Interesting alliteration but what do those three words have to do with anything?
Well, just about everything that has to do with this blog.
As the sixth generation to grow up on my family's beef cattle farm, I have always been a strong advocate for agriculture. Living in a rural town, having friends and family that understood the ins and outs of production agriculture, and even serving as the Virginia FFA State President, I had always been surrounded by those who had a working knowledge of the industry. It wasn't until I completely removed myself from that setting that I realized just how few people know, let alone appreciated, where their food and fiber comes from.
After one particular fateful encounter on campus at Virginia Tech, where a vegan activist tried to tell me that farmers abused their animals, a little light bulb went off.
Actually, a BIG light bulb.
Why are we, the agricultural community, letting non-agricultural groups, who have no hands on experience in our industry, define us? Label us with false titles? Tell a story that only we know?
Last December, I was asked to kick start a new partnership between Virginia 4-H, Virginia FFA, and Farm Bureau Young Farmers. This is how Virginia AGvocates: Youth Advocating for Agriculture was born. The purpose of the program is to train young agriculturalists to better represent our industry through public relations activities.
There is three parts to the Virginia AGvocates mission:
Actually, a BIG light bulb.
Why are we, the agricultural community, letting non-agricultural groups, who have no hands on experience in our industry, define us? Label us with false titles? Tell a story that only we know?
Last December, I was asked to kick start a new partnership between Virginia 4-H, Virginia FFA, and Farm Bureau Young Farmers. This is how Virginia AGvocates: Youth Advocating for Agriculture was born. The purpose of the program is to train young agriculturalists to better represent our industry through public relations activities.
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| Some Southside Area FFA members after signing the "I am a Virginia AGvocate" contract following an AGvocacy workshop. |
There is three parts to the Virginia AGvocates mission:
- Produce - Not only do agriculturalists produce food, but they should also produce facts about our industry to help others understand about the impact agriculture has on everyday lives.
- Promote - Find ways to speak about agriculture to your non-farming friends, whether its through a Letter to your Editor, blog, or simply inviting people out to your farm to get some first hand experience.
- Pride - Don't be shy about telling others you agriculture story. Agricultural production involves long hours in all kinds weather, market prices, and just plain circumstances. Why not jump at the chance to tell a funny story or a life lesson learned through agriculture?
Essentially, this program is the reason this blog was created. As a Junior at Virginia Tech in Agricultural Sciences, I'm a getting credit for the leadership work I do with Virginia AGvocates this semester. This blog will be a reflection of my experiences within the context of leadership, advocacy and personal growth.
