CommonGround North Dakota volunteers brought agriculture education to the tailgating festivities at the North Dakota State University vs. University of North Dakota football game this fall.
Pop vs. Soda Debate
At their booth, volunteers handed out free beverages and water bottles labeled with North Dakota agriculture facts. Visitors were invited to cast their vote on whether they preferred “team pop” or “team soda” – and “team pop” won the friendly contest!
Making Connections
Throughout the event, volunteers engaged with over 800 tailgaters, starting conversations about the connection between football and farming. The key message they shared was simple but powerful: an acre of land is about the size of a football field, and the amount of glyphosate applied per acre is similar to a soda can’s volume, diluted into about 50 liters of water.
This comparison helped people understand farming practices in terms they could easily picture.
Why These Connections Matter
Connecting with farmers and ranchers hasn’t always been easy for several reasons:
- Farmers make up only 1.3% of our working population – they’re a small crowd
- Most farmers live in rural areas, making face-to-face contact less common
That’s why CommonGround North Dakota volunteers are so intentional about connecting with consumers at events like football games.
Building Understanding
By the end of the tailgating event, attendees had learned more about how farmers in North Dakota care for their crops. These conversations help bridge the gap between rural and urban communities, creating better understanding of modern agriculture.
Get Involved
CommonGround North Dakota volunteers work to educate consumers about farming and food production. To learn more about the CommonGround North Dakota program or to get involved yourself, visit CommonGroundNorthDakota.com.
Events like this football game tailgate show that agriculture education can happen anywhere – even in parking lots before the big game!
