Meet our Pig Farming Experts

Happy National Ag week!  It's nice to see all of my farmer friends taking the time to talk about how much they love agriculture with their friends.  People really seem to be into it this year, and a lot of stories are being shared.

(Ag story: wait until it's a bit drier to get in the field.)

This week on our farm we had one of our consultant's visit.  His name is Al, and he has spent is whole working life in the pork industry.  He comes through our farm about once a month, often with our other consultant Dale, and they look at all of our pigs, making suggestions on everything from feeding to handling to maintenance.  Al works closely with our vet, and with the people that sell us breeding stock in order to help us make the best decisions for the farm.  Dale really takes interest in pig structure and genetics, and helps us select the right animals for our system.  These two consultants have practical experience and industry connections, helping us to solve any problems we may have.  They also give us valuable outside information.  Sometimes you can look at things every day, but not actually see the problem.  Dale and Al keep us in check.

In addition to our consultants, we work with two vets.  One vet is a local large animal vet, and he visits each of our farrowing farms (where the piglets and mamas are) once a month to do a general health check-up.  He works closely with our other vet, who is a swine vet.  The swine vet doesn't make it out to the farm as often, but he is only a phone call away for any help that we need.  Our local vet takes care of us in emergencies, and helps us with diagnostics on a regular basis.  We are lucky to have two vets that can work so closely together and help our farm.

Besides these visits, our management team meets once a month in order to discuss all of the information that the consultants and vets give us.  This helps hold the whole team accountable on the changes we have decided to make, as well as make sure that we are all on the same page.  We also chat on a daily basis to make sure we are accomplishing the things we intended.  There are still things we miss, but working together makes a difference.

Keeping the communication flowing from top to bottom is one of the harder jobs on the farm.  Even a small change has 10 people working on it, and easily 10 another people having to implement it.  No one person on the farm is an expert on everything, nor should they be.  Farmer's generally don't make changes to their farming practices without talking to an expert.  We don't want to do anything that will harm the animals, the land, or the farm family.  Not every decision is the right one; not every change is positive, but we move forward with the information we have and keep trying to improve.  That is a huge part of any farm story.

5 Things I learned from the Michigan Young Farmer Leaders Conference

Visiting the Traverse City Coast Guard with Michigan Farm Bureau (Photo Credit: Michigan Farm Bureau)

Over the weekend I attended the Michigan Farm Bureau's Young Farmer Leaders Conference.  These types of conferences are pretty general when it comes to farming information; instead the focus is on leadership, business, marketing, and personal development for farmers age 18-35.   Roughly 300 farmers attend the event each year, for a weekend of learning and networking.  Coming away from the conference this year I have five "bits of wisdom" to share, along with one personal story.

5. Farming is a family affair.  I have been to a few professional conferences by now, and I have never been to any conference besides a farming one where husbands, wives, and children are all learning together.  Sitting at a random lunch table, Every person at the table asks about the spouse and children of the person next to them (if they aren't also at the table).  It's not just to be polite, it is genuine interest.  Each year attending the conference I make more connections, talk to more people, and I learn more about the different farm families.  Farms are family businesses, even if one or more people in the family don't work on the farm as their full time job.

4. We want acceptance.  A big topic of any farming conference now is how to talk to people about farming.  Farmers are trusted, but farming as an industry is not.  People are so far removed from what farming is, and they tend to be more than skeptical about many farming practices.  Speaker Michele Payn-Knoper pulled many people out of the audience and asked them if they think communicating directly with consumers is important; all of them answered yes.  When she then asked if they would go home and start talking to people, most of the farmers said they weren't sure.  This isn't something farmers want to do.  It is scary to start a conversation with someone you don't know about your business. It is awful to put yourself out there and have somebody tear you down because they don't like the decisions you have made on your farm, decisions that 100% were made with the best intentions regarding, health, safety, and yes, our personal farm profitability.  Keeping the farm going is what keeps our families going.  We want to share our stories with the world, but we want to find people accepting and willing to listen; the same things we need to be when people do come to us.

