An Anomaly: the Agriculture Optimist

Happy New Year!  It's finally getting cold around the farm and while we don't have snow right now, we are running into the typical winter problems with housing the sows outside.  Putting straw in the sow huts outside is a weekly activity, and frozen water bowls are something to look out for.  Friday we had a breaker that kept blowing and shutting off the water bowl heater, so Dad and I went over to thaw one it out (Dad did most of the fixing, I was emotional support).  The sows were sure happy to see us!

(The orange juice container had hot water to thaw the frozen heaters. The mud is from the Michigan freeze/thaw winter.)

While we were out fixing heaters, I was really enjoying my day.  I love going around the farm and looking at things.  I love seeing the people and the animals.  I love actually being able to see the difference we make every day.  Most of my friends don't have jobs where they get to see the whole supply chain of their industry.  I get to see the pigs from birth to market (and even into bacon or ham), I see the crops go from seeds to feed, and I get to see how our part time help grows from young high school kids with no plans to responsible adults with a passion for their prospective careers, even if it's not on the farm.  Farms are just a good place for things to grow.  

What I never see on the farm, but always deal with when talking about it is the politics of farming.  Maybe farms have done it to themselves, but I don't see how my life can be such a big political issue.  Some people think I am "brainwashed" by "Big Ag", not able to learn the "real" methods of agriculture.  Others feel that I am "oppressed" by the way things are in the industry, that I don't have choices or channels to make my farm the best it can be.  I like that people are talking about farming.  I love that we have research on what we grow.  I know these things can help us improve, that new methods and technology will develop from these conversations.  I only want the cynicism to subside on both sides, trust to flourish, and real listening to occur.  On both sides.  Farmers need to be open, honest and vulnerable.  Consumers need to be the same.  We aren't going to agree all of the time, but the mutual respect needs to be there.  It's the way we can move forward for the betterment of all.  I am tired of seeing people fighting back an forth about the "right" way.  We aren't listening, just throwing around the ideology that sounds best at the moment.

While I want to talk about the hard questions of agriculture, I want to stay an optimist.  I love what I do, I love the animals, and I see any challenges as an opportunity to do something great.  I have found through my own experiences, that most people are good people. I have faith that we can make ag better, we only have to try.

Storyteller

Last night, I was up working on a presentation about how farmers can use the internet to connect with consumers.  It is I believe strongly in, and although it is awkward to start putting yourself out there for the world to see and judge, it has been a completely positive experience for me.  It allows me to tell my side of the story to a broad audience, not just the people I see every day.  On top of that, I have the opportunity to gain confidence and learn about what people from different backgrounds think about farming.  Some is negative, and some is positive, but people generally like farmers and generally mistrust the industry.  

When I was writing the presentation, the real goal is to get people to educate about agriculture.  To have understanding between those who produce and those who consume.  Farmers often shy away from the public relations side of their businesses because it is a soft skill, not something that can really be added to the net income, although it does seem more than happy subtract. As an individual person, a farmer doesn't realize how far their voice can reach.  And we need to take the initiative to do it.  

Only about 2% of the US workforce is in agriculture.  That means at least 98% of the population does not have hands on experience of what it is like to be on a farm.  But 100% of the people have an opinion about it.  The first place they look for information is the internet.  And the first articles that come up on the search engine about "Where my food comes from?"  aren't always the ones that contain the most factual information.  Basically, if we aren't telling our story, someone else is more than happy to do it for us.  We won't have a say in how it unfolds, who are the heroes, and who are the villains.

We need to be honest about our position, and our shortcomings.  I don't think anyone would say farming is perfect, all technology is good, and that there is no room for improvement.  But as farmers, we do the best we can with the information we have.  A lot of good has come from changes we have made to satisfy consumers in the past, and we must be willing to make more changes in the future.  We aren't necessarily farming like our grandparents did, "uphill in the snow, both ways" but sure aren't farming like our children will be either.  We can't get too attached to present situations and prevent our story from moving forward.  We have made so much progress in production, and we are capable of making similar progress in public relations.  All we need to do is get started.   

