Change Is Human: We Must Prioritize the Humanity of Farmers In Our Change Programming.

“The only constant in life is change.” The Greek philosopher Heraclitus said it first, but it rings true as commentary on the state of today’s world, as well.

Understanding and managing change is on my mind a lot these days. In part, that’s because we know that the impacts of a changing climate are being felt, here and now. A research report released in the peer reviewed journal Nature yesterday showed that at least 85% of the global population has been affected by human-induced climate change.
On the front line of this change everywhere – including here in the U.S – are farmers. Climate change is affecting precipitation, temperature and extreme weather events. All that leads to increased uncertainty.

Managing change – proactively and at scale – is challenging in complex systems. It takes cooperation, planning and a willingness to invest in an uncertain future state. And yet, it has so many proven business benefits that it is considered a best practice in the corporate world. At a human level, it is the single most important driver in reducing stress and anxiety in the workplace, an outcome worth considering as we look back on national Mental Health Awareness day, and note the worrying decline of mental health in US farmers. (Are you or someone you care about in crisis? Here’s a place to start.)

Our work at Trust In Food™ gives us the opportunity to see and connect with each farmer first and foremost as a human being. And with that brings the responsibility to ensure that change is managed in ways that work for the humans at the core of our food system.
So today, I’m wondering aloud – what does it mean to manage the change ahead of us in agriculture and food? What unlikely collaborations will we need? What shift in perspectives will be required? What businesses and organizations will step up to lead? Let me know what you think at acole@farmjournal.com.

Yours in regenerative ag,