Who's Turn to Talk? Agriculture Communication 101

Hi, I'm Joe, the plumber; easily influenced by movies, music, media and Mom. The question is, "If Joe the Plumber wants information about where his food comes from, how it is produced, and who is profiting from it, where does he go for the education?" In the recently released trailer for the upcoming movie "Food, inc.", over two minutes is spent convincing you that upon inside you will find an fact-filled, hard look into the deep recesses the agricultural chamber of secrets. And who is there to tell them that they have it all wrong? Do they have it all wrong? When only side is talking, even with shaky facts and weak conclusions, a debate is very easily won.

The problems that Agriculturists will have to face in the near future is communicating a clear and unified message about what really happens from the farm to the fork. With the population and urban sprawl covering good farmland with houses and parking lots, the industry has had to become more efficient; growing more food on less land. However, where are the cheering vegetarians and the parade processions over the battles won against food insecurity and poverty. The United States maintains the cheapest and safest food supply in the world. Unfortunately, the unsung heroes are in labs and fields making improvements while all the talking is done by the omnivores with dilemmas.

I recently sat in a 300 student class at Michigan State University. It was titled the sociocultural aspects of food. A group of students were in front singing the praises of the Organic foods that they undoubtedly "Googled" to a point of relative proficiency. It wasn't until I started asking questions that their seemingly open and shut presentation became house built on a sandy foundation. It wasn't their fault that they utilized what they read and heard to make a presentation. Heck, only one side is writing and talking in a way that Joe can understand. So when All-American Joe, the plumber wanders into a movie theater this summer with his wife, kids, and large popcorn, who is going to tell them that the chickens and peanut butter aren't to be confused with weapons of mass infection? Will there be a rebuttal trailer or movie that is just as convincing? So far, one has yet to be seen.