40 TOURS are an opportunity to answer the public’s questions
the profession of feeding others, he adds. He doesn’t believe producers need to apologize for operating a profitable business. “Try to make it personal.
Use real examples,” he says. “Try to engage in conversations so you have discussions. Then, when they have questions, they will come back and talk to you.” When asked about the potential dangers of things like fertilizer leaching into the soil, Monchuk says he analyzes his soil each year to find out how much nutrients the soil requires. “If I don’t need fertilizer, I
won’t use it, as it’s a cost that impacts my bottom line,” he’ll say, or, “Canada is one of the best regulatory bodies in the world. We have to test for pesticide residue. It’s in our best interests to follow the rules, too.” He says similar factual
answers can help people understand weed and pest management. While Monchuk is a conventional farmer, his advice applies to those with other production systems, too. “If you want to be organic,
be organic. Farmers make choices and this gives consumers choices,” he says. No matter what type of operation, if people insist on pushing a topic or appear to
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • MARCH 2018 nfrom page 39
certain areas are off-limits, he recommends showing pictures or video, something he does for his chicken barns. “A lot of times when you tell consumers that you can’t go in the barn, then they are suspicious,” he says. Before visitors arrive,
Monchuk encourages farmers to walk the tour route themselves. “Walk through the barn an
hour before the tour to check the animals to ensure you know if you have a sick or injured animal,” he says. “You can even use that situation to talk about animal husbandry and care and protocols, but you don’t want to be surprised.” Monchuk says producers
Preparing answers to the tough questions before inviting the public to your farm helps staff and even young family members engage successfully with visitors. FARM & FOOD CARE SASKATCHEWAN PHOTO
have an agenda, Monchuk recommends avoiding engagement. Rather than get caught up in the 5% out to irritate, focus on the 95% who are listening. A way to do this is to respectfully move the tour along or ask for questions from others. Monchuk provided a pretty comprehensive list of
considerations for those planning a tour or event. He encouraged double- and triple-checking visit details such as numbers attending, ages, farm knowledge, farm directions and insurance to ensure everyone is protected. Hosts should document all incidents, even a minor scratch requiring a Band-Aid.
“If there are hazards, identify them off the bat,” Monchuk says. He says hosts can ask people to stay away or avoid certain areas. Explain right at the start where they can and can’t go, what they can and can’t do, and an outline of the tour. This can all be framed about farm safety. And if
are within their rights to state preferences regarding pictures, social media and video, including stating that company policy prohibits videos.
Be passionate Above all, Monchuk tells
producers to be passionate. “What we find ordinary, consumers find extraordinary. I have yet to have an adult tour when people don’t leave smiling,” he says. “Farmers rate really high in trust when it comes to talking about food; you just have to get out and talk about it.”
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