Advocating for Agriculture in a Digital World | Sarah Falen

Sarah Falen, a sixth-generation rancher and agriculture advocate, shares her journey of becoming an advocate for farmers and ranchers through social media. She emphasizes the importance of farmers and ranchers sharing their stories and educating the public about agriculture. Sarah discusses the challenges of dealing with negative comments and online attacks, as well as the need for respectful conversations with consumers. She also highlights the significance of embracing unexpected opportunities and overcoming disappointments. Sarah shares her advocacy success in challenging an SEC rule and the importance of challenging agency science. She concludes by discussing her future plans for public speaking and advocacy. Sarah's Links: ⁠Website⁠ - ⁠TikTok⁠ - ⁠Instagram⁠ Takeaways Farmers and ranchers need to share their stories and educate the public about agriculture. Engaging in respectful conversations with consumers is crucial for dispelling misconceptions about agriculture. Embracing unexpected opportunities can lead to new paths and success. Challenging agency science and regulations is important for the future of family farmers and ranchers. Chapters 00:00 Background and Introduction 02:07 Discovering TikTok and Advocacy 07:18 The Importance of Farmers and Ranchers Sharing Their Stories 10:32 Misconceptions and Education about Agriculture 13:07 Dealing with Negative Comments and Online Attacks 17:41 Learning from Mistakes and Maintaining Credibility 21:34 Approaching Conversations with Consumers 25:04 Challenges Faced by Farmers and Ranchers 26:37 Supporting Diversity in Agriculture Practices 38:16 Advocacy Success: SEC Rule and Public Engagement 41:17 Understanding Executive Agencies and Rules 48:38 The Impact of Regulations on Family Farmers and Ranchers