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by Jack Fisher, OFBF executive vice president

There’s rarely a day when I don’t see a newspaper clipping that riles me up. Farm Bureau monitors newspapers from the Washington Post to the Wooster Daily Record. Nearly every day, some writer somewhere points an accusatory finger at something going on in the farm community. I know you see those stories too, because the state office regularly hears from members who are upset about something they saw in the paper, and who want "Farm Bureau to do something!"

Many times we do. We occasionally craft letters to editors. More frequently, we react to "bad press" in a subtle way such as a quiet call to a writer to discuss our concerns. When necessary, we elevate our reaction, an example of which is covered in the adjacent Media Response column. In short, when newspaper coverage of agriculture is unfair, unbalanced or just plain wrong, Farm Bureau is committed to setting the record straight. My question is, are you committed too?

Are you willing to defend your industry’s honor? Agriculture’s critics aren’t bashful about speaking their minds and neither should you be either. You are the "authentic voice" that reporters and readers crave. You are the one who knows the truth. And it’s you who can best speak with the experience and emotion that will affect public opinion.

OFBF President Bob Peterson recently talked about the need for farmers to respond to inaccuracies carried in the newspaper. He said, "Most people don’t understand farming. They read about the worst-case scenarios talked about by the activists. It’s up to us to give them the facts." Peterson also believes that farmers, delivering a truthful message, have the credibility to affect the public’s views. "I think if you give people good information, over time, they’ll make the right choices."

Deciding to put your name on a letter to the editor isn’t an easy thing to do. It takes a lot of courage. Perhaps it helps to know you’re not going to be tackling this task alone. Farm Bureau is here to help. Lean on us for the facts and statistics that will help you make your case. We can help you organize your thoughts or choose the right words. But most of the time you won’t need Farm Bureau’s help. You’ll know what to say and how to say it. And how to help the public know the truth about farms and farmers.

The next time you read a news story, editorial or letter to the editor that makes you want to cringe, don’t get mad. Get motivated. Speak up for yourself, your neighbors and your industry. Agriculture has a great story to tell, and the best storyteller is you!