𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨 𝐏𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡, 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲

I didn’t write Patio Ponderings the past three days. I’ve been working on projects and talking with friends as we prepare for World Pork Expo. Today, I’m pondering the balance between telling the “truth” and the pull of toxic positivity.

When I read stories about agriculture, there’s often a consistent tone of positivity, sometimes drifting into toxic positivity. We see idyllic images and words about how great it is to raise food for others. Even when it's hard, the message is usually, “It’s a good life.”

Then there are stories that try to show the “truth” of farm life, often centered around the loss of an animal or the struggles of day-to-day work. These stories tug at the heartstrings, drawing out emotion and empathy.

I’ve talked with other ag writers about how we walk this fine line. How much do we share of the real ups and downs without offending consumers or others in ag? How far do we go in sharing the hard, uncomfortable facts of life and death, prosperity and struggle that happen on every farm?

A farmer I know lost rental agreements after being honest online about his experiences. He shared stories about broken equipment, escaped cattle, conflict with drivers on rural roads, and the pressures of urban sprawl. The landowners told him, “It seems like you have a lot of problems. We want someone who doesn’t have so many issues.” His effort to “tell his story” ended up hurting his business. Even though he was sharing struggles that happen on every farm, he was penalized for being honest. And yet, “Tell Your Story” is the very mantra many AgVocates encourage us to follow.

So where is the line? How do we strike a balance between authenticity and perception? Between showing pride in what we do and being honest about how hard it really is?

How do you decide what parts of the ag story are safe to tell, and which truths are better left unsaid?