CHESTERFIELD, Mo. (April 1, 2013) – The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance® (USFRA®) congratulates the winners of the Animal Ag Alliance’s fourth annual College Aggies Online (CAO) scholarship competition.
CHESTERFIELD, Mo. (April 12, 2013) –Since the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance® (USFRA®) Faces of Farming & Ranching winners announcement more than ten weeks ago, Chris Chinn (Mo.), Will Gilmer (Ala.), Katie Pratt (Ill.), and Bo Stone (N.C.) have been on the go representing agriculture in the mainstream media and to consumer audiences. From blogging, tweeting, and conducting numerous interviews, they have vigorously stepped into the role as the Faces of Farming & Ranching.
“What I find most exciting about the Faces of Farming & Ranching program is we are connecting directly with those who are raising questions about how we grow and raise their food,” said Katie Pratt. “It is bringing together a diverse group of agricultural voices. We are all talking about what we can do together to further our conversations with consumers.”
Here are just a few examples:
· Bo Stone, Chris Chinn and Will Gilmer recently posted blogs on the www.foodialogues .com website about their farming and ranching operations.
o Chris recently posted two blogs. Her first blog “Farming in a Blizzard, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly!” talks about her family’s hog operation and how winter can bring challenges to farmers working to care for their animals. Chris’s current blog “Why Do Hog Farmers Keep Their Pigs Inside Barns?” explains the differences between raising hogs inside and outdoors.
o Bo’s blog titled the “Evolution of My Farm” discusses how his farm has evolved, including the story of how the dynamics of his farm has changed because of his family.
o Will posted a blog titled “So God made a farmer...and I wrote a blog post.” about the Super Bowl commercial and how his willingness to tell his story has made him a face of agriculture. He talks about being inspired to encourage others to share their stories.
· On March 19, Katie Pratt participated in a USFRA National Ag Day educational briefing session and tweet chat on Capitol Hill followed by numerous briefings with Washington media. Recently, she also took part in a tweet chat with mommy food bloggers and a radio media tour with 17 national and state radio stations. Both discussed commonly-used, but little-understood food terms.
· All four traveled to New York the week of April 1 to participate in meetings with consumer media and editorial boards.
There are many activities planned for the Faces of Farming & Ranching winners this spring.
· On April 24, Chris Chinn and Bo Stone will participate in the Innovation Forums of the 2013 Restaurant Leadership Conference. They will be included in a panel titled “A Look Behind the Menu at Where Food Comes From” which will provide restaurant operators messaging to handle consumers’ questions about food terminology.
· Will Gilmer will serve on a panel at IFIC Science Communications Summit on May 7 in Washington, D.C. titled “Risk Communications in the Digital Age: Managing Uncertainty at the Speed of Light”.
About U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA)
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) consists of nearly 80 farmer- and rancher-led organizations and agricultural partners representing virtually all aspects of agriculture working to engage in dialogues with consumers who have questions about how today’s food is grown and raised. USFRA is committed to continuous improvement and supporting U.S. farmers and ranchers efforts to increase confidence and trust in today’s agriculture.
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CONTACT
Lisa Cassady, U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, cassady@usfraonline.org / 636.449.5046
St. Louis, MO- (April 26, 2013) – The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance® (USFRA®) recently received national recognition from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) for its 2012 consumer communications aimed at restoring trust in the food production system.
Chesterfield, MO (May 6, 2013) – The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance® (USFRA®) announces public relations, agribusiness and food industries veteran, Randy Krotz, as its new vice president of development.
Documentary to Capture Stories of Real Farmers and Ranchers Across America
Announced at SXSW Film Festival
Austin, Texas (March 12, 2013) – Oscar® winning and two-time Emmy® winning filmmaker James Moll is proud to announce the production of a feature-length documentary about the next generation of American farmers and ranchers. The yet-to-be-titled documentary will profile farmers and ranchers in their twenties, all of whom have assumed the generational responsibility of running the family business.
