Here’s a crazy statistic- fewer than 2 percent of Americans live and work on a farm. That means that most people haven’t had to trudge through sleet, snow, or hail to check on newborn calves and don’t routinely wake up before dawn to milk impatient cows. In fact, most have only a limited understanding of how their food makes it from farmers’ fields to their fork.  And, unfortunately, this disconnect has led to more than a few misconceptions about farming.

But times, they are a-changin’. From the “I Heart Beef” campaign to the recent [yellow tail] funding face-off, the agriculture community is making its voice heard and bridging the gap between producers and consumers. It seems like more and more farmers and ranchers are hopping on the social media bandwagon to share their stories, and for good reason- becoming an outspoken advocate for agriculture makes a difference.

The best part? Anyone can become an agvocate! The tools are free (and slightly addicting). Here are five easy tips to help you get started:

1. Take the plunge!
Feeling a little intimidated about jumping in to the new frontier of social media? Don’t be. Everyone is in the same boat as you and most are still learning how to use these new tools. I recommend checking out Ohio Farm Bureau’s great social media guide. (And be sure to send me a tweet- www.twitter.com/animalag- if you have any questions!)

2. There’s Power in Numbers.
So you’ve set up your Twitter account, created a Facebook page, and launched a blog to chronicle your adventures on the ranch- what now? Social media is no fun unless you find people to engage with! To track down some ag folks on Twitter, check out the Follow Farmer list. You can also use tools such as WeFollow to find Twitter users in your area or even search for “tweeps” by interest.  And be sure to leave a comment on blogs that you enjoy- they will more than likely repay the favor. It’s also a good idea to branch out and find some non-ag folks to chat with, so be sure to expand your online social circle. Who do you think most needs to hear your story?

3. Keep it Simple.
Sure, watching videos of your cattle getting fed may not sound that thrilling to you, but the day-to-day care of your animals is actually pretty interesting to those who have never experienced it firsthand. It’s those routine activities- checking on a new calf, treating a sick cow- that remind viewers how much farmers and ranchers care about their animals. So keep it simple. Upload photos of you feeding your cows in the middle of snowstorm, explain the ingredients that go in to your feed, and take viewers along on a day in the life of a rancher. (Bonus points if you like to sing while on the tractor.)

4. Don’t Forget to Listen.
Don’t forget to take the time to listen to what others are saying about agriculture. What questions do they have? Engaging with others in a productive dialogue = good. Mindless arguing = not so good. Take the opportunity to leave thoughtful, level-headed comments on articles that contain misinformation about agriculture. Share links to farm resources. A great Twitter forum for discussing food issues is the weekly “#Agchat,” which brings together hundreds every Tuesday night to address topics ranging from biotechnology to animal care. Be sure to check it out!

5. Take it to the Streets.
It can be a lot of fun to network with farm folks from across the country online- but sometimes opportunities to agvocate are right in your own backyard. Get involved in local agriculture organizations and work to gain the respect of your community. There’s no wrong way to educate about agriculture- volunteer to read an ag-related book in your child’s classroom, donate to a local food bank, or host a community dinner featuring foods produced in your area. And if you are really feeling ambitious, you could schedule a “tweetup” with folks that you meet on Twitter. There’s nothing like forming positive relationships with others to help share agriculture’s story.