Once again this year the attendees at the National Agvocacy 2.0 Conference had a presentation from the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance. Jenn Dahm gave us an update on research on consumers and food the organization has conducted. A key takeaway from her presentation is that transparency with consumers is not as difficult as we might think it is and …
Educating the Masses at NAMA Boot Camp
Educating the agricultural industry about other aspects of the agricultural industry is just as important as educating our consumers. And that is exactly what happened at this year’s NAMA Boot Camp, held last week in Kansas City. Breakout sessions titled Ag 101 and Ag 201 took place for attendees to hear from experts so they could broaden their knowledge of …
America’s Farmers Food Drive
Nearly 15 percent of households in Illinois face food insecurity, which amounts to an estimated two million people, according to Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization. In Macon County alone, more than 16,500 people struggle to find food. Families in these farming communities are often busy helping to feed the world, but do not have access to …
Cost of Raising Children Born in 2012
The USDA released its annual report, Expenditures on Children by Families, also known as the Cost of Raising a Child. The report shows that a middle-income family with a child born in 2012 can expect to spend about $241,080 ($301,970 adjusted for projected inflation*) for food, shelter, and other necessities associated with child-rearing expenses over the next 17 years. This …
Lisa Hightower Joins United Fresh Produce Association
I love seeing a fellow Florida Gator out in the ag communications workplace. Dr. Lisa Hightower has joined United Fresh Produce Association as the association’s new communications manager. Lisa will produce the Inside Fresh United weekly online newsletter, develop content for United’s website and social media sites, work with news media, and promote awareness of United Fresh events, including the …
Meeting the Rib Whisperer
I’ve eaten a lot of ribs and have judged the World Pork Expo’s BarbeQlossal once upon a time. However, I have just eaten the best ribs ever. Cooked by The Rib Whisperer, Trace Arnold. He’s on a Cross-Country Cookout and I found him at the 2013 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in downtown Sturgis. The HISTORY® Cross-Country Cookout Welcomes Sturgis Motorcycle Rally …
Panera Bread’s Lazy Response to Offensive Promotional Campaign
It looks like Panera Bread has heard from the countryside. However, to date, their response has been lazy at best. Earlier this week Carrie Mess brought to our attention the Panera Bread campaign all about the EZChicken which implies that farmers raising chickens and using antibiotics are lazy. It has launched a grassroots campaign on Facebook and Twitter. Just follow …
Panera Portraying Farmers as Lazy?
I’m echoing Dairy Carrie’s comment that Panera Bread has lost another customer. She explains things much better than I can. This is the story of another company thinking they must portray their product as healthy while at the same time insinuating that other products are not. I have no doubt that there are Panera customers who want products like antibiotic …
Culvers Says Thank You Farmers
Culvers is grateful to farmers so their showing their support. So eat a butter burger and support FFA! Culver’s has depended on family farms since opening its first restaurant in 1984. From the cattle ranches of the Great Plains to the dairy farms of Wisconsin, Culver’s remains committed to sourcing the finest ingredients America’s family growers have to offer. And …
Farm Bureau: Fourth of July Still a Bargain
While prices at the grocery store might have gone up a bit, our friends at the American Farm Bureau Federation say a Fourth of July picnic is still a bargain. The group’s latest marketbasket survey shows a party for 10 people with all the Independence Day favorites, such as hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade …