Agriculture has one of the best stories to tell, but too often someone else is telling it. That was the message from agricultural advocate Michelle Miller, better known as The Farm Babe, during a recent episode of the AgNet News Hour. Miller discussed how social media, public outreach and personal conversations can help bridge the gap between farmers and consumers while combating misinformation about modern agriculture.
Miller, who began sharing her farming experiences online more than a decade ago, said her journey into agricultural advocacy happened almost by accident. What started as a personal blog documenting life on an Iowa farm has grown into one of agriculture’s most recognizable voices on social media, reaching hundreds of thousands of followers across multiple platforms.
Throughout the interview, Miller emphasized that many consumers simply have little firsthand experience with farming. Rather than criticizing those misconceptions, she encourages farmers to approach conversations with empathy and education.
“I know what it feels like to be misinformed,” Miller said, explaining that she once believed many of the same myths about agriculture before becoming involved in farming herself. Today, she focuses on helping consumers understand the science behind modern farming practices and the realities of food production.
The discussion also highlighted California agriculture’s unique diversity. Having traveled extensively across the country, Miller said California’s hundreds of commodities—from lettuce and strawberries to citrus, avocados and specialty crops—offer an incredible opportunity to showcase American agriculture to the public.
She encouraged producers to share what they do every day, noting that people are often fascinated once they have the chance to see farms firsthand.
Another key theme of the conversation was farmland preservation. Miller expressed concern about the continued loss of agricultural land to urban development, saying the country loses valuable farmland every minute. She argued that protecting farmland and supporting family farms should remain priorities for both policymakers and consumers.
Miller also challenged farmers to expand their outreach beyond traditional agricultural audiences. She suggested inviting influencers, public officials and other community leaders onto farms to experience agriculture firsthand, saying those relationships can help reshape public perceptions and build broader support for farming.
“I think people appreciate and love farmers, but they don’t always understand them,” she said. “Your voice is way more powerful than you’ll ever know.”
AgNet News Hour hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill echoed that message, encouraging producers to participate in farm tours, community events and educational programs that connect consumers with the people who grow their food. As California agriculture continues facing challenges ranging from regulations to urban development, they noted that telling agriculture’s story has never been more important.
Listen to the full interview below or on your favorite podcast app.
Listen to previous AgNet News Hour episodes…