Nagel: Don’t Be Scared To Stick Up For Farming

Being an advocate for the Ag industry can be very difficult, even if you are passionate about farming.

Cherilyn Nagel is on the board of Directors of Global Farmer Network.

Earlier this year, she told farmers in the Tri-Cities don’t worry if you don’t have all of the numbers memorized, and all of the science explained.

“And the truth is what the public really wants is to know the value system behind the decisions we’re making on the farm.  We’re putting our family first, always, we’re putting the environment first always.  And if we start looking at the decisions we make from a point of values in our system, I believe the public will be better able to understand what we’re doing.”

Telling that story, Nagel contends, includes understanding the difference between animal rights and animal welfare.

“I believe nobody cares for animal better than farmers and ranchers.  So, in the heart of all things animals are the farmers that take care of them.  Farming and ranching with animals, especially, is a 365 day a year job, farmers and ranchers truly care about and respect the animals that they work with.”

She also says it’s important to be willing to admit mistakes, whether personal or industry wide.

Again, Nagel stressed you can be an effective ambassador for farming by sharing your own story.