Some people see the first of the year as a time to "start over" or simply "start", I personally think its just a mile marker on the side of my road in life. Life has taken some big turns in the last year and 2010 is set in history with its ups and downs and crazy turns in the road.
2010 was a great year for me. I had some personal accomplishments and some losses or setbacks too. I attended entirely too many funerals this year, which is highly upsetting. However I will always remember my friends and family that have past on and I will cherish the memories we have.
2010 was also a good year for agriculture in Ohio. We were able to pass some agriculture legislation dealing with the HSUS and we were able to put a huge speed bump in Wayne Pacelle's goal of speeding through Ohio on his way to "production meat elimination". Ohio passed the "Ohio Agreement" as it has been dubbed and we have had some political changes in Ohio which will lead us into 2011 and hopefully to the benefit of farmers and producers here. The Ohio Agreement is now a benchmark agreement that is helping other states like Missouri create their own version of livestock care standards which is obviously a good thing to us in agriculture.
I have been working on creating my resolutions for 2011 this week and I wasnt able to come up with the common ones like "lose 30 pounds" or "stop drinking pop". But I have decided on some goals I would like to meet this year and I hope that my friends and family wil hold me accountable to these goals.
First I want to strengthen my relationship with Christ. I am a follower of Jesus and I believe the Bible is the word of God. However, I feel that I am not as close as I would like to be.
Second I want to continue my pursuit of animal advocacy through my social media networks. My blog has become very important to me and I have built pride in it. I hope that people enjoy reading it and it helps them build opinions and concerns for some of the issues we face in agriculture. My goal is to write one blog a week.
Third is an idea that I have found and hope to pursue. I want to create an animal advocacy club at Ohio State ATI before I transfer to main campus. I have some strong ideas for what it could potentially be but I need help with organization and funding the idea at the school. This is a new idea in the last month and is simply something that I want to look into and hopefully get started by Septmember of 2011.
So hopefully I can work towards these new years goals as I prefer to say. I know I'm not the only one setting goals for the new year and I'm willing to bet I'm not the only one setting goals for how I can help agriculture. I think the important thing to remember when setting goals is to keep it realistic, practical and reachable. Don't outdo yourself and hurt yourself trying.
Good luck to all on your new years goals and thanks for being here to support me as I embark on my journey of 2011 towards reaching my goals.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Reflections: of an Ohio Christmas
Well, I survived another holiday season (minus new years eve). I ate my fair share of holiday ham, sweet potatoes, stuffing (or dressing) depending on where you live, cookies, egg nog and my favorite mom's birthday cake. I want to reflect for a minute on why I'm so thankful to be where I am in life.
My parents have given me a great life, I've worked hard to earn their trust and respect as a young man and I appreciate all their support, care and guidance in my life. Christmas makes me extra aware of how good I have it. I love spending time with the family and being home from college. Although we all live busy lives and even when I'm home I stay plenty busy working and socializing with friends. We even managed to get our family organized enough for a family picture after Christmas eve service at church
I reflected over the holiday about how far we have come in the last year as a family, a business and as individuals. I am extremely excited to be a sophomore at OSU and now a member of Phi Theta Kappa. I am also excited about my new interest and passion for "agvocating" as it is now known. I hope that I can continue in the future to be a productive and successful advocate for agriculture.
I'm excited about 2011 and what it has in store for me. There are a lot of opportunities for me to advance my knowledge, skills and relationships in the industry one of which is through transferring to main campus in Columbus, OH from ATI in Wooster, OH where I study now. The more I try to reflect on my blog posts as well as others I have read this year I think its very important that I ask for advice from the followers and readers of this blog. What topics have interested you in the past about agriculture? My blog is not designed to always be about the H$U$. That is simply another topic I choose to cover. I'd be glad to talk about something people want to know more about, see more pictures of, or simply cover things we do on our farm sort of as routine duties. Any thoughts and advice is great.
I have also been thinking about my new years resolutions. I'm still working on them but don't worry I'm sure I'll be blogging about them soon. If you are thinking of your new years resolutions, think of things like "thanking a farmer a week", getting involved in a blog or at least devote to reading a couple, or siply find out more about the ag industry. Hopefully I can help give some pointers and some healthy thought on some subjects. Until then though, Enjoy some pictures from a Christmas in Ohio.
