Bringing Farmers’ Stories to the Table

One of the things I’ve learned over my years in Farm Bureau is that policy doesn’t move forward on its own. It moves because people show up, build relationships, and take the time to share their stories. That’s especially true for agriculture, where many decisions are made by folks who can’t see firsthand the realities farmers and ranchers face every day.

That’s why engagement matters. And it’s why I’ve made it a priority to take your stories directly to leaders who are shaping the future of our country.

Engagement Begins with Real Conversations

Last week, I had the opportunity to sit down for a dinner meeting with Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. It was a candid conversation where I shared who we are as Farm Bureau, what farmers and ranchers care about and how deeply connected agriculture is to the health of our nation. Secretary Kennedy shared his interest in agriculture and his concerns around health. This meeting was a meaningful opportunity to share how seriously farmers take our responsibility to produce safe, healthy food, and why agriculture must be part of any conversation about the health of our nation. I’ve also had the opportunity to share that sentiment through similar conversations in the Oval Office with the President, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and several other cabinet officials.

Conversations like that don’t happen by accident. They happen because Farm Bureau has earned a reputation as a trusted voice. We are the national Voice of Agriculture, and leaders and lawmakers count on us to bring facts, experience and real-world perspective to the table. When we engage, we help ensure agriculture is part of the conversation from the start, not an afterthought once decisions are already made.

That same spirit of engagement was present during our time at the 107th American Farm Bureau Convention in Anaheim, California, where I met with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.With Secretary Rollins, I had the opportunity to share the challenges farmers are facing right now and the importance of USDA policies that provide real support for the farmers and ranchers producing America’s food, fiber and renewable fuel supply.

I also had the opportunity to engage with the leaders of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees: Chairman John Boozman, Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar, Chairman Glenn “GT" Thompson and Ranking Member Angie Craig. These are the men and women who will help shape the next farm bill and influence agriculture policy for years to come. This was the first time they were on stage together, and they came together for the AFBF Convention because they understand the power of our federation and our grassroots.

Every meeting and conversation, like each one of these, matters because relationships matter. When tough decisions come up, leaders remember who showed up, who listened and who spoke honestly about the challenges on the ground.

Grassroots Engagement Opens Doors

None of these opportunities exist without the credibility Farm Bureau has built over more than a century. Our influence is built on the steady, consistent engagement of grassroots leaders in every county and every state. I know that I have these opportunities and conversations because of our grassroots strength, and I carry the voices of our Farm Bureau family into every room.

When you share your story at a county meeting, invite a lawmaker to your farm or speak up about how a policy affects your operation, you’re doing more than advocating for yourself. You’re reinforcing the reputation that opens doors for conversations like the ones I’ve had this year.

Those doors open because policymakers know Farm Bureau represents real farmers and ranchers, with real experience and real solutions.

Showing Up Makes the Difference

Engagement isn’t always easy, and it doesn’t always deliver instant results. But it’s essential. If we want agriculture to be understood, respected and supported, we have to be willing to show up and speak up for our families, our farms and our communities. If this resonates with you, I encourage you to take the next step—get involved at the county level, invite a policymaker to your farm or learn more about how Farm Bureau members advocate for agriculture and their communities here.

I’m proud of the opportunities we’ve had already this year, and even more proud of the grassroots foundation that makes them possible. Together, we’ll keep telling agriculture’s story—clearly, honestly and with the strength that comes from generations of farmers and ranchers standing together.