Emotion trumps science every time: Farmers need to ‘start with why’
When you start talking from your passion, and not your science, all of a sudden, farming becomes more relevant, more meaningful to everyone else, because they, too, want to protect the environment or care about animal welfare, and can do that by supporting you.
Main Street banks want reform
Rare is the day when the U.S. Senate Ag Committee lands on the front page of the New York Times. That day, however, came...
What does ‘socially just’ agriculture mean?
Society currently expects three things from farmers. First, produce high quality and safe food. Second, protect the environment. Third, treat farm animals humanely. But some still clamor that's not enough.
HSUS brings message to 4-H’ers
I dislike the calculating move by HSUS to target 4-H youth with its subtle anti-animal agriculture message.
Can we help the next generation of farmers?
We could all name names.Good farms that have no one waiting in the wings to take over the business. Farmers whose sons and daughters...
Three keys to achieving sustainable agriculture
(Part II of II)Have you ever tried to sit on a three-legged stool that had one leg shorter than the other two, or was...
Is there an agricultural sustainability consensus?
(Part I of II)What does it really mean to farm sustainably? To be committed to agricultural sustainability? Ask 10 people and you'll get 10...
Yellow Tail wine donation to HSUS incurs farmers’ wrath
An amazing thing happened last week while you were busy milking, feeding, repairing, resting or doing whatever other chores keep farmers busy in bleak...
Farmers, knock the chip off your shoulder
Farmers often harbor insecurities when plopped in a room with bankers or small business owners or lawyers. Too often, farmers feel like they don't belong in that crowd, like their chosen profession is somehow less important or worthy than the others'. They couldn't be more wrong.
Another climate change is needed for agriculture
Does your state (county, borough, village, township, fill in the blank) like its farms?Does it realize the economic impact of agriculture? Is there a...