Bre & I before Christmas Eve service
Columbus Zoo for Wildlights a few weeks ago
Mom was born on Christmas so dad (Charles Wildman) made her a birthday cake (not burnt)
My Grandpa, happy as ever on Christmas morning
Dad's 2nd Christmas creation (jello w/ cherries sunk in multiple layers, shaped like Christmas tree) & dad's 3rd creation (mint pudding glasses for dessert)
My parents have given me a great life, I've worked hard to earn their trust and respect as a young man and I appreciate all their support, care and guidance in my life. Christmas makes me extra aware of how good I have it. I love spending time with the family and being home from college. Although we all live busy lives and even when I'm home I stay plenty busy working and socializing with friends. We even managed to get our family organized enough for a family picture after Christmas eve service at church
I reflected over the holiday about how far we have come in the last year as a family, a business and as individuals. I am extremely excited to be a sophomore at OSU and now a member of Phi Theta Kappa. I am also excited about my new interest and passion for "agvocating" as it is now known. I hope that I can continue in the future to be a productive and successful advocate for agriculture.
I'm excited about 2011 and what it has in store for me. There are a lot of opportunities for me to advance my knowledge, skills and relationships in the industry one of which is through transferring to main campus in Columbus, OH from ATI in Wooster, OH where I study now. The more I try to reflect on my blog posts as well as others I have read this year I think its very important that I ask for advice from the followers and readers of this blog. What topics have interested you in the past about agriculture? My blog is not designed to always be about the H$U$. That is simply another topic I choose to cover. I'd be glad to talk about something people want to know more about, see more pictures of, or simply cover things we do on our farm sort of as routine duties. Any thoughts and advice is great.
I have also been thinking about my new years resolutions. I'm still working on them but don't worry I'm sure I'll be blogging about them soon. If you are thinking of your new years resolutions, think of things like "thanking a farmer a week", getting involved in a blog or at least devote to reading a couple, or siply find out more about the ag industry. Hopefully I can help give some pointers and some healthy thought on some subjects. Until then though, Enjoy some pictures from a Christmas in Ohio.
Bre & I before Christmas Eve service
Friday, December 24, 2010
Simple thoughts about our traditions
Today is Christmas Eve, and in mid west Ohio we have something new this holiday season...there's more than a dusting of snow on the ground! This is the first time in my memory that there has been enough snow to consider it a white Christmas in my lifetime. I have lived here outside of South Charleston on my dead end street for 20 years and I've never seen this much snow before Christmas. Which is why we went ahead and treated ourselves at Standing Oaks Enterprises to a new Christmas present, we got a new snow plow.
Now what does this have to do with diversity? not much, I wanted to test my ability to upload photos to my blog. I'll go ahead and give myself a ten on this one. But diversity has a lot to do with my life, actually with everyone's life. One of the great things of living in America. I have received much more diversity while at college than I probably will ever receive, especially here on my dead end on both ends road in good ol' "South Chuck" as we call it.
My friends from Northern Ohio (Canton, Salem, Ashtabula, Akron, Fayette) all receive much more snow than I do "down south" as they sometimes say. Theres's some diversity for ya. Tradition is important too, think of all the important traditions you had as a kid, what you've brought with you as you grow up and what you'll pass on to the next generation. We have a Christmas tradition here at home, it's different than most though.
Two traditions are important on Christmas in my house, first is serving my parents breakfast in bed. Christmas is my mothers birthday and we try to do a couple cute things for her every now and then. My sisters started making breakfast in bed for them about ten years ago and they still do it every year. The other tradition is we open stockings without my dad. Dad is always MIA for stocking opening and the beginning of eating candy on Christmas because he has an important commitment to America. Dad gets up on Christmas, eats breakfast with my mom in bed and then goes straight to work because SOMEONE HAS TO FEED PIGS!
As producers we have to put our responsibility to the farm first. Many times I have wished that dad could just stay home and open gifts with us then go to work when I'm busy playing with new toys. But the older I get the more I realize it is important to put the animals first. Now that I am a "grown up" I appreciate the traditions we have as a family and I do what I can to help keep them going.
Be sure to think about the traditions you have in your family and if you live on a farm, be thankful for your traditions and how you have built character in yourself through your commitment and tradition.
Now its time to go get some cookies, egg nog and watch a Christmas movie I suppose. Hopefully I'll get lucky and get some leftover breakfast tomorrow morning :)
Merry Christmas, from an Ohio farm kid.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Naughty or Nice?
