Storytelling Expert Encourages Farmers to Share Their Personal Journeys

Anna Roberts from The Moth storytelling organization spoke at a New Jersey farming conference, encouraging agricultural professionals to open up and share their personal experiences. The keynote speaker taught farmers storytelling techniques and emphasized how sharing stories can create connections within the farming community.

ASBURY PARK, N.J. — Despite cold temperatures and snowy conditions along the Jersey Shore, agricultural professionals from across New Jersey gathered on Saturday, January 31st at the Berkeley Oceanfront hotel for the Northeast Organic Farming Association – New Jersey’s annual winter conference.

The event featured an unexpected but compelling keynote speaker: Anna Roberts from The Moth, a renowned storytelling organization. While her background might initially appear unrelated to agriculture, Roberts argued that farmers possess compelling narratives that deserve to be heard, particularly newer farmers who may lack outlets for sharing their experiences.

Roberts provided attendees with 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.

The organization’s speakers deliver their tales without written materials, focusing on pivotal life moments that created transformation, Roberts explained. Her own introduction to The Moth concept occurred during graduate studies when her 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 connect by revealing personal aspects of themselves, a benefit she believes farmers could also experience.

“Stories can show how we can make meaning of what we want to say,” she told the audience. “Our brains are wired for storytelling and they sync up when people are listening.” Roberts emphasized that information becomes more memorable when presented through narrative structure.

Following a demonstration using an actual Moth story, Roberts invited conference participants to share their own experiences. She outlined storytelling fundamentals, focusing on technique and creating emotional connections with listeners.

“Each story has an arc,” Roberts noted, explaining that effective narratives involve genuine transformation and shifts in how storytellers relate to organizations or the broader world. She encouraged participants to structure their thoughts around “I used to…” or “now I…” frameworks.

Through brief video examples, Roberts demonstrated that while story stakes can vary dramatically in importance, all effective narratives contain conflict and tension. She advised speakers to observe their audience and adapt their delivery accordingly.

“There is no best way to share,” she concluded. “So share as yourself.”

Multiple conference attendees took the opportunity to share farming-related stories, with several participants noting that the exercise helped them feel more connected to fellow farmers in attendance.