Mobilizes Farmers and Ranchers in engaging key D.C. Consumer Influencers
CHESTERFIELD, MO. (March 13, 2013) – As part of the 40th anniversary of National Agriculture Day celebrated on Tuesday, March 19 around the country, the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance® (USFRA®) will be on Capitol Hill to present recent research on the relevance of modern agriculture and encourage sharing of personal stories of continual improvement on the farm and ranch.
Discussions to Focus on Biotechnology and Food Transparency Issues
CHESTERFIELD, Mo. (February 28, 2013) –Today, the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA®) announced the dates and locations for two events in the continuation of its high-profile discussions, The Food DialoguesSM, designed to answer Americans’ questions on some of today’s most provocative issues surrounding food.
CHESTERFIELD, MO. (February 7, 2013) – Katie Pratt, an Illinois farmer recently named as one of the “Faces of Farming & Ranching” by the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA®), will be helping television viewers across the country on Friday, February 8 understand what food terms such as organic, local, grass-fed, naturally-raised and sustainable really mean.
Four Farmers and Ranchers Selected to Represent U.S. Agriculture: Bo Stone, Chris Chinn, Katie Pratt and Will Gilmer Selected to be the New Faces of Farming & Ranching
¨CHESTERFIELD, MO. (January 22, 2013) – Today, the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA®) announced that Chris Chinn (Mo.), Will Gilmer (Ala.), Katie Pratt (Ill.), and Bo Stone (N.C.), have been selected as the winners of its Faces of Farming & Ranching program, a nationwide search launched in summer 2012 to help put real faces on the American agriculture industry. More than 100 applications were submitted from passionate, dedicated farmers and ranchers across the country.
Cattle rancher Debbie Lyons-Blythe, White City, Kan., answers one consumer’s questions about how food is grown and raised.
CHESTERFIELD, MO. (December 6, 2012) On their family ranch in White City, Kan., cattle rancher, Debbie Lyons-Blythe, recently visited with one consumer to answer her questions about how cattle are grown and raised. U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance and Anderson Live recently partnered on the segment, scheduled to air on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, to connect farmers and ranchers and consumers.
Winners will serve as national agriculture spokespeople, answering America’s toughest questions about food production
CHESTERFIELD, Mo. (December 4, 2012) – There are only twelve days remaining for America to help decide the next faces of agriculture. The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) has identified nine finalists in its Faces of Farming & Ranching program who all have the passion and desire to share more about how they grow and raise food. Consumers and other farmers and ranchers around the country are asked to vote online for their favorites to help choose who will be the winners. The winners will represent all farmers and ranchers and help encourage dialogues around food production questions. More importantly, they will help set the record straight about the way our nation is fed.
Visit www.fooddialogues.com to watch a short video of each finalist’s farm or ranch. The voting will conclude on December 15. These votes will contribute to the total score and help determine the winners.
Cast your vote online at www.FoodDialogues.com
Nov. 15 – Dec. 15 to help select the faces of American agriculture
CHESTERFIELD, MO. (November 15, 2012) – Today at The Food Dialogues : New York, the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) announced the finalists of its Faces of Farming and Ranching program, a nationwide search launched earlier this summer to help put real faces on agriculture. Chris Chinn (Missouri), Will Gilmer (Ala.), Daphne Holterman (Wis.), Brenda Kirsch (Ore.), Tim Nilsen (Calif.), Eric McClam (S.C.), Katie Pratt (Ill.), Bo Stone (N.C.), Janice Wolfinger (Ohio) were all named program finalists.
New Survey Released During The Food DialoguesSM: New York Reveals
Knowledge About Food Is Status Symbol for New York Consumers
CHESTERFIELD, MO. (Nov. 15, 2012) – For New Yorkers, food knowledge means social status. According to a new survey of New York area consumers released today by the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), 54 percent of New Yorkers believe that being knowledgeable about food is a social status symbol. The survey, released in conjunction with The Food DialoguesSM: New York, found that New Yorkers in general were less informed about how food is grown and raised, but if they could prioritize it, would be more passionate about learning more about food than consumers across the country.
