Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/865806
20 POTATO GROWER | SEPTEMBER 2017 By Tyrell Marchant T he further we wade into this 21st century, the more questions seem to be directed toward those involved in production agriculture. Historically, the industry's reaction has been to dig in and say, in effect, "This is the way we do things. Trust us; we know what we're doing." And historically, that position has gotten us pretty much nowhere. But the conversation is changing. Perhaps more than anyone, farmers and ranchers understand the importance of wise and caring stewardship of natural resources. A healthy environment is essential to a profitable farming operation. Producers intimately understand that connection; many consumers simply don't. So they ask questions—which is entirely understandable. With its new Grow On sustainability initiative Bayer Crop Science is helping growers keep the dialogue with buyers and consumers congenial rather than adversarial. "We kept hearing from growers that they were getting more By Tyrell Marchant By Tyrell Marchant By Tyrell Marchant T agriculture. Historically, the industry's reaction has been to dig in and say, in effect, "This is the way we do things. Trust us; we know what we're doing." And historically, that position has gotten us pretty much nowhere. But the conversation is changing. Perhaps more than anyone, farmers and ranchers understand the importance of wise and caring stewardship of natural resources. A healthy environment is essential to a profitable farming operation. Producers intimately understand that connection; many consumers simply don't. So they ask questions—which is entirely understandable. With its new Grow On sustainability initiative Bayer Crop Science is helping growers keep the dialogue with buyers and consumers congenial rather than adversarial. "We kept hearing from growers that they were getting more 20 POTATO GROWER | SEPTEMBER 2017