Closing

I have thoroughly enjoyed my blogging experience.

However, like most things, the time has come to say goodbye.

I will not be continuing my myth busting blogging. However, as readers, that does not mean you should stop searching for information! I highly encourage you to keep seeking information and knowledge.

Where can you go to find more information? Any of the links I have posted in previous posts are excellent information, but (in my opinion) the best, easiest to understand and fastest information you will get in regards to myth busting would be the Animal Ag Alliance Twitter page. To visit the page click here.

Why am I no longer going to be blogging?

I am preparing to graduate! I will have finished my Bachelor's degree, I will finish my internship this summer and I will start law school in the fall. I have a very full, busy and exciting schedule ahead of me! While I care deeply about educating the public about misconceptions in the agricultural industry, I know my limitations. I know that I will not be able to fully commit to my job, future education and this blog if I try to do it all.

With that being said, I am saying goodbye.

I encourage you all to continue to be information seekers and learn more about the agricultural industry.

Thank you for being my audience and allowing me to educate you!

Education is Everywhere

As mentioned in an earlier blog, myth busting isn't just me.

The Texas Department of Agriculture has created an entire educational campaign designated to showing the public the truth about agriculture and what kind of role it plays in their lives; myth busting included.

According to the Agriculture is Your Culture website, the goals of the program are: "raising awareness of how agriculture impacts all lives on a daily basis, enhancing the perception of agriculture as being a critical component of the economy, dispelling myths that agricultural operations are harmful to natural resources and the environment by revealing ways agriculture benefits them, dispelling myths that agricultural operations mistreat animals by revealing the ways agriculture improves the welfare of animals and garner support for the agriculture industry and it's upcoming needs." To learn more about the goals and objectives visit their website.

This campaign ties directly to tie agriculture to the general public by showing them pictures of items they would not have if agriculture did not exist. The website provides a list of different links for the public to follow, as well as a list of topics that are prevalent to Texan agriculture.

Helping the public understand agriculture is what Agriculture is Your Culture is all about. They provide opportunities and information in which the public can ask questions, get involved and learn more about Texan agriculture.

I've provided examples through different blog posts about how the agriculture industry is continually working to combat negative media and tell their side of the story. This campaign isn't any different. Under the partners tab on the webpage, it lists numerous partners from all different facets of agriculture. All the cooperatives are working together with one goal in mind: promoting agriculture in a positive light, all the while educating others on all corners of Texan agriculture.

Photo retrieved from: http://bit.ly/1VAUSBu

Dairy for Days

Earlier today, the Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, announced dairy farmers have a new safety net.

So what does this mean?

The Margin Protection Program, created in 2014, a safety net for dairy farmers which consists of support if the difference between milk and animal feed prices drop below a certain level; the level is picked out by the consumer (http://1.usa.gov/1NnyxyT).

Farmers pay an annual fee, which in turn has their back if they ever experience a tragic event that would could cause them to not be able to produce or sell their milk anymore. Farmers must pay the annual fee each year if they would like to continue protection, and farmers also pay premiums which qualifies them for a higher protection plan.

Simply put, it's risk and crisis preparation.

Dairy is dying.

There are many dairy products we, as consumers, use every day and do not realize where it comes from. Dairy farming has become a huge expense and burden to farmers nowadays. Kids grow up, leave the farm and don't turn around and think twice about it, which is their prerogative and absolutely fine.

However, what happens to the aging farmer who can't do the work by his/herself?

What happens to farms when milk prices drop and there isn't anyone who can offer assistance?

The towel gets thrown in.

This could be a contributing factor as to why there are less than 90 dairy farms left in North Dakota, or why there are only a few dairy farms left in one of the most densely populated dairy townships in Minnesota.

The Margin Protection Plan (MPP) is a voice and a hand for dairy farmers. When they are entrusted by the American people to produce and care for a detrimental product, they need to have someone to turn to in times of hardship.

While not all protection plans are perfect, the MPP tries to offer assistance to those farmers who supply us with our dairy delicacies.

Engage Yourself

Our textbook gives several examples of "What Makes a Good Website." This includes: knowing the purpose, what needs to be communicated who is the target audience, What does your audience want to know and what do you want to convey (Telg & Irani, 2012, p.  209).

The Animal Ag Engage website/blog is an excellent example of what a good website should look like. 

Purpose: "The purpose of the Animal Ag Alliance is to Connect, Engage and Protect. The Alliance wants to connect producers and consumers by being a transparent bridge for consumers. The blog aims to engage different audiences to help them better understand animal agriculture. They also protect the agriculture industry by providing correct and accurate information. To learn more about the Animal Ag Engage blog, click here.

Screenshot of the homepage.

Design is a crucial element for a website. According to the textbook, important design principles include: division of space, formal and informal balance, visual vectors, repetition, contrast, typography, shape, size color and texture. 

Just by looking at the screenshot of the Animal Ag Engage, you can find a theme. 

Things done well: 

• Formal balance: (having information symmetric on the right or left sides of the page). The information is kept to a minimum, while it looks like there is a lot of information, it is still easy to read and find what you are looking for.
• Division of Space: The use of white space to focus readers on the content is done phenomenally on the blog. They make headlines darker to capture your attention and read on.

Something that could be improved:

• Contrast: While there is some contrast between the dark and light elements of the page, there is not much. After staring at this for awhile someone could start to only see white. 

While no website is perfect and each one is unique in different ways, there are websites that highlight visual design elements better. The Animal Ag Engage is not only related to myth busting, but it is a well designed and thought out webpage.