Episode Description:
Animal agriculture is dealing with an unprecedented situation with processing plant slowdowns and closures. During this difficult time, Minnesota Pork Board President JoDee Haala, who also serves as director of public affairs at Christensen Farms, says it’s important to communicate with your peers. “Rely on the network of people you have who are also going through the same thing you are. It is uncomfortable to talk about if you are struggling financially on the farm, but there are a lot of friendly people out there in agriculture that just want to help.” Haala goes on to say that’s what makes agriculture so great; open ears and support for one another. With hogs backing up in the system, those farmers are making the difficult decision to euthanize animals. “It is absolutely a time of grieving. When you get up and think about everything you do, you make food for human consumption that is being turned to waste when people are hungry. That’s heavy.” Hear more from JoDee in the latest TransFARMation podcast episode here.