Advocacy Group Helps Farmers

Advocacy Group Helps Farmers

Rick Worthington
Rick Worthington
Advocacy Group Help Farmers

With the farm and ranch report, I'm Rick Worthington.

Advocacy is a pressing issue for farmers in the 21st century. Commodity groups, researchers and lawmakers will encourage farmers to tell their story before somebody else, specifically those opposed to farming, share it for them. But according to Stacy Cobb with an advocacy organization, Eastern Washington Family Farmers, since it's not lack of interest or willingness, she says, farmers do a great job sharing their story when they have the time.

Farmers these days are expected to be expert in farming expert and technology experts, saying chemical applications in soil management and public relations and outreach, as well as in politics and then also lobbying for themselves.

Cobb says that's where her organization comes in. She says their staff is made up of former farmers, experts in agriculture and those who understand the challenges that farmers face.

Farmers are being attacked, you know, in town at the grocery store. They're being attacked, you know, at the soccer games that they're kids at anywhere they go public. On top of that, on social media, on the radio, even, and television, though, they're up against a lot right now.

And she adds, social media has also made it more challenging for farmers in 2019. And you can expect that will continue well past this year.

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