Correct Misconceptions About Farming [Opinion]
August 3, 2015 
Rosemary Gordon
Three years ago the Peterson brothers of Peterson Farm in Saline County, KS, created a parody video to LMFAO’s song “I’m Sexy And I Know It.” The brothers’ song is called “I’m Farming And I Grow It” and, much to everyone’s surprise, the song went viral. The video had almost 8 million views on YouTube in less than six months.
According to the brothers, the idea behind the video was to “fix the stereotype about farmers” and those involved in agriculture. Since its release three years ago, the video has put the Petersons in the limelight. In fact, according to Iowa Farmer Today, they are frequently asked to speak and perform. The oldest of the three brothers Greg (who is now out of college), was reported to have had more than 100 speaking engagements last year, and the requests for this year are projected to be the same.
On the Peterson’s official website (PetersonFarmBros.com), the three boys and their sister explain what they are trying to do: “We have continued to realize a need to inform people about what we do in farming and in agriculture as a whole. There are many misconceptions about modern day farmers and we feel it is our calling to help correct some of those misconceptions.”
Part of their plan is to help educate people about where their food comes from. And it’s not just the public that needs an education, those in government positions need to be schooled, too. Last month, a California grower told me change is needed, particularly in the Golden State, for the sustainability of agriculture.
A top concern includes having to deal with cumbersome regulations. Growers need to be able to do their jobs, and issues such as determining what EPA’s Clean Water Act will mean for those in the farming community, for example, need to be addressed. He went on to say that if change doesn’t occur, the U.S. may be importing most of its food. (To read more on the Clean Water Act, which has also been identified as “waters of the U.S.” or WOTUS, got to http://bit.ly/1HLBZ3c.)
Plus there is the issue of GMOs, and their potential use in the seed breeding process. Sound science needs to prevail, and the facts — not fear — must be presented. The days of misconceptions and misinformation need to end. To continue on this path and get the truth out to the masses, however, will require additional effort, and we all must share in this task.
Look at Greg Peterson. He is dedicating a portion of his time — taking him away from the farm — to discuss agricultural misconceptions because it is that important to him.