#195 - Jeanette Merritt: Out of the barn: the importance of spreading our stories

We all know there is a lot going on inside our pig production systems: feeding the pigs and keeping them healthy, abiding to biosecurity protocols, managing people, collecting data, and sending high-quality products to the market by the end of the day. However, the question is: do the consumers and the general public really know that? In this week's episode, I have the pleasure of talking with Jeanette Merritt, the current Director of Communications at Indiana Pork and a 4th-generation pork producer. She shares with us her efforts and experiences with filling the gaps in the communication between producers and consumers.

What you’ll learn:

1. Communicating with consumers as a producer

2. The most effective way of telling our story

3. What the consumers want to know about our farms

4. Targeting the right audience

5. The next generation of consumers

Meet the guests:

Jeanette Merritt

Experience

• Current: Director of Communications at Indiana Pork Producers Association; Director of Checkoff Programs at Indiana Pork Producers Association

Background

• B.Sc., Agricultural Sales and Marketing (Purdue University)

Hobbies: camping, watching my kids play sports, serving on lots of boards, overseeing my kids' 4H projects, sewing, and hanging out by the pool.

Favorite movie/series: I'm a big Broadway fan. My 16-year-old daughter and I see a lot of shows when they go through Indy. She dreams of going to NYC.

Favorite quote: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Missionary Jim Elliott

Tip for success: You are not above any task in a job! If the work bathroom needs toilet paper, fill the rolls!

Connect with our guest on Social Media: Twitter I Instagram I Facebook