Paige and James Hepp finish field work at their Rockwell City area farm. The Hepps are proponents of agriculture advocacy.
Finding Common Ground Group expands opportunities to share ag stories BY BETHANY BARATTA
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hen the construction of a hog barn was announced in north Iowa, an acquaintance approached Val Plagge expressing their dismay, even though the barn wasn’t slated for Plagge’s farm near Latimer. The acquaintance and Plagge shared some common ground – they were both mothers who took their children to the library for story time. That’s where they met. They had talked about a variety of topics previously, bonding over the trials and tribulations of motherhood. Plagge also became a credible source of farm and food-related topics for this mother, so it became natural that she would approach her with the concern. Plagge, in a sense, had trained for this conversation. She’s been a CommonGround volunteer for years, sharing her personal experiences on the farm and the relevant science and research to help consumers sift through the myths and misinformation surrounding food production.
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“It’s not necessarily about what they come at you with to begin with as to why they’re upset. But if you ask questions and have an engaging conversation, you can figure out the root of their concern,” Plagge says. The real root of the woman’s concern, Plagge learned, was that traffic related to the new hog barn would impede with the mother’s established running route. With the tools in hand from CommonGround training, Plagge reassured the mother that the traffic wouldn’t be burdensome, and she would still be able to enjoy her scenic country run. This was just one conversation of many that Plagge has had with consumers. She got her start in ag advocacy in earnest in 2012 after she and her husband Ian were selected to participate in the American Soybean Association/DuPont Young Leaders program. “After the first session of that program, we were inspired to tell our story more,” Plagge says.
Since 2012, Plagge has shared glimpses of their farm life in their blog, “Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids,” reflecting on all they raise and grow on their multigenerational farm in Franklin County. She’s expanded her presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, growing their audience and, through her volunteer work through CommonGround, connection with consumers. CommonGround, funded through the United Soybean Board and the National Corn Growers Association, is a community of women in agriculture sharing their passions for the farm while also providing insight on how food is produced. “It’s about having conversations with consumers,” Plagge says. “Females are typically the ones making household food decisions, so for those consumers to talk to another female that’s also making those decisions, producing the food or involved with food production, it’s a neat opportunity for consumers and CommonGround volunteers.”
