There is no better place for agriculture to communicate our commitment to consumers than the Minnesota

State Fair. From the coronation of Princess Kay to the outstanding 4-H and FFA members’ projects, the Minnesota State Fair is how we put the face on agriculture.

Farm Bureau members who spent time at the fair clearly understand that the future of Minnesota agriculture is in good hands. However, as Farm Bureau members we must remember that even though fair season is over - our job is not.

Our mission “to be an advocate for agriculture driven by the beliefs and policies of our members” is not a 12-day mission. As members, we must work hard 365 days a year to communicate our commitment and connect with consumers about who we are, and how we raise the food they eat.

Princess Kay
Listening to the 12 finalists in competition for the 57th Princess Kay of the Milky Way and hearing their enthusiasm for the dairy industry and agriculture is one example of how to communicate our positive message to consumers. Every one of these young women use their communication skills and dairy industry knowledge to help increase the demand for dairy products, and we thank them for their time and talents.

Congratulations to Farm Bureau member Katie Miron from Washington County on being selected the 57th Princess Kay of the Milky Way! As a sophomore at the University of Minnesota majoring in agricultural education, Katie has the passion and understands the commitment farmers and ranchers have for our livestock, crops and the land we call home.

We look forward to her spending the next year participating in public appearances, promotional events and media interviews as the face of the Minnesota dairy industry.

4-H and FFA members
Congratulations to every 4-H and FFA member, their parents and their advisors that represented agriculture at the state fair! These young people are the future of our industry. They rose to the challenge to professionally represent themselves and their communities.

Minnesota Farm Bureau along with many others again participated in the 4-H Club Purple Ribbon Livestock Auction. This event demonstrates the improvements made by livestock producers to meet current consumer demands for leanness, meatiness, taste and nutrition as well as demonstrates the very best in animal husbandry.

A special thank you to the Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association, an overall organization consisting of 20 principal, statewide, purebred livestock breed organizations of all species of livestock for sponsoring the event.

Farmers Feed Us
Minnesota beef, chicken, corn, dairy, egg, hog, soybean and turkey farmers are communicating our commitment through the Farmers Feed US website. By visiting the website www.FarmersFeedUS.org Minnesota residents can register for two grand prizes of “Free Groceries for a Year!” courtesy of Minnesota’s farmers.

When visiting the site, consumers register by “meeting a Minnesota farmer” through a short video that shows how they produce safe, nutritious and affordable food. Consumers can register with each of the nine featured farmers daily through November 6, the end of the 90-day program.

Consumers throughout the state will also see and hear from these farmers as they are featured in television advertising and on Facebook and Twitter.

Speak for Yourself
We must communicate our commitment with groups and organizations outside of agriculture. That is why the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council and Minnesota Farm Bureau are launching an advocacy program called Speak for Yourself. No one can tell the story of ethical farming better than farmers ourselves, if you are a grain or livestock farmer, you are feeding and fueling the economy. Your family, your animals and your land mean everything to you. You care about your community and our environment.

You have a great story to tell and lots of people want to hear it. If you are a Farm Bureau member and a part of an organization or group that would like to better understand farming contact speakforyourselfmn@gmail.com or call 612-756-3226.

If farmers and ranchers don’t speak for ourselves, others will, and their message is not what people need to hear. Please communicate your commitment by telling your farm story.

Your commitment
We need your help, as a Farm Bureau member to build and maintain the trust of our customers and the public in our products and practices. We must do a better job to communicate our commitment to produce safe food, to protect animal well-being, to safeguard our natural resources and to contribute to a better quality of life in our communities. I am asking you to renew your commitment to communicate about agriculture, to share your story and to engage with our consumers.