Farmscape for October 17, 2018

The Executive Director of Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan says consumers are responding positively to the information being shared during Agriculture Month in Saskatchewan.
Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan is observing, Agriculture Month in Saskatchewan, through a series of events designed to draw attention to agriculture and allow the public to connect with farmers.
Clinton Monchuk, the Executive Director of Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan, says, as consumers look at information on the internet that may not be truthful, perceptions can change quickly and influence public policy so it's important to make sure consumers have the truthful information about food and farming.

Clip-Clinton Monchuk-Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan:
It's interesting.
If you go back and you think of how much even my parents would have had to speak about farming to others, it was minimal.
We did have some farm tours and some discussions that would take place but it wasn't as significant as it is now.
With the disconnect that exists between actual farmers and the growth of the urbanized population in this country the need to have these conversations and these engaging interactions is more needed.
I think you see farmers now, with some of the different questions being put on social media and some of the false information that's out there, farmers realize that we have to get out there and tell our story.
As I see Agriculture Month in Saskatchewan, since its inception, to where we're at now a lot more farmers believe that building public trust is something that we all need to do in an effort to keep our industry going.

Monchuk says, during events held so far this month, many of those who attended took time to express their thanks to those farmers on hand for answering their questions and for producing their food.
He says it has been reassuring to see that consumers appreciate the openness and transparency of farmers.
For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.

       *Farmscape is a presentation of Sask Pork and Manitoba Pork