“A Glance at Ag” #2
May 27, 2019
Here are some resources I’ve found recently to help us digest what’s going on in the agriculture industry. Consider each resource as “food for thought” in our own journeys of understanding food, and let’s ask questions to allow us to continually learn and grow.
Vance Crowe, former Director of Millenial Engagement at Monsanto and then Bayer, joins Rob Sharkey for a podcast episode. Vance had an intriguing role at Monsanto and Bayer, and learned valuable lessons from his time advocating for one of the most feared and hated companies in the world. Listen to this episode to learn more about what he learned and how he seeks bringing people together through listening, understading tribes, and shared values and communication. Vance provides honest insight into why big ag needs to engage with the broader public. If you’re interested in his work and way of thinking, check him out on Twitter, too.
This brief CropLife piece by Eric Sfiligoj describes the current climate in the agro chemical industry. Not only is this a fight against agricultural chemicals, but arguably a movement against modern agriculture. As this unfolds, I think it’s important to stay informed about what’s going on. Let’s keep reading and looking into this and how we can get better as an industry together for a stronger future, no matter what side of the debate we fall on.
In a Kacey Musgraves song, she sings that “Taking down your neighbor won’t take you any higher,” and this phrase applies to all areas of life. However, it particularly applies to agriculture and how we represent one industry. It’s easy to see the differences in agriculture – management practices, marketing techniques, food labeling, and others – but we have to remember that it takes all kinds of agriculture to feed a growing world. We must be united by our purpose, rather than separated by our niches. Let’s serve as one voice for one purpose, as Michele Payn writes in this Successful Farming piece.
The debate over genetically modified organisms isn’t about science, but rather it’s a debate over values. Take a look at this piece by Steven Cerier about how both sides see this issue and why pro- and anti-GMO activists are on different pages.
This short documentary by Corteva Agriscience depicts American farmers in an authentic way, proving that agriculturalists are truly the salt of the earth. I appreciate this video showcasing how advanced agriculture is today while honoring the continued heritage of the industry. The video is very well done, and I encourage you to take 7 minutes to watch it today.
If you have any thoughts on the above links, or if you find any helpful or insightful resources in your internet searching, please send them to me on social media (below) or on my contact page.
Thanks for reading!
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