Post
Focus on all consumers, not just those in cities
Commentary
The USDA ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ initiative emphasizes the need for a fundamental and critical reconnection between producers and consumers. I believe that reconnection is critical to the future of agriculture in the United States of America. USDA’s initiative focuses on local and regional food systems – which I believe to be limiting, considering the size and scope of modern agriculture and the sheer numbers of people to be fed – but it is a good start.
There is an underlying assumption that the consumers with whom farmers should be reconnected live in Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C. and other cities across America. It is my belief that farmers need to cover home base first. You must reconnect with neighbors in those towns and communities outside of metropolitan areas. Many people in agricultural areas have a misperception about what is being done on farms in their own communities.
I recently penned a column suggesting that it is unacceptable for an animal rights organization (specifically Humane Society of the United States) to propose standards for the care of animals when the organization does not own or operate a single animal shelter or pet adoption facility. I suggested that it is a violation of our Constitution to interfere in a person’s right to run a business, specifically forbidding an American citizen ownership of a set amount of legal property. I was referring to dogs, which apparently did not set well with a whole lot of people. I expected that. I didn’t expect to hear from so many women raised on farms, married to farmers, with children and grandchildren farming, to voice – quite angrily in some cases – such disagreement with me.
One woman wrote, “There needs to be a group that monitors and helps these animals. I applaud their efforts. Yes, there are some small groups that are radical, but I bet if you took the time and made an effort to learn about all the good things they accomplish, your negative views might change”
This woman lives on a farm where livestock is raised, yet she is telling me that she believes HSUS accomplishes good things. She also thought my column should not have been approved for placement in this paper.
I received another letter this week in response to a radio commentary program. This woman wrote:
“While I am not a farmer or rancher, nor do I work in agriculture, I am a consumer. I have to disagree with the thought that livestock producers know best about raising and taking care of animals.”
She referenced video she had seen of animal abuse on both dairy and poultry farms and told me that she no longer eats eggs or chicken and that her daughters and grandchildren are following in her footsteps.
This woman does not live in a big city, she lives in a town in central Illinois in a county well-known for corn and soybean production and processing.
I am grateful to both of these women and the numerous others who email me everyday, voicing concern and asking questions. By writing to me, they open the door for dialogue. I have the opportunity to present facts to them and explain that although there are bad actors in agriculture, most of us are pretty good stewards of the land, air, water and livestock under our care.
Friends, I’m asking you to step up the plate and reconnect with a consumer in your local community. Strike up a conversation when you are in the waiting room at the dentist’s office, waiting in line for a prescription at the drug store or dropping off mail at the post office. Talk to your friends and ask them to do the same. And if you are one of those bad actors, you need to change your ways or get out of the industry.
The future of agriculture in this country is in your hands.
Tags: Consumer Issues, food safety, Illinois, Missouri
I want to thank you Cyndi. I enjoy your articles very much and agree with pretty much all you write. When I ran across your articles I finaly thought a voice for all of animal agriculture. I am a farm girl, born and raised one. I married a farm boy. We have been farming all of our lives and we are both in our 40’s. I am just sickened by what is happening to the animal agriculture community. I have been trying to get the word out for 2 months on the threat from HSUS. I have been to sale barns, feed stores, vet clinics and have even went so far as to start calling strangers on the phone. It amazes me that people do not know what is going on here. I have spoke to my senator, state rep and a lawyer. From all I have been told people had better take time to read the fine print of the petition being circulated. This threat is on all of animal agriculture now. Not maybe someday in the future. And to throw the licensed breeders to the wolves because a certain organization has been painting them in a bad light in the main stream media amazes me. Have people not noticed the cow with mad cow disease tacked on to the end of their adds? That sure is not there by accident. You can rest assured the dog breeders might be the first target but they sure won’t be the last. Farming is a hard life. We all work 7 days a week rain or shine. Sick or healthy we do not get the luxury of a day off. Always our animals needs come before our own. I must say it is a low paying job for the amount of time/effort put forth. People do it because they love it, because it is our roots, our heritage. It is very disheartening to see so many consumers have such a low opinion of the people who work so hard to provide them with the safest food source in the world. I see a change coming. I am afraid it is not for the better. If the HSUS gets their way I will be anxious to see the consumers reaction to rising food costs.