Christmas is coming, less than a week away. I hope everyone is finished shopping and if not, I accept giftcards, money orders, cash and all major credit cards. But seriously, I hope all is well on the home front wherever you are reading this from or wherever you call home.
First, shout out to the military men and women who have given the ultimate price, or made the choice to serve. I give you my thanks and prayers. I hope you are all safe and return home safe.
Shout out to the farmers and ranchers who work hard everyday to provide safe food and other products to America...heck to the world! You also deserve thanks and prayers for your line of work is hard too.
And Shout out to all of the people who read this because they are passionate about advocating animal production and food safety. I thank you all for taking time to read this and support me as well as the hundreds of others who do the same. Your job is hard too.
That should be a good start to the nice list, Santa please put these fine folks on the nice list and give them lots of presents and joys. God give them everything they need and much more. They deserve it.
OK, naughty list....this gets back into my pursuit of spreading knowledge of the HSUS and how they keep getting more money. They have decided to support the H$U$ as I will now call it. They are definitely not a friend of the animal production I serve to promote and I think that you can see this pretty clearly in the stores. Just take a minute to read one of their cups (find one in a trash can, don't go buy it there). They have a very conflicted and confused idea of "natural meat" and it isn't helpful to the industry. Check out their mission statement and the multiple facebook pages about their support of the H$U$ like http://www.facebook.com/pages/No-Chipotle/115370318502987
Forever 21, you have recently been discovered and spread across the internet in part by a fellow student of mine at OSU-ATI. Forever 21 has vowed $1.00 of each purchase of a certain type of shirt or clothing they sell to be donated to the H$U$ to help save pets. You are mistaken and you have been lied to, simple as that. I hope that we can help to "save" this company because they are a good company.
Pepsi Cola You aren't there yet, but by January 1 you may be. The pepsi refresh project has the chance to give the H$U$ $250,000 in a grant to "help save animals". If Pepsi grants them the money than I will stop buying Pepsi products and I will continue to make it known what they did. It is my personal way of protesting, everyone has their own views and ideas of how to handle these things.
Philidelphia Eagles, what were you thinking? I know I am not an "east coast" type of guy. However, I like Michael Vick as a football player, please don't blow that out of the water folks. He is an excellent football player with tremendous amounts of talent. You cannot deny that, regardless of what his actions resulted in in the past.
I'm not saying that I want to go on strike against these groups, I simply want to make it known that regardless of what you are buying from them, a bit of your money has potential to end up in the hands of the H$U$. I don't want my money going to them and I know many people that feel the same way. I suggest that we think about these things when we buy gifts and gift cards this holiday season. I suggest that we also explain our concern for what actions they are taking in supporting the H$U$ and help to provide information with out slamming anyone or harming anyone through our comments. You can write public comments on all of these groups websites or facebook pages and you can email the companies directly. I suggest that special concern be shown to pepsi refresh because before they grant the money to the winners of their contest they review the finalists and what their reputation is and what the practical application of the money is. So we have a chance to stop the H$U$ from receiving the grant.
You can link to the pepsi refresh project here to login and vote for your favorite ideas. Be sure to read what the group really does and look take time to look at their actual website. Send email concerns and public comments to pepsi refresh, pepsi and H$U$.
http://www.refresheverything.com/index
I want to remind you that I am not declaring these companies as naughty, I am using naughty as a way of catagorizing their actions and how they are not nice actions towards our industry (food production). Please look into these things and help to remain on the nice list of agvocating by doing your part to spread the word.
once again, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!
First, shout out to the military men and women who have given the ultimate price, or made the choice to serve. I give you my thanks and prayers. I hope you are all safe and return home safe.
Shout out to the farmers and ranchers who work hard everyday to provide safe food and other products to America...heck to the world! You also deserve thanks and prayers for your line of work is hard too.
And Shout out to all of the people who read this because they are passionate about advocating animal production and food safety. I thank you all for taking time to read this and support me as well as the hundreds of others who do the same. Your job is hard too.
That should be a good start to the nice list, Santa please put these fine folks on the nice list and give them lots of presents and joys. God give them everything they need and much more. They deserve it.