3. Size doesn't matter. Farms of all shapes and sizes are important to filling the food demands.  Large farms and small farms have benefits for consumers, and both are needed in order to give people the options they are looking for. Conventional, organic, and local all have a place at the table.  Almost every industry has businesses operating under all different types of models.  Those differences give consumers choices.  It isn't about who is "just in it for the money." I don't know a single farmer who is farming just for a paycheck.  I wouldn't wish it on anyone to have a career or a lifestyle where they can't fully exercise their passion.

2. People are the most important.  Food isn't really about just filling our bodies.  For many of us, the dinner table is a time for connection.  We get together and have large meals with our families.  We care about what we put in because we want to get the best out.  Even though the conversations about food can be uncomfortable, I need to listen and participate.  It isn't about raising corn, wheat, cows, chickens, vegetables, or fruits.  It's about providing for our families and bringing people together.  I feel that the pigs we raise on our farm are the best thing that I can give my own family, and I need consumers to feel the same way.  If it isn't good for both of us, then it's not going to be sustainable.

1. We need to define ourselves by what we can do and don't let what we can't do stop us.  This final point is where things start to get a bit personal, and maybe that is why it is resonating with me more than any other part of the conference.  The keynote speaker, Steve Gilliland, did his talk on how to move through life with purpose, passion, and pride.  He mentioned if we focus on what we can't do, there will be many things that stand in our way- including other people who will try to define who we are.  Steve instead directed us to put effort into developing what we can do, in order to find happiness and success.

Mathieu after finishing his first Au Sable River Canoe Marathon (Photo Credit: Caleb Casey)

Now for the personal part. I don't usually put much on here about what I do outside of farming, so for those of you that don't know, I spend quite a bit of my free time marathon canoe racing.  Like the farming community (although considerably smaller), the paddling community is small and tight knit.  On Friday, Mathieu- French Canadian paddler and a friend was involved in a terrible logging accident (he is a lumberjack).  By the time I was sitting in the conference on Sunday, he had learned that he would probably live the rest of his life unable to walk. This is devastating news for anyone, especially so for someone as young and active as Mathieu.  As I was sitting in the crowd listening to Steve speak, I could only think how Mathieu's life is going to change, and how he will need to focus on the positive things that he can do in order to find happiness.

The paddlers have really rallied around Mathieu and his family in the last few days, and have started a collection in order to help with his expenses on the road to recovery.  While maybe this won't matter to any of my readers, if you feel like helping him out on his journey, visit http://www.gofundme.com/mzf674 and make a donation.  Every little bit helps, and this is something that we all can do.

New Year, New Office, New Plan

Big and exciting things have happened on the farm this week.... our office addition is ready for move-in!!  In April of last year we decided to expand the office (there were more people than desks) and after all of the delays due to rain on foundation pouring days, harvest, illnesses, hunting season, and all the other things that can go wrong on a construction project, we are finally starting to get settled.  The window trim still needs to go up, and a few other odds and ends, but I now have my own desk to work at, so I am not complaining.

(My new desk, complete with a kitty house... not quite put away yet)

The other big project I personally have been working on is the siting plan for our new inside gestation barn we are hoping to put up this spring.  Friday I was able to send the plan into the state, and it was so relieving to have that project off of my shoulders.  For anyone unfamiliar with the siting requirements in Michigan, livestock farmers have a set of guidelines for building a new livestock facility, or expanding an old one.  We are actually reducing the number of animals on the farm, but the siting plan process is a really thorough way to check for potential problems.  The plan must include all items off of a 4 page checklist (and it's really tiny print!) in order for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) to review the request and approve the site.

(Siting plan complete!)

