Bridging the Gap: Why You Should Volunteer with CommonGround Minnesota
Volunteering with CommonGround Minnesota is a great opportunity to tell your story in agriculture.
If you’re a female farmer who is passionate about food, farming, and sharing the story of agriculture, volunteering for CommonGround Minnesota could be the perfect opportunity for you. This organization, made up of women farmers, works to bridge the gap between consumers and agriculture by sharing real, personal stories about food production. Here’s why getting involved is a great idea:
1. Make a Meaningful Impact
Consumers today have a growing interest in where their food comes from, but they’re often bombarded with information from all sides, and some of it isn’t even credible! As a CommonGround volunteer, you can help clarify misconceptions and combine science and your personal experience to provide accurate, firsthand knowledge about modern farming practices.
2. Build Connections and Community
Volunteering allows you to engage in valuable conversations with consumers who have questions about food, sustainability, and agriculture. You’ll get to connect with people who live very different lives and get to share and compare your perspective on things. You’ll also connect with fellow farmers who share your passion for agriculture and collaborate on initiatives and events that strengthen the bond between rural and urban communities. CommonGround Minnesota works to close the gap from farm to fork, one conversation at a time.
3. Develop Your Skills
Through public speaking, networking events, and social media engagement, volunteers gain valuable communication skills. Our annual conference provides professional training on a variety of communication topics and an opportunity to practice these skills as well. These experiences not only enhance personal growth but also empower you to be a confident voice for agriculture.
4. Share Your Story
Every farmer has a unique story, and consumers want to hear it. By sharing your experiences, you help put a face to farming, making agriculture more relatable and trustworthy to the general public. No matter your role in agriculture or what your operation looks like, each farmer perspective is unique. Your personal story contributes to the overall story of agriculture, and CommonGround Minnesota will give you opportunities to share it!
5. Flexibility in Participation
Volunteering can be as involved or low-commitment as you like. We encourage volunteers to participate in at least three events throughout the year. We have in-person and virtual events and initiatives at a variety of times and dates to accommodate different schedules. Being put on the spot not your thing? Blog for us instead! Not great at technology? We’ll see you in person! Aside from your time, we try to keep your material asks to a minimum. We reimburse mileage to and from your home for events, meals during events, and cover hotels and costs associated with our conference!
Get Involved Today
If you’re a woman in agriculture looking for a way to advocate for farming, inform consumers, and make a difference, consider volunteering for CommonGround Minnesota. Your story matters, and by sharing your experiences, you can help shape a better understanding of food and farming for future generations.
For more information, visit commongroundminnesota.com or send an email to kstanek@mncorn.org!
