Noblehurst Farms in Pavilion is one of several places in Upstate New York where hay wagon billboard banners will be displayed on farms to relay positive messages about agriculture.
Forty such billboards have been placed from Watertown to Canton, the Finger Lakes to Albany.
The banners say: NY Farmers Love the Land; NY Farmers Love Feeding Families; NY Farmers Love Caring for Animals; NY Farmers Love Family Tradition; and NY Farmers Love Strong Communities.
The New York Animal Agriculture Coalition developed the outreach program to reconnent and educate consumers about today's dairy farms and farm practices. It is funded by a grant from the United Soybean Board.
"As a farming community we are trying to keep the public aware that agriculture is important to not only us as farmers, but also to the people and economy of Upstate New York, said Rob Noble, co-owner of Noblehurst Farms.
"The billboard campaign is a small part we can do to raise awareness and tell people part of our story.”
According to a coalition survey, New Yorkers have a high level of trust in New York dairy farmers to produce a safe, healthy and abundant supply of food, Berry said.
However, with the rise of food safety scares and increasing social awareness, consumers are increasingly interested in how their food is produced. Fewer people know a farmer. They’ve lost the human connection to how our food is grown.
Visit the Coalition’s Web site at www.farmskeepnygreen.com for more information.
This information was provided by the New York Animal Agriculture Coalition.
