~guest post by Jennifer Elwell, guest blogger
Even though I work in communications, I will admit that I was a bit late to get caught up in the social media phenomenon. When a friend finally talked me into getting onto Facebook a couple years ago, I was slow to start sharing information about what I do for my day job, working for farmers. But then in walks, “Food, Inc.” and a dozen other attacks on our modern food system and my farmers. That was the fuel to start my personal “I support farmers and modern agriculture” fire.
I immediately put on my “P.R.” hat and thought about how I could be a bridge between the farmer and the consumer. Well, I am the consumer. I am a mom. I purchase and cook food for my family. But having the opportunity to work with farmers and see how they are producing our food, I knew that I did not share the same concerns that others have developed by listening to the “our food system is not ethical, safe and is making us fat” agenda. From that, a new project, “Food, Mommy!” was born. I never thought I would become a mommy blogger, but here I am.
I have been blogging for a little over a year now, but have only in the last few months been making regular posts. In the beginning I was trying to hit pretty complicated and controversial topics, but have learned that this approach may not be the best way to connect with your audience. Tough topics are usually more time-consuming to compose and they were burning me out. I felt I had to have several hours to dedicate to one post, which often discouraged me from writing.
More recently I have been trying to incorporate simpler items like recipes (although I am not much of cook), notes on my food shopping experiences, photos, and personal posts about my food production experiences (thank goodness for farmers!). I have also tried to share others’ information that resonates with me through Twitter and Facebook. Showing an interest in others’ efforts has definitely helped me build a social network and has increased my readership beyond family, friends and the farm community. Just a few days ago I was able to meet a few members of a new “Kentucky Food Bloggers Association.” While many of the members may not share my viewpoint, I am proud that I am now reaching an audience that is beyond my comfort zone.
What I love most right now about social media is that my thoughts about food and the way I communicate about my passion are evolving. I look at myself as someone who sits on the fence between the farmer and the consumer and I am learning from both sides. I am more careful now than when I started to not generalize about what farmers are doing or what consumers are thinking. I am trying to ask everyone questions and try to find answers that bridge the gap. Be ing able to share your personal experiences are the fruit of social media, but having someone listen and respond is dessert.
Jennifer Elwell grew up on a small farm in Louisville, KY with horses, goats, chickens, rabbits and lots of hay. Her love of horses and involvement in 4-H landed her at the University of Kentucky, studying animal sciences and agricultural communications. Her first job out of college was creating web sites for local daily newspaper, The Courier-Journal, but soon snagged the job of Communications Director of the Kentucky Corn Growers Association and Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association. She has worked for these farmer-led associations since 1998, but the blog is her own work. She has two children, a few horses, and most recently became a chicken herder, providing doses of humor, frustration and frequent threats of divorce from my husband. In addition to supporting our farmers, Jennifer wants to help parents foster healthier eating habits in their children. Find her on Facebook, follow @foodmommy on Twitter or check out her most popular blog post with nearly 2,800 reads, ““Why I don’t buy organic, most of the time”
* Note from MPK: It’s been fun watching Jennifer grow in social media and become the bridge between farm and food through moms. I hope you enjoy her post as an example of how you have to make your advocacy efforts personal and targeted.
