b"Connecting with Consumersto Create Trust in AgThrough his Nuffield Scholar studies, Mark Phillips was able to learn how to better work with consumers to build trust in ag.BY: ASHLEY ROBINSONWHEN MARK PHILLIPS started his Nuffield Scholar journeyDuring his travels he found himself learning about the rural/two years ago, he had just started considering public trust inurban divide. One of the instances he recalls is when he spent time his work but was determined to learn more. He applied to thewith a fellow Nuffield Scholar Anna Jones. Jones is a BBC journalist agricultural research scholarship to study the issues producers facein the United Kingdom who has found herself stuck in the middle with respect to developing public trust and how to work with thebetween the rural and urban worlds.general public to foster an understanding of agricultural practicesShe lived in in urban areas, but always travelled back home to her and the reasons behind them. family farm and just felt like she was kind of stuck in the middle of The Nuffield Scholar program wasnt a new concept to Phillips.relating to farmers and what their challenges are, while also seeing Years before he had watched his boss at the Prince Edward Islandthe urban perspective on it. And she found as time went on that Potato Board, General Manager Greg Donald, complete hisdivide became greater, Phillips explains.own Nuffield studies. That helped push Phillips to apply for thePhillips relates to Jones experience. Back in his home province scholarship himself.of P.E.I. the number of potato farms has decreased, leaving fewer Were all facing massive challenges all the time. It's reassuring toIslanders having a personal connection to the agriculture world.see when you travel around that other areas have similar challengesAll of a sudden, questions that might not have been asked aor even bigger challenges and some of them have withstood them.few years ago (are being asked), he adds. Now (people on the Some of the things that we fear coming down the pipeline peopleIsland) don't have that direct connection to farming. Theyre kind are already dealing with, Phillips, marketing specialist at the P.E.I.of wondering what it is we do. And we don't maybe do as good a Potato Board, says in a phone interview. job explaining that as we could because it wasn't as big of an issue Through his studies, Phillips was able to travel the globe withyears ago.stops in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland,As he looked closer at the rural/urban divide, Phillips began to New Zealand, Kenya and Chile. He also had an unplanned stop inrealize those working in agriculture need to work to help bridge the Turkey and travelled a bit throughout North America.gap. But he found educating consumers may not be the answer.Mark Phillips stands on the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Ireland. PHOTO: MARK PHILLIPS34SPUDSMART.COMWinter 2024"