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The start of the new decade will be a year of fighting to make farmers’ voices heard. As an election year approaches and hard economic times, Robin Kinney, senior director of member engagement for the American Farm Bureau Federation, shares her top five reasons getting involved in local and state agricultural organizations in 2020 is more important than ever before.
There’s no better way to make industry or farmer connections than in effective grassroots sharing. Farmer-to-farmer networks are a way for farmers to pool ideas together and learn from different perspectives. These are found in local commodity organizations such as Farm Bureau, corn, soybeans, wheat, swine, or cattle organizations of your choosing that fits your farming operation. Evening joining groups that don’t fit what you currently have could be an opportunity to find ways to expand your farm.
Making network connections through involvement, allows farmers the ability to learn. We live in a global marketplace now. You have to get out of the barn in order to keep up with the trends. It’s easy as going to a state or local farm bureau meetings, annual meetings, Extension council, or even fun events like national conventions. These meetings offer so many panels of industry experts, opportunities to visit with local and state leaders, and ways to differentiate your farm.
2020 is a pivotal year for you to make your voice heard through policy development on things that directly impact your farm as well as learn new management practices. I don’t think many people realize that everything starts at the grassroots level through the efforts and support of rural and local communities. Each and every voice of the American farmer is important to be heard at the state capitol and Washington, D.C. for the future and success of their operation.
You need to have a watch dog, and that’s really what commodity groups and other ag organizations are really good at. Engagement in these organizations keep you up to date on specific things impacting your farm such as trade, the Renewable Fuel Standard, markets, and much more. You don’t even have to be involved statewide to do this. Local groups are valuable to be involved in to stay up to date with local politics and consumers.
It’s really a responsibility of farmers, ranchers, or producers to tell their story because they do so many great things. This younger generation really wants to know their farmers and understand the production methods to know where their food comes from. Even by just having that one minute “here’s what I do on my farm” can make a difference. The farmers engaged with their consumers are the ones who are going to make it, because they are able to adapt to consumers’ wants and needs.
READ MORE: 20 Strategies That Farmers Can Use In 2020