Spring ahead! That’s right the first day of spring is Saturday, which also coincides with National Ag Day. What a great tie in. The connection between the green up of spring and agriculture is natural and one we should aggressively promote with consumers.
To counter negatives spread by the national non-farm media, many of which are unsubstantiated, we in agriculture have lots to share with our food, fiber and fuel customers about the positives of farmers and the lands we love.

Since we are in the midst of National Ag Week (March 14-20), now is a good time to rededicate ourselves to remind everyone how important agriculture is for our nutrition, our comfort and our transportation.

Take a look in the mirror and ask yourself when you last told friends, family and others about the productivity of farmers. Ask the person looking back whether or not you have mentioned to those far removed from the farm how agriculture has made tremendous advances in conservation that have enhanced water quality, air quality and wildlife habitat.

Should we shy away from incidents reported in the media that are not complimentary? Of course not, however farmers should be prepared to address questions related to agricultural challenges that are pointed out in the daily newspaper, on TV, in magazines or some version of internet communication. 

Many of our farm organizations, commodity groups, agricultural agencies, ag suppliers, schools and universities can provide a multitude of information sources to help us. Not only can such resources help us tout the good we do, but also accurately answer those challenging questions prompted by inaccurate press reports.
Share with the unknowing that America’s farmers produce 46 percent of the world’s soybeans, 41 percent of the world’s corn,13 percent of the world’s wheat and nearly 21 percent of the world’s cotton. Let your neighbors in on some of our best kept secrets. The average farmer today feeds 144 people, versus only 26 in the 1960’s.  Tell your city friends that agricultural efficiencies allow them to spend less than 10 percent of their income for food, much less than almost anywhere else on this planet. Take pride in showing non-farmers wildlife food plots you have planted, or the grassed buffers that are strategically placed to protect water quality.
Educate consumers about farm use of advanced technologies that help farmers more efficiently use fertilizer, crop protection products, and other inputs that generate food products that rank as the highest quality and most abundant in the world.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Roger Bender may write to him in care of this publication.