Whether you’re preparing to travel, attend a leadership conference or exhibit projects at your county or state fair this summer, there will be plenty of opportunities to chat with other people — many of whom you may not know personally. Although agriculture can be a fun and engaging topic of discussion, remember to remain positive and respectful when doing so.
We talked with Emily Skor, chief executive officer of Growth Energy in Washington, D.C., about ways to cultivate meaningful conversations about agriculture. Growth Energy is a corporate sponsor of the National FFA #SpeakAg Pioneer program, along with Merck Animal Health, Syngenta and Nestle.
Skor believes it’s vitally important for young people to share their views on the importance of agriculture. “Policymakers pay close attention to how their decisions are viewed by young people, and they know the next election may be won or lost with the youth vote,” she says.
Here are five ways to approach and facilitate effective conversations about agriculture.
1. Speak from the heart.
Sharing why you care about agriculture and how it affects your life puts a human face on agriculture for consumers. “If there’s one thing that always impresses me about FFA, it’s the deep passion for agriculture each member brings to the table,” Skor says. “Sharing this passion will make a far more lasting impression than a few extra facts or figures.”
2. Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions.
Asking questions is the best way to learn, so try not to shy away from a topic if it’s challenging to talk about.
“You may find people in positions of authority don’t always make wise assumptions about modern agriculture,” Skor says. “You’d be amazed how many people still think agricultural productivity is a function of acreage, when farmers know their crops are producing more food and fuel per acre with fewer inputs.”
3. Trade contact information and expand your personal network.
Make personal connections and build relationships that will last beyond one conversation. “They say it’s not what you know, but who you know,” Skor says. “While that’s not always true, there’s no question networking can be as valuable on the farm as it is in Washington.”
As you chat with others, remember to ask for their contact information so you can stay in touch in the future.
4. Know your stuff.
Advocating for agriculture starts with an awareness of the current issues affecting the agricultural community. Before forming an opinion, take time to research current agriculture topics and expose yourself to multiple sides of the issue. Fully understand the issue before you make your voice heard.
5. Don’t speculate.
If you don’t know the answer to a question, it’s better to say so than guess and risk sharing inaccurate information. Offer to help find the answer or refer the person to someone who has more knowledge about the topic than you do.
Advocacy in Action
On the National FFA Ag Literacy and Advocacy web page, explore hot topics in agriculture, the four-step effective advocacy model and what it takes to become a #SpeakAg Pioneer.
