FREE BACON

Through this blog readers get the opportunity to read our member’s different ag stories, but what a lot of people don’t know is that Food For Thought is more than just a blog. We are a group of undergrads, grads, and veterinary students all passionate about agriculture. Food For Thought does different types of outreach events to talk with people about food and farming each semester. Many of our members say that these events are really what achieve our  group’s mission and some of their favorite experiences.

FFT members: Bruce Figger, Lindy Bilberry, and Chance Hunley

            Our most recent outreach event was at Kansas University and we teamed up with the Kansas Pork Association and Common Ground. We had an awesome time at KU talking to students and faculty on campus! The Kansas Pork Association brought along a model sized modern pig barn and Common Ground started conversations with a marker board for questions and used the hashtag #farmersarelistening for the day.

You can see the model pig barn on the right side of the table.

           

You might wonder how we went about starting a conversation with college students whizzing by going class to class? Well we knew the answer: FREE BACON. This brought in a lot people with a lot of really awesome questions and conversations! Many of the students said they had never seen a pig barn before and they loved seeing the model barn and seeing all of the ways the barn is designed for the pig’s comfort.

           

 After they enjoyed their bacon, we asked them to write any questions they had about food, farming, or ranching. You can see the board below with the many questions. Some of the most asked questions were:

           

Here are some of the questions people were asking.

1. What are GMO’s?
2. Is organic really better for me?
3. What’s the difference between grass fed and conventional meat?

These are questions that people are asking about their food supply and they are curious. Food For Thought would love to answer these questions for you! If you have a question about food, farming, or ranching, just ask! We want to know what you, the reader, wants to know about!

To read more about our time at KU, read more from Common Ground at: Common Ground: Campus Conversations

Karly

3 Ways Anyone Can Agvocate

Start with keeping up on current issues in agriculture. From GMO labeling to conventionally raised vs. grass-fed beef, you want to be informed about the industry and what it is you’re trying to communicate. You can share as frequently or infrequently  as you’re comfortable with. Try starting with baby steps.

1. Share, like, reblog:

            Perhaps the easiest way to get information out is to pass on what researchers, professionals and agriculturists have published. If you like something you read, feel free to share it with your friends and followers! You can ignite more interest by adding your own opinion or perspective in a few short sentences.

http://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/story/dinner_plate082714.aspx​

2. Post your favorite recipe or dish

            For me, the main reason I follow Kansas Beef Council or Kansas Pork Association on Facebook and Twitter is the recipes and pictures of yummy food they post daily. It’s a quick, easy way to share fun, new ways to prepare your favorite foods (hello, Maple & Bacon Donut Fries)!

http://ow.ly/DHYoA

3. Original content

            There are many ways you can share your own agriculture story with others. If you’re willing to take a step outside of your comfort zone, there are opportunities everywhere, from social media to real life conversations (gasp!). Next time you sit next to a stranger on an airplane or bus, strike up a conversation—who knows, maybe you’ll be able to teach them something! However, if you’re not as comfortable with that method, there is always the wild and wonderful worldwide web. Try telling a short story along with posting a picture on Facebook or Instagram. Tweet about a newsworthy event related to agriculture that you’re interested in. Whatever you do, represent the agriculture industry as best you can.

One of my favorite things to do is feed cattle with my grandpa. Rain, sleet, snow or shine, it’s always great to spend the day on the ranch when I go home. These cattle know the sound of the feed truck and wait their turn for lunch while we feed the pen across the road.

If you’re looking for some new reading material or pages to follow, some great examples of agvocating can be found here:

 
http://www.kidscowsandgrass.com
http://www.agweb.com/livestock/beef/
http://bovidiva.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Frederick-Harvesting/202187356497627
https://www.facebook.com/KStateRE
https://gmoanswers.com

Thanks, y’all!
Kenzie

Definitions

Have you ever had a random realization that you have used a certain term or phrase in too many conversations to count, but have never actually researched the true definition?

I just had that moment.

It is a word we hear many times, especially as it relates to discussions we care most about.

Advocate.

I have used the word before, and could offer a solid attempt at describing what it means. Could I recite the actual dictionary definition, though? Nope! I decided to look it up, and I was actually rather disappointed. Now, allow me to explain. Don’t get me wrong. I am certainly not disagreeing with the dictionary, and absolutely agree that it is important to “support or recommend a particular cause” (which, in case you were wondering, is the definition). But, we hear many times how important it is to be advocates for agriculture and, in that use of the word, I think we are missing an important link: education.

One of my favorite books is The Man Who Fed the World by Leon Hesser. The book is a biography of Norman Borlaug, the Father of the Green Revolution. This man changed the world of food production and saved hundreds of millions of lives from starvation in the process. Did he do so by discovering a high-yielding variety of wheat, and then simply “recommending the cause?” Of course not! He educated scientists and producers around the world to utilize what he discovered.

The education that occurred throughout the years of the Green Revolution was two-way. Borlaug was constantly educating himself in his area of expertise – plant pathology and genetics – in order to continue making such incredible scientific advancements. He also knew that both modern technology and natural resources differed greatly in different areas of the world, and was constantly educating himself of the different needs. Knowing that he wanted his efforts to continue to expand, he worked to educate other scientists on his findings, and those scientists were willing learn more and accept these advancements. Producers were willing to become educated on this new method of production, and began to implement it into their own practices. Individuals around the world had questions, and it is through the questions that were asked and answered that Borlaug and those he worked with were able to revolutionize production agriculture and feed the world.

I was not raised in a family that earned its primary income in production agriculture. But, I was raised in rural America, around those who produce to feed the world and were willing to answer my questions. It has been through those questions and conversations that I have gained a true appreciation for the hard work, responsibility and stewardship of those who dedicate their livelihoods to agriculture.

Take that dictionary definition and place the word “education” within it, and allow true education to lay the foundation. Have questions? Ask them!

 

Best,

Jordan Pieschl