OK, naughty list....this gets back into my pursuit of spreading knowledge of the HSUS and how they keep getting more money. They have decided to support the H$U$ as I will now call it. They are definitely not a friend of the animal production I serve to promote and I think that you can see this pretty clearly in the stores. Just take a minute to read one of their cups (find one in a trash can, don't go buy it there). They have a very conflicted and confused idea of "natural meat" and it isn't helpful to the industry. Check out their mission statement and the multiple facebook pages about their support of the H$U$ like http://www.facebook.com/pages/No-Chipotle/115370318502987
Forever 21, you have recently been discovered and spread across the internet in part by a fellow student of mine at OSU-ATI. Forever 21 has vowed $1.00 of each purchase of a certain type of shirt or clothing they sell to be donated to the H$U$ to help save pets. You are mistaken and you have been lied to, simple as that. I hope that we can help to "save" this company because they are a good company.
Pepsi Cola You aren't there yet, but by January 1 you may be. The pepsi refresh project has the chance to give the H$U$ $250,000 in a grant to "help save animals". If Pepsi grants them the money than I will stop buying Pepsi products and I will continue to make it known what they did. It is my personal way of protesting, everyone has their own views and ideas of how to handle these things.
Philidelphia Eagles, what were you thinking? I know I am not an "east coast" type of guy. However, I like Michael Vick as a football player, please don't blow that out of the water folks. He is an excellent football player with tremendous amounts of talent. You cannot deny that, regardless of what his actions resulted in in the past.
I'm not saying that I want to go on strike against these groups, I simply want to make it known that regardless of what you are buying from them, a bit of your money has potential to end up in the hands of the H$U$. I don't want my money going to them and I know many people that feel the same way. I suggest that we think about these things when we buy gifts and gift cards this holiday season. I suggest that we also explain our concern for what actions they are taking in supporting the H$U$ and help to provide information with out slamming anyone or harming anyone through our comments. You can write public comments on all of these groups websites or facebook pages and you can email the companies directly. I suggest that special concern be shown to pepsi refresh because before they grant the money to the winners of their contest they review the finalists and what their reputation is and what the practical application of the money is. So we have a chance to stop the H$U$ from receiving the grant.
You can link to the pepsi refresh project here to login and vote for your favorite ideas. Be sure to read what the group really does and look take time to look at their actual website. Send email concerns and public comments to pepsi refresh, pepsi and H$U$.
http://www.refresheverything.com/index
I want to remind you that I am not declaring these companies as naughty, I am using naughty as a way of catagorizing their actions and how they are not nice actions towards our industry (food production). Please look into these things and help to remain on the nice list of agvocating by doing your part to spread the word.
once again, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Don't let the Grinch Steal Your Christmas
Ryan Goodman has a great little blog on the farmer clause and I wanted to add my own little spin to it. This is the link to his blog I suggest read it and the one he comments on and think about how it relates to you and what your thoughts are.
http://agricultureproud.com/2010/12/20/cowboy-christmas-farmer-claus/
Santa could be considered a farmer because of his commitment to work no matter what the weather is, his excellent care for his herd of Reindeer or even because he loves his boots, and like any farmer he buys the same ones every time. Thus building the "farmer Clause" for those of you that follow the Santa Clause movies featuring Tim Allen. they have always been a favorite of mine, I also love the classic cartoon "how the grinch stole Christmas". If you think about this movie, you'll realize that in this little village there is a farmer somewhere...figured it out yet? Who raised the roast beast? somewhere there is a "who" that you do not see. This is the "farmer who", I'm willing to bet that he isn't seen in the movie because he was busy plowing snow or feeding his herd of beasts. Sometimes it is fun to think of how some of these things could get blown out of proportion by just a silly little thing like where did the beast come from?
Now relate this to your life, your business or your career. We all have our own farmer clause and grinch's. In my life, I think of my father as the farmer clause, he always is out working with the pigs no matter what the weather is, no matter who is happy or sad, naughty or nice. He has a warm heart and is always caring for much more than he has to. What about the grinch? Well, in the pork industry and especially in Ohio we are involved with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), who have a poiltical agenda and want "take our Christmas away" and stop all our singing and gift giving and loving and caring. Oh wow! Wayne Pacelle, CEO of HSUS might be waring the green suit of the grinch instead of the big man's red suit.He wants people to think he is doing good in America by saving pets and farm animals because he thinks we all abuse our animals.
