ASBURY PARK, N.J. — Despite cold temperatures and snow blanketing the Jersey Shore, farmers throughout New Jersey gathered at the Berkeley Oceanfront hotel on Saturday, January 31st for the Northeast Organic Farming Association – New Jersey’s annual winter conference.
The keynote presentation featured Anna Roberts, a representative from The Moth storytelling organization, who may have appeared to be an unconventional choice for an agricultural audience. However, conference organizers recognized that farming professionals possess compelling narratives worth sharing, particularly newer farmers who may lack outlets for their experiences.
Roberts provided background information about The Moth, an organization that brings individuals to stages worldwide to share personal narratives. The group also produces an NPR radio program and podcast featuring these stories.
Speakers at Moth events tell their stories without written materials, focusing on life-changing moments and transformative experiences.
Roberts first encountered The Moth concept during her graduate studies when her journalism class visited a Union Square café for five-minute storytelling sessions.
“It dawned on me why we were doing it,” Roberts explained, “journalism school is so competitive.” The exercise helped students open up about themselves, and Roberts believes agricultural professionals can experience similar benefits.
“Stories can show how we can make meaning of what we want to say,” she noted. “Our brains are wired for storytelling and they sync up when people are listening.” Roberts emphasized that information wrapped in narrative form becomes more memorable.
Following a demonstration using an actual Moth story, Roberts invited conference attendees to share their own experiences. She outlined storytelling fundamentals, focusing on technique and creating emotional connections with listeners. “Each story has an arc,” Roberts said, explaining that compelling narratives involve genuine transformation and shifts in how storytellers relate to institutions or the world around them. She encouraged participants to consider prompts like “I used to…” or “now I…”
Roberts walked the audience through examples showing that while story stakes can vary dramatically, all effective narratives contain conflict and tension. She advised speakers to observe their audience and adapt accordingly.
“There is no best way to share,” she concluded. “So share as yourself.”
Multiple attendees volunteered to share farming-related anecdotes, with several participants noting that the storytelling exercise helped them feel more connected to fellow farmers in attendance.
