Working with neighbors, the local community a goal for all livestock producers

CENTRAL CITY, NE — Having a great rapport with neighbors and members of the local community is a goal of every business owner – including livestock and poultry producers.

“One way to build rapport is to simply be involved and active in the community,” said Mark McHargue, a member of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation’s board of directors. “Another is to communicate positively with neighbors. Check with them before spreading manure to make sure they don’t have any outdoor plans that day. Invite them over for a barbeque to socialize. Take time to talk with folks at school or church functions, and just be neighborly and a good citizen in the community.”

McHargue, who operates a grain and farrow-to-wean hog operation near Central City, said efforts like that can go a long way toward building good will. “It doesn’t, though, always change the perceptions that exist today because many people just don’t know what livestock and poultry producers do and how they do it,” he said.

This makes it important for livestock and poultry producers to explain to neighbors and people in the community how and why they raise their animals the way they do. McHargue has done this by speaking to several groups about his livestock operation. “I can give people a tour through photos and a first-hand account, helping them to understand how we care for our animals and keep them healthy,” he said. “The more people who understand, the better we’ll all work together.”

That’s important for both the neighbor and producer, especially if the producer may someday want to expand or add a livestock operation.

The Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (A-FAN) encourages – and can help – producers considering expanding to work with their neighbors and community. “A-FAN is right to stress the importance of being a good neighbor,” McHargue said, “and we are fortunate to have a group like A-FAN in Nebraska to assist producers when they need it.”

He said A-FAN also encourages producers to be involved in their community. “In the end,” McHargue said, “being neighborly and involved in a community is simply good business – and is something all producers should strive towards.”

A-FAN is a non-profit agriculture promotion, education and producer assistance organization. It was formed in 2006 by Nebraska producer organizations to support the expansion of responsible livestock production across the state. Farmers, ranchers and communities interested in learning more about the services provided by A-FAN are encouraged to visit www.A-FAN.org or call toll free 1.888.580.AFAN (1.888.580.2326).

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, founded in 1917, is the state’s largest voluntary agricultural organization. It represents more than 50,000 member families in all 93 Nebraska counties and has 86 organized County Farm Bureaus. The farmers and ranchers who belong to Farm Bureau raise various livestock species and grow a variety of crops from sugar beets to soybeans.


Media: For more information, contact Mark McHargue at 308.946.2804 or Roger Berry of A-FAN at 402.710.1110 or 888.580.2326.


NOTE: To view a commentary by Mark McHargue’s about the importance of community involvement for livestock and poultry producers, click here.