Where did the fence post go?

Great article by Utah YF&R committee members Jason and Melinda Goble


The days of fencepost conversations are nearly a thing of the past. It is almost impossible to see farmers/neighbors leaning on a fence post, discussing the current issues in agriculture and the world as a whole. In today’s society, technology has taken over the way we communicate with
even our next door neighbor. Cell phones, computers, GPS systems, and iPods are just a few of the new devices commonly seen near or on the farm.

Facebook, blogs, twitter, and messengers are just a few of the ways people communicate with these new technologies. PETA and many other organizations are very familiar with all of these technological advances and are using them to get their word out and falsely inform people about
the practices of agriculture.

While attending a state Farm Bureau women’s conference, Melinda was awakened to the steps that other organizations are taking to accuse ag producers of malnourishing, mistreating, and endangering the animals in their operations. Through ways such as YouTube videos they are misinforming the public on all of our practices. This takes a heavy toll on the image of the farmer/rancher, and thus impacts the sale of our product. It is amazing how little the majority of the U.S. population knows about where their food comes from and how it is brought to their grocer.

The youth of today are very familiar with all of this new technology, but often even more naïve about the food they eat. In the classes Jason teaches, students are required to use the internet regularly, for research and learning. He has assigned students to research various agriculture topics and take a stand on issues affecting agriculture. Students can find both positive and negative views of agriculture with just the click of a button. Videos such as, “The Meatrix” can confuse students as well as adults who may see them. If not explained the actual practices used on our farms and ranches, people just assume that the “truths” given to them from other sources are correct. This leaves them with an inaccurate perception of the way agricultural practices occur.

As agriculture producers and enthusiasts, we have a responsibility to occasionally leave the fence posts and learn these new technologies. We need to take it upon ourselves to promote our own operations, giving people a new and accurate insight to what really happens on our operations.
This will help students and the public in general to see the correct view of our agriculture practices and get rid of the negative image that has been placed on us by outside organizations.