Farmer Media Outreach Effort Expands

WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. agriculture's new media campaign, The Hand That Feeds U.S., is quickly gaining support in rural America by adding new member organizations at every turn, and the group today unveiled a new section on its website to make it easier for individuals to join. Since launching on May 11, the coalition has added the Agricultural Retailers Association, American Agri-Women, Crop Insurance Professionals Association, Growth Energy, National Association of Wheat Growers and Texas Grain Sorghum Producers to its broad list of funding members. And the coalition has continued to win the acclaim of rank-and-file farmers. For example, Kevin Dale from Oklahoma recently wrote to the coalition, "I just wanted to thank you for your efforts in informing others about agriculture. As a Farm Service Agency Director and an agriculture producer as well, I know how important this is." But until today, individual farmers and ranchers like Kevin had no way to join the effort. A new section of the campaign's website-Get Involved-allows an individual to sign up to become a coalition member, receive regular campaign updates, and even contribute to the cause. Through an interactive website, regular e-newsletter, face-to-face briefings, and a rapid response program designed to answer critics, The Hand That Feeds U.S. has already started to fill the information vacuum between everyday farmers and urban reporters that's long plagued the agricultural industry. Visit www.thehandthatfeedsus.org