We are living in a time our ancestors would scarcely recognize. We have an abundance of choices in every aspect of our lives. Whether it’s making purchases for our dairy operation, buying a new vehicle, or deciding on what kind of clothing we want to wear, the list of choices is endless. How this abundance is produced and made available to everyone, however, tends to be a mystery to the consumer.
Since only about 2% of the population are farmers, 98% of people in America don’t have first-hand experience of where and how agricultural goods are produced. This means today’s farmers have a tremendous opportunity to provide positive education to the rest of the population. In news articles, blogs, social media posts, etc., we already see how many businesses within the agricultural sector are opening their doors to their customers and consumers. More so than ever, dairy farmers are giving tours and are happy to provide some insight into how they produce what ends up on the dinner table.
MoDak Dairy near Goodwin reopened its doors to the public on
Saturday, June 12, a return of a nearly annual tradition at the dairy to hold open houses.
Photo taken June 12, 2021. (Michelle Rook / Agweek)
Still, however, it takes a collective group to make a positive impact in providing education. With enough farmers willing to put themselves out there, both online and in-person, Mitch Breunig of Mystic Valley Dairy, is a good example of this external outreach. His twitter (@mysticvalley) and the plethora of articles outlining his advocacy work showcase the kind of content necessary to integrate the public with the agricultural work.
With excellent information comes misinformation. As a group of people who devote their lives to agriculture, it is important to diminish the falsehoods spread about production agriculture and amplify the truths.
Kyle Sigg
Forage Manager
Prairie Estates Genetics
Citation:
Agweek: June Dairy Month farm tours resume in South Dakota
Written By: Michelle Rook | 5:30 am, Jun. 21, 2021