Ohio Farm Bureau is launching a pilot program this year to quantify the conversations its members have about building trust in food, farming and agriculture. “Project 155” will kick off in conjunction with “Conversation with EASE (Engage-Acknowledge-Share-Earn Trust)” training sessions this winter at various county Farm Bureau meetings.
“Today, a farmer feeds 155 people per year, but I doubt that most farmers engage in productive conversations with that many consumers,” said David White, Ohio Farm Bureau senior director of issues management. “If each farmer could be part of that many conversations, we think it will have a tremendous impact in increasing trust about food, farming and agriculture.”
Ohio Farm Bureau aims to train 2,500 members through Conversation with EASE, a quality training program developed by U. S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance that focuses on a simple formula for effective conversation: Engage, Acknowledge, Share, Earn Trust. At the end of each session, participants will be encouraged to commit to having 155 productive conversations. Once committed, members will be able to track their progress and see the total number of conversation commitments at www.project155.com.
Conversation with EASE training sessions
Feb. 28 – Ashland, Wayne, Medina and Holmes counties
March 13 – Auglaize, Shelby and Logan counties
March 18 – Hardin, Seneca, Wyandot and Hancock counties
March 19 – Tuscarawas, Harrison, Carroll and Jefferson counties
March 21 – Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Trumbull and Mahoning counties
March 25 – Allen, Paulding, Putnam and Van Wert counties
March 26 – Champaign, Clark, Darke and Miami counties
March 27 – Fairfield, Hocking Perry, Pickaway and Ross counties
April 2 – Adams, Brown, Clermont and Highland counties
April 3 – Clinton, Fayette, Greene and Warren counties
April 4 – Columbiana, Portage, Stark and Summit counties
April 18 – Belmont, Guernsey, Monroe, Noble and Washington counties
April 23 – Athens, Galia, Jackson/Vinton, Lawrence, Pike and Scioto counties
April 25 – Coshocton, Knox, Licking, Muskingum and Morgan counties
June 13 – Cuyahoga, Erie, Huron and Lorain counties
June 18 Delaware, Franklin, Madison and Union counties