Ag Issues Mini-Series: Tale of Two Worlds

Writer’s note:  As a finalist in the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Excellence in Agriculture competition, I had the opportunity to share my background and contributions to agriculture, but also pressing issues I see impacting agriculture today.  I’ll be covering these issues in my blog.

I’m going to be honest. This is an issue that bothers me to the core, yet is often is the hardest for me to talk about. I love agriculture. It’s intertwined into my life through my work, family, friends and community. This issue tears me apart inside. I recognize it’s easy to push it aside and put up barriers. But, it can’t be ignored anymore.

As a farmer, I’m in a specialty market.  I use rotational grazing practices on my farm and raise goats for meat for both the cultural foods and local foods markets. I grew up around traditional agriculture, in my home and current community, at college, and with friends and colleagues.  It sounds simple enough.  However, I often feel as I’m wedged between two worlds.  In the all the buzz and noise from the news, social media and beyond, there’s enough questioning of how we do our jobs in agriculture and on the farm.  But, what really bothers me is the finger pointing happening in agriculture. I’m in a unique position, but I see it on both sides.

Issue: Increased consumer interest in food and farming + divided  agriculture community

• Polarization in the ag community
  
• Consumers care + want to know how their food is produced and the natural resources used
  

You may know what I’m talking about.  There’s a major divide within agriculture, whether it’s large vs. small, organic vs. traditional, grass-fed vs. grain fed, and so on.  I admit there are a lot of layers to this issue. Some of it has been fueled by food marketing and by consumers who want to know how their food is produced.  And, I think the later fact is a good thing. That’s what we’ve been working to accomplish with programs like Ag in the Classroom and outreach through local FFA chapters.  But, we need to do more to come together in agriculture.

So, what can be done to unite our agricultural community internally? This is a big issue that will take time and work from many of us in our day-to-day lives and work in agriculture. For me it has been about:

• Walking the talk:  As I tell my own story as a farmer, I do it with respect to how others farm. We raise different crops, livestock, live in different regions with different soils, different markets and so on. There’s obviously not just one way to farm.  I’ve been taking this approach as I’ve hosted farm tours for Pre-K and elementary age student groups, farm groups and other visitors; work with Ag in the Classroom educational programs, online with social media and my blog, and with conversations with friends, family and fellow community members.
  
• Building my own communication and relationship skill sets through Farm Bureau Leadership Institute. This has helped me share this message with Capitol Hill visits, interviewing state assembly candidates, and working with agricultural issues in my own community
• Bringing this conversation to our high school and technical college agricultural teachers through my past work with the Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators. This included bringing in presenters to the annual Professional Development Conference to speak on ag advocacy to build skills for both their role as a teacher and coaching their students advocating for agriculture
• Vision for a county ag showcase event:  St. Croix County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state. We’re practically a suburb of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. I’d like to use my background communication and event planning to host a small event for decision makers, agencies and media in our county to learn more about agriculture in St. Croix County. It would feature a tour of both a larger dairy farm, smaller or different type of farm and a processor. The goal would be to raise awareness of the diversity of agriculture, advancements, economic impact in our communities and all in an open environment to learn.