In your own hands: Be a good steward

Farming practices in America have been under public scrutiny for well over a century, but the intensity and focus of that scrutiny have evolved significantly over time.

While I wouldn’t claim that 100% of farmers and ranchers consistently practice perfect stewardship, I challenge anyone to point to a profession where every individual or business always gets it right. Human beings make mistakes, and agriculture is no exception.

And we all know that there will always be individuals who deliberately choose not to act as responsible stewards. There’s always a rotten apple in the bunch.

Stewardship might mean slightly different things to different people, but I’d bet most of us are aligned on the basics.

To me, stewardship means taking personal responsibility for how we manage our air, water, land and animals.

It’s about accountability — doing the best we can with the resources we have, in a way that sustains them for future generations. I believe most people, regardless of their background, would agree with that definition.

Where things start to get complicated is in how agricultural practices are perceived. There’s a wide — and growing — disconnect between what many of us working in production agriculture are actually doing and how our work is viewed by the public.

In recent years, this gap has been fueled by increasingly vocal opposition to certain tools of modern farming — such as antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides, genetically modified organisms and farm animal housing.

These tools are used to improve efficiency, reduce waste and feed a growing population. Those opposed often claim the moral high ground, suggesting their methods are not just different, but inherently better or more ethical.

Take, for example, the argument that fruits and vegetables grown without insecticide are somehow more wholesome than those protected with Sevin or another crop protection product.

Or, the belief that choosing not to eat meat is not just a personal dietary choice, but a moral imperative that others should follow. These kinds of judgments are rooted in perception, not always in science or experience.

Misinformation about modern agriculture is widespread, and it’s being amplified every day by well-organized groups seeking to sway public opinion.

Public skepticism highlights the importance of transparency, education and ethical practices in modern agriculture.

And yet we see some within our own ranks — perhaps those raising hogs on pasture — casting judgment on farmers who raise animals in climate-controlled barns, as if one method automatically makes someone a better steward than another.

It’s time we shift the conversation. Instead of focusing on what others are doing “wrong,” we should be asking ourselves: What can I do better? What steps can I take to strengthen my own stewardship?

The reality is that agriculture is not a one-size-fits-all industry. There are many ways to raise crops and livestock responsibly.

Stewardship isn’t about moral posturing — it’s about real, tangible efforts to care for the land, protect our natural resources and feed a growing population. Let’s focus on that.