Florida Milk Blog

Social media has fundamentally changed the way we communicate and get information. These days everyone is on social media from major corporations like Dominos to your grandparents - and Florida’s dairy farmers are no exception.

More and more farmers are turning to social media to share their story and connect the public with where their food comes from. Today we’re highlighting two Florida dairy farmers who are successfully telling their stories on social media.

Meghan Austin - Cindale Farms & Southern Craft Creamery

What inspired you to start actively promoting on social media?

I was inspired by the need for more farmers to tell their stories. I felt driven to share my perspective as a dairy farmer, dairy vet, and mom.

What is your biggest challenge using social media as a dairy farmer?

So my real challenge isn’t specific to being a dairy farmer...I am a relatively private person and sharing things online does not come naturally to me. I don’t necessarily enjoy it. But I do understand the need, and I must constantly push myself to post more and be more open...still working on this.

In what way has blogging on social media about dairy farming impacted you?

It has demonstrated the consumer’s desire to learn more and really establish a connection with someone who is producing their food.

What’s your favorite social media site?

I’m pretty old school and haven’t delved into the newer platforms. We’ve stuck to Facebook & Instagram. We have pages on both platforms for our farm & creamery (@cindalefarms & @southerncraftcreamery). Facebook works best for us from a business perspective for our creamery, but I feel that I’ve gained a more diverse audience since starting our farm Instagram page last August.

What word of advice would you give another farmer thinking about promoting on social media?

If you are thinking about taking the dive, just go for it! It can be scary and intimidating, but it is rewarding in the ability to connect directly to consumers and share your story!

Visit Meghan at Cindale Farms on Facebook and Instagram and Southern Craft Creamery on Facebook and Instagram.

Kevin Lussier - Lussier Dairy & Hawthorne Creek Creamery

What inspired you to start actively promoting on social media?

We wanted an opportunity to reach consumers who probably have never been around agriculture. Social media allows us to show the passion we have for the dairy industry and tell the consumer the real story of where their food comes from.

What is your biggest challenge using social media as a dairy farmer?

The biggest challenge we have faced is balancing our work on the farm with our social media. Sometimes you get so busy with the actual farm work it’s easy to forget to create a post. Several times I have gotten done with a job I wished I would have posted about what I was doing so people can see what goes into what we do on the farm.

In what way has blogging on social media about dairy farming impacted you?

With the ability for every farm to have a social media account, we now have a direct line to the consumer. This allows us to show people exactly what we do and why we do it. Since the majority of people have never stepped foot on a dairy there are many misconceptions about our industry. Social media is a great tool that we can now use to address those misconceptions.

What’s your favorite social media platform?

Facebook has been our favorite due to the fact that you can interact with so many people. We always get great questions on our posts, and I enjoy answering them!

What word of advice would you give another farmer thinking about promoting on social media?

Be genuine about your operation. Dairy farming is hard, show people how hard we work everyday to ensure that our animals have the best care possible. Everyone loves to hear the story about where their food comes from.

Visit Hawthorne Creek Creamery on Facebook and Instagram.