Anyone involved in agriculture understands that with advancement of social media there has been a substantial increase in misinformation and false narratives on a variety of issues related to the production food and fiber. Farmers and ranchers are under constant criticism, based on a growing belief that all of today’s agricultural practices are centered around greed and result in irreparable damage to consumer health and the environment.
Untrue! Today’s family farmer and rancher remains deeply committed to the health and well-being of the consumer and the land.
In terms of the consumer, farmers and ranchers do care greatly about the products they grow and sell. Simply put, they aren’t only producing food and fiber for the world – they are also producing it for their families. To believe that they would knowingly source products that are unsafe for consumption is just plain wrong .
In terms of the land, they rare dependent upon healthy soils and clean water because it is what their livelihoods are based on – to damage, contaminate or jeopardize in any way that which gives life to the crops and livestock would be a fool’s venture.
Moreover, it’s no secret that agricultural producers are in a continuous struggle to maintain financial viability. In any given year rising fuel costs, depressed markets, or weather related losses can place a producer’s operation in peril. Today misinformation can also be a mitigating factor.
Ask any farmer or rancher who is active in social media and marketing and they will tell you that false or misleading information can drive prices down in the blink of an eye.
Truth of the matter, it is costly and downright risky to produce food and fiber for a global market. Producers are continually adopting new farming practices to aid them in providing a safe and sustainable food supply for the consumer. At high costs and limited returns.
Think about this. Farm and ranch families now comprise less than two percent of the U.S. population, and at an average age of 58.3 years. Yet, they still manage to feed and clothe the world.
There are many of these producers who have reached a crossroads, in terms of continuing their family’s farming traditions or packing it in. Now more than ever we need to promote and support our local producers. The AgriVenturist is a quarterly publication aimed at providing insight into the lives and livelihoods of our agricultural producers across the Desert Southwest and beyond.
Our goal is to introduce you to the families who toil day in and day out to provide a safe, sustainable source of food and fiber for the consumer. The hope is to foster fact based and constructive dialogue between independent producers and the consumer.
The first issue will be published October 2018. If you are interested in subscribing or advertising with us please contact us via
editor@theAgriVenturist.com