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Shared values, shared fields: Potatoes at the heart of humane and climate-smart farming

An exploration of how potato growers, Mercy For Animals’ Transfarmation project and other ethical farming initiatives are quietly aligning around a common set of values – reducing suffering, protecting the climate and defending the dignity of rural communities.

There is a growing chorus in agriculture that speaks the language of ethics as much as economics. We hear phrases like humane treatment, climate responsibility, regenerative systems, just transitions, rural dignity. Often, these conversations are framed around livestock, carbon, biodiversity, or corporate supply chains.

Less often do they start with potatoes.

And yet, if you walk a potato farm, sit in a storage office in January, or listen closely to growers under pressure, you quickly realise something: the values that drive many of today’s ethical farming movements are already present, in their own grounded, practical form, in the potato world. They are not always named. They seldom appear in mission statements or glossy campaigns. But they are there – embedded in daily choices, quiet instincts, and the stubborn desire to do right by people and land, even when nobody is watching.

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Building Trust in Agriculture Through Better Storytelling

Video: Building Trust in Agriculture Through Better Storytelling

How do we tell the story of modern agriculture in a way that connects with consumers while staying true to the people who produce our food?

CLEAR Conversations, host Tracy Sellers sits down with Jennifer Shike, Editor and Brand Leader for Farm Journal's PORK, to discuss the evolving role of agricultural journalism, the challenges of communicating science, and why authentic storytelling matters more than ever.

From emerging sustainability initiatives and animal welfare to producer innovation and public perception, Jennifer shares her perspective on covering one of agriculture's most dynamic industries and the importance of building trust between farmers and the public.

Whether you're a producer, researcher, student, or simply interested in where your food comes from, this conversation offers valuable insight into the stories shaping the future of animal agriculture.