Learning to Do

Driving by my local high school this morning, I saw the electronic banner running through the theme days of National FFA week.  The perennial favorite, "Drive Your Tractor to School Day" was on Thursday, but today we were lucky enough to get a visit from a National Officer.  I remember fondly my time in the FFA program.  I learned how to write a resume, competently handle a job interview, ask tough questions, and connect with people from different backgrounds.  I learned respect for my peers, and the value in ceremony and order.  I learned about all sorts of agriculture opportunities.  I served as an officer and mentor.  I received awards for my accomplishments, and even scholarships.  With my last active FFA event, I received my American Degree and I am proud to be one of the few that have received this honor; I find it a bittersweet climax to my experience with the organization.

Now a graduate, I have paid my Alumni dues and try to attend meetings and luncheons as often as I can.  I like to work with the new kids coming up, learning the same lessons I did, gaining confidence and knowledge with each new project they tackle.  I like hearing about the innovation of the students just a few years younger than myself.  I celebrate their successes.  I do all I can to offer my support to an organization that has given me so much.

A few weeks ago, my sister was filling out a college application, and she had to write an essay on diversity.  How was she different, and what perspective could she bring to the table.  When I was in the same situation years ago I struggled with the question, but now I realize that coming from a small town with an agriculture background, I had a completely different perspective than most of my classmates.  I know what it was like to work outside, with my hands, with animals.  I no longer take that for granted, and I urge others in my same position to realize how rare our experience are.  We need to do all we can to let our voice be heard.  As a group, farmers need to have a positive voice towards youth, and FFA is a great way for us to do that.  Even if you weren't a member in high school, you can still give back and support agriculture education.  It benefits the kids and it supports continuity for our lifestyle.

At my county's Farm Bureau membership kickoff, I talked with my district representative about the value of agriculture education in high schools.  He asked me about the local FFA program, and I told him how the school is always trying to cut it, but the farmers vote in favor of school millage's  turn out at school board meetings, and generally support the community, so every year it is spared. He then told me to work with the FFA adviser to figure out how much income agriculture generates for our school district and the local economy.  That got me thinking, we don't even let our neighbors know how important our business really is in the small communities.  We need to think about it, be proud of it, and show our schools how important it is for communities and farmers to work together.

Countless Opportunities

Yesterday, I went to my local chapter's FFA Alumni meeting.  It was pretty standard fare, sparsely attended, but everyone there is eager to help the kids and really had a passion for the work of the FFA in general.  We talked about the kids we are sponsoring to attend National Convention, and the other fall conferences, and we were decidedly disappointed at the lack of participation for National Convention this year.  Kids either couldn't come up with the small sum of money they have to pay, didn't fill out the forms, or simply were not old enough to be eligible to attend, due to the Chapter limiting attendance to upper classmen. 

It's hard for me to see the program struggle, as it meant so much to me as a student.  I spent hours memorizing speeches, learning my officer position duties and stations, perfecting my resume, and filling out award applications. I learned about agriculture, but I also learned practical life skills. Out of everything I did in high school, my time in the FFA helped me the most through college.  I knew how to present myself publicly, how to write an engaging speech, and how to plan large projects and events so they would go smoothly.  Out of all of my schooling since then, I still feel these skills may be some of the most important.

One thing that can sadly be common in my community is the lack of support from other local businesspeople and farmers who do not support our youth learning through FFA.   They believe that because it isn't an "academic" area, it isn't as important as other higher learning programs.  Some farmers see it as a waste of time, and don't encourage their kids to get involved.  I feel frustrated because it is an easy way for agriculture to connect with the community.  In our town, the FFA hosts a pancake brunch, with hundreds of people in attendance.  It's a great opportunity to connect with people who don't see agriculture in their daily lives.  With more people becoming separated from the farm everyday, this connection time is increasingly valuable.  I encourage all farmers to get involved with the youth in their communities, helping them to learn about things that happen on the farm.  Whether its through 4-H, FFA, Ag in the Classroom, or any other type of community outreach, it will be worth the time you put in.