How to Better Communicate Fear of Chemicals with the Average Consumer

SPREADING THE FACTS

Michelle Miller - michelle@thefarmbabe.com

For those of us in agriculture who grow, spray, cultivate, and harvest, what we do on a day-to-day basis seems pretty normal. Maybe you’ve done it your entire life, maybe it’s your main multigenerational focus but don’t always know how to communicate the tough topics.

But it is important that we tackle tough topics and clear up misconceptions. If people aren’t comfortable with what we grow, they won’t buy our products. Activist groups are trying to ban what we use because they don’t get it; or they’re worried about food safety or chemicals and that ultimately affects policy. Education is important and I’d recommend never shying away from these topics. Discussing the tough topics gets easier with practice, but policy is influenced by the people. When people vote incorrectly or try to change our practices- it can negatively impact the environment, global food security, family farms and so much more.

So when tackling misunderstood issues with the general public, I recommend trying analogies that everyone can understand. Like, you know how if you swallow an entire bottle of aspirin you could die? Do you know how if you have a headache and take two of them it’s totally safe and beneficial or necessary? The dose makes the poison and ag chemicals are applied very minimally. Using more than necessary is a waste of time and money!

Now let’s take that idea and apply it to agriculture. Ag planes are used to spray crops to control weeds, insects and diesease. Similar to a garden, everyone knows you must control weeds, tend to the health of the plant and eradicate the pest or they’ll take over and you’ll lose that crop. The only difference is that a majority of farms that feed the world are thousands of acres. Would you like to come over and weed all that by hand? I didn’t think so.

So what about glyphosate as an example? Also known as Roundup and possibly considered the mainstream media chemical boogeyman, it is a very popular herbicide used in millions of gardens around the world to control weeds. On a farm, this is done on a large scale but the minimal amount actually used may shock the average person. For example, 22 ounces per acre is a popular rate of application which is equivalent to less than two beer cans over an area of land the size of a football field!

Now I don’t know how many of you can picture only two beers at a football game? I know I can’t. It’s extremely minimal and generally sprayed one or two days a year at the beginning of the growing season, long before the edible part is ever-present. Timing of application matters and you could also share information about pre-harvest intervals and how chemical usage has been reduced over time or how much safer products have become.

Now let’s talk organic. I know it’s a sensitive subject, but people buy organic thinking they don’t use chemicals may be misled through expensive marketing tactics. Oftentimes organics still use nonsynthetic chemicals and sometimes will reapply more often, especially in hotter, more tropical climates. Does that mean there’s anything wrong with what they do? Absolutely not!

All different types of farm methods deserve respect no matter which they choose. I am, however, tired of certain organizations out there who sure are good at marketing and make it sound like conventional foods are “drenched” in chemicals, which is 100% false. I know this is a sensitive topic for people who only want the best for their health and their families, and that’s important, but people need to learn the facts from farmers and professional spray applicators and not a source who has never actually worked in agriculture.

I’d like to thank the general public in advance for believing in and respecting the modern farmer. In my opinion, it’s kinda like being in the military. Both industries can be extremely dangerous, yet still get a ton of respect by the general public….and that’s important. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you or protects you. Even if you don’t like the political stuff involved, a good old-fashioned “thank you for your service” goes a long way.

Obviously, there are many different ways that crops can be grown, but be proud of what you do! Hopefully, these couple tips and analogies help you tackle the tough topics - on what you spray, why, when how much and how often. People want to learn where their food comes from and need reassurance that it’s safe. You’re in a position to tell that story, ease food fears, and create dialogue that can help “propel” the industry forward.