Do Something New Today: Agvocate for Our Industry

Written by: Victoria Broehm & Lacie Dotterweich   |   September 1, 2021

Messages about animal agriculture are told every day from many sources – but where are farmers’ voices?

This was a question Kim Bremmer, of Ag Inspirations, posed to attendees at the American Feed Industry Association’s recent Purchasing and Ingredient Suppliers Conference (PISC).

“We must shape the stories and shift who the hero and villain is,” said Bremmer.

She said that agriculture is one of the only industries that gets penalized for making improvements over time and that many discussions about agriculture are taking place in local communities without input from people who actually work in agriculture. She encouraged those who work in the industry to spend more time participating in community organizations, local media interviews, local government town halls, etc., to correct myths about the industry.

“Farmers are still the most favorable resource for consumers,” said Bremmer. “Consumers still trust farmers.” 

But speaking up is never easy, Bremmer said. To combat this, she recommended a strategy of communicating with EASE:

• Engage – look for a connection
• Acknowledge – all consumer concerns are valid, whether we agree with them or not
• Share – why farmers are the solution
• Earn Trust – offer a different perspective and shift thinking

“We don’t need everyone to think like us,” said Bremmer. “Sometimes our goal is that they should hate us less and that’s a win.” She said that advocating for agriculture is not just about belonging to agricultural associations, like the AFIA, but also doing real work at the ground level – never assuming others are doing it for you.

But speaking up and getting involved may require some to leave their comfort zone. This is where a motivational talk from Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney, a fighter pilot and PGA professional, came into play at PISC.

He said that many people get stuck planning and conspiring and yet, life doesn’t slow down.

You must adopt a “go before you are ready mentality,” he said. Replace the “I won’t” and “I can’t” with the “I’d like to” and the “I’ll try” and eventually, the “I can” and “I will.” It is amazing how much you can accomplish when you don’t let fear drive your decision making, but instead, have the courage and faith and heart to act.