A recent survey underwritten by the National Corn Growers Association and the Animal Agriculture Alliance shows that the general public has a deep trust and confidence in your farmer-customers. And, surprise, surprise: The public has distrust for politicians and well-known Hollywood actors, especially when they attack segments of agriculture.

Gee, I'd like to say I'm surprised by these facts, but how could I be? Time and time again the public at large has viewed your customers favorably. In fact, in this latest survey, more than 40% of those over the age of 25 said they considered farmers and ranchers one of their two most favorably viewed groups. Animal rights activists? Out of touch with the public at large, according to Bruce Andrews, Animal Agriculture Alliance president.

Equally impressive is that 86% of respondents believe consumers should have the right to choose what they eat and not be dictated to by a “small minority of activists,” according to the poll.

I'm always astonished when celebrities earn instant credibility because they can act, throw a baseball, write fiction or any of the other things these folks do to give them their media status. The general consumer media flock to these folks. Maybe they want an autograph. Heck, I'm an ag editor and I don't pretend to know everything even about my own business.

Finally, it's comforting to know that only 7% of those polled indicated animal rights groups, as one example of activists, were extremely or very influential in influencing consumer purchasing decisions. I guess it just goes to prove that your customers in rural areas throughout the country have the respect of consumers. And you help them earn that respect every day through your environmental stewardship.

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© 2007 Penton Media, Inc.