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I know what you're thinking. WTF? Why Talk Farm? What am I up to? What is the point? I ask myself this all the time.
I am a mission girl. I love a project that has some heart in it. A little soul. So I do it. I can't help myself. And even if I'm a little worried about how it will come across and about how many people out there might be saying "WTF?", I persist.
This is what I realized in a recent conversation with myself. I want you to know farmers. Yours. Others. Ones nearby and ones far away. All different kinds. Why? Farmers are important, funny, smart, hardworking, creative and interesting. Just like you. They are also misunderstood and lumped into a big ol' farmer heap. Like voting blocks, for example.
And since I mentioned voting, it bears pointing out that rural and urban voters have been pitted against one another. More misunderstanding. You've heard about it in the news. I believe by getting to know farmers, we will be more connected with them, more understanding. Urban eaters will know their more rural producers better and will find common ground. Maybe this is too lofty a goal. But maybe not.
You're scratching your head. WTF? Right? Well, here is what I am here to tell you today. Talk Farm to Me has a plan. The podcast is underway with more than 15 episodes out on the wire. They took a hard pause when George Floyd was killed. It was a time to listen, not talk. But they are back in the works now and some other experiments are too.
Here's what it will look like:
Deep Dive Series. The original format is continuing with a series of related episodes that dive in to a particular issue. These are fun and interesting and also take a boatload of work. They can be daunting to produce and definitely take a long time. So, you can expect about one a month. Stay tuned for the first in a series on the dairy industry this month. 25 minutes per episode with about 5 episodes per content series.
Easy Dozen Series. This will also be on the Talk Farm to Me podcast channel, but is an easy, unedited conversation between me and a farmer that goes through a set of a dozen questions. You just join us for the chat. 20 minutes.
Five LIVE on Instagram Live Series. Five questions with a farmer... LIVE! Super simple and fun on Instagram. To participate, follow me on Instagram @xoxofarmgirl and I will announce the next one there. Join while it's happening and comment or ask questions. Following the live session, the recording will be posted on @xoxofarmgirl and @talkfarmtome and also on the Talk Farm to Me podcast channel (audio only). Super fun. 10 to 15 minutes.
More ways to meet farmers than ever before! And lots of ways for you to engage. I am looking forward to hearing what your favorite format is! And who your favorite farmer is, of course!
xoxo Farm Girl
Oh and PS... I pulled together a re-introduction, a trailer of sorts, for you to listen to. It's a compilation from farmers I have spoken with and gives you a little tour, if you will, of what I have done and what's to come. You can listen to it below.