Essay About The Future Of The Food Industry

One of the most exciting things today in the agriculture and food industry is the fact that you do not have to have any background in agriculture to be involved. Growing up, I had a brief understanding of the agriculture and food industry but did not appreciate it to my full ability. However, once I entered the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I found my passion, which is rooted in connecting farmers and consumers, specifically in the area of marketing and communication. In order to fuel this passion and accomplish my goals, I have been living my life by the motto, “learning by doing.” This act is what sets me apart from other students. To be this connection between farmers and consumers, I need to be knowledgeable in all areas of agriculture

The most exciting area for the future of the food industry is all the opportunities for education. In a society where only two percent of the population has a direct connection to the farm and the rest of that population is left being four or even five generations removed, the need for education is vital. Recently, I read that the federal Agriculture Department reported that in 2015 alone 400 dairy farms were lost in Wisconsin. With the release of this statistic is the reality of the increasing gap that farmers and consumers face. Additionally, the increasing use of social media amongst consumers allows the accesses to a variety of resources about their food, which may or may not be proven true. However, because of this wide gap between farmers and consumers, consumers cannot distinguish the truth from the myths. By providing educational resources, the future of the food industry has an exciting opportunity to increase food and agriculture knowledge. Through the work of programs such as Farm to Table movements, Ag in the Classroom and utilizing social media positively with hashtags like #RealPigFarming, the opportunities are endless. In today’s age, consumers demand knowledge on where their food comes from and it is up to the next generation of agriculturalists to guide the consumers in the right direction and provide ample resources. It is also important to work with the “non-believers” to educate them so they

As an an ambitious and goal oriented individual searching to not only find a career in agriculture but a problem to solve, I am driven, passionate and motivated to help bridge the gap that farmers and consumers face. I hope to build upon the idea of learning by doing by using the hands on experiences that the AFA Food Institute will instill upon me. By participating in the AFA Food Institute, my desire to expand upon my knowledge of agriculture, specifically, the farm to table movement, will be fulfilled as I will be given ample opportunities to see directly what happens once the food turns from raw ingredients to the packaged good that sits on your local grocery store shelf. By learning not only from professionals but my peers as well, we can work together to achieve our agriculture and food career goals. Additionally, I know this experience will offer me opportunities to open my eyes to the diverse food industry that will aid me with my agricultural education goals. This opportunity will help combine my belief of learning by doing and the exciting future of agriculture through education to give me the resources to reconnect the farmer and consumer. Lastly, my passion for agricultural marketing has a solid foundation of marketing food to consumers, specifically from my involvement with the National Agri-Marketing Association. This opportunity will