More than 30 individuals representing Pennsylvania’s livestock industry convened in Hershey, Pennsylvania, to discuss ways to effectively work together to develop healthy, active animal agriculture coalitions committed to bolstering the state’s livestock, dairy and poultry industries.
Representatives from the non-profit Center for Food Integrity (CFI) met with leaders from state animal agriculture stakeholders, including organizations, coalitions, allied industries, and government organizations to hear their needs and to identify areas where CFI programming complements Pennsylvania needs.
The session provided an opportunity for the group to develop state-based strategies and action plans to advance animal agriculture and to discuss and refine animal agriculture’s trust building strategy, research, messaging and tactical programs.
The meeting, hosted by the Pennsylvania Soybean Promotion Board , was made possible through the ongoing support of the United Soybean Board (USB) to the Center for Food Integrity Animal Agriculture Committee in support of its largest domestic customer, livestock producers. According to the USB, 98 percent of domestic soymeal is consumed by the nation’s livestock industry.
Terry Fleck (pictured above right) , CFI’s executive director, presented CFI’s annual consumer study with important insights into consumer beliefs and messages that will serve to build public understanding of the commitment today’s farmers have for the responsible production of meat, milk and eggs.
The research presented tested specific attitudes and beliefs of consumers in the areas of nutrition, food safety, humane treatment of farm animals, and responsible use of technology in food production to determine what messages and programming elements were most successful in changing their attitudes.
The roundtable strategy session provided a forum for Pennsylvania livestock interests to develop direction and implement plans that build public trust in animal agriculture in the state. PD
—From Pennsylvania Soybean Promotion Board news release
PHOTOS
TOP RIGHT: Terry Fleck, Executive Director of the Center for Food Integrity, shares consumer research findings.
TOP LEFT: Representatives from a broad spectrum of Pennsylvania’s animal agriculture industry assembled to collaborate on plans to foster greater public trust and understanding.
