Public Speaking Pointers Push Young Growers To Act, Advocate
January 2, 2014 
When Growing Produce editors polled members of the next generation of specialty crop growers on their needs in the future, one constant topic emerged — the need to develop advocacy and public speaking skills.
These growers and emerging ag industry leaders will find themselves increasingly in more public forums to speak on behalf of the food production sector. At times, this will require GenNexters to engage in public speaking, which is not an entirely comfortable practice for everyone.
It’s A Physical Thing
A freshman advising seminar offered by the Massachusetts Institute Technology (MIT) provides tips for public speaking to deliver clear and strong messages. While knowing your topic is of paramount importance when delivering a speech, MIT reminds us people often forget the public speaking is a physical act.
No matter how well you know your topic, if you forget where the source of your voice comes from, you’ll have trouble from the start. Your voice doesn’t come from your mouth, it is from air pushed out of your abdomen. Before speaking and during speaking, take deep breaths that result from diaphragm movement, not movement in the upper chest.
As odd as it may sound, this is a fundamental skill of speaking. To some it comes natural and to others it takes practice. A speaker may be well prepared and not all that nervous, but will become quickly winded when speaking publicly because it is different than normal informal speech.
There are exercises to improve this skill. A simple one includes standing up and placing a hand on the abdomen and letting air in, then out. Count to five, building up to 10 on a breath. This helps build your breathing and is relaxing.
With breathing under control, you can focus on other patterns needed for clear speech.
Pitch: A lower pitch voice may carry better. Correct breathing will help you achieve a lower pitch.
Inflection: Avoid ending sentences with an upward tone as you do when you ask a question. Beware of the inflections of sarcasm, as they make you sound whiny and annoying.
Pace: Normal conversational speech is done with rapid bursts of sound. Public speaking pace should be slower and more deliberate. What may seem like slow speech to you is probably just right for your audience.
Make A Note Of It
Having notes is the safest way to give a speech, especially one that is long and filled with important details. However, do not read everything like “Hello, I’m happy to be here.”
When preparing your speech, write like you talk. Sentences with a lot of sub-
clauses may look good in an essay, but are hard to deliver in a speech. In addition, avoid clichés and cumbersome words.
In your notes, provide aural hints like underlining a word to emphasize. Write with large fonts and plenty of spacing to more easily find your spot after looking away.
Speaking from memory is an excellent way to speak, if you have talent for it. But, don’t just take your word for it — make sure others agree you have a talent for off script speaking. Those who speak often on a topic can achieve this skill by repetition. Relating to an audience, knowing the subject matter cold, and thinking on your feet all aid speaking from memory.
The happy median between a fully scripted speech and speaking from memory are small cards with notes on lead-in phrases, important words, stats, or other cues. With practice, this is likely the best overall choice for most speakers.
When written, practice your speech until you feel you know the material well. The age-old in front of the mirror practice works well. Or, for a modern approach, audio or video record your practice sessions.
Talking Tips
As a graduate of Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s Emerging Leader Development Program, April Roe Porter (pictured) has had more opportunity to hone her public speaking skills.
“I love taking on the challenge of public speaking because it’s one of the true chances to get outside my comfort zone and be vulnerable,” she says. “It’s still scary, but certainly an opportunity for personal growth every time.”
Here are a few of Roe’s pointers:
- Opt for speaking engagements/opportunities on a topic that you truly know a lot about. Confidence in the subject translates into a confident conversation with the audience.
- Smile and connect with the audience early. Pose a question, ask for a show of hands, and be the first hand in the air. It sets an example for interaction and gets the audience engaged. Plus, it builds like-ability.
- Speak slowly and clearly, but not in a monotone voice. Keeping a good cadence to the presentation will help the audience follow along and stay tuned-in.
How To Be A Voice For Your Industry
Mark Boyer, a third-generation apple grower from Fishertown, PA, talks about his experiences as a member of USApple’s Young Apple Leaders program. During Boyer’s visits to Washington, DC, he gained valuable exposure talking with politicians and came away with some important lessons about being an advocate for his crop on the Hill.
Boyer’s father, Dan, was the 2006 American Fruit Grower Apple Grower of the Year and he follows his father’s footsteps with involvement in industry organizations. Boyer now serves on the Board of Directors for USApple.
Boyer sees being an advocate for the apple industry as taking on several different roles: part ambassador, part spokesperson, part industry champion.
When visiting with lawmakers, he stresses the need to know the Congressmen that you will be speaking to. Do your homework. Know “what committees they’re on and where they stand on issues,” he says.
“Dianne Kurrle (vice president of public affairs) from USApple always says, ‘You have to be the face down here, you have to show them. You’ve got to relate to them, you have to be personable, you have to let them know (what issues are important to apple growers),’ says Boyer. “I try to figure out who’s down there, what they stand for, what are their views on (USApple’s agenda),” he says.