New Survey Released During The Food DialoguesSM: New York Shows Need for Dialogue Despite Confidence in How Food is Grown and Raised
CHESTERFIELD, MO. (Nov. 15, 2012) – Today, the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) released findings of a new survey about Americans’ perceptions on food production. The survey, released in conjunction with The Food DialoguesSM: New York, revealed Americans increasingly believe food production is heading in the right direction. However, the survey also found Americans still have widespread misperceptions about how food is grown and raised.
Experts in nutrition, food policy, biotechnology, veterinary science, farming and ranching to lead discussions on antibiotics and biotech seeds (GMOS)
CHESTERFIELD, Mo. (Oct. 23, 2012) – The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) today unveiled USFRA FoodSource, an online resource designed to answer consumer questions about how food is grown and raised. This tool, available at www.fooddialogues.com, is a one-stop, online destination for information on topics including antibiotic use in farm animals and biotechnology.
BY USFRA ON OCTOBER 04, 2012
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) assembles Leaders in Nutrition, Food Policy, Biotechnology, Veterinary Science and Farming and Ranching to Discuss Provocative Food Topics
CHESTERFIELD, MO. (October 4, 2012) – Americans continue to have questions about how food is grown and raised. In response, the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), which was created to lead the dialogue and answer questions consumers have about food production through unique events, social media, access to farmers and ranchers, and content on its website, www.fooddialogues.com, will host The Food DialoguesSM: New York. Today, USFRA announced the list of panelists who will assemble at The TimesCenter in Midtown Manhattan on November 15 for panel discussions on some of today’s most pressing issues concerning food – antibiotics, biotechnology and media, marketing and food.
CHESTERFIELD, MO., August 31, 2012 –This week, USFRA provided two farmers the opportunity to join the mainstream media’s discussion about agriculture. USFRA helped to place an article on CNN's Eatocracy that features an op-ed from fifth generation farmer Mike Haley. He highlights the challenges of the 2012 drought and how the latest technologies and a focus on continuous improvement are helping farmers. Click here to read the op-ed.
BY USFRA ON AUGUST 3, 2012
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance Announces Next Food Dialogues will Take Place in New York on November 15
CHESTERFIELD, Mo. (August 3, 2012) – More than ever, Americans want information on how their food is grown and raised. The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) was created to lead the dialogue and answer questions consumers have about food production through events, social media, access to farmers and ranchers, and content on its website, www.fooddialogues.com. To continue the conversation on some of today’s most pressing issues concerning food, the USFRA today announced plans to hold the next Food Dialogues event in New York on Thursday, November 15.
BY USFRA ON JUNE 25, 2012
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance Kicks Off Nationwide Search to Find Top Ambassadors of Agriculture
LOS ANGELES (June 25, 2012) When it comes to today’s agriculture, there are many examples of great farmers and ranchers all over the country doing wonderful things to bring food to the table for those around the world. But few of those farmers and ranchers are recognizable by consumers, mainstream media and influencers. In fact, the pictures and perceptions of farmers and ranchers often do not match reality.
USFRA wants to change that.
BY USFRA ON JUNE 11, 2012
California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross and other leaders in entertainment, foodservice, academia and agriculture will take part in series of panel discussions
CHESTERFIELD, MO. (June 11, 2012) Laura McIntosh, George Motz, Michael Olson and Michael Specter will moderate the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance’s Food Dialogues event entitled, “Lights, Camera, Food: Perceptions and Realities of Farming and Ranching in America,” on June 20-21, 2012. Four separate discussions – held over two days – will bring together entertainment movers and shakers, chefs, academics, large restaurant operators, journalists, local leaders and farmers and ranchers for in-depth conversations about food. California Secretary of Agriculture, Karen Ross, has confirmed her participation as well.
