The Public Needs to be Educated About Agriculture

The Public Needs to be Educated About AgricultureStephanie Stade"In the last 15 years, it occurred to me that the public no longer knows what farming and ranching is all about. The wonderful image we (producers) used to have in this field of just being the best that America has to offer has been lost. One hundred years ago, 25 percent of us were in agriculture. Today, only 2.5 percent of us are," said Lehr.Consumers70% know little or nothing2.5% in agricultureAbout 27% are educatedDecision based on how food is grown or raisedRely on mediaAnti GMOsWant organicFood Prices in U.S.10% of budget50% of budget in developing countriesU.S. complains mostPickyLeast educated

PETA

People for the Ethical Treatment of AnimalsLargest animal rights groupMore than 3 million members

Factory farmsClothing tradeLaboratoriesEntertainment industryDomesticated animalsHuntingCruel Killing of pestsMedicationHormonesSteroids

PETA Does not understandHormones-Fewer cows, more milk-Easier to keep an eye on2/3rds of America concerned-Well tested and safe FDAPublic goes along with mediaIncrease in organic demand

Yahoo2012 article Agriculture #1 most useless degree-Necessary above anything else-No Farms, No Food-Example of Uneducated Public

ChipotleGrammys commercial anti agricultureBack to the Start.Mistreated on factory farms Should be raised like they used to beRun freeNo antibiotics or hormonesAdvertised from well raised animals

Little do they knowIndoor housing and medications- Less disease- Less fighting- Easier to keep an eye on- Out of sun-Easier to keep coolCannot use the same ways we used to -7 billion people ChipotleAdvertising a fantasyNot realityFalsely Advertise their foodLabeling farmers as bad people

Educating the publicIf we dont educate the public:-End of Agriculture how we know it today-Number of farmers will decline more than they already have

More Education Is NeededClassroom- More Ag classes in high school-FFA offered at more locations-More push towards joining 4HAgritourism-More farms that the public can access-Allows public to see it in real life

Stades Farm & MarketAgritourism operationFarm MarketsFall FestivalEducationalThousands of peopleMany different attractions

Our SurveyOut of 100 peopleOver half never seen a calf bottle fed in real life About Half had no idea what a combine isAbout 15% thought chocolate milk came from brown cows

Help keep everyones bellies full, educated the public!!Works CitedPublic uneducated about ag production, fertilizer use Country World Archives 2001-2008. 20 March 2013 http://www.countryworldnews.com/news-archives/SCTX/2002/sc1031fertilizer.phpU.S. Organic Food Sales In Billions Side Tracks- June 2012. 18 March 2013 http://www.bluemountainstation.com/blog/2012/06/side-tracks-june-2012/Our Mission Statement PETA. 1 March 2013 http://www.peta.org/about/default.aspx