Some people amaze me.
Today's society is as displaced and distanced from production agriculture than any generation before. And yet, many Americans and Europeans feel as though they should have a say in how agriculture is raised, both livestock and crop.
It is something that, as Ohioans, we have seen a lot of, with more to come. The Humane Society of the United States has put forth efforts to change how we raise livestock, specifically veal calves, pregnant sows, and layer hens. I can admit that some of the practices we use are not the most pleasant things to see, and could be done differently. However, the way we do things has a reason, and I feel as though those who are trying to change things do not want to learn the reasons for the way we do things.
Many people are worried about the Carbon Footprint of agriculture production. Through the equipment we use, the storage facilities for manure, how we use the land and the chemicals put into the earth and eventually into the ground water.
As I have talked to people (both with agriculture background and not) about ways to remedy this problem. Almost every one of them has said that we need to educate people, specifically the consumer. But no one has said who should have that task set upon them. Many of the people reading this blog have a passion about agriculture education through the classroom or extension. So I will pose a question to you: Who is responsible for teaching the general public (and agriculture producers too) about agriculture?
Sometimes I feel as though everyone just wants to put blame, or responsibility, on someone else. However, we all have a part in what is done.
In a couple of days I will voice some of my opinions as to ways we can assign who is responsible for education. But I would like to get some other opinions first. I am a fan of learning as many views before I create and share my own.
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This is an important question to be raised, and while I would like to pose an answer....I have none.
ReplyDeleteAs an agricultural educator, I can inform my students about production agriculture and practices that are used. However, I do not have the opportunity to teach every student in the school. So I will provide my students with the knowledge needed to be advocates for agriculture, but in the end it is not enough.
There are far more consumers out there than producers and while some have taken it upon themselves to speak out for their industry we have a long way to go. Who will be the ones to take on this daunting task and unending fight for production agriculture?
I am not sure how to answer that question. I am not sure there are enough people well educated theirself to inform the pubic. I do my best to educate people to the best of my ability. I wonder if somehow there could be an "agricuture section" on the news, like sports. Maybe some people would watch it and we could educate more people in a short amount of time.
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