#94 - Finding Your Voice in Agriculture with Ashlynn Jones
“And at the end of the day, the best thing you can do is, as long as you have good intentions, is to put some piece of your story out there because I promise you somebody will find a connection.”
Every family farm has a story worth telling. When I sat down with Ashlynn Jones, a third-generation cattle woman from Southeast Iowa, we talked about something that hits close to home for many of us - how to share our farming story with the world.
Coming Home to the Family Farm
Like many young farmers today, Ashlynn and her husband didn't have a straight path back to the family farm. After college, her husband worked as an ag teacher away from home. But they both felt pulled back to the land and the lifestyle they loved.
"It was a random March night when there was a knock on our door at 8 PM - it was grandma and grandpa showing up saying they wanted to start the transition," Ashlynn shared.
The conversation that followed wasn't just about taking over operations - it was about understanding the family's vision and finding their own place within it. They focused on the cattle side of things, while other aspects of the operation were managed differently. "We wanted to understand what they had already prepared for us and what their vision was," she explained.
Breaking Down the Barriers
One thing that struck me in our conversation was Ashlynn's honesty about feeling unsure at first about sharing her story. Even with years of public speaking experience through 4-H and FFA, she hesitated.
"It's almost embarrassing to say that it took me turning 25, 26 to realize I needed to start sharing my story," she admitted. "For some reason, when it came to sharing my own story, it was just scary."
But here's what changed everything - she started small. She began with Facebook posts sharing simple updates about life on the farm. Her audience? Just family and friends at first. As her confidence grew, so did her reach.
Finding Your Voice
For those of us thinking about sharing our own farm stories, Ashlynn offered this advice: start with one platform and learn it well. Don't try to be everywhere at once. Most importantly, remember that your story matters, even if you think it's "just another farming story."
"Just because I think I'm the same as everyone else doesn't mean I really am," she pointed out. "There's going to be someone who connects to your story better than what they would have to anyone else."
Bridging the Gap
Today, only 2% of Americans are involved in production agriculture. That means most people are at least three generations removed from the family farm. This disconnect shows up in surprising ways - like when Ashlynn posted about caring for cattle during a brutal Iowa winter.
People were fascinated by the simple things we take for granted - how many layers of clothes it takes to do chores in negative temperatures, how we get feed to cattle through deep snow, and the daily commitment it takes to care for livestock no matter the weather.
Supporting Each Other
One of the most powerful messages Ashlynn shared was about unity in agriculture. "We're all on the same team," she emphasized. Whether someone chooses conventional or organic farming, direct-to-consumer or traditional markets, what matters is supporting each other and helping consumers understand their food choices.
For those looking to connect with Ashlynn and learn more about her journey, you can find her on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
Remember - every farm has a story worth telling. Whether you're posting on social media, talking to neighbors, or sharing at the local coffee shop, your voice matters in helping bridge the gap between farmers and consumers.
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About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright:
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
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