When making the plan, I have to figure out what the impact of the building will be on the land as far as erosion, soil types, nutrient analysis, and possible crop farming uses.  I then review the impact on the watershed, wetlands, rivers, streams, drains, storm waters, and well records and maps.  Odor and manure management make up about half of the plan requirements, with a wind odor print taken to make sure the barn won't create too much stink for the neighbors ("too much"  is odor that can be smelled more than 5% of the time, or 18 days a year).  In the manure management portion, I look at the amount of farmland we have to utilize the manure as fertilizer, and see if the new facility can work into our system,  This is one of the most important parts of the plan for the farm to use.  I also submit an engineer's blueprint and a outline of current utilities on the property, so MDARD can analyze construction plans and placement decisions.  I work with the local zoning officials in the township to figure out further permitting that I will need.

This isn't just something for hog farms, but any livestock farms.  It isn't optional.  It is a lot of work, but it gives farmers protection and shows that we are following the rules.  It gives us guidelines for working with neighbors. We are doing our homework, checking our lists, and having conversations about conservation and our environment.

The Farming Tradition

A couple of months ago, I was contacted to speak out my local township watch meeting.  Our township has a local business owner, resident, or expert give a presentation each month about something going on in our community.  The township decided to have me come to speak about my family farm.  I was not really looking forward to the presentation, but I knew it is an important opportunity to be in the community, and create a dialogue with my neighbors.  I am not necessarily afraid of public speaking, but I am always nervous that I won't be as prepared as I should be.

My grandparents are part of the township watch, and were very excited to have my speak to the group.  Grandpa used to be the master of the slideshow, always eager to show off the accomplishments he has made on the farm.  Now he has passed the task on to me, and while I have changed the show a little bit, I still like to use many of his old slides.

The farm just after Grandpa and Grandpa fixed it up in 1975.  

I think it is a little different now than it used to be when Grandpa did his presentations.  He always boasted about the new technology, the mechanization, and the expansion of the farm.  He is proud that our business was able to grow from one barn in his backyard, into one of the more successful farms in the state.  I am always a little bit apprehensive showing off our business acumen, since most people would rather believe that everything was still in the backyard.  I put more emphasis on community, and public works, and not quite so much on the hogs.  The audience has changed, from neighborhood farmers, to just neighbors.  They still have to put up with the big machinery, the funny smells, and occasional pig escapes, but they don't always see it as an economic or community benefit that our neighbors used to see. 

My presentation went fine, and I was able to meet some more faces in my community, answer a few questions, and even invite some people out for a farm tour.  Our door is always open to our neighbors, they just have to ask. People seemed pretty engaged, and were definitely excited about things we are doing to manage our environmental impact, as well as improve our animal care. We are proud of the farm, just as Grandpa and Grandma are, and we want to show people that we can be a big farm and a good neighbor.  

The most surprising thing of the whole evening,  was when the neighbor smack-dab in the middle of our farmland raised his hand and commented to the whole group, that he had never known a more caring family or business in the community, than our farm family.  He couldn't imagine having better neighbors, or a business that chose to do more for the people that supported it.  He was pleased with our animal care, and our manure management, as well as our scholarships, school trip funding, and Christmas hams.  He was glad to see that our family tradition was continuing on to the next generation, and  I think Grandpa and Grandma were most proud of that.  

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.

Are you talking to a Farmer?

There are a lot of people talking about food, generating conversation, and taking interest in how we get from the farm to the table.  We talk about what it means for health, for the environment, for the economy.  We spend some time preaching, some defending, and some pointing the finger.  Often times I hear that "real farmers" like myself are good at what they do, but "cooperate farmers," a category I also fall under,  are the bad guys.  For most farmers throughout the country, we can easily fall into both categories.  People have a hard time identifying a farmer at times, and there are some dead giveaways to let you know that you have a farmer in your midst.  

1.  Plaid/checkered shirt.  It's a must.  The farmer's uniform.  Daily wear with jeans, all other occasions with a nice pair of khakis.  If you went to a farm show, 95% of the farmers would be in some form of this outfit.

2. Work boots.  We wear them everywhere.  Yes, there is a farm pair, a day pair, and a "dress-up" pair.  This designation is given by how long the boots have been out of the box.

