1. A Conversation About Farming and Food July 14, 2012

3. Miles From the Farm Disconnected – 1950, 75 % of world’s population was rural – 2050, 75 % of world’s population will be urban

4. A Lot of People Are Talking About Food

5. It’s Clear There is Confusion

6. Where do you turn for information about your food? MediaFriends/Family Online Sources

7. What is CommonGround? A grassroots movement – Connect consumers with the faces behind their food – Address common consumer questions about food and farming – Woman-to-woman conversations

8. CommonGround Iowa Launched program in October 2010 Six female-farmer volunteers Hosted several events interacting with consumers Actively blogging, involved in social media http://www.onthebanksofsquawcreek.com//

9. Goal: To Educate and Answer Questions about Farming & Food Examples: 1.What are GMO foods? 2.Why are antibiotics given to livestock? 3.What is a factory farm vs. a family farm? Animal Welfare Food Prices Hormones Antibiotics Food Safety Local / Organic GMO Foods Corporate Farms

10. Some of the most common questions I get asked are…

11. A Resource to Answer Consumer Questions www.FindOurCommonGround.com

12. What questions do you have about where your food comes from? Now’s Your Chance!

13. Thank you for your time!