Media relations: Cultivate a relationship with the media and learn how to be proactive in the face of food safety challenges

摘要

A FOOD safety tragedy that is traced back to a produce farm in the Northeast will have tremendous credibility and economic ripple effects. It forms a perfect story for the media — innocent consumers seriously harmed by food pathogens from a nearby farm. This kind of story combines drama, personal interest, current issues, and a local angle. Even if it isn't your farm, what would you say if a reporter calls for your take on the breaking news? You work every day to make your farm successful, but chances are, you have not cultivated a working relationship with the media for marketing community relations, or to help the public simply understand modern agriculture. Few farmers feel comfortable with the idea of media relations, but since the media is both pervasive and influential, it will make a big difference if you have experience in working with reporters.