Consumers are encouraged to “Ask a Farmer” through a series of educational tv commercials featuring Maryland soybean growers, funded by the soy checkoff.
The Maryland Soybean Board has embarked on a new campaign encouraging consumers to “Ask A Farmer” through a series of television commercials. The series of commercials, each featuring a Maryland soybean grower, explain how farmers are using pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), conservation practices, and producing various bio-based products to benefit both consumers and the environment.
“Consumers who are increasingly disconnected from farming have questions about how their food is grown,” says Maryland Soybean Board Chair Joshua Appenzeller. “The goal of the campaign is to provide consumers with a better understanding of modern farming practices used to produce the world’s safest and most abundant food supply.”
The tagline for the campaign, “Have a question about Maryland farms? Don’t ask Google, ask me,” directs viewers to the Maryland Soybean Board’s My Maryland Farmers website, where they can find independent factual information from government agencies, land-grant universities, and other educational resources. While on the site, consumers also have the opportunity to learn about other farmers from all sectors of Maryland agriculture.
Airing now through the end of September, the commercials will be broadcasted on two Baltimore stations (WBAL and WJZ) and three Washington D.C. stations (WRC, WTTG, and WUSA). Air times for commercials will coincide with local news programming to engage with those who are interested in local issues. The Maryland Soybean Board also received support from the Virginia Soybean Association, Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board, and Illinois Soybean Association to purchase additional airtime in the Washington D.C. market. The campaign is expected to reach over 13 million viewers.
Commercials may also be viewed anytime online on the Maryland Soybean Board’s YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@mdsoybeanboard.
About Maryland Soybean Board: The Maryland Soybean Board is funded by the national soybean checkoff program, which assesses one-half of one percent of the net market value of soybeans at the first point of sale. The board consists of ten volunteer farmer-directors and directs funds for research, marketing and education programs to benefit the Maryland soybean industry.
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For information, contact:
Danielle Bauer Farace
Maryland Soybean Board
Executive Director
443-812-4526
danielle@mdsoy.com