Like any industry, farming is changing. Along with improved environmental practices and adoption of advancements, there is also a reduction in the number of individuals directly on a farm. What better way to learn about agriculture in today's society than to see and experience it firsthand?
“Every year that goes by, there are less and less people that know and understand agriculture,” John Grassley, GreenStone’s VP of Lending in Lakeview says. “I think it is important for people to know where their food comes from, and to understand everything that a farmer goes through when taking on all the risk.”
Grassley and Sally Birch, GreenStone’s Regional Operations Manager in central Michigan, both volunteered to help with the Breakfast on the Farm at De Grins Oer Dairy in Blanchard, Michigan. Each of them spent countless hours helping prepare and set up for this event. Birch was on the planning committee, where she helped coordinate several items through several meetings leading up to the event. Grassley helped the family prepare the farm for the hundreds of people that were coming to learn!
Not everyone comes from a farming background or grows up in a rural area that is surrounded by farmland, so Breakfast on the Farm was a great way that the community could learn more about the dairy production, the importance of a dairy farmers, and production safety. Consumers were able to see firsthand how a dairy operation works and the passion these families have for their farm. It is important now more than ever to connect people with farmers to better understand where their food is coming from.
Birch and Grassley both agree an event like this does not have just one important piece of it. “I think that most people that don’t know anything about farming like to see where the cows actually live, what they eat, where they go, the bunker silos, how their food is stored, and all the farm equipment that it takes to farm. There is not just one important piece other than the general education on what farming is and what they do.” Grassley says.
Birch agrees, “I don’t know that one piece is most important, but in general how the farm works is important. Even showing where the milk comes from is important.”
An event like this, not only teaches the community about where food comes from, but it shows you how important community is! Birch says, “This is a great event for not only people who didn’t come from a farm background, but people that do. A neighbor of mine came out, she was like ‘I grew up on a farm, but I just wanted to come check it out! This is so cool!’”
GreenStone is proud to support the agricultural community and encourages you to learn more about where your food comes from! Check out MSU’s Breakfast at the Farm to find out when the next educational session will be! Also, learn more about our community outreach and engagement efforts by visiting our Outreach page.
