Ag Producers: Tell Your Story

Ag Producers: Tell Your Story

I’m KayDee Gilkey with the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report.

With most Americans at least two generations removed from the farm, many would say their food comes from the grocery store and they don’t personally know any farmers or ranchers.

Michele Payn-Knoper, Certified Speaking Professional and Cause Matters Corporation, focuses on agricultural advocacy, social media strategy, community engagement and growing a food movement.

She encourages farmers and ranchers to tell their personal story whether one-on-one or through social media avenues.

Payn-Knoper: “I can certainly understand people’s hesitation around time and privacy and social media. But the reality is that there are 800 million people that are on Facebook and that are a opportunity for us to be able to go beyond the choir and connect with. The other way to look at it is that social media is only one tool. Having a conversation at church at the local pub -- where ever you hang out with people -- about what you do and why do it in agriculture is as effective as well.”

Payn-Knoper stresses no can tell your story as a farmer or rancher better than you. So if you are willing to add your voice to the conversation, there are tools available to help get you started.

Payn-Knoper:“I would say that anyone who is looking for advocacy tools or social media information please come on over and visit me at causematters.com. I have all sorts of free resources for you to stop in and check out and hopefully give you a leg up.”

I’m KayDee Gilkey with the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.