Can you imagine a world without farmers? We’d certainly be one hungry planet.
That’s the theme of a YouTube clip created by BASF I saw recently. It’s thought-provoking viewing for anyone who takes their daily bread for granted. And it’s an example to those of us in agriculture of the kind of message we need to share widely to tell the story of modern agriculture. We need to build support among opinion leaders, legislators, and policymakers to make sure domestic agriculture continues to grow and meet the food, fiber, and renewable fuel needs of a growing world population.
Concerns about how agriculture will rise to the challenge of feeding 9 billion people by 2050 have dominated most of the meetings I’ve attended lately. Each discussion offered insights into key pieces of what’s needed to meet the challenge of feeding a hungry world — winning support in the realm of public opinion, building sound public policy, and supporting research.
Offering Opinion
At its annual convention, CropLife America (CLA) shared key messages focused on innovation, safety, and sustainability. Speakers told the story of modern agriculture. Bill Buckner, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience and CLA chairman of the Board of Directors, challenged attendees to share this inspiring story. CLA showcased modern means of getting this message out. Crowd favorites were the thought-provoking yet entertaining YouTube clips created for BASF and the J.R. Simplot Co. (which was specially designed to inspire students to a career in agriculture). BASF’s “World Without Farmers–One Hungry Planet” has been viewed more than 10,750 times as of presstime. It needs to go viral! More people need to realize our challenge is to feed 3 billion more people in the next 40 years with no more land or resources than what we’re using now.
Public Policy
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Candidates for Florida’s highest public offices played up their vision for agriculture and many built on the 10 guiding policies outlined in “Agriculture in the Sunshine State: Growing for Another 100 Years.” The comprehensive report was prepared by the Future of Florida Agriculture Task Force — a group of leaders from the state’s major ag commodity groups, associations, and agribusinesses. This report is available from Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick and can be shared with policymakers.
Never has the need for support of our land grant institutions been higher. UF/IFAS’ Dr. Jack Payne, who had the privilege of working with the late Nobel-prize winner Norman Borlaug on the World Food Prize, credited Dr. Borlaug for his inspiration to meet the challenge of feeding more than 9 billion people in the coming decades. “If that’s not a call to action for our land grant institutions, I don’t know what is,” Payne said to the UF Agricultural Education & Communication Advisory Council.
So, I challenge you to heed this call to action. Let’s all do more to tell the amazing and wonderful story of modern agriculture.
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Opinion: Mulling Modern Agriculture
Mary Hartney is the president/executive director of the Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association. See all author stories here.
October 28, 2010 