3. Preoccupation with weather.  All farmers, be it crops, livestock, indoor or outside facilities, we are all worried about the weather.  Rain, wind, cold, or heat effect the growing cycle not only of the crops, but also of the animals.

4.  Family.  If you meet a farmer, you don't just see him or her.  You will also meet, the spouse, the children and/or parents.  We work together, we live together, we travel together.  We are close, and we are a team.

5.  Community Involvement.  For all the talk of farmers keeping their heads in the sand when it comes to issues, we spend a lot of time and money in our communities.  We vote.  We fund schools, post-prom trips, libraries, roads, and community activities.  We want to not only produce for our tables, but give back to those who put up with our manure hauling, road-blocking ways.  Community is something most farmers take pride in.

6. University Involvement.  Farmers are educated, probably more so than would be expected.  We have Alma Maters, which we will show unwavering support.  We value the resources they provide, working closely with extension agents to implement better management practices and technologies.  And we love to support the football, basketball, and livestock judging teams, among others at the university level.

Once you have identified your farmer, ask him a little about the land, or the livestock.  One who may have seemed quite or reserved just a minute ago will open up to share his life's work.  You will soon be able to tell that his pride is what's on your plate.

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.  

Action

It's been awhile, and while I don't like to make excuses, I had a valid reason for neglecting my blog- I got married about two weeks ago.  I will readily admit that my online presence was substantially diminished, but that it was not the only thing to suffer.   Now that I am back in the swing of real life I hopefully can become a more consistent writer.

Last weekend I was at Kettle bell class, (for those of you who don't know, a kettle bell is a weight that looks similar to a bowling ball with the handle on the top for swinging)  and I was reading the motivational quotes on the wall.  Most of the time I am not really into that sort of thing, but I needed something to keep my mind off the idea of doing a few hundred squats, so I chose the quote wall as a distraction.  The poster that really resonated with me stated "Be the change you wish to see in the world."

I see things that I don't like about farming, in practice, in portrayal, and in theory. Areas where improvements can be made and opportunity for success is real. Yet day-in and day-out, I don't really make many positive steps towards change.  I write on occasion, and I think about different things I would like to see, and the direction I want my business to grow, but they are just thoughts and dreams.  I could blame my lack of motivation on my support system, my comfort level, my fear of failure or my confusion in the duties of my own job, but really all of these problems stem from me not taking the needed initiative.   I  can see that at my current phase, I am not doing anything to make my farm better, I am just maintaining the same level.  It is difficult to get ourselves to make a change.  It takes weeks to make something a habit, and sometimes years to make it come naturally.

This isn't just a problem I can have on the farm, but also in other areas of life.  We all have probably gone through a "rut,"  where it seems like we are making no progress.  Either we need to change our focus, or figure out what our goals are and take action to attain them.  Over the next few weeks, I hope to make some posts about some of my goals, and what I am doing now to reach them. I want to be accountable.  I want to work through and have success because I provided for it, not because someone else is carrying me.  I think often on the farm, those of the younger generation do allow themselves to be carried, since they did not put in the legwork to get the farm up and running.  I don't want to be part of that trend.

Dream Big

The pork industry and the larger agriculture industry are approaching a make-or-break moment.  Our customers are changing; information from all sides is more available, yet as a group we are afraid of the knowledge sharing.  We don't want attention from the outside, we don't want to stand out, we don't want to be talked about.

At a conference last week with other producers, I realized many of us saw each other as competition, while not false, our biggest competitors in the future may not be the other farmers around us.  Our collective farmer dream is to somehow grow to be the largest, or produce the "best" pork possible.  These are lofty goals, but may not lend themselves to the changing market. Maybe our goal should be to be the smartest in our industry, or even across industries.  Value creation for our businesses lies in the ability of producers to get food to consumers in a way that lasting connections between seller and buyer are made; relationship creation.  We should dream of being a leader in business, not just a leader in pork.  We can inspire others with our innovation and our ability to shape our collective future.  By making some changes now, and putting ourselves out there for consumers, we can bring back our relevance, and grow our public perception, areas where we are now clearly lacking.

