By MICHELE F. MIHALJEVICH

Indiana Correspondent

PLYMOUTH, Ind. — Michelle Miller, known to thousands of social media followers as the “Farm Babe,” spoke about her passion for farming and advocating for agriculture during last month’s Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference.

Producers may think the general public doesn’t have an interest in the day-to-day running of a farm, but that isn’t the case. “The things we may take for granted, that we’ve been doing all our lives, the average person may never get to see,” she explained.

“We have so much to celebrate, so much to be thankful for. People want to know about these things, but don’t know where to go.”

The public may turn to unreliable sources or those with different agendas if farmers don’t help spread the word on what they do and the products they provide, she added.

“Use social media as a way to talk about tough subjects such as hormones and antibiotics. Some people use social media to spread fear. Fear is easy. Science is hard. You should realize your voice can matter. You may think, ‘Oh, I don’t know if I can make a difference.’ The next thing you know, you realize you’re impacting millions of people.”

Miller spoke during the second day of the Feb. 20-21 conference. She grew up in Oshkosh, Wis., and aptitude tests she took in high school suggested she should consider an agriculture-related career. Instead, she moved to Los Angeles, earned a degree in fashion and worked for Gucci.

During this time, she developed what she called “food fears” based on misinformation she received while living in bigger cities. She later moved to Florida, where seven years ago, “I met an Iowa farm boy, and the rest is history.”

Miller and her boyfriend run BuckingLamb Palace farm in northeastern Iowa. They raise sheep, beef cattle, soybeans, corn, alfalfa and oats.

“The more I learned (about farming and the agriculture industry), the more I realize everything I thought I knew about agriculture was wrong.” she said. “I was so afraid about food thanks to fear-based marketing, and now I’m speaking out.”

Producers thinking of using social media to share their stories should create a memorable, catchy name, Miller suggested. Comments should be made under the page name. Posts should be interesting and authentic; humor is also important.

For those posting videos, consider showcasing the farm, Miller said. “Put a GoPro (camera) on your animals. Maybe do a catchy parody. You should show the good, the bad and the ugly. You can use a cell phone; it doesn’t have to be fancy.”

Farmers should find their own “tribe” or groups with similar hobbies and interests, she said. “Share each other’s posts. We tend to talk to each other and tend to speak agriculture to each other. Stop talking to each other – branch out.”

Building trust between producers and consumers is a key, Miller pointed out. Farmers are trusted, so try to make a personal connection. Find common ground, be kind and have empathy, she added.

“Get involved in the discussion about agriculture,” Miller said. “If we don’t tell our stories, who will? Activists find the time. We need to find the time. Get involved in the local community. If you can reach one person, you can teach one person. Talk to the news media and policymakers. Don’t be afraid of those tough topics.”