Many Paulsen employees grew up on farms or live on farms
today. And while our office is much like other marketing agencies, our water
cooler talk is a bit different. In honor of National Ag Day, we asked a couple of our
farmer-staff members what they’d like consumers to know.
1. If you want to
know something about farming, ask a farmer.
If you drive past a farm and don’t recognize what you’re
seeing, you’re not alone.
“I would encourage consumers to approach farmers with their
questions,” says Brittany Lessman, account specialist and farmer. “We’re happy
to answer their questions. I’d also want consumers to keep an open mind and
trust that farmers are the right folks to ask.”
Account Coordinator Alix Pearson is active in her family’s
sheep operation in Hettinger, N.D. “We shear some of our sheep in
mid-November,” she says. “That’s because we lamb from the end of November
through the beginning of March, and the wool prevents us from seeing if they’re
about to give birth, so it’s a necessity.”
“During winter, someone driving by might think the sheep
look cold,” Alix says. “But actually, we have a heated, insulated, well-bedded
barn that they can enter at any time. And before it even gets dark, we bring
them into the barn.”
2. Consider the
expertise of your sources.
When you do find information, check to see where it’s coming
from. Is the source a scientist? A veterinarian? An agronomist? An animal nutritionist?
It might seem obvious, but the experts on farming are farmers and the people
that work in the industry.
3. Farmers care about
their land and animals.
A farmer’s land or animals is literally his or her
livelihood. That’s why stories about farmers misusing land or mistreating
animals are often untrue. Today’s farmers have excellent resources for
maintaining and improving soil health. Livestock are raised with great care;
several years ago Brittany laughed about how her dairy cows’ waterbeds were more
comfortable than her own bed.
4. Many farmers are
generous and caring.
While farmers often pride themselves on being
self-sufficient, people in rural communities have traditionally depended on one
another. Paulsen President and farmer Sara Steever has seen this first-hand.
“One of our neighbors who was only in his fifties passed
away suddenly,” Sara says. He had been
getting ready for harvest—his equipment was out and ready to go.
“A few weeks after his funeral, on a beautiful fall day, I
saw five combines and probably as many grain trucks on his land, and they took
out his harvest all in one day. Then all the women in the community got
together and made a big meal.”
“I think that's just so integral to rural communities,” says
Sara. “They understand the power of getting together to accomplish something
and just stepping up and helping a family when things go south.”
5. When it comes to
food, having multiple choices benefits everyone.
Americans have a huge variety of food options to choose
from. Farmers and folks in agriculture generally support this system, because
everyone benefits.
“That’s the beauty of our food system,” says Brittany.
“Everyone gets to choose what they want because there are so many options.”
Whether your diet is traditional, fusion, organic, vegan,
paleo, keto, Mediterranean or any other type, U.S. farmers have your back.
“If everyone ate the same way, we’d have a catastrophe on
our hands,” Brittany says. “Farmers and food systems wouldn’t be able to keep
up with demand, and it would be damaging—socially, culturally and
economically.”
“It would also create monopolies. And that would mean higher
food prices across the board, which nobody wants.”
In conclusion, don’t be afraid to talk to farmers if you
have the opportunity. They’ll more than likely be delighted to answer your
questions and satisfy your curiosity.
About Paulsen
At Paulsen, we help brands reach the nearly 46 million people who proudly call themselves rural Americans. We know how to connect with the people who live and work in this part of the country, because we live and work here, too. Paulsen understands the challenges—and we see the incredible potential. www.paulsen.ag.
At Paulsen, we help brands reach the nearly 46 million people who proudly call themselves rural Americans. We know how to connect with the people who live and work in this part of the country, because we live and work here, too. Paulsen understands the challenges—and we see the incredible potential. www.paulsen.ag.
