It’s nice to know we are not alone on our journeys. Below you will find links to a few websites I have found enlightening and helpful along mine.
Updated weekly, this webpage provides summaries of current headlines in various sectors of agriculture.
This non-profit began in 2007 to build consumer trust and confidence in our food system. Members of CFI represent all sectors of the food system and range from farmers and ranchers to processors, restaurants and agribusinesses. They conduct consumer research in order to educate and inform consumers, and to provide producers with the tools they need to tell their story. On this website you will find their research findings, program information, and links to other educational and informative websites, including Best Food Facts and the Engage Farmer Resource Center along with others.
Best Food Facts is one of my favorite CFI sponsored websites. Here you will find tough food questions answered by experts (professors and other specialists from universities across the country) and statements about the food system measured from true to false, with plausible, unknown and misguided in between. You can also submit questions of your own or read informational posts about current food news and issues.
You know your story, why you do what you do. But how and where can you tell your story? This website contains several resources for producers to use to tell their story based on consumer researched done by the CFI.
The USFRA is a relatively new alliance that is made up of various producer-led organizations at the national, state and regional levels. Their goal is to open up communication between producers and consumers by serving as a “big table” for food conversations to take place. I, personally, think they’re on to something and I would encourage you to keep up with their campaign.
Check out the USFRA’s Food Dialogues to see the heart of what they’re doing. Find out what both consumers and producers and asking and saying, and add your voice to the conversation.
This was one of the assigned readings in my Intro to Science and Agricultural Journalism class, but don’t let that scare you away! It was written by Jeff Simmons of Elanco, an animal health company, and argues for the growing importance of technology in agriculture to ensure three basic rights: access to food, consumer rights to choices and environmental sustainability. There are lots of study findings and infographics within, which make this reading both informational and interesting.
This coalition's purpose is to "promote the continued growth of Missouri agriculture and rural communities through coordinated communication, education and advocacy. Missouri Farmers Care is a joint effort by Missouri’s farming and agriculture community to stand together for the men and women who provide the food and jobs on which our community depends." On this website, discover what they believe in and what they're doing about it. You can sign up for their newsletter, find recipes, read about the importance of agriculture in Missouri, and keep up to date on current issues and threats on Missouri agriculture.
This blog belongs to a friend of mine, Breanne Brammer, who is also a science and agricultural journalism major at MU. She is passionate about traveling and seeing agriculture in areas beyond just rural Missouri. Maybe that's why her emphasis in International Agriculture is a perfect fit for her! She's a good writer, but I think someday we are more likely to see her in a court room fighting for agriculture there. Read her blog, Traveling Aggie, to see what she's up to!
And another blog from a friend! Gee I have a lot of good writers for friends! This one is by Julia Witthaus, who I have mentioned on here from time to time. Julia enrolled as an agricultural journalism major, but after much thought decided she was more interesting in math. She's got some really cool ideas for her future career, including helping farmers make sound business plans to keep them going economically. She's going places! Check out her blog to see what I mean, and to get a taste of humor- Julia style!
I ran across this website while working on a blog post and thought it was pretty neat! Here, you can learn about the dairy industry and the people that make it up. Learn about a day in the life of a dairy farmer, meet a few families, take a virtual tour of a dairy, and see what it takes to provide safe and affordable milk. You can also find a dairy dictionary and learn facts that dispel dairy myths. It's a great source for anyone who is looking to learn more about where their milk comes from.
The Ag Lady
Shannon Yokley is another Science and Ag. Journalism major I met at MAbA. She is very involved in the Angus industry, currently serving as Missouri Angus Queen, but I know she is passionate about all things agriculture. Like me, she enjoys keeping up with the issues and agvocating, so I personally look forward to what she has to say! Visit her blog to see what Shannon's up to. You can bet she'll be busy, and most likely it will involve agriculture!
The Ag Lady
Shannon Yokley is another Science and Ag. Journalism major I met at MAbA. She is very involved in the Angus industry, currently serving as Missouri Angus Queen, but I know she is passionate about all things agriculture. Like me, she enjoys keeping up with the issues and agvocating, so I personally look forward to what she has to say! Visit her blog to see what Shannon's up to. You can bet she'll be busy, and most likely it will involve agriculture!
This is just a drop in the bucket. Stop by later to see what other websites I've found to be educational, informative and encouraging along this journey of an ag advocate.
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