Have you heard of Troy and Stacy Hadrick yet? This couple, who are fifth-generation ranchers from Vale, S.D., have become respected and well-known advocates in the agriculture industry. In fact, the Hadricks formed “Advocates for Agriculture” in 2006 to help teach farm and ranch groups about the importance of telling agriculture’s positive stories ever since. Not only does this power ag couple run a website and blog, you can also find them on Facebook and Twitter. I commend them for all they are doing to tell agriculture’s story, and I encourage our dairy farmers to follow their blog, Facebook or Twitter updates – it may encourage you to take the first steps in telling YOUR story!
“No one is going to tell our story for us. We [people in agriculture] need to do it ourselves,” Troy says.
A lesson learned. The realization came from their botched experience with the media. In 2002, the Blair Ranch was featured as part of The New York Times “Power Steer” article authored by Michael Pollan. Pollan’s premise was to purchase an Angus calf from the Blair Ranch and follow it through the production chain to a feedlot and packing plant. Troy was Pollan’s primary source at the ranch.
Troy says he was excited about sharing the real story of raising cattle on a ranch through this nationally respected publication. But when the article was published, Pollan appeared to have his own agenda and depicted the cattle industry as abusive, inhumane and with no regard for the environment.
Troy says, “The most deflating thing was that we thought we had a great opportunity to tell positive things about the beef industry, and then it wasn’t presented at all how we expected.”
As a result of the article, the Blair family – and the Hadricks – lost a lot of faith in the media and received many negative phone calls from animal-rights people. But also during that time, in the back of their minds, were thoughts on turning that negative media experience into a positive one.
A fellow industry advocate and speaker, Trent Loos, also encouraged them not to hide from the experience, but to share with others how important it is to get the true information about agriculture to the public.
And to convey the positive message of agriculture, Troy and Stacy realized that real producers are the ones who must deliver the story – not a biased New York Times reporter.
Through their presentations, they emphasize that one person can make a difference. Stacy says informing and educating consumers is as simple as, “each of us talking to one person about our own story in agriculture.”
She adds, “Farmers and ranchers don’t have to become professional speakers. You can talk about the ag industry and what you do at the grocery store, the post office, your local school, or sitting next to someone on an airplane. It’s about making that connection with consumers – so they realize you raise the food they eat.”
Troy also emphasizes that real stories about agriculture are what matters. “We want people in ag to realize we all have a story worth telling. Other than our experience with the New York Times, what we do on our ranch isn’t any different than other ranchers.” He says the important message to convey is how ranchers care for their livestock and land – and ultimately produce the safest food in the world.
He continues, “It’s easy for people to throw stones at agriculture, but when you are a real person with a real story, people can’t argue with you about your story. We’ve learned you’re not going to change the mind of someone who wants to argue, but if you can get people to start questioning some of the misinformation so they go looking for the right information – that can make a difference.”
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