Many of us complain how disconnected our consumers are from production.  Public education on food issues is at the top of our to-do list.  At the same time, we need to see that in the meantime, we have to appease the consumer we have.  The one who doesn't understand what we do, or why we do it.  This consumer still makes the buying decision and we need to respect that.  By continuing to put our heads down and ignore changes, we will only go down the roads of irrelevance and public mistrust at a faster rate.  Moving fast in the wrong direction will only lead to demise.  If we won't make changes to our production systems, someone else who isn't emotionally attached to the way we do business will.  They will see the opportunities we are ignoring and take advantage of them.  In a way, the pork industry is a sitting duck for competition, but we have all the knowledge, experience, and tools to successfully manage a strategic change.  We can't ignore the problem of animal welfare.  We should dream big and strive to be the solution.

Often times as farmers, we try to hide in the woodwork.  We feel being individually noticed and recognized is a negative.  In actuality, putting ourselves out in the public, will probably save us from scrutiny.  If we can be open and honest, people will feel we have nothing to hide.  If have transparency, we are delivering something that consumers will value.  We are creating a place of trust.  

Changing Roles

This time of year is a busy one on the farm.  People are switching from maintenance odd jobs to field work, and filling in for others during harvest and hunting seasons.  Everything needs to be winterized, repaired, and bedded for the cooler weather.  The heaters are put on and plugged in again.  The corn dryer is serviced, and the bins are cleaned and swept, awaiting the new crop.

Tuesday, we also underwent the changing of our government, with the national, state, and local election.  Even though we now have the same president, his role has changed from a new upstart making inroads in world of politics, to a seasoned veteran leader.  He is now unafraid of the repercussions of his decisions with regard to the electoral college.  Compromise and collaboration now become possible in his eyes, as he ultimately will not have to answer to the voters again.  He is looking to move forward.  The republican candidate has gone from a high profile politician, back to a business and family man. 

In my job, I have transitioned into less of a secretary, and more of a vital decision maker.  I have spent one year on the job, and am beginning to have a better grasp of what I am facing.  I can see the merits and pitfalls my education has given me.  I am in a period of adjustment, gathering my tools and resources; putting them to use in new combinations.

As an industry, agriculture is in the process of changing roles.  It is moving towards a period of openness and away from the recent years of perceived deceit.  Farmers are vocalizing their beliefs and showing the work they are doing to the public.  They are embracing technology, society, and the environment.  We are learning to work with what we have and defend our positions.  We are realizing that the bottom line is effected by public perception more strongly than it used to be.  We too, are moving forward.  

Summer Celebration

It's that time of year again!  The animals are being groomed, fresh produced being canned, pickled, and pruned, the title of best Michigan cherry pie is on the line yet again.  Of course it's fair season. 

As I spend my mornings on the farm, I see the fair as a bonding experience between the generations of farmers.  Grandfathers teach their granddaughters how to properly clip the hair on their show steer for beef club.  Mothers help their sons rehearse talent routines for the Fair King scholarship competition.  We all come together to celebrate the fruits of agriculture.

For kids, fair week is one of the most exciting of the summer.  They can show how much they have learned and grown, and how far hard work and dedication can go.  I remember going to friend's houses and seeing all their ribbons displayed prominently in their bedrooms.  A fair ribbon gives a sense of pride and accomplishment.  It doesn't come from being lucky, it comes from hard work and time spent on completing a goal.  These are the things that American Culture values.  With fewer and fewer people getting this type of exposure, are we willing to give up our core value of work ethic?

Now not every child is going to show in the fair, or like the fair.  I never did, but I understand that it is an important part of rural life.  I used to walk through the exhibits, taking in all the sights and sounds, and I was proud of my community, and the local 4-H.  We need to support those organizations around the agriculture community that support us and teach young people the benefits of hard work, leadership, and confidence in the show ring. 

