The Show-Me State is home to 95,000 farms, covering two-thirds of the state’s total land acreage and supporting many of the state’s top agricultural commodities including soybeans, corn, cattle and calves, hogs and turkeys. On average, Missouri farms are more than 290 acres, and nearly all are family owned and operated. However, the story of agriculture and the farmer often goes unnoticed. Farmers often use storytelling as a means of communication between producers and consumers, but it can also be used to pass down traditions from generations.
“Getting our story out is the hardest,” said Roger Paulsmeyer, a farmer in Osage County. “As farmers, we are very isolated and oftentimes do not interact with the public on a daily basis.”
When working long days and nights, it’s hard for the average farmer to find time to engage with the public. Without having such a reoccurring presence, it’s a challenge for people to make a connection with the products they buy. 
“People are unfamiliar with the faces of agriculture,” said Paulsmeyer. “Farmers’ names should be on the package or at least locally grown should be made more known. It’s easier to make a connection with the products you buy when you can read about the person behind its production.”
Average consumers do not give a second thought about who grew their food or where it was grown. Agriculturalists have heard of the movement “Farm to Table,” which encourages the use of locally grown food and ingredients. Farmers often welcome consumers to come to the farm to showcase the production of agriculture.
“A guy came and watched us milk. He saw we market through Prairie Farms, and now he only buys that brand,” said Cliff Vedder, a farmer from Franklin County. “It’s important for consumers to recognize the many small family farms because they are often led to believe most products come from big factory farms.”
Missouri’s family-owned farms are committed to producing a safe and secure food supply for local and global consumers. There are approximately 500 concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) or factory farms in the state of Missouri. When family farms are forced to compete against these huge well-known food companies, it’s hard to stand out. The voice of the farmer is often pushed into the background and lost amongst the big names labeled on the shelves.
Passion and dedication are what keep farmers going. There is a constant drive to work hard and provide for the family, community and country and to share the story of agriculture with consumers.
“The answer to how we can best tell our story is kind of a mystery,” says Paulsmeyer. “There are many consumers who want to know but may be afraid to ask or unsure of who to ask.”
Unfortunately, there are many marketing tactics found on the grocery store shelves and the internet, leaving consumers confused.
“A lot of people are concerned about antibiotics,” said Vedder. “They have this mindset we load our animals with antibiotics, but I try to tell them about the process Prairie Farms uses and how everything is tested before it ever leaves the farm.”
When consumers are unsure about topics in agriculture, they often look to social media. Yet, social media has not always worked out in the farmers’ favor. It’s very easy for many practices in agriculture to be taken out of context without proper explanation coming from the farmers executing them. Since there is so much attention surrounding the agriculture industry, it’s easy for the farmer’s perspective to be taken out of context. Having their voices heard always comes with a risk, especially when trying to reach an audience that is so divided in opinions. Farmers can only hope their influence impacts the younger generation and those outside of the agriculture industry.
“I try to impact the next generation by telling the history of agriculture and how I want that story to grow with them as they get older,” said Paulsmeyer.
The world of agriculture is constantly changing with the introduction of new technologies. So much change is happening that the fear of the old farming way risks being lost in the chaos. By continuing the story of the farmers who came before us, we can help ensure their story is never lost.
“I express to my kids the importance of sharing our story, but they do a pretty good job advocating for agriculture on their own,” said Vedder.
If farmers hope to see the story of agriculture continued, they must educate and encourage the future generation to speak out and share their stories. Teaching youth inside and outside of the agriculture industry helps further their understanding of where food comes from and the importance of protecting our farms.
Sharing the story of agriculture does not look the same for every farmer. There are numerous ways to share the story of ag such as gardening with family at home, hosting community visits to your farm, experiencing hands-on learning, and reading books about farming and its history. The future depends on the ability of our farmers to produce their own food supply efficiently, safely and profitably. Helping others understand why and how farmers do what they do is the first step in establishing the importance of telling the story and advocating for agriculture.
