For many weeks, I have been talking with state Farm Bureau leaders about how to increase the number of young people in agricultural organizations. As we talked, it was very easy to list the reasons why young people are not getting involved. Solutions on the other hand were none existent. So I took a step back and looked at why I am involved.
The number one reason for me is to protect my future as a farmer and protect the ability for Americans to consume food produced in the USA. I believe as young people we take for granted the people and organizations that are fighting to protect our right to farm. Generations before us have paved the way for our future.
Now it is our job as the next generation to step up and lay another layer of brick on the foundation of American agriculture. There is an article in the October 2008 issue of the “PROGRESSIVE FARMER” about Chris Chinn and her commitment to telling the story of American agriculture. In that article, she states that, “The world is led by those who show up.” It’s time that the next generation shows up to protect American agriculture.