Would Santa be a lovable character or famous man if he was always neglecting his reindeer, being selfish and only worrying about making a profit? NO!!! Which is what I am saying about my dad. There's no way that a man who has love and care beyond what is asked of him and expected of him would harm his animals, Be sure you note that Santa's reindeer are not pets. Santa uses his reindeer to complete his daily work and his overall goal in his career. NOT PETS! What about the Grinch? The grinch sits on his mountain watching the "whos down in whoville" and he can only think of taking all their gifts and animals in Wayne Pacelle's case to the top of mount crumpit to dump it! Which is exactly what Wayne is trying to do through his ballot initiatives. He uses the Humane Society name to gain credibilty, but he uses it as his Santa outfit to disguise himself to all the girls and boys (Americans). Then when we are sleeping he rides in and tries to ruin Christmas (animal agriculture).
But in Ohio we are not sleeping, we have seen him up on his mountain and have been preparing his entrance to our whoville (State of Ohio) and we are trying to protect ourselves from his lies, deceit, and goals. Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board is part of that defense of ours. It goes beyond that though, someone is missing from this story still.... Cindy Lou Who. If you remember Cindy is the little girl that finds the Grinch in her living room stealing the Christmas tree. She shows him love and and while he thinks she is just a stupid child she has really touched him and eventually helps to change his mind on Christmas.
I don't think that anyone is capable of being a Cindy Lou Who to Wayne Pacelle or even the HSUS, but we are involved in advocating for agriculture. Specifically I advocate for the pork industry and animal agriculture. During this Christmas season I have noticed that I am a Cindy Lou Who, even if I cannot win over anyone from the HSUS I can be positive, show my care, love and joy for what I do and my industry. Cindy Lou Who is just a simple little who, a child. If she is capable of winning the heart of the Grinch, what are we capable of in our own lives and in our industry?
This Christmas season I realize my gift came early, God has given me a passion for the pork industry and agvocating. I think this could be the best gift I have ever received. I plan on fully using this gift and I hope that it never wears out!
So be sure to think of and thank the Farmer Clause in your life this Christmas season and be sure you look out for the Grinch, he may be a sweet talker, good looking and very professional; but be sure you know who he is and don't let him steal your Christmas. Be a "who" like Cindy Lou Who and don't be afraid to confront the grinch, if that chance isn't given to you be sure you show your love, care and passion for what you do so that the other "who's" in your life can see that you care.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all......A GOOD NIGHT!
http://agricultureproud.com/2010/12/20/cowboy-christmas-farmer-claus/
Santa could be considered a farmer because of his commitment to work no matter what the weather is, his excellent care for his herd of Reindeer or even because he loves his boots, and like any farmer he buys the same ones every time. Thus building the "farmer Clause" for those of you that follow the Santa Clause movies featuring Tim Allen. they have always been a favorite of mine, I also love the classic cartoon "how the grinch stole Christmas". If you think about this movie, you'll realize that in this little village there is a farmer somewhere...figured it out yet? Who raised the roast beast? somewhere there is a "who" that you do not see. This is the "farmer who", I'm willing to bet that he isn't seen in the movie because he was busy plowing snow or feeding his herd of beasts. Sometimes it is fun to think of how some of these things could get blown out of proportion by just a silly little thing like where did the beast come from?
Now relate this to your life, your business or your career. We all have our own farmer clause and grinch's. In my life, I think of my father as the farmer clause, he always is out working with the pigs no matter what the weather is, no matter who is happy or sad, naughty or nice. He has a warm heart and is always caring for much more than he has to. What about the grinch? Well, in the pork industry and especially in Ohio we are involved with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), who have a poiltical agenda and want "take our Christmas away" and stop all our singing and gift giving and loving and caring. Oh wow! Wayne Pacelle, CEO of HSUS might be waring the green suit of the grinch instead of the big man's red suit.He wants people to think he is doing good in America by saving pets and farm animals because he thinks we all abuse our animals.
Would Santa be a lovable character or famous man if he was always neglecting his reindeer, being selfish and only worrying about making a profit? NO!!! Which is what I am saying about my dad. There's no way that a man who has love and care beyond what is asked of him and expected of him would harm his animals, Be sure you note that Santa's reindeer are not pets. Santa uses his reindeer to complete his daily work and his overall goal in his career. NOT PETS! What about the Grinch? The grinch sits on his mountain watching the "whos down in whoville" and he can only think of taking all their gifts and animals in Wayne Pacelle's case to the top of mount crumpit to dump it! Which is exactly what Wayne is trying to do through his ballot initiatives. He uses the Humane Society name to gain credibilty, but he uses it as his Santa outfit to disguise himself to all the girls and boys (Americans). Then when we are sleeping he rides in and tries to ruin Christmas (animal agriculture).
