It’s clear that securing public trust also secures farmers’ ability to grow food. The future of our farms relies heavily on Canadian views and perceptions of agriculture and modern farming practices. This is why it is so important for those of us in the ag sector to talk to others and help build support and connection with those outside of farming.
Our whole purpose at Farm & Food Care and Canadian Food Focus is to engage with consumers and build trust in agriculture and food. In addition to activities such as farm tours, presentations, online engagement, and training for the ag sector, we also collaborate with dozens of other organizations across Canada to help engage with consumers about farming.
One of those collaborations is with the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI), which is coordinating a national public awareness campaign to generate support for Canada’s food system. As part of the campaign, CCFI is producing an audio docuseries to explore stories that connect Canadians to the people, progress, and pride behind their food.
Clinton Monchuk will be one of those featured in the docuseries to share experiences about grain farming near Lanigan, SK and engaging with consumers through his role as Executive Director at FFC SK.
Annette Goerner is a former broadcast journalist, now Director of Public Relations for spark*advocacy, a firm working with CCFI on the awareness campaign. Annette and her recording crew spent several hours riding in the tractor with Clinton during seeding time and asking the questions that everyday Canadians have about what farmers do, why they do it and the level of science and technology behind it.
Annette shared that the opportunity to ride in the tractor and ask all these questions is one that few urban consumers ever receive. Some of the everyday duties on the farm are fascinating to people who have never visited a farm or thought much about where their food comes from.
“It was such a positive experience—one that I wish I could do with every Canadian!” Clinton said after the recording session finished.
Follow FFC SK through our social channels to be notified when the episode with Clinton is posted this fall.
Learn more about CCFI’s campaign here: Canada’s Food System: Our Food. Our Future.