| | | | | | | Why You Should Use Social Media To Get To Know The People Behind Farm Operations | | | | It’s officially Autumn here in Minnesota. And that brings some of my favorite things, like brilliant fall colors, sweater weather, and hot cocoa. And of course, cover crop planting photos! Although I tend to be ambivalent about social media, I stay plugged in so that I can see the fabulous photos of farm operations across the country. There are plenty of folks who, while I‘ve never met them in real life, share so willingly about their farm successes and trials that I definitely feel like I’ve spent time walking their fields and at their kitchen table. If you’re in sustainable ag but not tracking a few dozen different farmers on your favorite social media platform, you’re missing out. Need suggestions? I’ve long followed our new Director of America’s Conservation Ag Movement, Ryan Heiniger, on Twitter @FarmrHuntr, and several of our ACAM conservation steward farmers such as Brian Scott (@thefarmerslife), Keith Mears (@kmearsfarm) and Debbie Borg (@iamafarmer2) also make for a great follow. Each of them have their own approaches, unique situations and ways of addressing operational challenges. This isn’t just for fun. After all, every farm decision starts with a person. Yet when we really listen to what farmers tell us about what conservation ag decisions they are making and why, we see a wide variety of perspectives. As Rebecca Bartels writes this week, “trust levels and support needs vary drastically” from producer to producer. Knowing how to meet each individual producer on their sustainability change journey is our specialty at Trust In Food™, drawing from deep behavioral science and business intelligence. But treating each farm, first and foremost, as the livelihood and passion of a human being is something we can all do.
While you’re at it, I’d love to invite you to get social with us! You can find us on these channels:
Yours in regenerative ag, Executive Vice President, Trust In Food™ | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | What It Means To Be A Supportive Change Agent | | | Shared by Rebecca Bartels, director of business development, Trust In Food: The pressure to change is clearly felt by producers across the globe. Let’s do what we can to design outreach programs that effectively support the hearts and minds of farmers in their decision making as we strive toward sustainability goals together. Recognize there’s so much that happens before a change takes place in a field. Here are three insights I recommend you include in your change programming.
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| | Shared by Nate Birt, vice president, Trust In Food: The new Carbon Cost series from BBC delves into the global potential of regenerative agriculture. It brings to life with stories and rich photography farmers in Europe and beyond who are working to sequester carbon, restore natural spaces and address a changing climate. I highly recommend this piece as one model for the future of reportage on this topic. You'll even note that the reporters calculated the carbon footprint of pageviews to this story. That's a first in my book.
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| | Shared by Drew Slattery, human dimensions of change lead, Trust In Food: A new study authored by The Nature Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund aims to help ranchers consistently measure, manage and communicate about the sustainability of their operations. Here’s a look at the ecological and socioeconomic indicators researchers say could positively benefit approximately 770 million rangeland acres.
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| | Shared by Ethan White, manager of farmer outreach and engagement, Trust In Food: "Today’s announcement continues to move forward President Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda by prioritizing economic growth in rural America and investing in the backbone of our country – the middle class." This piece illustrates how Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack is moving forward with commitments to expand rural internet connectivity with more than $1 billion for broadband expansion. | | |
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