Boyer says to know the issues and talking points that will be most effective when speaking with Congressmen. He notes that it’s important while talking to the lawmakers to stress that your voice is a relevant one.
“It’s important (to note) that we are the voters. I am a constituent. I am in their district. I am a business owner. I employ people,” says Boyer. “(Tell them) we are putting people to work, we are spending money in their district.”
Being a spokesperson for his family’s orchard comes naturally for Boyer. He notes the local food movement is also a great way to be an advocate for his family’s apple orchard. He’s able to get out and talk to customers about production and the different varieties there are.
“One of the beautiful things is that you have a chance to really connect to them personally,” says Boyer.
For GenNext Growers looking to become more involved, Boyer suggests getting connected with the many state crop and marketing organizations or national organizations. Within these organizations is a wealth of information and advice. He suggests seeking out the industry organizations and asking how you can get involved and how you can be of help. He also suggests seeing if there is or will be an open spot on councils or advisory boards. “How can you better yourself?”
Young growers can also seek out Extension agents and researchers to see if there is an opportunity to help. Getting involved helps bring attention to projects that will impact the industry in a big way.
Most of all, Boyer stresses that advocacy has to come from the heart.
“Find something that you truly believe in. Not something that you’re half in on and half out of,” he concludes.
Takeaway Tips
Here are some pointers that Mark Boyer shares for GenNext Growers interested in taking an active role in representing the tree fruit industry.
1. Do your homework when you’re going to represent your industry. Know who you’re going to talk to, what they stand for, and who they represent.
2. Get out and get active. Industry organizations are a great resource for up-and-coming growers and a great way to get involved.
3. Talk to Extension agents and university researchers; see what you can do to help them.
4. Connect with visitors to your farm markets.
5 Reasons To Get Involved
GenNext Grower John Boelts comes from a farming background, and at 36 years old has a wealth of titles and experiences under his belt including a past presidency at Yuma Farm Bureau. Boelts is currently part owner of Desert Premium Farms in Yuma, AZ, is a board member of the Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association, and has visited Washington, DC, on six occasions as an advocate for the industry.
Being active at each of these levels is second nature to Boelts, and he stresses that it’s important for young growers to start feeling comfortable putting themselves “out there” so to speak, so their voices and concerns are heard not only by the government, but by the public
in general.
“It’s imperative that all people, not just people involved in agriculture, know what agriculture is and does for them, but that’s not exactly the case,” he shares.
For young growers who have yet to break into advocacy on behalf of the industry, whether it’s because of lack of experience or general hesitancy, Boelts offers five points of wisdom to help inspire them to action.
1. You already have all the tools you need to be successful. Boelts mentions that being honest and straightforward is the best weapon growers have when speaking on behalf of the industry, and that most growers have already been raised on those principles. “We need to take those principles of honesty, fairness, and hard work, and we need to quietly and politely put those in front of people as a simple reminder, and tell people what we do,” he says. “The
pre-requisites are already there.”
It’s important to remember that not everything you say needs to be polished, perfect, and radio friendly; the most valuable thing is the message itself.
2. Be concise and convincing. It’s not imperative that you have each and every word memorized before you speak to your congressman, or whoever it may be, but outline your major points and be sure to stay on track with your message.
“They want you to bring solutions to the table and they want you to bring them in a concise manner. When we know what we need, we can make a convincing argument and you don’t have to look at is as sales so much,” he advises.
3. Connect with other growers. Strength in numbers is key. Bounce your ideas off of other growers regardless of crop, because in the end, “we’re all in the same boat,” as Boelts says, and there’s something to be learned from everyone. Connecting with people who are already advocating on behalf of the industry can help motivate you, as well as help to make sure you’re on the same page with the message you’re sending out.
4. Be persistent. Boelts strongly suggests to not just put your message on the table and walk away, but to follow up and make your presence known. “You really have to take the time to go back time and again, make follow up phone calls, and check with their staff. It doesn’t have to be a tiring process, but you have to remind them that it’s important and is something you want to see done,” he emphasizes.
5. Get creative with your presentation. You don’t have to spend all of your time advocating to congressmen, governors, or other politicians; plug into your community in other ways. Boelts participates in a national, state-operated program called “Ag in the Classroom,” aimed at promoting agricultural awareness and appreciation to teachers and students. Being involved in 4H clubs or other similar venues could be beneficial to agriculture because of how little these associations are aware of the industry. “Every little bit counts,” Boelts points out.
In the end, it’s up to growers, regardless of age, to make sure that the industry has members to speak up on behalf of it. “We can’t just sit in our pick-up trucks and out on the fence lines and just do what we’ve always done,” he says.
Agriculture’s future is in the hands of the growers, and now is as good a time as any to start advocating for it.
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