Telling Their Stories: How Ranchers Use Science During Day-to-Day Operations is a three-story series focusing on Florida’s ranchers connection to science and sustainability. This introduction essay will introduce you to the author and preview the four-story series.
University of Florida Agricultural Education and Communication (AEC) graduate student Milli Jones developed a three-part multimedia photo essay series about the science of sustainable ranching for her non-thesis master’s degree project. Jones is a sixth-generation cattle rancher with a passion for to help the beef industry communicate and engage with public audiences about ranching misconceptions.
Jones’ project emphasizes science used each day on cattle ranches throughout Florida. The purpose of the project is to help ranchers tell their stories to educate the public about cattle genetics, land management, and conservation on farmland. The photo essay series features three cattle ranches from across Florida, all focusing on a different scientific topic:
- Kempfer Cattle Company – emphasizes how ranchers use cattle genetics to create breeding programs that allow for a higher productivity rate
- Buck Island Ranch – focuses on why cattle are important to biodiversity and maintaining open land
- Blackbeard’s Ranch – tells the story of conservation
- Ranchers’ COVID-19 Response – a look at how ranchers have reacted and responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with their thoughts on the potential lasting impacts
Jones captured and recorded all of the photos and videos in the series, during ranch tours of each of the three locations. She used only affordable mobile technology to film and take photos using an iPad and iPhone. All of the content was edited using easily accessible apps that are commonly found on smart technology. After graduation in December 2020, Jones will move to Lakeland, Florida to work as a Client Relations Manager for AgAmerica Lending.
Follow along with Streaming Science via our website and social media throughout December 2020. A new photo essay from Jones’ series will be posted each week.
Contact:
Milli Jones
Master’s Student
Department of Agricultural Education and Communication
University of Florida
