The expression ‘mud sticks’ doesn’t just refer to your equipment this wet spring. It also means that misinformation seems to have an uncanny knack of settling in and never letting go. Misinformation creates myths. And once myths start to propagate on social media they are next to impossible to correct. Refuting the misinformation that leads to dangerous myths about agriculture involve battling against several complex … Continue reading How to de-bunk myths about Canadian agriculture

In an increasingly politically polarized world, farmers know all too well how difficult it can be to get an opportunity to present their facts or make their point. Equally difficult is getting your audience to pause long enough to listen, consider, and open themselves up to the possibility that new information may be more factually correct than what they currently hold to be true. This … Continue reading How to fight misinformation in a world of information

Empathy – the ability to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes – is a learned trait. When we end up in a situation where we disagree with someone and emotions start to get charged our Old Brain switches to the primitive flight or fight mode – neither of which state has room for new-fangled (as far as the Old Brain is concerned) emotions like empathy. … Continue reading How to minimize conflict when emotions are bubbling to the surface