The case for food 'ag-vocacy'

The disconnect between the farm gate and the dinner plate has long been a concern for “ag-vocates” who’ve noted more people are unable to connect directly with reasons why agriculture is important.

The recent announcement from Lays Potato Chips that 42% of consumers did not know that chips were made of real potatoes should maybe not surprise anyone. Yet, it is a shocking statistic.

The data comes from a survey conducted by PepsiCo, Lays’ parent company, as part of a consumer and brand study.

In our state, the nation’s second largest producer of potatoes, it seems ridiculous to think in a group...