In a new Farm Bureau ad campaign in Virginia to launch SaveOurFood.org, a man tries unsuccessfully to order a New York Strip steak and New England clam chowder. The waitress explains that these things no longer exist but he is welcome to try the Honduran strip and Newfoundland chowder. In an effort to rally support for local producer markets and at the same time drive up membership rates, this campaign shows early signs of doing just that. The website is full of information about how to support local agriculture and about the many benefits membership in our organization has, regardless of status as producer or associate.
Our nation changes leadership today and hopes abound that our people will be more secure and self-sustaining than ever. Part of that mental peace is, for many, knowing where our next meal is coming from and that consuming certain things is safe and will bolster our local and national economies. For others, there is knowledge gap when it comes to exactly how things make their way to our pantries and plates.
Although there are many ways we can promote support of our local farmers and ranchers, linking consumers and producers in a way to positively promote the many facets of agriculture and increase awareness is one of the most direct and achievable. After all, don’t they say that the way to man’s (or woman’s) heart is through his stomach? The statistics about what it will take to feed the world over the next several decades are sobering. It is imperative that we do what we can now as young members of our industry to reach out and empower others to make wise food decisions that support our local farmers and ranchers, economy, and security, now and in the future.