BY USFRA ON MAY 25, 2012
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance Assembles Leaders in Entertainment, Foodservice, Academia and Agriculture for Panel Discussions June 20-21, 2012
CHESTERFIELD, MO. (May 25, 2012) Farmers and ranchers are headed to Los Angeles – the entertainment capital of the world – for the second Food Dialogues event, June 20-21, 2012. Four separate discussions – held over two days – will bring together entertainment movers and shakers, chefs, academics, large restaurant operators, journalists, local leaders, farmers and ranchers for an in-depth conversation about food. All panel discussions taking place at the event entitled, “Lights, Camera, Food: Perceptions and Realities of Farming and Ranching in America,” will be available online (either live streamed or taped) at www.fooddialogues.com.
CHESTERFIELD, Mo., May 11, 2012 – The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) held their spring meetings in St. Louis, Mo. The purpose of this event was to conduct the Board of Directors meeting and bring the Communications Advisory Committee (CAC) and Task Force members together for first face-to-face meeting.
FROM FARM FUTURES ON MARCH 8, 2012
On Wednesday the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance hosted a Food Dialogue panel in Washington D.C. Bart Schott, vice president of USFRA, said the initial Food Dialogue last September was very successful, and they felt another discussion would fit right in since this is National Agriculture Week.
The theme of this Food Dialogue was The Future of Food and Farming: An Agriculture Day Dialogue. The panel included Roger Beachy, former director of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture; Bryan Dierlam, director of government affairs at Cargill; Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Dave White; Eileen Langdon, a North Carolina veterinarian; and Wyoming rancher Pat O'Toole.
FROM MY RURAL TV ON MARCH 12, 2012
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) is a newly formed alliance consisting of a wide range of prominent farmer- and rancher-led organizations and agricultural partners. This marks the first time agricultural groups at the national, regional and state levels have collaborated to lead the dialogue and answer Americans’ questions about how we raise our food – while being stewards of the environment, responsibly caring for our animals and maintaining strong businesses and communities.
FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES FEBRUARY 19, 2012
During the recent Grammy Awards, a cartoon farmer and his cows and pigs made their TV debut, starring in an ad for Chipotle Mexican Grill.
CHESTERFIELD, MO., November 2, 2011 – The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) announced today that BASF is participating in USFRA as a member of its Industry Partners Council (IPC). BASF joins a national farmer- and rancher-led effort to enhance public trust in today’s agriculture.
nytimes.com
By Julia Moski
LAST week, a new public-relations campaign about agriculture got off to a splashy start. With full-page ads in newspapers and panel discussions live-streamed on the Internet, the newly formed U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance began what it called a bid to reshape the dialogue about the American food supply.
World Dairy Diary
Chuck Zimmerman
The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, Food Dialogues, is now live for your viewing pleasure. You can watch live on the Food Dialogues website or by using the Food Dialogues app on Facebook. That's where I'm watching.
WJBC – the Voice of Central Illinois
Carrie Muehling
A town hall -style discussion on Thursday aims to give Americans the opportunity to ask questions and get some answers regarding food production and broader issues related to food in this country.
News Radio 1420
Texas Farm Bureau
American farmers and ranchers are invited to participate in an online “food dialogue,” hosted by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CDT on Thursday, Sept. 22.
The virtual meeting will allow farmers and ranchers across the country to join four town hall meetings. During the dialogue, the agriculture industry will come together to talk about how consumers relate to American farmers and ranchers through the food and fiber they produce.
Chuck Zimmerman
Corn Commentary
NCGA President, Bart Schott, ND corn grower, was a panelist on today's Food Dialogues, a town hall style discussion via live web stream. Food Dialogues is a project of the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA). Schott is secretary of USFRA.
