Speak Up for Agriculture Pt 1
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. If it seems like agriculture is always being targeted with new laws, regulations and expenses, is it because the ag community doesn’t communicate the way they should?
Pam Lewison, Initiative on Agriculture Director at the Washington Policy Center, says since it’s not what we’re trained to do, many find it very difficult to craft their message as a farm …
LEWISON … “I think the other sort of unique piece of the puzzle in Washington is it feels a little bit dicey to stick your neck out as the farm that highlights itself. Because, on the one hand, it opens you up to the benefits of being more transparent to your consumers, which is a great thing.”
But, Lewison says, on the other hand …
LEWISON … “I think people are fearful that it also opens you up to more scrutiny from state agencies and enforcement agencies who are going to have the name recognition and say, oh, I wonder if we should look into that.”
Lewison says it’s kind of a balancing act, but keep in mind, you will never please everyone …
LEWISON … “You sort of learn to be on defense immediately because we have what feels like every single person who is not a farmer, which you know statistically is literally almost everyone, saying that what we are doing is wrong, on some level.”
Tune in tomorrow for more on why BETTER communications will be the most effective response when the fingers are pointing at agriculture.
