Not everyone can tour a dairy farm. But through social media, they can certainly get to know one.
Dairy farm moms have embraced social media, and consumers are learning about dairy farmers and where that glass of milk at dinner came from as a result.
According to one dairy mom, the need to communicate with consumers is clear.
“So many people are three or even five generations removed from the farm,” said Shannon Squibb of Clever, Mo. “They don’t know where their food really comes from.”
And that’s where social media comes in. Midwest Dairy Association provides opportunities for dairy moms to learn more about using social media through workshops and webinars, and supports dairy farm moms in their communication efforts. More than 50 moms have participated.
“If there ever comes a time when we need additional resources, we can contact Midwest Dairy,” said Squibb.
According to Samantha Carter, integrated communications specialist with the organization, social media is gaining momentum as a means for dairy farmers to reach out and educate an even wider consumer audience.
“Midwest Dairy helps dairy farm moms by providing them with tools and information to help them tell their story using Facebook, Twitter and blogs,” said Carter.
She said dairy farm moms’ perception of social media has changed and is now a great way to achieve consumer comprehension of dairy farm practices and dairy products.
“Some dairy moms were unsure about using social media at first,” said Carter, “However, now they realize that social media helps to bridge that gap of not knowing what actually happens on a dairy farm and how important dairy is for your diet.”
Squibb, who milks about 60 Holsteins cows with her husband, Rick, agrees that social media is an appropriate tool to inform consumers and posts regularly.
“Day 2 of #JuneDairyMonth… how did you celebrate today? I had a nutritious #smoothie. #dairymom,” said Squibb on her Twitter account, which you can follow at http://twitter.com/#!/TopwindsDairy.
In addition to Twitter, Squibb updates her blog topwindsdairy.blogspot.com and Facebook treating them as items on her list of things to do.
“I’m a mom and dairy farmer, so I add it to my chore list. It’s about being involved and telling your story so more consumers understand what we do,” said Squibb.
Understanding is the main goal, according to Carter.
“Farmers can use social media to share the importance of animal care and the nutritional value of dairy with consumers. Dairy moms are the just the beginning of that conversation,” she said.
Alan Thompson is with Midwest Dairy Association.