Agwired.com/Precisionpays.com
Chuck Zimmerman
http://agwired.com/2011/09/22/usfra-releases-consumerfarmer-survey-results/
http://precisionpays.com/2011/09/watch-usfra-food-dialogues-live-online-now/
Today the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance released the results of a survey they conducted in July/August. They surveyed 2,417 consumers and 1,002 farmers/ranchers, both on a nationwide basis. The graphic below shows a comparison of the top five things consumers want more information about with the top five things farmers/ranchers think are most important to educate consumers about. You can find a more comprehensive summary of the results with this link (pdf).
Sacramento Bee
Anne Gonzales
A national town hall-style discussion forum Thursday will allow farmers and ranchers to directly answer questions from Americans about how food is grown and raised.
News10 ABC Sacramento
Kate Larsen
Online and broadcast
http://www.news10.net/news/article/155776/2/California-ranchers-farmers-discuss-food-in-America
DAVIS, CA - Farmers, ranchers and food experts from across the nation will participate in a multi-city town hall style meeting at the Mondavi Institute in Davis. The purpose is to directly answer questions from the American public about how food is grown and raised.
Allison Aubrey
Also picked up by GPB, Vermont Public Radio and KUHF-FM Houston Radio http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2011/09/22/140703300/farmers-and-ranchers-reach-out-to-talk-to-consumers
NPR's the SALT
by ALLISON AUBREY
It seems that all the big farm groups - from beef and pork producers to sugar and soybean growers — have been paying attention to those 'Know Your Farmer' bumper stickers.
Brownfield Ag News
Ken Anderson
The Food Dialogues, a series of town-hall style discussions, is taking place today (Thursday) at four locations across the nation, as well as online.
Survey Findings Released During “The Food Dialogues” Indicate Americans Constantly Think About Food Production Yet Have Little Connection to Farming or Ranching; Respondents Split on Whether Agriculture is Improving or Heading in Wrong Direction.
ABC News10 Sacramento
Kate Larsen
DAVIS, CA - Farmers, ranchers and food experts from across the nation will participate in a multi-city town hall style meeting at the Mondavi Institute in Davis. The purpose is to directly answer questions from the American public about how food is grown and raised.
Sacramento Bee
By Anne Gonzales
A national town hall-style discussion forum Thursday will allow farmers and ranchers to directly answer questions from Americans about how food is grown and raised.
Sacramento Bee
By Anne Gonzales
While Michael Dimock called on America to "rise up" and demand food that's healthier for people and the planet, Eric Benson explained that his family business will spend $30 million to make roomier pens for egg-laying hens.
And thousands of eyes nationwide watched the debate from their computer screens, tweeting and posting reactions on Facebook.
Event will feature Good Morning America's Claire Shipman and Chef John Besh; Farmer/Rancher and Consumer Survey Results to Guide Conversation
Are you ready to talk about food? The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance is. On Sept. 22 they’re holding The Food Dialogues. During the event you’re encouraged to follow the Twitter hashtag: #FoodD and participate!
The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers AllianceSM; (USFRA), comprised of prominent national, regional and state agricultural groups and their partners, today announced plans to lead a conversation with Americans, addressing concerns about their food, where it comes from and how it’s raised.
In support of a national effort to strengthen the image of agriculture and enhance public trust in today’s agricultural production practices, the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) and John Deere announce that the company will become a member of the Premier Partner Advisory Group (PPAG).
The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), a coalition of 49 agriculture groups, says it will begin a $10 million media campaign to reintroduce consumers to the origins of their food. USFRA includes the National
FROM BROWNFIELD AG NEWS ON MARCH 25, 2011
(USFRA) has selected an advertising agency and plans to launch a consumer-focused communications campaign this July.
FROM AG WIRED ON MARCH 24, 2011
FROM AG DAY.ORG ON FEBRUARY 17,2011
On March 15, USFRA will join other ag-related organizations at National Ag Day in Washington D.C.. National Ag Day is a day to celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture as well as build awareness for and appreciation of the role of agriculture in the everyday lives of Americans.
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