Hog Production How-To?

There is a huge disconnect between consumers and producers.  Many consumers are emotional about their food choices, and use lobbyists and legislation to influence the production process.  Producers of course resist, because as the "experts" of animal production, they do not want to change to a process that may be more expensive.  There are things that we could change on the farm, and things that we will be forced to change. It's not being against gestation stalls, its about limiting the government's ability to regulate our production practices.  In a way, the buyers of pork are doing us a favor by not wanting to buy from farms with stalls.  If they didn't take a stand against it due to public pressure, the government would, and in some states has.  We need to have the self regulation when at all possible.

Even the type of regulation that could be handed down from the government could vary greatly.  In an article from the Pork Network titled Commentary: Who's in Charge of Animal Welfare, a recent amendment was made to the Farm Bill that would limit what types of laws states could make in regards to animal production.  Instead of enacting laws state-by-state, as HSUS currently lobbies to do, laws with have to be made federally, making universal standards for the whole country.  Federal laws are generally less efficient, but they also make the production much more cohesive across the country, all farms having the same restrictions to production.

Another area of concern is that our suppliers do not seem to grapple with the same brute force of public opinion as the swine industry does.  Pfizer, Merck, Bayer, Novartis, etc., supply us through our vets with pharmaceuticals and feed supplements,  seem to not realize that the food production system is under attack.  When they come into meetings and discuss new products, they do not talk about more consumer compliant options, or that antibiotic use could be limited.  They talk about products that will alter the biology of the animals in a way that makes the packers uncomfortable.  When producers ask questions about products and use with impending regulations, the companies don't seem to think of it as an issue, and quickly go back to promotion.  Maybe that is because the real money for them is in companion animal and human health areas, and we are just a segment to diversify the portfolio.  I don't blame these companies, as farmers are buying the products, but I wonder if they are only thinking in the short term.

I have a few vegan friends, most of which are not against meat, just the way it is produced.  In their vigor to cut out all things animal, they try to have no animal products used in any part of their lives.  Yet they drive cars, ride bikes, use make-up, write with pens, and wear screen printed clothing. 
People have this moral dilemma about using animals for nutrition; to sustain life.  They feel bad when they think about Fido and how nice he is.  They feel bad about making other things suffer.  It is a hard dilemma to overcome. 

I spent a long portion of some summers in Saskatchewan growing up, and that lead me to come to terms with the way we use animals to maintain ourselves.  It's the nature of the land, of the cycle, of the ecosystem.  We happen to find ourselves at the top of the food chain; we shouldn't feel bad about it.  At the same time, we can't allow wasteful usage of our resources to occur.  Each animal needs to be killed for a purpose.  We become more efficient in this way, and garner more respect from consumers for using all that we have been given.

A big obstacle is educating the consumer about where their food comes from, and some young farmers have been making inroads.  After the success of I'm Farming and I Grow It, another young man has taken to the Internet with some pop music with Farm It Maybe. Enjoy!

Excited for Ingenuity

While browsing through some articles of Ag News today I found this amazing story of a resourceful farm in Maine.  These types of things really make me proud of what I do, who my peers are, and what we can accomplish.

The article, Exeter farm uses poop to produce energy (very exciting name, I know)  goes into how a dairy farm in Maine has these "mixture vessels"  where they pump ALL the waste from the farm and then it produces gas, working a generator.  The farm only uses about 5% of the energy it produces, selling the rest to the electrical company.  Now that is some golden opportunity!

Not everyone can use this kind of system, and there may be something better out there.  The initial cost of the tanks is expensive, and I can't imagine its as easy as plugging filling the tanks with waste and letting it go, but it is possible to make improvements. 

We should be proud of the efficiency we are able to achieve.  By having people out there who are willing to take risks, we figure out how far we can go.  As producers, this is the type of thing we are capable of, and it is what we should expect from ourselves.

