As Oklahoma livestock groups unite to take a more proactive role in shaping the conversation around food, Kylee Deniz with the Oklahoma Pork Council joins senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau leadership conference to discuss the launch of the new All For Food coalition, an effort that brings multiple livestock and farm organizations together under one unified message. Deniz explained that the group represents a collaboration among the pork, poultry, cattle, and Farm Bureau communities. “We had a special opportunity at the Farm Bureau meeting just a moment ago to debut a group that we’ve been working on,” she said, describing it as a coalition focused on championing food and the people who produce it.
Deniz said the need for All For Food has grown out of increasing scrutiny and pressure on modern farming and ranching practices. She noted that producers across commodities realized they needed a proactive, collective approach. “We should just put our flag in the ground on this and make it a group that’s collectively thinking about Oklahoma farmers and ranchers with food being the focal point,” Deniz told Hays. She added that the goal is to protect producers’ freedom to operate while also engaging consumers more directly.
Consumer perceptions were a major focus of the discussion, with Deniz pointing to research showing attitudes about food and production are rapidly evolving. “Their opinion of food or production practices going back to the farm gate is continuing to evolve,” she said, citing changing dietary guidance and rising opposition to animal agriculture. Deniz emphasized the importance of shaping the conversation early, saying, “It’s time to come together and really own that narrative… before someone else is defining it.”
The coalition’s early priorities include establishing credibility and telling the stories of Oklahoma farmers and ranchers. Deniz explained that All For Food is governed by a four-member board, with one representative from each founding organization, and that the board is already working to define what success looks like. “We can be receptive to the rhetoric out there and respond to it, or we can get ahead of it and proactively share some of those stories,” she said.
Deniz also addressed growing public confusion around animal agriculture, including polling that shows many consumers believe food animals should be treated the same as companion animals. “That’s just really a mindset change that has, generationally, progressed,” she said. Deniz stressed the need to reconnect consumers with the value of animal protein, adding, “My dog and cat is important to me, and the steak that I eat is nutritious, delicious, affordable, and fueling my body.”
Deniz discussed the coalition’s role in advocacy and outreach, particularly as anti-agriculture groups increase their presence at the Oklahoma Capitol. “The number of anti-agriculture lobbyists… is staggering and scary,” she said, emphasizing that protecting farmers’ ability to operate is central to the mission. Deniz encouraged listeners to learn more or get involved by visiting allforfood.org, noting the site will feature farmer stories, opportunities to share experiences, and ways to support the organization.
