USFRA Looking for the Faces of Farming and Ranching

At the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance’s recent Food Dialogues event in Los Angeles, the organization announced that it is looking for the “Faces of Farming and Ranching” to help put a real face, and even “heart,” on agriculture. A proud affiliate and board member of USFRA, the National Corn Growers urges interested farmers to consider this opportunity.

“I’ve met a lot of corn growers with inspiring stories to share about what they do and the passion that helps make their stories more meaningful,” said NCGA Chairman Bart Schott, a grower from North Dakota who also serves as USFRA vice-chair. “This is a terrific opportunity to help them share their personal story with new, larger audiences while helping highlight agriculture’s continuous commitment to improvement. Now is the time to raise our voices and tell our real story.”

USFRA is looking for standout farmers and ranchers, farming-ranching couples and/or families who are proud of what they do, eager to share their stories of continuous improvement with others and are actively involved today in telling those stories. As USFRA is committed to showing the incredible diversity within American agriculture, farmers and ranchers from different commodity groups, production practices, sizes and geographies are encouraged to apply.

Entries will be accepted between now and September 8, at www.FoodDialogues.com. Ten to 15 finalists will be announced at the November Food Dialogues event in New York City. This national announcement will open a public online voting period where visitors will be invited to vote for their favorite candidates. Those votes will be factored into the decision to determine “The Faces of Farming and Ranching.”

Winners will be announced in early January 2013 based on votes and the recommendation of a panel of judges.

Those winners will serve in multiple high-visibility roles on behalf of USFRA, participating in a number of activities including national media interviews, advertising and public appearances. For their time, they will receive a $10,000 stipend as well as a $5,000 donation to their preferred agriculture-related or local charity in their name (charities must be pre-approved by USFRA). They will also receive professional speaker/media training.

Entrants will be required to submit an online application and include a home video of less than three minutes that describes themselves and their operation. More details are available atwww.FoodDialogues.com.

Originally posted here on the National Corn Growers Association website, July 24, 2012.