Acceptance

We have all been in a position where someone has made us feel like our viewpoint isn't valid.  With the current climate towards conventional farming, it is easy to feel like we are backed into a corner by negative attitudes.  When talking to people outside of the industry, it is difficult to feel understood.  The trust just isn't there sometimes. 

Many of us have probably experienced these problems, but I definitely feel it when my two worlds meet.  I spend 8 hours of my days in agriculture, and another 8 hours eating and exercising.  The people from the first area usually aren't found in my kettle bell and yoga classes, nor out on the river canoeing, or an the running/biking trails.  I'm not saying that farmers are in bad physical condition, they just usually don't spend a majority of their free time on this sort of thing.  The athletic community prides themselves on taking care of their bodies, and living healthy lives; healthy lives that have a healthy opinion on food production.

I belong to two different groups that handle the issue of food completely differently.  One is a local gym, another an online fitness community with over a million members.  The local gym advocates heavily for government regulation on anything agriculture, has a healthy distrust of meat products, gluten, and anything without an organic label.  They vehemently oppose GM technology and advertise this viewpoint. Little do they realize that roughly 1/3 of the regular clientele are in agriculture.  Many of the clients are uncomfortable with the views of the gym, but feel uneasy saying anything because there isn't much else for exercise in the surrounding areas.  The gym comes from a very defensive and negative place, often touting superiority when it comes to nutrition.  

The online community has a very different standard.  They are free, and provide many recipes, a nutrition and fitness tracking tool on their website.  They do not push any viewpoints on nutrition, other than everything in moderation.  The online community comes from a very positive place, and members discuss food in a truly interactive way.  This online community probably has much more riding on people living healthy lifestyles and making smart decisions than the gym does, yet it doesn't pressure people into mistrusting their food.  It does not blame GM for weight gain, or laziness, or allergies, nor does it tout organic as the only viable option. Health-wise, it is a welcoming community, acknowledging that some choose to have certain dietary restrictions, but not forcing those choices on the rest of the community.  There is support for all different types of eaters, exercisers, and thinkers.

When comparing these two "spaces," we can see rather obviously which one we would rather join.  More people are drawn to positive places and conversations than to the negative ones.  We want acceptance of where we are at, and what we believe.  When we as farmers go out and talk to the community, we will have more of an impact if we look for friendship instead of fights.  We still hold our beliefs near and dear, but we don't need to defend them like a starving dog does a steak.  Being kind, listening, and creating a dialogue will gain much more support and acceptance.