I know, I know, "Oh great, here's yet another opinion piece on the effects for Cornell cutting their Ag Education curriculum." Nope, not this time. This time the title means something different. The importance of agriculture education to the future of the dairy industry. No, I'm not talking about the kind of agriculture education that involves someone with their Master's teaching to young agriculture enthusiasts. I'm talking about educating your neighbors, your friends, the general public on what goes on behind those barn doors. It is our jobs as dairy producers to educate those who are uninformed about what it really means to be a dairy producer.
When I was in High School, it was not uncommon for someone to wrinkle their nose when they heard I was a farmer. People still imagine the grungy guy with a pitchfork and overalls, when they hear any mention of farmers. It was never uncommon for a classmate to ask, "If you're a farmer, where's your overalls?" In my opinion dairy producers have done a good job of changing that misconception. But now it's time to focus on something else, educating your neighbors on what it really means to be that farmer. Many farms are thought to be the pillar to their communities, but some community members really do not know what goes on behind those barn doors and the media does not always help.
The media is not always dairy producer friendly. They do not really help in informing the public on what REALLY goes on behind the barn doors. Animal welfare is the first area that pops into my head when you think of the media. So if we want to make any improvements on how the public feels we treat our animals, we really do need to get the media on our side. There are two sides to every story and oftentimes, the side that gets published, is the side of the story that will bring about the most controversy. The media is out to find that next big story. they don't really care that 99.9% of the dairy industry got up this morning and did their daily routine without causing any harm to animals. The media is just concerned with that 0.1% that will bring about talk and interest. The problem with any industry really is how it is portrayed in the media. If you think about it, celebrities are more talked about when they are involve with scandals, in and out of jail/rehab, or have died. Very seldom do you hear about the celebrities and their charity work or how their participation in the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Dairy industry is no different.
The constant negative media has not been good on the dairy industry. Not only has it lowered the morale of many, it has made so many producers really question whether it is worth staying in business. There have been more tears shed from farmers in the past year than I have ever heard. So many farmers are feeling the pressures that stricter regulations will entail. The media is really not helping with farmers morale at all. They want to sell stories, we want to have a good name again.
My solution... invite the media out to your farm. Ask them to help you with chores, help milk the cows, and show them what it really is like. After a little hard work, it's hard to disagree with what the farmers are always saying. The dairy industry is not like any other industry. It's not a job or a career, it's a livelihood. Close down a car dealership and the owner can go next door and work at another. You take the farm and animals away from the farmer and they are left with nothing. It takes a love and passion to be in the dairy industry. A love and passion that really needs to be portrayed to your neighbors.
It is time we take a stand, we need to start fighting for our good name back. Farmers are the backbone of the nation. And we need everyone to realize this. One person at a time, share your story, one person at a time. Educate your friends, your neighbors, your car salesmen on what really goes on behind those barn doors. We can make a difference. It is our future.
