Join the Conversation: Advocating

The “Good Ol Days” as my Grandpa Ray would say. When agriculture was a simpler time, without much of the technology, and innovations that are present in todays agricultural system.

Can you imagine if farmers were to go back to the way we farmed during the 20's, 50's, etc? Or even for everyone to go back to having their own farm. With 7 billion people in the world today, using the farming practices that we once used are no longer keeping up with the growing population.

A recent video made by Only Organic shows consumers an extremely negative view of a few of the recent advancements that the ag industry has made. Check out the video below.

It's easy to make a video to promote going back to simple farming practices, but if they have had experience in agriculture, or have looked at the exponentially growing population, they would realize how unrealistic it would be.

Today in the United States, less than 1% of the population is actively involved in the farming industry. That leaves the other 99% of the population to look at the farming industry, and even question some of our farming practices.

So why don’t consumers check their facts? 

Consumers often just believe everything they hear. From social media, or even from face to face conversation. A person is 67% more likely to be influenced by something they have heard. 

Consumers DO trust farmers! 

Consumers were asked who they believed was more credible when it comes to farm animal welfare, farmers and veterinarians or animal rights activists. Their responses are shown below. 

As farmers we often wonder why it feels as though consumers are attacking our industry. Consumers are not farmers enemies, but simply concerned about where their food comes from. 

Farmers and consumers want many of the same things. We each want to be sustainable, healthy, and provide for our families and for the future generation. 

Choice is one of the greatest advancements in today's agricultural world. Organic, free range, gluten free, lactose free, or conventional farming. Today's consumers are given choices allowing them the freedom to chose.

Agvocate: Advocating for the agricultural industry

If the agricultural industry doesn’t start to become more proactive about promoting our industry, and start telling our story to consumers, other groups will tell our story for us.

Be in the conversation! People are talking about agriculture, so join in the conversation and tell your story, before someone else tries to tell it for you.

Even a simple selfie, or Felfie (farming selfie) posted to social media can
make a bigger difference than one might think! 

I posted this picture on Facebook and Instagram! 

Ever wonder what happens to all the manure that pigs produce? Farmers apply manure that is supplied with nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients to their fields to produce better grain yields! #realpigfarming #ag365

Role Models in Agriculture-Creating Leaders for Tomorrow

Growing up in a small town, there have always been certain women that I have looked up to, especially once I became passionate about pursuing a career in agriculture. Angie Greiman, a District Sales Manager for Monsanto, working directly with Dekalb and Asgrow has been a one of many faces that contributed to my choice in pursuing a career in the seed industry.

            I recently had the opportunity to interview Angie for a class assignment at Iowa State. Angie talks about the greatest challenge that women are often faced with in the agricultural field. In her interview she says, “We have to work twice as hard in our jobs then our male counterparts to prove ourselves.”

       I had the opportunity to work at a cooperative as a crop scout during my summer after graduating high school. Never have I ever had to prove myself as much as I had to during that summer.

      As both a recent high school graduate, and a woman, most farmers didn’t want to take my presence and crop reports seriously. Angie also says, “We have to continue to prove our abilities & to gain credibility.  In some cases this can take a little longer, but agriculture is changing there are more women getting involved in their family farm or seeking employment in agriculture.”

During that summer, I took farmers out to their fields, showed them my findings, and with hard work and communication earned the respect from them that I had longed for.

When I asked Angie what she believed the most important strength for a women interested in pursuing career was she responded, “The most important strength a woman needs to have in agriculture today is to be driven to succeed.  Your destiny & how you get there is up to you.  You have to believe in yourself & be confident.”

The world of agriculture is becoming more diverse every day with new technologies and high demand for people in the industry. I am looking forward to once again work in the agricultural field this summer, and follow in Angie’s footsteps as a Dekalb and Asgrow Row Crop Seed Sales Intern in Grand Island Nebraska. Being 6 hours away from home will be a new experience for me! 

Going to school only an hour away from home, and this summer living
six hours away will be a new experience for myself! 

I know there are many challenges ahead of me, but with the guidance from people like Angie, I know I have the power to do great things as a woman in  agriculture!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight! -Proverbs 3:5-6