But in Ohio we are not sleeping, we have seen him up on his mountain and have been preparing his entrance to our whoville (State of Ohio) and we are trying to protect ourselves from his lies, deceit, and goals. Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board is part of that defense of ours. It goes beyond that though, someone is missing from this story still.... Cindy Lou Who. If you remember Cindy is the little girl that finds the Grinch in her living room stealing the Christmas tree. She shows him love and and while he thinks she is just a stupid child she has really touched him and eventually helps to change his mind on Christmas.
I don't think that anyone is capable of being a Cindy Lou Who to Wayne Pacelle or even the HSUS, but we are involved in advocating for agriculture. Specifically I advocate for the pork industry and animal agriculture. During this Christmas season I have noticed that I am a Cindy Lou Who, even if I cannot win over anyone from the HSUS I can be positive, show my care, love and joy for what I do and my industry. Cindy Lou Who is just a simple little who, a child. If she is capable of winning the heart of the Grinch, what are we capable of in our own lives and in our industry?
This Christmas season I realize my gift came early, God has given me a passion for the pork industry and agvocating. I think this could be the best gift I have ever received. I plan on fully using this gift and I hope that it never wears out!
So be sure to think of and thank the Farmer Clause in your life this Christmas season and be sure you look out for the Grinch, he may be a sweet talker, good looking and very professional; but be sure you know who he is and don't let him steal your Christmas. Be a "who" like Cindy Lou Who and don't be afraid to confront the grinch, if that chance isn't given to you be sure you show your love, care and passion for what you do so that the other "who's" in your life can see that you care.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all......A GOOD NIGHT!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Are we still connected?
I'm 20 years old, and a student at The Ohio State University, but I'm a farm kid most importantly. Thanksgiving came and I was able to be thankful for my life and the blessings I have. One of which is my grandmother. Because of her, my family, through my father were able to remain on the family farm and she has supported all of her grandchildren through the years.
I was at a demonstration last night with the American Meat Association. They were working to "mythbust" some of the facts that are presented in the "Food Inc." movie. I learned a lot from the presentation but one thing that stuck in my head was something I've heard plenty before. "We, as Americans are growing farther away from our heritage on the farm." Statistically America is now almost two generations removed from the farm. That means, your co-workers at your office say to you, "yea, we have a family farm. Grandpa used to have cows and chickens and pigs all outside and he would milk the cows. Some of my greatest childhood memories came from the farm." But when asked how often the children of these people go to grandpa's farm the answer is astonishingly low.
As a producer of livestock. This tells me that we, as consumers are disconnecting ourselves from the people who create our food. As producers now, we have both a business and a moral responsibility to the consumer to reconnect them. Consumers have created the market trends we sell livestock under. Consumers wanted leaner pork, so we changed some genetics and moved pigs indoors because their bodies we not fit to be outside in the raw weather the way they had been on "grandpa's farm". But when we put them indoors we didn't do it to hide them from the public. That's not what we want at all!!! We did it because we are humane, ethical and food safe minded people. When we put them inside we also built new ways to control the environment. This means fans & curtains for proper airflow and temperature management. Furnaces and heaters. Constant source of fresh, clean water. We also have the ability to manage animals individually and help make sure they are each living a healthy and safe lifestyle.
I am in the business of feeding people. Human beings, Americans, I would never dream of hurting another man or woman and I can safely say that 98% of HUMANS would agree with me. But how can I connect my message of this, and the message that I want people to be positive that my meat is safe to eat and that the meat case is a safe place to buy food. It starts with one. As an industry (meat production) we have identified this problem and are working within our livestock associations, coalitions and budgets to help fix this problem. Social media is becoming a popular topic in the meetings of any livestock association. We are increasing the general understanding of these networks within our industry and there are numerous farms and people within the industry writing blogs, making youtube videos, tweeting and interacting on facebook all for the common goal of public connection. and it is working. Every time I talk to a friend who has an urban or city background I bring up some of these simple points and help give them advice on better ways to look at the meat industry.
We shouldn't be quiet, God gave us a voice to use. We shouldn't be shy, the animal rights activists are not shy in hammering against us with biased opinions and publications. But there can be truth in what they say if it is not blown out of proportion. The biggest problem is misconception of a whole industry takes over their mind because of the words of a few people who have a history of being against the industry.
