(LE MARS) –Celebrating agriculture in the Le Mars area and identifying the common link between the farm and business communities… that was the focus of the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce 17th Annual Agri-Business Luncheon earlier this week. However, focus shifted when the afternoon speaker took the stage.
Steve Kopperud is the executive vice-president of Policy Directions, Inc, a Washington D.C. based government relations/government communications firm. Steve is also the founder and past president of the Animal Industry Foundation, now the Animal Agriculture Alliance, an education foundation representing livestock and poultry producers, animal science, and agribusiness.
He very frankly told those in attendance at this week’s Agri-Business Luncheon that farmers and ag-business supporters need to step up and educate consumers or we won’t be able to celebrate much longer.
Listen here
{audio}images/stories/mp3/March2011/Ag step up 1.mp3{/audio}
Kopperud says that the major problem is that consumers are losing faith in farmers.
Listen here
{audio}images/stories/mp3/March2011/Ag step up 2.mp3{/audio}
Examples of those critics that Kopperud referred to were PETA and HSUS, the Humane Society of the United States.
Kopperud added that government regulations coming out of Washington, that are often times a result of misunderstanding and misinformation, will also continue to get in the way of the local farmer.
So what can farmers do to make sure the ag industry flourishes? Kopperud says get your face out there.
Listen here
{audio}images/stories/mp3/March2011/Ag step up 3 .mp3{/audio}
(News report by Angela Drake of KLEM/Photo courtesy Dave Ruden, KLEM Operations Director)