One theme I have stressed in many posts is representing farming to the consumers.  Recently, I have found a contest put on by the United States Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) called Faces of Farming and Ranching, which provides a great opportunity for us to gain access to the consumers, and take a prominent position in the dialogue.  The contest requires an entry form and a short video for entry, and allows us to really focus on why we do what we do.  Check out the other areas of the Food Dialogues website, as it is very insightful, particularly if you haven't had a chance to check it out before.

Agbusiness: Are your Employees Managing You?

With July fast approaching, I have begun to look at the evaluation papers that need to be distributed, I have been looking at some ways to improve our evaluation system.  In it's current form, the system is pretty basic, with six questions with answer options and then an explanation box where managers can rate their employees on a monthly basis.  The system isn't bad, but it could be improved a bit, to be more behaviorally based, and give a more balanced picture.

In order to improve upon what we already have, I have turned to some business standbys, because farms are small businesses, too.  In particular, I referred to Patrick Lencioni's Three Signs of a Miserable Job, a "Leadership Fable"  that tells how a manager works out a theory to motivate the people around him to care about their work.  Farmers care dearly for their businesses, but often run into a struggle because they can't lure the most desirable people with high salaries, flexible schedules, or sparkling benefits packages.  Those types of resources aren't very prevalent for our employees.  Upon reading Lencioni's book, I realized that while money is important, culture is a main factor in why successful people work in successful organizations.

When I think of farming business culture in general, I think of an older gentleman who tends to be hard working, stoic, and a bit tight lipped.  As businesspeople, we are not the best communicators.  We don't show appreciation for some of the intangibles that impact the way our businesses operate.  We tend to prepare for the worst, and show little faith in the people we surround ourselves with, except maybe a few family and friends.

What we don't realize is that we have the power to make people enjoy their work, feel challenged by it, and raise the standards of our businesses.  An article from National Hog Farmer, Engaging Your Employees, agrees that the way you handle employees determines how effective they will be in your business.  Many of the things we can do are so simple, and only cost a little extra time on the employer's end.

Get to know your employees.  Those that have a connection to the people they work with are more likely to show commitment to the business.  Know about their hobbies, kids, and family situation.  Let them know their work is relevant.  It may sound silly, but telling someone their work has made an impact on you, coworkers, customers, etc., shows that you notice and care.  It adds an extra connection to the business.  Human capital is a defining factor of business success.  Finally, give your employees tools to get feedback.  It's not just feedback on the balance sheet, or feedback from their boss, but things they can use as measures for success on a daily or weekly basis.  This gives employees control over their own performance, and increases the likelihood of retention.  On the farm we need to remember that creating these types of conversations will pay off, even though they are not on the balance sheet.

The New Farmer

I've been reading a lot lately about the new generation coming into the world of agriculture.  We tend to be more tech savvy, educated,  highly motivated, and low in resources.  Some new farmers have little or no farm background, but want to make a difference in the way we produce food.  We are more open to change, and are optimistic about the adversity we will face.  We realize that we have to work with the older generation and with our opponents, bridging the gap to create a system that we all can live with. 

Many of the older generation see the recent public interest in food production as a nuisance, a sort of snooping.  People want to have an input on things they don't really understand or know about.  They are influencing policy, but are not spending the time to do the research.  There are some farmers who just want to turn their heads the other way and keep working the land, raising the animals the same way they have done for a number of years.

We don't have that option any more, and we don't need it.  As an industry, we are lucky to have direct consumer feedback.  We provide a product, and people are looking for service.  They want to have input towards the process.  Any business manager wants to know that their product is satisfying the consumer needs, finding the areas where they could make improvement. We need to take the feedback and run with it.  Even though many are resistant, we can produce food however people want us to, but they have to realize that their is a cost.  That's why most farmers are afraid to make the jump to meet consumer demands.  For any young farmers willing to make changes, it will take small steps and steady work the ultimate goals of supporting family, while meeting consumer expectations.

