This is a sexy film alright. . .controversial, shocking, extremely well done, provocative and relevant in the sense that we all eat. . .so most of us are interested and completely entitled to an opinion because of that very fact. .. WE ALL EAT.
Fact: We are conventional grain farmers. We grow food, to do this we fertilize, and spray to prevent disease and control weed pressure. We are not organic. Although we don't oppose it, we see a need for all types of farming. We are growing food for the world, our neighbours, and our cities. .. We believe there is room for everybody, from conventional to organic to free range and local. In fact we raised free range chickens for years, and our energy bars contain mostly local product, some organic, some not, and no preservatives or artificial anything. So we run the gamut of being villains or angels depending on where you stake your flag.
My opinion: This film is most certainly biased and uses shock value to communicate. Technology, innovation and our governments regulatory system has had a profound effect on the safety of our food chain as we know it today, let's not lose sight of this, we have one of the most envied and safe food processing systems in the world. HOWEVER. .I think the worst thing we can do in the Ag industry is to react to this film in the same manner that it was presented to us, which is to be defensive and biased. Pretending we don't have problems in our systems will do nothing but make us less credible to you the consumer. . that's the last thing we want. Plus, how do we continuously improve if we aren't being honest with ourselves, never mind the public??
What this film does do is get us talking about food, and that's great! So if folks are naive enough to swallow all the hype hook line and sinker, well, that's sad. However, I believe even though our culture isn't breeding critical thinkers these days, most of us know when we've been fed a one sided line. . .I've been asked countless times what my opinion is on this film from folks without an Ag background. . almost like they can sense there is more to the story. . .and there is much more to be told, INDEED!! There are also truths in the film that are horrible and need to be addressed, lets do less finger pointing and more critical analysis and start having some meaningful conversations. Encouraging a culture of cover-up's and defensiveness isn't working for us is it???
That's my rant.
My thoughts: Be careful how quickly you jump on a bandwagon. . .they often disappear into the night and leave nothing in their wake except the hollow trace of shock value marketing and no long lasting change to speak of. . .
There are ways to evoke change. . .what about honestly looking at our industry and working together instead of pointing accusing fingers. . .sure, it's not as sexy as some of the anti-Ag propaganda floating around out there. .. but maybe it could work?
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