Advocating for Agriculture in a Digital World | Sarah Falen
Using Social Media and Legal Expertise to Protect Farmers and Ranchers
Sarah Falen’s journey from law school to agricultural advocacy is a powerful example of how life’s setbacks can lead to unexpected, yet fulfilling paths. As the founder of Wild West Advocacy, Sarah has become a vocal advocate for the ranching community, using her platform to educate consumers and policymakers about the importance of agriculture, legal issues, and the impact of regulations on family farms and ranches.
Sarah’s story begins in a family steeped in agriculture. With roots going back six generations in ranching, Sarah’s connection to agriculture was always strong. Sarah initially pursued a career in law, earning degrees in agricultural communications and environmental resources from the University of Wyoming. After graduating, she planned to join her parents’ law firm and follow their footsteps, but life had a different plan.
While Sarah was preparing to practice law, she found herself unexpectedly drawn to social media, particularly TikTok. What started as a fun way to share videos of her bottle calves running wild in Laramie, Wyoming, quickly turned into a full-blown advocacy platform. After posting a viral video about a legal issue surrounding cattle management in New Mexico, Sarah’s online following grew, and she realized how impactful social media could be in educating the public about the real issues facing farmers and ranchers.
“If you’re not telling the story, someone else is going to tell it, and they’re going to tell it wrong.”
Social media, as Sarah points out, is a double-edged sword. While it's an invaluable tool for sharing the truth about agriculture, it can also be a battleground for misinformation. For years, anti-agriculture voices have used the internet to spread misinformation about farming practices. Unfortunately, many ranchers and farmers have been too busy with their operations to fight back, leaving the door wide open for these narratives to grow. But Sarah knew that it was time for that to change. She was no longer willing to sit quietly while others misrepresented the agricultural industry.
Through Wild West Advocacy, Sarah uses her legal background and social media presence to break down complex agricultural legal issues for the everyday rancher. Her mission is simple: give farmers and ranchers the tools they need to fight for their rights. She has tackled issues from land management regulations to federal overreach, always making sure to use her platform to keep her community informed and ready to advocate for themselves.
One of the most pressing issues Sarah has spoken out about is the impact of regulations on family farms and ranches. As she points out, while large corporations may have the resources to navigate the ever-changing regulatory landscape, it’s often the small, family-owned farms that get left behind. Regulations designed to "protect" the environment or the welfare of animals often end up harming small-scale operations because they can’t afford to comply. This regulatory burden is pushing family farmers and ranchers out of business and consolidating land into the hands of larger corporations—something Sarah and many others in agriculture find concerning.
As a passionate advocate, Sarah’s voice doesn’t just stop at social media. She’s also been active in policy work, taking groups of farmers and ranchers to Washington, D.C., to speak directly with Congress about the challenges facing the agricultural community. Her ability to take complex legal issues and break them down in a way that’s easy to understand for both farmers and lawmakers has allowed her to be a bridge between the industry and the government. Her work is a reminder that even in today’s digital age, real change requires action beyond the screen.
Another area of advocacy Sarah is involved in is educating consumers. She believes that one of the most important things farmers and ranchers can do is share their stories with the public. As she explains, many consumers don’t understand where their food comes from, and this ignorance is often fueled by misinformation from influencers and activists with anti-agriculture agendas. Sarah emphasizes that farmers and ranchers need to be vocal about what they do and why they do it. If they don’t tell their stories, someone else will, and it’s not always an accurate portrayal.
Through Wild West Advocacy, Sarah is dedicated to bringing transparency to the agricultural industry and helping others understand the realities of ranching. Whether it’s explaining the importance of ear tags on calves or debunking misconceptions about farming practices, Sarah is committed to making sure that the true story of agriculture is told. Her platform encourages open dialogue and empowers farmers and ranchers to take control of their narrative.
For Sarah, it’s not just about fighting for agriculture; it’s about building a community of advocates who are passionate about preserving the future of farming and ranching. She believes that by working together, farmers can push back against harmful regulations, fight for their rights, and ensure that agriculture remains sustainable for generations to come.
As Sarah looks ahead to the future, her focus is on continuing to grow Wild West Advocacy and educating the next generation of farmers, ranchers, and consumers. She also aims to expand her public speaking engagements and advocacy efforts, with the goal of helping even more people understand the importance of protecting agriculture. And while she’s passionate about her work, she also has personal goals in mind, like building a home with her husband—a reminder that, even in the midst of a busy career, it’s important to make time for life’s other priorities.
https://www.wildwestadvocacy.com/
TikTok-https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahfalen
