Farmers take a stand for safe, efficient technology

AFACT launched to defend safe, valuable management

tools used in agricultural production

February 25, 2008 —Surrounded by the latest agricultural technology and innovations from around the world, a group of U.S. farmers introduced the American Farmers for the Advancement and Conservation of Technology (AFACT) organization at the 2008 World Ag Expo in Tulare , Calif.

AFACT was organized by farmers who are frustrated by the loss of safe and valuable management tools as a result of inaccurate labeling and marketing practices that mislead the consumer. As the organization’s name implies, AFACT is dedicated to supporting producer choice of existing, safe management practices and new technologies. AFACT members represent a variety of producers in terms of size, geography and level of technology use. 

“Restrictions on the use of safe animal production tools have escalated due to food marketer attempts to differentiate their products using misleading absence claims,” says Carrol Campbell, AFACT co-chairman and dairy producer from Winfield , Kan. “These restrictions, if left unchallenged, will lead to greater losses of technology and innovation.”

AFACT in action

Producers motivated to action have initiated meetings in a number of states to share concerns about the loss of on-farm management tools, says Liz Doornink, AFACT co-chairwoman and dairy producer from Baldwin, Wis.

“In some locations, consumer focus groups have been held in order to learn more about what drives their decisions at the dairy case,” says Doornink, noting that producers now meet weekly via teleconference to discuss issues and develop action plans to grow their voice.

AFACT seeks to educate and empower all segments in the food chain to understand the benefits of technology and encourage consumers to demand access to high-quality, affordable food with a minimal impact on the environment.

“We may have came together due to activities surrounding the marketing of rbST-free milk, but it took us about five minutes to realize that this is far bigger than one particular technology,” says Campbell. “The loss of safe technologies affects not only animal agriculture but the entire agriculture production industry.”

During a producer round table led by AFACT at the World Ag Expo, producers from Washington , Oregon , California , Kansas and Wisconsin talked about the true meaning of “sustainability,” a buzzword that gets a lot of media attention nowadays without ever being adequately defined in a way that benefits consumers, producers and the environment alike.

“If consumers really want to do something about managing our resources and reducing society’s footprint on the environment, then they should learn about and embrace the technology that has allowed today’s farmers to produce more food at a lower cost in a much more sustainable manner,” says Doornink.

If you would like to find out more about AFACT, or connected with the producers involved, please contact Jason Gerke by email at gerkej@osborn-barr.com or by calling (816) 410-5164.

* Photos and logo available upon request.

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