Bob points out,  "we are constantly changing and updating both Internet and Intranet."

The Department of Agriculture has hosted an Internet site since 1996. In 2002, the site was completely revamped and integrated into the State of Michigan's site, www.michigan.gov.

The Intranet first went live in 1997. Both Internet and Intranet have grown since that time and have become visually more engaging.

Bob Andorfer is the Webmaster for the Intranet. He is passionate about the Intranet as an important communications tool.  His mission: to make the jobs of MDA employees easier and more pleasant. Any employee working in the Lansing MDA office, in the field, or at a regional office, can submit a suggestion to MDA Director Dan Wyant via the electronic suggestion box; see pictures of new employees; or read the selected, just-breaking news articles relevant to agriculture.  "Employees won't check the site every day unless they will see something new," says Bob, who is always on the lookout for more department news.

Harry Bell is a Michigan Department of Information Technology employee who is housed within the MDA's Marketing and Communications Division and is the Webmaster for MDA's Internet. His emphasis is technology. Not only does he ensure that everything on the site is live when it should be, and linked correctly, but he is involved in a total redesign of the MI Kids Page for MDA. "The Internet is always a work in progress," says Harry, who takes pride in keeping it "logically organized" and "easily navigable."  MDA has more than five dozen program areas on the MDA web site and Harry, along with Web Producer Matt Clara, works with several web authors to be sure content is fluid. "I like the problem-solving aspect," says Harry. 

Matt Clara is the Web Producer for the Internet. His expertise is content. "It's like being the editor of a newspaper," explains Matt.  Matt helps decides where each piece of content will reside and what to "spotlight." "People often want their features on the front page and unfortunately there's not enough room for everything to be there," says Matt.  Matt is very much a "people person" in his role as liaison between the web and the department, as well as the public face of the Webmaster.  Clearly visible on the MDA web site is a place where the public may ask questions and give feedback. Matt fields these questions, either answering them or forwarding them to an MDA or other expert who can. In addition, Matt is also an exceptional photographer, and you will see many of his photos on the MDA web site. 

Matt, Bob and Harry all mention the freedom with which they create and change both Intranet and Internet as they work with web authors and others in and outside of MDA.  The key to having a fresh, interesting site is to have the ability to change content instantly.

And  ... just in case you seek an example of their work, look about you and notice this site. Bob will report this Internet story about Matt, Harry and himself in the Intranet because it's "employee news" his colleagues may want to read about. Matt took the photos, checked the content, decided on its location and actually pressed the button to say "publish." Harry made sure that all the technical aspects were correct in order that you, our readers, get the story when you should and that it links correctly to other related items.

So relax and enjoy this story. The three webmasters/producers consider your satisfaction the best part of their job.