Growing and Leading from the Grassroots

Autumn is just around the corner, and it’s a busy season on the farm and in Farm Bureau. Harvest is well underway, Congress is heading back into session, and Farm Bureau’s grassroots policy is shaping up for the new year. I am excited for what we’re going to achieve together this season and have been reminded again in my recent travels of the strength of our organization, our shared commitment to our communities, and our powerful grassroots advocacy.

Who We Are: The Grassroots Voice of Agriculture

Farm Bureau is a trusted name, from our rural communities all the way to Washington, D.C. As I met with lawmakers at our IDEAg farm shows—Farmfest and Dakotafest—recently, the resounding theme of our conversations was how much lawmakers value the work of farmers and ranchers in their home states and across the country. These farm shows are the place to be for lawmakers because they know how important our rural and farm communities are to the overall security and health of our nation. And I know that the engagement I saw at our farm shows is just a snapshot of the Farm Bureau grassroots advocacy across the country over this congressional recess period.

Grassroots advocacy is a hallmark of Farm Bureau because leaders and lawmakers know that our policies are cultivated from the grassroots up. That process is already in full swing across the country. County Farm Bureau members have started meeting to discuss how policies and regulations are impacting the day-to-day on their farms. These grassroots members will identify what changes are needed to ensure they can keep up the work of growing a safe and sustainable food, fiber, and renewable fuel supply. Once those county policy resolutions are set, recommendations will go to the state level, where farmer and rancher delegates will meet and vote on policy changes for their states and make recommendations to set the agenda for the coming year at the American Farm Bureau. It’s a thoughtful and robust process, as we rely on our grassroots members to guide our policy here in Washington, D.C. We believe that when it comes to identifying what works and what doesn’t in agriculture, the farmer knows best.

What We Do:Grassroots Engagement and Community Enrichment

Across Farm Bureau, our work goes well beyond policy issues. We’re equally committed to engaging and developing the next generation of farm leaders, encouraging rural entrepreneurs, and giving back to our communities. I recently visited Puerto Rico Farm Bureau for their annual meeting. Their membership grew by leaps and bounds because they saw firsthand the warmth of the Farm Bureau family. We banded together to support the farm community in Puerto Rico following the devastation of Hurricane Maria back in 2017. The American Farm Bureau advocated for much-needed disaster relief for Puerto Rican farmers, and grassroots members across the country helped raise support for their Farm Bureau family on the island. Today, the Puerto Rico Farm Bureau is going strong and is the leading advocate for farmers there. I had the chance to meet with their new governor and secretary of agriculture, who both spoke of how much they value their local farmers and the work of Farm Bureau in their communities.

Farm Bureau is also committed to empowering the next generation today. Young leaders are stepping up across agriculture and Farm Bureau, and we are here to equip them for success on their leadership journey. You have probably heard me say—many times over—that I would not be where I am today as a leader in Farm Bureau if it were not for the Young Farmers & Ranchers program, starting with my local Farm Bureau of Greene County, Georgia, all the way to the national level. The relationships and the development opportunities were truly priceless, and so was the encouragement I received from seasoned leaders. We can all take part in empowering young leaders by giving them opportunities to grow and equipping them with the skills and confidence they need. My advice to every young person would be to find opportunities to engage early and often, and remember, you don’t age out of leadership development. We never stop growing as leaders. Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership program and our Promotion & Engagement committee are also prime examples of how we can continue to engage with our communities and build greater understanding about how our food is grown.

If you’re already a member of the Farm Bureau family, I want to thank you for your commitment and support. If you haven’t joined our family yet, I’d invite you to check us out. And I invite ALL of you to make plans now to join us in January at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Anaheim, California. Wherever you are on your Farm Bureau journey, there is something for everyone at this special event, and I know you will leave inspired for how you can play a role in strengthening your community with Farm Bureau.