Consumers can relate to the idea of ‘smart’ items like the smart phone, smart home or smart classroom. That’s why the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance is promoting the idea of the SMART farm— connecting consumers with the technology used to make farms and ranches more sustainable and efficient.

One of the ways they’re sharing this message is through a new partnership with us here at ZimmComm New Media and the AgWired team of websites. Each week you’ll find a SMART Farmer podcast ready for download that covered topics such as environmental sustainability, misconceptions about GMOs, antibiotic use, pesticides, animal welfare, and the continual improvement of the industry.

“USFRA research shows technology in agriculture is perceived positively by consumers and food influencers, with about half who associate it to increased yields and improved efficiency,” said Randy Krotz, USFRA Chief Executive Officer. “Our SMART Farm platform is an opportunity to capitalize on the positive support for technology on today’s farms and ranches showing how it benefits the consumer and our planet.”

You can listen to podcasts here with National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Chairman and USFRA Vice Chairman Chip Bowling, American Sugarbeet Growers Association (ASGA) President and USFRA Board Member Galen Lee and USFRA Face of Farming & Ranching Lauren Schwab, among others, or check them out at the NAMA Agri-Marketing Conference Connection Point Trade Show in Dallas this week. You can subscribe or listen in iTunes as well, and, as always, media is welcome to use any ZimmComm materials or portions of it in their programming.