The New York Farm Bureau Foundation for Agricultural Education is now collecting short personal stories to assemble in a collection called, "A Day in the Life of a Farmer."
"The most influential way for farmers to educate the non-farming public about agriculture is by telling their unique stories," said foundation Director Sandra Prokop. "There are few things more compelling and engaging than the story of what farmers do and why they do it."
The foundation invites all farmers and farm families to participate in this project. Stories should focus on a personal experience connected to agriculture and/or a story that tells about a day in the life of an active agriculturist.
Stories can portray any sector of agriculture and should be able to carry the message of family farming, regardless of the size of the operation.
This project will be part of an education process to engage the public and raise awareness about the different roles within the agricultural community, what agriculture really is, what an average day might include, and form an impression of good stewardship, family strength and commitment to a strong work ethic.
The first round of submissions is requested by Aug. 15. Stories should be from New York residents (past or present) or based on New York agriculture.
They should be a maximum of one page in length (with at least a 10-point font) and a signed release must accompany all submissions and high-resolution photos. The use of "family" in submissions is strongly encouraged to communicate the true value of family in New York farming.
Complete guidelines for submissions and a copy of the release can be found at <www.nyfbfoundation.org/storiesofagpage.htm> or call the Foundation at 1-800-342-4143.
Stories may be submitted to Sandra Prokop at <sprokop@nyfb.org> or by mailing to NYFB Foundation, P.O. Box 5330, Albany, NY 12205, or faxed to her attention at 518-431-5656.
