Research has shown that farmers, ranchers, and practicing veterinarians are our greatest assets when working to bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. In the time of COVID-19, our chances of engaging positively are even greater as farming and agriculture earned the number one spot for best-viewed industry in a 2020 Gallup poll. A panel of farmers and agriculturalists will share the stage and provide their views on how we can continue these conversations while elevating farmer voices in dialogues surrounding food and agriculture at the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2021 Virtual Summit.
The Alliance’s annual Summit brings together thought leaders in the agriculture and food industries to discuss hot-button issues and out-of-the-box ideas to connect everyone along the food chain, engage influencers and protect the future of animal agriculture. The 2021 event, themed “Obstacles to Opportunities,” is set primarily for May 5 and 6. Preconference webinars are scheduled for the five business days leading up to the main event, beginning this Wednesday, April 28. Registration closes April 30 — save your seat today!
“Food and agriculture are hot topics right now, especially with conversations surrounding sustainability, animal welfare, antibiotic use and nutrition holding media attention,” said Emily Solis, Alliance communications specialist. “We need to find ways to empower farmers, ranchers, practicing veterinarians and those with boots on the ground to share their first-hand stories while providing their expertise in discussions that could impact our food system and their daily lives.”
Farmers are our best allies, but with farm and ranch families comprising less than two percent of the U.S. population we must elevate their voices. Four agriculture voices, from a beginning beef rancher to a poultry veterinarian, will take the stage to share their passions in advocating online and in their communities, obstacles they face as they reach outside the choir and opportunities for the animal agriculture community to better support their efforts. 2021 Virtual Summit closing session “Creating Opportunities to Elevate Farmer Voices” panelists include:
- Markie Hageman, Beginning Beef Rancher and Founder, Girls Eat Beef Too
- Alexander Strauch, DVM, Poultry Veterinarian, Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, Inc.
- Jennifer Osterholt, Farmer and Blogger, Plowing Through Life
- Brandi Buzzard, Owner, High Bar Cattle Company
The full event agenda is available on the Virtual Summit registration website. Sessions will highlight ways to position animal agriculture as a path forward to climate neutrality, how to handle misinformation in the time of COVID-19, and strategies for virtual stakeholder and influencer engagement.