It's What's on TV

A few days ago one of my high school classmates commented on her Facebook that she had watch a health documentary, and as a result will no longer be eating beef or pork.  All of my chicken and fish friends are probably happy to have gained some sales, but all joking aside this type of thinking is very alarming for us farmers.  It's the reason why we have been trying to convince people with a grassroots movement of open barn doors and open dialogue to trust American Agriculture. 

These sorts of comments really resonate with me, as for the past year I have only had pork and beef in my freezer.  I raise the pork myself, and one of the guys that works on the farm sells me a quarter steer each fall.  Not that I don't like the other meats, but my the time I empty my freezer, it is being filled again with more beef and pork.  I don't eat meat everyday, and I do balance in lots of veggies.  I try to eat whole grain and generally avoid carbonated beverages, alcohol, and other processed foods.  It's not that I believe I am eating better than others, or that my way is right, but it works for me.  I feel good, have great energy and enjoy my food along the way. 

The irony in all this to me, is that people see what's on TV and take it as absolute truth.  Even knowing the stories have a slant to them, people are influenced enormously.  Maybe I have been reading too many Dystopian novels lately, but it sounds a little bit like 1984 to me.  We spend hours a day in front of the TV, believing whatever propoganda is put out in front of us.  Do we consider the source? 

As a blogger and a farmer, I know that I have an angle.  I am trying to sell my product to support myself.  At the same time, I believe in what I produce.  I put my name on it.  I told my friend to come down to the farm any time she likes and see how we do it.  To ask questions and form her own opinion.  I won't be hurt if she decides not to eat pork or beef after that, because at least I have given her all I can to make a decision with both sides of the story presented.  Honestly, I know that there are things on the farm that could be better.  Things we are changing and will be changing in the future.  The industry will look different in ten years.  That's ok.  Farms are now looking at sustainablity as a piece of the business, along with responsibility.  We need to embrace the changes that are coming and be ready to innovate along with them, instead of wishing for the "good old days." 

Farm Women

Yesterday, I spent part of the day reading about the Centennial Development Project brief put out by the American Farm Bureau Federation.  I was lucky to participate in giving input at the Young Farmers & Ranchers conference in December, and I was eager to see what common themes came out of the conference, and what other people thought about where the Farm Bureau should be heading. 

One of the five major points drawn from the brief was getting rid of the Women's committee, or at least drastically changing its purpose.  I don't know how many of you have been to a Farm Bureau event, but I say it is about time!  Having attending 6 or 7 events in the last few years, the way older farmers, farm organizations, and even young farmers look at the place of women in agriculture truly disappoints me.  Women make up half of the Young Farmers in the Farm Bureau, but hold almost no leadership positions at the national level.  Many of the women want the positions, but can't find a way into the leadership.  Even the sessions at the Farm Bureau events are catered towards either men or women.  One of the recent conferences had a session about women and farm bookkeeping.  Talking to many of the farm women, I know we see ourselves having a much more active role in the business.

I'm not usually a big proponent of women's lib, but I began to notice how far our industry was behind the times when I was working in the mill.  Many of our raw ingredient suppliers would ask me if I had any brothers to run the farm, or if I was going to marry another local farmer in order to keep the business going.  I quickly informed them that I am capable of meeting the challenge of running the farm.  I couldn't believe that someone could see me as so incapable just because of my gender. 

The worst insult I received as a woman farmer was when I took my boyfriend to a county Farm Bureau event, exactly one week after he started to work on the farm.  We sat at a table with people I had seen at events my whole life, who knew my family, and knew about our farm.  When they started to ask questions about harvest, they ignored my responses, and quickly began quizzing my boyfriend.  He was at a complete loss and tried to defer to me, but the other farmers had absolutely no interest in what I had to say. 

I'm not saying that everything has to be equal for women, or that equality equals fairness.  I just want to be able to take part in the conversation, and have a place at the table.  If people within our industry won't take women seriously, how will the people in the greater community view us?  Human capital is one of the most valuable assets a company can have, so why are farmers throwing half of their resources out the window?