Tell your story
John Schlageck
Originally published 09:05 a.m., October 27, 2007
Updated 09:05 a.m., October 27, 2007
While visiting with farmers across the state during the last few weeks, one successful producer said it best when we visited about his profession’s obligation to provide the public with an understanding of agriculture.
“Helping consumers understand agriculture is vital to my success, my community, the future of agriculture and the high-quality, low-cost food Americans enjoy.”
How do farmers help consumers understand their profession?
It begins with the commitment to tell their side of the story whenever and wherever the opportunity presents itself. Whether farmers are talking to grade schoolers, members of service clubs or state legislators, they must practice the art of relationship building between the rural and urban, between agricultural production and consumption of agricultural products.
Today, most consumers are at least one or two generations removed from the farm. But just about everyone has a lawn, garden or shrubbery. These same consumers enjoy, and some cherish, their ties to a father or grandfather who tilled the soil.
How do you initiate a conversation about farming?
It’s easy to find a common denominator with urban cousins. Begin by noting the fertilizer they buy for their garden or lawn is no different from what you, as a farmer, put on your wheat or corn. The rose dust, herbicide or insecticide used to control scab, dandelions or mosquitoes is similar to the plant protection chemicals you use.
Sometimes the common denominator can revolve around nutrition. A good analogy might be the parallel between a person’s need for healthy food and a plant’s need for a well-balanced diet.
It’s easy to move from nutrition to some of the more difficult challenges facing agriculture. One such hot topic is groundwater contamination.
Today, many people are concerned about chemical run off into lakes, rivers and streams. As a farmer, you cannot afford to overuse these expensive products. Let them know that you, more than anyone else, are concerned about the land where you and your family live and work.
Public understanding of how a modern farmer runs his operation is only half of the challenge. Perhaps equally important is the need to be sensitive to the concerns of the community.
Remember that people, most of them living in towns or cities, are the ones who call for regulations and new laws. It is this public that will enforce them. In the end, ironically, it is the public that will suffer if the laws have a negative effect on our food production and consumption system.
And remember, who knows more about farming than you do. You live this profession every day. You and your family depend on your knowledge and expertise of agriculture.
You must become a spokesperson for your industry. You can bet an autoworker, seamstress or stockbroker do not have the expertise or time to talk about agriculture. If they talk about any subject it will probably be related to what they know about — their own profession.
In Kansas and other states across the country, farming is a proud and cherished lifestyle. It is also the number one industry in Kansas.
Be proud of your profession and your heritage. Whenever and wherever, don’t forget to tell your story.
F John Schlageck is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas.