Understanding modern agriculture and how technology helps improve efficiency

One Industry, Many Viewpoints

No scripts, no direction, no talking points. Just five people talking about one of the most important industries in the world—Modern Agriculture.

It’s not hard to find a conversation about today’s food system. Celebrity chefs, nutrition and diet awareness, farmers’ markets, the explosion of fast casual restaurants—consumers have a wide variety of ways to engage. And they are very interested in understanding modern agriculture and food production.

In the U.S. today, less than 2 percent of the population farms. Within the other 98 percent exists a wide range of understandings and curiosity about what happens on those farms. More and more, society desires information about how their food is grown. The gap between those who grow the food and those who consume it can contribute to misperceptions and assumptions about agriculture.

Understanding Where Agricultural Views Come From

The time is right for a dialogue about agriculture. Just like every farmer brings a unique perspective to making choices on the farm, every consumer brings a unique perspective to food and farming conversations.

By having these discussions, farmers are learning what consumers are interested in and want to learn more about. That’s good news, because there’s a lot worth talking about.

Improving Efficiency with Technology

For example, modern agriculture has embraced digital tools and data science to better preserve the Earth’s natural resources. On today’s farms, all over the world, technology is helping farmers grow smarter while using less, and reducing their environmental footprint.

When more people have an interest in how our food is grown, more opportunities arise to have productive conversations about it. From the farmer planting corn and the chef cooking it, to the dietitian advising students and the consumer making choices in the grocery store, everyone has a role in modern agriculture.