Elgin Field Crop Roadside Signs
Elgin Federation of Agriculture (EFA) has seen other areas implementing Field Crop Roadside Signage and feels it has great benefit potential to impact multiple sectors within our County.
The Project
EFA is proposing to create durable signs to locate on strategic roadsides in order to attract the most visible results. The signs would be of one principal crop per sign, depicting a clear vision of what the crop looks like ie. Ear of corn, soybeans or wheat kernels to help the consumer identify with a familiar food product along with a shortlist of the end uses of that agricultural product. Limited narrative and appropriate font would allow those driving by to quickly assimilate the agricultural foliage, the product at harvest, and the numerous uses of that product that consumers use.
EFA is planning this project with a 3-year marketing promotion. The signs will be gathered in the fall and placed again in the fields in the spring. The fields will be evaluated as to the maximum exposure and consumer activity online.
Logos will be limited to prevent ‘eye pollution’. OFA, EFA will be on every sign with a logo to match with the crop product.
Benefit
EFA believes there is a great need for this type of education and awareness as the degrees of separation of consumers from agricultural commodities to the end products people eat or use grows wider. Consumers will become more aware and knowledgeable of the importance of the crops they see growing in their communities and identify the fields with the foods they see at the market or store. We also believe that awareness can influence our official plans and municipal leaders of the importance of saving our farmland for future generations. An organizational benefit is the partnerships developed between EFA, commodities and local agri-business.
Communication Plan
EFA has secured some partnerships with Grain Farmers of Elgin and Norfolk and local Ag businesses. All partners will be involved in the decision-making. Communication plans include press releases including written press, blogs & radio; send releases to schools; include press releases and photos of signs at various stages of crop growth on the website and social media of all partners. Links to information to supplement the education will be included in the communique such as www.agscape.ca and https://www.farmfoodcareon.org/ and https://www.farmprogress.com/vegetables/13-ways-corn-used-our-everyday-lives