The Distance from Farm to Plate
be Jean L Clavelle
Since becoming involved with social media over the last year I have begun to take note of people’s attitudes, opinions and knowledge as it pertains to agriculture and food production. I grew up on a farm, attended an ag college and subsequently worked in agriculture so I’ve been surrounded by like-minded people my entire life. However, agvocating has opened my eyes to the realization of just how little the 
general public knows about where food comes from. It is fascinating (not to mention a little scary) to delve into the general public’s belief system and knowledge base in this area.
To clarify I am pro conventional agriculture, organic farming and alternative production practices. I believe in new technologies and in providing the consumer with what they desire and believe there is room for multiple types of systems. It is surprising though at how little understanding there is of contemporary food production practices by the general public regardless of what type of system we discuss.
Now, at every chance available I ask questions. Whether it is on Facebook, Twitter or in an actual real life face to face conversation (I know, how old school). This is not to be antagonistic, just to understand an individual’s perspective - and sometimes position - on food production and possibly to dispel some misconceptions or false information that seems to be endemic in the populous. I also ask so as to understand why and how they developed their beliefs. Where did we fail in our society that such a basic life necessity is so distanced from that of every other day to day need?
A recent conversation of animal welfare versus animal rights included a discussion about what happens at a slaughter plant. Surprisingly I was asked if I understood what “actually” happens there. Now, I do not object even the slightest to someone’s choice of being vegan though I was thoroughly astounded about the question of whether or not I’d considered what happens at a slaughter plant. We raise animals to eat and with that comes the understanding that the death of those are animals are inevitable and it is our responsibility to be respectful of and honour that animal’s life. For this person the thought of that many animals dying on a daily basis was just too overwhelming and simply too much to bear so adopted a vegan lifestyle. Despite the intrinsically dark nature of animal slaughter it never occurred to me that this essential step in getting meat from the farm to the plate should come as a surprise to anyone.
Stats Canada stated that almost a third of Canadians lived on farms in 1931 and in 2006 that dropped to 2%1. How did we go in one or two generations to be intimately involved in supplying our own food to now having so little idea as to be completely oblivious. And that is only going to become more evident in future generations. My cousin told me a few years ago that her young daughter wanted to take the “wrapping” off of her peas – she wanted to take the shell off the pea pod. If we are so distanced in garden vegetables how shocking must a barn filled with thousands and thousands of laying hens seem?
So in conclusion, my friends, I offer no suggestions here. I only request that we all continue to speak out in an honest and respectful way. To seek out what really drives a person’s belief system so that we can help to dispel those myths and to continue to keep producing food in the best way possible. Because it is essential that our customers and our society understand what it means to do so. That we are not forced to do it in a way that would not be beneficial for our children, environment or our future.
- Found at statcan.gc.ca
Posted by Farm and Food Care on March 31st, 2014 :: Filed under Agriculture Education,AgVocacy,Canada,Consumers,Education and public awareness,Misconceptions,Social media,Speaking out
Tags :: agriculture, education, livestock, misconceptions, social media
