As efficient farmers–using precision agriculture tools to apply less fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, et. al.–you know your technology ROI is helping your bottom line. But do the people we feed know the improvements–in crops as well as livestock? Sadly, no they don’t.
It’s time we all make a greater effort to use some precision social media tools (Twitter and Facebook, along with blogs and websites) to help tell a wonderful environmental story to our off-farm folks who enjoy the foods of our labor–and talk beyond the choir.
As a farm-reared agricultural journalist (www.stellarcontent.biz), I’m just as guilty of talking tech benefits solely to the choir. But thanks to Twitter and Facebook, connecting with concerned consumers has become much easier. In fact, I’ve had some interesting dialogue with anti-agriculture folks who, once you help them understand that large farms are run by ‘families’ who truly care, they can start to soften their stance a bit.
Now, it does no good to fight fire with fire, and granted there are some people who won’t listen or have an open mind beyond their “industrial ag is bad” mode. But there are some in agriculture who are just as guilty by not having an open mind about organic production, or eating local. We can learn from each other. We can all do better. Yes we can.
To this end, I leave you with some links to efforts by some admirable people who are fighting (figuratively) the good fight and telling the good story of agriculture to consumers. This is a short list, and keep me posted of more, which we’ll pass along in coming posts! Have a great, safe weekend.
One Nebraska farm couple and their excellent blog
Very good Alabama dairman’s blog
Ohio farm broadcaster Andy Vance and his great blog
Read Michele Payn-Knoper’s Cause Matters blog and check out all her valuable links on this page.
See how farmers are using Twitter:
KHAS-TV
Nebraska Corn Growers blog
Join Twitter and become a part of the AgChat group (farmers, industry folks, foodies and more) held every Tuesday night from 8-10 EDT. You can check out a recent chat here. And AgChat has a Facebook page, too.