A Conversation About Farming and Food July 14, 2012 Miles From the Farm Disconnected 1950, 75 % of worlds population was rural 2050, 75 % of worlds population will be urban A Lot of People Are Talking About Food Its Clear There is Confusion Where do you turn for information about your food? MediaFriends/Family Online Sources What is CommonGround? A grassroots movement Connect consumers with the faces behind their food Address common consumer questions about food and farming Woman-to-woman conversations CommonGround Iowa Launched program in October 2010 Six female-farmer volunteers Hosted several events interacting with consumers Actively blogging, involved in social media Goal: To Educate and Answer Questions about Farming & Food Examples: 1.What are GMO foods? 2.Why are antibiotics given to livestock? 3.What is a factory farm vs. a family farm? Animal Welfare Food Prices Hormones Antibiotics Food Safety Local / Organic GMO Foods Corporate Farms Some of the most common questions I get asked are A Resource to Answer Consumer Questions What questions do you have about where your food comes from? Nows Your Chance! Thank you for your time!