1. Quality Or Quantity?

A common lie that media likes to tell us is that small farms yield better, higher quality crops. While in some cases that may be true, as farmers we know that all farmers – those with large crops and small – are good at their jobs, dedicated to their farms. Why not promote this idea? Judging our neighbors based on their acreage, or the simple number of rows he’s planted, or calves he’s got really is an oversimplification of the issue. Quality is king over quantity – whether the odds are tipping towards small or large. Quality.

2. Most Farms are Family Owned

In both the U.S. and Canada nearly 97% of farms are family owned. Farmers, as a group, should refrain from using terms like ‘corporate farmers’ and start celebrating the reality – most of our food is grown by families not too different from ours. Whether it’s run by one farmer or by several generations – it’s a family with the same struggles as we have.

3. No Antibiotics!

It’s illegal to send animals or animal products for processing with even small amounts of antibiotics. Farmers know this. Sharing this with the consumer is not only smart, it’s ethical.

4. Pesticides Can Be Safe

Pesticides are a truth of the trade. Used properly they are safe, and help the crop survive. Both conventional and organic farmers rely on pesticides of some kind or another and this can be done with safety and reliability.

5. Modern Agriculture is Modern!

More food, more fuel, more fiber, and with better resources. As hard as life is as a farmer, we’ve made great strides in using fewer resources, and less toxic chemicals. New farm practices are coming into play, as well as new technology that will help sustainability and reduce the footprint left on the Earth. We’re offering the consumer more choices while still maintaining the safest, most affordable food in the world!

It’s important to be proud of agriculture, of the industry, of our heritage. Let’s not lean on myths and fear-mongering. We are farmers!