Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

OK, this is something that has been kind of grinding my gears more lately. In fact, a conversation I had earlier today seemed to mirror conversations I have had with friends before. It goes a little like this...


Friend: Agriculture is getting a pretty bad wrap lately... people just don't understand!
Me: Yeah, it gets pretty frustrating when people don't realize the consequences of their actions for an entire industry.
Friend: But its not us, it's people in the news, people making movies... PETA, HSUS.. And Food Inc. That is just terrible! They need to leave us alone.
Me: Terrible? What about Food Inc. is terrible? I thought they brought up some really interesting points.
Friend: Oh, I don't know. I've never seen it, but I've heard it is pretty bad...

Ok... dialogue ended. Here is my challenge:
1. Watch Food Inc. and write down things, comments, statistics, images that strike you.
2. Watch Food Inc. again, and this time put aside the biased ideas you may have. (Yes, this movie is biased, as are all documentaries. But watch it with a clear mind.)
3. What's the point...?
( If not Food Inc. I encourage you to research groups like HSUS, PeTA, GreenPeace or current legislation like the FDA Ban on Antibiotics or propositions including language about animal agriculture.) 

... Friends, we need to take a step forward in our advocacy for agriculture. It is EASIER for us to say:
- You are wrong!
- You don't understand!
- You are ridiculous!

Dumb & Dumber: One of my favorite movies... POINT- Open your ears!

... Than to take time to CHALLENGE ourselves. Seek first to understand, then to be understood. It doesn't matter what statistics, how many generations an "average" Joe is removed from the farm, or how "efficient" it is if WE DON'T LISTEN TO THOSE ASKING QUESTIONS.

We as agriculturalists, advocates and the future of agriculture must take the high road and challenge ourselves to learn more about those who are questioning the industry that we pour our lives into. I know, from experience, that it I can be quick to label a person's comment or question about agriculture as more of an ATTACK. Yes, there are radical anti-agriculture, anti-animal, anti-meat people out there that are very passionate about what they believe in. Reality check- They are not a majority, but merely a minority.

So... who do we focus our energy on if not PeTA, or HSUS or GreenPeace?

We must focus on the majority! 

The largest number of people that are curious about our food, farming and ethics are your neighbors, college class mates, church members and friends. They are part of the majority of people that may not have a direct connection to agriculture and may not have the strongest opinion of agriculture. They can easily be shaped by the information given, shared and presented to them.

Who will shape them?

You decide.

"Seek first to understand, then to be understood"

~ Stephen Covey "7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens"

Ha! I actually learned something from that book I read in high school!!!