Measuring Success

I have often wondered how the best way to measure my success as an agvocate and a producer is. I have had several incidences in the last month that have helped to boost my confidence and realize that my work is worth it and its actually being read.

While washing a hog barn a few weeks ago I found out from the owner that the neighbors had a wedding reception right next door to the hog farm over the weekend and they were all curious what was in the barn because there was no noise, smell or bothersome activity coming from the hog barns. That's when I realized that our management practices are keeping the pigs happy, safe and healthy. I was very glad to hear about the interest in the hog farm and surprised that they didn't have any issues with it because of how close to town it is.

Within the last week I was asked by a friend at the Ohio Pork Producers Council to volunteer at the Ohio State Fair helping with Ohio Pork's portion of "Ag is Cool".  My friend said he has been following my activity on facebook, twitter and blogging and is really impressed with what my family has been doing for the pork industry. He told me about the help he was looking for and he said that he wants my help because he has confidence that I know how to describe the actions of a hog farm and answer basic questions from children and their parents about pigs, pork and the industry.

These things have shown me that my work is being watched and seen. I am glad that others think I do quality work with my agvocating and my management in the pork industry. I'm pleased with the response from both my local community and the ag community to so much of my blogging. I guess these things have helped me to measure my success and help me see what I can do to improve.

I'm thankful for friends, family and a great community to support me in my efforts. I can't wait to help others outside of my local community across the state and the nation!

Our Side Of The Barbwire

Today at work I spent some time out in the woods mowing trails for our future trail rides. As I was mowing I came across an area that was amazing for our area and the type of farm country I'm used to being in. The place was calm, private, peaceful and shaded from the peace of the day.

 I took a few minutes to think about why I love the farm lifestyle. A few weeks ago I did an interview with a local tv crew for a documentary on farm families and they asked the question, "why do you love living in the country?" I found my answer today. I realized that farming is more than a career, to me it is a lifestyle. A lifestyle that my family made many generations ago. I love being able to have freedom when I work to make my own decisions, watch my hard work flourish and grow into something better, and I can always find a peaceful place to clear my mind.

Today I realized that God has given me many blessings, some in disguise and some yet to come. Somewhere along the way I acquired a passion for agvocating and providing helpful and truthful information about agriculture and especially the pork industry. I hope that my thoughts, reflections, pictures, etc. help those who don't see things through the eyes of the farmer, on the outside of the gate, across the barbwire.

Hopefully my reflections help others to shop with confidence in American., locally raised products and help others understand the farm lifestyle and why we do what we do.

My Reflections on Agvocating.

I have spent many blogs dwelling on why we use social media over the past few months and I'd like to use this blog as a way of wrapping up quarter and my independent study. Social media came on strong to the agriculture community, as it is all over the world. I am glad that I've been able to participate in so many fun, exciting and useful experiences through social media. 

I participate in training's, tweet with fellow agvocates, write blogs, and build content on facebook. But the question that has finally been answered is why. Why do farmers and producers feel it important to tell our story and share information? The answer I've found isn't quite what I expected either. I have always felt that I needed to be proactive for the pork industry and do everything I can to tell my story to consumers so they can begin to build confidence in the pork industry when they go to the meat case to purchase food. I've always wanted to tell the correct story about pork and all of agriculture to those that don't know because I know that if we don't, someone else will. And that someone else is probably going to be the animal rights activists and groups that don't like the truth that people like me have to share. But on my recent trip to Iowa for World Pork Expo and an advanced social media training for producers I spent time talking with my father and I think I discovered why it’s important to agvocate.

Agvocating and social media has become a tool that allows producers to get off the farm, out of the barns, down from the tractor, even if only for a few seconds we have a chance to share to everyone how great agriculture is. As I say this I begin to think if those who read this understand what I mean by "get off the farm"? 

When we did our social media event at OSU-ATI for students to gain information about social media and agvocating we had 7 or 8 people in the room who were actively tweeting out short quotes from our speakers. In a matter of three hours we had over 60,000 impressions from just 8 people tweeting information. The next day we had over 150,000 impressions! This shows me not only how fast I got off the farm, but how fast our words traveled.

While this still allows me to share my knowledge and experiences about farming, I no longer see that as the key to my agvocating. I think it’s more important for me to be able to get off the farm so I can both learn & educate. I've been looking at agvocating as a one way process, one goal which has been to spread my words. But I realize how much I can learn from being off the farm with others who are trying to do the same thing I am. 

My independent study was a great success I think. I was able to see many new things, talk to some very intelligent people in agriculture and spread my knowledge at the same time. As I reflect about agvocating I realize that it’s important that we (agriculture) work to build strong connections with others in agriculture and strengthen our communications so that we can send out a solid message about agriculture. We need to be sure to cover both agvocating to consumers and building those relationships, as well as the relationships among the many different agvocates and their styles. The most important thing that we need to do is be sure to stand up for our industry, stand up for each other, and always listen to others when they speak. 

I hope that my reflections are of some use to someone and that I have helped agriculture to build connections and relationships, I know I have built many connections and relationships through my work. I look forward to continuing my agvocating and I hope that others have enjoyed it and continue to follow along.