As of right now, the terms “Swine flu” and “#swineflu” are trending at positions 2 and 6 on Twitter. The term “H1N1″ is trending in the 10th spot. I think that shows that as much as we’d like to think that everyone, media included, would call this what it is, it’s not happening. This thing blew up way too fast and is now branded in the public psyche. It has meant serious problems for hog producers. However, we shouldn’t give up and in fact, we’ve got an opportunity to do something about it by taking advantage of our new media tools to “get our message out.” How you might ask? Well, get busy and tweet, post on your blog or website and join in this online conversation and make a difference. Here’s an example of how Trent Loos, Faces of Agriculture, is doing it. He’s launching the “Pork On A Fork” campaign to immediately increase demand for pork and I support it and hope you will to. Pass it along.
Here is my plan. I believe we truly need to connect the dots not only for our overzealous lawmakers but for media and consumers globally. You know it has been said that the best way to anybody’s heart is through their stomach. I am launching a campaign and encouraging all people who eat food to enter the Faces Of Agriculture-sponsored event called “Pork on a Fork.”
I’d like you to send photos of family members, friends, customers, anyone, anywhere eating pork. On May 26, the photos will be judged and the winner announced. The winner will receive an all expense paid trip for two to the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, June 3-5. I will personally see to it that the winners are given the Royal VIP treatment and access to anything and everything pork-related during the event. All entries will be available for viewing during the entire World Pork Expo plus on all social networking sites. In fact, the winner could be recorded and become a YouTube Pork connoisseur for all the world to see.
Click here (pdf) to find out how you can participate
You can listen to Trent talk about it here:
The photo above is Trent’s girls Libbi and Lindsi eating a bone-in ham.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Here is my picture:
Editors Note: the picture does not qualify, sorry Dave.
Libbi looks like she would rather be eating veggies and wearing cool clothesinstead of stupid, “Got Beef” t-shirts. Who dressed poor Libbi?
Mr. Loos, I understand that you make your blood money by harvesting flesh from mutilitated pig parts, but I think we can agree that language is important. If it were not, you would not be so concerned about the public connecting the swine flu to swine. Yours is a business drenched in blood and violence and using your children to flesh-eating poster children is child abuse. One day they will realize what an incomprehensibly cruel society their father perpetuates. Camille Marino
Just as a little fyi. I’ll only be allowing comments that offer something constructive. Personal attacks and profanity are not allowed. I realize that Camille’s really doesn’t fit but it does show how people like her apparently aren’t capable of a reasonable comment.
Yes, the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. Which is exactly why eating pork is a proven medical cause of heart attacks and cancer. A google search will produce several articles of research supporting this theory. And, ironically, the way in which animals are bred, treated and killed in the agricultural business is quite heartless, done with no love or compassion. It’s a shame that you’re a part of a culture that believes it’s ok for selfish human beings to do whatever they want, however they want, to the defenseless pig and cow. If you want a real match for your money, why not breed tigers and bears for food? Or would that be too much hassle for you “tough guys?’ Lastly, when you start showing some “reasonable” compassionate behavior, maybe you’ll start getting reasonable responses.
Hey Linda: Have you ever been out on a modern day hog farm? Met with the farmers? I’ve been on a lot of them and they are very kind and compassionate with their animals. My guess is you’re buying into rhetoric from people who really have no idea what they’re talking about including wherever you got your information about heart attacks and cancer. Farmers don’t do “whatever they want.” In fact, their animals are often treated much better than many people treat their pets. They have to in order to stay in business. They employ best management practices that have proven to be effective while providing humane treatment to the animals.
What a great idea! I can’t wait to spread the word about this effort!
I was blogging today about how agriculture can’t expect the National Pork Producers Council to handle this situation alone. Great to see that people like Trent Loos are helping out!
Keep up the good work!
And by the way, on our farm, we always joke that we take better care of our livestock’s health than our own.
They always take their vitamins, they get doctored at the first sign of illness, they always eat a healthy diet on schedule, and they live in the most stress free environment possible.
Do you do that for yourself everyday?
If making your child where something they didn’t want to wear (not saying Libby didn’t choose her own shirt) and taking a photo of them is child abuse than every parent who ever made their kids dress up for family photos is a child abuser. I don’t know many children who liked getting dressed up for family photos! Maybe Camille should redirect her concerns about child abuse to children who really are in dire straights and focus her energy on helping a person in need, not calling millions of people who consume meat perpetually cruel and judging those she does not know.
Undoubtedly, Libbi and Lindsi are thoroughly enjoying their pork meal, and I don’t think it is considered child abuse to take a photo of a relaxing family meal. How many families even gather around the table for supper at night? How many children are actually abused by their parents on a daily basis? How many children die from that abuse? Why is this nation so focused on saving animals that are being respectfully harvested to nourish the world. These animals are treated with the best care possible, and most farmers are losing money doing it right now. Why are farmers unfairly framed as greedy barbarians?
I love livestock, and I love being a part of agriculture. But, I never forget the circle of life. There are hungry mouths to feed in this world, and farmers and ranchers are dedicated to doing just that. And, by the way, Libbi looks awesome in her “Got Beef” shirt, and I bet she dressed herself…That’s free will, not child abuse.
Yep, that’s the sad part of production agriculture. We even feed the poor souls that don’t appreciate us, and they complain with a mouth-full.
If every single individual had to produce their own food, we’d have quite a few hungry people.
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