When I started speaking in 2001, I simply wanted to give a voice to the people who feed the world. My top goal was to get farmers, agribusinesses and organizations to wake up about agriculture’s public image. My other goal was to help people buying food to find real, accurate information. I walked away from the security of a salaried position with an idea of spreading the word of agricultural advocacy, but had no concept how big this issue would become.  I felt called to serve the cause of connecting people between the farm gate and food plate, but was not 100% sure it was the right risk to take. Yes, I was scared!

In the first five years of business, I spent nearly half of my presentations convincing ag folks why it was important to connect with the people who buy their food.  Sadly, the advent of issues since that time now makes the problem abundantly clear to everyone in agriculture. In the early years, I also worked on writing pieces and reaching out to food people – then after my daughter was born, I discovered exactly how much guilt and misinformation infiltrate the mom world.

Social media arrived on the scene, exploding the the emotionalism, sensationalism and rampant misinformation about farming and ranching practices. When I first logged on to Twitter in 2008, I had no idea how social media would extend agriculture’s opportunity to regularly interface with foodies, dietitians, mainstream media, chefs and every day food buyers. When I started #AgChat and #FoodChat in early 2009, I found a global ag community hungry to engage in conversation. At the same time, I found how difficult it is to engage with others on the other side of the plate. It’s been a whole lot of fun to see the impact of people who have come to the table through the AgChat Foundation and many other social efforts.

Throughout the last five years, I’ve discovered the power of listening and learning. Leadership isn’t about the loudest voice; true leadership is influencing others. It’s impossible to influence if you don’t listen, particularly to those who have a different perspective than you. It’s why I wrote both a farm AND a food side for the book, No More Food Fights! Growing a Productive Farm & Food Conversation in 2013. I remain firmly convinced the divide between farm and food will widen if we don’t learn to connect at the center of the plate, but am encouraged by the movements over the last few years.

2016 has been quite a journey. I have had the opportunity stand in the gap between farmers and foodies – both an honor and humbling. Ironically, I turned in the manuscript for Food Truths from Farm to Table: 25 Surprising Ways to Shop & Eat Without Guilt to the publisher very close to the date I started my business 15 years ago. When it is finally released in 2017, the book will guide people through the grocery store and includes more than 50 contributors, a reflection of the amazing network of people I have partnered with in my 15 years in business.

I am beyond grateful to my clients, friends, colleagues and those I’ve worked with over the years – you make this work rewarding. People often ask how I’ve built my business, so here are 15 lessons I’ve learned.

1. Working with the best people in the world makes every day worthwhile. Thank you.
2. Growing more voices is more powerful than one person working alone. Always.
3. Serving a cause bigger than me is truly a privilege. Even when it makes me want to beat my head against the wall.
4. Real leadership has little to do with title and everything to do with influence.
5. Long-term impact requires perseverance, sacrifice and a work ethic.
6. Innovation matters. Change is scary, but no risk – no reward.
7. Community is key to propelling a cause forward for sustained growth.
8. Hearing one audience member share their story, plan, or impact keeps me motivated.
9. Provocative thought is a tool people can take home and use years later.
10. Balancing work and parenting is precarious – there is no magic answer, but building your own business helps with flexibility.
11. My cattle, daughter and friends provide the most valuable perspective in my work.
12. Writing a book is simultaneously rewarding and exhausting. Hearing from one reader makes it all worthwhile.
13. Authentic conversation requires asking great questions, listening and taking the high road – even when it’s painful.
14. Focus is the key to success. Keep your eye on the ball or lose momentum.
15. Speaking is a gift from God, but it sure makes me hungry.

Do I have all the answers? No way, but experience is a gift. There is no better way to learn than to teach others. I’m grateful for 15 years of learning as a professional speaker and am committed to reaching hearts so we can move minds. I hope you will be a part of that effort.

Looking forward, the need to grow the farm and food conversation is even more burning than it was 2001.  I’m excited to announce the “Cause Forward Awards” to help foster that growth – my plan is to give out 15 of these before the close of the year. 

Would you please take a minute to share the opportunity to receive a Cause Forward Award with a worthwhile group who would benefit? Let’s all keep on growing the conversation around our plate!

“A life without cause is a life without effect.”