I believe that we can connect to consumers again, we may not get them back to grandpa's farm, but wouldn't it be great if we got them back to OUR FARM. Let them wlak through a dairy, help calve in the spring, feed some pigs in a confinement barn. Similar to the old adage "give me a fish, feed me for a day. Teach me to fish, feed me for a lifetime." We can use our resources within our industry and personal business to help build understanding and a sense of connection and care between the producers, politicians, lawyers and ultimately the consumer.
Here's a list of places you can look for more ways to connect with consumers. These are great sources for consumers to look at because they are designed for the consumer who is curious about their food.
Ohiopork.org
Ohiocattle.org
MeatAMI.com
Facebook pages:
Versatile White Meat
Ohio Hog Farmers
Standing Oaks Enterprises
Ohio Dairy Farmers
Ohio Farmers Feed us
Center for consumer freedom
Advocation for agriculture
Tyson
Cooper Farms
Truthinfood.com
Blogs:
Sitting in a pasture
The Bacon Blogger
Acorns for thoughts
Reflections from a country boy
I was at a demonstration last night with the American Meat Association. They were working to "mythbust" some of the facts that are presented in the "Food Inc." movie. I learned a lot from the presentation but one thing that stuck in my head was something I've heard plenty before. "We, as Americans are growing farther away from our heritage on the farm." Statistically America is now almost two generations removed from the farm. That means, your co-workers at your office say to you, "yea, we have a family farm. Grandpa used to have cows and chickens and pigs all outside and he would milk the cows. Some of my greatest childhood memories came from the farm." But when asked how often the children of these people go to grandpa's farm the answer is astonishingly low.
As a producer of livestock. This tells me that we, as consumers are disconnecting ourselves from the people who create our food. As producers now, we have both a business and a moral responsibility to the consumer to reconnect them. Consumers have created the market trends we sell livestock under. Consumers wanted leaner pork, so we changed some genetics and moved pigs indoors because their bodies we not fit to be outside in the raw weather the way they had been on "grandpa's farm". But when we put them indoors we didn't do it to hide them from the public. That's not what we want at all!!! We did it because we are humane, ethical and food safe minded people. When we put them inside we also built new ways to control the environment. This means fans & curtains for proper airflow and temperature management. Furnaces and heaters. Constant source of fresh, clean water. We also have the ability to manage animals individually and help make sure they are each living a healthy and safe lifestyle.
I am in the business of feeding people. Human beings, Americans, I would never dream of hurting another man or woman and I can safely say that 98% of HUMANS would agree with me. But how can I connect my message of this, and the message that I want people to be positive that my meat is safe to eat and that the meat case is a safe place to buy food. It starts with one. As an industry (meat production) we have identified this problem and are working within our livestock associations, coalitions and budgets to help fix this problem. Social media is becoming a popular topic in the meetings of any livestock association. We are increasing the general understanding of these networks within our industry and there are numerous farms and people within the industry writing blogs, making youtube videos, tweeting and interacting on facebook all for the common goal of public connection. and it is working. Every time I talk to a friend who has an urban or city background I bring up some of these simple points and help give them advice on better ways to look at the meat industry.
We shouldn't be quiet, God gave us a voice to use. We shouldn't be shy, the animal rights activists are not shy in hammering against us with biased opinions and publications. But there can be truth in what they say if it is not blown out of proportion. The biggest problem is misconception of a whole industry takes over their mind because of the words of a few people who have a history of being against the industry.
I believe that we can connect to consumers again, we may not get them back to grandpa's farm, but wouldn't it be great if we got them back to OUR FARM. Let them wlak through a dairy, help calve in the spring, feed some pigs in a confinement barn. Similar to the old adage "give me a fish, feed me for a day. Teach me to fish, feed me for a lifetime." We can use our resources within our industry and personal business to help build understanding and a sense of connection and care between the producers, politicians, lawyers and ultimately the consumer.
Here's a list of places you can look for more ways to connect with consumers. These are great sources for consumers to look at because they are designed for the consumer who is curious about their food.
Ohiopork.org
Ohiocattle.org
MeatAMI.com
Facebook pages:
Versatile White Meat
Ohio Hog Farmers
Standing Oaks Enterprises
Ohio Dairy Farmers
Ohio Farmers Feed us
Center for consumer freedom
Advocation for agriculture
Tyson
Cooper Farms
Truthinfood.com
Blogs:
Sitting in a pasture
The Bacon Blogger
Acorns for thoughts
Reflections from a country boy
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