Consumers have shown increased interest in their food, how it is produced and the safety for their families. That means producers can have an increased role in providing not just food, but the story behind it as well. But when it comes to questions regarding hormones, GMOs, organics and food, food safety, how do producer’s best react to such questions? That is where an organization like Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan (FFC SK) comes in. The group has a mission to engage consumers in a conversation about food and farming and assist in answering tough questions. To do this, they are enlisting the help of Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector to engage consumers in a discussion about where their food comes from.

Based on a national publication called The Real Dirt on Farming, FFC SK offers a speakers training workshop for people who work closely with agriculture and want to be able to answer questions about food production. Whether they’re farmers, ranchers, equipment dealers, chemical reps, agronomists, retailers, or bankers, all ag sector employees are invited to attend this one-day workshop to brush up on their industry knowledge and pick up some tools to help respond to the tough questions.

It is more important than ever for farmers, ranchers and others who work in the ag industry to speak up about food production methods. “In this age of uncertainty, it’s no wonder that people are confused about farming and many in this industry are frustrated.” said Cherilyn Nagel of Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan in a prepared release.

“The information in The Real Dirt on Farming is a great tool to help answer consumer’s questions and the Speakers Training program helps package it in a way that is easy to share.”

Nagel farms with her husband and two daughters near Mossbank in south-central Saskatchewan and facilitates the workshops.

“I’m a farmer, but I’m also a mom who shops for food for her family. I know how confusing it is out there and I know how regularly I get questions about GMOs, pesticides and other production practices,” Nagel said in the release. “During these sessions, we will talk about some of the issues that people are wondering about and how best to answer those difficult questions.”

Adele Buettner, Project Manager, FFC SK, said the program helps producers “be better equipped” to answer questions about what they do.

Buettner said consumers have shown they have similar concerns to the point a Canada wide survey shows there are 10 common themes, so if farmers are versed in those issues they are better positioned to respond to them. The core issue is a disconnect from consumers from the farm. “Less than two percent have direct ties to family farms,” offered Buettner.

So it stands to reason they are not fully aware of how farmers produce their food, and why they use the techniques they do.

“I think our framers are very well-engaged,” said Buettner, but added their organization simply provides added materials and skills.

Once a producer has taken the course Buettner said they are in a better position to talk to local business groups, teachers or service clubs, or to simply talk about consumer issues at the coffee shop. “It helps then explain what we do and why we do it,” said Buettner. •

— By Calvin Daniels