Can AI help us connect with consumers?

The image was created by DALL-E (AI image generator) based on the prompt of a robot farmer talking with people at the fair.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is now a consumer buzzword that most of us have heard since the release of ChatGPT4. Now, Google, Facebook, and others are trying to catch up with OpenAI and believe it will change everything digital.

But how can it help you with your farm communications?

I think it can help you tell your story, especially if you feel uncomfortable writing text that you want to share with consumers. Now, I’m not saying you should ask AI what to say and then copy and paste it. I think it is a great way to help you craft what you would like to say, and then you can make it personal to your farm.

For instance, let’s create a farm website using AI.

First, you need to know what consumers will want to know when they visit your website.

Let’s ask AI to create this for us.

You can type in the prompt — “Create a dairy farm website so, as a dairy farmer, I can share what’s happening on the farm.”

Here’s what it gathered for me:

Home Page

At GreenPastures Dairy Farm, we take pride in providing the freshest and finest dairy products straight from our farm to your table. With a commitment to sustainable and ethical farming practices, we ensure that our cows are treated with the utmost care, producing high-quality milk that's both nutritious and delicious.

We have an unwavering dedication in the compassionate care that we provide to our dairy cows. We understand that the well-being of our animals is paramount to producing high-quality milk and dairy products.

Every day, we ensure that our cows have access to nutritious and balanced diets, ample clean water, and comfortable living conditions. We meticulously monitor the health of each cow, offering prompt medical attention when needed and adhering to strict vaccination schedules.

We create stress-free environments by minimizing disruptions and providing ample space for the cows to move freely. Beyond physical care, we recognize the importance of emotional well-being, engaging in practices that foster positive interactions and a sense of security.

Through our commitment, we exemplify a harmonious partnership with nature, fostering healthy and contented dairy cows that contribute to the sustenance of communities around the world.

Our Products:

Fresh Milk: Our cows graze on lush, open pastures, resulting in creamy and wholesome milk that's perfect for your daily consumption.
Cheeses: Indulge in various artisanal cheeses, crafted with love and expertise. From creamy brie to tangy cheddar, we have cheese for every palate.
Yogurt: Our velvety yogurt is made from the finest milk, packed with probiotics to keep you healthy and happy.
Butter: Experience the rich taste of our farm-fresh butter, perfect for spreading on your morning toast or using in your culinary creations.

Sustainability: We are committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Our farm utilizes renewable energy sources, practices responsible water management, and minimizes waste through recycling and composting.

Farm Visits: Curious about our operations? We offer guided tours of our dairy farm, where you can see our happy cows, learn about our milking process, and even try your hand at cheese-making.

Recipe Corner: Explore our Recipe Corner for delightful culinary creations using our dairy products. From classic mac and cheese to modern yogurt-based smoothies, our recipes will inspire your kitchen adventures.

Order Online: Ready to enjoy the goodness of GreenPastures Dairy Farm? Order online and have our products delivered to your doorstep. With a few clicks, you can savor the taste of farm-fresh goodness.

Contact Us: Got more questions or feedback? Reach out to us through our Contact Us page or call our customer service hotline. We're always here to help.

Stay connected with us on social media for the latest updates, farm news, and special offers:

Facebook: facebook.com/GreenPasturesDairy

Instagram: instagram.com/GreenPasturesFarm

YouTube: youtube.com/GreenPastures

Thank you for visiting GreenPastures Dairy Farm — where every glass of milk tells a story of care, quality, and community.

Now you know what pages you need for the website. You can rewrite the text to match your farm’s specifics — for example, change “grazing” to “comfortable cow housing to help keep the cows safe and happy.”

I then asked ChatGPT4 to guide me through building a website in WordPress — a free content management system. Here’s what it told me (which is exactly what I have told people many times about WordPress).

Here's a step-by-step guide for building a farm website in WordPress:

Step 1: Set up hosting and install WordPress

Choose a domain name and register it through a domain registrar. Sign up for a web hosting service. Some popular options are Bluehost, SiteGround, and HostGator.
Access your hosting account's control panel and look for the "Install WordPress" option. Most hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installations.

Step 2: Log in to your WordPress Dashboard

Once WordPress is installed, you'll receive login details. Access your WordPress dashboard by going to http://yourdomain.com/wp-admin.

Step 3: Choose and install a theme

In the WordPress dashboard, navigate to "Appearance" > "Themes."
Click "Add New" and browse the theme repository. You can use the search bar or filter by features.
Once you find a theme you like, click "Install" and then "Activate."

Step 4: Customize your website

Navigate to "Appearance" > "Customize."
Here, you can modify various aspects of your website, such as site title, tagline, logo, colors, and more. The options available will depend on the theme you chose.

Step 5: Create pages

In the WordPress dashboard, go to "Pages" > "Add New."
Create pages for your website, such as "Home," "About Us," "Products," "Contact," and so forth.
Use the WordPress editor to add content, images, and formatting to your pages.

Step 6: Set up navigation menus

Go to "Appearance" > "Menus."

Create a new menu and add the pages you've created to it.
Choose the menu's location (usually "Primary Menu" for the main navigation) and save the menu.

Step 7: Add plugins

Plugins add functionality to your website. Go to "Plugins" > "Add New."
Search for and install plugins based on your needs. For example, you might want plugins for SEO optimization, security, contact forms, and social media integration.

Step 8: Customize your sidebar and widgets

In the WordPress dashboard, go to "Appearance" > "Widgets."
You can drag and drop widgets into different widget areas, such as the sidebar or footer, to add features like recent posts, categories, search bars, and so forth.

Step 9: Create a blog (optional)

If you want a blog section, go to "Posts" > "Add New."
Write and publish your blog posts using the WordPress editor.

Step 10: Test and launch

Before launching your website, preview it to ensure everything looks and works as expected.

Once you're satisfied, share your website by announcing it on social media, emails, or any other channels you prefer.

Remember that WordPress offers endless customization possibilities, so feel free to explore further and add more advanced features as you become comfortable with the platform.

The majority of this article was generated in AI.

Am I worried that it will put me out of a job? No, it’s just going to change how I do my job. Many tasks that took a lot of time and brain power are just going to be sped up. Those who don’t adapt will struggle with the future — just like in any industry.

Connecting with consumers just got easier, all through the power of this new technology. Now making sure artificial intelligence knows the right information about your farm (it will gather that information from the internet) and presenting it to others is part of the dairy industry’s overall responsibility.

If you want help creating a website and need some communication training on how best to connect with consumers, please reach out to your local dairy checkoff. They have training programs to help farmers feel more comfortable talking with consumers and the media.

To learn more about your national dairy checkoff, visit www.USDairy.com/for-farmers or to reach us directly, send an email to TalkToTheCheckoff@dairy.org.