Today, people are more curious than ever about where their food comes from. This is particularly true of the newest generation, Gen Z, that values transparency above all else. It can be hard to share the complexity of the many facets of agriculture, especially when society is more removed from it than ever. How can we better tell our story and take away the mystery?
The idea of putting yourself out there on the internet as a social media influencer can be intimidating, and it’s not necessarily for everyone! However, there are a lot of other things you can do as a member of the ag community to build connections with consumers and bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. These can be things like creating partnerships in your local community and inviting schools out for farm tours, sponsoring local events, or forming connections with local media to help tell your story.
If you’re looking to level up your skills and confidence as an “ag-vocate,” look no further than the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s Animal Ag Allies program, working to empower farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, and food and agriculture professionals to be outspoken advocates for agriculture online and within their communities.
To date, more than 150 Animal Ag Allies graduates have been armed with the knowledge and skills necessary to serve on the front lines of responding to emerging issues and sharing positive messages about animal agriculture. There’s never been a better time than now to take the plunge in advocating for agriculture. Thanks to the generous support of the United Soybean Board, all participation fees for the 2024 Animal Ag Allies program have been waived!
The Animal Ag Allies program consists of two phases: online training and a private forum to discuss engagement strategies and emerging issues. The online training modules are all available online and can be completed at your own pace.
Modules address:
• Overviews of each sector of animal agriculture
• Where to find more resources on each sector
• Hot topics and emerging issues facing animal ag
• How to handle contentious issues
• Growing your social following and preaching outside the choir
• Public outreach
New Animal Ag Allies classes begin every quarter. You can visit the Alliance website to see when the next deadline is approaching. Apply by filling out this interest form. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by – sign up today!
