WV Farm Bureau Magazine March 2016 | Page 15

the economic impact of removing products with GMOs from the market place. In order to keep food affordable, GMO products are necessary, because they yield higher amounts while using fewer inputs such as fertilizer and pesticides. No matter if you are a consumer or a producer, everyone can relate to saving money. American Farm Bureau supports programs educating consumers about biotechnology and GMOs. One such program is the AFBF’s partnership with a large seed company to create and sustain “GMO Answers.” This valuable resource allows individuals to ask questions and receive answers from professionals from various industries such as plant scientists, food scientists and medical professionals. Currently, over 900 questions have been asked and answered. Monsanto has created their own program, “Talking Biotech,” with a similar mission of assuring the public is receiving accurate information from professionals. If we don’t tell our story someone else will tell it for us, and then we have no way of assuring it is correct. West Virginia Farm Bureau has also taken a stance in assuring consumers are receiving agriculture education from credible sources through programs like the Summer Agricultural Institute. By educating teachers about various agriculture practices including biotechnology, and giving them resources to deliver the curriculum to their classrooms, WVFB is helping to assure the next generation of producers and consumers are educated about the foods they grow and eat. Additionally, individuals completing this program will be able to offer real world examples to others with questions regarding the agriculture industry, and can make educated decisions about agricultural issues. As producers, we often feel the need to defend ourselves regarding our various agricultural practices, but are we prepared to protect ourselves from our own technology when necessary? During the 2016 AFBF Annual Convention, one of the issues addressed was data protection. Our industry has become incredibly advanced and like all businesses, agriculture producers rely on information to help them be more efficient and productive. With developments such as GPS, precision ag and drones, a tremendous amount of data is often collected during crop production. Who does this data belong to and how is it being stored? According to AFBF policy, proprietary information collected from farms should remain the property of the farmer. Although this sounds like a simple concept, many producers must send their data to consultants to have it analyzed. Producers need to educate themselves concerning their rights regarding this information and should also carefully read the agreements they sign to ensure the privacy of the material. Data is powerful, and if this power is given to the wrong individuals the information can be used against the agriculture industry. Animal producers must equally be aware of their rights concerning the data they share. Regulatory groups such as the EPA may use production data inappropriately to regulate farmers, which could hurt productivity. AFBF could offer assistance in the issue of “Big Data” when it pertains to agricultural producers. One suggestion would be pairing with another group to collect and store information in a safe, private manner. This service would be valuable for members and would allow them to choose how their data will be used and shared. As Farm Bureau members, we can each play a role in assuring our industry thrives utilizing the technology available. First of all, we must educate ourselves on the innovative practices available to improve our operations. Secondly, we must become more technology-transparent about our industry, sharing with consumers and our government the benefits they receive because of the use of technology in production agriculture. Additionally, we must assure elected officials making decisions on our behalf are educated about the scientific practices involved in agriculture. Lastly, we must understand the important role relationship building plays in the success of the agriculture industry. Agriculture will only be sustainable and thrive if producers are able to benefit from technological advancements. Producers, consumers and our government must collaborate, so that improved technology continues to be part of American agriculture. As the West Virginia Farm Bureau motto says, “We pull the most when we pull together.” West Virginia Farm Bureau News 15